Letters to Mom

Another heat wave in the west, Mom.  114F in Barstow is the predicted temp today and 128F in Death Valley. Alerts from Sacramento to beyond Arizona.  It's hot here as well, both Jackie and I thought about getting in the soaker pool last night (w/out talking about it to each other).  I do think that I prefer the dry heat of the west. This humidity stuff is killer! What do you think of the quilt, Ma? And our idea for the left over panels?  Two of them we're going to finish and hang on the wall in the family room along with my mixed media bead work project.  I've started a new one - correcting faults from the first one and, hopefully, be able to sell it. The car is running and I'm becoming more confident in it for the short term.  We're checking out what money we've saved can buy us and think we may need to try to add more money to the kitty to get a dependable car.  There's no sense buying someone else major problems. We haven't heard from Polly, J

Hey Ma; Chris worked on the fuel filter and that's made a lot of difference. We may feel safe going to Atlanta and back in the tank.  We are about half way to having a beginning amount to look for a different used car.  If Jackie gets a judgment in her favor - definitely a dependable little car. Today we checked out bicycles at Wal-Mart but I was reluctant to tap into the car money to buy a new bicycle, especially if we might not use it much so we held off.  We went to a couple of pawn shops and Goodwill but they only had children's bikes.  We went to K=Mart the next town over (the car ran okay - I'm still paranoid as hell yet).  They had a decent bike that we could both ride (yes, I have short legs) for $99 Again we decided to hold back.  At $99 + a different seat + lock + helmets + odds and ends, we'd be well over $150.  I planned on cruising Craigslist like I have been and keeping our eyes out for a used bike. We were close to the bookstore where Jackie gets

We did it, Mama.  We finished Marie's quilt and I'm sitting here crying, I miss you both so much. I know we probably didn't do the binding exactly right, I couldn't remember what you showed me. We checked out some quilting books so when we finish the tumbler quilt we'll do better. It feels good that we could finish it for you, Mama, but it also hurts. We decided that we're going to hang my mixed media art piece, the Hebrew alphabet in beadwork pieces on a 3-D plywood board and dowels.  On either side of that we're going to put leftover finished panel pieces.  Your work and mine, Mom. Love you and miss you

 Hey Mama, You've got Annie with you now.  I know you thought we'd lose her in October.  You and Jackie did an amazing job caring for her.  After we lost you she bonded straightaway with Jackie and Jackie was so patient and loving, going beyond what many would do for the frail little cat. For a small cat no bigger than a 4 month old kitten she's going to leave a huge whole in our lives. Annie - 2 1/2 yrs old Mom's little miracle cat. She was bottle fed, underweight and frail.  She never grew into cat size but her eyes could reveal an old soul in a tiny body.  She was always frail and she began losing a fight with allergies and colds in October. Mom and Jackie nursed her and held her for hours every day. When Mom passed we were sure we were going to lose Annie as well. Jackie did an amazing job caring and loving the little cat and Annie's expression and purrs let us know the love was returned. Annie lost her fight this morning and has joined Mom.  Burie

Working on the last bluebird, Mom.  Not sure if I'll try and put them together in a string quilt or just sell them as is. May need to find a different place to try and get sales going - Zibbet isn't working.  Of course reading the books I've downloaded on how to start a small craft business might help. I need a round TUIT, Ma