Beneath the Wraps

       In September  Kevin had called Richard to ask if he would join him for a safety convention in San Diego.  Kevin paid for Richard's plane ticket - but Richard had to drive to the Portland airport. They both collected trinkets from the show and brought them home to share.       Richard had brought socks and tee shirts (the tees he had purchased in San Diego) and a stuffed whale for Jaime.  I remember taking pictures of the shirts and socks and asking Jai which she preferred.  I placed all items in a bag and added earbuds and a deck of cards to the mix.  I don't know why we missed giving it to her then - but somehow the entire bag of goodies got misplaced and was not retrieved until yesterday.     For Christmas she had asked for a letterman's jacket featuring "Five Nights at Freddy's".  It had been the only thing she had asked for.  There was a delay on shipment however and we were told that it woul...

         Just as Roland is about to leave this morning, Jenna informs me that she has drama club.   Her drama club has been meeting each Wednesday morning for about the last two months.   But I had forgotten.          She was dressed minus her shoes.   I was still in my pajamas.   Roland doesn’t like to drop her off so early and have her wait in the dark by herself.            It does seem odd that we would have him drop us off at 6:30 – an hour before drama club starts – but we have to leave about 5 minutes after Roland just in order to get on a bus and still have time to walk from the bus stop to the front of the school – which is what we had to do this morning.          Actually it was more like ten minutes.   I did try to hurry myself as Jenna stood a...

          Having a coat in Utah is a necessity – sometimes a few coats (as there are various kinds) but sometimes the amount of coats one has in his or her possession isn’t always seen as a necessity – but more of a desire.           I have never spent an outrageous amount for a coat.   I have usually gone for something economical pricewise. Warm.   Cute.   Except for one year when it seemed the only coats offered were either wool or those down filled sleeping bags with arms (that’s what I called them)   I’m allergic to wool.   Greatly allergic.   I had red rings around my wrists just from trying them on.   Seriously.             I did have a raincoat/trench coat at one time.   I’ve always wanted a rain slicker – but have never purchased one.   Though I did purchase a rain hat at one...

          Roland tried his hand at working for U-Haul probably about twelve years ago or so.  He ordered his U-Haul coat and worked for two weeks.  The job didn’t challenge him in any way and he just didn’t want to stay mainly because he felt bored.  He saw no advancement.  But he had paid for his coat, and so he kept it.           It’s been a great coat.  I think all of us have worn it at one time or another.  It’s got the feel of a jacket, but is warm like a coat.           But after many years, Roland decided to invest in a more stylish coat.  He got it on sale one year between four and six in the morning on a black Friday.  And it is a nice coat.  Warmer than his U-Haul.  It’s a heavy hyde-skin looking coat. I call it his Indian coat or trapper coat.  He still wears his UH...