Last trip to the warehouse

I awoke slowly, almost like in a daydream. I think it was a pleasant one - until I looked at the alarm clock and saw that it was almost 8 and remembered that we were supposed to meet at the commissary at 8:30. I quickly had breakfast while skimming my e-mail. I called Cathy to tell her not to leave without me, and I needed to pack a lunch: she suggested I bring cheese. So I cut up a package, and rushed out. I could have walked to the commissary but I knew I would be heavily burdened on the way back so I drove. I got there just as Ruth Ann was getting back from buying a snack in the store. Then we left. Those of us sitting in the back traded work histories, which was a pleasant change from discussing what stinks the worst: diesel, pigs, or paper mills. Don't ask. When we got to the warehouse, the choices were overwhelming. The store is not organized by theme or color. So we just had to look at everything. Some of us went into the second warehouse where the big rolls are. When we found stuff, we had to wait in line to have it cut. But there were rows of 2 yard packages as well. It was all fun. We bought fabric for the Christmas exchange. I looked for white-on-white and pastels because I have so many medium value fabrics. I bought yardage of a few extra wide fabrics for backings. When I got to the register, I had two baskets full. The first basket cost 215,000 won. That was most of the money I had. For the second basket, I had to give him American money, but I had just enough. I went out to the car to store the bags and sit. The others had mostly finished. Then RuthAnn came out and wanted me to go back in to see a piece of pink that she thought was a pastel. So I went, it wasn't, but when the clerk heard that it was my last time and I was moving back to the U.S., he handed me a bag and told me to fill it up for free. I wasn't sure I had understood him correctly, but my friends did, and they offered to help me pick some out. It did not take long. It was like a miracle. We thanked him, and took a bunch of group shots (although not with my camera). (I did my happy dance when no one was looking.) Then we headed home. There was lots of traffic so we drove in the HOV lane. When we got to the commissary, the ladies set up a lunch date for Wednesday to say goodbye to me. I returned Julia's call and she wants to go to lunch on Friday at the fish market. I parked in the lot, and carried two very heavy bags to the apt. I drank several glasses of water and had a snack. I laid down for a bit and when I felt rested, I went back for the other two bags of fabric. I was reading e-mail when Chris came home. He put chicken in the oven for supper. He said his going-away luncheon is Friday, and our pack-out date is Tuesday the 18th. He suggested that we pack our suitcases before then and put them in the car. What do I pack? It is mid-fall, so Christmas fabrics? Baby quilt kits? Pillowcase kits?
Michele came home from college. We ate supper while watching the third X-Men movie. But I had already seen it so I did some sewing. I got out some blocks from a block-of-the-month class that I taught maybe 10 years ago. I laid them out on the bed, and chose a sashing. Chris retired with the blocks still on my side. I finished sashing the blocks and soaked my sprouts. This batch is actually sprouting. I think it is because of the fabric rubberbanded to the top to keep out the fruit flies. Some of it will be ready to eat tomorrow.

