Saw another place with potential in Folsom and while this is more like what we want, I really like the idea of saving shitloads of money each month with the trailer I mentioned yesterday. I don’t want to go over a grand in rent cuz then if they lay him off or fire him and all he could get was a minimum-wage job, we’d be pretty screwed.

If I’ve been having any dreams suggesting where we should go, I haven’t been remembering them. There are going to be so many tough decisions to make! In looking at the ads, though, it isn’t what I see that worries me so much as what I don’t see. I like that I see that one of you must be 55 or older. I like that I see that Section 8 is forbidden. But I don’t see anything about excessive barking being forbidden or loud music or anything like that. Some of them just say “quiet” neighborhood. Well, what is “quiet?” Quiet is a subjective thing, isn’t it? The frogs croaking up a storm during the rainy season don’t bother me yet they’re just as loud as the dogs. Well, that’s not “quiet” even though I don’t mind them, and when Jesse and his mutts are quiet, it’s quiet here, too. I guess not seeing anything that says, “Dogs must reside indoors as pets” is better than seeing, “Dogs left outside round the clock, ok.”

Someone got a mutt somewhere in the back, but fortunately, it’s far enough away that you can’t hear it with the windows shut or the fan on low. It barked for a couple of hours after midnight last night. Again, it never ceases to amaze and disgust me how rude people are.

I was surprised when Nane told me she pays nearly 1000 euros for her 1-bedroom apartment and that’s considered cheap for Munich, she says, where most people are single. I hope it’s in good condition with some nice extras, cuz if it’s not she’s getting ripped off same as we are. Tom thinks this is a good deal for pricy Cali, but I think $825 for an old single-wide is a rip-off, even if the electricity is included. This thing should be between $450 - $650. We could get a modern, spacious apartment that’s 6 or 7-something a month and fully loaded with all kinds of features and amenities. I just couldn’t stand the noise, so that’s why we’re not living in one. TVs, music, footsteps, doors and cabinets slamming – not exactly music to my ears.

My allergies are going off again. Still don’t know what makes them tick. I’ll be fine for days, then BAM! Off they go.

I received notice, as requested, that Mary has been moved to another facility. I guess this is common for those who are about to leave prison. She’s down to her last few months. The excitement she must be feeling must be almost unbearable! But I can understand where she may be nervous as well. It’s a big change going into jail/prison as it is coming out of it. It’s going to take some time to learn to do things for herself after having her life dictated to her for so long from what she can eat to when she can shower.

All that poor girl has known in her life is abuse, bad boys, and babies. Mary wasn’t like most inmates, though. She was more of a victim than a criminal and I never thought she deserved jail. Ok, maybe for a while. After all, a child died. But the child died because Mary was brainwashed and terrified, not because she didn’t give a damn. She loved that kid. She loved/loves all her kids. Not sure where she should’ve been instead, but 10 years in jail and 2 in prison, especially after being lied to and shafted by the system, as most people are, hardly seems right at all.

I wonder where she’ll go when she’s released. If she doesn’t go stay with friends, I hope it won’t be with her mother, aunt or uncle and that she’ll go with her brother instead. He seems to be the only family member of hers that’s sane and non-abusive.

Maliheh and I finally caught each other! We’re just starting to chat right now.