A profusion of flowers

Today is my 46th birthday. It may interest you to know that I am a bit of a snob when it comes to numbers, especially prime ones. The more factors a number has, the more I like it. So 45 is definitely better than 46. 46 is better than 47 (totally prime). But 48 is one of the best.
Anyway, at church the pastor always has the birthday people stand with him and pray. So I did. And during the service, Nancy and her friend played Panis Angelicus as a cello duet. That was very nice. I pretended it was for my birthday. After the service, Nancy and I took her cello home then returned for our husbands. Chris Skyped them later in the afternoon to check out the video capabilities of the connection and our computer. Our Skype ID is Damourcd.
Along about 6pm I started getting worried that we hadn't seen Michele. She wasn't allowed a cell phone (or a watch), and we didn't have a contact number or an estimated time of return. It was dark and I didn't want her having to walk home all that way. Chris called around, got a contact number, and found out that they were just then about to leave the retreat center. So we dressed up warmly. I told Chris he needed a scarf and he said "But you made a rug out of it!". Fine, wear the rug. (pic to come).
Anyway, we left a note and a cell phone facing the door, in case she got a ride home, and set off for the South Post chapel. About half way there, she called, so we turned around and headed back home. She greeted us with a large bouquet of flowers that they had given her at the retreat. Add that to the flowers I bought Friday and the ones she came home with on Wednesday and you get a table full. I love flowers. I spent the rest of the evening binding the scarf rug and making another larger rug.

The election isn't over?

This morning, with Michele gone, we stayed in bed later than usual. Then I checked my e-mail and found one that said that the presidential election is not over, that the electoral colleges have not voted yet and that there are many outstanding lawsuits against Barak Obama alleging that he is not elegible to run for president. That sparked a lengthy discussion between us on what might yet happen, how the courts could rule, the dictates of constitutional law, etc. Chris said it would be amusing if Cheney resigned, and Bush appointed Condoleeza Rice as VP, then resigned himself. Then Secretary Rice would be the first black president (and female), stealing some of Obama's thunder.
After that, Chris and I walked to post. He went to the commissary and I to the thrift shop. I brought my shoulder bag, which I filled with a few purchases: measuring cups, 2 tall glasses (to use as vases), a large square of denim, and a clamp lamp for on my sewing table. Then I walked to the Dragon Hill and signed up for another phone so that now each person in our family will have their own. But, they told me I'd have to come back in an hour to pick it up. Ha! Have I mentioned that today is very cold - especially when the wind blows? Brrrrr! Not wanting to sit and do nothing for an hour, I walked to Gate 17, crossed under the street via the subway, and proceeded to search for a hardware store I spied a month ago. Now I don't usually leave post by myself unless I'm going to our apartment, but I didn't want to ask a friend to freeze with me looking for a place that would be of little interest to anyone else. I felt a little out of place, but had a fine time finding new streets and markets. I bought a metal scrubbie and an adapter for the lamp I'd gotten at the thrift store. Then, I found the hardware store. Unfortunately they didn't have any 90 degree three-way elbows, but they did have some PVC pipe. I bought a length and the lady was kind enough to saw it up for me, or I'd have had a time carrying it back. I was loathe to leave the area because exploring was such fun, but it was cold and my load had gotten heavier, so I headed back. I stopped by the Dragon Hill to pick up our new phone. Then caught the bus back to our small gate. But I had forgotten that it is closed on weekends. Ha. Silly me had to walk back to the main gate and then proceed to our apartment. I warmed up at home with some sushi and a cup of hot orange marmalade. Well, it isn't marmalade exactly, but a spoonful of it in a cup of hot water is delicious. Chris and I spent the afternoon and evening watching Dvd's. Chris was on his laptop most of the time, and I sat on the couch thinking I ought to be doing other things, but I can't think what they are while the TV is vying for my attention. Chris thinks it is just me that has a problem, but I think the people that make TV shows and movies have done research into what grabs and keeps your attention and they purposely fill the programs with it so you won't look away. Sure I'm paranoid, but am I paranoid enough?

