We had been looking for the perfect stained glass window to incorporate into our kitchen. Our search had been continuing for over a year. Either what we found was far too expensive, too small or just not ornate enough.

My sister called to say there was an auction in their area, about 3 hours north. We headed up in our Buick sedan. Lots of room in the back seat and a big, empty trunk too. The auction was quite large, held in a restaurant, and there were a good deal of "smalls", some of which we won.

Then came the prize - out of the back room, which we had not noticed, two men carried the most wonderful piece of stained glass! It was from a bay window, had a "bow" to it and was in incredible colors. It had three "panels" and they had nicely detailed "candles" in the center. This was to be mine.

The auctioneer started it quite high but we were all seasoned buyers and waited until it dropped to $50 to raise our paddles. And raise them we did! There was one gentleman who bid against me (fool!) but I did not waiver. This was in spite of my husband who kept giving me the "evil eye", an elbow in the arm, a groan and a what-are-you-doing stare! But I persevered! Finally, my competition dropped his paddle and the auctioneer said several of my favorite words "Sold to #44." (I remember that number, even after 8 years.)

I was ecstatic! My sister and I hugged and she agreed it would look wonderful in our kitchen. I then turned to my husband and expected the same reaction. What I saw was plain old shock. He stared at me and said a few other words I'll never forget "How will you get it home?" I was dumbfounded. "Well, in our trunk of course," I responded. He took out the tape measure and to my disbelief, it turned out to be over 7 feet long. It did not LOOK that big - but then I am woman and we are not known for our estimation capabilities (we won't go there.)

After a great deal of thinking and many chides from my 2nd favorite brother-in-law (he was the only one but he always came in last), we came up with a solution. He and my sister headed to their house and brought numerous blankets and bungie cords. We proceeded to tie it to the top of the car (luggage racks) and drove home on country roads, very slowly. It took us over 6 hours to get there. Once again, my dear husband was patient with me. It turned out to be a focal point in our kitchen. In fact, it was one of the things the lucky buyers loved about our house when we sold the next year. And yet, we stayed together. I am that much fun.