Testing the instruments

I made a reed diffuser using the vodka. I set it by my bed. I woke up while it was still dark and watched the daylight appear. I was up by 8 for a coffee morning. It always gives me the urge to clean, but today the feeling arrived before the coffee was ready. While I swished, I folded the dark laundry and swept the floor. I drank lemon water while I read e-mail. After the exercising, rebounding, meditating, and tapping, I cleaned the kitchen. I made breakfast. I noticed that the sun was blocked by the curtain. I considered bubble wrap because the light would come through but not coherently. But it would look bad from the outside. I ate breakfast. I listened to an audio on menopause. I read that commercial battery chargers recharge to half a percent less each time as part of planned obsolescence. The site had plans so you could build your own battery charger. I re-pinned the curtain so it would not lay flat on the window. It did not look any better but it might blur images behind it at night. I got dressed and went to the post office. They gave me four packages. Then I went to the school to meet Mr. Sharpe. We went through the donated instruments together. They needed slide or valve oil and reeds. When I got home, I opened three packages. I installed the new light bulb in my HappyLight. I listened to two audios on Foundation training while doing today's puzzle. Chin back, chest forward, it said. I watched the untold story of Bewitched on Youtube. I made a salad, and put the food waste by the door for tomorrow. I ate two figs, and a persimmon. I looked high and low for a piece of fabric, gave up, then decided to sew on my fanny pack. I tried to melt the fraying edges with a lighter but it didn't melt. Looking for a black patch, I found the fabric I was looking for. But it was brown. I used dark purple instead. I had just pinned it in place, about to take the first stitch, when Skype rang. It was Chris. I answered on the desktop. The video wasn't good. He wanted me to open his package so he would know what it was. After we talked, I got on my laptop and listened to an audio from the next fat summit while playing solitaire on line. Windows 10 doesn't come with Free Cell or Solitaire. Then it was time to go to bed.

Auditioning the curtain

I got up before 8. I read e-mail, and did a plank for 30 seconds. I drybrushed and rebounded because the dr said lymph was important. I showered, and got dressed. I found a scarf that perfectly matched my dress. I went through all my jewelry looking for a scarf pin. I only had one and did not really like it but oh well. I missed a call from Chris between flights. Myra called to see if we should cancel class for Khaki-giving (which is strangely set for Wednesday). I said I'd be there. I threw the curtains from the second hand shop into the washer. I drove to church. Jane was not there. We sang an unfamiliar song and I realized that Shi-Uk had not sent me the list of songs this week. The sermon was from the book of Samuel, about Mephibosheth. After the service, I tried to talk to Kathy but she had to pose with the choir for a pic. I wanted to see the pianist too, but she was gone. So I went home. I moved the curtains from the washer to the dryer. I sorted my jewelry since the earrings were intermingled with the bracelets and pins and necklaces, etc. I changed clothes. I took the curtains out of the dryer. I ripped out the hem, exposing a nice scalloped satin edge. I pinned one curtain to the blinds. Then I checked it from the outside and it seemed to do the job (allowing light and privacy). I ate some goat. (This is the goat that never eeeeends, it just goes on and on my frieeeeeeends....) I read e-mail. I folded the white laundry. I went for a walk on the trail for exercise, using the exercise stations for working my arms. When I got back, I realized that I was out of coconut water. I ran to the commissary and got five little juice boxes just before they closed. When I got home, it was getting dark. Denee texted me about needing cumin. So when she came over to get it, I had her look in the window to see if she could see in. She said she knew I was there, but couldn't tell how I was dressed so it was ok. And she liked the curtain. I went back to reading e-mail. I placed a Swanson's order and an Amazon order. I made a salad with lettuce, carrots and dandelion. I watched too many episodes of Scrubs. I took a break to look up all the actors thinking they looked familiar. But I guess it was just from having seen the show years ago. I did some yoga moves to stretch my hip flexors. I wrote my blog post and sent it to the internet before going to bed.

