Halloween

Nothing scary here. I spent the day working on my version of the class quilt. I have four options for the side triangles. Which one do you like? I also swept the apartment and boiled three dozen eggs. The new glass container I bought seems to leak, or at least isn't watertight. I had redbeet juice everywhere. I had to wash the kitchen rug. Ugg! I also cut PVC to make a shelving system for storing fabric. Now that I have the rungs made, I need some shelves. I can get them made at the arts and crafts center. I was able to make enough for one of the three partitions of the closet. For the other two, I wanted to buy the PVC over the internet. It is so expensive here. But who will ship PVC pipe? The t-joints are easily found and amazingly inexpensive. But they don't fit the pipe here because its metric. Chris and Michele played with the voices again today. And it rained, which seems to be a rare thing lately. But it was warm enough to wear shorts!

My other day off

Friday is my other day off to stay home and sew. Well, after finishing yesterdays blocks and making a set of 6 inch blocks today, I was at a good stopping point. I had a goal of 4 blocks a day and I have met that. I cleaned the stove, which was good since Chris came home just after lunch with leftovers from the office. When he went back, I went with him and he dropped me off at the Px. I wanted a glass storage container for pickled eggs. I don't trust plastic for that. Well, all I could find was a 2 quart measuring cup with a plastic lid. So I got it. I also got a pack of 220v lightbulbs. Then I caught the bus back to my gate. Chris came home early so we moved the cutting table in my sewing room to make room for the stacking cabinets I bought Wednesday. The vegetable man made his daily rounds and I went down to get some cherry tomatoes, bananas and persimmons. I took some of the recyclables down with me to drop them off. For supper I had office leftovers. Chris wasn't hungry and Michele wasn't home. I did a little straightening in my sewing room and ordered some supplements online. When Michele got home she told us there was a Halloween party on the third floor. I wanted to go but didn't have a costume.

Unfinished blocks

I spent the early morning working on my scrap blocks. Then I walked to the thrift shop. There weren't many books or other items to shelve, so I weeded through the software, CD games, etc and labeled the sections so people will buy them. I also marked a bunch of CD's down to $1 to make room for the ones in the back. At 2 I left and went home. I worked some more on my scrap blocks until it was time to go to quilt class. I didn't get there as early as I had hoped. But Cathy had just gotten there and the room was already set up. So all we had to do was bring in irons, cutting tools, and a few machines. At 8:30 we packed it all up and left. I drove home. I wanted to finish up the blocks but got sidetracked by the computer. Oh well. Maybe tomorrow.

Wednesday is SUPPOSED to be my day off...

Well, first of all I slept in a little, having made Chris' sandwich the night before. But I had to meet Chris at the gate at 9. I got up so late that I only had time to drink a protein shake before I left. He was there early of course. We went to the thrift shop to pick up the two cabinets. Then I drove him to work so I could have the car. I parked at Gate 19 and walked to a Korean office supply place. I investigated prices of colored paper which the thrift shop uses. I bought some small packs to see if they were the right thing. Then I went to Gate 17, to a little hardware store. I wanted to buy PVC but didn't have enough won. So I went looking for a bank. Not finding anything but an ATM, I asked a lady on the street. She pointed back the way I had come. With enough walking I did find a bank. I handed the teller a $20, and she asked for my passport number. I tried to explain that all I wanted was won, and I showed her all kinds of ID, but no. Finally she got one of the guards to walk me to an underground money exchange. It was a funny place to find one, but the rate was excellent! I went back to the hardware store. I got T joints, two 4 meter poles and a cutter. Well, trying to cut the poles in half with the tiny saw was almost impossible. I took it back inside and she sold me a hacksaw. It was still awkward, so she did it for me (lots of practice I guess). Then I took the poles and saw back to post. The gate guard did not blink an eyelash. Next stop - thrift shop. I brought them the paper and they were glad to see it, but still wanted bigger packages, which my shop did not have. Then I took Chris' car back to his office, spoke to him briefly, then left. His co-worker was just coming back from lunch so I spoke with her for awhile, too. Then I went to the DHL to cash a check and walked home. Actually along the way I stopped at the commissary to buy something in a glass jar. I wanted the jar for holding pickled eggs. But the only jar big enough was a pickle jar and, though it looked and felt like glass, it 'tapped' like plastic. Bummer! I'll just have to check the PX sometime to see what they've got in glass.
Back at the apartment, I checked out e-mail, then finished up the blocks I started yesterday. I was calculating the next block, but by then it was supper time. We had chicken and radish soup. (same radish, almost gone now) Michele came home upset at a bad grade she'd gotten. But later she was busily working on a costume for a Halloween party at the university tomorrow night.

