Our garage sale was almost two weeks ago. For days after, everyone wanted to know how we did. “Was it a success?” Well, that depends on your perspective.

Are they asking about how much money we made? How much stuff we sold? How many people showed up? Truthfully, if the goal was to create more and better organized space in the garage – yes, it was a roaring success. But if the goal was to create a net addition to our savings account, it was a spectacular failure.

Despite the raw, miserable days, a respectable amount of people showed up. The regulars. I didn’t know many of the buyers, but I could tell they were dedicated thrifters. First, a lot of them knew each other – probably from many weekends meeting at yard sales.

Secondly, no matter their total purchase, they all had correct change. Part of my sale preparation was acquiring $100 in singles, as well as $5 and $10 bills. I could have completely skipped it. I never opened either pack of the 50 singles.

The first customer said, “$8.65 – no problem – I have it right here,” as she dished out the five, three singles, and the change. Same for the $14.75 from the next man’s overalls pocket. When I went to the bank after the sale, I had $165 singles! All committed bargain hunters travel with well-prepared cash funds. Lesson learned.

The weekend’s downward slide began Wednesday, two days before the sale. Our garbage disposal bit the dust. We tried every fixit I’ve learned about these chewer-uppers in the last fifty years. Nothin’. I finally called the plumber. After 15 minutes of disassembly and professional tinkering, he headed off to fetch a new one. Thankfully the bill didn’t come until Monday – after the sale.

Friday, the first sale day, was cold and rainy. Proud of myself, I thought the NO EARLY BIRDS notice in our sale ad must have sunk in. Frankly, I think the weather kept them home and cozy until just before our 9:00am opening. The first few hours were a steady stream of pickers. Mid-afternoon, the steady wind gusted to 50 mph, depositing one of our borrowed tents high in the birch tree. Our distress and worry gradually calmed down after the rescue and reinstallation. The winds and rain persisted.

Day two, Saturday, was quieter. Less rain but just as much cold and wind. A few customers returned for the one thing they forgot. The day was darkening, when we finally entered the house, desperate for some warmth and recliner time. Forget the warm. The house was 64 degrees. The furnace was off.

Hesitant to call the plumber on a Saturday night, we realized that a 30-degree house wasn’t going to feel comfy come Sunday morning. And that would be an even worse time to call. Miraculously, Dave answered on the first ring, was at the house in five minutes, and had the furnace back in business 15 minutes later. Thank God for living in a small town.

Lemme see: after the disposal, the rotten weather, and the furnace, what else could go wrong? We were finished. So I thought.

When I moved my car into the driveway Sunday night, the remote key fob read “low battery.” I’d seen that before but was able to use it. Besides, I had NO idea where the main key was within our topsy-turvy house.

The remote’s low battery didn’t work. When I tried it the third time, it killed the car battery. It was pouring again when the road service mechanic arrived from only an hour away. He jumped the battery, and I made plans for a remote battery trip to Honda in Jamestown. The car was fine. For two days.

Wednesday afternoon, while downtown, the car battery went toes up. Our mechanics lent Richard a jumper cable set, and we delivered my CRV to their shop for a new battery. Geesh.

So, was the garage sale a success? Yes – we acquired much more room and a fairly well-organized garage. And $711. Not too bad. But profit? Fuggedaboudit. More like a lifesaver during a tough week:

Sale ad, price stickers: $68.60

Sharpie pens: $6.22

Garbage disposal: $440.12

Dead remote battery: $6.47

Dead car battery: $267.10

Grand total: $788.51

You do the math.

Marcy O’Brien can be reached at Moby.32@hotmail.com.