Beneath the Wraps

                I remember attending a month long theatre camp when I was 15 years old.  For the most part the youth who attended the camp resided in the dorms which housed BYU students during the school year.  There was one youth who had traveled with his parents.  He was eleven.  Very talented and gifted child.  I don’t know if he was an only child but that is how I saw him.  His mother doted on him 24/7.   She would accompany to all the rehearsals, activities and whatever else we had going on.   She was an older parent who wouldn’t allow Trevor to be out of her sight.   I felt bad for him.   As gifted as he was with the piano, he lacked social skills.   He behaved differently the few times his mom was out of sight – which was rare.   I think he was abusing his freedoms. Clair told me that her sibs will dote on Ally just as she does.   Neither Jaime or I dote.   Neither on...

  This morning Richard was watching one of his cowboys which was Christmas themed.   Those that were in that particular episode were discussing decorating a tree and adding candles.    It triggered a memory with hot lights that replaced the candles as they were fire hazard.   Still, a dry tree and hot lights were still cause for fire.   There have been a number of homes destroyed due to Christmas tree fires.   Anyway, I remember my mom and I having attended one of those “selling items” party similar to Tupperware or Usborn Books or the Pampered Chef – only it was for Christmas items.   Among the items shared was a smoke alarm ornament.   The idea of it was appealing, but the idea didn’t seem to carry over to what we believed would be a helpful item to have.          We decided to test the product before we hung it and ended up melting part of the babble.   We returned it and tried it again with our replacement. ...

                I don’t know how often I had to go to the orthodontist during the (almost) three years that I wore braces.  I was just recently reminded about how painful it felt having my braces tightened. My teeth have been bothering me since Sunday – maybe before. At first I thought it was dental related but have come to realize that it is part of my newest sinus infection.  Bah, humbug!           It seems to be the most painful once the sun goes down.   I looked up what I might do to ease the pain.   Steam was a suggestion.   I thought it would make the room more hot but knew that it would work as I have felt better during a shower.   Many of my body parts have bad reactions to the cold lately.   NOOOOO!!!!   I think about friends I’ve made here in Oregon that have moved to warmer climate (I think all of them ended up in Arizona) as the cold had bothered t...

           The Amazon account is in  my husband’s name.    It doesn’t matter which one of us places the order,  it comes in his name – except today.    There was a package addressed to me.    Do I open it?    Is it really for me?    Inside is a book.    No explanation.    I don’t know who it’s from.   At least I didn't when I started this post Steven sent a text to let me know of its arrival. The book is from my brother.

             Yesterday Claire and Biff had invited Jaime and me to accompany them to WildLife Safari.   Jaime had accepted their invitation but I declined.   I figured   while they were gone I could wash some loads of clothes – not realizing that they already had theirs in both washer and dryer.             My friend, Carolyn had asked to stop by to drop off a gift.   I invited her into the back room to play spades with Richard and me.    We enjoyed each other’s company.   I did get my own laundry done eventually – but not until the others had returned.

                      I am told that our last bishop did not enjoy doing Christmas parties.   Forget Halloween.   I have been to some wards that have promoted Halloween and others have not.   I have been to some ward parties which offered a visit from Santa Claus and some have not.    I understand not doing Halloween or Santa.   I do get it.   But I also understand the pleasure of being together or inviting those not of our faith to a ward activity that may offer enough light that those who don’t attend on Sundays may seek a desire to know more.             My mom’s ward has celebrated Christmas in lots of different ways.   I remember one time tables were set with name plates.   A host couple was selected to head each table and decorate how they saw fit. I was considered a young single at the time and invited to sit with the young single adults at what I...

                Richard sends out cards almost every month.   Before she went to college Richard used to sign each card from Richard, Karen and Jaime.   After Jaime left, he would sign from Richard and Karen.   A fter Biff and his brood moved in he started to sign all five names which became a bit much.    The last two card were signed from the Riveras.    But the next two cards he has lined up (MLK and Valentines) will be signed from just him and me.    He believes Biff and Claire will be out of the house by then.    Really?   That would be great but seems unrealistic to me.    Does he think they will be getting so much money from relatives and so forth that they will have enough to move?    That would be awesome, but I have my doubts.    Would be a great way to start off the new year.    Truthfully I think he would like them gone mo...