Ah, fabric storage

Tuesday is thrift day. I did a little work first on my purple scrap quilt, then hung up and folded some laundry. AFter a shower, I was ready to go. I walked to the thrift shop, which was full of volunteers getting ready for tomorrow; although tomorrow is nothing but a regular open day. Book donations were light and I finished shelving all the books and DVD's and computer software. I still have a pile fo CD's that won't fit on the shelf until the other ones sell. Two white cabinets were donated today and I bought them for $8 each. Chris will help me get them tomorrow with the car. I hope they will fit in my closet, but if not, I am sure I will find a way to use them for fabric storage.
Returning home, I quickly ran through my e-mail, then went to my sewing room to cut squares. I am working on another set of blocks for my scrap quilt. I currently have all the squares cut and half-square triangles sewn for five blocks. The number of blocks now exceeds my design wall. Hmmm, what to do?

The class we were dying to take

This was our big day. I met Carina at the gate just before 9. We drove to Gate 19 where we met the other ladies who signed up to go. Not everyone showed up, but we left at 9:10. We took the subway to Sungshin station.
There we were met by a student from Sungshin University. She guided the nine of us to the campus, then to the room. The tables were set with large bowls of color, wet fabrics, and samples of the materials that they boiled to get those colors.
The professor dyed one sample in each color to demonstrate the process, then hung up the samples to dry. We were eager to try it ourselves. I did my first scarf green with a hint of yellow. Then next one I dyed purple, then tied knots in it and overdyed in red. The teacher gave me two dyed handkerchiefs as well. The president of the university stopped by to welcome us and tell us what high hopes he has for future classes with people from post. And there we were dressed in our worst clothes! After class we were invited to eat in the faculty lounge guest room. Fancy! Then we were given a tour of the university museum: one room showing arifacts from the lives of women long ago. In the picture you can see the colorful petticoat of an unmarried woman and the plain petticoat for after marriage.
The campus photographer took our picture with a statue of the founder. Then we walked back to the subway and came home. After clearing out my e-mail, I spent the rest of the afternoon and evening working on my scrap quilt. I finished the blocks from yesterday and made four more of a different kind today.

Sunday and sewing

Unfortunately we slept a little late this morning and just missed church. So I started ironing all the fabric I had washed yesterday. Much of it had dried, but a few pieces were still wet. Putting them away afterwards was a bear. I simply must have more room! Chris went to the commissary for groceries. Michele and I carried them up in the elevator. While checking my e-mail, Cathy called to ask if I would come over and help her finish longarming the quilt top she is teaching the class about. I didn't feel like spending the time to walk, so I drove. It is the first time I have driven to post. Luckily traffic wasn't bad. When the quilt was finished, I drove home. It occurred to me that I should have done some rotary cutting there, because I haven't the room here. There is fabric everywhere. I cleared a small area and cut squares for the scrap quilt. I wanted to cut 12 1/2 inch squares for the quilt class Cathy is giving, but need to be able to spread out a little more. I was finally able to cut enough squares of different fabrics to make four quilt blocks. Its hard to believe it is time for bed already. I didn't take any pics today, so here is another picture of fabric in Dongdaemun.

Tina's 50th Birthday

I got up early to meet Mary at GAte 19. I got Chris to drive me. She and I took the subway (which was fairly roomy at the time) to Dongdaemun. We went to the second floor first, where they sell drapery and upholstery fabrics. Well, they also had shiny glitzy stuff, too. I had to have some. She told me she machine washes all of her metallic purchases. You could have knocked me over with a feather! Anyway, then we went to the regular 5th floor place. I had to replace some fabrics that got used Thursday night. I also had a request for more of the Ro Gregg (Northcott) fabric. Then she wanted thread so we went down into the alley for that. She bought several bags of fabric so she was tired and we took a taxi back to the base. She drove me to Gate 52 (my gate is closed on weekends) and I walked to the apartment. I prepared all my latest fabric purchases to be washed. Some of the smaller cuts I washed in the sink. One of them bled badly so I soaked it in a high concentration of vinegar. The large pieces went into the washer with a ColorGuard sheet. That seems to take care of any bleeding problems. When it was all washed, it went into the dryer. I set my timer to allow me to take it out before it was completely dry. That makes for good ironing. But, it was time to leave for Tina's party, so I folded it damp, hoping it won't dry out before I can get back to it.

Chris drove me to the NAvy Club. I had two gift bags, each with a card and 2 yards of fabric in it. One had a piece of the Ro Gregg, the other had a piece of Tropical Twist, a London fabric. I wrote on one card, but the other was for MaryAnn to give to Tina. I got there a little early, in time to have MaryAnn sign her card and put our gifts on the gift table. Then Tina and her husband arrived. She was, as she put it, gobsmacked. She didn't guess about the party, but had been wondering why no one had teased her about turning 50, given her a present or a card, etc. I guess she thought all her friends had forgotten. Well, it was a well-attended party, there was a buffet and a cake with 50 candles on it. (I was afraid it needed asbestos frosting.) Although the invitation stated that presents were unnecessary, most did. But people started leaving before she opened them. Most had left when I stated that I wasn't leaving until every present was opened. She got jewelry, wine, tea, and fabric. Then the few of us left went home. It was just after 10. Still seemed early to me. Anyway, MaryAnn drove me to Gate 52 and I walked. All this walking is good for me, right? I got on my computer to clear out the lastest e-mails and adverts, and write to my blog. But Chris retired early so I went with him, promising myself to write in the morning.

