I didn’t get up until it was almost 7:00am, and I had just an hour to shower, get dressed and get all my stuff set up for our 8:00am garage sale. Fortunately, the shoppers didn’t start rolling in until around 8:30am, and by then Ilene and I were ready for them.
Ilene had set up two tables with tablecloths, and she put her stuff on one and I had my stuff on the other. We put the rest of the items on the ground, in boxes and in bins. We had everything you can imagine – toys, clothes, games, knick-knacks, brick-a-brack, art (including some of my decoupaged pieces), small pieces of furniture, CDs, DVDs, VHS tapes, sundries, make-up, perfume, etc., etc., etc.
We made a great team. We would help each other with sales, and ask each other prices if someone came to us with an item. It got really busy and we’d be selling like crazy. Then, it would slow down for a while and we’d get to reorganize, and hang out, then another crowd would roll in.
It was pretty hot out, and I had slathered myself with sunscreen, so I didn’t get sunburned, as I usually do at every garage sale I have. I also put a visor on at one point, because the sun was so strong.
Ilene was running around with boundless energy, but after a few hours my back was hurting, my feet were hurting, I was hot, and I was tired. It made me feel very old. I hate when something makes me realize how old I am. I’m 51 and sometimes I just don’t remember that fact!
At one point, Ilene mentioned that I needed to go pick up my rental car. Enterprise was only open from 9-12 on Saturday. It was 11:40am!!!! I jumped into Kyle's car with him and Elise and they raced over to Enterprise, which was less than a mile away (thank goodness!). I completely forgot and if Ilene hadn't mentioned it I wouldn't have gotten the car and would have had no way to get home on Sunday!!!! Ilene had already offered to drive me home on Monday, because she and Tyler were going to Disneyland for his birthday, but I really didn't want to make her drive ALL the way to San Diego!
Thank goodness we got there in time and in just about 15 minutes I drove out of there with my black Chevy Cobalt and was back to the sale in no time!
Ilene is so amazing at multi-tasking that she actually made lunch for the whole family – pizza – while still selling at the garage sale. How DOES she do it? Elise, her six-year-old daughter was selling fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies at an adorable lemonade-stand type booth. People were buying cookies, shopping, and I think they really enjoyed our sale!
I got rid of most of my stuff and Ilene said I could leave whatever didn’t sell and she would sell it at her next sale, which made me very happy, because the last thing I wanted to do was bring any of it back to San Diego!
I completely crashed at around 2:00pm. We cleaned up a lot of the stuff, packed up bins and boxes, and got most of it into the backyard. Then, I just had to lie down on the couch. I needed a nap SO badly. I tried to rest a little, but then Ilene’s sister Karen arrived with her son, Jason who is 7. I told them I HAD to nap for a while or I would die, so the kids played in the backyard, Ilene was doing stuff around the house, and Karen read on the couch next to me while I slept for about a half hour. I really felt better when I woke up and was grateful for the rest.
I wanted to treat everyone to dinner to thank Ilene and Kyle for their kindness and for everything they had done for me – including the garage sale, having me as a guest in their home, and saving me when I had my car accident! We were all so exhausted that we decided to order in from California Kitchen, which is a restaurant I love with a great menu, rather than go out. We actually ordered online. Ilene took everyone’s order, clicked on each item, then they totaled it and we were able to pay online!
Then, Karen and I jumped in her car and drove over to the restaurant. All I had to do was sign my name and carry out the shopping bag of food. It was so easy and convenient!
When we got back we all sat around the table and enjoyed a delicious meal. There was seafood, salads, pasta, pizza, soup, and Ilene even made fresh-baked brownies a la mode for dessert. I don’t know how Ilene does it. I know she’s a few years younger than me, but she has the energy and stamina of a 20 year old! I kind of think it’s because she’s a mother, and when you have three kids you just get used to going, and going, and going. I call my friend Geri “Buni,” because she’s got so much energy she's like the Energizer Bunny, but I think I should start calling Ilene “Buni”, too, because she’s got just as much!!!!
After dinner, a bunch of us jumped in the car to take Evan to a Bar Mitzvah in Brentwood. He was dressed up in a 3-piece suit and he looked SO handsome! We drove over there and I saw this huge building and thought it was a catering hall. Ilene explained that it was someone's house. It looked like Leonard's of Great Neck to me (you New Yorkers will get that reference!!!). It was the hugest, fanciest house!!! There was a bouncer at the entrance and Evan had to give his name and the guy checked his list and allowed him to entry. I was SO impressed!!!
When we got back, we had Ilene's delicious dessert, and then I just hung out with Ilene and Karen for a few hours. Then, I said I simply HAD to get in my pajamas and go to bed. I was totally exhausted. Just to be sure I had a good night’s sleep I took two NYQUIL. My nose was very stuffed, so I figured it would help me sleep, and clear up my breathing for a while.
Ilene’s 16-year-old son, Tyler (Happy Birthday, Tyler!!!) was kind enough to give up his bedroom for me, and I really appreciated it, because I was able to fall asleep (thank you Nyquil!) and got a great night’s sleep. It was a really great day and I felt like Ilene and I had accomplished so much. We had a lot of fun, had a few laughs, made a few bucks, and got rid of a lot of stuff we just didn’t need anymore!