New Year's Eve

Mom was finished with breakfast when I got up. I took my time preparing my breakfast as I used a spoonful of coconut oil for a 20 minute oil-pulling session. Oil-pulling is a detox method I learned about years ago but forgot until recently. Claims run from teeth-whitening, to clearer skin, to less painful joints. It involves swishing oil in the mouth for 20 minutes and then spitting it out. After breakfast I sat across from Mom, quilting around that star. She read a book, and is nearly finished with most of the books she got for Christmas. Dad worked on a K-car, draining the oil. I fixed Mom lunch and we were eating as Dad came in for his lunch. He worked on the car, cleaned the gutters, and then finished putting a new filter in the car. I sat with Mom, checked e-mail, quilted, and took a walk. Chris went shopping, then made pork, gnocchi, and a tomato-cheese salad for supper. After supper, I quilted, Mom read, Dad did something outside. I wanted to vacuum the rugs in the livingroom and dining room but did not want to leave Mom alone. She decided to turn in early, so I put her in the tub for her Saturday night bath. Then Dad helped her finish while I packed my suitcase and fixed breakfast for tomorrow. When he came out, I went back to help her brush her teeth, take her pill, and go to bed. Then I had time to post to my blog.
I did not mean to stay up until midnight, but it looks likely. I want wish Happy New Year to all my readers, even though most of them arrived at this point 14 hours ago. Tomorrow we leave for Alabama, and our house without internet (or cable to watch the Iowa caucus). So I leave you with some new words to a familiar song:
Now it's time to say goodbye to Earl and all his kin.
They would like to thank us folks for kindly dropping in.
We're all invited back next year to this locality
To have a heapin' helpin' of his hospitality.

The rest of the story...

...a continuation of Thursday night. I took Mom to the back and there was Dad still working on the toilet paper holder. As far as I can tell, all the time up to that had been spent drawing perfectly level vertical and horizontal lines on the side of the cabinet. He was installing the left arm. He got up to let Mom sit on the toilet, and then he went back into that space to do the other one. He spent an inordinate amount of time with a new roll of tp to make sure the arms were spaced properly. But there were too many lines. When he finished drilling the holes and affixing the right hand arm, it was too high. That is when I convinced him to quit for the night and let Mom go to bed. While he was cleaning up his tools so Mom could stand in front of the washbowl, I posted to my blog. Then I went back, but he said he could finish dressing her, etc. So I helped Chris open the sleeper sofa and put the sheets and blankets on. He undressed and was getting frisky. I asked him if he knew that my parents were coming back out to get Mom's pills. Nope. He got dressed quickly. After they got the pills...well, that's another story.

Sore fingers

Mom came out to breakfast just after I got up. I offered to make her breakfast like mine, but she preferred Cheerios and Shredded Wheat. After breakfast I sat across from her in the den, quilting. Dad finished installing the toilet paper holder in the back bathroom. Chris did laundry. I used the bleach pen on the chocolate stain on the tablecloth, and most of it came out. Lunch. After lunch, more quilting, and I checked e-mail. Coincidentally, just as I was thinking that I wanted to take a walk in the sun, my dad took my mom to the fitness center, allowing me the freedom to take the walk. It was nice outside, and I may not have needed the light coat I wore. When I got back, Chris was starting supper. He baked fish and the leftovers from last night. My parents got back later than they planned and I was starting to get worried. We ate. Again, I sat across from my mother and quilted. My fingertips are covered in callouses. The tip of the needle gets caught in them. I finished all the rows between the diamonds in the star, and am now working on quilting just inside the black piping around the star. It is tough where the seam allowances are thick, particularly at the corners. My mom wants to turn in the finished quilt to the church office to sell, but I don't think they will want it. There are blood spots on the back, and so many wrinkles that it boggles the imagination. Still, the front looks nice so it should appeal to someone somewhere.
At 10:30 Mom wanted to go to bed, and she preferred me over Dad. So I took her back there, gave her a sponge bath and clean clothes, trimming her toenails, too. Then we came out for her pills. Actually Dad only gave her one tonight but I don't know which one. The Mirapex really zones her out in the morning so I hope that is the one he skipped.

When I got up this morning, Mom was finished with her breakfast, and I missed it. They are finishing breakfast earlier now that Dad gives her one teaspoon of juice with her pills - no choking or waiting for her to swallow. After breakfast I read e-mail until my laptop battery needed recharging.
Dad took inventory and made his grocery list. He wasn't finished by lunch. After lunch, Dad finished his list and gave it to Chris, who went grocery shopping. Dad also got the mail and gave most of it to Mom who leafed through the catalogues, and junk mail. I picked off the dead leaves and watered the plants in the den and livingroom. It was sunny out, so I took a short walk, then I quilted across from Mom while Dad worked on replacing the toilet paper holder. At some point Mom transferred all her purse items to the new purse Faye bought. No one saw her do it, but when Dad went to look for the supper pills, they were buried in her new purse. He thought I did it. But Mom 'fessed up. Chris made Thai Chicken curry for supper. Both Mom and Dad had two bowls of it. I went back to quilting as Dad cleaned up. Sure, I could have cleaned up, but he wanted to do it so he could mop out the pans with a piece of bread. At 9 he was still eating something. Dad put the TV on CBS so we could watch BBT, but it was a repeat. Then we switched to PBS. A travelogue on New Zealand was airing. We thought of Michele. They showed a sheep-shearing contest, a Maori boat race, and the guide being dared to eat slugs, fish eyeballs, and sheep testicles. Michele must be having a ball. Soon after, I started writing my blog, and Mom wanted to go to bed. So I took her back, and there was Dad still at the beginning process of attaching the tph. He seemed intent on finishing, so there Mom sat, on the toilet, waiting for him to finish. I considered taking a pic of him working, but not with Mom there. So all you get is a pic of him playing accordion for Christmas. I hope this story continues in the morning, but he may insist on finishing it tonight.

Mailing Christmas cards

When I got up, Mom was already eating breakfast: Cheerios and Shredded Wheat, dry. So I fixed my own breakfast and slipped her some nuts and berries. After breakfast I finished my book, The Cat who sang for the Birds. Following that, I started quilting again. I noticed how sunny it was outside, so about 11:30 I went outside for a walk. It was quite windy and I wished I had brought a neck scarf. When I got back, Mom was ready for lunch, but Dad was in the back double-checking his Christmas card list, again. So I sliced her an apple and made her sandwich. Dad came out then and made his own lunch. Chris sat down with us and we all ate. After lunch, Chris and I took Mom for a walk up and down the street twice. Then Dad and I sat in the dining room with the cards and Christmas letters. I folded them precisely in fourths to fit in the cards. I found that all but 4 of the sealed ones from last year could easily be unsealed. We added 2011 letters to those that hadn't been mailed last year, and signed new cards for those that had. Chris fixed left overs for supper. We all sat down to eat. Mom and Dad ate the liver, but I got the juice. The chorizo rice was very good, too. Supper for them went long, so I excused myself to add stamps and return address labels to the cards. I also sealed them, adding a sticker to those that I had to unseal. I spent most of the rest of the evening quilting and watching PBS shows on melting ice near the poles. Dad decided to take a walk (at 9:15), and added mailing the cards to his route. He put them in a bag for carrying. Chris fell asleep on the sofa. Mom wanted to go to bed, so I took her back to get dressed, etc. and then she came back out for her pills. Dad gave them to her, and I tucked her into bed. Now I am posting to my blog and hope to be in bed soon.

