Which blocks do you like?

I went to church this morning. The sermon was about marriage and end times. After church we had refreshments. Today's host brought slices of vegetable pizza. So good. I had a piece even though it had bread in it. I learned from Gene's wife that Korean women who marry American men often have trouble in their marriage. And it is usually the man who wants to stay in Korea. Such women face devaluation in Korean society.
After the social hour I went to the commissary. I only had two things on my list so I toyed with the idea of leaving my car on post and walking home. But when I came out of the commissary, I had at least six bags. So I drove back, left the groceries with Michele, parked the car on post, and THEN walked home. It was a nice temperature for walking, but the air was very hazy. I wasn't so sure I should be breathing it.
At the apt, I cut up a fresh pineapple for Michele and I, I read through my e-mail, watched a few video links, and then made myself go sew. I top-stitched my placemat, and made some Vera B. blocks. Not sure which ones to go with. Some don't have enough contrast. I also put up a valance in my bedroom to keep out the light above the curtain. I have been meaning to do that for weeks and only think of it when I go to bed.

It's time has come

I awoke with a project in mind. I had not been able to finish it last year, but for some reason today was the day. I pulled all the blocks out and laid them on the floor. I had to make two more to have a 5x6 arrangement. Then I sewed all the blocks together, and auditioned fabric for borders. I had all my purples out, three stacks worth! I made my choice, and then put all the others away in the closet. I attached the borders and the corner blocks. I think it was 9pm till I finished. What a day! Michele came home at 10 and showed me the outfit she bought. She also pointed out the Bonanza episode where Adam takes his shirt off. Had to watch that. Then it was time for bed.

All day at AnC

Woke up all too early, went back to sleep for an hour, and got up at 8. I had the usual breakfast and e-mail, then drove to the AnC center to help Cathy work on the star quilt. I forgot to take a pic, but will have another chance later. She brought a black batting for it which was interesting. I brought a few pieces of VB fabric to cut while waiting. Did not get that much done. We quilting the stars with a variegated thread with a cloud motif. When we finished that, I had a small quilt top to work on. She helped me do it with custom borders and blocks. I used a variegated thread also, but you can't tell. We finished around 5:30. I was so faint from hunger and fatigue that I didn't feel safe driving home. So I drove us to her apt and she fed me. We spent an hour looking at quilting patterns online to see what we might want to buy for the group. It was after 8 when I left, feeling much better. My gate was closed, so I drove all the way to the apt. Michele was home by then. And the onion soup which I started yesterday was finally finished. Michele refused to eat once she heard that there in liver in it. So I had a bowl, and put the rest up in the fridge. Then I read e-mail, finally got the right number for my friend's husband, so I called him and arranged a meeting for tomorrow. Don't tell Chris! Actually I am just going to pass him a bag of tassels through the gate.
Off to bed now, or rather as soon as I have completed all the pre-bedtime chores.

Small class

Thursday is my busiest day. Before going to the thrift shop, I worked on the laundry Michele started, defrosted some liver (she hasn't noticed that yet) and pulled some stuff for class from my stash. Then at the shop, I shelved all the books, threw out some stuff that has been sitting in the book bin for some time, and got caught up on all the media. Then I went home at 2. My student canceled, so I had some time to myself. I cut up onions and started onion soup in the crock pot. But I did not have quite enough water. Since my back has not been happy this week, I could not take the chance of putting in a new bottle myself. And Michele was away at college. I spent far too long trying to decide what new seeds to buy for sprouting, and then I finished the laundry and went next door. The lady took me to the management office to get a parking sticker. They also changed the battery in the clicker so I can get in and out of the gate. Then I had a bite to eat and went to class. I went early because Maryann wanted to cut some fabric before class, but she never showed up. However, I was able to set up everything and get a head start on the project - a strip-pieced placement. Cathy came by with the star quilt top that she finished. Only two people came to make a placemat. Then we cleaned up and went home. Michele still wasn't home and the place was dark and deserted. It had a very lonely feel to it. I called her and she was staying late at college to watch a movie. I told her I needed water. I considered asking our neighbor but thought I could hold out a little longer. I read e-mail until Chris got online, then talked to him for awhile. Now it is time for me to go to bed, but he just got up.

