what exactly did Shim do for Watto? usually slaves do work for their master, but Shmi seemed to just sit at home and tend house.

Maybe the Jedi did free Shmi. Maybe it went down like this: Obi-Wan and Clegg (believe thats Owen's fathers name) are actually the ones that are brothers, though it could actually be Owen, either way they have some sort of family relation going on. Obi-Wan calles up Clegg on the com-link, 'Hey Clegg, how's your family? Good to hear. Oh the Jedi thing, yeah its going great, actually just got appointed a Master and have myself an apprentice now. Yeah, actually thats the reason im calling. See he actually happens to be from your home planet...Yeah, i was there not to long ago, sorry I wanted to stop buy but we were kinda rushed, you know running from this Sith Lord, trying to avert a war...Heh, yeah exactly typical stuff. Anyway, his Mom's still actually on the planet. Yeah, she's a slave, we couldnt actually get her freed. Some guy named Watto, oh you know him? Thats good, listen you think you can go buy her from him, Just let me know what it costs and Ill wire you the credits. Yeah, i can just put it on my expense account. Thanks alot, I owe you one, ill try and stop by to visit soon, give Owen and his wife my regards, sorry i couldnt make the wedding. Anyway i gotta run, yeah its movie night, we're watching Raiders of the Lost ark, yeah I love that movie, its still my favorite. Talk to you soon, take care'