Costco, the flower mart, and CSI

My in-laws called us this morning because it was Thanksgiving Day for them and my side of the family was there, too. So we got to talk to them and my parents and sister. Then Michele got ready for her outing and asked if we wanted to see her off. Turned out that she will be gone till Sunday, didn't know where she'd be and couldn't bring the cell phone. So of course I went along to find out just what was going on. I found out that it is some sort of religious retreat, they don't allow any electronics, and the new kids aren't supposed to know where they are going or what they will be doing. Well, HELLO, their parents still need to know! So then I waited with her 'till their bus came, an hour later. One of my friends from the quilt group had 3 kids going so it must have been ok.
Afterwards, I stopped by the Dragon Hill Lodge to see if cell phones were on sale. Then off to the thrift shop to meet Nancy who invited a bunch of us to go to Costco with her. First we went to the flower mart. We all bought some cut flowers. I only did because Michele had brought me some from a friend's mother and it needed a few more stems to fill the vase. I got roses and carnations. In another building we bought pointsettias.
We drove from the flower mart to Costco. It was a big building, crowded. Well, I think we all got something, like napkins, juice, pizzas, grapes, Ziplocks, etc. Then we had lunch there as it is so inexpensive. Just as we were checking out, I rushed to the sushi counter to get a large platter. It is cheaper than in the commissary and I wanted to get it at the last minute.
Nancy drove each of us back to our homes. She dropped me by the gate and I called Chris to help me carry my purchases over the bridge. He had been watching a movie and, after it ended, he gave me a massage. He asked what else I wanted and I replied "Sushi and candlelight". So he lit a candle and fed me sushi in bed. It pays to be gone for the day! BTW, the sushi was excellent!
We watched more movies and took a nap. I had put my flowers in water when I got home, but they still weren't looking good. So then I cut a few inches off of each stem and hoped for the best. We had leftovers and watched CSI on the OCN channel. After the last episode of CSI, a Korean movie came on. I couldn't understand it, but Chris was pretty good at guessing the story line. And I thought he wasn't good at picking up on social cues!

Thanksgiving

First thing in the morning we got a call from Chris' parents. That was a nice surprise. Chris and Michele spent the morning on their computers. I altered a pair of pants. All of a sudden we realized that we had only a few minutes to catch the on-post bus to make the dinner we've been invited to. Half way there, it hit me that I'd forgotten my ID. So I ran back thinking the others would get the casserole there on time to be reheated. But I had to wait for someone to come out of our building because I didn't have my building card either. When I finally got my ID and card, there was Chris. Apparently the bus was only running every 90 minutes because of the holiday. So he called Rick, and Rick came to the apt to pick us up.
There were 8 of us for dinner: Rick and Nancy, Chris, Michele and I, and 3 co-workers of Chris'. We had a marvelous dinner and interesting conversations for hours. Unfortunately Nancy was feeling under the weather and couldn't eat with us. It was a shame since she was the hostess and couldn't enjoy her guests. Chris and I helped clean up, but she insisted on doing the dishes later. Rick drove us home because it was raining.

Potatoes and rolls

This morning after packing Michele's lunch and seeing them off, I got started making a sweet potato casserole, the traditional Reber Thanksgiving dish. The Korean sweet potatoes are not orange inside, although they are sweet. After boiling them, peeling them and mashing them (since the potato masher didn't get shipped, I put them in the mixer), they were a green mush. Hmmm. Well, undaunted I finished the recipe and baked the casserole. Tomorrow we shall taste the results.
I also baked the traditional Grammy's Rolls that the Damour family eats each Thanksgiving. They took longer than I had planned because I thought they weren't rising. Also I was running out of butter and had to stretch it to get all the rolls made. While waiting for the rolls to rise, I cleaned Michele's bathroom, the kitchen, and swept the floors. That's one of the great things about having company - it motivates me to pick up and clean like I ought, but don't usually take the time to do. On the other hand, by the time they arrive I am usually worn out from cleaning.
Hyon arrived exactly on time, and brought me a rosemary plant. We looked at her chosen design and the fabric she'd brought. Since it was already cut, she needed to buy more. So she suggested we just pop on down to Dongdaemun. Just like that! Having her own driver made it easy. She even had him stop along the way to look for PVC. He was really good at driving through traffic. I couldn't watch. But we made it. Then she and I picked out fabric. She also bought a rotary cutter and ruler. On the way back it was getting dark and the city turned its lights on. Oh what brilliant displays! I hope they are not just for Christmas.
The rest of the evening was spent watching movies.
P.S. I am now on Facebook thanks to my cousin Gwenda. Anybody want to join me?