Back pain limits my activity

When I got up, my dad was giving my mom her pills with a spoon. He was suprised at the progress she was making. I made breakfast for my mom and myself. Then I took a bath. Drying off, somehow I sprained my back. It seemed so senseless. I sat on the couch to read e-mail from awhile until the laptop battery power faded. Then I plugged it in and read a book, even as my mom was reading one of her Christmas books, while it charged up. I did not notice when my father started making lunch. He was almost done when I got up to help. Chris made me some salad dressing using the toasted sesame oil. It made my salad tastier. After lunch Kevin came over to clean and cook. Chris went to Martins to pick up a few groceries. Then he went to Barnes and Noble to get some movies with his gift card. I read some more, hoping my back would improve. Then Dad wanted to work on his Christmas cards. I am not sure how long we spent (an hour or more), but when we stopped for supper, nothing had changed. No more cards were stamped, or addressed, or sealed. Nor were any copies made of the Christmas letter. All he had done was to make changes to the address list, and record on it the current condition of each card. Kevin made two casseroles and Chris made chicken. Then we all sat down to eat together. Supper was a long-drawn out affair like every other meal. Dad either eats slowly, or finds reasons to get up, or something. Then Chris got out the remaining birthday cake (lemon/almond) and divided up amongst those who eat cake. I read some e-mail, but all too soon it was time to charge the battery again. Kevin chatted for awhile, and Dad and Chris cleaned up from supper. After Kevin left, Dad and I watched PBS. They had some very interesting shows about biodiversity and the dangers of monocultures. Apparently planting only one or two species of a flower, fruit or vegetable, is like putting all your eggs in one basket. Whatever bug or bacteria endangers one plant, endangers them all, ex. the potato famine in Ireland. Did you know that all McDonald's french fries are made from Russet Burbanks?
Dad got Mom ready for bed, and I joined Chris sitting in the livingroom. He told me that he thinks there will be less traffic on Sunday so it might be a better day to go back home. After Mom finished her bedtime pills, she and Dad came out here to say 'goodnight'. I posted a pic to yesterdays' post.
Last night after I went to bed, I thought of a dozen things I wish I had mentioned in my blog, but now I can't think of even one. Seems like there should be more to life than just recording the events of the day. Sometimes I wonder if anything really matters. Life just seems to proceed how it will, and no amount of worrying or trying to avoid bad things makes any difference. Change is the only constant. Things can't and won't stay the same; not in life, not in nature. Back in Korea I couldn't wait to see where we would end up. But there is no 'ending up'. We are here now (Richmond) and will be in Alabama next week. But next year? Two or three or ten years? One never knows, and maybe it would spoil the surprise. But is any one place any better than another? Is there a point to settling in and getting comfortable anywhere? Are all my strivings and cares for nothing?
* I did not take any pics today, so here is one from the party yesterday. This is my sister and her husband. *

My birthday party

I fixed breakfast for myself and my mother. Then I fed her a banana and helped her take the rest of her pills. Faye called to say that she was in her driveway heading here. So when I finished with Mom, I washed up quickly and dressed. She was here before I finished. Dad asked her to help with Mom so when she was finished, we went to Goodwill. We found a good replacement purse for Mom. Then we went to Wal-Mart. We spent an inordinate amount of time looking through the $5 DVD bins trying to choose what a certain person would like. I had heard on the news that stores were having megasales and were swamped, but neither was true of Wal-Mart (or Goodwill). Faye did buy wrapping paper and such at a good price. We looked at shredders, too. Faye stopped to eat at the Subway in the store. Then we went home and I ate. Faye went home to take a nap before my party. My dad and I walked to Office Max to find Kurt a shredder (no big sales or crowds there either). The ones at Wal-Mart were much cheaper - in both senses of the word. So I paid more, but it should last longer and jam less. Dad carried it home for me, and then he went on a longer walk by himself. I sat with Mom and read a book while Chris worked on supper. He fixed pork and sauerkraut. When supper was ready, I called Faye, but she had a dead battery and did not know how late she and Kevin would be. William called to say he had just heard from Kurt about the party and had other plans that he couldn't break. As it turned out, it was better that way 'cause we ran out of mashed potatoes and broccoli. Chris and I were finished eating when Faye and Kevin arrived with a pineapple casserole. So they had something to eat and shared it with the rest. Dad had bought an almond cake thinking I would eat it. I did not want to disappoint him, so I accepted a plate of cake. Kurt ate bites out of it when Dad wasn't looking, and then Chris took the last part. What a helpful family I have. I got a card from Faye and from Mom. They each gave me a jar of cardamom. Hey, I can never have too much as I use it daily for the health benefits. Then we played "Big Bang Theory trivia", a game Kurt gave us for Christmas. We played until he had to leave for home (he has to work tomorrow). Faye, Chris and Dad cleaned up after the party. Then Faye and Kevin went home (Faye has to work at 11pm). Patrick left with Kurt. I forgot to mention that those two went to the science museum this afternoon, and then ran into William at Goodwill. Dad asked me to get Mom ready for bed. I read e-mail for awhile, and now I think Chris is asleep on the floor waiting for me to finish this post.

Christmas Day

Dad hadn't yet made Mom's breakfast when I got up, so I made her the same breakfast I eat. Dad have her pills, and we discovered that she choked on them less if we gave her a spoonful of apple juice instead of letting her drink from the cup. After we both ate, we had 20 minutes until time to leave for church. So I quickly got myself dressed and woke up Kurt. Mom and Dad went in one car and Chris, Kurt and I went in another. When we arrived at church, only one other car was there - the pastor's car. I was a little worried that maybe no one was coming, but eventually people did come, just not as many as last night. There were refreshments after church, and we stayed late talking to Wister Vernon. By the time we got home, it was late and things moved slowly. William was here. I made the cranberry cream salad that my mom wanted for Christmas. It is a jello salad and we had to put it in her bedroom to jell because there was no room in the fridge. Then we pulled out leftovers to put on the table for people to eat for lunch. That made room for new leftovers for this evening. We cleared the diningroom table and made more space in the livingroom by putting stuff in our cars. Chris put chicken and rice in the oven to bake. I think William and Kurt each took a nap. Around 5 Faye and Kevin came over with presents. Kevin played his dulcimer. Faye and I cut up vegetables while Chris made a yogurt-based dip. At first it was too bland, so I added some sea salt. But it was not enough, so Chris added some red pepper flakes. Then it was fine. He put it in the fridge. We organized everyone into the livingroom for opening gifts. Dad played carols on his accordion. Then Faye handed out her gifts, I handed out mine, and those from Mom and Dad. Faye got one with a baggie of water in it. I guess the baggie was leaking, because Kurt said "I've heard of taking a leak, but never of giving one." The gift also contained a gift card, wrapped separately. Finally it was William and Kurt's turn. Then we gathered around the table for Christmas dinner. The dip had turned extra-spicy during its sojourn in the fridge. What a kick! Still, the cut-up veggies were all eaten, and most of the chicken, stuffing and cranberry salad. Dad passed around the cookies. As Faye and Dad cleaned up, Kurt went back to his computer. Kevin was taking a nap. We had a chat about the new Tuesday plan. Kurt took Patrick out to see Christmas lights. Faye and Kevin left. Mom had me put her to bed. Chris brought in our suitcases back in from the car. I posted to my blog and we went to bed (at least, that's the plan).

Looking at lights

After breakfast, Mom and dad went to the fitness center. I wrapped presents that Dad bought
yesterday. I also did two loads of laundry, adding some from Mom and Dad's bedroom. I read e-mail and went for a walk, actually two. Chris finished the laundry. When I got back, Mom and Dad were back. Dad and I fixed lunch. I read some newspapers that Dad was going to throw under the cabinet. Kurt showed up at 4. We talked. Chris made chili for supper. Four of us ate in the kitchen and Chris ate in the den. Then we dressed for the Christmas eve service. Kurt and I took the Oldsmobile so we could look at lights later. Mom, Dad and Chris took a K car. We got there 20 minutes early. The pre-service music was beautiful. The lights were low to show off the candles. But it was hard to read the hymn book. The service was a series of meditation, carols, and prayers. Then a group of young people dressed as shepherds, angels, etc made a vignette of the manger scene. One young angel had a Barbie in her hand. She reminded me of Michele at that age and I had to blink back the tears. After the service, we had to wait to get out of the church. I had not realized that Katie Kopp was here. So we wanted to hear what she had to say since her daughter Janet had just passed away. That made me want to cry too. Sometime after my parents had left, Kurt and I went home, detouring through one neighborhood to see Christmas lights. When we got back to the house, Kurt and Chris tried to figure out why Kurt's smart phone says it is connected to Dad's router, but it isn't. No luck. Patrick came over to talk to Kurt. I dressed Mom for bed, then brought her out to take pills. I helped Kurt wrap my present without looking at it. He reminded me that he DID tell me what he wanted for Christmas and I forgot so I have no gift for him. And now it is time for lights out.

After I went to bed last night, Dad started sorting recyclables, which meant the light was on in the dining room and we were trying to sleep in the livingroom. But somehow I fell asleep. Then early this morning he came back to get the recyclables to set outside for pick up. I stayed in bed a while longer. Eventually, I ate breakfast with my Mom and Dad. I took a bath and started reading e-mail. Mom wanted to send three condolence cards, so I helped her choose, sign and address them. Dad and I boiled water in the frying pan, then oiled and baked it. Chris made me some salad dressing and we had our usual lunch, then I sat outside in the sun. Dad spent the afternoon walking to the bank, the mall and Walmart. Chris went to Martin's to return bad garlic, and buy liver and chorizo for supper. I sat with Mom and quilted. I prepared a Christmas card for Dad to sign for the neighbor across the street. I also tried the walnut-rubbing trick on a long scratch behind Dad's chair. See pic. William stopped by to show me what he got Faye and Kevin for Christmas. Chris fixed supper and Dad returned from his long walk. When he saw the traffic, he was glad he was on foot. Patrick stopped by to see if he had dropped a boxtop from yesterday. He might have been hoping for an invitation to supper. We had liver and onions for supper, as well as chorizo rice and Italian vegetables. I had forgotten that Chris did not like liver when I suggested it. Near the end of the meal, Mom picked up her spoon with her right hand and ate that way. Dad said it was progress for her because she broke that wrist almost a year ago. After supper I sat with Mom and quilted some more. Dad watched political debate shows on PBS. Then the Mormon tabernacle choir was on. When my fingers were numb from needle pricks, I decided it was time to post and go to bed. Part of me wants to finish the quilt for the sense of accomplishment. But another part wants to keep quilting, because what will I do when there is no more quilting? It is the perfect filler activity.