Group order (like a group hug, only harder to calculate)

It's Friday and I get to stay home! Who-hoo! I thought I would get so much done. I cleared out my e-mail, then started in on my sewing room. I got a call from Cathy saying she was at the longarm and did I want to come over and help. Well, I did, but then Mr. Kim wanted to set up a meeting for the quilters on Nov 2nd, so I had to put that out to the group and put it on the calendar, which I have yet to do. Then I started getting e-mails about a group order I am putting together for rulers and stuff from Joann's because they are having a sale. Somehow that took all afternoon. I had to decide what I wanted to order so I could finalize it. They didn't have everything I wanted. (So now I have a Christmas list) Also got invited to go to Dongdaemun tomorrow. Well, why not? Dongdaemun hasn't seen me since Wednesday. So at 4 I put in the order to Joanns and use the online coupon that I thought was for 10% off the shipping, which was good since we were planning to split the shipping. But it took 10% off the total order instead. So I guess I have to recalculate everyone's order and then re-spit the shipping by percentage of total order cost. But, even though I am a mathematician and enjoy figuring things down to the last cent, I don't want to deal with loose change. Can I just charge each one a rounded dollar figure?
Chris came home late and made chicken for supper. It was SOOOO good. I walked down to the vegetable man and bought some more persimmons. I don't think I'd ever had one before I came here. But, oh, they are so soft and sweet. They look just like a tomato. Then I read a story on-line. Cute, but I don't feel like I need to rush out and buy the next installment.
Here is a picture I took in the thrift shop yesterday.

Quilt top class

I tried to read through all my e-mail before going to the thrift shop. I was mostly successful, but late. I walked to the shop. There weren't many books, so after I shelved them I worked on video tapes, CD's and DVD's. The only problem was finding the space to put them out. When I left, there were two large stacks of CD's checked and taped shut, waiting to go out on the shelf. So then I was expecting to stop by the South Post Post Office, a short walk away. But NO, they are closed on Thursdays! SO I had to walk to the Main Post Post Office. On the way I bumped into Cathy, who is teaching the class tonight. So we talked for quite a while. Then I finished my walk to the P.O., mailed the package, and walked back, all the way back home. Phew! It was after 4 and I was hungry. And tired. I laid down for a short while. Then Chris came home, bringing the latest Netflix mailing: The New World. It is a live (not animated) version of Pocohontas. Well, I couldn't finish it, I had to pack up my materials and fabric sets for the class. I carried the aforementioned across the pedestrian bridge to our car. Heavy stuff. Then drove to the chapel. Cathy was already there. We quickly set up as others arrived to help. Everyone had a good time cutting out the fabric peices. Some got as far as sewing. I was helping others and didn't even get to cut. Seeing all the rulers we brought, some want to buy their own. So now I am collecting names and sizes to put in a group order to Joanns. They are having an internet sale just now. I am really tired now and forgot to take any pictures at the class. So here is another picture I took of the jacket.

Another day at Dongdaemun

I had to be at Gate 19 by 9:10 so I didn't get much done this morning. I started walking at 8:30. Two thirds of the way there, Toniette drove by and gave me a lift. She was going to meet me there. Well, her daughter got sick and she made a DR. appt, so instead of going directly to Dongdaemun, she dropped me off at the Chosun while they saw the Dr. I bought silk yardage (which I have been meaning to do) but I also bought a red siil jacket. Didn't mean to, but it was so cute with a snowflake design embroidered on it. I also bought a Christmas present for Chris. Then Toniette picked me up, dropped her daughter off at home, and we drove to Dongdaemun. We spent hours picking out focus fabrics and trying to match them with other non-directional fabrics. I wanted to have sets to sell for the class tomorrow since a number of ladies can't make it to the fabric market in time. It took us so long that the fabric man took us to his secret stash to look there. But the way the rolls were piled, we couldn't see them very well. But we did find some that we liked. We took them back to his booth to find coordinating fabrics. FINALLY we made some decisions. I paid for it all and Toniette left, taking the fabric with her. I still had to look for some other stuff. Then Carina came, looking for fabric for the same project. So I helped her, then we both took the subway back to the base. We dropped by Toniette's house to pick up my fabric, then Carina drove me home. I had lunch (so hungry 'cause it was after 3), then started cutting the kits. I cut Toniette's first, which was good because she said I left some fabric in her car. So I took her kit to the gate and traded it for the fabric I left. I spent all evening trying to match fabrics to make kits that were just right. I even pulled from my stash. I hope people like them and I am not left with a bunch on hand.

