I mean business

Last night I set my intention to wake at 8am. I woke up at 8:05. Pretty good for my first try. We went to church, and had snacks afterwards. I was glad to see the lady who makes kimbap was back (bringing kimbap). On the way to the commissary we stopped by the AnC center to see if the longarm was free for the afternoon, and it was. So we stocked up on groceries, took them home and put them away. I changed clothes and ate two pickled eggs and an apple. Toniette met me at the longarm. But it seems someone else had the same idea - namely that the longarm would be free. She wanted to baste her quilt using the longarm. But she was willing to baste it by hand on one of the big tables while we loaded Toniette's quilt. I pricked a finger while pinning it on, and got blood on the leaders. So Toniette found a scrap of batting and some tape and bound my bloody finger. When we'd got it loaded and basted, Cathy dropped by to use the longarm, too. I guess everyone thinks no one else will come on a Sunday afternoon. Three hours later, we were finished and Toniette went home. I stayed to lay out some fabric for a dress. The pattern I picked would not fit, no matter how I laid it out, so I picked another one (good thing I brought several). Working with jaquard will test anyone's patience, but at least this one had a print that one could follow to keep it kinda straight. When I got the pattern cut out, I packed up and went home. Chris made chicken, and chorizo, and rice and broccoli for supper. We watched Legend while we ate. Then I got on my computer. There were lots of free MP3's and pdf's to download, but when will I get the time to listen to and read them all? I took a break to clean up in the kitchen, make a sandwich, and cut up some cheese for tomorrow's meeting. I also spent some time stuffing batting scraps into boxes to make more room on my shelves, and putting stuff in a pile so I don't forget it tomorrow morning.
Since I didn't take any pics today, here is one of my new business cards.

Some baby will find this ducky

With no sandwich to make, I slept in late. Then I finished the quilt top I started last night. I got on the computer for awhile, but spent most of my time cleaning and picking up around this place because Michele had invited friends over to eat supper and watch videos. Chris and Michele played on-line with the 'voices' and took small breaks to keep the laundry going. After having an avocado for lunch I had to lay down for a nap. Not sure why it took so much energy. I also had to wash my hands. To get the bandaid off, I had to cut it in two places. Bandaids these days are too sticky.
I went back to the computer. Although the wound is healing well, it still hurts to type s,w or x. I watched a video on quilt basting and one on sewing with metallic threads. I learned that there is a website for finding fresh organic food grown locally: www.localharvest.org. But I don't think it is going to help me here in Korea.
Michele's friends came over about 6:45. Chris fixed pork, rice and peas, with brownies for dessert. It was all very good. Michele showed her friends 3 episodes of Firefly for entertainment. Then they had to catch a bus home before the buses stopped running for the night.

Panic

I thought I had somewhere to go today, but that fell through. So I made the sandwich, listened to a Neuro session and had breakfast. I worked through some e-mail, then decided that today I would catch up on my sewing and be behind on e-mail. I cut squares from strip sets for QOV, I made a baby quilt top from leftover blocks, and I cut bunches of charm squares. The charm squares I bought yesterday are 8cm blocks, which is just over 3 inches. So I have to cut them all down just a bit. Well, my ring finger happened to be over the edge once, and I sliced right into it, cutting off the nail. Yikes! Instant anxiety attack. But I calmed myself down, put a mug of ice water on my head and stuck my finger in it to stop the bleeding. Then I stuck a bandaid on it, which was tough with one hand. It didn't stop me from sewing but typing is another story. Later as I was watching a video from the thrift shop, the door alarm rang. It rings through the security panel. Well, I figured I was supposed to push one of the buttons, so I did. That set off the panic alarm. I opened the door to find the lady that checks the gas meter. After she left, the alarm was still ringing, and from all over the apartment. I couldn't stop it so I called Chris. I could barely hear him over the sound of the alarm. Since it was shouting at me in Korean, he put one of his coworkers on. Apparently it was shouting "This is real" over and over. But then the guard showed up, so I hung up the phone and he showed me a hidden panel where you can turn the alarm off. Whew! I finished the video and went back into my sewing room. When my finger stopped throbbing, I cut charm squares from dongdaemun fabric to trade with the group. Chris came home then and fixed the bison for supper, with brown rice and broccoli. Michele did not come home. At least, not 'till WAAAY after supper. I was getting worried. Then I worked on another baby quilt top using recently purchased duck and stripe fabric. If the ladies like it on Monday, maybe we can buy all he has for the Stork's Nest.
Here is a pic from the quilt show yesterday.

Time for bed?

