Making seed crackers at church

I woke up at 2am, having night sweats due to the meal at Shogun. Eventually I went back to sleep. I thought I heard something in the morning but did not really wake up until 7. Chris was gone.
I drank lemon water and read e-mail. I did some tapping, and meditated. Then I washed and dressed. I listened to an interview from the Immune Defense Summit while exercising and reading pages from my car manual. I packed up the sewing machine I had borrowed and my sewing stuff. When it was ready to go, I soaked sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds for making seed crackers. I assembled the ingredients in containers. I didn't have sesame seeds or hemp seeds so I put in a little extra flax. I was missing the Italian spices as well so I used the chipotle spice mix that Chris bought. My phone rang. I answered it. Some one was speaking strangely and only in response to what I said. I asked how they got my number and the voice said it came from someone who cares about me. (But it sounded like a computer.) There was silence...
“Am I speaking to a live person?”
“This is a live call. We have determined that this is the best way to reach customers.” Silence...
“You have the wrong person. Goodbye”
“Thank you and have a nice day.”
Sheesh!
I made breakfast, and ate it while listening to the next interview. I rinsed the seeds and packed them in an empty breakfast container.
Chris came home from the office a little after 11. He had to check his e-mail in the room because he couldn't yet do it from the office. One e-mail informed him that there was a package waiting in the mailroom.
So I drove us to his office building and sat in the lobby until he returned with the package. It was my supplements. I also got to shake hands with his new boss.
Then I drove to the quilting group. They were having lunch by the time I got there. I brought in the box first, then went back for the machine and the sewing stuff. I ate an apple and an orange sitting and chatting with the ladies. When the group broke up and some of them left, I went to the small kitchen to make seed crackers. Dinah brought me a mixing bowl and spatula from the big kitchen. She turned on the oven. I mixed up the eggs and seeds. I opened the box and pulled out the salt. Then I spread the mixture in a jellyroll pan and put it in the oven. Iset the microwave timer for 15 minutes. While I waited, I cleaned the stove top, knobs and burner bowls. When the crackers came out, they needed to cool a little, so I cleaned the front of the stove as well. Then I used the spatula to scrape the seed crackers from the pan. Without parchment paper, they stuck! Then I washed all the utensils and put back the ones that belonged in that kitchen.
Back in the main room, Dinah invited me to go through two large boxes of brand new patterns. Some were for adults, some for kids, for dolls and for pets. I picked a few for me and some to send to the sewing class in Korea.
I helped Carolyn put away the rulers, cutting mats, etc. Then I put my stuff in the car and drove back to the hotel. There was a note from the maid saying she had cleaned our room today and changed the sheets. I ate the rest of the meat from last night. AndI drank some coconut water while listening to another interview from the summit.
Then I laid on the bed and fell asleep.
Chris came home from work. I woke up and we drove quickly to the post office in case it closed at 4. But everything went smoothly and Chris came out with the mail; all of it junk.
When we got back to the hotel. I did some stretching as I listened. He cooked up some grass-fed beef and onions. I mixed some with rice from last night and added kimchi and sprouts. As I ate, I looked into the cost of mailing sewing machines to South Korea. The sewing class needs more now that I shipped mine.
Then I sat outside for half an hour playing 2048. It was nice outside but with no breeze. When I came in, it was just after 8. Chris was taking a test online so I waited. I sent Beverly a message and we started texting back and forth. When Chris was ready, I stopped. We sat in bed together and watched The 10th Kingdom. He shut it off at 10 because he had to get up at 5:30 to get ready and catch a ride to work. I stayed up to post to my blog and then went to bed. I put Holosync on headphones to shut out the sound of the refrigerator.
* These are the flowers that the church gave us yesterday. *

Getting proper phone service

I heard Chris get up early and leave the room. I stayed in bed to sleep but mostly tapped. Then I got up. Chris came back soon. I read some e-mail, then took a shower. I made and ate breakfast. I read some more, then got dressed. I discovered that I didn't pack a slip or the right jewelry for the dress I brought.
I packed some comfy shoes for after church.
When Chris was ready, we left. We took Drake to Memorial. But Memorial was no longer continuous, so we had to get off and continue on the access road to Weatherly.
By the time we got to the church, there wasn't much time to visit before the service. But we were warmly welcomed by everyone. It felt like coming home. The service was just like I remembered. Our usual pew was empty where we used to sit so we sat there, with Don, who was very happy to see us. It was good to sing hymns again and the liturgy music came back to me like I had been singing it every Sunday for the past years. After the service, we put a check in the offering. Then the organist showed me the new organ they had raised money for. It was very hi-tech. Jennifer showed me her book that she just got published. It was kind of a Chicken Soup style book about her experiences giving music therapy.
The lady in charge of flowers asked me if I would like to take them home and I said yes. So on the way out, I picked up the vase and we took it with us. Down the road was a Target, which sells Consumer Cellular service. We went there, but the one guy at that service counter did not know how it worked.
So we left, and went to Publix for groceries, like we always did on Sundays. Then we filled up the gas tank and came back to the hotel. I had a bite for lunch and changed clothes. Then we drove separately to the airport to return the rental car. I followed Chris and sat in my car in the lot until he came back. Then he took the wheel and we went to a different Target. The gentleman there was very helpful. We bought a phone for Chris and a sim card for me and a gas book for my car.
When we got back to the hotel, Chris called the Consumer Cellular number to order service. The lady, God bless her, was very patient and very knowledgeable. She guided us through setting it all up and getting my cell phone changed from the Korean settings to local settings. It took an hour and a half because my phone kept updating its software and apps. Then we all had to wait for it to finish before we could continue the setup process. When it was done, Chris asked for her supervisor so he could commend her for a job well done.
Then we decided to go out to eat. A fellow customer at Target had suggested IKorea. So we went there, but it was closed. I still felt like eating out, so Chris did some search on his phone and picked a Japanese steakhouse. So we went there.
We waited a long time before a hostess came. But then we were seated at a table with only a few seats left. We talked to the other people there. A lady came to take our orders. Then we had broth and salad. Then the chef came to make the meal. I wish I had asked for the rice up front, before he fried it and doused it with sauces. It tasted a little burnt. Then he cooked up the veggies and passed them around. Then he cooked the seafood and beef. So I got my rare steak first and then the lobster tail. I was well on my way to being finished before Chris got his chicken. But he did finish his meal and I put half of mine in a take-home box. I wrote my name on top in both English and Korean. Not sure why.
We came home and put the leftovers in the fridge. We read e-mail for awhile and then I started writing up my blog post. At 8 Chris laid down on the bed. I wasn't quite done so I kept going, hoping he wouldn't fall asleep in the mean time.
But, when I was done, I had to wake him. Then we watched The 10th Kingdom until 10:30. I took my evening supplements and published my blog post and went to bed.
* Our chef *

Testing out the machines

When I finished my blog about 6am this morning, I went back to bed and Chris got up. He showered and dressed and shaved. Then he took the laundry and went downstairs for breakfast. I listened to Holosync. It seemed to go on forever so I took the headphones off. Soon Chris was back, with a basket of clean laundry and a full stomach. He brought me some packets of honey from the breakfast room.
I checked e-mail for awhile. Then I got dressed and we took a long walk over to the residential housing section. I heard they were having yard sales, but I didn't see any.
On the way back, we stopped at the library. We found some DVD's to rent and Chris got several books. Then we walked back to the hotel. He read e-mail and I started making breakfast. Michele called us on Skype. We talked to her for awhile. She wanted to know when we were coming to visit her. But we did not know. So much depends on the the job Chris gets.
I finished making breakfast and ate it. Then I started a Swanson's order. I went through all my previous orders to spark my memory of what I have run out of. Chris got a phone call from the dealership, wanted to see if we were fully satisfied. Chris was telling her yes everything was fine, so I asked for the phone. I asked about disabling bluetooth and she relayed the question to someone, then came back and said it shouldn't be sending out any signals unless I am telling it to look for a phone to sync to. Then I asked about the start-stop feature. She said she doesn't like it either and what she does is brake twice. It might engage the first time, but it won't the second time. Finally I asked about the cruise control. She gave me a name and number of a place that could install it.
After finishing the phone call, I got out the boxed sewing machine and worked on a hashtag block. We talked about getting a phone plan so I could use my smart phone as a phone again. Then Chris put on his shoes and left for Catholic mass. It was a surprise to me.
I put on an interview from the Immune Defense Summit and finished the block. The machine was very like the one I sold to So Young. There was hesitation in the foot pedal. But otherwise it was ok.
Then I traded out sewing machines to use the one I bought at the thrift shop. There was no hesitation. But it was not well suited to having cone thread on a stand. I used it to make another block and started a third. Chris came home from mass. He read a book while I finished the third block.
By then I really needed some fresh air. And I was sick and tired of the brown/black décor of the room. So I took my tablet and went out the back of the hotel. I was going to sit in the pool area, but there was a barbecue area that was more accessible. So I sat there, in the fresh air, playing 2048. It was very nice and the sun began to set.
About 8:15 I went in. Chris was still reading. We brushed our teeth and sat on the bed to watch TV. I was a little worried that we would fall asleep again. The DVD was called The 10th Kingdom. It was a mixture of real life and fantasy. And it went on, and on. I started to get worried. And it went on. Finally, Chris noticed it was 11pm. So he paused it and turned the TV off. He went to sleep while I stayed up to post to my blog.
* The Montgomery Ward machine, probably made by Singer. *

