Beneath the Wraps

        When Jaime was little she had this admirable persistence that I don’t recall having seen in many children.   She would go after something and keep at it until she accomplished whatever it is she was trying to do.   She didn’t get upset or frustrated.   She never gave up.   That was so admirable as it started before she could walk.           Two specific examples I remember were when she was in the tub and there was a sliver of soap floating around.   She was determined to pick it up out of the water.   Of course it would slip from her grasp and eventually became smaller and non-existent.   So it was the soap that gave out.   She continued to look for it though.           She would see me remove bottle caps from the water I was drinking and replace the cap.   She tried her hand at removing the cap also until she was finally...

I drink a LOT of water.   I have gone through several water bottles and have replaced over the years.   Many have not been to my liking as the water doesn’t stay cold.   I don’t know of any water bottles that can go into the freezer without cracking or somehow damage the container.   Thus I have used regular bottles from bottled water or sports drinks.   I can fill them up half way and put them in the freezer.   I will remove it from the freezer and fill the rest with water.   Throughout the day the ice will slowly melt and allow a cool temperature of water that I need.              I have used various socks to act as a cozy around the bottle.    But I know it is not the best method especially when Roland constantly harps on how bad the bottle smells – even if I just purchased and washed one from the store.    But the water hasn’t been a problem for me until just recently.    I don’t know...

When I was younger, I remember mom loading the dishwasher with certain dishes and washing others by hand.   There were some dishes that were marketed as “dishwasher safe” indicating that it could be washed in the dishwasher.   Most dishes were considered not to be dishwasher safe. Later, things turned around in which all dishes were assumed to be dishwasher safe unless indicated otherwise.   Meanwhile dishwashers seemed to add more safety features and not everything questionable has to be placed on the top.   There are some plastics that can go on the bottom – even if the dishwasher is turned to the “pots and pans” setting. Some dishes will come with a notice that “needs to be washed by hand” or “not dishwasher safe”.   But those instructions are not always carried over when said items are donated and purchased at second hand stores.   I don’t know what Jenna’s obsession is with water bottles – Army water bottles in particular.   I thought ...