What to do with leafy greens

Thankfully we got up in time to get to church before it started. One couple brought their three young kids to be baptized. The kids were so eager that it was heart-warming. I was tempted to take pictures but resisted in case it was not appropriate. After the service, Nancy and I talked while Chris and Rick talked, for almost an hour. Then we went to the commissary. Along with the usual groceries I got a nice bunch of kale. I wanted to try a new recipe for the quilt meeting tomorrow. The recipe was on my computer but I kept getting side-tracked by e-mail. Around 4 Chris and Michele went to see a movie. I stayed home for some 'alone' time. I did some vaccuuming, exercising, and tapping. When they got back we had a beef and vegetable stew for supper. I finally had to google 'Kale Chips" to get the recipe. It is recommended that the kale be very dry, like from a salad spinner. Well, I didn't have one, so I put the kale in a colander and spun around. I only succeeded in getting making myself dizzy. So I shook it instead. When I got tired of the shaking, I spread half of the pieces out on a small cookie sheet and poured olive oil on them. I put them in the oven for 11 minutes, then took them out and sprinkled them with a little salt. They were crispy and actually tasty. Another recipe called for apple cider vinegar as well, so the second half got tossed with the vinegar and oil before baking. Those were even better. Hmmm, what other unsuspecting veggies might I use? I found some spinach in the fridge so in the oven it went. This time I also sprinkled some parmesan cheese over it. Although it wasn't as crisp, it was just as tasty.

A walk in good weather

Because Chris didn't get up early to go to work, I didn't wake up either, although I did hear him get up to play with the voices. I spent the morning listening to interviews and clearing out e-mail. After lunch, when the voices were finished, Chris and I drove to Gate 19 and walked to E-Mart to buy kimchi. It was a great day for walking. I was a little cold because I had been eating frozen blueberries. But by the time we got to E-Mart, I was fine. When I buy bulk kimchi they usually throw in something for free. Once it was a bottle of oil, this time it was a box marked 'spices' which turned out to contain half a dozen small pepper shakers. It was kind of funny because Chris doesn't like the flavor of black pepper. After we got back I took my 'new' sewing machine apart to fix the stitch-width control lever. It was an easy fix but getting the machine apart and back together was harder. It also has a problem with the presser foot not wanting to stay in the 'up' position, but I think fixing that requires a new part. Tension is also a problem. That disc may not be assembled correctly.
Chris fixed chicken and rice for supper and then we watched another Hornblower movie. Michele spent the afternoon doing the laundry. I guess we will fold it tomorrow. I still haven't heard all the interviews and many of them expire after 24 hours. But it is after midnight now and I just want to go to bed.

Sungshin folks come to Yongsan

When I got up, I took the new loaf of bread out of the machine, cut off two slices, and made Chris' sandwich. I treated myself to a Mozart session, deciding to make a new one with a longer track. I checked e-mail before having breakfast and discovered that Cathy was sick and needed my help. So I called her and agreed to meet her at 9:15 and to bring bread (which she was going to bring). I breakfasted and showered, then cut up my new loaf into half slices. I walked over to post, and drove the car to the AnC center to help Cathy take one quilt off and load another for demonstration purposes. While loading, we discovered flyers from the AnC center offering 2 hour edge-to-edge training sessions on the longarm for $50. I was floored because they had been so vocal about restricting use of the machine because if it broke, they couldn't fix it. Now anyone can sign up for lessons and use it on Sundays when there is no supervision? I don't get it.
Anyway, we had barely got the quilt loaded and basted when the Sungshin group showed up. Cathy was feeling better and she did a wonderful demo. Our visitors seemed impressed. Then the garrison people took them for a tour of the base. I quickly drove over to SPC to drop off the bread and see about setting up. But it was beautifully set up. Toniette asked about the group scrapbook and I had forgotten it. So I called Michele and she brought it to the gate. I drove as quickly over there as I could but traffic was slow. So I took a different route back. Luckily I did make it before the visitors showed up. We had to entertain them for half an hour until Col. Hall showed up. We explained QOV and Stork's Nest quilts. We showed them our personal quilts too. Col. Hall came then and spoke the requisite pleasantries. He handed each of them a coin (special thing). We sang "Happy Birthday" to him, and then he had to go to a party. But he came back to give us quilters each a special coin too. We treated our visitors to a carry-in lunch. We had gifts for them and they had gifts for us. They gave us a pen that is also a highlighter, Korean rice treats, and ties. After they left, we cleaned up and went home. I put the bread and bean salad in the fridge, then got some real food to fill up on. I cleared e-mail and laid down for awhile. I tried to read some more of the brain book, but kept thinking of e-mails I needed to send. Chris came home and fixed leftovers. We ate supper and watched a Hornblower movie and "The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill" from Netflix. Those birds were SO cute! Then I listened to a few more audios. Some very interesting ones are under Philosopher's Notes on youtube. He gives a 10 minute synopsis of a self-help book in each one.