Nisha's Party

I had intended to make some purple scrap blocks this morning before going to the thrift shop, but when pulling out my purples, I found a large print suitable for the class on Thursday. So I spent my time finding fabrics to go with it for the other blocks, setting triangles, and borders. Then I walked to the thrift shop. I got some CD's and DVD's and videos put up, but those sections are full and wouldn't take any more. Then we went into Itaewon. MaryAnn and I walked to Seoul Foreign Restaurant for Nisha's goodbye lunch. Its an Indian restaurant, and Nisha is the thrift shop's former manager. We had a wait of 20 minutes while the other ladies showed up. The restaurant provided flatbread and humus. When Nisha came, she thanked everyone and handed out small tokens to a number of people. Then the new management team presented her with gifts, too. The restaurant was waiting to serve the rest of the food. It was a spicy chicken dish, a spicy salad, and a yogurt sauce. For dessert they served us ?: little blocks of something sweet, nutty and flaky. The ladies said their goodbys and left, one by one. It was a touching farewell for someone so many people complained about.
Afterwards MaryAnn came to my place to finish her project from last weeks class. Then she helped me sign up OFFICIALLY as a volunteer on the army website so my volunteer hours can be tracked. She left around 7 and Chris had fishsticks waiting on the stove for me. I also ate a pile of eggwhite for extra protein. Then I retired to my sewing room to make purple blocks, but instead I found more large prints and tried to find coordinating fabrics. Why am I doing this? I have already settled on a set for myself.

A cold quilting monday

I got up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom and found Michele in the computer room. Scared the heck out of both of us. I thought I'd left the light on.
In the morning I noticed that she didn't get up, so I went in to check on her and she said she didn't have any classes today. So I guess she wasn't studying last night.
I carried an armload of stuff, including our group quilt to show off, to post. Pam picked me up and we went to the SPC. There was a 12 year old girl there to help. I think she is being homeschooled, so maybe this is part of her education? Not a lot of ladies showed up, mostly past members. But I brought three baby quilt tops and some others must have too, because we finished around 10 of them. We also made more packets of strips. Cathy trimmed the group quilt and made the binding. Everyone oohd and aahd over the quilting in it.
Our next class will be on thursday night. We will be making a quilt like the one in the picture. Several of us are going to Dongdaemun on Tuesday or Wednesday to buy the fabric. Two people can't go, but asked me to buy fabric for them. I am a little uncomfortable picking out fabric for other people.
I spent the afternoon and evening sorting fabric scraps and trying to get it organized. I also zigzagged strips of leftover batting together for future classes I might give. I cut some more strips (I have another idea for a rug) and contemplated making a video of me stripping (ha!), but such a video would need appropriate music to be truely funny.

Church picnic

Today was the church picnic. So I dressed for church while Chris dressed to grill. He drove us to the picnic site, then got out. I drove to church, but not the way I know. Some men were repaving the road and routed everyone through Embassy housing. I do not know that way, but driving around ended up at Burke towers, which I did know. So I did get to church. The sermon was about how we think sacrifices are outdated, but we still make them. Are we trying to impress God? After church I drove to the picnic site where the cooking of hotdogs, hamburgers and steaks were well under way. The day looked sunny but it was chilly. After lunch a recently married Korean couple in the choir opened their wedding gifts. I got some pics of that. Then we cleaned up and went to the commissary. I have been reading about the benefits of getting enough protein and it seems almost impossible to eat enough food to get enough protein.
So I bought cottage cheese, two dozen eggs, tuna, salmon, and a tub of whey protein powder. When I got home I figured up the cost per gram of protein and the winner is: the protein powder. Tuna came in second. Right now I have a loaf pan of egg whites cooking in the oven. It has been in there for hours. I hope it finishes soon so I can go to bed.
I forgot to mention that I made two baby quilt tops for tomorrow. I hope we get a lot of quilts done because it is our only day for charity quilts this month.

Completed Rug

Chris and Michele got up before 8 to play with the voices. I worked on the rug until I finished it, which was after lunch. I wanted Chris to drive me to post to run a few errands, but his game wasn't over yet (even thought the other players are in America and it was past bedtime for them). So finally I decided to walk. I had just enough time to get to the Chosun gift shop before they closed at 3. I wanted to look at the lastest silk shipment from Thailand. So I walked as fast as I could. When I got there with 10 minutes to spare, I found a sign saying they were closed due to a power outage. Humpf! Well, next stop was the Arts and Crafts Center. I asked for a shelf 18 by 23 3/4. He went into a room to pick out some wood and I selected a 1/4 plywood that I thought would hold fabric with only a little bowing. He cut for me, then sanded the edges, then wouldn't charge for it. Lucky me:) Next stop: South Post Chapel to see about getting a room for a Saturday class. Well, they were closed too, but not sure why. Chris drove up and we went to the PX for elastic and flaxseed (which was on sale for 50%!). We stopped by his office for some boxes (for me) and went home. I found myself alternately looking at e-mail on the computer and going into my sewing room to clean up, but every time I did, I started cutting little strips. But the rug is finished, so no more strips are needed. But I have scraps left. Arrgh!

