The Pocket Pants Saga
Today’s story starts back in March. For the past six months at least, I have been purchasing things for our trip as I’ve been able. One of the things I wanted Walter to have was a good pair of cargo pants with secure pockets as there are times when we will need to be carrying quite a bit of cash. Not to mention passports, etc.
I found some pants online that are billed as being “pickpocket proof” and they came in khaki—Walter’s everyday uniform for several decades now. So I ordered a pair for him. When I placed the order, I didn’t understand that this small company doesn’t necessarily always have everything in stock. The various pants variations are made in batches which they receive and then disburse to the people who have ordered them.
So I received an email telling me to expect the trousers by May 21. It was a lengthy wait, but still in plenty of time for our trip. . . except that May came and went and no sign of any pocketed trousers.
I contacted the company and asked when I might expect to receive my order. I was told that they hadn’t received the pants from the factory yet, but were expecting a shipment soon, and that I should expect to receive my order by the end of the month (June).
Perhaps you have noticed, as I did, that June has ended—and we are leaving in four days. So I contacted the company again on Monday and explained the urgent situation. A lovely customer service person gave me some bad news—the pants I had ordered are now not expected from the factory until mid-July. However, she offered to upgrade my order for free and send Walter some “convertible” trousers that can be converted to shorts if desired. Of course I agreed. Then she came back with the news that they didn’t have the convertible pants in Walter’s size in khaki, and wondered if he might accept green. What could I say? It was that or nothing, and green is his favorite color.
So I agreed to that also, but made it clear that I’d have to receive the order by Saturday as we are leaving on Sunday. So she offered to ship them by FedEx with no extra cost to me. AND, they arrived today! The pockets are indeed very secure, and there are 13 of them. Whew!
Meanwhile, I was up early this morning so I could shower and dry my hair before heading off to my cardiologist appointment—actually just the PA. We had a little bit of a discussion about the fact that I am not taking two drugs which were prescribed for me, including a statin which I will never take. In the end, she acknowledged my right to make my own choices, saying, “This is a partnership, not a dictatorship.”
Everything looks good. In many ways, my physical heart has healed. I don’t ever take that for granted.
After that I had a bunch of errands to run—to the credit union, Walmart, and finally to Walgreens when my photo book was finally ready. I also made a cake for tomorrow. I got some more stuff packed and the suitcases are filling up fast. If they end up being too heavy we will have to take a third checked suitcase.
The other clothing items I’d ordered for Walter came today also, including khaki socks, so I got those washed and dried and ready to pack.
It’s hard to believe that a week from now we’ll be in Livingstone! Four days until we leave.
Parting Shot:
Okay, this photo is to satisfy those who have been asking. Here we are with almost all our pockets. Walter’s pants have 13 pockets. His vest (decades old) has 16 pockets. Add in the chest pocket on his shirt and that makes a whopping 30 pockets! My count is much more modest. Nine pockets on the shirt and 8 for the jacket, plus 4 in the skirt and one more in the infinity scarf I’ll also be wearing. That’s a total of 22 for me. That means between the two of us we have 52 pockets—enough to stash snacks, money, passports, phones, Kindles, and maybe some musical instruments or small pieces of furniture. I have definitely realized my dream of going handbag free on the airplane.