Girlfriend, whatever it was you imbibed tonight, I hope it was worth it. As far as your surprise, what you've received so far is just the beginning. Expect a miracle, and keep close watch on that mailbox for the next month or so. You have no idea what's on its way. :-)

My friends and cyber buddies are going to bail you out come hell *and* high water. There is strength in numbers. Do let me know what the grand total turns out to be after it all falls from the sky.

You have enough on your plate without $$$ worries. Working three jobs is just not good for the soul, especially with your back problems and a daughter in her teens.

For those of you scratching your heads, I've started a drive to help Petra get out from under her financial woes (and out from under the table). Sent a little plea to all my adoption groups, with combined memberships of many thousands, asking all to send her just $5.00 (or more if they can afford it). Not everyone will respond, of course, but there is great strength in numbers, and people who adopt generally care about others.

If any here would like to pitch in, here's Petra's address (which she's posted before, so I'm not breaking a confidence):

Petra Challus
1032 Civic Center Drive
Rohnert Park, Ca. 94928

Over the next few weeks, she should be receiving a spate of random acts of kindness from complete strangers. Petra, one check coming in is not for five, but five hundred (!) dollars (or so I've been told). People are taking up collections at work. You are about to have SO much fun paying off those bills and finally getting a good night's sleep.

Last year, I started a drive for a cyber friend in Florida; her family was able to keep their house from foreclosure as a result.

So fellow Earthwavers, if my appeal appeals to you, please be as generous as you can be. And remember, we're all just a few disasters from ruin. Security is tenuous, even if you think you're protected, with a diversified portfolio and wealthy parents in their nineties. All it takes is one good fire...

Petra, as far as your situation goes, I've been there/done that, so I know *exactly* how horrible and depressing it feels. Were it not for the kindness of a few good friends, and a couple of strangers, I don't know how I would have gotten through those difficult times twenty years ago.

So sweet, drunken lady, fear not and enjoy your hangover tomorrow. (May it be your last.) There are angels on earth looking after you.

Your life is about to take a complete 180, if I can pull this off. I do hope, more than anything, that enough comes in to let you spend some time with your daughter. Right now, you're spread too thin. We're going to thicken you up a bit. :-)

Enjoy the ride. I have a feeling it's going to be an E Ticket extravaganza. Christmas comes early to Rohnert Park! Life is good.

xxxooo, Cathryn, aka EFU