Beneath the Wraps

          When Roland's ex was a part of our lives, I remember her sending a "friend" of hers with the girls so that she could keep an "eye on us".   I don't believe she and Karen were good friends.   In fact, I now believe that Karen didn't actually know Roland's ex all that well and was not aware that she was mentally disturbed and has a history of using people.   Karen was with us for only two visitations before she told Roland's ex that she wasn't happy about spying on us.   I don't know the conversation except that she had realized that she must have liked us better than Maleficent.             Karen had a daughter named Alexis.   I believe she went to the same school as Pamprin and Francis, and that is how they knew one another.   Alexis took a shine to Roland.   She loved him.   She played with him along with his girls and he treated her j...

            During my entire lifetme, I don't recall having been invited into someone's circle to hang out because they really wanted me to.   Oh, there was the time when Crystal and Jennifer had invited me to hang out after elementary school - and seemed genuine about their request.   I couldn't imagine why they would invite me. But it was just the one time.   It never went anywhere.        For the first time that I can recall, I am now a part of a intimate circle of four.   They have requested my presence.   They would invite me even before they got to know Jenna - whom everybody loves.   They admire her.   She's fun and somehow I seemed to have made that reputation for myself   - that I, too, am fun to hang with.        Perhaps it's the state.   I was raised in Utah - small town that somehow grew bigger with every...

            I had quite a full agenda yesterday.   After the sun rose, I drove to Riddle as Jenna had a dentist appointment.   On our return, I stopped at Dollar General for just a few items to add to her lunch and then I took her to school.             I meant to turn in my assignment before my assessment, but I somehow had allowed myself to become frazzled and instead of submitting the assignment I clicked my assessment and started the quiz.               Once the quiz starts, there is no turning back, there are no retakes.   Most tests are timed. I had less than two hours.   And though it is open book, the e-book appears on just one third of the screen and I have to control plus each page I am on in order to view something bigger.   As I had explained in my last post, it is very time consuming.   And while...

                I don't remember having met Shelly's mother before, but   she seemed to recognize me.   Many of our town's citizens had gathered downtown for the lighting of the tree on December 2nd.   I was making my up 2nd Ave. to the library annex when she spotted me and waved as though we had been buddies for quite some time but seemed to have lost touch.   She asked about Jenna and mentioned the desire for getting Shelly and Jenna together.           Shelly and her mom had moved to Myrtle Creek last year.   I don't know what time of the year Jenna had been invited to her birthday party, but I know we were already living in Tri City at the time.   It was the first time I had dropped Jenna off at a friend's house without meeting a parent first.   Shelly was attending the same middle school as Jenna but did not return. She has decided to do her schooling online in...

        My brother had posted the above photo to facebook earlier this month and I thought it I would try doing these myself.   Day Three says to have lunch with someone you admire or run into today.   The chances of me "running into" anyone other than Roland would be slim - though he is someone I do admire.   I suppose I could have just had lunch with him but  I actually chose another to come have lunch with me.           Aurelia lives   45 minutes away and I said that we could meet halfway - though I'm really not familiar with what eating places are offered half way.   It turns out that she had two appointments in Myrtle Creek and so had planned on being in town anyway.   Gosh, what gratitude she expressed for my rather simple meal.   Well, actually not the meal itself, but the incentive I had taken just to invite her.   I am grateful that I had as we both ...

        Jenna had asked if her friend Kylee could spend the night.   They had planned for Monday night, but workday sleepovers did not work out well when she and Annette we better friends.   I told her it would be up to Roland.   He said yes and   Jenna created a list for the following day.               Jenna's agenda for Monday, August 21:   1) [Kylee]   2) pool 3) eclipse 4) doughnuts 5) library 6) rays/goin’ postal 7) little shop 8 games . . . 9) something scary 10) bed.   Allow me to explain:   First thing, we went to Kylee’s house to pick her up at 8:30 a.m..   Check off 1.   Next we went to the pool.   When we arrived, there was a note on the door: A birthday bash is held at the pool each year on the Friday closest to the 21st.   We have missed all three years however. We were in Roseburg this year as I...