Working in the dark

I got up early to make the sandwich, then went into the computer room for another Mozart session. But this one wasn't as good, because the track was short, so it kept cycling over and over for 50 minutes. I was quite tired of it by the end. But then I slept pretty well, until after 10. I went through my usual routine, and didn't get to the thrift shop until 12:30. I didn't mind being late because there would be more books to shelve. But there were very few, so Ella put me on cleaning detail. We were getting new shelving and it needed to be cleaned. Then the power went out. But we stayed and cleaned and put up shelves, and arranged shoes on them. Around 3:30 we packed up. I bought a book and 3 glass bowls (so I would have one for bean salad tomorrow). I dropped Ella's son off at the commissary, and parked at my gate. It is nice to have a car that runs. At home, I got on my computer to clear out e-mail and follow links. Then Chris came home. While he started supper I washed and packed one of the bowls, along with a can opener and two cans of bean salad. I grabbed all my stuff, and headed out for Chris's car. I took it to the SPC. In the kitchen I opened the cans, poured the contents into the bowl and covered it with plastic wrap. I put it in the fridge for tomorrow. Then I started setting up for class. Toniette came and helped, even though she couldn't stay. She made 10 red, white and blue rail fence blocks and quilted them. Several ladies came to class just to finish them off with binding. Cathy bought white mugs and chocolate and wove bookmarks. Deb brought wrapping plastic and ribbon. We made these items into little thank-you gifts for tomorrow. Melanie taught paper-piecing again. This time she was well-supplied with projects in progress to show each and every step. I think more people finished this time and took extra copies home to do another one. Everyone helped to clean up. I drove home and parked in my favorite spot. But it was so tight that I couldn't get out of the car. So I had to park somewhere else. I am really proud of myself for being able to back into such a tight space. Then I went to the apt to have supper. Bulgogi meat with crushed tomatoes and garlic. Mmmmm. I had more e-mails to clear. Some involve listening to interviews. There are 4 a day this week, and it is just too much to hear them all. One link taught me that wooden buildings are safest in an earthquake. If you are in bed, just roll off. There is usually a safe zone around the bed. Finally I went to make Chris' PBnJ but the bread was too short so I started another loaf.

