This is very exciting, I know. But I'm sick today, read it anyway, it's a pity click. I was excited, anyway, to learn that I could finally get rid of the old futon that's been occupying my driveway for....longer than I really want to admit, free of charge. Or at least, no additional charge.

The City of Tacoma has this great Call 2 Haul service, up to twice in a calendar year, you can call them up to take away 3 large items (like appliances, furniture) and up to 15 smaller items that wouldn't go in your normal garbage bin. If you need to, you can combine your two yearly pickups and put out twice as much. You have to live in a single family home or a duplex in order to qualify, and no commercial customers. There's also self-haul service, if a visit to the landfill really excites you.

All you do is call them up, set up a pick up day, and have the stuff out on your front curb (even if your garbage is picked up in an alley) by 7 am on that day. In two weeks, I will be futon free. Exciting, I'm telling you.

Call to Haul: (253) 573-2468 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays

You might also consider: 2 Good 2 Toss (Trust me, none of this stuff qualifies.)