Oct 17, 1978, Santa Monica, CA

Dear Mother, I'm trying out my new portable (only 9 pounds) so bear with me. I'm going to take it with me to the mountains but thought I'd better try it out before I go off to where ever I'm going. At last report, that was Chicago but I don't know where and the PC [Peace Corps] may still change its mind again.

Joann relaxing on her porch jn Santa Monica.

I thought I should tell you that I am sending everyone YOUR ADDRESS now so maybe you should say something to the post office back there. I'm (hopefully) paying off all my bills, including my utility bills but its strictly an estimate (for the utility companies) so you may get a small bill or something. I thought I would send you some signed blank checks so that you could fill in the amounts if any bills do come in!

I'm really tired today, We had a huge garage sale Saturday and Sunday. I made over $500 and Mike made almost $200. Pat, who manned the cashier's station (he had to keep track of four money boxes) only made $27 so I gave him $25. I couldn't have managed without him. He had to keep track of the money for me , Mike, Mike's girlfriend, and himself when buyers were bringing up items that belonged to all of us, I also sold some of the furniture that I didn't want to store and that amounted to about $800 more. I sold a table for $85 that I bought for $20 and refinished. I also sold a chest for $65 that I bought for $8.50 and refinished. When I come back, I may go into the refinishing business..ha!

When I recover from Christmas (we are having it on Wednesday) I am going to send you a package of duplicate material I received from PC. When I came back from your house, there was a message to call Washington. It seems that they mailed off a packet of materials that none of the volunteers had received. They sent me another package air mail that arrived in seven days and the duplicate package which was mailed on Sept, 21 arrived Oct. 14. The most important thing about the information is that we are not allowed to wear slacks. We have to wear dresses, even in the fields, so PC is suggesting that we wear long dresses, long johns and boots. I guess we wore dresses in the fields when we were back on the farm so I can get used to it. The woman in Washington says the temperature gets down to 10 above where we are going.

Mike and Kathy are leaving for Germany.

I will give the boys money and shirts from you. I bought a turkey and will have dressing, cranberries and etc. Since I sold my table, the woman upstairs (Gen) insisted that I use her lovely dining table and chairs for Christmas. It is sitting in my dining area right now...now that's a friend!

I'd better sign this off so I can get it in the mail. Sorry about the errors. I'm typing on the coffee table and I haven't typed much since I quit work. I'11 write again when I know more!
Much love, Joann