Jewelry Class

This morning when I realized the blower was off, and had just come back on, I knew that the power had been out. That meant it was later than I thought. I got up to check the time - almost 9. I got dressed and went out to water the plants, enjoying another day of sunshine. I pulled out errant mint. I used some of it to make mint tea. Then I sat in the sunshine on my couch to read e-mail. I read about the amazing results of an experiment exposing seeds to an electrostatic field, rendering the GMO process unnecessary as were pesticides and herbicides. The research was being done by a Swiss pharmaceutical company who patented the process and dropped the research in 1992. Look up Dr. Guido Ebner (now deceased). I did today's puzzle. I made up a batch of supplements for the next 10 days. I made and ate breakfast. I ran to class, but it hadn't started yet. We sat at tables with what looked like petri dishes of wet colored sand. But first we picked out our two project bases. Our choices included necklaces, bracelets, key chains and brooches. I chose two necklaces.

We were given convex forms which fit the bases. We 'painted' them with wet sand. Then we placed tiny chunks of colored glass on top of the wet sand. The ladies, who were artists from a museum, touched up our projects and then baked them in an extremely hot oven that looked like a bank safe. When the glass came out and cooled, the ladies filed away the sandy edges so they would fit in the bases. Then the glass went back into the oven. After it cooled again, we were allowed to glue it into the bases. I used colored glass chunks for both of mine, but some people used the milifiora glass (which looked like perler beads to me). Since there were bi-lingual people there, Myra went home to get the flyers we were given yesterday. One was for an event that was over at the same time class ended. The other was for an event next week. I took my projects and went home to be with Chris on his last day. But he was gone. I figured he was at the commissary but he was at work. I ate some of the goat. I read about yoga for insomnia and hot flashes. I read e-mail until I fell asleep. When I woke up, it was almost 5. Thinking the Nex closed at 5, I grabbed an apple to eat on the walk there. I saw Chris enter the commissary just as I was getting to the building. I went down to the Nex, looking for a small bottle of vodka for one of my essential oil experiments. The small bottles of straight vodka were sold out. I chose one of flavored vodka even though it was 4x the price. But at the checkout counter, I realized I did not have my ID or my wallet. I went to the commissary to get Chris but he had already left. I walked home and found Chris doing laundry. He said he had called me from the commissary but my phone was at home. We drove back to the Nex and got the cheapest large bottle of vodka. Actually it wasn't that much more than the tiny flavored one. I had something to eat. I read e-mail and articles on the lesser omentum. Does it actually DO anything? How can it not be working? When Chris was ready, we watched two episodes of House. Chris brought out his suitcase for the taxi at 4:30. Then he went to bed. I wrote to my blog and then joined him.
* Before and after the melting process *