Preparing to prepare for Thanksgiving

After packing lunches and sending the family off, I settled down to finish reading a book. I also finished the alterations on two pairs of pants. Then I headed for the bus stop to wait for the bus to the thrift shop. Just after I sat down, a man driving by offered me a ride. Since waiting in the cold is not my thing, I accepted. He was very nice, and dropped me off at the front door of the shop. I helped out for a few hours. Then I dropped by the bank. On my way back, a woman stopped me to ask where the furniture store was. It was on my way home, so I walked her there. She was nice, too. She is living in the Dragon Hill and looking for an apartment close to base. Well, I know what that is like.
When I got home, I had lunch, checked e-mail, and made my scarf into the rug it was meant to be. Looks good. Chris gave me a pair of pants and a book bag to mend. Then I started cleaning my sewing room since someone is coming by tomorrow for some quilting assistance. I printed out the two recipes I plan to make tomorrow morning (to be ready for Thursday). I put a new bag in the vac and now I can go to bed.

the scarf-rug (and hat)

Today I took my chenille scarf to the quilt meeting. They agreed it made a lovely rug. So why fight it, since I need a couple of bathroom rugs anyway? Maybe I'll make more. Only four of us stayed for lunch, but we still happened to have a balanced meal: fruit, a ground beef dish, pasta salad and pumpkin cheesecake. Afterwards Pam and I went to the PX and the Gallerie. I got some Korean Christmas cards. I spent the afternoon reading a book and falling asleep. Now everyone else is asleep and I am awake.
In the photo you can see both sides of the scarf and the hat Michele crocheted for Chris.

Hiking vs. mountain climbing.

The Lunds provided us with transportation to church as usual. After church, I met a lady named Hyon. She wanted to learn machine piecing and quilting so I invited her over. She and her husband followed us home from church to see where we lived. Then, after giving Chris a haircut and making a list for the commissary, I got a call from her asking if we wanted to go hiking with them in an hour. We said yes, then had to rush to the commissary and back to be ready on time.
There is a difference between hiking and mountain climbing. Parts of the trail were very close to mountain climbing, especially since we were ascending a mountain. We were greeted by 60 degree slopes of granite and limestone covered in leaves and pinestraw. I did slip a few times, but the views were worth it. I forgot my camera, but Hyon brought hers. She sent me a pic, and I will post it if she gives me permission. The wind was cold at the top of the mountain and I was glad for Chris' jacket. We had a good time talking with them and seeing their 2 little dogs run up and down the rocky formations. I hope I won't be sore tomorrow.

The Tina Tour

Tina is my friend from Australia who likes to sew both quilts and clothing. We agreed to go to the craft show at the high school gymnasium on Saturday. She picked me up at our apartment complex around 10 and we went to the bank to get $100 bills to exchange for won. Then we parked at her house to go to the craft show. I got a handmade Korean embroidered painting. That took all my American cash (but not the $100). We went into Itaewon to get her shoes reheeled and exchange money, but the rate was lower than on post, so we went back to the bank for won. We also bought scarves, hats, and gloves from street vendors. It makes a big difference in price who you buy from, so ask at several places.
I had a magazine article on a thrift shop in Insadong, so we searched for it, starting at the gate 17 subway station - Ichon. It took us several trains to find the right station. Then we searched for the shop based on the recognizable buildings in the photo. We finally did find it, but it wasn't much what we were looking for - mostly clothing, dishes, and books. So we stopped at a small Korean restaurant and ordered what the ladies at the next table were eating. We figured if Koreans ordered it, it must be good. It was. Both dishes had noodles, which were a challenge to eat with chopsticks. We were laughing at each others efforts. Then one of the ladies got up and brought us forks. Either she felt sorry for us, or she'd had enough of our antics.
Then Tina wanted to see the night market. So we went to Namdaemun. That was quite an adventure in itself, riding this train and that. But we did find it, and wandered around until we were lost, but didn't care. We saw lots of little shops. Tina likes to look at shoes. We found an art/scrapbooking/toy/office supply/greeting card place. And more wrapping paper than you can imagine. It was quite dark when they turned off the lights and we had to leave. So Tina wanted to explore the Underground Market there. We did, a little, but they were closing up one by one also. Then we walked around topside looking for a subway station. We saw some beautiful city lights. Finally we came home. Tina thought I was tired, which I was, but I didn't want to stop 'cause I might miss something. She dropped me off at our apartment and I showed my purchases to Chris, then went to read a book and fell asleep.

Sewing and sewing and sewing...