I got up at 6:30 to make a sandwich, then had a sub-delta Neuro session followed by a wake-up session. I didn't feel unusually awake, but had no problem getting up. Exercises, breakfast, shower, computer. I intended to be at the thrift shop at 9 so we could all go to the quilt show at 10, but no one knew how to get there. I tried my d**est to google directions but all I got was lattitude and longitude. I did not have time to load GoogleEarth. IT turned out that only Toniette and I could go, so we decided to meet at the DHL and take a taxi at 11. So I got to the thrift shop at 10, finished at 10:15 (I am quick) and helped Ella negotiate prices with the woodshop for making more shelves. I made it to the DHL bank for won, and was out front on time. We caught a taxi and he drove us to the aTcenter (That's the way they spell it). It's by Cosco. It was a very nice show, lots of actual quilts (not a lot of artsy stuff that can only hang on a wall). We bought fat quarters and charm squares and pigma pens. We saw a fashion show for vests while eating tuna pita pockets that Toniette brought. Then we had to find our way back home in the rain. We ended up getting a bus to a subway station, then easily coming back to post. Chris met us at the gate and dropped us off at the DHL to get our cars. I took my purchases home and eliminated more e-mail. It wasn't long before Michele came home, and then Chris. I felt like taking a nap, but there wasn't time. I gathered my stuff and headed out. Thankfully Chris had already carried the heavy bag of donated fabric down to the car this morning. All I had to do was drive to the SPC and carry it upstairs. For class we made overlapping pillowcovers. Everyone finished at least one, and all seemed happy with their results. After class it was back to the computer. One thing I learned tonight is that blueberries help treat urinary tract infections.

A taste of Dongdaemun

I slept in again until some sound woke me up. But it was alright since I had to answer the phone anyway:) I only had 30 minutes to eat and get over to the commissary to meet some friends for a trip to Dongdaemun. Once I walked to post, I drove the car over there even though it wasn't far, just to keep it running. Toniette drove us there. We walked from the engineers parking lot to the fabric complex. We worked our way up to the 5th floor, with me only buying 2 yards (of blue rayon). Maybe I shouldn't have since I ran out of money buying fabric from Mr. Kang. I spotted a roll of duck fabric that would make great baby quilts. The others agreed with me, so I called my husband to get someone in his office that speaks Korean to explain to Mr. Kang that we wanted that whole roll but didn't have that much money just then. He agreed to bring it to the luncheon next week. Then we went into the basement to look at thread and drapery material. I got a cone of white. I also took the attached movie. Then we stopped at a Korean restaurant for lunch. I was out of Korean money so Toniette paid for my share. Thanks, Toniette. AFter lunch we came back to post. We talked about going to a quilt show tomorrow, but I promised to go to the thrift shop. Maybe I can in an hour or so and then go to the quilt show.
I dropped Mary off at her place, then drove back to the gate. I don't know what was going on, but I had to park pretty far away. Back at the apartment I got on my computer. There was so much waiting for me. Michele got back about 3:30. She has now met all of her professors and seems fine with them. Chris came home and warmed up soup for supper. After supper I took a break from the computer to make a pillowcase for a QOV. You know, if I waited until my e-mail had all been dealt with, I would never get another thing done.

Kale revisited

I slept in a little because I was up so late last night. (It is just so hard to tell the computer "Good Night"). Michele had already left for school (her first day back). Actually I was awakened by the sound of a phone ringing. I thought it was Chris's phone, but when I called him, he had it. My phone showed that I had missed a call from Michele. When I got a hold of her, she said one of the buses she rides to college got canceled and wanted me to find her another one. But I was ready to leave for the thrift shop, so I told her we'd do it later (she was already at the campus). I walked to post and was thrilled to discover that the car started. I drove to the thrift shop. It took me just over 2 hours to clear out the books, DVD's, video and PC games that had accumulated. Actually I threw out a lot of the games because they were for 95/98 systems. Then I walked over to the AnC center to watch Cathy show some other ladies how to longarm a QOV. Around 3 we all left, and I went to the SPC to drop off a quilt backing that I had washed, and pick up some QOV projects to finish. Then I stopped by the commissary to get several bunches of kale. I parked by the gate and walked home. I ate an avocado and washed all the kalem then sat down at my computer. Soon Chris came home and fixed supper. Then Michele came home. I tossed the kale with oil and vinegar and put it in the oven while Chris watched the last Hornblower movie. I made about 4 batches. But for some reason it wasn't quite as good as the other night. Sprinkling it with garlic powder did help. I went back to the computer to finish listening to audios and follow interesting links. I didn't get to them all, but I did learn that many diseases are actually the body's way of reacting to and healing from an emotional shock. It's called GNM, German New Medicine. Google it, because it is a fascinating concept.

Showing off our exchange blocks

Because it is the first Monday of the month, instead of meeting at the SPC, we met at Cathi's house. Pam picked me up at the bus stop (I got to the gate early so I started walking). It was cold and rainy. I wished I hadn't removed the lining of my coat last week. I brought my kale chips in a bowl. We were the first ones to arrive. But soon we had a full circle of quilters talking and sharing quilted items and ideas. Most of us brought healthy foods, so I was able eat. The kale chips seemed to go over fairly well. After exchanging secret sister gifts, people trickled out. Several us stayed and talked until 3. Then Pam drove me to the gate. Back at the apartment I got on my computer to clear out e-mail. After Chris came home, I fell asleep for a short while until supper was ready. I needed that little rest because I had strained my back this morning pulling clothes from the basket to hang up. After supper I made time to read my book. I learned that juggling is a good brain exercise.