Our 21st anniversary

Chris woke me by ... and whispering "Happy Anniversary" in my ear. I had forgotten about it in all the stress about being photographed. I got up to clean house. I did not have to be at the South Post Visitor Center until 10:30 so there was time to wash the kitchen floor, and improve the coffee table. I should have worked on the head of the bed. I hadn't figured on him taking pictures in the bedroom. I arrived before 10:30 and watched for him. He arrived right on time. I signed him in, and drove him to the thrift shop. There was a lady from the PAO waiting to shadow the photographer. I shelved books while he took pictures. But when the books were finished, I started on puzzles, and he did not photograph that. He just stayed in the bookroom. The lady was replaced by a man from the PAO and after awhile, he offered to take the photographer back to the gate. But only I could sign him out, so I took him there and then went back to the thrift shop. I finished about 2 and went home, stopping at the commissary for fresh veggies. I got home about 2:20. The PAO man called to offer to sign the photographer in for the sewing class so that if the photographer wanted to leave early, he could. That was fine with me. Because the photographer might come while I was eating lunch, I used a plate and sat at the table instead of the computer. The photographer arrived at 2:30 and I wasn't finished. But he waited until lunch was over, and then he took pictures while I made a batch of communion bread. While it was baking, I juiced up the vegetables and made veggie pops. He did not seem attracted to the idea. I showed him the king-size charm quilt on my bed, and the prizewinning quilt on the wall. He took pictures while I washed up the juicer and mixer. Then he wanted to shoot me sitting on the bed. After that, he took pics of me sewing and ironing. I showed him my fabric stash, and that too was deemed photoworthy. Then he took a few pics of the quilts I had stored. He invited me to pick only a few. Then he had enough. After he left, I checked my e-mail, and ate some of the pineapple that Chris cut up yesterday. Chris mentioned that he was able to get the apartment for 700w/ month. But Michele came home and told me that her 'roommate' got an offer to continue to stay where she was for free. So Michele feels guilty for wanting her roommate to move in and pay rent. The roommate feels guilty for not moving in after they have been apartment-hunting together for so long, so she says she will move in when she gets the money. Then it was time for me to leave. I drove to the SPC and was amazed at the glut of cars everywhere. I had to park out in the armpit of God. I thought it must be some big event at the high school, but it turned out to be a memorial service for a wife (and mother) who died of cancer. My heart skipped a beat when I realized that there were no tables in our room, and the ladies next door said they'd been taken downstairs for the teacher's training. Luckily one of them spotted some tables in the fellowship hall, behind the spread waiting for the memorial attenders. I took them and set them up in our room. I started bringing in machines, cutting mats, rulers, etc. Then the PAO man and the photographer arrived. They helped carry in machines and put out chairs. As the ladies came in for class, I inspected the fabric they brought. Just nosy I guess. I gave out the pressing instructions first so those who had arrived could get started and be done before the late attendees came. But for some reason it took a long time for them to do that. When the first person finished, I gave out the cutting instructions. But by then the photographer had left. I relaxed and enjoyed seeing what color combinations came up. People started leaving early for some reason and we were packed before 8:30. I stood around to talk for a bit and then hiked to my car. I drove to our parking lot, and got into Chris' car. There on the seat was an anniversary card. He remembered twice in one day! The sentiment was so sweet that I almost couldn't drive home. When I got home, I hugged him and then had some supper. I finished an audio interview that I had started earlier in the day. Chris doesn't need a sandwich so I just need to soak my sprouts and go to bed.

Getting this place cleaned up

Knowing that I will be followed by a photographer tomorrow, I started the day by cleaning. I actually got the kitchen table in reasonable shape. Did not think it was possible. I did some cleaning and organizing in the bedroom too. I put all my makeup and little soaps, shampoos, creams, etc in a bag to give away. Chris gave me the task of going to Woori Bank to find out how we can send Michele money after we move. He wanted me to take her passport along and it is going to cost him. Why? Because that same drawer has our extra won in it and I might need some for Friday's trip to the warehouse so now the pile has diminished. I addressed Andrea's box and took it to the post office to mail. Then I stopped by the thrift shop to ask the ex-pats there about banking. I got some good suggestions. Then I sat in the sun and read for about half an hour. I followed that with a walk into Itaewon. Woori bank was pretty far down. But I found it, asked my questions, got some answers, and was leaving when my phone rang. The on-post escort for tomorrow wanted to confirm times. He asked if I'd be alone in my apartment with the photographer and I said "Yes, why? Oh." It had never occurred to me like that. I walked back to post. I ran into Ann LaDouceur. She knows a lot about Korean banking. In fact, she runs a website called Korea4expats. On post, I ran into Star. She showed me the potholders that she made to match her apron. Really cute. When I got home, I had lunch and started on my sewing room. For some reason it was even harder to organize and clean up than the table was. I kept finding myself cleaning in other places. Then I felt like I was coming down with a cold. Ha. Not now. I tried the pressure points for the inner ear cure, the probiotic cure, the hydrogen peroxide cure, the colostrum cure and some tapping. I even laid down to read for awhile. When I felt better, I finished the sewing room - or as much as I could do tonight. I am afraid that when the pics come out in the magazine, all the Koreans will think this is how Americans live. It could affect Korean-American relations for years to come. Now I am off to make the sandwich and go to bed.
* These are the tops we will be making in class tomorrow *