               I have always been a night owl.   Richard was working graveyard when I first met him – which made him a night owl, I guess.   He often did not get home until after the boys had gone to school.   That was then.   It feels like such a long time ago.   For he has been an early bird for most of our marriage.   And I was too – often getting up with him.             Our roles have changed somewhat.   He is the one who stays up late (though he still gets up early when he is feeling well) and I am the one who retires before 9:00.   What’s up with that?

             When we first got together Richard was the most outgoing and quite social.   He seemed to have clammed up when we initially moved to Oregon – hermitizing behind his computer and not engage in social activities and I was the one out making friends along with Jaime.   We took an interest in our community while Richard seemed content to not be involved.  He has become more of social than when we first arrived.  We take turns, I guess – depending on the company I guess. The treasurer invited me to the get-together/party for the library volunteers.   I have been more actively involved with the library during these last four months than the four years prior – which really isn’t a lot.   I wasn’t even planning on attending except for Jaime wanted to go and ended up going to a gathering with her own friends. But Richard (who’d be driving me as I can’t see to drive myself) wanted to go and so we went last night. Th...

             After more than two weeks of keeping Ally at home they finally sent her back to school.   I suspect more just to get her out of the house than to believe that she was well enough – but Clair had wanted to wrap gifts and has asked Jaime to assist.   I did not assist as I was in the back room listening to Roland.           Clair says she has always hated Christmas – though I don’t know if “always” is really the case or if perhaps she found something good about it when she was a child.   When she met Biff and Ally she fell in love with Ally and started to look forward to spending Christmas with her.   I didn’t see what gifts they brought but I suspect may have gone over budget – but maybe not.   They did not purchase all that is intended for Ally.   But still . . .           When the boys were younger we always had simpl...

         Richard and I picked Jaime up from school on the 6th.  A few days later Jaime and I put up the tree and finally started decorating but left oodles of space on the tree so that Ally could also decorate.  She's been running a fever, learned that she has a kidney infection among the many health problems that she has already been blessed with.  She did manage to put up a few ornaments before she returned to bed.          On Friday we did the yard.  Well, mostly Biff, Clair and Jaime.  Richard supervised - or at least said that is what he was doing.  Jaime wrapped lights around the pine tree.  She is a mountain goat and was able to step on the rocks and unbalanced ground without slipping.  She put up some ornaments and I put up some.  Still room on the outside tree for more ornaments but we've had rain and wind in addition to the near freezing temperatures.       ...

                Neither Richard nor I slept well last night         I don ’ t think he ’ s slept well for the last two months         I ’ ve had some regular sleeps off and on We both take cold medicine cough medicine sleep medicine and so forth         We ’ re driving down to Ashland tomorrow to get Jaime and bring her home for a month         I want Richard to be well         I want for both of us to sleep again.

                Scouting is no longer a calling in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, but there was a time when it was – which is still a sore subject for some.  I remember when Richard had been called to be a scout leader for the primary youth.  He was told that it would be a five year calling.  I don’t think he was in for even a year before he called to be first counselor in the Elder’s quorum.          I think it was just April of this year that Richard had been called as a Sunday School teacher for the 11-14 year-olds.   In July he was called to be the Sunday School president.   Just now he was called as first Counselor in the priesthood quorum.   Wow.   I wonder who the new Sunday School president will be?          It’s funny how it seems there are some people stuck in callings as though it is a lifetime positio...

           I’ve been searching through flash drives in search for some misplaced memory pages I had designed for Jaime.   During my search I have come across scads of photos in which I see different pieces of furniture in the background. Steven on the lap of my grandpa Ralph          This couch for instance was reupholstered three different times.   This is how it looked as I was growing up.   The second makeover had similar flowers but in green and orange.   The final also had a green/orange theme but with birds.   It was my least favorite of the three. same couch in background - the final makeover          The painting above was removed when mom went into assisted living.   I heard that my niece had taken the couch.         There is this photo which my brother had posted to his wall and wrote memories about each of the items on the knickkna...

 Our Thanksgiving still has not taken place.   Biff and his brood mostly stay confined to their room -  even when they are well.   Richard and I both went to church yesterday -  though he should have stayed home.   Jaime spent her dinner with some members of  our ward and brought home left overs - so that was nice.   She left the next day to spend her weekend with  some high school buddies.   I am so grateful that she was able  to enjoy her holiday.