Grocery Shopping

I did not get any quilting done today. I put some coconut oil on my pricked fingertips, but they were still a little sore this morning. I read e-mail as my father put his grocery list together. I went outside to sit in the sun for a bit. I took my computer along, but it was very hard to see the screen for the reflections. Then we had lunch even though it was way past lunchtime. After lunch, Chris and I went to BBnT to deposit some checks. On the way out I realized I was wearing my Crestar sweatshirt. Ha. Then we went to the Vitamin Shoppe, Food Lion, and finally Fresh Market. Traffic was intense. We got home around 5. Mom and Dad had gone shopping at Martins. We were alone in the house. And since it takes them about 2.5 to 3 hours to shop for groceries, we had plenty of time for ... each other. I even had time to wrap some presents. Mom and Dad arrived about 7 in the rain. Dad brought in the frozen food and went back for Mom. I held the umbrella for them, and then for Dad as he made his other trips for grocery bags. Chris cooked the chicken they bought, as well as broccoli and rice. Patrick came over to get boxtops. He loves to chat. When we sat down to eat, he sat in the livingroom reading the Korean brochures I brought him. Supper went on for a long time. Chris finished eating and went in to the living room to use his computer. I sat at the table marveling at how my father kept finding more food to eat. I put away what was leftover on the stove, but he found fruit, and a cookie and bread and an orange, fruitcake, etc. Finally I took Mom to the bathroom and dressed her for bed. She wanted to come out for her bedtime pills (it was 11pm). Then she went to bed. I came out to the kitchen to dispose of the chicken fat. We put it in an empty honey bottle. Then Dad got a piece of bread so he could wipe the chicken pan dry and he ate that. I told him if he had more fat in his diet he wouldn't have to keep snacking after meals. He claims it isn't snacking but a continuation of the meal. How come he never gains weight?

Wrapping presents

I woke up hearing my parents start their breakfast routine. I ate with them, and then took a bath and dressed. Mom had two stove-handle dishtowels that she wanted the buttons replaced. So I did that. Then Dad finally got started on his prescription drug order. I was not sure how long it would take him, but I knew if I asked him any question, it might take him 30 minutes to get back to what he was doing. So I did not ask what task I could do in the meantime. However, Mom decided it was time to wrap the gifts on the diningroom table. Hey, I LOVE wrapping gifts, it is the buying part that is so hard. Some of them were for me, but seems it did not matter. I wrapped them all at her direction. Then I wrapped a few that I had stashed away. When Dad finished the drug order, I suggested he work on his Christmas letter. I had to interrupt him for lunch. It went much faster because he allowed me to help. I had a big salad with a generous helping of olive oil and vinegar. After lunch, I quilted, and Dad worked on the letter until supper time. Chris made supper using turkey from the freezer and Kevin's casseroles. Dad wanted to eat early to get to choir practice. But I offered to stay home with Mom and so he might have been on time. I called Faye at Wal-mart to find an item for me. After supper, I sat on the sofa quilting while Mom read. Dad called from Office Max looking for a thumb drive. Chris said not to buy one, so Dad went to Fresh Market and bought me some coconut milk. Sadly I forgot to bring mine. Mom said she was ready for her shower, so I took her back to the bathroom. I put the shower chair in the tub, and we figured out how to get her clean without getting me wet. Usually Dad puts her in the tub, but there was no way I could have lifted her out. I got her ready for bed and thought she went to sleep. I went out to the den where Dad was watching a PBS special on DNA. It was so interesting. Then he got her up to take some pills, said she reminded him. I tore myself from the TV to read e-mail and post to my blog.

Driving to Virginia

After staying up so late last night packing for our trip, we got up around 7. We had our showers and breakfast, and got dressed in time to leave about 8 CMT. Pretty good. We listened to a book on CD, which put me to sleep for a little while. We drove until 1:30 EST then stopped at a Cracker Barrel for lunch. They have good salads there. Then we drove on. When we left rt 81, the audiobook was almost over. When it ended, I called my Dad to tell him we were about 2.5 hours away. We popped another 'book' into the player. We arrived about 7:15. Dad was heating chicken in the oven. It took awhile, but we finally all had supper together. Michele Skyped me by text from the Osaka airport. It was nice to hear from her. I called Faye and talked to her for awhile. Then I listened to an audio on my computer. Chris was able to get it online. It is really nice to have internet access with my own laptop.

Clearing the sewing room

It was another day spent in my sewing room, organizing fabrics into boxes by type and weight. Of course all quilting fabrics went into the cabinet. I had thought I was done with that yesterday, but I found more today. There is a window near the wall of cabinets which looked like a typical basement window complete with dirt, dust, dead bugs and cobwebs. I did not want that anywhere near my collection so I cleaned it up and the outside of the window too. Then I moved a large plastic shelving unit in front and loaded it with boxes of 'other' fabric. I wanted to set up my sewing desk and machine, but discovered that the outlet there did not work. Nor did the other three outlets that I tried. Bob was supposed to come over and get his computer so I was going to tell him then that the outlets needed fixing, but he did not come. Guess he doesn't need his computer 'cause we are leaving for a week and a half. I got a lot done and demolished the stalagmites. Too bad in a way, because I liked the idea of water dripping from the ceiling and leaving piles of fabric behind. I ate a late supper and then we watched the final episodes of BBT season 3. Chris had already packed, so now it was my turn. It made it easier that most of my clothes are unpacked from storage and shipment. Still, I had to try on the ones from storage to see if they still fit. I packed the clothes first and then the supplements. Supplements took longer than I expected. Now it is after midnight and Chris wants to be on the road by 7 am.

Unpacking the sewing room

We started the day by enjoying each others company and thus did not make it to church. And anyway, it would be hard to concentrate when all I can think about is getting the house straight. We showered and had breakfast, dressed to unpack. Chris dragged the old bookcase from the carport out into the driveway. He said it might be too dirty to use. I went out with a bucket of water and washed it off. We dragged it inside and set it in the den. He kept asking me "Are you sure this is where you want it?" I told him it was my best guess, but by the end of the day I was wishing we could move it 6 inches to the left. Since he spent the day unpacking books and putting them on shelves, it was WAY too heavy. I spent the rest of the day in my sewing room, starting with the boxes nearest the front. What was a jumble of boxes turned into several randomly placed towers resembling stalagmites. By loading all the fabric into the built-in cabinets in close stacks, I was able to get all the Korean quilting fabric in. It occurred to me that if Dongdaemun was a bar, they would have cut me off long ago. It was a lot of fabric.
I had a large salad for lunch and Chris made me a bowl of bean soup for supper. I had a late supper because I lost track of the time while stacking fabric. Chris came down occaisionally to carry out the load of cardboard and paper generated by the unpacking process. He watched an episode of Battlestar Galactica while I ate. Then we watched episodes from the third season of BBT that we hadn't already seen. By then it was 11 and we tumbled into bed. I got up early the next morning to post the day's events.