Visiting

While I was posting to my blog in the early hours, Chris got up. I went back to bed, but he stayed up on his laptop, then went to breakfast and brought back two apples for me. Later he got dressed and went to work. I was in and out of sleep.
But I got up after he went to work. I read some e-mail and listened to a meditation. I listened to an interview as well. While it played, I did some exercises and stretching. I thought about sewing, but this room is so small and the desk so crowded that it would be difficult.
Anyway, time got short. I washed up and got dressed. I was just puttering around for one last second when Rebecca called the room. So I ran down to meet her. It was raining, which I had seen from my window. And I had checked the weather online to see the temp. But it never occurred to me to bring an umbrella or wear a coat. Well, it was pretty warm and humid, so the coat would have been too much.
Rebecca drove us to the restaurant where all the other ladies were gathered except two. It was the Monday group saying goodbye to Glenda. I got to see some ladies who were not there on Monday, but I did not get to sit with them.
We ordered and the food had almost arrived before the guest of honor. She showed us her two latest quilts. Then we ate. The restaurant had to close early due to a death in the family, so the waitress was handing out boxes before our meal was finished.
I paid for my salad and was happy to have half of it left for later. I followed Rebecca to her car. We went to Joan's house. She showed us around and we caught up on her life. Then we went to Glenda's house. She showed us around her place. It was fairly empty because she had just sold it herself. She showed us pics of her new place in Louisiana. Huge, but she bought it for the view and to be near her son. We also talked about me heading up the quilt retreat in October. She gave me some pointers from past years that she'd done it.
Then Rebecca and I headed back to the arsenal. But I remembered that Chris wanted laundry detergent. And Rebecca was happy to take me shopping. So we stopped at a Publix to get a few things. I bought a little more than I intended, but forgot honey. Then she drove me back to post and dropped me at the hotel.
I carried the food up to our room. Chris wasn't back yet, so I put them away and listened to another interview while eating figs. But he was home before 5. He was carrying a bag with laundry detergent in it. He ate a few figs and suggested getting a movie from the hotel. So we went downstairs to look at their collection. He suggested the Lego movie. He wanted to see it and I had never seen it. So we brought it back to the room. I started making a Swansons order.
While he ate his supper, I listened to some videos on the auto-stop feature. Then I fell asleep on the bed. I woke up a little later, in time to catch a call from my tapping buddy. We had connection problems so did not get started until 7:20. It was her turn to be the client. We tapped for an hour and seemed to make some progress.
When the call ended, Chris was sleeping on the bed. I gently rubbed his feet but he did not wake up, so I let him sleep. I continued my search for a way to disable the start/stop feature on my car. I did not find one that applied.
When he woke up on his own, he put the Lego DVD in the player and we laid on the bed to watch it. I did not see all of it because I fell asleep. I did wake up for the ending, but did not stay awake long enough to post to my blog. I woke up at 5am for that.
* This is one of Glenda's quilts *

The latest and greatest

We woke up early. Having distilled water now, I planned a coffee morning. Chris went to work. I tried to boil water but could not get the cooktop to work. I called the front desk. She tried to explain, then sent a man to show me. I quickly got dressed before he arrived.
It was a flat glass cooktop. The touch controls were kind of self-evident but non-responsive. There was a red light showing that apparently meant it was locked up. Touch-and-hold took care of that. Then a few more turned the burners on. He said it was the latest and greatest. I was not impressed, although I suppose it was easy to clean. I'll bet it is easy to crack, too.
So I put on some soft music and did exercises and drybrushed. No rebounding until our stuff arrives. I made coffee and meditated and tapped. The process took longer than usual because everything was different. Chris came home early, so I cut it short. I cleaned up the stove and countertop. I washed up and got dressed. Chris left to have lunch with his gaming friends. I got in my car and went to the Thursday quilt group.
Driving was easier than I expected and the auto-stop feature worked every time. It did not re-start at red lights, but waited until I took my foot off the brake at green lights.
I parked in the yard with the others and went inside. They were happy to see me. I got lots of hugs. Then I started catching up on what's been happening. One lady, who I know but her name is not coming to me right now, was very excited to be the next president of the quilt guild. She was telling me how so many ladies had stepped up to serve on her board. She and Pat told me how much Huntsville had changed in the last two years. The FBI was building a big new complex and Madison Square had been completely torn down to made way for something else big. They thought Huntsville was becoming the new D.C. (Sounded like a lot of traffic to me.)
I stayed until the last of them left, about 3. I went back to the hotel and Chris was still at lunch or work.
I looked up how to disable OnStar because each time I get in my car, a voice tells me OnStar is in demo mode. There were a lot of videos and articles about ways of doing it and reasons for doing it. Apparently it tracks your car and your driving habits even if you don't have an active account. One video showed hackers calling a car's cell phone, downloading software and then opening the locks and starting the car.
There was a number to call OnStar so I called, The lady said I had to call from the car and set up an account so they could disable it. That didn't sound right to me. So when Chris got home, we went out to my car and he pulled the OnStar fuse. I hoped that was enough to stop all the wi-fi transmissions.
I asked Chris to drive my car and test the auto-stop feature. I don't mind it at red lights, but when I am about to pull into traffic, I want the engine running. So he did, around base. I was hoping he would give his opinion on the auto-stop feature, but all the lights turned green when he got to them. He did have to stop at a stop sign, but the auto-feature did not kick in.
When we got back, Chris read e-mail for awhile and I looked at houses for sale and for rent in the area. As far as square footage goes, we can get a better deal off post, and not have to contend with gate traffic in the morning, at lunch and in the evening.
Chris changed our address on Netflix to our new post office box. Our queue was nearly empty so we looked through a LOT of movies to find something we both might like. Then we tried to watch Father Brown but the video part would not show up on the hotel TV. I fell asleep while Chris was trying to solve the problem. Then I woke up at 4:30 and typed up my blog and went back to bed.
* New technology in the kitchen *

Lowe Mill

I woke up at 6 and that woke Chris up. I tried to go back to sleep while he showered and read e-mail. He went down to breakfast so I listened to one of Oprah's meditations. But he came back before it was over. Then I started reading e-mail. I was going to do a coffee morning but did not have distilled water.
I looked up how to create a Facebook group for the Monday ladies) and it was simple. So I clicked on 'create group' and it must have done it as soon as I typed in the name, because I added Bertha and she wrote back saying that was quick. I made it a closed group but not secret. I could only add ladies who were Facebook friends so I did about 8.
Someone told Chris to take some time off to find housing. So I made breakfast with regular milk that Chris had brought back from the lounge. I ate breakfast, washed up and got dressed.
We went to the housing rental office. The lady showed us two places that are available for occupancy now. The first was a duplex with a fenced back yard and an open floor plan. It had a one-car garage, which we would use for storage. The kitchen had those corner cabinets that are not very accessible until you have a lazy susan. And the master bedroom will only hold the bed, not the dresser.
Then she took us to a townhouse duplex, no private back yard. The master bedroom was larger and the kitchen did not have corner cabinets. The garage was larger, too. But the bathrooms upstairs did not have medicine cabinets. The common areas were smaller. It did not have outdoor storage and Chris did not like the floor plan. So we thanked the agent and left. We went to a grocery store to buy coconut milk and distilled water. Then we went to BBNT to apply for a new ATM card.
We went back to the hotel to drop off the groceries. Then we waited by Gate 8 for Elaine. She was there momentarily. I got in her car and Chris went back to prepare for his interview.
Elaine took me to Lowe Mill; an old cotton mill that was refurbished into art and craft booths. There were food vendors outside. We went to one and ordered salads. Then Paige met us there. She ordered inside. Elaine and I went to the Piper and Leaf tea place. She got tea but I was unwilling to pay $4 for a plastic cup of tea. I went back to the salad place. He had teas and I got burdock root. When the salads were done, we paid for them. He threw in my tea for free and explained the health benefits of it. Then we sat inside with Paige and had our lunch.
Afterward, we walked around the first floor, looking at the various kinds of art. We stopped at a place that spins yarn from sheep's wool. They also have classes. We stopped at a glass place and watched them bend glass into bracelets.

