Yeah, I'm a thief.

A dirty rotten thief. In an effort to support my darling's altruistic desire to save our world and planet I decided I needed to start recycling again. The little community I live in does have two carts to collect our recyclables but I used it only once. That was when I moved here two years ago. Though it's nice the HOA wants to bring us all together by offering a community recycle area, they keep the carts behind a gate. And it's on the opposite side of the row of townhouses I live. While I am not lazy and don't mind dragging my recyclables to the carts 50 yards away it's just inconvenient. This is a shared sentiment with my neighbors on this end of the row. The community placement of the recycle carts may seem inconsequential to you but it meant I needed to remedy my insignificant problem with a quick phone call to the city. A quick 45 second call later promised a cart be delivered. Sometime in the future.

The request was made on this past Wednesday.  Yesterday was recycle pick-up day. As is our routine, the girls and I took our morning walk for their first constitutional of the day. I always walk the girls down the row of townhouses from my end to the other so they can check their pee-mail messages and leave some messages of their own. Along that path is a paved area where we, the residents of the community, leave our trash cans and recycle carts for pick up. Hmmm. There was an extra recycle cart on the pick up area this Thursday morning. Could it possibly be meant for me? Hmmm. The community carts are neatly stowed in the gated area as always and I didn't see the cart the night before during the late night walk with the girls. It must be mine. Hmmm. The girls and I finish our walk and passing by the pick-up area on the way back I decided to drag the cart back with us. It was well used and dirty inside but I stuck it in the garage anyway with a plan to wash it out later. 

When I arrived home yesterday there was an extra garbage can in front of my parking space. I thought nothing of it because my original can was still there, figured someone put theirs in the wrong spot. I quickly forgot about it the moment I noticed it and went inside to take care of the puppies. When I arrived home today not only was my original garbage can there along with the new garbage can but a a shiny new blue recycle cart was nestled next to them like a blue bird on a branch. This recycle cart had my house number written on it. Well, crap. I'm a thief. After I took care of the girls today I walked back out to my parking pace and rolled my bright and shiny new blue recycle cart into my garage. In my haste to get it out of sight I kicked the wheel and broke my big toenail. I broke it so badly it bled and now it stings. And now I have to soak it in Epsom salts and super glue it. I figure that is my karma for stealing someone's recycle cart.

Don't worry y'all. I will take the stolen recycle cart back out to the pick-up area. Granted it will be under the cover of a late night walk on Wednesday to make it look like it never left its spot.