Thursday I went to the thrift store to volunteer. We put out Christmas stuff, and arranged purses in the back. I also sorted the utilitarian bag display. Tina was there, and after lunch (somebody brought two pizzas), we went to her house for another sewing marathon. I finshed the first quilt top while Tina cut strips. Then, while she put the top and backing together, I sewed strip sets. We now have enouugh strip sets for the next two quilts. We stopped by the commissary. then she drove me home. Chris had made supper (he always does, isn't that wonderful?) so we ate and went to bed.
Friday while waiting for Tina to call, I finished a chenille scarf. I had already cut out the strips longitudinally. But then she remembered that she'd cut hers diagonally. So, whereas she sewed longitudinally, I had to sew diagonally. Arrgh! Then I soaked it and put it in the dryer. It fluffed nicely, but didn't get dry. Cutting through the channels, I ruined my second best pair of scissors. There was a pin I didn't see. Double arrgh and triple arrgh! I also made another pair of pants and nearly finished lowering the waistband on the previous pair. Tina called about 4, and said she'sd call back, but she didn't. I expect to hear from her this morning. We have plans to go to the craft sale at the high shool and to find the thrift shop in Insadong.
I got an e-mail this morning from our realestate agent. He says our hot tub is discouraging potential renters. Surely there has got to be one person out there who loves a good soak as much as I do. But whatever happens, I loved it while I had it.

COLD!!!!

Chris had to be at work at 6 this morning. I didn't envy him as it was below freezing and he had to walk. Poor man has no gloves, hat or scarf. These are more things that we were CERTAIN we had shipped, but they never arrived. But no boxes were missing from the shipment, so go figure.
I met Pam at the gate at 10 to go to Dongdaemun. This time I bought Swarovski crystals, more stretch denim, a zipper, flannel to make a scarf, poly and cotton threads, border fabric, and elastic. I gotta say the elastic here is wimpy. It is more like underwear elastic. No braided elastic anywhere that we could see.
It was cold! I was so glad I had a heavy green coat that my neighbor in NC gave me. The worst part is the wind. So I will make a scarf like my friend Tina made. It is nine layers of fabric, with 4 layers chenilled on each side. Warm and soft and cozy.

SIWA Internation fair (Seoul International Women's Association)

Today we went to the SIWA International Fair at the Grand Hilton, downtown. It was a frosty morning as we waited for the hotel bus to pick up a lot of us in Itaewon. The conference center at the hotel was warmer. There were many countries represented. Each had at least 2 tables. There they wore costumes reminiscent of their country and sold handmade products, like clothing, jewelry or food. Some gave out samples. There was also musical entertainment. In another room, many countries were selling hot foods. We had the chicken and dried fruit entree over rice. It was good, but I can't remember which country it was from. I got to practice my French at the FRANCE tables. I didn't get any French food because all they were selling was bread. But I did get some blueberry/blackberry confiture at their table in the other room.
While waiting for the return bus, we could see our breath in the air. We didn't spend much because the stuff we really liked was really expensive. Oh well. It was another day out and a trial for my new black pants. They fit much better than the last pair. I guess I am learning.
I was supposed to meet Tina at the fair, but we didn't run into each other. She called when she got home, and we arranged to spend the evening at her house making quilts for a friend of hers. This friend had started the first of three quilts to give as Christmas gifts, then got a job and couldn't finish it. Tina feels somehow responsible, so I am helping her finish them. Good thing we are going to Dongdaemun Wednesday because we need more backing and border fabric. Did I mention that her friend is just learning to sew? Finishing that quilt top was a challenge! The next two ought to be easy.

Finishing projects

In church we heard a new instrument. It is called Hae Gum. It had two strings tuned a fifth apart. The bow went between them so she could play either string, although I don't think she could play both. Here is a picture.
Sunday afternoon I finished the second quilt and started my second pair of pants. These will be black. I have the pieces cut out and sewn together. I just need to find the right placement for the elastic band, and hem them. While I was binding the quilt, we watched CSI. It was the first TV we've watched since we got here. We can't change the channel for some reason, but as long as they keep playing CSI episodes, that's ok with me.

Monday I got up early, worked on the pants some more, got ready for quilt meeting, and made a heart block. Then it was time to leave. That was when I realized that I had inadvertently sewn an extra piece of fabric to the backside of the heart block. Grr. Anyway, we (Pam and I) showed up for quilting and the first thing I did was take out the stitches holding the extra piece. At the end of the meeting, I re-stitched it by hand so we could drop by the post office and mail it.
Pam and Andrea and I are going to the SIWA arts and crafts fair tomorrow. Then on Wednesday, Pam and Tonette and I are going to Dongdaemun. So stay tuned.