A new addition to the family

I got up early to get Chris' sandwich only to discover that I had put it in his backpack already instead of in the fridge. So I went to have another Neuro session, this time with Mozart! I still did not want to get up. I tried some exercise to get the blood racing, but still felt like going back to bed. Then I had breakfast, which helped. I went through the night's e-mail. I cleared everything off of the table so I could wash the tablecloth. (There was a LOT on the table). I washed some other fabrics, too. While waiting for them to wash and dry, I listened to some more interviews with self-help experts. Michele went to post to meet Chris and they got money from the bank, walked in to Itaewon to exchange it for won, then went to a Korean bank to deposit it in an account for the university. On the way back they stopped for lunch (but didn't bring me anything).
I got a call from MaryAnn at the thrift shop. Someone had donated a sewing machine that didn't work, so she was to give it to charity and wanted me to come get it. I guess I am her favorite charity. So after I got the fabrics out of the dryer and ironed some of them, and re-dressed the table, I had some leftover soup. Then I headed to post where my car was sitting. I was hoping that since it was such a nice day, the car would start. But no, it needed a jump. So I called Chris, but he was busy, and I called a friend, but her car was incompatible. Just then a nice young man drove up and I asked him for a jump. He did, and then I drove around post for a while to pump up my battery. In doing so I drove by Chris' office and toyed with the idea of switching cars, leaving him the car with the bad battery. (MaryAnn said she would have.) I ended up at the thrift shop. She showed me the machine and I put it in my car. Since there were books piled up, I decided to stay for awhile and shelve. But that didn't take very long. I did a little shelve-reading, and straightening up. I helped AnneMarie prepare clothes to be priced. At 5 I checked my car to make sure it would start. Then called Chris to have him come pick up the machine. Hey, if he carries it home, he will take it up to the apt for me whereas I would have to walk it over the bridge from where I park my car. And God bless him, he did. I must mention that MaryAnn asked me why I didn't come yesterday. I told her that I had gone to bed with a headache and woken up with a headache so I stayed home. She told me I should have kicked him out of bed. Ha, ha. It was funny but not nice to Chris. Well, when he came by, she told it to HIM. I am glad my husband has a sense of humor. I worked until 6, then went home, parking on post by the gate. When I got home, Chris and Michele were watching a movie on TV. They werent' hungry so I had to make my OWN supper. (You can write messages of sympathy in the comment section). I made a BIG salad, enough for the rest of the week. I ate salad, an avocado, and some frozen cherries. We got some books in the mail and I started reading the first one: "Making a Good Brain Great". I only got through the first chapter though. Then it was time to take one last dash through the e-mail and post to my blog.

Have a headache? Read a book.

I had a hard time sleeping last night because of the headache. I have never liked taking medicine, so I didn't. Instead I thought of all the blessings I have in my life and eventually I did sleep. Because I made the sandwich before going to bed, in the morning I just got it out of the fridge and put it in his backpack. Then I went into the computer room. I found a Neuro session for headaches and listened to it. But no joy, so I tried another one. The headache stayed with me, so I didn't go anywhere. Instead I finished reading "The Lost Symbol" by Dan Brown. It was like going on vacation. I was transported into another life for the day. And it took my mind off of the pain. When I finished, I read through my e-mail and listed to some audios. I learned that some people increase their nerve strength by alternating their shower between hot and cold. This makes them less sensitive to extremes in outside temperatures. Sounds like a good way to ruin a relaxing shower. Then Chris wanted to use my computer for awhile. I salved the trauma of being separated from my computer by sewing strips for friendship blocks. I ran out of bobbin thread, so I wound 5 more. I learned that trick from Tina. Keeps me from having to wind bobbins all the time. My last act is to preview a new session using Mozart music as the backgound.
I didn't take any pics today so here is one of the parking garage, just FYI.

A quilt for Faithlift

I got up with Chris to make his sandwich, then went into the computer room to experience my latest Neuroprogrammer session. It put me to sleep and when I awoke, it was 8:30. I quickly showered and breakfasted, collected my stuff for our weekly quilt meeting and rushed over to post. Pam drove up as I showed my ID to the guard. Perfect timing. She drove us to the SPC, where Cathy S was waiting. We set up for sewing friendship blocks. When a fair number of ladies had arrived, Cathy spoke to the group about the Sungshin U people coming on Friday. We put together a list of foods for a carry-in meal, and an itinerary. Then Poncie spoke to the group about logging their volunteer hours. Finally I got to demonstrate how to make the blocks. While several ladies worked on that, I grabbed a piece of orange fabric from the closet to make a backing for the animal quilt top. Hannah saw it and told me she'd bought some and it washed very badly. So I decided to take it home and wash it before using it. It was so starched it had a plasticy feel to it. We took a break for lunch, then Toniette and I tried to find appropriate backings for several other QOV tops as well. The others packed up and left while we were doing that. Then she gave me a ride to my gate. I walked home slowly, enjoying the 50+ temperature. Back at the apartment, I had some real food and got on my computer. There were three new audios to listen to and I heard them all. Chris made twice baked potatoes for supper and put on another Hornblower movie. I watched the movie, then went back to my computer, only to find out that my Yahoo server is down again. So I sat on the couch to read a book called "The Lost Symbol" by Dan Brown. When I started to get a headache, I posted to my blog and went to bed.

