The Results Show

It occurs to me that twice a year I whine to you guys about Lilybugs, but I never report back. I mean, I am not a masochist who keeps doing this because I like torture. I actually do get something out of it.

I tried to take pictures, but there was just too much stuff.

So, after two weeks' worth of prep on my items and a two hour volunteer shift for the sale, I purchased:

For Maren

• 3 dresses
• 8 tops
• 6 bottoms (shorts and skorts)

For Brynna

• 2 dresses
• 8 bottoms (shorts, skorts and skirts)
• 8 tops
• 1 3 piece bathing suit (regular two piece plus rash guard)
• 1 pair shoes
• 1 pillow

For these 38 items (which will comprise the majority of their summer wardrobes, Brynna may need another church outfit and they will both probably require a couple more pairs of shoes), I paid a grand total of $125, average of $3.25 per item. Purchased new, I am guessing that the 5 nicest items would have exceeded $125.

All the same, it was over the amount I budgeted for myself, because my ability to do math in my head is increasingly poor and also, I got tired.

But, it was all okay because my proceeds from my items that I sold totaled... drumroll... $195. 

That's right, it's like someone paid me to clothe to my children. 

Every season, a couple of days before the sale, I swear that this will be my last. The work, the messy house, the late nights, the arguing over the kids about whether or not we should sell that toy that's been in the basement for three years. It just seems like too much. And then, well, then it's not. It turns out to be worth it. 

Someday, in the not so distant future, my kids are going to outgrow this sale and I'll be fighting with Brynna over brand names and the mall. I have no illusions about clothing her forever in second-hand treasures. Someday, she'll want different. (Maren, too, I'm sure, it just seems so unlikely with her personality, but I'm sure there'll be something.) And I truly believe that the first time she presents me with a pair of $70 jeans, I'll feel a little better knowing how easy I got off all these years. Just remind me of that when the time comes.