Cuttin' a rug

It's Friday and I get to stay home. Not that I couldn't think of places to go, but I enjoyed not having to go anywhere. I spent the day cutting small strips to make a rug. I haven't finished it yet, but you can see from the picture that it takes A LOT of strips. But hey, I have been collecting scraps from my project and class projects for a year now. I have plenty. And it's free since the pieces would have been thrown away by anyone else. Soon I will have a rug for my laundry area. I wonder what it will look like after it is washed. If it turns out well, I will show it off at quilting to see if there is any interest in a rug-making class. It will have to be a long class.
A man came this afternoon to fix the dryer so the door will stay shut. Didn't take him 5 minutes, but then I was sewing so time could have passed without my noticing. I did take some breaks to check e-mail and do some Nurikabe puzzles that came in the mail. Michele spent the morning talking to the voices. Around three she left for college. Chris came home around 6 I think and made spaghetti for supper. We left it out for Michele, but she wasn't hungry when she got home. LAter, Chris was talking via SKYPE to a young lady that was in China who wanted to practice her English. The conversation kept getting dropped, so they finally settled on texting.

Beginning Quilt class

I got up early to make Chris a sandwich. Then he left. I worked on my e-mail, then Michele left for class. I looked up rag rugs on the internet, trying to find directions to the one Carol Duvall did on her HGTV show, but I couldn't find it. So I just started based on what I could remember. It uses lots of those little scraps leftover from quilting projects. Well, I got two rows done and it was time to go to the thrift shop. The books and videos were piled high. Mary Ann said it was the measure of how much they all loved me. Ha! I got a shopping cart and loaded it up for the trip to the book room. One of the other ladies brought me all the other boxes, so I could have them all at one time. It was a very good idea, as I saved time running back and forth. I did get them all shelved. Then my 2 o'clock appointment called and canceled so I had more time. Mary Ann and I collected two boxes of books for the SIWA bazaar. We pulled a lot of foreign language books because there will be people from all over the world attending. At three we all left. I walked home, arriving sweaty, so I took my clothes off so I could wear them later. When I had cooled down, I re-dressed, then went through three bags of fabrics to find those that were big enough for tonight's project. I also cut some batting and backings. Chris came home but realized that he'd left his ID card so he had to run back to get it. He took two bags of fabric with him to store in the car. After I completed my packing for the class I ate a hamburger and left. I found the car parked inside the gate. I drove it to the SPC and carried all the fabric and batting upstairs. No one was there, so I had to set up the ironing boards, and the tables and mats, rotary cutters, and sewing machines. As I was carrying in the mats, I noticed my shoulder seam showing. My shirt was on inside out! Chris never mentioned it. I ducked into the bathroom to turn it around. Soon ladies started arriving. I was busy from then on getting everyone to pick out their fabric, cut the strips, sew, press, match intersections, sew again, press again, etc. Some had never sewn before and I had to sit with them to get them comfortable with the machine, but they all did fine. We were not able to complete the project, but most went home with enough understanding to finish at home. Thankfully they all helped to pack up. Mary Ann stayed the lastest and walked me out. Her husband was waiting to take her home. I drove myself home and it went better this time. But now I am so tired I think I'll go to bed early.
Here is a better pic of our group quilt (because I forgot to take pics at the class tonight).

Block of the Month

I spent most of the day in my sewing room cleaning up. I had so much fabric added lately that it wouldn't fit in the closet and was all around the room. So I cleaned out a closet in the computer room and moved non-quilting fabric to it to make more room for the quilting weight cottons. It worked, though I am not sure I can shut the door. Also, I made my block-of the month as an example to show the new people.
Chris made the most wonderful hamburgers for supper and bought organic buns, just for me. After supper I watch a movie called Paperclips while binding a quilt. It is a good movie and factual. It's about a school's paperclip project to show how much 6 million is, the number of Jews killed by Hitler. They raise more than 6 million, but I don't want to spoil the ending.
Last night I was researching Vit K2 which is found in foie gras. That lead me to gravage, which is force feeding geese to make their livers large and fatty. How cruel! Tonight I was reading about telomerase activators. They lengthen telomeres, adding years to your life, or enabling the spread of cancer.

Radish, anyone?

Today was the AFSC October luncheon. Pam picked me up at my gate about 9:15. We went to the DHL. The pre-luncheon vendors were already set up. OF course we went to the fabric man. I bought a bunch of fabric, over $100 worth, but he only asked for $100. Then he threw in more for free. One of them I didn't care for, but another quilt group member was on hand to take it off my hands. Ha, ha. Having spent all my money, I went to the bank to restock. Then the luncheon started. We had a buffet line with salads, and brauts for Octoberfest. They had desserts too, but I successfully passed them up. After lunch they raffled off vendor donations (vendors are required to donate an item). Then we played Bingo. I didn't win anything, but the ladies on either side of me did. With a bag of fabric so heavy (40+ yards) who needs prizes? Pam drove me to my apartment complex because my bag was so heavy. I clipped all the corners, then washed and dried it in two loads. I timed the dryer so I could take it out while it was still slightly wet. It irons so much better that way. Our dryer door won't stay shut, so I had to prop a box against it.
Chris was home today and we took out the recyclables. While down there, the vegetable man came by. So we bought persimmons, bananas, cherry tomatoes and grapes. Oh, and lest I forget, a radish.

