Thursday, April 5, 2012

Sanford and Son Wanna Be

I mention my son, Hunter, quite a bit since he helps me out quite a lot with my projects. So today, I'm going to tell everyone a little bit about him.  As I am writing this, it seems fitting that Sanford and Son is on.  You'll see why in a minute.

Hunter turned 17 in January but he is very mature for his age. He works harder than a lot of grown men. He is smart and full of common sense. You know how some people are super intelligent but don't have a lick of common sense? Well, he got his fair share plus more. He built this barn/storage area when he was 13 using mostly scrap lumber. As most of you know, my husband is a carpenter so he does come into scrap materials. Hunter is a collector of junk or as he says "merchandise." He likes antiques, really anything old. This past weekend I took a tour though his barn to see what he has stockpiled.
pie safe....

I remember last summer when I never knew what he was going to drag home and I do mean drag. I would starting hearing loud noises from outside, look out the window and see clouds of dust billowing up from the road. A couple of times, I would come home and see the deep grooves in the gravel road and wondered, "what's he got now?" I am proud of him but at the same time can get very aggravated. You see, he purchased a lot of junk from the neighbor across the road for a couple of hundred dollars. The neighbor was happy to have his land cleared off but then it came across the road to my house! I think he had 9 vehicles, some dating back to the 40's. He drug home stock trailers, hay racks, cars, trucks, vans, even a sugar grinder! I am so glad we have acreage where I don't have to see all his "merchandise." Hunter being quite the salesman, posted a lot of it on craigslist. He enjoys wheeling and dealing! A lot of it was also hauled off to the scrap yard. Needless to say, Hunter had a very profitable summer.
approximately 30 sets of hubcaps  and license plates stored in his boat...

If anyone needs anything, they ask him. My sister recently purchased land and needed a culvert.  She called Hunter, and yes, he had one. He has over 300 National Geographic magazines dating back to the 1940's. He has about 60 vinyl records and 9 record players. I finally put my foot don't about this because some are big console types. He has a collection of old radios, Underwood typewriters and a dresser full of old cast iron cookware.
a pair of toile ware lamps

I could go on and on listing the things he has, some I don't even know about, but I'm getting tired of typing. No, I don't buy his "treasures" for him.  He doesn't even buy a lot of it,  most people are wanting to clean out their barns or outbuildings and let him have it. What he does buy, he pays for.  He works with his dad some, he cuts grass in the summer, hauls scrap to the scrap yard, and all sorts of odd things to make money. A couple of weeks ago, he replaced the screens in all the windows at another neighbors house. He has also been known to trade work for things. Last year, he traded carpentry work plus a little cash for a dual wheel truck that he calls "the beast."

I know what you're thinking, "Her house must really be junkie!" Nope, even his room isn't too bad. His barn is 12X60 plus we have other outbuildings where he stores a few odds and ins. He stores things in the attic and he has a room in my fil's storage building that he keeps under lock and key. He knows everything he has, I think he even has an inventory written down. If he buys a vehicle and works on it before selling it, he knows exactly how much he spent on it. He has a folder for each vehicle and keeps all his receipts. At the moment, he has 5 trucks, including a restored 1977 Ford F-100.

And this is Hunter, sitting in his trash found metal chair. That lovely young lady in the background is my daughter, Savannah

Now do you see what I mean about Sanford and Son? Yep, my 17 year old son and Fred Sanford would make quite a pair! He is quite unique and I am very proud of him!

Blessings, Tammy
Sharing with:
Treasure Hunt Thursday @ From My Front Porch To Yours
Inspiration Friday at the picket fence
Vintage Inspiration Friday @ Common Ground
Thrifty Things Friday @ The Thrifty Grove
Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors
Weekend Wrap-Up Party @ Tatertots and Jello
Newbie Party at Debbie Doo’s Blogging & Blabbing
Metamorphisis Monday  @ Between Naps on the Porch
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm
What's It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephants

18 comments:

  1. Tammy, you are blessed beyond belief to have a son who is as responsible and outgoing as young Hunter. I think every mother out there would gladly "adopt" him as a son. His story restores my faith in young people! There are so many instances where youngsters are into any and everything they shouldn't be, but it sounds like Hunter has his eye on the prize. He is a giant among men. Hats off to you and your husband for raising such a fine young man! Now get your shotgun out, because you know you're going to have to fight off the ladies! :-)

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    1. Thank you so much, Alycia! Yes, we are blessed and I thank the Lord everyday for my family. As far as the ladies, just a couple of weeks ago a young teenage girl seen him working with his dad and tried to get someone to introduce them! He told me, "Oh, Mom, there's time enough for that later!" That's fine with me too!

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  2. Tammy, What an AMAZING young man you have! And what a role model he must be for your daughter and other young people. I wish you and your family a very Happy Easter!
    Sharla

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  3. Tammy he deserves a write up in Country Living magazine or something! I LOVE his story and it warms my heart. I have started instilling the love of "junk" into my boys even though it drives my hubby insane. Ya never know where it may lead one day! Thanx so much for sharing on THT!!

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  4. He is awesome! I loved reading about your son. He has quite a talent! Thank you for sharing with us at TTF. I hope you and your family have a happy and blessed Easter!

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  5. I think American Pickers should be told about him and make a visit to him and feature him on their show....think of the exposure and what it could do for him......what a great young man!! thanks for sharing

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  6. Yes, I instantly thought this is an American Pickers dream kid! Fun visiting your blog today and learning about your son.

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    1. He loves American Pickers and has them on DVD! Thank you for visiting! Blessings, Tammy

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  7. I wish I had known a kid like that in high school. I would have loved to share that time with a collector and share and learn together. Hope he keeps at it.

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  8. Oh my goodness Hunter gives me hope for my son. What an amazing young man. You are truly blessed. This is such a wonderful post! I would love it if you would share this at our WIW linky party. Hope to see you there.

    Paula
    ivyandelephants.blogspot.com

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  9. Tammy - This post is wonderful! I am in love with all of those license plates. How neat for someone so young to appreciate things so old. :)
    Karah

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  10. You have a treasure of a son there, which I can tell you already know ;^)

    I can think of much worse things for him to be "into" and he sounds like he's going about it with such a strong business sense too!

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  11. Your son is amazing! Loving his "junk"! Just found your blog, csn't wait to read more! Following you now!

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  12. What a great post. I just started to follow you on Google : )

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  13. Hi Tammy! Just stopping back by to let you know that I will be featuring this post in this week's Thrifty Things Friday party!

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    1. Thank you so much, Diann! I'm honored that you chose my blog post to feature! Blessings, Tammy

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Thank you so much for all your lovely comments! I try to return the favor and visit each one of you! ~Blessings, Tammy~