We went outside to see the chocolatier. Elaine got a chocolate drink. The other places in the immediate area were closed. So we went to the second floor and looked at all those places. There was a shop of vintage clothing. It made me wonder if my stuff was still in storage, or if they'd found it. Paige had to leave, and Elaine and I went to the third floor. Mostly painting and pottery. The North Alabama Fiber Arts guild was there.
When we were done, we went back to her car. She offered to take me anywhere I needed to go, but I couldn't think of anything. So she drove me back to the hotel.
When I got there, Chris was still at his interview and the room had been cleaned. I wiped off the cans of coconut milk and poured two of them in a large jar, adding two capsules of probiotics. Soon he was back and told me all about it. He also said there is a job here for him, but it would be a demotion so he will keep looking.
I spent a lot of time looking through past blog posts for a cover photo for the Facebook group. Apparently it had to have at least a certain number of pixels. I also sent a group e-mail to let the rest of the ladies know it was there to join.
At 5, we went downstairs for an event the hotel was having where they provided food. But it was hamburgers and hotdogs and chips. Chris got two hamburgers and we came back to the room. I read some e-mail and did a meditation. The meditation made me very sleepy and I laid on the bed and was out for hours.
When I woke up, the daylight was gone. I read e-mail and listened to parts of two interviews, but my mind was not on them. I took the floor plan of the place Chris liked and tried to estimate how many crates of boxes would fit in the garage and closets and outdoor storage. Would we have to use the third bedroom as storage, or could it be a guest room? I also tried different ways of placing the bed so maybe the dresser will fit.
As it was almost 11, I sat down to type up my blog and get ready for bed.

It followed me home

It ell asleep listening to the Holosync recording. I slept well, but woke up early. Chris was already up and trying to sit quietly at his computer. I got up and brushed my teeth. We discussed how the chair beside the bed took up too much room and should go. He told me he had gotten me two apples from the continental breakfast. I started unpacking the suitcases into what little storage was in the room He went to work. There wasn't much storage space. I left the less important stuff in one suitcase. I thought the suitcases would fit under the table, but only one did. I stuffed another in the closet.
Then I was going to call the front desk for a ride to the gate, but I could not find my fanny pack (which had my ID). I looked all over. All I could think of was that it must be in the car. I e-mailed Chris. Finally I called Beverly to tell her I couldn't make it. We chatted for some time. Then I noticed a strap hanging out of my carry-on. It did not belong to the carry-on, and in fact, was the end of the fanny pack. So then I told her I could make it and she came to pick me up. I
washed up and got dressed in light colored clothing. I had rotary stuff and a project in my laptop bag already. I threw in the bag of seed crackers. Then I headed out to gate 10. I ate seed crackers as I went. I should have timed the walk but I didn't think to check. Anyway, when I got to gate 10, she wasn't there yet, so I kept walking. It felt good to walk. She drove up soon after that. She picked me up and showed me where she used to live in the nearby neighborhood. She did not recommend living there.
Then we went to the quilt group at the church. The other ladies were surprised to see me. It was good to be back. I visited with them, and did some rotary cutting on my QOV project.. I notice one strip set where the white strip was inside out. But Jane said no one would ever notice, so I cut it up anyway. Soon the ladies started leaving. We were out by 11:30.
Beverly had to pay a bill in Madison so we went out there. There was a thrift shop not too far away, so she took me there to look for a replacement sewing machine. There were two, but one was in a cabinet. I used my testing kit to put the portable one through its paces. It did very well. It was labeled Montgonery Ward and cost $20. It had lots of features that mine didn't. I was pleased … until I tried to pick it up. It was heavy. I had to think long and hard, but finally I decided to get it. Because it was so heavy, I put it on the back seat instead of in the foot well.
We thought it was the Asbury thrift shop, but the owner said it used to be but was now the Mission thrift shop and that Asbury moved down the street. So we looked for Asbury for hours.. At one point I spotted the Asbury thrift truck and suggested we follow it. Beverly turned around to follow the Asbury truck and the sewing machine fell off the seat into the footwell. Later I got out and set it upright. It did not seem to be broken, just dropped some of the accessories.
Beverly used Siri to find the shop. The map was not enough, we still had to call the number for directions. Finally we found it, having driven by it multiple times. The parking lot was full of people, so it was just us who couldn't find it.
We looked around. Most of the sewing machines were in cabinets. But she found a Tiny Tailor in a box. She opened it. We saw that the bobbin cover was missing. I went to the car to get my test kit. I tested it out, and saw the tension was off. I thought the tightness might break the plastic parts. I decided not to buy it even if they would discount from the $15 price tag. Too bad because it seemed like the perfect lightweight machine to piece with.
Beverly took me back to the hotel. My ID got us on base. She pulled up to the hotel and I got one of the luggage carts. She got the sewing machine out and put it on the cart. I thanked her and wheeled it inside. I took it up to our room. But the door would not stay open so I could wheel it inside and Chris was not there. I had to carry it in. Then I returned the cart. I stopped by the desk to ask if I could get a ride to the Martin Road gate tomorrow at noon and they said yes.
I went up to the room. I ate two apples while reading e-mail. Then Chris came home from work. He changed his clothes. He wanted to go to the dealership in Decatur to buy a car because they accepted his offer of 16,500. But I did not want to drive back from Decatur. So he called the dealership here and the man matched the price. He called Decatur back and the man asked what it would take to keep our business. As it turned out, his version of the car had a dark interior. So we went to the local one.
There was a lot of paperwork involved and we worked with several people to do it. We did not have a good address to give them for the title and stuff. Chris had just rented a post office box, but did not have the number with him. Still, the car people were willing to work around that. We signed page after page. I grew really tired. Then, when we had paid, I thought it was over. But we had to see a lady who was going to explain On Star because it came free for 3 months. But I turned it down. So I had to sign a paper(s) saying I refused it. She took us out to the car to explain the features – more than I will ever need. But then it rained. So we skipped the inspection for dents, scratches, etc. She said we could call in the morning if we noticed anything amiss. By that time I was so tired that I suggested we come back tomorrow to pick it up. But we had no other reason to come back that way. So, I followed Chris as he drove home. The lane markings disappeared in the rain which made me anxious. But we made it back to the hotel.
There were several times when the stop 'feature' kicked in at a red light. That means the pistons shut down. It was supposed to do that, but sometimes it did and sometimes it didn't. And sometimes the engine started back up while the light was still red. It was very puzzling.
I very carefully backed into a parking space using the backup camera. It suggested the car was straight. Then I noticed the car next to me was pulling out. Had I known someone was there, I would have gotten out of her way sooner. But she was ok with it. When I opened the door, I saw that the car was not straight in the space. But Chris said it was ok so we left it there and went in.
Back in our room, I ate some dried fruit. I wanted to make breakfast, finally, but it never happened. I checked e-mail and fell asleep.
At one point, I woke up hearing music. Chris handed me the flip phone and I thought he wanted me to make it stop. I opened the phone and pressed something, then went back to sleep. Later it occurred to me that it was a phone call. I tried to find out who it was, but the number was unfamiliar. Now that I was awake, Chris went it bed. I stayed up to check e-mail, noting that I was way behind and there wasn't time to catch up. I downloaded pics from my camera and wrote up my blog post so I could get some more sleep, probably listening to Holosync again.

Which one to buy?