Columbus Day

Chris had off for Columbus Day but Michele did not. While she went off to college, Chris drove me to Gate 19 to meet Mary who wanted me to take her to Dongdaemun. So we took the subway there. She had a list of things she wanted. We wandered around on the 5th floors of several buildings, buying fabric and ribbon etc. We also looked at purple stones. Then we went downstairs to the basement where we got machine needles, a crochet hook, spools of thread, zippers, etc. She had so much fabric that we took a taxi back to Gate 19. Her car was there, so she drove me to my gate and I walked home. I had lunch, then answered e-mail. Again, I finished. Two days in a row! So I went into my sewing room and cut a bunch of charm squares. I assembled another charm panel. I then boiled a dozen eggs and placed them in pickled red beet joice. Chris and Michele had started watching Lord of the Rings, so I decided to join them. But instead of a couch, there was a huge pile of laundry. I started folding, knowing that there was a couch under there somewhere. Eventually I found it and sat to watch the rest of the movie.

Pastor Gene's birthday

We left early for church so that Chris could go by the office to get his electric shaver. He shaved in the car. Then we went to church. There was road construction and we were not sure we could get through, but we did. There were very few people at church and maybe that is why, or they were taking advantage of the long weekend. At any rate, the pastor talked about the book of Job and how bad events in your life do not mean you did something wrong. When we were reading from the back of the prayer book, one paragraph said we pray for people who died in communion. Gee, I thought we were safe in church! Chris and I were asked after passing the peace to pass the offering plate. Then after church, Chris counted the offering. Very few people in church! It was Pastor Gene's birthday and the choir brought him a cake. They also sang him a song (in Korean). We had fruit and kimbap for the after-church snack. Then Chris and I went to the commissary for food. We went home, put away the groceries and Chris started a large pot of cabbage soup. He also got a haircut (from me). He was all hands and I had to remind him not to mess with his barber.
Then Cathy called to see if I could help her finish longarming the Yongsan Quilters Quilt. SO Chris drove me over for that. We did finish. Yea! Nothing left to do but the binding. When I got home, we had the cabbage soup for supper. Then I finished my e-mail. This is a very RARE occurance, so I took some time to play my flute and my piano. Michele came over when she heard me playing tunes from Phantom of the Opera. We sang together.

My latest creation

It's Saturday! No need to get up early to get ready to go somewhere! The post had some activities related to Fall Festival, but we didn't go. I needed the day to clear out my e-mail and read all the attachments, etc. I took a break to make a recipe of mustard beans. While boiling the mixture of vinegar, brown sugar and mustard on the stove, Chris remarked that I seemed to be making his mother's ham glaze. So I wonder if I missed an ingredient. It didn't make enough liquid and I had to make another batch.
I also cleaned up my sewing room a little. Well, I did a lot of cleaning, but it only made a little difference. I machine sewed a binding on a baby quilt. The hand part still needs doing. That's a good TV project. I also finished the purse I started during the purse class. It turned out well. In fact, Michele said she kinda wanted it, that it was in her favorite colors. High praise indeed from a teenager.
We heard fireworks from our apartment, but couldn't see them. I think we should call the Seoul Planning Department and ask that the highrises along the river be taken down so we can see the fireworks display:)
Lately I have been taking a supplement of vitamin D3. It seems to be helping with weightloss. My body feels differently, and I THINK that's a good thing.

Our Official Quilt

That was Thursday, now for Friday. I slept in and forgot to make Chris a sandwich for his lunch. Thinking it was day off, I planned to catch up on my mountain of e-mail. But then Cathy called to ask if I could help her quilt the official Yongsan Quilter's Group quilt. It has been needing quilting since before I came to Korea, so of course I went. That was before lunch. Since it is a sampler quilt, we did a different design in each block. Then we had to do sashings and borders. After 7 hours, we decided to call it a day. The sashings were done, and some borders, but there are more, which we will do on Sunday. The back turned out beautifully. I was so tired when she dropped me off at my gate, that I wasn't sure I could climb the bridge and walk across. But I made it, and the five flights of stairs up to our apartment, too. I HAD to lay down then, but not for long, because I HAD to have supper too. I was hungry.
After that, I lay on the couch watching a DVD with Chris and Michele. Finally I forced myself to get some e-mail answered and to post to my blog to keep my readers happy. I am looking forward to going to bed.