Ready for tomorrow

Although Chris set the alarm at my request, we still got up late. I was up so late last night that I had trouble getting up this morning. We walked into church 5 minutes late, but at least we were there. During the passing of the peace we were asked to collect the offering. While I was passing the plate, a part of me wanted to say 'Thank You' as people put money in the plate. But another part said 'Stop that, that's not how its done.' Interesting. Anyway, after church they served fruit and baked goods. I only had the fruit of course. Chris spent a long time talking to Rick so I hung out with Nancy. We learned that Korea now has a 50% divorce rate. Gee, did they get that from us? When we left the church we went to the commissary to buy fruit, veggies, cilantro, and bulgogi meat. You know, from wild bulgogi's. Bwa ha ha ha ha ha ha! Actually it is a way of cutting beef.
At the apt, we put our groceries away. Chris fixed another large pot of bean and ham soup using a bag of beans that we started soaking yesterday. He and Michele spent the afternoon on their laptops, watching Hornblower movies on TV and doing loads of laundry. I cleared e-mail and did some cleaning. (Artificial trees drop needles, too). As the daylight waned, I got very anxious, like I couldn't face the dark. I know I see better, think better and feel better during daytime, but this was the first time I felt so strongly about it. I was literally in tears and poor Chris didn't know what to do. I have to wonder about my mental health. So I sat in his lap for awhile, then went into my sewing room (hey, cures everything) and got samples ready for the project tomorrow - making friendship blocks.

Goodbye, Tannenbaum

I slept pretty well last night during and after listening to my new CD. I was happy to see that my e-mail was back up, but it was also backed up. I had to take a few breaks from checking e-mail during the day. Most of it was inconsequential. However, I did learn that my uncle who had cancer is now on the miracle list. With the help of his daughter he has greatly improved his diet to include whole fresh foods, flaxseeds, etc. I also checked out two bags of fabric donated by a lady from church. It seems to be mostly decorator fabrics. In the late afternoon we went to see a movie called "Planet 51". Then we came home and watched "Galaxy Quest", again. At least we get our money's worth out of the movies we own. Then, while Chris was talking to Chinese people practicing their English over the computer, I finally undressed the Christmas tree and put it away. It was sad moment for me because I just love a lit tree. After Chris and Michele went to bed, I came back to the computer to finish up the e-mail and write this blog. I found links to videos warning the viewer that laws have been enacted that protect drug companies from liability from the side-effects of their vaccines. Only a few states have laws guaranteeing the right to refuse vaccines. It is alarming the direction this is taking. If anyone wants the links, let me know.

Too sick to go to Dongdaemun?!?!?!?

I totally overslept and did not hear Chris take his shower. When I awoke, it was after 8. I wanted to join Debi and Hannah going to Dongdaemun, but didn't have time to get ready and travel over there. I wasn't feeling that great either, so I called Debi and asked her to pick up the fabric for me. Cathy S. called about hosting a group from Sungshin next week. Chris e-mailed Michele and I an invitation for lunch at the MND cafeteria. Michele called to accept and he asked her to bring the savings bonds, signed. Well, there was close to a hundred of them in my name (Thanks, Dad) and it took the entire hour before lunch to sign and address them, and I still didn't finish addressing the last 18. I guess they stopped at the bank to make a deposit to pay for next semester. I spent most of the day on e-mail trying to clear out audios and keep up with quilt group business. After supper I was clearing a lot of old messages out and my Yahoo account went down, so I went into my sewing room to make a foot warmer out of leftover batting strips and flannel. Yahoo still hadn't fixed the problem when I was finished, so I went into the Neuroprogrammer software and created an alpha session to be followed by a theta session, and burned them on a Cd to listen to at night. I had to get Chris to record one of the affirmations because my voice wouldn't do the job. "I feel good" said in a hoarse, raspy voice is not very convincing.
After drinking my nightly glass of fiber and brushing my teeth, I soaked all my toothbrushes in hot water to sanitize them for tomorrow. I use each one once, and clean them for the next day, but only when I have a cold, like now. I can't believe I am sick considering how healthy I eat and all the supplements I take for antioxidant support, etc.
Here is a pic from the class last night.

