Update

I opened the drawer and instead of special stash of rubberbands I found this.  A. used his own money so I could have as many as I wanted.  On the one hand I appreciate his generosity, but on the other hand I no longer have the joy of finding a rubberband at the base of the kale or around the mail.

The day after I posted about the package arriving in October D. got a message that it was waiting in in the reception area.  Maybe it wasn't worth the 29-day wait, but it was great to have refried beans and I look forward to using the running clothing.

All the mail from the wet envelope dried out.  The running magazine is very thick now, but it is legible and that is good enough for me!