Finally made it to Lotte Mart

When I got up and saw the sun shining, I got dressed and went out to water the plants. Then I came in, and ate some goat and some nuts. Then I sat on the couch where the sun came in the window, and read e-mail. At 11:15 I called Myra to see if I could borrow her yoga blocks. She said yes and she was ready to come with me. So I put on loose clothing and walked down to her place. I did not need a coat but I had a wrap in my bag. I put her blocks in my bag. Then we walked off base to the bus station. The bus arrived about 11:50, and dropped us off at the top of the hill around noon. We had half an hour before my appointment, so we wandered down the street. We saw a temple that I had never noticed before on any of the market days. Then at 12:30, I walked into the acupuncturist building. I was immediately taken to lie down on a heating pad with air pressure cuffs on my legs. The beds were set up in pairs, separated by a wall, but surrounded by a curtain on a track. There was no place for a friend to sit. The curtain was pulled shut and I enjoyed the leg massage. I had the yoga blocks under my thighs to support my back. When the machine shut off, the nurse removed the cuffs and the heating pad. I could hear the doctor talking to the patient in the next bed. Then he came to me, pushing his cart of needles and stuff. He picked up the paper that the nurse left on my bed. I am guessing it was a patient history form. He touched my head, my feet. He made figure 4's with each leg, several times. He put needles in my leg on the stomach meridian. He said it was the same at the large intestine meridian. He put needles in my stomach, one in my right arm and one below my right ear. Then he put one in the top of my head. He said lymph is very important for me. He told me my second omentum wasn't working. And he said to eat small meals through out the day, and no large meals. Since his English was limited, I don't know if he meant exactly what he said. I made a mental note to look up 'omentum'. He left me feeling like a pincushion. Since there was a needle in my right arm, I took pics with my left hand. After about 15 minutes, the nure came and removed the needles. She said something, but I don't know if she told me to leave now or to rest for awhile. Anyway, I got up, collected my stuff, put the blocks back in my bag. I went to the counter and she wrote 17,900 on a piece of paper. Less than $18! I paid and asked for another appointment. I pointed to next Friday. She had a sheet for that day but it was hard to tell whether she was pointing to 12 or 12:30. I said 'same time as today?' and she nodded. I am not sure we were communicating but I accepted it. I called Myra and went outside to wait for her. She took me to a second hand shop where she saw sheer curtains. They were embroidered. I paid $13 for the set. We looked at clothing which was mostly $5, but since tops were not on my list of stuff I need, I did not get any. We walked to a coffee shop which was filled with Korean pottery and some lovely framed art. The pictures were created with dried flowers and bark and herbs, etc. Really unique but not for sale. Then we walked to Lotte Mart. It wasn't as far as we thought. We looked around, found a bathroom and then had lunch - Myra's treat. Kimbap and soup for 2 for $5. Gotta love the prices here. We looked around the other floors and then walked back the way we came. We found a bus stop and got a ride back to base. I was tired from the acupuncture. I read e-mail until I fell asleep. When I woke up, it was dark. I made a salad for supper, but just then Chris called, asking me to meet him at the theatre for the magician/comedian. I grabbed a few bites of salad and put my coat on. I walked to the theatre. Chris was already there. We sat midsection for the show. Never sit up front for a magic show! Those who 'volunteered' to help with tricks were good sports. Especially Denee, who had to reach in a frozen chicken's butt to get an egg to get her $20 bill back. It was cold walking home. I made and ate breakfast. I checked e-mail. We watched two episodes of House. I spent far too long trying to look up actors who seemed familiar. Then I checked e-mail one last time and went to bed.
* That is a pretty good shot - considering I could not see it when I took it. *