I took a walk around the concourse. The flight departure was delayed again. I ate some dried fruit, and read e-mail. I added pictures to the sewing photo album on Facebook. I wished I had put the evening supplements in my carry-on. I tried to listen to a meditation, but it would not play all the way through due to the quality of internet.
At 1:40 the plane from JFK landed and all the people got off. Then we were told to leave gate B27 and go to gate B7. It did not make sense since we just saw passengers get off the plane at B27. But we trudged down to B7. There was no plane. Then we were told that the plane was boarding at B27 and we had to walk all the way back. At 2 in the morning, we were not amused. By the time we all got in line, waited and the boarded the plane, it was 2:30. I fell asleep before the plane took off. I woke up as the captain announced that we had achieved altitude and would be descending soon. I thought he should just let us sleep and wake us when we get there.
When we landed, we got off the plane and went to Baggage Claim. I watched for our bags while Chris rented a car. I had all 5 pulled off before he got back. He took 2 to the car while I waited with the rest. Then he came back and we took the rest between us. We piled them in a maroon Kia. As we drove to the arsenal, it rained. We went to gate 8 first, but it was closed. So we had to circle around to gate 9. We proceeded across the base to Candlewood Suites. They gave us key cards and sent us to a lodging area near gate 9. We dragged all our luggage up to the second floor only to find that the key cards didn't work. I sat on the floor with the suitcases while Chris went back to Candlewood Suites to fix the key cards. When he got back, they still didn't work. I suggested he call and have THEM open the door. He was gone for some time. When he came back, he said they were giving us a room there at Candlewood Suites for the same price as the lodging. So we dragged all our baggage down to the first floor and loaded it back in the car (in the rain). Chris drove us back to Candlewood Suites and we dragged it all up to the third floor, but at least there was an elevator. He had to go park the car while I got dressed for bed. Then he came back and we finally got some real sleep in a real bed.
I woke up at 10 hearing Chris take a shower. He dressed and went to work. I put on some peppermint oil and did some tapping for fatigue. Then I took a shower and called Rebecca. She said she'd be over in 20 minutes. I got dressed and packed a project and some notions. I went down to the first floor just as she was coming in the door. She recognized me right off. We greeted each other with a hug. Then I got in her car and away we went. She called in an order to Panda. When we got there, we went in to pick up her food. Then we went to the church for quilting. The ladies were having lunch. So I talked to them and then sat down to eat some seed crackers. As they went back to work, I went to each one to see what they were working on. I showed my project but did not trust myself with sharp objects yet, so did not actually sew. A few more ladies stopped by. The group broke up about 3:30. Rebecca and Bertha let me borrow a sewing machine from the fabric closet. Then I went with Rebecca to the tea store, and then she took me to our bank. I tried the ATM card but it kept telling me the account was invalid. Finally I went inside. When the young teller finished with the drive-thru customer, he checked out my card and said it had expired. He suggested I apply for a new one. Since Rebecca was waiting for me, I just got some cash from the clerk, and then left. She took me back to the hotel on post. I thanked her and carried the sewing machine up to our room on the third floor. Chris was already there. We decided to go car shopping.
We drove down Bob Wallace until we came to the Honda place. I test-drove a Fit. I liked the hatchback, but wanted a little more pickup. Then we went to the Honda place and drove a Yaris. It was not a hatchback, and needed more pickup. Finally we went to the Chevy place and drove a Sonic. Same as the Yaris. But, the man did have one with a lighter interior. And he said we could buy a Cruze for the same price as the Sonic. He brought one for a test drive, but the seat controls were broken. So he brought another. It was better. I pulled the seat all the way forward and adjusted it up. It was on the edge of comfort even so. It was not a hatchback but I liked the spacious trunk. I also liked the back-up camera, but then all the cars came with one. I drove around the block. It had good pickup. So we went back to the showroom to talk price. So far each step had taken too long. And now we waited again. The man came back with quote sheets. We discussed them for a moment, seeing that he had priced the two cars almost identically. We thanked him and gathered up the sheets. But he would not let us take the quote sheets. He said they were internal documents and had to remain in the store. But he offered to write down the prices. Chris got irate because it made no sense. The previous dealers had given us the price quotes. He said as much and stormed out, so I left with him. As we drove away, Chris told me that the Cruze was still an option.
Then we discussed what to do next. He didn't want to go out to eat so we stopped at the Korean market and got a few things, including kimchi and kimbap. Then we came home.
I ate some of the kimchi and kimbap while Chris called Dad on skype. Dad did not answer, so I left a message wishing him a happy 80th birthday. Then we called Al and talked about the cars. At the end, he asked for our number. Chris promised to e-mail him the info. I finished the kimbap and called my friend Beverly about picking me up tomorrow. She talked about her job and new schools in the area. It went a little long, but I thought nothing of it. At least, not until I hung up and the phone told me the call had used up $8 of the pre-paid amount. Yikes!. Then I got a text from Kurt and the phone deducted $.20. Chris had just e-mailed our numbers to all the family members. I thought "This could get expensive.” I washed out my hosiery. Then I wrote up my blog post for the last 24 hours, and went to bed.
* This is what Lauri is working on. *

From east to west

Chris got up early and was on his laptop when I got up. Daylight was coming through the windows. I checked my e-mail and drank lemon water, using up the last lemon. Chris and I took our showers, and then he started the laundry. He had to go to work for one last thing, leaving me in charge of the laundry. I checked more e-mail and did a meditation. Chris came back just as the washer finished. It was full of loaner sheets. He put the clothes in the washer and started the dryer. Then he went to church. I ate a prepared breakfast and took my supplements. I wished we had washed the clothing first.
I can't remember now (sitting in the Atlanta airport) what all I did this morning (in the Korean time zone) to get ready. And it would be really helpful to know for next time, like packing and throwing out now empty containers.
Myra stopped by to give me money for what she borrowed in the market yesterday. Then Dynee stopped by to say goodbye. I gave her some empty containers to give to the Wendts. I used her little vacuum to seal clothes, towels , pillows and a quilt in space bags. I packed my suitcases with the clothes that came out of the dryer. I put several small things in my favorite jar (that the packers didn't pack). Then I packed it in my suitcase. Chris had already thrown some things in the extra suitcase that John brought. So I had to put bubble wrap and puff-its in two suitcases so the contents would not move around.
At one point Chris announced that we had to leave in 15 minutes because someone else going to the airport had a 2pm flight. I started to rush, but then he got word that Damien went separately. John came over with a military van. We packed all the suitcases and carry-ons inside. Chris took out the trash and changed the door lock code to Housing's standard one.
We pulled out around 12:30. John drove us to the Gimhae airport and dropped us off. We got two carts and loaded them with luggage. We each pushed a cart to the check-in counter. Chris checked in 5 suitcases, using his Delta Gold card so we didn't have to pay extra. Then we stood in line for security. We had to take our laptops from their cases, and my tablet. It all went in tubs through the conveyor belt and scanner. We reassembled on the other side.
Our gate was right outside Security. But there was a Delta premier lounge above it. We went up there. There was seating with outlets, though not American ones. There was also free food and drinks, so I got some water. My magnesium was packed, so I went to the duty-free shops to look for some. All they had was a combination of calcium, magnesium and vitamin D. Not exactly what I had in mind. And they were shrink-wrapped in pairs. So I had to buy two or none. I checked my Korean cash and I had enough:56,000. Expensive stuff. The clerk wanted to see my passport but I did not have it with me. But she worked it out. Then I went back to the lounge and took two capsules. I discovered Chris had brought the three remaining carrots. Big ones. Dirty ones. I went to the washroom and scrubbed all three with my fingernails. I put them in the bag inside out. I ate a few seed crackers.
Chris made the cancellation call from my phone. But the lady on the other end said we needed to send a reply e-mail. So we had to wait for the e-mail to come 'through. Then we shut down my phone.
We went to the gate and stood in line to board. Then we sat together on the plane. I should have taken our picture then. It was less than an hour flight to Incheon airport. We had to take the airport shuttle to the next concourse. Since we had priority boarding, we boarded almost right away. It was a big plane and Chris had requested an upgrade. Business class was full. So we were put in middle seats in the section with a few extra inches of foot space. He sat in the row in front of me. Since we previously had aisle seats, it did not seem like much of an upgrade. The lady next to me said she'd had a window seat until they upgraded her to an aisle in the middle. She told me she was totally blind and we had an interesting conversation from there. Then she turned to her recorded books for entertainment during the 15 hour flight.
I ate two carrots and watched a movie, starting out with the complimentary headphones, but changing to my own, which were clearer. We were fed a snack first, which I passed to Chris, then a meal. After that, they turned down the lights. It was time to use the restroom, but the captain kept announcing that due to turbulence everyone should stay in their seat. Well, we did have real turbulence for 10 minutes, but after that, hardly any. But the announcements continued. Finally, after an hour or so, they said we could use the restrooms, but not wait in line. Well, I could not see if the restrooms (behind me) were in use or not. It was some time until a stewardess came by and I asked her. She said to go. So I troubled the blind lady to let me out and asked her if she had to go. She put her hand on my shoulder and followed me back. I left her standing by the last seats when I used the one open restroom. When I came out, the stewardess had guided her to the other now-vacant restroom. I did stretches as I waited for her. Had she not been there, the stewardess would have made me sit down right away. So when we got back to our seats, I thanked her.
The second movie, which I thought I had paused, was on 2x forward. So it took some time to rewind it back to where I had left off. It was about female advertising executive who wanted a young lady from the newspaper to write her obituary before she died.
Then I closed my eyes, and listened to music. I also did some tapping to relax, and because I was not happy about being in Economy class when our deal was first class both ways. I stopped the airplane music and plugged in to the tablet, to listen to the sleep tracks I had downloaded. I think I did sleep some, but could not find a really comfortable position. I had brought a neck pillow in my carry-on, but it was overhead and Chris would have to bother his seatmate to get out and get it for me. So I did without.
At some point, they turned the lights up a little and served a snack. I got a cup of tomato juice, but gave the food part to Chris. Then the lights went back down. Hours later, the lights were turned up again, and we were served breakfast. There wasn't a lot I could eat, so I had some dried fruit. Then I used the restroom. She did not have to go, so I went and came right back. In the process, I misplaced my head phones and had to use the complimentary ones. I think I was watching a third movie at that point because it was hard to hear the conversation. Table 19, or something like that.
When that movie was finished, an announcement was made that we would be landing in 1:20 minutes. So I did not bother starting another one. I conversed with my seatmate again. After the plane landed and taxied to the terminal, I thanked her for making the flight more enjoyable. People were standing in the aisles. A couple guys let me ahead of them so I could be behind Chris getting off the plane. We hurried up the runway and through the corridors to Immigration. We had to stand in line. Then we used an automated passport machine to check our passports. From there, we went to baggage claim. Chris went to the restroom while I watched for our baggage. He was back before our bags. Then I went to the restroom. When I got back, he had one. Eventually two more came by. Someone had been pulling bags off of the carousel, presumably to make more room. What we didn't realize at first was that there was more pulled luggage behind the carousel. I went over there and found the last two bags. Chris put them on the carts and we went to Customs. All they did was take our bags and send them off to Huntsville. We had to stand in line for another security check. This time we had to take off our shoes as well.
After security, we boarded a shuttle from concourse F to concourse B. We found our gate, but saw that the plane was delayed for over an hour, until after midnight. Having quite the layover, I brought out my laptop to write up my blog post. Chris suggested I plug my laptop into the outlet, even though I had a full battery charge. But when he got his laptop out, it had no charge, so he moved the power cord from my laptop to his. After I typed up my post, I could not find the phone cord to download pics. I found two cords that fit, but only transferred power, not information. Then I tried the cord that came with the mp3 headphones, and that one worked. I was finally able to post, but it was after midnight EST.

