We were on our way! I didn't know where, but I didn't care at the time. It didn't matter either. I had a roof over my head, she had a job bringing in money (not much but enough), and I was spending the day thinking out this whole mess. Well MOM TO THE RESCUE!! Her mom was an angel. I kid you not, she was the glue that held a big family together and she was just the nicest person with a sweet sweet disposition. For the many years I knew her prior to pancreatic cancer claiming her (may she R.I.P.) she really didn't know the word "NO". To her, everything was possible. Litterally. This situation was no different. She volunteered us the upstairs bedroom for our business office/place of business. This room was TREMENDOUS,,,,,,,bigger than a normal sized living room at least. Eventually had two desks, a copier, and many more things occupying this room. We were set. Like I said, she was an angel.....I'll never forget her. I can't say the same about the rest of the family.......they were kinda pissed that she bent over backwards for us. Did I mention that we also were given use of the garage as our makeshift signmaking facility? We we had that too. The "MR." was a good man too........he helped us and kept busy with us where he could. He didn't have the same knowledge I did and drive for my craft, but he was the LOGIC and DEVILS ADVOCATE that kinda helped guide us along. Man!!!! QUite a business team we all made!!!

It was tough and awkward doing business in the house. YOu would knock on the door, and enter into a livingroom,,,,very warm and cuddly by the way,,,,wood stove and usually MATLOCK was playing on TV! Greeted by Lillian, offered a drink or some refreshment, and then ushered to the stair leading to our office on the second floor. THis was the ultimate in comfort conditions. Imagine going thru all this for one 10 cent copy!! Well it happened and people loved us. HEY GUESS WHAT??? The villiage didn't like what we were doing!! Jealous neighbors complained often too. Our sign was 12"high by 36"wide. and on the house. Tiny!!!! I tried advertising more,,,,so I made a roadside sign. KNOCK KNOCK!!!! Who is it? The Mayor. Here we go. Zoning offenses, complaints,,,,,what did you expect in a quiet bedroom community. We were SUPER QUIET, SUPER CLEAN, SUPER HOSPITABLE.....but yet, we didn't conform. ONe day, when the mayor did show up at our door, he spoke to Bonnie, the ex gf and partner. She came upstairs crying that we had to SHUT THE BUSINESS DOWN!!!! MAYOR SAID SO. So downstairs I stormed and met him in the driveway. This man was the ULTIMATE BULLY. I didn't take any crap, and I was totally respectful (you catch more bees with honey.) When we were done, I went back into the house and proclaimed we were still in business. Everyone was amazed. I was also amazed that ONE PERSON could create such an issue in a small town. I removed the roadside sign and solved the zoning dilema.

I proceeded to put my thinking cap on and figure out how I could put us back on the map. It wasn't an easy to find location, and it was right after a bend, which made it hard to stop as well as see us. My brainstorm was to do something that NO ONE could dispute. A LARGE LETTERED RURAL MAILBOX!!! At the time it looked big as a barn!! LOL Next day the Mayor shows up and says to me.....you found a way. My reaction was one of confidence and he had nothing to add after that. He left. Our love affair remained in tact and I was a thorn in his side from then on.......oh of course until he stepped down as mayor. The next mayor was even more fun!! :-)