The Purse class

Please excuse me for not posting yesterday. After the class I was so tired that I just went to bed. Here is how the day went (as best I can remember it):
I spent the early morning preparing for class and a private sewing lesson. Then I went to the thrift shop where (shock of shocks) there were no DVD's or CD's to be shelved! But plenty of books, (sigh). I got most of them shelved and I got a stool and straightened up the books on the top shelves, which normally I cannot reach well enough. There were only a few videos to shelve. Here is a pic of our exercise section. Then at 2 I walked to Lemcy's house for her lesson. I had one prepared, but she wanted to work on a quilt for a wedding present, and to make a wall-quilt inspired by a framed print. When I was finished, I started walking back, but stopped halfway to catch the bus since my shoes were chafing. When I got home, I had something to eat, then laid down briefly before finishing my prep for the purse class. Someone had donated denim, so I packed some of that and some lighter weight stuff for linings. When Chris came home he parked the car inside the gate and walked to the apt. So I carried my materials over the bridge and took the car to the South Post Chapel. I found all the tables and chairs set up and got worried that someone else was planning to use the room. But I ran down stairs to check and it was all ours. So I quickly set up the ironing boards and 5 machines. Then other quilt board members showed up to discuss fabric requirements for a donation quilt that the middle school asked for. During that, class members walked in and I tried to get each one started tracing the pattern. Too bad that I only had one. Each person took a table and, although I didn't count, I'd say that there were at least 12 tables, so it was a very good turnout. Time was short because we only had an hour and a half, it took them longer to do the steps than it would have taken me. But then I couldn't be at everyone's side at all times. Anyway, because the church secretary was taking the class, we got to stay a little longer. Yea! Most did not finish, but had only one step left. After the church was locked up, I sat in the car and called Chris to find out how to turn on the headlights. It's on the turn signal lever! So then I drove home. Yes, that meant driving OFF POST. It also meant making a u-turn, which I haven't done it years. And as it happened, the guy behind me made the same turn at almost the same time and I nearly hit him. But other than that, it went well. But I was so tired that I tried to stay awake and post to my blog, but ended up admitting defeat and going to bed.
P.S. Everyone was so happy to have the class that I must have racked up a lot of good karma. So now I can get away with something. Maybe pairing plaids and polka-dots? Wearing white shoes after Labor Day?

Dongdaemun and Namdaemun

This morning the plan was to take some ladies to Dongdaemun. I was at the gate early (thanks to Chris), but no one else was there. A nice older gentleman sat and talked to me until the post run bus came, which was 10 minutes after 9. By then I figured no one was coming, so I went by myself. This is actually the first time I have gone completely by myself. I had no trouble finding what I wanted and spending money. I got fabric for 4 pairs of pants, a number of jade beads in several colors, Coats and Clark thread (but it was expensive), and quilting fabric of course. By that time my won was gone so I had to go to the bank and exchange a $20. Then I had enough to go to Namdaemun and buy some shoes. I wanted a pair like the ones I wear everyday, but in black. Well, after searching high and low, I finally found the booth, but they said only winter shoes are available now. Major bummer. But I was able to buy some persimmons just outside the subway station there. I was so tired and carrying so much fabric that I developed a limp. But I made it back to base, and caught the post bus to my gate. When I got back (I took the elevator today) I ate one of the persimmons (the inside is as soft and sweet as applesauce) and laid down for a short nap. Then I got moving again, and washed and dried all that fabric. Some of the pieces were too small for the washing machine so I washed them by hand. I dry them by ironing them over the machine-dried ones. Gets the wrinkles out of both. Chris came home and we had leftovers and squash for supper. When Michele came home, she ate my leftovers from the Indian restaurant. Then I went back to ironing, at least until my phone rang. I am taking a break but must go back to the sewing room. I am giving a purse-making class tomorrow night and I must find time to make the pattern! I have plenty of other things to do tomorrow so I had better get it done tonight.

Our 19th anniversary

So, what does one do for their anniversary? Well, shopping and exercise were suggested to me. So this is what happened:
First we had breakfast and answered e-mail. I had to write a file of instructions for the Block of the Month and upload it to our yahoo group. Then we went to the post. Chris got won, while I looked for fiber and/or protein supplements without aspartame or stearic acid, or a number of other questionable additives. No luck. So I went to the PX and GNC. No luck there either. Then we went to Chris' office because he had to take care of one last thing, but it took awhile. Then we drove to Hyon's apartment where we sat and talked for awhile with her and her friend Linda. Then we all went in Hyon's car to a house on the outskirts of town. Beautiful back yard, and view of the city! We were there with several others to see a Korean martial arts demonstration called Soo Bahk Do. After the demonstration, we all participated in trying it out. After some more talking and snacks, we were driven back to Hyon's apt. She gave me a large bag of denim for the purse class. Then Chris and I drove home to change our clothes. We parked at the Itaewon gate and walked to THE MOGHUL, and Indian restaurant (for our anniversary). It was like a greenhouse, with the glass walls pulled back and the glass roof partly open. While enjoying our meal, we watched a man make nan (Indian flat bread) in a stone oven. He rolled out the dough into a large round, then used a larger flat stone to stick the dough onto the side of the oven. When he thought it was done, he pulled it out with tongs. I wish I had a picture of that, but didn't have a purse to match my dress so no camera.
When we got back Michele was watching CasaBlanca on TV. I got on my computer to answer more e-mails and send out a bunch of notices to the quilters yahoo group. Being president is time-consuming! Finally I have finished and am ready to go to bed.

First quilt meeting of the month

Today was the first Monday meeting of the quilt group for the month of October. SO, we didn't make any quilts for charity, we had a meeting and did Show and Tell instead. I demo'd the block of the month (Churndash) and handed each one a 4 1/2 inch square to match colors to. We also looked through magazines and shared ideas, and not only on the subject of quilting. The Pfaff dealer came and repaired several machines brought in by members. We packed up a little early after lunch.