Spending the last of the won

I woke up about 6 because daylight was coming through the windows now that the black-out fabric has been packed and shipped. I went to the living room to drink water and write to my blog for yesterday. Chris had a bag of cords and I found one to fit my phone so I could download the 56 pics I took in the last two days.
I listened to an interview from the fasting summit: the body assimilates from 8pm to 4am. It detoxes from 4am to noon. So the best time to eat is only from noon to 8pm. That way the body has energy to do the other things.
I noticed Chris packing his backpack and leaving. I fell asleep listening to the interview. When I woke up, it was over.
I called Myra. We decided that going hiking was probably a bad idea because of her knee and because my hiking shoes had gotten shipped. Instead, we made plans to take the bus to the market in Masan. I called Dynee to see if she wanted to go and she offered to drive, which was great. So I washed up and got dressed. I packed some seed crackers to eat at noon. Chris came home from work. He gave me all his won. I put it with mine and counted it. As cheap as prices are in Korea, I figured it was a better investment to spend it, than to exchange it because the bank takes a big cut.
Then I put extra rolls of toilet paper and paper towels in a bag and took them to Dynee's house. When I handed them to her, I realized I had forgotten the vinegar and soap.
We got in her car and went to Myra's house. We waited a few minutes for Myra to come out. She got in the back and Dynee drove us to Masan. She parked on the street, in front of a little restaurant. We all got out, but the restaurant owner came out and said something that probably meant 'don't park here'. So Dynee got back in and drove off. We waited for her to come back, then walked into the market.
First, we went to the little craft store. I bought a few neat little things and a new phone cord. They bought stuff, too.
Then we went to the secondhand underground market. We moved from shop to shop, remarking on the clothing. There wasn't much we agreed on. How many ways are there to respond to “Isn't that cute?” without lying or offending? They saved me a lot of money by shaking their heads whenever I tried something on. At 12:40 Dynee needed to leave to attend a previous engagement. So Myra and I walked her back through the market to where she could find her car and get home. Myra and I headed back to the underground market. Along the way, I saw a pair of the tiny-pleated pants that I was looking for. I had a pair in blue, so I bought one in black. That was the only other color the lady had.
Then we went back to the secondhand market. We started on the other side and worked our way back to where we left off. I found one top.
Then we went topside and made our way to the fabric section. Myra bought a piece but there was nothing I couldn't live without. We also checked out an art street. Interesting, but not too exciting. Then we wandered back to the main street, window shopping as we went. I got a couple more tops and another pair of pants. She got some underwear.
We reached the main street and walked down to the bus stop. Usually we take 163, but it was 9 stops away. 160 came rolling up and I convinced her to take it. As it turns out, the route was rather circuitous, but we had a nice chat and came to the same stop in Jinhae as 163. On our walk back to base, we stopped for a bottle of water and one of orange juice.
We walked to Myra's parking lot and said our goodbye's. It was a tearful parting.
When I got home, I ate one of the pre-made breakfasts and some leftovers from the fridge. I put some of the remaining breakfasts into smaller containers for the trip. I listened to some meditations from the Ideal Life Mindfest.
I went outside to water the plants for the last time. I hosed the flowerbeds down, then coiled up the hose. I also weeded between all the bricks and pulled a lot of overgrowth from the tomatoes and marigolds. I carried the weeds to the back.
When I came in, I ate a banana and we started watching Father Brown a little early. After one episode, I got an e-mail from Dynee. So I went next door with the leftover Dr. Bronner's soap and Bragg's vinegar. She responded by handing me her vacuum so we could put our pillows in space bags first thing in the morning.
I came back to watch two more episodes with Chris. Afterward, he checked his e-mail before going to bed, and I stayed up to write to my blog. I hoped to sleep well for our big trip tomorrow.
* One of the second hand shops, where we remarked on the knitted bag hanging on the back wall. *
P. S. I still have won left

Cleaning with Myra

We stayed in bed after waking up. There was an occasional crackling noise from the closet. Finally I got up to check it out. It was a large roach walking on a plastic bag. Chris got up to kill the roach (hadn't seen one of them in a very long time). So we were up before 8. I was having night sweats because I forgot to turn the temp down last night. I have been forgetting a lot of things I normally do.
I took a shower and cleaned the shower stall. I pawed through my suitcase for clothes, and my tooth brush. I brushed my teeth, and swished with magnesium oil. I mixed up breakfast, and ate it at my laptop.
At 9, I skyped with my tapping buddy while Chris took a shower, did some cleaning, and went to clean out his office. I finished up tapping for missing my friends here, and overwhelm for cleaning and other details.
Then I started cleaning the small bathroom.
Chris called and asked me to meet him at the phone store. I ran into Myra on the way. She said she would come over later to help me clean. When I got to the phone store, Chris was not there. I went to the post office to find him. We checked the mail. I talked to Kathy outside post office. We discussed canceling our phones with the lady at the phone store. She said we could get sim cards in the US to use in our Korean phones. Then we walked home.
Myra came over with a mop and bucket and some cleaner Mr. Clean. We started on the fridge, removing all the food and pulling out the shelves. She said we could leave whatever was leftover and she would get it on Monday. She offered to take the loaner kit back as well. We did the kitchen and she mopped the floors while I wiped out the cabinets. She said the house was clean enough and invited me to go with her to the Missula kids play.
After she left, I scrubbed the corners of the back bathroom with a toothbrush. Then I got cleaned up and changed my clothes. I ate some chicken and kimchi. I put Dynee's broom, vacuum and dust brush on her front porch. Then I took a bag of recyclables and some cardboard down to Myra's recycling area. She met me there and we went to the theater to see the children's play.
Missula Children's Theatre sends two people and everything they need to put on a play. They work with the kids and some adult volunteers for 5 days and hold the play Friday afternoon. He plays the lead male part (rather like a narrator) and she playsd the lead female part with singing. Then they pack up and go to a new place and do it all over again. They arrived in Chinhae on Sunday, had auditions on Monday morning, practiced all week, and then preformed an hour long play at 3 on Friday. It was the story of Rapunzel, written to have a moral to the story, plus lots of parts that kids could learn quickly.
Myra and I attended the play while Chris stayed home for the inspection. She and I helped fold backdrops, and then I came home. I passed the pool and it looked inviting. I ran into Irene passing our place, and I talked to her for a bit. I went inside and asked Chris how the inspection went. He said they just glanced through the rooms and had him sign some papers. No remarks of any kind on how clean it was (or wasn't). I guess I was relieved. I cried for a bit.
I called Myra to go to the pool, but she had other plans. I called Dynee, but she hung up or something. Chris agreed to go with me. So I changed into my suit and we walked to the gym and signed in.
He slept in a lounge chair while I did laps in the pool. There was a handful of other people there, too. A little after 5:30 I was tired and got out. Everyone did, and the lifeguards started cleaning up. I dried off and turned in the towels.
We walked home. I drank some water, and ate plums. I also had a can of beets. There were two smaller cans in the cupboard; bamboo shoots and water chestnuts. But they were out of date and tasted funny. To top it off, I ate some seed crackers with organic butter.
It wasn't time to watch TV yet, so I watered the plants and sat through two of Oprah's new meditation series. Then we watched three episodes of Father Brown. I got so sleepy that I went to bed, thinking to get up later and post to my blog. But instead, I tossed and turned and eventually just slept through the night.