I know an old lady who swallowed a goat

The sound of the heating unit did not bother me last night, so it was just the hot flashes that kept me awake. Or maybe digesting the goat. Anyway, I was already awake this morning when Chris got frisky... Then the hot flashes went away and he got ready for work. After he left, I was trying to think of reasons worth getting out of bed. It was the thought of the goat that did it. But I made myself drink a quart of water first. I tried to read e-mail, but Yahoo wasn't working on any of the computers. I put on some relaxing music and did today's Sudoku puzzle. By the time I finished, Yahoo was back up. I deleted e-mail, and saw one from my sister about the potholder. So I found the tutorial online and sent it to her. I ate some goat. I read more e-mail. I called Myra. Then I mowed our lawn and the lawn next door. I called Myra again. We agreed to meet at the gym after she got her flu shot. But when she called, she was at the Fun Run which was about to start. She wanted me to come, so I said yes. I was making a Swansons order. I tried to finish order, or at least get it all together. I was sorry to keep Myra waiting, but when I got there, everyone was waiting - all 5 of them. I was given to understand that this constitutes a good turn out. We started off running, but then I had to walk. So she ran ahead and came back. She met me on the trail. She still wanted to run, so she ran all the way back while I walked back a different way. I got there first, and drank some water while waiting. I went back to get her, thinking she was waiting for me but she wasn't far away. We got t-shirts and they took a pic of us with the lady who was in charge.
We went home to eat and shower. I made and ate breakfast. Chris came home for lunch. No mail. I finished the Swansons order and took a shower. I filled a small container with Epsom salts. I met Myra at the corner. We walked to the FFTC building. She went across the street to Medical to get her flu shot. I went upstairs to sign up and pay for the jewelry making class on Saturday. I met her at Medical. They offered me a flu shot but I declined. Then she went to sign up for the class while I walked out in town for my massage. There was a new lady today - Mrs. Wong. She did a good job and it did not hurt at any time. That was really nice. My watch fell apart while I was changing. The young desk clerk fixed it for me. I made an appointment for next week. I met Myra at what we call the junk shop. We wandered around looking and debating possibilities. I got two spray bottles. She got a coping saw. Back in the street, I looked for apples, but she said to buy them at the market near base. We walked back, passing the Chinese massage place. I had meant to go there, too, but did not want to ditch Myra. When we got to the near market, the apples were more expensive. I got some sprouts instead. Myra got tomatoes. We went back on base. We talked about going to the acupuncturist tomorrow. When we got to Myra's house, Kelly drove by. I gave her a container of lip balm. I went home. I was writing a to-do list when Chris called. He asked if a lady could stay with us during her visit because the motel on post was under renovation. I said yes. Then I called Jane to ask about how often the bus to Home Depot comes by. She said every 7 to 10 minutes (that hasn't been my experience). I did the Day 4 meditation with Oprah and Deepak. I made a big salad for supper and read e-mail. Chris came home and made himself supper. I researched diffusers on Amazon. I made mouthwash with essential oils and minerals. I did tomrrow's puzzle. Then we watched two episodes of House, but had to pause it 6 minutes before the end. Chris listened in on a group call for an hour. Then we finished the episode. I blogged and went to bed.
* 'Fun' and 'Run' should not be in the same sentence. But at least I got this shirt. *

My goat is cooked

I heard Chris get up for an early morning call, but I went back to sleep. Then I woke up again while he was showering. After he left for work, I got up. I drank the last two cups of water. I refilled the water pitchers. I sat down with two more cups of water and checked e-mail. I sent my tapping buddy a text to see if we were working together today. He said no, not for awhile. I wrote him a recommendation for his website and sent that. The sun was shining and I wanted to water the plants, but it was so cold outside. Chris had taken the recyclables out when he left. But I could see the magpies pecking the bags open. I went out to scare them away. I had to pick up trash that had blown around and re-bag my paper stuff. I came in to get warm. I ate seed crackers with hummus to use up the rest of the hummus. I also ate an apple. I looked for Christmas fabrics for class. I found some batting and threw it on the pile. I tried to call Myra but my phone was dead. I plugged it in to recharge. I cut some fabric to take to class. I washed up and changed clothes. I ran to sewing class. Several ladies were there, but Myra was not. Fortunately they had set up the room. Soon Myra came in. One lady worked on a simple potholder while others worked on the folded star potholder. They were all cutting at the same time so we ran out of rulers. Anna worked on a dress from the 50's. I wasn't sure how to help her. When someone needed an iron, I realized it was at home, so I ran home to get it. Chris was there. He told me that nothing came in the mail today. We discussed meat for supper and he put the goat leg in the oven even though it wasn't thawed out yet. I took the iron and ran back, forgetting to grab my phone, too. Some of the ladies stayed late so we did, too. I stopped at the Housing desk to ask about the blower in the heater in the bedroom. It was two by the time I got home. I could smell the goat meat cooking. I made and ate breakfast. I added another can of coconut milk to my probiotic brew. But it had solidified on the top and came out with a splattery thunk. There was coconut milk all over the floor, dishwasher, and countertop. I cleaned it up before eating breakfast. I adjusted the heater in the bedroom so the blower would stay on low all night. I fell asleep listening to an interview. When I woke up, I cleared the kitchen sink and ate lettuce. I put the spinach in water to perk up. I tried to catch up on Sudoku. I meditated, then did more Sudoku. I listened to an interview on migraines. I had a niacin flush and a hot flash at the same time. Chris came home just as I ran to sewing class. Myra and the two Korean ladies were there. Three other people came at various times. Stacy worked on her pumpkin. Suzanne and Hai Wha worked on the star potholder. Hai Wha's friend made a stuffed Christmas tree. I made a ironing pad for the iron that Mari donated. By the time we cleaned up, it was after 9. When I got home, Chris took the goat out of the oven. I cut off a leg bone. It was a good time to be a carnivore. We watched an episode of House. I finished today's Sudoku puzzle, blogged and went to bed.
* She is holding up her folded star potholder *