Boxed in

Because it was Saturday, we slept in. We did more than sleep, but I digress. We took a shower, and had breakfast. I wanted to move the coffee table and the kitchen table. Chris said the legs need to be tightened. One needs an allen wrench, and the other needs a crescent wrench. So I spent the morning looking through boxes to find one or the other or both. No luck. But as I opened box after box, I wrote a description of the contents on the box - a much better description than the moving men wrote: 'items' or 'linen' or 'glassware'. Huh! As I labeled and moved boxes from one stack to another, I found myself 'boxed' in. Luckily the house did not catch on fire at that time. But I unpacked my way out, locating the box with Chris' pillow in it. Chris did several loads of laundry and sheets. We stopped for lunch. I fixed a salad and ate it outside on the porch in the sun. I also read for a bit. Then we went to the library on post to check out some books on CD for the drive to Richmond. The library was having "Decorate a cookie" day. The ladies in charge kept asking people if they wanted to decorate a cookie and people kept saying 'no'. So I did one. Chris was kind enough to eat it for me. Should have taken a picture. Anyway, we checked out 3 CD sets and 2 DVD sets. When we got home, we worked in the livingroom on the large boxes of clothing and bedclothes. I got that put away, and then did about half a box of clothes in the bedroom. Chris was playing a computer game, complete with music. He warmed up some leftovers for supper. After we ate, he went back to his computer and I read some more. About 8:30 we drove to post to check our P.O. box and parked in front of the library. Their router was still on, so we brought our laptops. I was able to post pics to my blog. We read e-mail and Chris texted someone on Skype. I always wondered what people were doing when they parked in an empty lot. Now I know. When we finished, we stopped by Kroger on the way home. It was cold and I wished I had worn warmer shoes and socks. I read for awhile before going to bed. The old beat-up recliner is the most comfortable seat in the house.

Rolling out the red carpet

I got up in time to kiss Chris goodbye. Then I used Bob's computer to read e-mail. Finally I fixed breakfast and got dressed. I spent most of my time in the kitchen, unpacking boxes and organizing the drawers. I found a lot of kitchen implements. I think we have enough for 4 or 5 kitchens: over a dozen wooden spoons, 3 whisks, 4 potato mashers, 6 pancake flippers, etc. I remember wondering how many tweezery things we needed. I was trying to come up with the word 'tongs', but it was too late. My mind fixated on the phrase 'tweezery things' and repeated it over and over until I thought I'd go mad. Speaking of going mad, did I mention I found more mugs? Seriously, how many mugs does a couple need? I think 8 should be enough.
As I was unpacking, I thought of Forest Gump saying "Life is like a box of chocolates: you never know what you're going to get". Yes, but it is still chocolate. Opening these boxes is more like eating Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans. Some are a wonderful surprise and some are so 'not' that even dipping them in chocolate wouldn't help.
I made a large salad for lunch. Just as I finished it, Bob came by to fix the stove top. He turned off the electricity (not an easy task because the panel is located in the middle of the sewing cabinets, currently blocked by boxes). He pulled out the control panel and found lots of disconnected wires. He really tried to figure out how to reconnect them, but the schematic was no help. So he said he'd have to get back to me on that. I reminded him that his laptop was here, and he said I could hold on to it for awhile. Whoo-hoo! I love this mobile broadband. After he left, I read for awhile. It was wet and raining on and off, so I had to stay inside. While I was reading, Chris came home. There had been a Christmas party at work and everyone got to leave afterwards. The macaroni and cheese he brought was completely gone. He emptied the dishwasher and carried out piles of paper. I emptied some boxes in the livingroom. Then he helped me roll out the silk carpet we bought in Korea. It was nice, but did not 'upgrade' the room like I thought it would. He went down in the basement to find a VCR and hook it up to the TV. We watched the French version of Cyrano De Bergerac with English subtitles. It put me to sleep. So Chris turned it off and we went to bed. However, without the TV on, I found that I could not sleep. I did not know if it was too early, or if it was skipping supper. Maybe posting to my blog will help.

Wednesday: Looking forward

The next morning I woke up to the sound of Chris walking in the hallway. I was having a dream so did not get up right away. Chris was gone when I did. I used the broom in the hallway, and then decided to write last night's post before I forgot what happened yesterday. I spent the morning unpacking in the living room . I unpacked the Korean chests and placed them in the foyer. But they are too big and will have to be moved later. The little drawers at the top were pushed inside and were jammed. In freeing them, I discovered old medications that the previous Korean owner must have left. I am curious to see what they are for. Not that it will make any difference - I plan to throw them away no matter what. There was alss a box of shoes and I selected those that I wore recently to keep and am wondering what to do with the rest: donate or yardsale? In the afternoon I freed the kitchen table and chairs from their cardboard straightjackets. I threw the cardboard and paper on the porch, creating a mountain for Chris to move when he got off of work. I spent my lunch hour outside in the sun. The weather was so nice, just like spring. If I had had a rake, I would have raked leaves in the sun. I shut off the heat and opened lots of windows. Bob the builder came by to check out the shower. Unbeknownst to me, Chris had had problems with it this morning. Bob fixed it, and said he'd be back with boards to install shelving. Well, he did not come back. When Chris got home, he had a message from Bob: due to a 5pm appt, he'd be back in the morning. Chris had bean soup for supper and I fixed myself a salad. After supper Chris moved the cardboard to the carport, and then we went to Home Depot for a rake, wastebasket, showercurtain rings, and scrubbing sponges. I washed more unpacked dishes but haven't decided where they go yet. We watched 8 episodes of BBT and the TV downstairs and then went to bed.

Thursday: Still no internet

I got up just before Chris left for work, just early enough to kiss him goodbye. Then I went back to bed because it was warm. He called at 7:30 to say the Knology people would arrive between 8 and 10am. I took a shower and ate breakfast. They rang the doorbell just as I finished. There were two guys named Chris and Gary. They were very nice. They asked where I wanted the internet to be installed, and where I wanted cable. I showed them. As they checked out the wiring, I called Chris to see if he agreed with what I just told them. But Chris was not available. When the guys returned from their inspection, they told me there was no way they could install internet, cable, or phone today. They said all the wires need replacing, and they called in a reschedule for Jan 4th. They said it would take 5 or 6 hours and two ladder trucks to do the job. GASP!!!! No internet?!?!? They assured me that every fast food place in town has free wi-fi and several malls, too. While they were apologizing, Bob was there, too. He came over to put shelves in the closet. It was an interesting job because the walls of the closet were not parallel. Each shelf had to be cut differently and he did a bang up job. But his best contribution was that he brought his laptop over. It connects to the net anywhere Verizon covers. So I used his computer while he worked. I cleared over 100 e-mails and posted to my blog. After he left, I made a salad for lunch, which I ate in the dining room. Surprisingly, the chair broke under me. I wonder if something happened to it in shipping. Then I read a book outside for an hour. There was no sun to speak of, and the grass was wet. Then I unpacked a box into the closet and rearranged the kitchen items, putting most-used stuff in cupboards and least-used stuff in the closet. Chris came home while I was washing another load of unpacked kitchen items. He made a macaroni dish for work tomorrow, and we had supper: pork and bean soup. Downstairs, we watched the remaining episodes of BBT. It was only 8 when it ended, so we opened a few more boxes until we found some DVD's. We watched Hidalgo until bedtime. Since Bob left his laptop here (he has to come back tomorrow to fix the stove), I am using it to post to my blog. I did take pics today, but do not want to load them on his computer to post them. I'll have to post them later.

Tuesday the 13th

I got up before Chris left for work. I dressed and ate a bowl of breakfast that I had prepared last night . I washed the bowl and spoon. Then I got on the internet. It was my last chance for awhile. I lingered longer than I would have otherwise. Around 9, I searched the apartment for anything we might have left behind. I checked closets, under the bed, and under couch cushions. I put everything on the porch outside. I wiped off the tables and left my key card in the dining room. Then I exited the apt. From the outside I accessed the porch, and carried everything to the car. Then I look for the maid to say goodbye, but she was nowhere to be found. I drove over to the house and unloaded my car. I unpacked in the kitchen for awhile, washing what was unpacked. When I felt like I would scream if I came across another mug, I went downstairs. I unpacked the DVD player and plugged it in to see if it worked. I unwrapped the TV stand and the TV. I found the little book shelves that go on either side and unwrapped them too. I could not find any DVDs, but one box marked DVD's had VHS, so maybe a box marked VHS has DVD's. At lunch time I sat outside in the sun for an hour. The temp was quite pleasant so I turned off the heat and opened some windows. I had the CD player on and turned it up so I could hear it outside and in the basement. I can't remember exactly how the afternoon went. I would start unpacking in one room , and have to carry an item to another and then got hooked there. Back and forth, upstairs and down. It started to get dark around 4. I hope Chris would get off work early. The place was so fulll of boxes that the only way to know I made a difference was to check the growing pile of cardboard and paper. I unpacked my stereo system, but couldn't remember which speakers go with it. I unpacked and assembled another shelving unit in the basement, but there was no place to put it. Chris came home about 5:30 with groceries. I was glad to see him. He fixed himself a burrito ( I had some bean soup earlier). He set up my laptop in the livingroom and got out the BBT DVD's from the library. We watched two of the DVD's and went to bed. I had toyed with the idea of going back to the apartment and accessing the internet from the parking lot to post to my blog. But what seemed like a good idea in the day light, seemed like too much trouble at 10:15 at night.
* will add pictures later *

Last shipment

We got up early, had breakfast, dressed, and were over at the house by 8am. Around 8:40 this truck rolled up. I thought "Oh no, this shipment is barely going to fit."
And then......this truck rolled up and parked in front of the other truck. I could have fainted. But as it turned out, the second truck only contained 1 crate and a sofa box. We hadn't shipped a sofa so that was a little confusing. But it was full of items in smaller boxes. It was sealed and the seals were intact, which was more than I could say for the crates. Someone had opened our crates. I had been worried that our new 42 inch flat screen TV might arrive broken, but it did not arrive at all. The box was there, but it was empty. Hopefully it is the only thing that was taken. We will be checking the other boxes as we open them. Here is Chris checking off box numbers as the movers took them off the truck.

