My Favorite Rummage Sale Story

Those of you who have met me personally, know that I am English; I moved to California on October 30, 1996. Seat 49C, Virgin Atlantic flight # VS019 arrived at SFO at 2:50pm, to be exact. Not that it was significant or anything.

Five years prior to that or maybe ten, I forget (it wasn't as momentous as arriving in the US,) I bought a dress from Marks & Spencer, a British High Street chain. It was a floaty, swingy, summer dress with tiny flowers printed on it.

I loved that dress. It was loose, which meant I could gain a few pounds and hide them. It had crinkly fabric, which meant I didn't need to iron it. It hid my knees.

I wore that dress over and over for many years but fast forward to 2008 and it was time to say goodbye. It had been worn to death and reincarnated several times but it was now finally the end. My crinkly dress became a rumpled mess in my upstairs bathroom wastebasket.

One day, last May, a certain Michelle met me. It was the Rummage Sale cleanup rave. The day before we had had great success, pulling in $$$ way over target. She invited me, in that silky way of hers, to clean up books. And she insisted that I take a look around for something that might take my fancy.

Initially, I demurred. Frankly, Rummage Sale leftovers aren't typically inspiring. But boxing up hundreds of books isn't terribly thrilling either so I decided to take her advice. I walked around the toys but pieces spilled from puzzles. I walked around Media but all the Dead CDs were gone. And then. Gasp. I stopped.

Everything stopped. My heart. My lungs. The world. For there, on a hanger, was a very familiar-looking dress. Surely not? Could it be? I don't believe it! It was. 5000 miles and 17 (or was it 22) years later, there at a Rummage Sale in California, USA, was an identical floaty, summer M&S dress with tiny flowers printed upon it.

In my size.

I have worn that dress many times in the year since. And told many people my story. It makes me, and them, smile. You see, magic can happen in the unlikeliest of places; where it's dusty and dirty and cold. The SCCLC Rummage Sale appears a rare place for magic and wizardry. But as my story shows, it can make Harry Potters of us all.

Thank you to all the wonderful volunteers today, it was a tough day, and special thanks to the Food Fairies who seem to flutter in, leave their gifts, then fly away without me even seeing them, let alone having a chance to thank them. We will be back in business tomorrow.

Shock. Then Awe.

At precisely 7:45am this morning, our dedicated operatives went into action. Tanks, sorry, trucks moved into their positions around the city, loaders stationed themselves in driveways and unloaders practiced readiness outside the Old Gym. What followed was wave after wave of incredible teamwork underpinned by strategic thinking and tactical endeavor. Each driver got his or her truck filled, then drove to the school; and as soon as the vehicle was unloaded, it immediately swooped off to the next point of action while the donations were sorted inside the Gym.

Over and over and over again this happened, everyone working in virtual silence as they concentrated on the job in hand. I don't think I have ever seen so many people working in total unison like that; they were like a machine. Truly awesome.

Three people in particular deserve a mention. Carlos, Ryan and Jimmy, from Project 90, volunteered their time and were truly magnificent. They provided muscle, good humor and prevented a Merc owner who lived opposite the Smiths from becoming very unhappy on several occasions. If anyone needs a team with such a work ethic, please let Gretchen, Michelle or me know and we would be happy to provide you with their information. They were real stars.

This afternoon, we started the job of sorting. The job is, er, not for those easily intimidated. We have mounds and mounds and mounds of stuff. It's hard to move around. The floor is virtually covered. The stage is full of clothes. And we can't even get to the Baby section.

But we will return tomorrow to continue the fight. It is a battle we will ultimately win. This time next week, the first day of our Rummage Sale will be over and we will be relaxing and telling stories of the day. And hopefully, counting lots of money.

But that's a ways away. After a long, hard first day, it is time to thank our great Trojans of War for their incredible Dunkirk spirit, thank all those who provided us with refreshment to keep our energies and morale up and particular thanks must go to PG&E, Benjamin Franklin and whoever else was involved in the presence of hot water in my bath this evening.

This Is My Last Day...

...to look presentable. Tonight, the decent clothes will be consigned to the closet, the makeup bag closed and the hairbrush put away in a drawer. In their stead, out will come the sweats, the tennis shoes and the headscarf as the Warriors of the San Carlos Charter Learning Center attempt to do what The Governator himself cannot - that is, pay for our children's education.

Our Rummage Sale starts one week from tomorrow on Saturday March 20 at 7am and we have rummage scattered all over town. Beds are in basements, clothes are in cottages, paperbacks are in pods. Tomorrow, an army of battle-hungry soldiers will transport our donations in their sturdy, reinforced armoured vehicles (aka mini-vans) to the Old Gym. When that deed is done, we will stand back and gulp at the size of the task before us. Thoughts of "what have we done?" "how will we do it?" and "can I run away?" will cross our minds. But then, fortified by caffeine and Girl Scout cookies, we will launch our campaign to defeat the challenge that stands before us.

Shock and awe. Awe and shock. We will straighten our backs, take a deep breath and advance under the steely eyes and exemplary organization of our leaders. Our strategy is simple; to keep going until it is done. One step after another. Dawn to dusk, for as long as it takes. And I'm keeping my jewelry away from the table marked "Valuables."