Music Street

Saturday: No one e-mailed me to do anything, so we (the family) decided to go to Music street, some place Michele had heard about where bands play. She knew the Korean name, which I forget, and which subway stop it was on. So off we went, bringing scarves (too warm for coats, too cool for just a shirt) and an umbrella because it looked like rain. We had to buy Michele a subway card, but now we each have our own. We had to transfer twice to get to the correct station. Then we had no idea where to go. We headed off in one direction. No luck, turned left. Walked a ways, stopped for lunch. It was an Indian Nepalese restaurant. My dish had prawns. Michele's had lamb, and Chris' had cottage cheese. But it was the sauces that really made each dish. (Chris's was the best).
We did more walking after that. But no luck. We found a tourist info center. They said the street was called Club Street. Neither Chris nor Michele wanted to go then, so we stopped at a French patisserie and bought two good-looking pastries. Then we took the subway home. Only we didn't get home. At the last transfer station, we got on the wrong train. Apparently there is more than one train on that track. We went across the river, got off at the next stop and came back. We went to the same place, and got on the next train. This one DID take us home. Phew! When we got back, we found that after the trip, our pastries looked like modern art. The one I chose had a cappucino flavor. Lucky for me, the one Chris chose tasted like peaches. So we switched.
I forgot to mention yesterday that I was stopped in the subway by a young man asking if I was American. I said yes. Then he put his arm around me, and took our pic with his cell phone, said 'Thanks' and was gone. I don't know what it means, but I guess I 'still got it'.

Nearby Dongdaemun

I got up early to make lunches, and STAYED up. This is an amazing thing for me. Usually there is an irresistable urge to climb back in bed. But instead, I made bread, did a load of laundry, emptied the dishwasher, followed up on e-mail, cleaned my newest thrift shop chair, assembled the glass doors for the TV stand, and hung some pictures on the wall. Then I went on post to mail a package, get won at the bank. I met Chris for lunch, then dropped in on Michele having lunch with her friends. After that, I met up with Tina and we went to Dongdaemun to follow the flea market signs we'd seen yesterday. Only we couldn't find them today. But a very nice young lady noticed us looking lost and tried to help us. We followed her as she asked around for directions and took us exactly where we wanted to go. She said she'd been to the U.S. and knew what it was like to be lost in a foreign country. She was a life-saver for us. Then we had a ball looking at all kinds of stuff: decorative, old, junky, barely used, yard sale-like, etc. You know, it is HARD to haggle when you don't speak the language. We mostly bought fruit and Korean snacks to try later. I wish I had a pic of the Korean candy shop and all its selections. My best buy was an antique(?) wooden chest(?) that locks. When Chris saw it, he said he couldn't imagine why I would want such a thing. He'll soon find out.

Where's the denim?

Wednesday night I had finished another quilt top, all except for the corners, which I put on Thursday morning. I am not sure when I will get to quilt this one. It may be the second in a series of three.
I took a bus to meet Tina at the middle school. She met me there with her dog, saying that she'd stopped by the thrift shop and no one answered despite the doors being open and the lights on. So the two of us walked back to check. Tina was afraid we'd find someone dead on the floor, but I walked in calmly and checked it out. All lights on, computer on, no one anywhere. So we went to Tina's house since she lives next to Gerry, who kinda runs the thrift shop. On the way, Tina pointed out a grill that had been standing out for a few days. She assured me that the owners had moved, leaving it behind. So I helped her carry it back to her house.
She showed me around, then we knocked on Gerry's door to tell her about the thrift shop, and walked from there to the subway.
Where were we going? Why, Dongdaemun of course. Tina had a long list of things she wanted to get. We got a few impulse purchases also. I wanted to get some more denim. It was so obvious last time. Aisles and aisles of it. But this time we were lucky to find one place. We couldn't remember what floor it was on. We searched and searched. I got hungry and tired, but on we went. We did finally find one place, each of us purchased two yards, then went in search of food. We settled on a tiny sit-down restaurant in a small tent on the edge of a street. One of many. We had kimbop (mmm), and some kind of soup, and a spicy chicken conglomerate. For napkins, they had a roll of toilet paper hung on the wall.
Then we checked out the undergarments building. Huge! I won't describe our purchases. We went back to the fabric bldg and stumbled upon stabilizer. Tina bought the whole roll for 10,000 won! Over three feet high and 6 inches in diameter. She then went in search of serger thread. She got 20+ spools. We had quite a haul to carry home on the subway. During the ride we agreed that one day we should throw a dart at the subway map and just go there.
She had her husband meet us at the post gate. He drove me to my gate then they went home. I was so happy not to have to walk all the way! I spent the evening watching Hogan's Heroes episodes and washing the fabrics I had bought. Just too tired to quilt. Stay tuned for Friday when I get more won, mail a package, and we go off on another adventure.