Chris had soaked a mixture of beans last night. This morning he put them in the crock pot to cook. For the mover's lunch, he ordered burgers and chips from Steak Out because they deliver and his car was parked in by the trucks. The men sat and ate at our dining room table. I found a tea kettle in a box in the kitchen. I made tea for myself and one of the movers. Today was cold and I needed a little warmth. When the movers had unloaded the last truck, they assembled the beds in the guest room and the master bedroom. It was difficult for them since they had never seen the water bed assembled. I explained what I knew about the process and took pics as they did it, so next time it will be easier. After they left, we unwrapped the dressers in the MBR, and opened boxes in the computer room. We set up the bookcases in there and threw the cardboard they were wrapped in out the window. It made a large pile in front of the garage. Then we gathered that up and moved it to the car port. The bean soup in the crock pot was done, so we ate bowls of it with the pork from yesterday. We hung up some clothing from the UB shipment, but I was too tired to continue. So we came back to the apt, and packed up our clothing, toiletries and food. I prepared a bowl of breakfast for tomorrow and then packed the ingredients. Chris cleaned the kimchi juice from the fridge. As I checked my e-mail, Michele got on Skype. It really made my day to see her and talk to her. Chris visited a little, then took our packed items over to the house. Michele signed off to go to class. When Chris got back, we watched an episode of House, and now are preparing to go to bed. We are checking out early in the morning. Since the house does not have internet, be assured that I will post again as soon as we are up and running (hopefully Thursday night).

Wash day

We were going to get up early - like 6:30, to get ready for the 8am service. But we ended up worshiping in bed. After breakfast, we left base, stopped at Kroger for groceries, and arrived at the house. Chris started a pot of pulled pork in the oven. I brought up a big jar from the basement and washed it. Chris had bought 15 bags of different beans and mixed them in the jar. Then he helped me open boxes in the basement for awhile. Bob the builder (he is the husband of the realestate agent employed by the owners, and he is a general contractor) came over to replace the faucets behind the washer, and the hook-up behind the dryer. So we started laundry when he left. I washed out the last cabinet, and started putting fabric in one of them. In opening boxes, I came across the velvets, seer-suckers, rib knits, polished cottons, kettle cloth, and some fancies. However, I have a very nice collection of metallics and silks (the kind that I don't know when or how I'll ever use it) that has yet to be accounted for - and we opened every box in that room. Chris did two loads of laundry. We found out that the washer and dryer each play a tune when they finish. It was really cute the first time. We ate supper in the dining room. Then I went back to the basement to finish sorting a box. Then we came back to the apt to watch "Sleepy Hollow" from Netflix, and to catch up on e-mail. Now it is off to bed for us since the next shipment arrives tomorrow between 8 and 9.

Progress (now you can SEE the cabinets)

After staying up late watching NCIS and CSI, I slept in. We had breakfast and packed up some things that we don't need here at the apartment - mostly my sewing stuff. We put it in the car and took it over to the house. Chris moved the furniture in front of the cabinets in the basement. With a dustpan and brush, and a bucket of water, I cleaned the base cabinets really well so that I can store fabric in them. I unpacked 5 boxes. They were labeled fabric (or farbic in one case) but I found some other things in there: like a PlayStation and some games I don't remember playing with Michele, and LOTS of curtains (kitchen, bathroom, shower, cafe, sheers, toppers, etc). There was a little pile of quilting fabric, but it was mostly 'other' fabric, including wools, suedes, decorator, corduroy, polyesters, knits, fleeces, laces, fur, trims, and metallics. I also found piles of scrap (or is that crap) fabric. I must have leftovers from 20 years worth of projects. I found some quilting magazines, stencils, and pictures, but they had been carelessly thrown into the box, so they may never lay flat again. Chris was upstairs working in the kitchen, and then monitoring my phone (while sleeping on the couch). He wasn't feeling well this morning and so had to take a nap. William called, which broke the spell of unpacking fabric, and then I was too tired to continue. It was 6pm, so we called it a day and went home for supper and four episodes of BBT. I forgot to mention that we went back to the apt for lunch, during which Chris stopped by the library and checked out season 4 of BBT so we will have something to watch after we move to the house before the internet and cable are hooked up.

UB shipment arrived today

Chris woke me in the very best way this morning. He got up and took a shower, but I fell asleep. When I got up, it was after 8. I was in the middle of eating breakfast when the phone rang. The transportation company said they were nearby, fueling up to make the delivery. So I rushed through breakfast and dressing so we could get to the house as soon as possible. I grabbed my laptop to see if there was any signal nearby. When we got to the house, there was only one signal and it was password protected. A moving van came to a stop in front of the house. The lady in charge dropped off 5 large boxes. After she left, we opened them. We removed everything that wasn't clothing or bed linens. Not much. We left the clothing until the bedroom furniture arrives, which is now expected to be Monday morning. If only Knology would move up their connection date... Anyway, at lunchtime we came back to the apartment to eat lunch. We stopped on the way to pick up a brush and dustpan. When we got back to the house, we checked out the proposed den area in the basement. We wanted to make room for the stuff coming on Monday. Chris wanted to open the sleeper sofa to see if it was comfortable enough to sleep on. Then he wanted to 'audition' it for something else. I said 'not without sheets'. He found sheets. Quite awhile later, we got a call from the appliance delivery people. They were running late. I started cleaning the cabinetry in the basement. I filled a bucket from the hot water feed for the washing machine. At first the water was rusty, but then I was able to get clean water. I finished the wall cabinets and the countertop. I wanted to clean the drawers, but needed a vac to get the dirt out. I found a box labeled Kirby parts, looking for the vac hose. But it wasn't in there. Then two guys came by with the appliances. First they brought in the washer and dryer. Then they set up the refrigerator. They had it working before they left, but not the others. The dryer outlet had the wrong face, and the drain for the washer was 1.5 inch pipe, not 2 inch. So the washer hose wouldn't fit it. Bob the general contractor husband of the realestate agent stopped by to see what was needed to put more shelves in the closet. He took note of the problems with the washer and dryer, too. He showed us a spot in the garage ceiling where two birds had built nests in the insulation. He said they got in through a gap in the garage door which he had since fixed. He said he had never seen the birds again. After he left and we closed the garage door, Chris found the birds in one of the nests. I opened the door again while he tried to get them to fly out. It wasn't easy. They did not want to leave the garage. We shut the door after they flew out, but will check the nests again later. Maybe there is another way in. We left the house and went to a Korean restaurant named Shinsegae. There were no other people in the restaurant. A lady was in the kitchen. She took our order and brought us 5 little side dishes to sample until our entrees were ready. There was a large flat-screen TV on the wall playing K-Pop. We spoke a little Korean to the waitress. After supper we went into the little store in the back. We bought persimmons and local honey. I wanted natto, but everything they had used MSG. We went back to the apt to watch TV until bedtime. We may check out tomorrow. Since there is no internet service at our house, I may not be able to blog until Knology come out - as late as Thursday.

The little room under the porch

I got up before Chris left for work. I washed and dressed and ate breakfast. I checked my e-mail before loading my car and leaving for the house. I unloaded the stuff into the garage. I switched rugs in the 'den' downstairs. Then I started collapsing boxes and smoothing out the paper. It took hours. As the temperature warmed up, I opened the windows and turned off the heat. I sat outside for almost an hour, in the sun, eating seaweed and pistachios. Did I mention that I am on a high-fat diet now? I heard an audio at Bewellbuzz about how the cell's internal and external membranes are made of fat, and if they don't function properly, they won't absorb the nutrition they need no matter how available it is. Another article I read recommended a high-fat, med. protein, low carb diet. Now it makes sense.
After lunch I found the glass inserts for the coffee table and side table. I put coasters under the feet of the diningroom table and turned it 90 degrees. I found the Kenwood receiver in a box and set it with the matching speakers. I found some speaker wire, but did not take the time to hook it all up. I unpacked a number of boxes labeled 'lampshades' but did not find any boxes labeled 'lamps'. I moved boxes labeled 'art flowers' into the little room under the porch - the one with the annoying motion-sensor light. Chris came over while I was unpacking a box of dishes. We unpacked together for a while. He carried out all the boxes that I collapsed and all the paper, too. We left around 6:30 so we could catch the newest episode of BBT. We ate leftovers as we watched. I checked my e-mail. Chris mentioned that Knology cannot come out to connect our internet until next Thursday. So if we move in on Saturday I will be internet-deprived until then.