Long night, full day

I did not get up with Chris this morning. I had a hard time sleeping last night due to congestion. It is hard to overrate the importance of breathing. My parents got me addicted to it when I was very young. So Chris made his own sandwich.
Later I got up to do a theta session and check e-mail. Then I left for the thrift shop. I tried to take the car, but it wouldn't start. SO I called Chris, but he didn't answer. Then I called Mary Ann, but the phone died. When I saw the bus go by, I grabbed my stuff (more cleaners and such) and raced to the bus stop. In the process I locked my keys in the car and dropped my glove. I was able to catch the bus. At the thrift shop I did the usual things. Mary Ann came in to consign some items, then she drove me to the ACS building to fix Ralu as our POC. But it isn't that easy. I have to have her e-mail Regenia who will e-mail back an invitation, etc. Then Mary Ann and I went to my house where we joked around some more until Chris got home. He entertained her with stories until I finished gathering materials for class. She and I left together. She went to pick up her husband and I went to the SPC. I started setting up for class. By 6:25 no one had arrived and I was worried. Then everyone but the lady who was supposed to teach arrived. I called Chris to get her number, and she walked in while I was calling it. She had been told class starts at 7. She was very professional, and well prepared. Paper-piecing is confusing and only one person was able to finish the kimono block. I had grabbed a bag of fabrics to use, but they were not what the teacher wanted. So I pulled out my personal selections and put them on the table for the class to use. It was tough to part with because some of it was from Tokyo. Anyway, the class went well, and she agreed to come back next week to help everyone finish. I brought most of the rulers from the last Jo-anns order and sold them all. Later, at home, I had more e-mail to sort through. I also made a loaf of bread so there will be some for tomorrow morning. Here is a picture of a quilt one of the students made after taking a previous class. I am so proud of her.

Home sick

Firefox speaks Korean! Yes, now let me explain. Since my winsock file got corrupted AGAIN, even though I was avoiding Yahoo as much as possible, I decided to use Mozilla instead of Internet Explorer. But Mozilla is now Firefox so I downloaded that. Whereas in IE my blog comes up in little squares, in Firefox it actually has the Korean characters. So what if I still don't read Korean. It's cool.
So once again, I made Chris' sandwich, then went into the computer room for a theta session. I didn't feel too well, runny nose and such, so I stayed home - not that there was anywhere to go. I answered e-mail and checked out links. I suppose I should have written down what I learned because now I can't remember. I listened to a couple of videos, and watched a movie from Netflix. "Almost Famous". It was entertaining, but not for the younger crowd. Trying to cure myself, I did the baking soda regime (glass of water and baking soda every two hours). I took extra antioxidants. I tried to make myself sweat, but couldn't, strangely. I tried jogging in place, wearing heavy clothes under all the bedcovers, drinking hot tea, and putting chili powder on my supper. Guess I'm just too cool. In the mail was my newest vitamin order, including a very strong vitamin C. So I took that, too. Oh, and non-flouride toothpaste. I like it.
Lastly, I finished the e-book "The Emotion Code". I even tried it out. But I don't feel any differently.
Because I didn't take any pics today, here is one from the quilt show.

Here they are!

