...I don't want Jande or anyone else to feel pressured into any kind of donation when money is tight...

I really appreciate what you are saying here and I endorse it wholeheartedly, but there is one thing I need to explain.

If I have given the impression that I feel "pressured" to give to the 'Cat, then I'm sorry!

Any pressure I feel about this comes entirely from within! From my heart! I have lived most of my life below pverty level and raised a child from that place and also often felt deprived of some of the "good things" that life seemed to offer to others, but through having "nothing to spare" I learned to use money as a tool to bring me what my heart desired. I am no longer *destitute*, but I am still pretty careful. ;`)

As an example... Once I learned a few chords (at the age of twenty-five) I always had a guitar of my own, because I spent money I couldn't afford to spend in order to acquire one.

This place is important to me, and to people I care about, so I am "moved in my guts" to contribute, I am proud to contribute, and I am proud that I am in a loving relationship with someone who is generous and also sensitive enough to recognise my need to contribute financially, and who also appreciates this place.

No-one is pressuring me but my own need to contribute. It makes me feel very proud to be able to do so, and I hope that someday it will be more.

If anyone else feels pressured by these FUNdraising threads, I hope they will wait and look hard at the reason why, because I wouldn't want anyone to grow to resent this place. As for myself, I feel I have already gained enormously by my committment to contribute financially to the 'Cat.

Thanks, Lonesome EJ!

~ Jande (Richer than ever...) =`)