Lucky find

Wednesday: I got up early to make lunches, but DIDN'T go back to bed. Yawn. Instead, I started sewing on another quilt, a variation of the one I just did. I had cut the pieces last night, so all I had to do was sew. I am making triangles by sewing together squares and rectangles, and cutting off the part I don't need. Also, I am sewing together the cut-off triangles for another project. Boy, are there a lot of them!
A friend asked for some silk, so I packed it in my bag along with her address, and an envelope for my mother. I headed out. When I reached the post office, I realized the the address had stayed home. Grr! But they let me bring the box home to pack and address later. But on the way, I stopped by the Chosun, where they had a new shipment of silk in new colors. How to choose? Luckily a friend was there, choosing also, so we decided to split 4 colors. We each bought two colors and will exchange halves on Monday. I also stopped by the thrift shop. What a lucky thing! I found a chair that exactly matches the chair I bought there a month ago. What are the chances of that? But then I needed my rolling cart to get it home. Before I could leave, The head of the thrift shop cornered me. They have a fashion show every February where the volunteers of the thrift shop wear outfits and accessories from the store and the guests can buy the ones they like. Nisha really pushed to have me pick out a gown to wear. I just don't know about doing that. I did finally get out, went home, brought back the cart, and rolled my chair home. What a pair they make. Then, after supper, I finished my quilt top. I also watched our current Netflix movie "Tuesdays with Morrie". What a good movie! Watch it with tissues.

New Quilt

Monday I finished the quilt, then Chris and I met Nancy in Itaewon for lunch. (Chris was home because it was a training holiday and they told him to take the day off.) We ate at a Thai restaurant. It was outstanding! And spicy. I had the chicken with green curry. After wards we stopped by the German deli for pretzels. We passed a man selling fruits and vegetables. I bought some more persimmons. I had used up the last two making persimmon bread (like banana bread). On the way back my right earring fell out. We couldn't find it. Chris told me to just make another one, since I had made that pair with stuff from Dongdaemun and Chris' Leatherman. So, ok.
Tuesday all three of us were home for Veteran's Day. We discussed ideas for a family outing, but Michele didn't feel well and had homework. So Chris and I took the subway to Insadong, since I had heard it mentioned a lot. We wanted to see what was there. But that meant different things to each of us. To me it meant wandering down streets, looking into shops, and taking a closer look at ones that looked interesting. To Chris it meant taking a quick walk around, noting what kind of stores there were and leaving. Oh, well. We did buy a stand for my keyboard, and a foot shaver (for the dry skin). Also, we bought local food: a sausage with coleslaw wrapped in a pancake. It was very good. And a pancake wrapped around mashed potato salad. It was good, too. I didn't believe the sign that said "Mashed potato salad", but that is exactly what it was: mashed potatoes with pieces of hard-boiled eggs, and spices. And the pancakes were even better. They were sweet. Chris thought they were made from buckwheat. We brought these delicacies home to share with Michele.

SEWING, finally

So, Friday I stayed home to sew. I finished the stocking and the December block of the month (see pic). Saturday I stayed home to sew again. I wanted to make some small quilted things. I have noticed that other quilters have a plethora of small quilted things lying about their houses. And since I will be the February host, I figured I had better have some small quilted things, too. But what? Looking through my block-a-day for a year calendar, I came across a block called Autumn Cross. It had lots of pieces for a 12 inch block, so I doubled it to make a 24 inch block. Might as well make it big enough to see. And I had the fabric selection for the block of the month still lying on the table. Well, I divided it up into 9 segments, which would go together like a 9-patch. I made the segments, but then played around with their placement. That made a totally different block. I added a pieced border to finish out the new design, and called the top complete. So on Sunday (after church), I layered and quilted it. I am working on the binding now.
For this quilt I have been using the reconditioned machine I bought, Singer 140Q. The quarter inch foot is awesome. I had to match a million points and almost all of them are perfect. I like the machine, but it growls at me when I step on the foot pedal. I don't know what that means.
Re: the blue pants. I like they way they fit and look, so I want to make some more pairs. But in order to buy more stretch denim I have to decide what color I would like my underwear to be. Maybe red. Then I will have some red, some white and some blue.

Dongdaemun AND Namdaemun

Thursday Pam and I went to Dongdaemun, to find various things for our stocking exchange. In December each of us makes and decorates a stocking to exchange. Well, we made the rounds, examining yards of trim, beads, laces, etc. Then, thoroughly tired, we decided to check out Namdaemun, a marketplace. Well, it wasn't on Pam's subway map. But one of the stations on our way back was circled, so we said "Hey, let's go there". It turned out to be Namdaemun. We didn't stay very long because of the purchases we were toting. But I did get TWO packages of rice cakes.
Friday I stayed home to make the stocking. According to the directions, you decorate it first, then sew the two halves together, WRONG sides together, then do an overcast stitch. Well it came out very elegant (burgundy and green silk), but the edging looked terrible. I was so mad. I didn't want to do the project in the first place, and now it had eaten the entire day, was unnecessarily complicated by the 'curly toe' feature, and looked raggedy. So, I gave it a reason to fray. I lined both sides of the edge with green silk, and clipped it every 1/2 inch or so. Turned out ok.
Oh, Chris called me to meet him at work as he had a large package to carry home. It turned out to be the sewing machine I ordered.
My new blue pants now have company: blue underwear and blue shoelaces. Add that to my blue hands and socks. Why aren't my legs blue?

