Mom was no longer working at the State Capitol. Things were different in those days. There was no maternity leave, nor was your job guaranteed to be yours when you were able to return. Seems I was a sickly baby. So, with 3 young children and a baby her hands were full. At least somewhere along the way our home got indoor plumbing, which I can imagine was a big plus. No more having to go to the outhouse, not only for herself but for the kids. I can only imagine what that was like to potty train my older sister and the twins. God bless my Mom. Laundry was hung up in the attic because the weather rarely allowed to hang clothes on an outdoor line. There were no such things as disposable diapers. That meant Mom was washing diapers each day by hand and hanging them up to dry. Not an easy life.
Supporting the family, because of Mom no longer was working meant that income was down to Dad’s paycheck only. Dad was working at Capitol Chevrolet, and truthfully not enough money was coming in to support a home with 2 adults and 4 children. Mom had been in contact with her sister Edith in California. They had been writing letters to each other, as my parents did not have a telephone. Edith’s son Bud, had been working for Gilbert Barris Machine Works in Los Angeles. Bud talked with the owner and boss of the machine shop and was able to get a job for my Dad at the shop. It was located on 63rd Street and Van Ness Avenue in Los Angeles. Only problem was that they would have to leave rather quickly as the job would need to be filled soon.
This meant re-locating to Los Angeles. Dad agreed so there would be sad goodbyes to the family. The next month was preparing to make the move. This would not be easy with a family of six. Would they have a moving van to move any furniture? They decided against that as they could not afford it. Would they drive to Los Angeles in the old Model T? No, they left that back in Washington for the family. It was okay for local travel, but long distance with 4 kids in tow would not be safe. If we were stranded by the side of the road, how would we get to the next town and then what were their choices from there? Would they have enough money to fix the car? If not, how would they continue on to California. Not all towns had a train or bus station. How far would it be to the next town that had those accommodations? So many things to consider.
The within next month many decisions would need to be made. They had to make a decision of what to do with the property. Who would it go to? What to do with the furniture? What possessions would they take with them? It would be a busy month with 4 little ones in tow.
Next California Here We Come
Road That Led Me Here 
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