January 19 — I always read the classified section of anything and am amazed at the items listed. Sometimes, like recently, I get real excited when I find something I know can be of use. I decided to dial the phone number to see if the carpet was still available, to my surprise it was and better yet I recognized both the name and voice as someone trust-worthy. After jotting down directions for pickup, I asked if anyone would be home in the afternoon, unfortunately they had to run to Jasper, but no problem he said, "you will find the padding on the porch and the carport."

"Go through town... take the first right... continue past ... then turn right ... we're the 5th house on the left ... carpet ... padding ..." We arrived only to discover ...

 

(Continued from front page)   ... there was no way we two were going to be able to move the carpet, there was too much, in commercial rolls and encased in plastic! Knowing there would be questions as to why the carpet was still there, I left a note on the door that implied I needed help removing the carpet, more man-power, that I would be back and to please call my cell number, that I still wanted the carpet.

I mulled over in my my mind who could help, it would take at least 6-8 men to move this carpet. After a couple of hours and numerous calls, my cell phone rang, it was my friend with the carpet, "yes, I was there, didn't you get my note I left in the front door?" I asked. His response was, "there is no note" ... I replied, "well, I left it in the front door, it was yellow and folded, you couldn't miss it." "Was there a truck in the driveway?" I responded yes ... he said, "are you sure you went to the right house?" I said, "Yes, I followed your directions" and I read them back verbatim. With a little laugh, my carpet friend said, "You missed a left turn!" I was given the directions once more including the left turn and gratefully secured the carpet!

After carrying the carpet in and inspecting it, my cell rang again, and again, and again ... people were ready to help move this carpet! The last caller was not so eager to help stating "You are not taking my carpet." I did my best to explain the complete Laurel and Hardy mishap, and while I thought it was hilarious, not to mention the irony in finding two homes (5th one on the right) with carpet and padding on the front porch, he was not as amused.

ONLY IN HALEYVILLE! OH MY GOODNESS ... I could see it now, can you imagine this whole scene played out in front of the citizens of Haleyville, Chief Reogas, the newly appointed Lieutenant Investigator Tim Steen? It's funny how the excitement of a moment can lead one down a road that could have ended one up in jail and on the front page of websites and newspapers! "Ya gotta get it right" especially directions!