Blue pants (and hands and socks...)

I slept in this morning, even though Chris had to get up extra early for a teleconference. The great thing about Daylight savings time is that now he must be there at 6 am instead of 5 am. Which means that the near gate is open and the buses are running, I think. Anyway, after sleeping through his departure, I slept through Michele's, too. After all, I wouldn't want to show partiality. When I did finally rise, I readied myself for visiting the library and commissary. When I got to the near gate, I had a 15 minute wait ahead of me, so I started walking. I got to the bus stop by the thrift shop and decided to wait for the bus there, since I was going all the way to main post. There I jotted down a list of things I might want for Christmas since I've been asked. Then I rode the bus to the library, dropped off books, walked to the Gallerie to ask the embroidery people where they get their thread, then to the PX. From the PX, I walked to the Dragon Hill, where Michele was sitting with a friend eating a hotdog. I walked up behind her and said "Its a terrible thing when a mother won't fix her daughter lunch." She just glared at me, so I left. I went to the thrift shop, bought two quilting magazines, was told Obama won the election, went to the Chosun, bought some silk, then walked to the commissary, thinking it had to be a mistake (Obama winning). I bought food, including a very large bottle of cranberry juice for Michele. She'd better appreciate it, because that bag was heavy! But, as I approached the pedestrian bridge (on my way home) a very nice young man offered to carry that bag for me. Being too polite to refuse, I accepted. Chivalry is not dead. Anyway, came home, put groceries away, checked e-mail, had lunch, Michele came home, I went into my sewing room determined to make the pair of pants I had bought fabric for a month ago. Well guess what? I hadn't washed the fabric, and the blue rubs off! My hands are blue and my socks are blue. My legs are probably blue, too. But I shant go to bed before they are finished. I just have to take in the elastic a little more.
Michele got her SAT results today. They were in the 500's and 600's. Chris told her that she most likely won't get into Georgetown or Will and Mary with those scores. She was devastated. So we had a discussion about how she should apply anyway, make herself look as good as possible on the application, and look at other colleges to start off her college career. I think she's ok now.
Well, enough break, back to the blue. I must get my beauty sleep so I can go back to Dongdaemun tomorrow.
Addendum - I washed the pants to get the extra dye out and the water was YELLOW! Color me surprized. I soaked them overnight in vinegar water, then washed and dryed them by machine. I wore them to Dongdaemun the next day and still had blue socks at the end of the day.

Circles Around Dongdaemun

This morning I set off for Gate 19 to meet Nancy for a trip to Dongdaemun. BUT, the bus schedlues have changed, so my bus was 12 minutes later and I missed the connecting bus. So I walked from the school to the gate, rather than wait for the next bus. Nancy wasn't far behind me. Then we walked to the subway station. All the while I was keeping an eye out for the rice cakes with the sweet bean filling that is often sold in a street-side stand or in the subway stations.
Nancy had never been to Dongdaemun, so it was up to meto find the way. It was so easy I couldn't believe it. And we got to sit on the train, too. Then, there we were, looking around and taking it all in. We proceeded to the 5th floor, found buttons for her, pearls and beads and trim for me, and gobs and gobs of other stuff to feast our eyes on. The only other thing I wanted was Mettler machine embroidery thread. Actually, the brand wasn't important, but NOBODY had any, except some Gutterman varigated thread. So we checked other floors. No luck, just lace and stuffed bunny heads. No, we do not know why you would want to buy a bag of small stuffed bunny heads. Anyway, we decided to walk the perimeter of the buildings and see what those stalls had. No luck. More trims and rusty medical instruments. Ok, so we crossed the street to look there. No luck. We passed a Christian bookstore, actually lots of bookstores, in Korean, and hats, and trims, and umbrellas, and Christmas ornaments. FINALLY, we found a store selling embroidery thread in large spools. But, when I showed her my almost-empty spool of thread, she pantomimed that what I had (polyester) was stronger than what she had (rayon) and wouldn't sell it to me. She sent us back the way we had come, 100 meters. So, thinking we had missed something, we backtracked, and took a left at the Christmas ornaments. No luck there either, but there were a lot of food places. One had live eels ina tank, but we passed that one by. Finally we sat and had lunch. It must have been the Chicken Soup restaurant. That and side dishes were all that was on the menu, as far as we could tell. And the proprietress must have been a Jewish mother because she hovered over us, making sure our bowls were filled, showing us how to eat noodles with chop sticks, cutting up the chicken, encouraging us to eat more kimchi, etc. We did the best we could, mouths burning, and my nose running. She found that very amusing. Maybe if I had left it run, she'd have wiped it for me.
After that, we made our way home via the subway. I never did find any rice cakes.