Pam dropped me off at my gate. Michele was home when I arrived so it seemed like she hadn't left, when actually she left just after I did and had just returned when I got home. I got on my computer to check e-mail and follow links. Today the links to me to websites listing all the dangers of MSG and Aspartame. They are 'excitotoxins', my new word for the day. The least dangerous thing about Aspartame is that it blocks the chemical that tells your brain when you are full. Great diet aid, huh?
After supper, we all got on our computers. I checked all our food packages for MSG, but got confused by all the alternate names for it. Then I sent out an e-mail to all the quilters and would-be quilters to tell them what a wonderful time we had this morning (in case they missed it).

Normal Sunday

Chris got up around 8 to call his parents on SKYPE. Then we got ready for church and went. Traffic wasn't bad. We sat down and I realized that Nancy must be teaching Sunday school because she wasn't in church. She had asked me once if I would let her know when the sermon was over so she could wrap it up and bring the kids back. So I buzzed her on my cell phone after the sermon. Soon the kids filed in. But at the break, she told me she didn't have her phone with her so she didn't hear it. Good timing anyway. After church we had snacks. Hyon offered me some denim fabric and I thought it would be good for the purse class I am giving on Thursday. Then Chris and I went to the commissary for some food. We came home. One of the things I had for lunch was pickled onions I hadmade on Wednesday. Pretty good. Michele was on her computer and Chris got on his and I got on mine. I did a few things to get ready for quilting tomorrow but haven't yet gotten to the Block of the Month presentation.

Chusok

Chris and Michele got up before 8 to play another on-line role playing game with the same people as yesterday, aka 'the voices'. I spent the morning and part of the afternoon checking e-mail and listening to audio files (interviews) on the internet. I took some breaks to work on my quilt top. I am trying to choose just the right fabric for a border. I cut 4 strips out of one, but to center the pattern I would have to add to each strip, and the pattern repeat is large enough that to get what I need I would have to cut TWO more strips just for that. Then I would have to sew the new pieces on so that it looks like all one strip, then miter the corners so that the design meets itself exactly...its a lot of work, lots of chances to mess it up.
After Chris and Michele went to bed, I popped a DVD calle Coraline in the computer. They didn't want to watch it thinking it was creepy. But I didn't think it was that bad.

Chusok eve

Today is the day before Chusok (Korean Thanksgiving), so everything is closed pretty much. We all stayed home. Chris and Michele played an on-line game with 'the voices'. I checked e-mail, cleaned the kitchen and a little bit of both bathrooms. (I figured I had to clean while it was still manageable. If I had left it go any longer, I would have had to hire the A-Team, and they would have had to dismantle several F-16's to build a machine powerful enough to get the grime off of the stove.) Then I went back to my computer to listen to Monkee's music on Youtube. When Chris finished the game, we went over to Cathy's house so Chris could put her wireless computer system under password so no one else could access it. Then they took us out for dinner at Fuji's. Later we returned to their apt to watch "Forbidden Kingdom", a Jackie Chan movie. When we came home, Michele was taking her shower. So I stood outside the bathroom door so I could say "Boo" when she opened it. It's the simple things in life that make it worth living. Laughter is good for the soul. She went to bed, then Chris went, and now it is my turn.

First evening meeting

I woke up in the middle of the night with a burning pain in my left side. After tapping on it for an hour with no luck, I woke Chris and told him to take me somewhere for medical attention. He got on the internet to search for a way to get to a hospital. While he was doing that, the pain subsided, so we went back to bed. He got up in the morning and went to work, but I slept in until almost 9. Then I had breakfast, checked e-mail, then packed some rulers for a lesson. I walked to the thrift shop. We had a lot of audio cassettes donated, but Geri weeded them out for me. I mostly marked Dvd's, Cd's, and software for sale to make room for new ones. At 2, Lency picked me up. We went to her house for a quilt lesson. She was finishing a QOV top and I gave her another one to work on. Then we drove by Chris' car to pick up an ironing board that I am lending her. She drove me to my gate and I walked home. I had a snack and started brainstorming about what I should have planned for the first evening meeting (tonight). I decided to have a charm square cutting session to introduce rotary cutting to beginners. Chris came home and warmed up leftovers. AFter supper, I walked onto post with my fabric, magazines and clipboard. I didn't make it by 6:30. But there were men in our room anyway. Seems they have been meeting there regularly, but the church gave us their room. Well, they left early. Annette and I shared our blue fabrics and she had an easy pattern. We decided to use blue and white with it for the quilt that the middle school requested.
Then ladies started arriving for the first meeting (not the board meeting which we just had). I took e-mail addresses since some ladies had come on the advice of others. Then I asked what they wanted out of our meetings and everyone wanted to learn more. SO we scheduled more classes. Then we cut charm squares until I realized that it was 8:30 and we had to pack up NOW. Wow, with eveyone helping, we were packed and out in no time! Cathy J gave me a ride back to my apartment, traffic being slow. I spent the rest of the evening on my computer, as did Chris and Michele.