This week Justine endured the bi-annual public humiliation that is the Maria Alm second hand clothing sale. Under operating theatre light intensity, any item you would like to sell is scrutinised by a panel of prominent mums, the guardians of quality. All familiar faces, which rather than putting you at ease just magnifies the humiliation. With shouts of 'Flecken!' (Stained!), and the crushing blow of the occasional 'Schmutzig!' (Dirty!), about 50% of what Justine had hoped to sell was flung across the hall into the box of stuff deemed only good enough to be sent straight to charity. The rest of it was accepted with a considerable amount of tutting and raised eyebrows on learning that Justine doesn't do ironing. That said, we made as much money as we spent, kitting the kids out for another summer, and ate some very delicious cake.