          I was feeling fine when I woke up on Tuesday.  I don ’ t know what I had encountered before noon, but I had a throbbing headache just after 12:00.  Probably Richard and I should have not gone to the temple, but we did.  We left the house before 1:00 but did not get to Central Point until 2:40. Traffic was horrible.  It doesn ’ t take that long to get to Ashland.         We were signed up for the 3:00 session. Just after 5:00 we were on our way to Ashland to pick up Jaime.   We met her at a 7-11 and I had gone inside to get something for my headache.   Richard and Ally got sick first and then Biff and then me and Clair – I think Clair may have been hit the hardest.   She looks terrible.         Jaime has spent many a Thanksgivings feeling sick.   Ironically, she is the only one who is well.   None of the rest of us even want to eat – ...

 Tomorrow is Thanksgiving  and our household is sick. Jaime has returned for four days. Fortunately she will be with friends for three of them. I need to be well by Sunday for I am scheduled to teach RS.

 This is us at Stewart Park.  I find it interesting that there are only five ducks and no pigeons.

                First it was my feet             Then it was my ears             And now my left arm?             Why not both arms?             Why does my left arm feel like it’s caught    in a draft? What is up with that? Seriously. It’s as if I have no blood flow.   Why is my arm always cold? I had three layers on my arm this morning! My right arm seems okay. Perhaps my left arm just  doesn't  get enough  exercise

  When we lived in West Valley I rarely used covers at night Maybe 10 times a year Maybe Even after we moved here And I would fall asleep on The recliner, Richard would cover me But the covers would come off Long before morning And then we moved into a Different house And suddenly my toes were always Cold And so I would keep them Covered But lately it seems like I Am covering all of me. I think the earth is spinning Nearer to the sun and then To the other extreme So far away from the sun that Its always cold Hard to imagine that just over six weeks ago I was complaining about the heat. Ten weeks ago it was in the Three digits in California We had moved to Oregon for The constancy – which We have never had. I don ’ t want three digits and Then near freezing (or Below freezing)   At this point I don ’ t Think it even matters In what state or nation Autumn is still producing Gorgeous colors That ’ s ni...

  When Steven was in his senior year of high school he had the opportunity of going back to New York with the high school drama department.   My mom and dad also took the opportunity of going as there was a need for chaperones.   I don ’ t recall how much the trip costs or how many plays they were scheduled to see.    They were gone for a week and spent more in one day than Shelly and I spent in the entire week including our excursion to Lagoon (an amusement park near Salt Lake City, Utah).   First two pics are of Shelly and Me at a picnic area off pioneer village.  The other two were taken upon the return of the rest of our family.

           Driving to Roseburg yesterday seemed almost like driving into the Twilight Zone – sort of a slow strobe effect.  Mist      disappearing scenery    blue skies    inviting sign    just kidding            dark clouds            is that smoke or rain?        sunny blue sky above the dark clouds           fog again      cold bleakness       inviting warmth       all within a matter of minutes     so surreal This is just our neighborhood.  The change was a lot more drastic going to Roseburg.  Bluer sky and darker clouds.

            Since they moved in Claire has just taken over where they put things and when it will get put away.   Biff just goes along with it.   They had invaded our   fridge with Ally’s medicine – even after they had hooked up their own.   After Richard and I returned home from Costco one day I took it upon myself to move the remainder of Ally’s medicine into their small fridge and told them that I needed our fridge for actual food. Richard and I had to restack their items that they put in my brand new shed.   Exploded and unorganized.   It still is, but at least Richard was able to make some space for our things.   On the plus side we are finally able to get to the Christmas tree.   So kudos to them for that – I guess.   Still haven’t found a home for the fish tank which takes up so much room.   They don’t need to hang on to all that they brought with them.   Why did they bring it?   But ...

           There has always been economic growth and layoffs, outrageous prices and cutting costs.  It was in 2008 when Shelly started a seasonal job at Target.  She worked on Black Friday and was laid off.  Are you kidding me?  What was the point?  2009 didn't offer the turnout that Target had expected.  Apparently it was the one day that would make or break the rest of Christmas line-up.  It broke.          The following year Richard also landed a seasonal job with Target.  I reminded him about the experience that Shelly had had the year prior. Each had  been hired for the Christmas rush.  He had only worked a week or two and Target realized that their numbers of sales were not even close to what it had been years before.  He was let go as were several others who had been hired to work the Christmas season.  That was weird.          Hopefully...