I get the oddest gifts

This is Judy's quiltlet. The center motif was done on the Statler.
Yesterday I had washed all the pillowcases. This morning I ironed all of them. What a chore! I also folded and placed each one in a ziplock bag. I packed them in a box, but I think it is too small. Still, it keeps them all in one place until I am ready to ship. I suspect a few more will come in Thursday night. I ate breakfast, read e-mail, showered, and dressed. I tried on the in-line skates that MaryAnn left me, but they did not fit so I took them to the thrift shop. I also took the cushion cover for Ms. Chung. She was very happy about it. Debbie pulled me into the office to give me the receipt Ella found, and a bag of bras from Joan. Yes, a bag of bras. I had been looking for a bra to decorate for the luncheon next week and she came through with flying colors. Seven very nice black and white bras in three sizes. One size Michele can wear, one I can wear, and the other size will be bra art next week. I shelved books, videos, DVD's, and puzzles. I went over my usual three hours so I can get 16 before we leave. That way I can leave $8 in thrifty bucks for Michele to spend when she is on her own. Still no apartment. When I left the shop, I sat outside in the grass to read. Mary came by and we talked for awhile. Scary thing is, had Cathy been there it would have constituted a board meeting. Only three of us left! When my hour was up I went home for lunch, even thought I ate a package of seaweed while reading. I wanted to work on the QOV blocks, but am saving them for Thursday afternoon when the reporter comes. Maybe I'll do the bra art then too. That'll be a picture! I dealt with some e-mail and tried to clean up in the kitchen. Kept getting sidetracked because there are so many things I just don't know what to do with. In the past I would call MaryAnn and yell 'help!' and she would come over and rearrange stuff and talk me out of things I don't really need. But she PCSd! :( So I am on my own. I cleaned the sink area, and the stove top and washed all the spice containers and the rack. Chris came home and put chicken legs in the oven. Then Michele called, and the two of them went to see the movie that didn't work out last night. More cleaning, and more e-mail. Tried to put together an order with Swansons, but didn't have the total for free shipping. Guess there is more work for tomorrow.

QOV day

Again this morning, it was too cold to read. So I started in on e-mail, breakfast, shower, preparing cheeses, etc. I grabbed a big load of recyclables to drop off on the way to post. When I got to the SPC, the fellowship hall was full of tables set up for the big luncheon. Fearing that we had none left for us, I ran down to our room. They'd left us three. However, I wasn't satisfied. I begged for three more. And they even helped me carry them in. Mary and Cathy and Judy arrived with show-and-tell items. Aimee wanted help with her apron, and I worked with her while the others set up. Our group was not as large as some days, but we worked steadily. Some left early and others came late so we always had people sewing. Ana and I made pillowcases for QOV, and I started another QOV out of previously cut blocks. We discussed having a Christmas fabric swap, a trip to the warehouse, and a group purchase of "9-patch Pizazz: Fast, Fun, Finished". I crossed my fingers that I would remember to send out all the appropriate e-mails to the group. Chris was meeting Michele at the walk-in gate at 2:30 to see an apartment. I hoped to make it, but wasn't ready in time. I went home after quilting. I read some e-mail, sent out e-mails to the group, cut up fabric and photographed it to answer a question on Facebook. I finished the pillowcase started yesterday. Then I worked on the QOV that I started. Chris and Michele came home. Chris said the apt was very nice, but a little pricey. He mentioned that a house-sitting position might become available for her. They had supper and left to see a movie. I kept sewing and trimming. When they came home, they said the movie reels were mislabeled and that they would have to go back again to see the movie. Ok. I quit when my show ended and now am about to go to bed.
I forgot to mention yesterday that Helen gave me a bag of dried shredded squid as a going-away present. I sense a theme here.
* This is Mary's show-and-tell quilt made of block-of-the-month raffle winnings. *