I got up when Chris took his shower to make him a sandwich. Then I laid down in the computer room to listen to a theta session. When I got up, the room was bright with daylight. I did some abbreviated exercises and had breakfast. I ordered more rulers from Joanns before their sale ended. I felt a little sick, but got ready and went to the thrift shop. I have lost three days already and I need to catch up. I took a can of nuts and some seaweed for lunch. I offered to share with the other volunteers, but they declined. I spent 5.5 hours shelving books, videos, Dvd, etc, and re-shelving the ones that were in the wrong place. (If you want something done right, do it yourself (and don't let the customers touch it)). There was a sewing machine there that someone had bought and returned saying some of the fancy stitches didn't work. Of course I had to take a look and make my own assessment. Too bad that I didn't have my screwdriver. I think the only problem was with the stitchwidth lever. One of the other volunteers was interested in it, and I told her to make the consignor an offer. Then I talked her into joining the quilt group. Finally at 4 Ella (the manager) closed the store and drove me to my gate. I walked home without the beer dispenser and cleaners that I had brought. They were left to us by the guy we bought the car from. So I left them at the thrift shop. At home, I started clearing e-mail, being careful not to spend much time on Yahoo. It is correlated with the corruption of my winsock catalog. I haven't had to re-start in three days, but then at 11pm it happened again. Darn applets! I laid down after supper to rest, but then got up again and finished the exchange blocks. I laid them out on the floor and took a picture. I want to post the pic for the quilt group to see, but since some of them think an April due date is too soon, it might be seen as showing off.

President's Day

Being a holiday, Chris stayed home. I did my exercises, then weighed myself, hoping I hadn't gained any weight. In fact, I lost weight: maybe 3 pounds? (hard to see that far). Maybe I lost them from my eyes. Well, I read somewhere that having a little coconut oil with every meal helps one lose weight. I just didn't believe it.
I cleared current e-mail, then went to my sewing room to spend hours cutting and sewing strips to make blocks. When I went back to the computer, I cleared a bunch of past e-mails. I am down to 1800 from 2200. Pretty good, huh? One of the e-mails I got was from a lady who plans to move here soon. She wants to join the SCA here in Seoul. She even sent me the link. Who knew there was one here?
Chris made chicken and rice for supper, but I had the leftover vegetable soup and some stir-fried broccoli. Mmmmm. I worked on the blocks until I had completed 16. To press the strips straight, I had to draw a line on my ironing board. I am thinking that a gridded ironing board cover might be a good investment.
I didn't take any pics today, so here is one from Tokyo.

Valentines Day

First of all, we missed church because we were having a private celebration of the day. Then after a shower, I presented Chris and Michele each with a heart-shaped tin of chocolates. Chris gave me a card he'd written lovely things in. The day included washing sheets, preparing vegetables and making a ham, bean and vegetable soup. While it was cooking, we went to the commissary for cilanto and a few other things. Cilantro is good for clearing toxins from your body.
I was reading an e-book called the Emotion Code or something like that. I haven't finished it, but it involves rolling a magnet from your lip, up over your head, and down your spine to clear stuck emotion.
At 5:30 we went to the base theatre to see AVATAR. Well, the projector broke and we waited over an hour for the movie to start. What was really odd was that it was showing in another threatre across the hall, and that one broke too. So they all came in with us. It was a long movie, too, so a LOT of sitting was involved. But it was interesting, and really kept my attention. And my friend Helen wants to see the movie, so she and I are going again tomorrow. There is a movie called "Valentine's Day" that is showing next week. Ha.

Is this a block?

I think it snowed overnight because there was more snow on the ground. I spent the morning on e-mail. I also packed up the 46 pillowcases in 2 grocery bags and put in two rulers. The quilt I made for April and Neal's baby got packed in a box and labeled. Then after lunch Sarah called to meet me at the 7-Eleven. I took the pillowcases and rulers to her there. Walking on the black ice was tricky. She offered to wash and bag them so they can be sent to the conkerrcancer address. She also bought two of the rulers I ordered for the group. I made the mistake of posting it on the list, and got more replies than I have rulers. So, since Joanns is running a sale, I will order more. Too bad it takes a month and half for the order to arrive. After that, I tried to come up with a blue and yellow block that reminds me of Korea. It is for the block exchange. Kimchi reminds me of Korea, but not in blue and yellow. Frankly I think of the cement wall with barbed wire on top, but it doesn't look right in blue and yellow either. So, my idea (for right now) is to sew strips of fabric together like bolts of fabric in Dongdaemun. See pic. But is this a real block? Will it go with all the others? At least it is simple and quick. Then again, as a woman, I have the right to change my mind (and make it more complicated).