Packing over, start cleaning

I went back to packing after writing to my blog last night. I worked well past midnight. I checked my list from our last move and saw lots of things on it that I hadn't packed yet. I moved some of them to the guest room. But others I needed to ask Chris about. I don't know when I finally gave up and went to bed.
I woke up past 7am. Chris had been up for awhile. He was packing up computer peripherals. I asked him about the things on the lists, but he was in a hurry. He took his shower and then answered a few questions. His phone rang and he had to run down to the front gate to sign the moving men onto post. I kept packing, finding things to bag up or move to the guest room or to the closet where we have 4 big suitcases we can fill with stuff to ride back with us on the plane.
Then Chris called to say he needed me to come to the front gate to sign in 2 of the men. So I got dressed and literally ran down to the front gate. I was surprised I could do it. Chris had me sign in the two men who were doing the express shipment. I rode up to the house with them and let them in. they only had one crate and I knew it wasn't enough. When we showed the inspector the guest room, it wasn't nearly as full as now.
Anyway, they started packing and Chris and John showed up with 6 more men. (Each of us can only sponsor up to three people.) As the men packed, I went around taking pics, bagging things, moving last minute items to the guest room, dusting newly accessible surfaces, putting things where the men would be sure to pack them. It was exhausting.
Maria texted me asking if I had a gallon jug. I had one and she wanted to pick it up at noon. Well, it wasn't quite empty yet and I had dumped the water pitcher into it so the pitcher could be packed. I drank a bunch of it, using a recycled container as a cup.
A little before noon, Chris left to get pizza for lunch. The express shipment people stayed even though they were finished. I had just mentioned to the supervisor that there were items in the shed to be packed, when Chris arrived with the pizza. They were very happy to take a break and eat pizza. One of them gave me the kimbap he had brought for his lunch. I put out my kimchi in case someone wanted some. But I don't think anyone did. Still, I enjoyed it with the kimbap.
Maria came over for the pitcher and I poured the rest into another container. She and I talked about packing for while since her packout is next week. Then she left.
The men went back to packing after lunch. I went with the first two men back to the front gate. I signed them out. Chris came down in John's car and picked me up and took me back to the house. John had stayed with the men. I went back inside. I sat for a bit, watching them pack. Then I went around looking for things that didn't get packed. The dresser and chest of drawers in the master bedroom were marked “Do not pack” which meant the furniture. But I discovered that the drawers were still full of clothes. So the supervisor sent someone to pack it. Then they put all the boxes out in front of Dynee's house (because it was closer to the street). They filled the crates on the truck. Two of my shelving units were used 'as is' to store stuff in the crates. The supervisor asked us to look around one more time. We didn't find anything, so he had Chris sign a bunch of paperwork and then Chris and John went to the front gate to sign the men out. It was about 2:30, so if I had scheduled my usual massage, I would have been able to make it.
But instead, I ate the last of the kimbap. Then I texted Dynee asking for a broom and vacuum. Chris came back from the gate. We had a package to mail ahead. We sealed it up and addressed it. Dynee responded, so I went next door to pick up the items. She offered to take the big boxes of paper from our shed and put them in recycling next week. But when we went to our shed to get the boxes, they were gone! I don't know if they got packed, or the movers took them to re-use them.
Then Chris and I went to the post office. While he went to check on a loaner kit, I went to the front desk to fill out the customs form. The lady was concerned about the glass bottle of olive oil. So I opened the box and she wrapped the bottle in bubblewrap and I put it back. She taped it securely. Chris arrived just in time to pay the shipping. Then we followed Ms. Kim to her car. She drove us to the loan locker and we got a big tub of loaner kitchen stuff. She drove back to our house to drop it off. She was driving a Kia, which is what Chris wants to buy me when we get back to the states.
Chris sat at his laptop while I started cleaning. I wiped the sills and baseboards and furniture in the sewing room and he helped move the furniture so I could vacuum. Then we put the bed back in. While we were putting the bed frame together, Carolyn stopped by. I had a baby quilt for her, but remembered in shock that it must have gotten packed. :o So we chatted for a few minutes and she left. Chris had the bed done by then, so I moved to the guest room. I wiped and dusted and vacuumed, then shut the door.
I did the same thing in the bonus room. I had to sweep a little longer to get up all the threads. In all the rooms, I noticed plenty of dead centipedes behind the furniture. Then I started cleaning the dining room and wiping the furniture. Chris said he had to go to work but would be back by 6:30 to go out to eat with Myra and Scott. So I kept dusting, wiping and sweeping. Finally Myra called to say they were on their way over. I told her Chris was not yet back from work. While I waited, I sweeping the living room. I got the water key from out back to water the flowers, but then I saw their car. They had picked Chris up on their way here. He was telling them about an interview request he got this morning. They were very excited because it would put him in Norfolk if he got the job.
Myra drove us to the chicken and beer restaurant. She and I split an order of roasted chicken pieces and each got a salad. Chris got an order of glazed chicken and Scott's were deep fried. We had a good conversation. Then we went back to post and they dropped us off at home.
We were both tired, so we watched one episode of Father Brown. Chris went to bed. I could not find my nightgown and went into tears. Nothing was where I remembered it. Chris gave me a t-shirt to wear. I took my evening supplements and sat down to write my blog. I could not find the cord that downloads pics from my phone, so I e-mailed several from the phone to the laptop.
And then it was 11pm and way past time to go to bed.

The ladies party

I listened to The Dive from Centerpointe before taking my evening supplements and going to bed. I realized that I had far fewer hot flashes since taking the hops extract twice a day.
I woke up really early, maybe it was because Chris was tossing and turning. He got up, but I stayed in bed until my alarm went off at 7:30. I got dressed and brought the recyclables out of the laundry room. Chris took them to the curb. I got some more from the dining room and he threw in some boxes as well. He went to work and I found more caches of plastic bags to add to the pile. I scrubbed the front porch and it still was not clean. I saw Terri out walking her dogs and she stopped to talk. I took a pic of my recycling pile to show a certain someone that it is possible to throw out most of your boxes and the world doesn't come to an end.
I ate some seed crackers with hummus and raw garlic. I meditated with Oprah and Deepak. I made breakfast and ate it while listening to an interview from the Fasting summit. I realized I had to 'rescue' my containers from the fridge if I wanted them to get packed tomorrow.
Dynee came by for ice at 10:30. Then she and Myra drove off. Chris came back from work (or wherever he went). He wanted to know why I wasn't at Housing and I told him it started at noon. I kept packing in my sewing room until 11:40. Then I took a shower and dressed up a little. I went to Housing where a few ladies were gathered. Chantal had her empty lip balm with her. So I came home to refill it. Terri came with me. I hung out with the ladies. Most of them brought gluten free dishes. Terri made pasta salad with gluten-free brown rice noodles. Ms. Chong brought lots of kimbap. I searched the fabric baskets for my missing fabric, but it wasn't there. I did pick up my magnetic pin bowl and tomato. I watched Myra demonstrate stack-n-whack. Alycin gave me two paintings she did; one water color and one oil pencil. Ms. Chong wrapped up some kimbap for me to take home. Mary and Bob drove me home to pick up the backyard plants. They also took the shelving unit. Yay!
I asked Chris to return the rake to Housing, along with all the little food waste tickets that we didn't use. The house was a little smokey because the oven was in self-clean mode.
Myra came with a big tub and we dumped all the dirt from the buckets and large bowls. She and I carried it to her car. She drove us to her parking lot. We took it out of the car and slid it down the hill, then carried it to a cement platform where it will sit waiting for her to plant herbs or something. She took me home because I had no shoes on.
I washed the buckets and bowls and set them out to dry. I cleaned lint from the nozzle where the dryer vents. I put the remaining pots in the garbage and threw out the rocks. I noticed a man spraying around the doors and windows for centipedes.
I watered the plants with the last plastic gallon jug. Then I put the watering can out back to dry. I also watered the flower beds with the hose. I think the four o'clocks will do well.
I worked in the kitchen, separating food that we take from food that gets left behind. Terri said she would come back for it, but she didn't. Of the food we pack, it was separated into going on the plane, vs getting mailed, vs packing in the express shipment. Supplements got separated, too. I filled a mailing box with supplements. Chris put an unopened bottle of olive oil in as well. He washed the loaner sheets and all the throw rugs. Chris took everything out of the freezer, including the bags of ice. I emptied them into the sink so I could use the ziplock bags. But the ginger ice went into my glass and I drank it later.
We traded out some glass containers in the fridge for throw-away ones. Then Chris ran the dishwasher. I went through the front closet to get any vacuum cleaner parts out so they would all be in one place. Chris emptied the vacuum cleaner bags so the vacuums could be shipped.
I took a break to eat some kimchi and kimbap. The kimbap wasn't that good because Chris had put it in the fridge already.
I packed my suitcase with enough clothing for a week for hot or not-so-hot weather, in Huntsville or at the beach (if we go to Beach Week). I threw in some other things as well. Then I went through the dresser in the guest room and put all the cold weather clothing in Household Goods shipment. I took some clothing from the master bedroom and moved it into the guest room for the express shipment. It was a long process.
We took a break to watch one episode of Father Brown. I was so tired. Then we took down the shears and folded them up. After that, I went back to sorting and packing. Chris went to bed so I tried to be quiet. I knew the packers were coming at 8 for the express shipment and I wanted to have in it everything we want sooner rather than later.
I am not certain at this point that I have recorded everything that we did today. But I am certain the order is slightly off. My camera is in the bedroom closet and I don't want to wake Chris so no pictures tonight. I am posting to my blog and going back to packing.