Trying new things

Wednesday is usually a slow day, but not today. I had a whole list of things I wrote last night, just to make sure I had everything covered. And then Michele threw her two things in, asking for a ride. So we went to the consolidated mailroom where she signed for a letter. We went too early, but they were nice and let her pick it up anyway. Then we stopped by the DHL for her to cash a check. Then we went by Chris' office to send him a scan, and return other mail that got mixed in with his. Finally we stopped at the Chosun for me to register for the luncheon and buy a ticket for the auction. I don't really want to go, but Maryann keeps telling me that I AM going. Well, if I'm going to help decorate, might as well see the decorations in use.
We went home to have lunch. Then I drove to gate 17 to take the subway to the big D. I found corded tassels there for a friend in the states. Yes, I found a few things for myself, too, and a Christmas present for Michele. Then I went to Gangnam to meet Julia. Kinda went the long way around, but got there all the same. She met me on the street because I passed right by her building without seeing it. She took me to Dr. Fish. It is a tea and coffee bar, that also has a little trough where fish eat the dead skin cells off of your feet. Oh yes, and all the free bread you can eat. I didn't eat the bread, but I did feed the fish. The big fish were quite ravenous and it was hard to remain calm as they feasted on my feet. So Julia insisted that I move to the smaller fish. They were barely a tickle. When my twenty minutes were up, we left there to go to a photo sticker booth. The place has 6 or more photo booths. You sit in one, feed the money in, and it allows you to pick settings for your photos. After the shoot, you get to add electronic bling to the pics, like stars, hearts, special words, bunny ears, etc. The results were quite funny. We each paid for a sheet of photo stickers. Then she had to go, and I got in line for the subway. The station was so full, that I could not get on the next train that came by. And the one I did get on was so full that even though I did not have a hand-hold, I couldn't have fallen over if I had tried. I was so glad to get back to base. That is when I realized that my gate was closed. So I rested in my car for a bit, then drove to the apartments. Michele was home, watching Bonanza episodes. I had a few bites to eat, and I watched with her until bedtime.

Chicken Pox

I awoke to the sounds of Michele getting ready for college. I wasn't hungry, so I just headed for the computer. One of the articles I read was about how the chicken pox vaccine is not as good as the immunity you get from having chicken pox as a child, and as a result, many who were innoculated, are now getting shingles. Also, if you have had chicken pox and you are exposed to a child recovering from chicken pox, your immune system gets a boost. Fewer kids getting chicken pox means everyone is more at risk for getting shingles.
Then I had breakfast and called our realestate agent about a paper left on our car indicating that we needed some sort of parking sticker. She promised to call back later. Then I headed out to the thrift shop with a Korean DVD player that someone gave me. The gate guard showed interest, so I gave it to him. I got there at 11 and intended to work until 2, but Mrs. Chung decided to close at 1. I did not get finished with the books, or videos. I was going to run by Chris' office, but forgot all the paperwork I was going to bring. So I went home to wait for the agent to call. I needed to go to the big D for tassels for a friend, but needed to be home when she called. I finally took a nap and she still hadn't called. The guard came by with a paper to sign. I had to tell him I didn't understand. Then he got the lady next door to explain that it was a petition to change apt managers every two years instead of 5. Sure, whatever. So I asked her about the parking sticker, and she offered to go to the management office with me on Thursday. Then I did some picking up and washed dishes, all to keep this place as clean as it was when the ladies came over. I REALLY like it this way:)
Michele came home at 7:30. I was in my sewing room working on a Vera Bradley quilt top. I have been itching to get to it, and finally did, but Michele started another Bonanza DVD and I got sucked in again:( She stopped it at 10:30 and I tried to Skype Chris but he didn't answer.
* Here is another show-and-tell from yesterday *

Final preparation

I set the alarm for 6 and woke up just before it went off. I had to start the applejuice in the crock pot and get the food ready. Michele helped wash vegetables and a pear. She also arranged the fruit and cheese tray. I found a recipe online for a warm spiced apple beverage. It called for freshly squeezed orange and lemon juice, as well as cinnamon and other spices. It was so good that even Michele who was adamant about not liking apple juice really like it. I also found a recipe for a dip. It said to mix salsa into a container of sour cream. That was also very good. I took some recyclables out with me when I went to get the ladies and lead them to my place. I did not get everything in order, but it was close enough. Five ladies came. The apple beverage was a big hit. They brought projects to show off, and I showed them my sewing room and stash. I had hidden my Eric Carle dots two weeks ago so they wouldn't find it. But one lady came late, and somehow she knew I had some, and she begged me to sell her a yard. So I did, but made her promise not to tell anyone where she got it. I put out charm squares for those who wanted some, and magazines to read. We had a good time, and they stayed until 1:30. Then I had to go to post to sign Julia in. I took her to the bank where she could get a cashier's check. Then to the shoppette for stamps. After mailing her check, we stopped by Chris' office to get mail, then went to my apt. She had some of the mornings leftovers, and showed me how to delete and load to the mp3 player she gave me. Then we walked back to gate 17 the long way. I signed her off post, and she took the subway home. I walked back. Michele wasn't home yet (college), so I sat at my computer with the leftover bowl of trail mix. I read through my e-mail, until she came home. She started watching the rest of the Bonanza episodes, and I got sucked in. Then it was bed time. I did a little picking up, got to Skype Chris briefly before his class started, and now am looking forward to going to bed.