Before and After (in the livingroom)

Check the last post for the 'before' pic of the livingroom. Here is the 'after' shot.
I spent the morning in the apartment. It was a cold, rainy day and I did not feel like going out. The original plan was to go to the DMV satellite office here on post to get an updated driver's license. They only do it on Wednesdays. But I needed my passport and could not get a hold of Chris to ask him where it was. I couldn't get on the internet either. Our building was down, as were all the others around us. I did some sewing on the TATW quilt top, and read a book. When Chris got out of the meeting and called me back, he told me where my passport was, and looked at the DMV website to see what else I needed. Apparently I will need my SS card, which is in the Korea shipment. Oh well. So I ate lunch and drove over to the rental house. I unpacked boxes, and put shelving units together. I looked for the glass inserts for my coffee table and side table, but all I unwrapped were pictures and a mirror. Oh, and a plate of glass that must fit a large picture frame somewhere. I came across a box of yarn with a CD boombox in the bottom. I was excited because a little music in a quiet house would be very nice. And my favorite CD was inside! Sadly, the cord was not packed with the unit, so the silence continued. I cleared most of the boxes in the guest room to make space for the bed when it arrives, which should be next Wednesday. I found the flannel sheets that we have been looking for for three years. Guess they did not go to Korea after all. There is a little cinder block room off the basement that is under the porch. A shelving unit is built onto the wall. It is pitch black inside. I was thinking of storing fabric in there after laying some paper down. But on closer inspection, I think it is not an appropriate environment for fabric. Too big of a chance for bugs. I built up several piles of packing paper and boxes, one upstairs and one downstairs. I suppose I should flatten them. It was almost 6 when I called Chris to see if he was coming over, and if he could bring me a light bulb for the lamp in the livingroom. But he was cooking supper. He encouraged me to stop unpacking and drive home before it snowed. I did not want to stop, but also did not want to be driving in snow. So I went home. We ate supper and watched NCIS and BBT. The internet was back up, so I read through as much e-mail as I could. Tomorrow is another day for unpacking.

It's like Christmas

Chris got up early, and so did I, although not as early as he did. After breakfast, he left for the rental house, stopping on the way to get toilet paper. I finished my breakfast, then went over there, too, bringing some seaweed and pistachios for lunch. The truck arrived around 9. It was smaller than the one I remember three years ago picking up our stuff. The driver gave Chris a ream of sheets with numbers on it. He had to cross them off as the men brought items off the truck. My job was to tell them where to put each thing. I could not believe that a truck so small could contain so many items. But they had it packed like a 3-D tetris game with boxes of different sizes and shapes. They worked hard bringing in all the boxes of books. But they worked even harder carrying in the piano. Lucky for them it is a small one. I played it a little, and it is still in tune, even C'' which went flat a week after I had it tuned 4 years ago. (I re-tuned it myself) I stayed awake last night mentally placing furniture in the house. Then when I got there, the room sizes were different from what I had imagined. Still, we put the dining room furniture and livingroom furniture in analogous places to where they had been in Pinehurst. The den was a different story. I was imagining it in the room next to the kitchen. But the way the doors are placed, there is no wall long enough for the couch and both end tables. But Chris was thinking outside the box. He imagined it downstairs in the basement. Interesting idea. Now what does that make the room by the kitchen? When the movers left, we opened boxes. Chris went to sign up the utilities in our name. I was in the basement separating the fabric boxes from the Christmas boxes, from the tool boxes, from the extra book boxes, etc. when the doorbell rang. Two men had come to deliver the sleeper sofa that I bought at the thrift shop. It was heavier than they thought. They had quite a time getting it around the bottom of the steps into the back of the basement to where Chris imagined the den to be. I took pics, but apparently I left my camera there. After they left, Chris got back. Then I opened boxes in the master bedroom (hanging clothes) and Chris worked in the kitchen. Every time I came across one of Michele's boxes I would burst into tears. I stopped opening them. Chris says we don't need to keep any of them 'cause all Michele said she wanted were her books. Still, it is hard to see the remnants of her childhood.... Anyway, going back to our boxes, each one was marked with the major contents of the box: yarn, lampshades, art flowers (?), mirror, clothes, etc. I started thinking they should be marked: stuff, more stuff, stuff we don't need, stuff nobody needs, stuff we thought we needed, stuff we didn't know we had, stuff that could belong to someone else, stuff that needs to belong to someone else, etc. It was kind of like Christmas. Each box could contain a wonderful gift, or it might just be a gag gift. But there were too many boxes. Chris put as many of the kitchen items in the dishwasher as would fit. He ran it, and it leaked all over the floor. Fortunately, a mop was among the items delivered. He called the real estate agent and she sent her husband over. He was able to fix it by clearing out the filter so it could drain properly. When he left, so did we. We were tired and hungry. And it was raining. We ate at the apartment. Then Chris drove me to the quilt group meeting. I was too tired to stay, but I paid Deb for my part of the thread order she placed. We returned to the apartment to watch episodes of Big Bang Theory. Then he went to bed, while I stayed up to search for my camera and post to my blog. I guess I will have visions of boxes dancing in my head when I go to bed tonight.

It

And then it rained

I got up after Chris left, but laid back down again when I saw how cloudy it was. I forced myself to get back up. I ate breakfast and checked e-mail. I saw an e-mail from Ebay telling me I had won a auction for a train. I passed that message on to the real winner. I got a call from the storage delivery people saying that they would deliver our goods stored in Fayetteville tomorrow morning. I left around 10 to go to the thrift shop that was selling the blue couch. Since there was no price on the couch and the young man had given me a verbal one, I looked for him this morning. But there was a lady sitting behind the counter. So I explained the situation and she said it sounded like Larry. A guy came out pushing a cart of items for sale. She said "Was it him?" I said yes, but he looked all innocent and said it wasn't him. At first I believed him, but soon I recognized his sense of humor which was not to be hidden. He wrote up a delivery ticket and she rang up the sofa and delivery price. I paid in cash. She gave me a 'sold' sign to put on it. Then I went back to base without stopping to see if there was anything else tempting to buy there. I called the man who was going to sell me the sofa from the estate sale to tell him that I bought something else. I started making a Christmas ornament for the exchange tomorrow night. I called Chris to see if he had any glue at work. Nope, but he was coming home for lunch. I went outside to read e-mail. There was no sunshine to sit in, but there was day light and it was just warm enough to sit barefoot. After an hour I came in. I wanted to go for a walk, but decided to go shopping first. I had looked up recipes for homemade glue, but they all used ingredients that I did not have. I went to Kroger. I bought glue and fresh veggies. Then it began to rain. I don't think I have gotten the hang of adjusting the speed of the windshield wipers yet, but I did make it back. So much for going walking. I was also going to lay out the other rug to measure it, but that got canceled too. Here is a pic of the first rug. Ought to match the couch, right? I used the glue to finish the ornament. I processed more e-mail. My unread e-mail is now under 50. Yea! Chris came home from work. He put three more turkey burgers in the oven for me. He also put on our latest Netflix arrival - "Don Juan DeMarco". We watched that as we ate. Then Neverland came on. When the internet went down (probably because of the rain) we sat together on the couch. He rubbed my feet. But when Neverland ended, he soon went to bed. Now I must get some sleep so I can get up early to be at the rental house to let the delivery people in. I am excited to see stuff that I haven't seen in three years. I hope nothing is missing because I might not remember it if it was.

