Monday, April 30, 1984

Mom's repairman cost me another $52.85 to patch the roof, to try to stop the leak in the back bedroom again. I hope it works 'til Love's insurance money gets here, then I'll be able to put a new roof on my house. The patch job last fall, the new ceiling, the patch job several weeks ago, plus today's patch cost $260.85 so far total.

I get 9.6 miles per gallon of gas driving Mom's car back and forth to work. I'm averaging $7.00 a day in gas and expenses. I don't know how Mom's car runs at all, because it has three burnt valves, uses a quart of oil every four days and guzzles brake, power steering and transmission fluid, but it starts. Mine won't even start now after sitting only two months, even with a new battery.

I am slowly picking up the pieces. I don't look on each new day as a bright promise, but I don't look on each one as just another day to get through either.

Cecil is marvelous around the house. I definitely needed someone like him as a roommate, if for no other reason than to take some of the responsibilities off my shoulders, so I can get everything squared away without the mental anguish of not knowing where to turn. He even told me I could use his car to go to work, if Mom's car broke down before I can get mine fixed.

Karen, my ex-high school classmate, told me that if she moved in, she would be glad to give me a few extra dollars if she had it. She's getting her food stamps Wednesday and her rent is due Saturday. We'll see if she follows through on moving here this time.