Well, I have finally made my decision - I want to be able to use this because it has so many wonderful memories....and so I will eventually attempt to find ways of repairing - there are a couple of of places int he back that needs to be repaired but I have to be careful on how I do that since I have no extra sugar sacks from Cuba :-)..I may have to wait and go back to Cuba next year and bring one back.... :-)
But for the front, I can find ways of doing that.....especially since the majority of what needs to be done on the front is really to resew the strips...a couple of repairs for holes but nothing serious....I think that this will be a great project to work on!!!
I am so glad that you all checked in and gave me your advice....
Bill