New time and place for church service

After having a hard time getting to sleep, I slept in. Not only was it too cold to go outside barefoot, but church is now at 11. When I did get up, I had breakfast, read some e-mail, showered and dressed. We grabbed the communion bread on our way out the door. Our service has moved to the chapel at the hospital. It is a good thing they put up signs. Although I have been there before, I did not remember that it was so hard to find. We did find it, and turned in the jar of communion bread and the extra baggie of wafers that wouldn't fit. I grabbed the service books, and we found a seat in the second row. The lectern, altar, and flower stand were all made of clear acrylic. Thus the Bible, sacraments, and flowers seemed to be floating in mid-air. The choir sat in the front row since there was no choir loft or section up front. The pastor insisted that the choir process in, but it was a very short walk. After the service, I spoke to the people behind me. They live in Tennessee and are visiting. She was very friendly and gave me her card hoping we could get together back in the U.S. Chris handed me a bag of snacks to take to the room by the cafeteria where we will now have our after-church refreshments. When I laid out the packages, I noticed that there were three bottles of sunscreen in the bottom. But the man who brought them had already left. When all the fellowshipping was over, we went to the commissary for groceries. When we got home, Michele helped to put them away. Romaric came over to game. Heidi came over for a lesson. I had to clean up my sewing room for that. She was interested in buying a serger, so I let her use mine. After her lesson, Helen called. I wanted to return her skates to her, but she said she did not feel like carrying them home, so would I donate them to the thrift store? Ok. I met her at the Seobinngo station and we had an early supper at a nearby restaurant. We had a great time talking about this and that. I will miss her when we move. She insisted on paying for both our dinners. I walked her back to the station and I went home. The others were still playing. I made up a package for Andrea, hoping she will like the fabric choices I made. Then I started assembling a pillowcase for the kids with cancer. It got late and I decided it could wait for tomorrow. I packed up the extra wheat flour to take to the meeting tomorrow. I swept the kitchen floor. I turned the calendar to October, our last month. I have spent so much time wishing I could leave here, and now I don't want to go. I have finally acclimated to this place and life, and now we have to leave.
* Random quilt pic from the show at the Seoul Art Center. I don't think I have posted it before. *

What else...more quilting.

Still no pics of the ceremony yesterday. I would have thought they'd be posted on one of the Army's facebook pages by now.
Anyhow, this morning it was too cold to read outside, and too cold to be barefoot. So I stayed in bed longer and Chris 'kept me company'. Ha. He and Michele did not play with the voices today. I guess the voices were not playing. I had breakfast and gathered up the stuff for a quilt and a cushion cover. Chris drove me on post. I took my car to the AnC center, passing Mary walking her dog. The AnC staff was outside and waved to me as I went in. It took me an hour to get the quilt layers loaded, and to pick a thread color and a quilting pattern. I decided to do all the basting at once and use up one of the low bobbins so the next person would have an empty bobbin. Everything was going well. Then Cathy came by after her class. Not that it reflects on her, but then things went wrong. The needle fell out. The 'continue' function didn't. Even the Restart wouldn't. Then the Statler Stitcher software crashed and we had to reboot. But she got it back up and running. While it stitched, we looked at designs for the cushion cover. I purposely made it from rather plain fabrics so the quilting would show. So we picked elaborate designs. But the white thread just did not do it justice. She left just before it finished. I stayed a little longer to trim both pieces, then I went downstairs to pay the fees. I drove to gate 12, taking one of the last remaining parking spaces. I walked into Itaewon to see if Mr. Bob had my shoes ready. I had trouble finding him, but when I did, he did not have them ready. Then I stopped by the embroidery place with a photo of what I wanted on a jacket, but the lady said they couldn't do it. So I returned to post, stopping to buy squid fries on the way. It had become a nice day, so I sat in front of the vet clinic, ate squid fries and read, barefoot. Then I drove back to my parking lot. I could have called Chris, but decided to walk home 'cause the weather was so nice. Chris was cooking supper when I got home. I read through some e-mail, sent a few messages, and finished the small quilt into a cushion cover. I serged the raw edges for good measure. Now I am ready for bed.