Cold windy weather

I got up about 8:30 after a long night: My thighs had hurt terribly. The heating system cycled from low to high and back what seemed like every 10 minutes. Finally I got to sleep, but got woken up by a hot flash. Then, only one leg hurt. I put a sock of rice in the microwave and took it to bed with me. I laid it on my leg and eventually went back to sleep.
When I awoke, the sun was shining. I immediately got dressed and went outside to water the plants. It was cold and windy, but I enjoyed the sun. None of the plants seemed worse for the colder temps last night, but some had blown over. I went inside to drink a quart of water and read e-mail. At 10 I called Myra who was getting ready to go to NEO at the gym. We decided to go together and work out afterward. I took all the Halloween toys and leftovers to her house. She put them with the ones from Saturday night in her closet for next year. Then we went to the gym. They asked for her ID and she had to go home to get it. I handed over mine. They asked if I had attended the training and I said yes. I offered to show my packet but they said they had seen it from Chris. I offered my passport, but they said they could get all the info they needed from my base ID. I went into the locker room to change for a workout. I got a locker because my passport was in my fanny pack and I wanted it locked up. I met Myra in the gym. She was finishing up checking in with NEO. We weighed ourselves in the locker room. I was 3 pounds lighter and she was one pound heavier than last week. Then we went to the weight rooms. We lifted weights, used machines, and did yoga stuff. I did planks, too. We were going to go to the treadmill, but decided to do the trail because of the sunshine. But it was cold out, so we went to Myra's place for her to get a heavier coat. She made some tea as we talked. She gave me some dried rosebuds that I might be able to use as coloring in my lip balm. We walked up to my house to drop off my folder and workout clothes. Then we walked up the mountain using the road to get more sun. We used the exercise station at the top of the hill, then walked back down. We went to the commissary. We ran into people that liked to talk. I picked up lemons, gelatin and Babybel cheeses (for the red wax). I scampered to the post office while Myra finished up. Then we checked out. She went to Security to get her car. She drove me home, leaving me with the bowl and basket, string and tape from Saturday night. I ate two of the cheeses, saving the wax. I made and ate breakfast while reading e-mail. I donated to Crop Walk to sponsor my sister. I checked the temp for over night and it was just above freezing. I reorganized the pictures on my new laptop because Chris had commented how unorganized the info on my old laptop was. I listened to a meditation. I ate a cucumber. I worked on an Amazon order for yoga blocks, cinnamon, and a new bulb for my HappyLight. (It is only half as happy with one bulb burnt out.) I don't know what the deal with cinnamon was. I tried to order the ground version but Amazon said it wasn't eligible for international shipping. Lucky for me, the powdered version was. But that made no sense.
Chris came home from work late. He ate supper quickly and then he showed me how to vote electronically. I voted. The referendums were practically unreadable, although I swear they were in English. Then we watched two episodes of House. Chris went to bed and I filled in holes in my blog so I could post and go to bed (after I collate the recyclables).
* Here I am at Jirisan mountain wearing my new scarf. *