An All-tuba Christmas concert

We slept in, 'cuddled', then ate breakfast. I took my shower, and was dressing when Chris took his. That is when the housekeeping staff came by. I did not hear her knock, and so she opened the door and poked her head in. Not dressed, I poked my head around the corner and told her we did not need anything today. She left, but evidently came back later 'cause there were fresh towels in the bathroom after church. We drove out to the small Lutheran church, and sat near the back, in the middle of a pew. I watched other people sit at the ends of the pews which forced later people to climb over them to sit in the unoccupied middles. The sermon was quite simple, we are sinners and the good news is that God sent his son to save us. A little too simple if you ask me. Haven't we heard this a thousand times? It reminded me of the advertisements on the internet: you have a problem and the good news is that we have the solution you need. Anyway, we had good conversations with people after church. Then we went back to the apartment, driving by the library and stopping at the post office to check our box for mail. We had whatever was in the fridge for lunch. I checked my e-mail. Then I took one of the rugs out of my car and spread it on the porch to air out. I also measured it: 65 x 94. I was supposed to meet Carla at 2:30. I left a little early and she was already there, waiting. She asked if I wanted to follow her or if she should ride with me since her car smells of smoke. Seemed better to take only one car, so she rode with me. She guided me downtown to the art center. The place she wanted me to turn was blocked so I had to pull back out into traffic. I was a little nervous driving downtown anyway, so when she had me pull into a parking lot where there wasn't much room to turn around, I let her drive. She found a bank lot to park in. We went inside. She met a classmate from her music class and he directed us to the room upstairs. It was beginning to fill with people. We found seats in the back and saved two for her classmate and his son. He and she had to take notes during the concert. I was very happy that I didn't. I remember having to do it when I was in music school. It ruined my ability to sit back and enjoy the music. The man sitting next to me pointed out the band director and said I should introduce myself if I wanted to find a group to play with. So I did. He, the director, plays trombone, too. The concert started at 3:30. I had never seen so many tubas in my life. All kinds of tubas and euphoniums, even one antique, over-the-shoulder sax horn. I had guessed it was a soprano tuba. It was interesting, to say the least, to hear them play the Carol of the Bells, and Sleigh Ride on nothing but tubas. After the concert Carla went to the restroom while I stood in the lobby. After a while the sax horn player came down and I got a closer look. Should have taken a pic. Then we went back to my car. I drove, and she directed. I dropped her off at her car and waited to see that it started. She invited me to another concert next week. I don't know if I will go because it was a little embarrassing when she whooped, hollered and whistled her appreciation at the concert. When I got back to the apt, Chris was watching an Indiana Jones marathon. So I sat down to watch, wishing there was something else to do. I should have tried sewing now that I have more lamps. Chris fixed me an organic turkey patty for supper, along with wild rice. I added some seaweed and kimchi to it. It was delicious. After a while, MaryAnn Skyped me. At Chris' request, I took the laptop in the bedroom. I talked to her, and her husband Bob. She said she missed Korea today. I'll bet it wasn't the weather. It was good to see her, but the sound quality was bad, and eventually the call dropped. When Chris came back for bed, I went out to the living room. I was watching a Youtube video on Essential Knowledge for Wall Street Protestors by David Icke. He painted a pretty bleak picture, but it seemed to fit our national predicament. Now that it is time for bed, I wish I had gotten more exercise today.

Estate sale

It was a normal morning, with breakfast and all that. I e-mailed Deb to see if they were going shopping and maybe yard-saling today. She said there was only one sale, an estate sale, and so they were going to go to Wal-Mart, Kohls, Belk's, etc and then to thrift stores, and I was welcome to join them at any time. So I looked up the estate sale, memorized the route on a map, and then headed out. It was a good plan, but the map and the terrain did not match. I got lost. But eventually I did get there by driving around my elbow to get to my nose. It was probably 10 or 11. As I parked, someone came up behind me. She had been following me for several miles. So I introduced myself and thought maybe we could be yardsale friends. We got separated looking through the house. We were told that the items in the basement would be for sale next week but that he would show it to us today. Too good to pass up. 'Cluttered' would not begin to describe the basement. Anyway, I had a good time looking around. I was in no hurry because there were no other sales to go to. I bought 2 wool rugs, wrapping paper, and a desk lamp. I also had dibs on the couch. It was very old-fashioned, and not attractive, but he was willing to sell it for $30. I figured I could throw a quilt over it. Only thing is, it was too covered in 'stuff' for me to sit on it. So he gave me his number and said I could come back later in the week to try it out and that he would deliver it in his truck. Well, I wasn't sure I could find it again, so this very nice lady said I could follow her until we got to Jordan road. In order to not hold her up, I followed her as soon as I got the rugs in the car. Sadly I forgot to give my name and number to the lady who arrived when I did. This new lady pulled into a parking lot near Jordan and I followed her. She drew me a map to get back to the sale, and gave me her name and number in case I needed anything, even someone to talk to. People sure are nice around here. Then I followed her to Jordan, she turned right and I turned left. I did not see Chris pull up behind me at the light. When I got back to the apt, he was not there so I assumed he was shopping, which he was. When he got back he told me that he was following me for a little while until he had to turn off to go to the Asian store. I brought the lamp and the wrapping paper inside. Then he suggested that we go to Home Depot to buy appliances. I had been nagging him for some time about this, so I said we could go as soon as I had a bite to eat. Then we went. First we looked at their scratch-n-dent items, but they were more expensive than some of the regular merchandize. It was easy to pick out a frig because few were short enough to fit in the kitchen. It was $850 in white, but only $700 if we got a black one. So we got a black one. Choosing a washer/dryer was harder. There is plenty of room so size was no object. We settled on an LG pair. Mid-range in price. Sadly not at a great sale price like Black Friday, but 10% off. When we paid, they told us they would deliver next Friday. We also had another house key made for me. And we went home. I called my friend and she said to meet her at Belk's on University drive. Amazingly it was an almost straight shot out of gate 9. And across the street from Jo-Anns. I found her and Stacy waiting in her van for another friend. We all went inside. But as it turns out, her friend was in a different Belk's. So we walked the mall while Susan drove to us. Then we went thrift shop hopping. At the first one, I found matching lamps, and several sofas, but the ladies said I could do better. So we went on to another one. Here I found two very nice brass lamps with old, cracked shades. They were marked $50 each. The man on staff got them down for me. He seemed surprised at the price as well. I told him I couldn't pay more than $20, so he ripped off the $50 tags and put on $20 tags. Such a nice guy. There were extra shades, so I found a nice pair and he let me exchange them for the old ones, free. Really nice guy. I took the tags inside and paid for the lamps. Then he loaded them in Deb's car and gave me the old shades in case I could revive them. Have I mentioned how nice he is? We made one more stop, at a place called The Saving Way. Here I found a blue sleeper sofa. $50 and for another $15 it could be delivered. Whoah! But I wanted Chris' opinion, so I took pics of it. Deb drove us back to the mall to our respective cars. I found that driving back in the dark was much harder than driving over in the daylight. But I made it. I brought one lamp inside. Chris was watching BBT. I joined him. We had leftovers for supper. Then I got on Skype to find MaryAnn, but she wasn't on. We also watched episodes of NCIS. I called the lady that I met at the laundry on Friday. We set a meeting place to go see the concert tomorrow. And then it was blogtime and bedtime.

Laundry day

The first order of the day was to pick up the apartment so the maid could run the vacuum. I ate breakfast and read a bit of e-mail. Then I got a stitch in my back. I wasn't sure I could stand in the shower, so I took a bath. I had planned to do laundry today, but with my back uncertain, I did not want to risk carrying the load. So I called Chris. He said he could do it. I waited and waited. Thinking he got caught up in something at work, I went to the post office to mail a Christmas present. I tried to call him from there, but got no answer. So I went back to the apartment. I called again, then plugged in my phone to recharge. There wasn't much I could do without messing up the apartment again, so I figured out how to carry the laundry. I put the colored load in a small rolling suitcase and left the whites in the laundry bag. I carried it all out to the car, then drove to the laundromat in Lodging. I put the two loads into two machines. While they were washing, I sat outside, reading, in the sun. After half an hour, I went back to load the dryers. I was sitting outside again, when one of the staff approached to ask what I was reading. We got into a conversation, and then another staff member came by. She was Korean and was delighted to hear me speak what little Korean I knew. The first lady invited me to a Christmas concert on Sunday and gave me her number. So I gave her my card. From that she deduced that I am a quilter. Then the lady who came yesterday to check the fire extinguisher showed up and confirmed that I do indeed sew. She must have seen the fabric squares all over the apartment. So then the first lady wanted to have me make her daughter a purse like the one I carry. And to embroider the daughter's name on it. Then they all went back to work. I read until the dryers were done. I took out the whites and folded them, then discovered that the colored clothes was not dry. So I put more money in the machine for another cycle. I spent the time taking the whites home and putting them away. The maid was cleaning the apartment. I went back for the rest and had to wait for it to finish. When I got back, the maid had gone and the apartment was clean. I spent the afternoon reading e-mail, looking at refrigerators on-line, and listening to a theta healing session. Chris came home while I was 'tuned in'. We had leftovers for supper. He turned on NCIS and we watched together until it was time to play with the 'voices'. Now my daughter is one of the 'voices'. During commercials I went into the bedroom where Chris was playing just to listen for Michele's voice. The rest of the time I spent crocheting my scarf, which I finished. I went back to listen for Michele's voice. It was a good thing that the voices play by text and audio only, 'cause what happened next... no one saw. NCIS was still on, so I spent that time alternately watching and tweezing my eyebrows. After NCIS came CSI. One episode of that and I was ready for bed. Just gotta finish this post.