The final mow

It took a while to get to sleep. I think I slept pretty well, but I woke up early. So did Chris. I think he didn't want to wake me so he got up. I tried to go back to sleep, but couldn't, so I got up. It was about 6. I was chewing on my tongue which I have decided is a sign of dehydration. So I drank a quart of water and read e-mail. Chris left to take car to Daegu to ship it to the states.
I listened to a talk on walkabout paraliminals while reading about swishing with magnesium oil. It was reportedly very good for the teeth and gums, but I had to imagine the taste was a major impediment. I got dressed, and started packing. The shoes I had bleached to get clean, were out on the back porch to dry. But since it had rained last night, they were still damp. So I put them in front of the dehumidifier in the laundry room and closed the doors, hoping it will pull all the moisture out.
I started making breakfasts for the rest of the week in case we have no bowls. A man knocked on the door with loaner bedding. He said to leave it on the bed when we vacated the premises.
I packed some food in the kitchen, deciding what to put in the suitcase, what to put in the express shipment and what to use up or leave behind. I got distracted and packed some jewelry. I clean out the 5 gallon tub of coconut oil. It was too nice a container to leave behind, even though the leftover coconut oil fit in two much smaller containers. I ate my breakfast and read-e-mail.
Dynee came over after lunch. She helped me organize. We took down the swags and folded them. We also did the shower curtain and rod. We packed some things in the cutting room. She collected a lot of empty boxes and bags and readied them for recycling tomorrow. She kept telling me the packers would be shaking their heads over how we were not at all ready to be packed up.
Chris came home about 2:45. Dynee went home, saying to just relax and let the packers pack what was left. ??? I helped her carry the plants on the porch to her house to replace some that had died.
A little after 3, Myra came by with the tub, just as the packing inspector showed up. I handed her her umbrella. I asked if she wanted my extra dirt and she said she would get it tomorrow.
Chris moved the coffee table so I could vacuum the rug really well. I swept the back, too. Then we rolled it up and taped it snugly.
I went out back to put all the little plastic plant pots in a yellow garbage bag since no one wants them and recycling won't take them. I guess everyone has their own collection. The bag ripped and I had to tape it up.
I put on solid shoes and mowed the lawn one last time, here and next door. I put on the trimmer head and went around the edges of the yard. Then I brushed dirt from the mower and left it upended to dry out underneath.
Chris had chicken legs in the oven. I ate two, plus rice, a large cucumber and a very big carrot. I read e-mail as I ate the carrot.
I went outside to water the plants that were left. I stomped on the milk jugs I use to hold the water and put them in recycling. I used baking soda and vinegar on the stains on the front porch, scrubbing vigorously. But the stains remained. I read about a good shower cleaner made from white vinegar and Dawn dish soap. I used the Ajax we had. I sprayed the shower, then sprayed the front porch for extra measure, and the back porch. I don't know if it cleaned, but it kept the mosquitoes away. I brushed more dirt from the lawn mower and put it in the shed. I packed more food in the kitchen, freeing up some jars for recycling.
We watched three episodes of Father Brown. Chris kept falling asleep during the last one. He went to bed and I stayed up to turn my blog notes into full sentences.
Hopefully everything I record now will help me with some future move.
* Here is a pic of my very helpful friend, Dynee (from the party last night) *

Last visit to Daiso

I got up after Chris left for work. I noted that the extra magnesium I took last night helped me sleep and not clench my teeth. I started my Monday morning meditation. But when I finished the exercises and went for the hot water, I found out that I forgot to turn it on. So while I waited for the water to get hot, I made up two weeks worth of supplements. Myra called to say she was planning a party for me during sewing class and wanted to ask Dynee to help. She said to call her when I wanted to walk out in town. Then I continued my coffee morning and did a lot of tapping. I wondered if I could experiment with not worrying. Chris came home for lunch.
I cleaned the bathrooms and kitchen, though not as thoroughly as usual. Then I took a shower and got dressed. Chris went back to work.
Lacee came over at 1 with a jelly roll quilt top that needed trimming. It was shifty due to all the seams. Dynee stopped by as well to offer moral support for our move. I gave her a handful of cherry tomatoes. After she left, Lacee and I had trouble cutting the edges straight. We decided that it was a good idea to use starch.
After Lacee left, I went out to meet Myra. I picked and ate three cherry tomatoes on the way. We drove to Security to drop off the car and keys for her husband. But in dropping off the keys, he showed us pics of houses for sale cheaply in N.C. Then she and I walked to the market. I stopped at one place and bought a top and pants. She bought a pile of seam binding at the same place I did.
She spent time at the underwear store. Then we went to Daiso and looked around for a long time. I got lots of little things that would cost more in the states. She got a few things and a gift bag. Then we went to the dollar store. I got a big tub (can you even buy them in the states?) and 2 little pots for lip balm.
We walked home carrying the large red tub. When we got to the front gate, we showed our passes. When we got inside, Myra traded me her umbrella for the tub. It was big enough to keep her gift bag dry.
As we walked out of the guard building, we ran into Pete and Kelsey. The four of us chatted for a bit, then Myra and I walked with Pete up the hill. He was going to the going-away party. I stopped off at home to drop my bag of goodies and to change my clothes in case people were taking pictures. I ate a piece of seed cracker, then I went to the party.
There were lots of people sitting at two tables. The only food I could eat there was the salad and the corn. I skipped the lumpias, spaghetti, and meat sauce, and breaded chicken. I did taste Chris' beer. I talked to the people at the dining table. Mandy thanked me for the bag I made for her birthday. Dynee and Ryan came. Then I went to sit with the ladies. I got Eileen to walk around taking my pic with the people there. We had a nice chat. Then Chris and I went home. It was not raining at the time.
We watched one episode of Father Brown and he went to bed. As I sat trying to recall my day, I screeched in shock because the largest centipede I had ever seen was crawling across the rug and disappeared under the chair. I noticed it three times, or perhaps there were three of them. The third time, I whacked it with the egg carton that my laptop rests on. I picked it up with a paper towel and flushed it. I remembered that Housing said they'd be spraying this week. I took my evening supplements with extra magnesium. I sat down again to write my blog post, keeping an eye out for any more centipedes. I also deleted some e-mail before going to bed.
* This is Ron/Roy and Vern/Fern pretending we remember each other's name. *

Wrapping up

After Chris left for church, I got up. I don't remember how I slept, only that I wish I could have slept more. I tried a detox bath, which was nothing but cold water, followed by exercise. Perhaps I did not exercise enough. I drank a quart of water. I ordered the next level of Holosync, but the site would not offer it for download. I sent the company an e-mail. I ate seed crackers with hummus. Then I got dressed for church. I swept the floor in the dining room. At 10:30 I watched the protestant service with the sound turned up all the way. The music and singing were easy enough to hear, but the talking and Bible reading were hard to make out. The chief of chaplains was on tour and she gave the sermon.
Chris came home from church. He got a text and left again. He returned just as the chaplain was saying the last prayer. While I was making breakfast, he left to have lunch with the chief of chaplains. I ate breakfast while listening to an interview.
Chris came home an hour later. We went to Ray and Mandy's place. They were celebrating a saint I never heard of with self-brewed beer, root beer and beef stroganoff. I sat and talked with the few people there. I ate some pulled pork, and tasted the beer and root beer. Chris told many stories.
At 5:30 we said our goodbye's so we could hit the commissary before it closed. The hosts gave us some kvass and beef noodles to take home. I drove us to the commissary. We only bought a few groceries. When we got home, we put them away. I ate the last of the watermelon. Then I sorted out some food containers to give to Mandy. I printed an address label for the QOV going to Quatar. The instructions suggested the recipient would like a story and pic to go with it. So I wrote one. I looked through my blog posts for all of 2016 to find pics of the quilt in progress, but there were none. I asked Chris to take some pics outside while I held up the quilt. I printed out one, but the colors were off because there was no red ink left. I used it anyway. I wrapped the used box in brown paper and sealed it with saved tape. I printed out the address and taped it to the box. I ate some kvass. I filled my water pitchers from the shower filter and hoped I would not forget to pack the shower head at the end of the week. I oiled my hair and it soaked in so well that my hair was not oily. I went outside to water the remaining plants. I saw that Terri had picked up the large planter.
I read some e-mail and jotted notes for my blog while waiting for Chris to finish whatever he was doing. Then he made a bowl of the remaining popcorn. We watched three episodes of Father Brown. Chris went back to his laptop and I posted to my blog, ready to take more magnesium if only it will help me sleep.
* This quilt will find a new home, too. *