Secret Sister gift

Sunday we went to church, transported by the Lunds. Thank you, Rick. Chris tells me he will buy a car this month. I suppose he has it picked out. I spent the rest of the day working on my secret sister gift. I have made 6 blocks so far, with plans for 3 more. Making the block is easy, but I have to get the digitization right. I also wrote a poem to go with it so she'll know there will be more coming. I think two at a time is enough. I wrapped two of the blocks in a square of coordinating fabric along with the poem. But guess what? She didn't show up this morning so the gift was never opened. It will be passed along to her at some point, and she'll open it without the attention of the group. I am a little disappointed, which begs the question, did I really make it for her? or to show off? I'd like to think I just wanted to see her open it. My secret sister gave me a small box of chocolate, and a picture frame with a pen. We opened gifts at Hannah's house. This is the one Monday a month that we meet at someones house. We were to bring something to work on and something for show and tell. I didn't have either. Ralu had two things, so she let me sew binding on one of her quilts.
Walking to and from Hannah's house, I spotted a little shop with PVC in the window. I will have to go back and see what kind of selection they have. After we returned to post, Pam (my friend with a car who likes to drive me around) asked if I needed to go anywhere. I wanted to go to the commissary, so she dropped me off there. What a genius I am. The commissary is closed on Mondays. Oh, well. A little extra walking never hurt.

More adventures

Thursday was another pricing and sorting day at the thrift shop. Somebody brought in cake and popcorn, which we enjoyed. Then, it was off to the Dragon Hill to meet Chris for lunch. But he was standing in line at the bank to get won. The exchange rate had just dropped and people were scrambling to get as much as they could before it could drop further. Seems like it always goes back up, so what's the big deal? Anyway, we went down to the deli and shared a styrofoam container of chicken in sauce with vegetables. He went back to work and I left for the commissary.
On the way, about 2/3rds, Andrea was driving by and offered me a ride. Since I'd had a good walk, I accepted. I filled my bag at the commissary and trudged home.
The won we got was for shopping at Dongdaemun on Friday, but it was raining that morning and both Michele and Nancy, my intended companions, decided against going. So I stayed home to work on my materpiece for the Christmas Stocking exchange and my secret sister gift. The first gift is due Monday and has a price limit of $5. I ran through many ideas and decided to give her a teacup block each month in shades of red. It involves applique, so I wanted to digitize the outline in my embroudery software. That meant hooking up the old computer. I called Chris at work, and he said "Go ahead, you can't get it wrong". Ha. But, amazingly, I did hook it all up and got it right on the first try. Ha, ha. But after getting the design just so, and being ready to try it out, I discovered that I didn't have the right backgroud fabric, although I remembered seeing the perfect thing at the market on Wednesday. So, on Saturday I convinced Chris to go to the market with me. He agreed on the condition that when he'd had enough, we'd come home.
So, off we went. First, we found a subway station much closer that the one I knew. But it wasn't underground, so we were a little uncertain. But, after buying Chris a subway card and reading the map, we got on the right train, transferred lines at the next station and arrived at the right exit in Dongdaemun. Being a saturday it was very crowded. I was able to find the fabric I wanted within a few minutes, making Chris very happy. But then I wanted to buy PVC connectors. I had heard a rumor that there were hardware stores near the fabric market, across the stream. Well, we walked and walked but didn't find any hardware stores. We did find lots of books, mostly in Korean. We also found some interesting foods, which we tried, and an umbrella for Michele. Then it was back to the subway, sorting out signs and trying to find our way home.
As we walked near our apartment, we passed a bicycle store. I stopped to buy a bell for my bike. We continued home to share our goodies (mostly sweet bean paste) with Michele. The rest of the day was spent preparing the fabric for my secret sister gift.
I would like to mention that I was able to call my parents this morning, which was Halloween night for them. We had a lovely chat before the calling card ran out. They have been following the election. I must say even though we haven't watched anything but DVD's for two months, and I miss certain shows, I DO NOT miss the glut of political ads that precedes an election. Maybe after voting day we will hook up the TV.