Things are looking brighter (in the sewing room)

When the maid came by, I told her we did not need any cleaning today. So when another knock came at my door later, I was surprised. The lady said she was here to check the fire extinguisher. I did not know we had one. As she checked it, I asked if she was with Lodging, and she said she was. So I mentioned my concerns about the apartment being so dim after dark. She called in to get a floor lamp brought over. When I mentioned that the wall switches don't control anything, she got out the toaster to try the outlets. She said the switches only control the bottom of one outlet in the room. She found the one in the study and recommended that the floor lamp go there. But she could not find one in the bedroom. Apparently it was disconnected. She suggested putting a lamp on the dresser near the door. Later a man arrived with a floor lamp in a box. He installed it in the study. He checked out the outlets in the bedroom and agreed that none of them were hooked to the switch. At least there is better lighting in the study (sewing room).
Chris left me a pair of jeans so I could fix the pocket. I had to replace the bottom part where his pens keep making a hole. I chose the scrap of fabric that was the lightest and strongest. It just happened to have bunnies on it. So while he may not be able to pull a rabbit out of a hat, he can pull one out of his pocket.
When I finished it, the needle broke. So I turned from sewing to the internet to look up appliances on sale and to compare internet service providers. Sadly, you have to know what download speed you want in order to pick a plan and compare prices. I had no idea. My appliance search wasn't terribly fruitful, so I will have to go looking in person.
Around 3 I wanted to go for a walk, but then noticed that my coat needed fixing. I always notice it when I put it on, but usually don't have time then to fix it. But I did today. I stitched up the pocket and the zipper by hand. Then I walked for an hour, taking overgrown trails through the woods. For awhile I felt lost, but came out in familiar territory. When I got back, I phoned Mary for a bit, and then Chris came home. He baked chicken for supper. Kurt Skyped me for a bit until Big Bang Theory came on CBS at 7. Then at 8 we turned to TBS for more episodes of BBT. We had seen them all before, but enjoyed them again. At 10 we.... and then Chris went to bed. I almost fell asleep before I remembered to post.

Got a house for my birthday

I awoke to a sliver of sunny daylight peaking through the curtains. It was worth getting up for. I ate breakfast and worked through the new e-mail. There was a replay of an interview with Dr. John Gray. I always enjoy his work. In fact, I took notes on the computer as I listened to it. But I did not quite finish when I had to get ready for the walk-through. By that time, the sun was shining on the porch and I stood out there for a few minutes soaking it up. When Chris drove up, we got the library materials that were due today and dropped them off. Then we used the GPS to drive over to the house on Garth Road. Turns out it is a straight shot out gate 8, about 4 miles. I hope Chris will have an easy drive to work from there. We arrived before the real estate agent, so we walked around the yard, looking at plantings, and outdoor outlets, and the deck. When she arrived, she took us in the front door. We noticed a thin film of white dust over the floors. And someone had walked through it barefoot. We went through the house, noting any damage or non-functional items. Not everything needs to be fixed, but we just don't want to be charged with it later. She told us that 2 burners of the stove top needed fixing. Hello, if they already knew that, why hasn't it been fixed? There were electrical 'things' imbedded in the ceilings of the bathrooms that would not turn on. Looked like heaters, could be fans, who knows? We also checked out the basement. I have never seen so many outlets in my life. Gonna be great when all my machines are here. I hope they are not all on the same circuit however. She gave us a key, and Chris wrote her a check for December rent. She promised that we would be called whenever anyone came to work on the house. Then Chris took me back to the apartment and he went to work. I finished the John Gray audio, and then sat outside reading in the sun. Then I took a break to work on the quilt squares. I got a call from the company that is in charge of delivering our goods stored in Fayetteville. They wanted the address and said it would be shipped anytime between Dec 1st through Dec. 8th. Then I arranged and rearranged squares to make another TATW. I had to cut more squares, and then set out four rows, pinning the squares in sets for sewing. That is when Chris came home. He had a couple of suggestions from coworkers about places to eat out. We reviewed their menus and prices online. Then I picked two places from the phone book. They were fairly close together. We drove out to Jordan Road, must have missed the first one, so we stopped at the second: Sitar, Indian cuisine. It was a very nice place and not crowded. We ordered the combination meal for two suggested by the waiter. It might have been a mistake to order the spicy version, but at least it kept me from over-eating. I broke down and ate some of the garlic nan to cool my mouth. We brought back three boxes of food. After that, we watched a Netflix movie titled "A Blast from the Past". Chris had chosen it and it was very enjoyable and funny. We rounded out the hour with Myth-busters, and then turned to TBS for 2 episodes of Big Bang Theory. It was a great way to spend a birthday. Last year I went to the SIWA bazaar with MaryAnn and this was even better. We got to cuddle on the couch (sorry, MaryAnn). But now he has gone to bed, and so must I.

Chris returns

When I awoke, it was raining, again. Later in the day it turned to snow. When it stopped, it was still cloudy, so the sun never came out. At first I was upset because it rained on my birthday, but then I caught sight of the date on my computer and realized that my birthday isn't until tomorrow. So there is still a chance of sun.
I spent the morning reading old e-mail and tapping through the scripts. I sat on the couch bundled up in my favorite flannel quilt because I was so cold. Later the internet went down, so I pulled a quilt top from the box. It measures about 42 inches across so I thought I might add a column or two. But in the manilla envelop (also in the bottom of the box) there was extra fabric and a note explaining that the design is to have a 4 inch yellow border. The envelop was full of squares, some the same colors, and some in different colors. I counted each color to see if it would make another quilt top like this one. But I had to cut more squares. I never got to the sewing part because daylight ran out. Then I watched some quilt-related videos and started a scarf from the two Dollar Store yarn balls. Finally I took a hot shower to warm up. I wasn't hungry at supper time, so I kept crocheting. Chris came back from his trip a little after 6. At 7 he turned on Big Bang Theory. We watched 6 episodes as the scarf grew. Although I like this chenille-type yarn, it sure is hard to work with. But it is long enough for me to wear tomorrow in case it is cold. The real estate agent wants to do a walk-through at 11:30am. Who-hoo, we are getting closer to living in a house with overhead lighting and more than one bathroom.

Chris is gone

I got up when Chris left for work. There was not a great deal of daylight because it was another rainy day. I fixed and ate breakfast. I read my e-mail. I exchanged e-mails with Deb, who seems to be in charge of the quilt group here. She was planning to run errands around town and I asked if I could join her. So we met at Jo-anns. She had just finished returning an item, so I left my car and rode with her. We went to Kohls, Big Lots, and Dollar Tree. She drove by Hancocks so I could see where it was. We had lunch Jason's Deli which serves a selection of organic foods. We had quite a time chatting about our interests. She makes crocheted doll patterns and sells them. She dropped me off at Jo-anns by my car. I went inside to buy a crochet hook. While there, I browsed the bolts, fingered the fat quarters, and rifled through the remnants. But I resisted buying any fabric. From Jo-anns, I walked to Earth Fare for some raw organic cheese. Then I drove home in the rain. When I got back to the apartment, Chris was already there. He had gotten off early and packed his suitcase and was on his laptop. There was a large box of fabric nearby. Someone in the new guild had brought it to post so I would have something to work on: donation quilts. God must want me to have fabric. There was also an issue of the Seoul magazine that had the article about me. It was from Geri at the thrift shop. And along with it was a small gift from Ella (who PCS'd before I did, so I am a little confused). Chris picked up all his stuff and left for some place south of here. Wish I could remember. All I know is he has to be there first thing in the morning so he went today. And he plans to return tomorrow for my birthday. I used the remaining daylight to examine the box of fabric. I realized that I should have gotten higher wattage light bulbs while I was out shopping. With all the small pieces, it would have been perfect when I was looking for charm squares. There was also several bags of batting, and two quilt tops. One is a grandmother's flower garden that looks like it was pieced by hand. The other is a trip around the world quilt. Because there is a bag of matching squares in the box, I assume it is not finished. I could add to it, but the seam allowances are so big that I don't know if I can match them well enough. When it got dark, I fixed a salad for supper. I listened to a delta BWE twice. Then I watched TV. I also put in an order for supplements with Swansons. I know there are supplements in UB, but since I don't have access, I had to order more. It got late, so I finished up the order, and posted to my blog. I meant to be in bed quite some time ago.