Sorting by shipment

I woke up early. Chris was already up, but he joined me in bed after taking a shower. Later, he got dressed and went to the office. I read e-mail and drank a quart of water, plus finished off the coconut water container from last night.
I made two batches of seed crackers. The first one came out perfect, but the second one was not crisp, so I put it back in the turned-off oven to dry out a little.
I wrapped some of my rulers in paper and stuck them in a box. I wrapped up two clear plastic boxes of small sewing notions and put them in the same box. I threw in some minki fabric to keep them safe.
I made and ate breakfast while listening to an interview from the headache and migraine summit. Chris came home and got on his laptop.
Terri and Brian came over to get dirt and plants. I helped her fill plastic bags with wet dirt from the large planter. But there was too much dirt. She dug up my lantana and they left with plants and were coming back with a shovel to clear out the planter. I found out later that they had car trouble and were not coming back until tomorrow. So I asked Chris to help me dump the dirt (and rotting leaves and pine needles) into the flower bed. It smelled rather awful, but I figured it would dry out and be ok.
I pulled containers out of a kitchen cupboard and selected a few to keep and put the rest in recycling. Chris did the laundry. I washed the footstool in the kitchen and one from the bathroom. I also scrubbed the food waste container and put it out back to dry. I found a pair of white canvas shoes in my closet that were stained with mud. I scrubbed them in a plastic tub, but they would not come clean. I got fresh water and put some bleach in it and let it soak all day.
I cleared the larger closet in our bedroom so we could put suitcases and stuff that should not get packed in it. I also cleared the guest room so it could be a staging area for unaccompanied baggage. To do that, I had to clear some space in the hall closet for the Christmas stuff. I deflated the exercise ball and added it to the box of exercise and outdoor stuff. That whole closet of stuff got earmarked for the household goods shipment.
I pulled most of the stickers off of the fireplace. The flimsy ones got thrown in the trash. But I still had the backing paper for the hydrangea ones. All of the pieces fit back into their places. I slid it in with the cutting mat for moving.
I needed a break, so we went for a walk. We have been having heat advisories, but it was late afternoon. So we walked the trail. My back hurt a little and Chris pushed me up the steepest part. At the end, coming back up to the house, we caught a glimpse of Scott. He was walking much better.
It got dark while I was eating watermelon and texting Dynee. So I went outside to quickly water the plants. The mosquitoes swarmed me. When I came in, I ate half of a cucumber and looked for something new to watch on Netflix.
Chris made popcorn. We watched three episodes of Father Brown (murder mysteries). Then we made the bed with clean sheets and Chris laid down to sleep. I cried in the livingroom, not sure exactly what I was feeling. When it passed, I read blog entries from the first time we moved to Huntsville. A friend in Huntsville e-mailed me that she had an extra machine I could use until mine got delivered. It made me feel good to know she cared so much.
Then it was time to remember what I did today so I could write it down.
* This is a stack-n-whack that Myra showed off last Wednesday. *

Packing the flat things

I got up before 8. I drank a quart of lemon water and listened to an audio while sewing the label on the QOV. Then I threw it in the wash along with the pillowcase. I used soap nuts for the detergent.
My tapping buddy chatted with me for a few minutes, but her connection was bad and she wanted to go hang drywall. So we ended early. I crushed some garlic, let it sit for 10 minutes, then mixed it with hummus and ate it with the remaining seed crackers. I threw the quilt into the dryer. I texted Dynee to let her know I was thinking about her and hoped she had gotten home ok. She called back later as she was coming back from getting her car fixed. She said we could catch up later.
When the quilt was dry, I laid it on the sewing table. I went through my boxes to find the one the longarmer had used to send it to me. I filled out a form and sent it to the destination coordinator to get an address to send the quilt. I figured it would be Landstuhl because that is where the Yongsan QOV's went. I had to take a pic to go with the form.
I put on an audio and packed up thread. I taped the loose ends down so they won't get tangled on their journey. Then I put the thread racks face to face in a tub. I think they are protecting each other, but I can't quite tell where they touch.
I looked at my blog from 2011 to see if I had said anything about packing. I sat on the couch and tried to make a list of what should go in each of the two shipments. The small one will arrive earlier, but cannot contain everything here. The larger one will arrive later and I am hoping will not need to be unpacked – so that when we get orders for his next job we don't have to pack it all up again. But that means some tough choices and foresight on this end.
I got a box from the shed. It was full of packing paper. To get rid of the paper, I piled some on the bricks out back. I watered the ground around it and filled a bucket with water. The hose was nearby. I lit the paper and watched it burn. I had a broom handle to poke it as needed. When the initial fire burned down, I added paper in small units until most of it was gone. I let the ashes smolder for a while, then I stirred them well and watered them thoroughly.
I brought the box inside and flattened it. I filled it with flat things, like cutting mats and posterboard and large sheets of stickers. I peeled all the Christmas stickers off of the front window and put them back on the original sheet. My largest cutting mat would not fit in. So I found another box in a closet. I would have said it was a smaller box, but I guess it was wider. With much pushing and pulling, I was able to get my mat inside. I rolled up my rectangular rulers in paper and put them in a large tub that had Japanese fabric and crocheted selvages in it.
When Chris came home from work, I was in my sewing room, putting together a small sewing kit of just the essentials.
Chris ate supper, then started watching a vampire movie. I ate supper, then went outside to water the plants. Several containers were holding nothing but dead plants since all the rain hit. I moved them to the back.
I came in and started packing the Yamaha keyboard. Chris turned off the vampire movie and helped me. Then he started watching Judge Dredd on Netflix.
I printed out extra Sudoku grids, wrestling with the software to get it to print what was on the screen. It also refused to print a black grid because it was out of colored ink. ????
I joined him in watching the movie.
Then we watched three episodes of The 100. I checked e-mail and the QOV destination coordinator had responded with an address for Quatar. Apparently the person in Landstuhl had moved.
I typed up the events of the day in reverse order. When I thought I had it all, I copied it to my blog and went to bed.
* This is the pillowcase I made for the quilt of valor. *

Last massage

I had trouble getting to sleep and staying asleep. So when the alarm went off at 7:30, I got up.
I got dressed and went next door for two pitchers of Berkey water. I drank a quart of lemon water while looking at e-mail. Then I finished binding the QOV while listening to audios from the headache and migraine summit.
I had a piece of fabric that was ironed to two pieces of freezer paper. I had printed small quilt labels on it before. But it was in rough shape. So I ironed another piece of freezer paper to the bottom of it. I ran it through the printer to get an image of a quilt of valor label. It printed very nicely, but there were ink smudges near the printing. So frustrating. I tried to get the spots off with rubbing alcohol and then bleach, but neither one worked. I looked up ink removal online and someone recommended hand sanitizer. But that did not get the smudges off either. So I left it to dry.
I searched high and low for a particular fabric that I wanted to use for a QOV pillowcase. Chris asked me what I was looking for and I told him a piece of fabric was missing. There was a moment of silence and then he said “How can you tell?” Unable to find it, I had to choose another fabric. I made a pillowcase with red and blue fabrics. Then I gathered up a bag of old clothes that I was keeping for scraps. I threw some of it out.
I put my bag of chocolates in the freezer. I made and ate breakfast. The label was dry so I turned the edges under as far as I could so the smudges wouldn't be so noticeable. I ironed the edges to hold them down. Then I looked for label placement instructions on the QOV site but did not find any. I got out two little decorative boxes. I put a piece of cotton ball in each one. I took the two best pieces of chocolate and wrapped each one in plastic wrap. Then I covered them with another layer of cotton ball to keep them cold. I tied each box with a piece of the gold string that came with the package of boxes.
I filled a small container with Epsom salts. I put all the stuff in my market bag and went to my massage. The regular lady was not there. It was a different one who got the foot soak ready for me. I gave her the boxes to put in her fridge so they would not melt. She had to wake the man up three times before he came out to rub my feet. It was a good massage and I tried not to think about it being my last. When it was over, I took a pic of him and me together. I tried to explain that I was not coming back. He used his phone translation app and I used mine. Then the lady tried hers as well. He wanted to be my Facebook friend but his phone wouldn't do what he wanted. The lady tried to help, and then another lady came who spoke some English. I tried to explain that if he wrote his Facebook name for me that I would accept his friend request. But there was still some problem apparently. Then the first lady showed me her Facebook icon so I could accept her request when I got back to my laptop.
I finally went to market. I called Myra with a few questions. Then I made a deal on footies, although not as good a deal as I wanted. I went to the fabric booth and stocked up on 10 colors of seam binding. I found some oi, which is is their word for cucumber. I bought some in two places. But I could not find good lettuce. Either all the good lettuce was at the 5 day market, or the season was over. I stopped by two more markets on the way home and still no luck.
Then I stopped at Myra's house on the way up the hill. She handed me some nail polish remover so I could try it on the tape stuck to the wall. We talked for a little while. We said hello to Hakim as he was coming home from work.
Then I went home. I ate some watermelon, and laid down, hot and tired. Later I went out to water the plants. I came in to have some pork and rice and kimchi for supper; I jotted notes for my blog later. Chris washed three plums for each of us. We watched three episodes of The 100. Then he went to bed and I stayed up to take my evening supplements and post to my blog.