Hello Helen also from New Mexico. I live 30 east of Albuquerque in a small town off of I40. Reading your intro I could have been reading about myself. I too started sewing about 2 1/2 years ago. I don't have cats or kids but I have 6 chihuahuas that are my kids. I use to be a police officer in NC but had to medically retire. My hubby moved be back to NM (I was born and raised in Albuquerque) and now since I am 100% disabled, I work on making quilts and a lot of other things when the pain permits me too.