Sharing the fabric

It snowed again today, but most of it didn't last. I spent the morning making a package of block exchange fabric for Ralu who lives in the states now. I also made a different package for Kay to thank her for keeping my fabric safe. Then I loaded up the packages and walked to post. I tried to start the car parked inside the gate, but it was a no-go. So I called Chris to come over and jump it. While waiting I opened the hood and got out the jumper cables. There was a lady parked near me sitting in her idling van eating a burger. When she finished, she offered to jump my car. I am uncertain of the process and wasn't sure she knew it either. She seemed completely unconcerned about letting the postive and negative handles touch after connecting to my battery. Well, there wasn't much she could do to hurt my battery, but I have heard stories of electrical systems ruined by jumping someone's car and didn't want anything to happen to hers. But I let her do it, and Chris drove up as my car started. He then followed me to the post office where he gave me his key so I could leave it running and lock it. So it ran the whole time I was in there. And I was in awhile because the lady said it would be cheaper to re-package the fabrics in flat-rate boxes. So ok. Then I went to the ATM, but that was short. Then I drove to Toniette's house to pick up the yellow fabric I asked her to get, turning off the car. It seems when I bought fabric for the group exchange project, I forgot to buy enough for me too. I stayed for while and we talked, She showed me her fabric closet. Then I went to the commissary (again, turning off the car), only to find that everyone else had the same idea. I guess snow does that to people. I bought the fixings for 3 batches of bean soup. Just in case. I parked in the lot by the gate, and grabbed all the groceries and walked them home. I didn't realize until later that I intended to go to the ACS building but forgot. I had a few e-mails to clear out and was listening to an interview with Symeon Rodger when Chris came home and needed my attention. So I paused it. I didn't get back to it until 11pm and then the Winsock file was corrupted. My current theory is that having Yahoo open leads to this corruption, so I have been closing it whenever I am not actively looking at e-mail. Like right now. One of the e-mails I read was about the danger of parabens. It is in almost all of the personal care products on the market, including baby products. Read the ingredients. If any of them end with -paraben, it's in there. Parabens mimic estrogen, disrupt the endocrine system and throw your hormones out of whack.

A quilt rises from the scraps

I got up early again to listen to a delta session that I discovered last night in the Neuroprogrammer software. Then I spent most of the day finishing up the QOV. Now the top is done. I did a matching pillowcase, too. My phone rang every so often all day long. I guess I'm just in demand. Michele got a call about signing up for college classes today and then there was a to-do about that. But I think she finally came up with a schedule that worked. During all this, it snowed. And snowed hard. Chris e-mailed me that I might want to cancel class tonight. But it must have warmed up some, because by the evening the snow was mostly gone. Class went well: almost everyone who came that brought a pair of jeans, left with a denim skirt. AFter class, I cleared out e-mail and listened to an interview with Norm Shealy. One of my many e-mails was about the dangers of radiation. The advice was to ask for an MRI rather than a CT scan, and ask for thermographic breast screening rather than a mammogram.

Wet Wednesday

I got up early to go into the computer room and listen to a theta session with affirmations copied from a CD. I am not sure it helped because I had trouble relaxing and don't know why. Later, I had breakfast, cleared e-mail, showered and dressed. Around 11 Michele and I went to the Chosun gift shop. They had a lot of really small silk tops that I thought Michele might like. And at $3 each.... Well, the saleslady there was really into the suggestive sell. Michele walked out with a whole new outfit. And I walked out with a few items for her birthday. One thing she bought was a pair of wrap pants. I plan to make a pattern from it. They look very easy to make. Then Cathy and Lori came by. She gave Michele a ride to the gate and the rest of us went to Dongdaemun. It was Lori's first time. We got quilting fabric (although he didn't have the rolls from the warehouse), minki, and muslin. Then we came back through the Yongsan station. It was still raining and seemed colder. Cathy dropped me off at my gate. At home, I had a few more e-mails to answer, and hoped to get into my sewing room now that I had the solid black I needed for the QOV. But the Winsock error got me again and I put some more time into trying to figure that out. Chris came home with three boxes that arrived in the mail. One had vitamins and supplements, one had quilting rulers, and one had gogi berries and raw cacao. I guess it was Damour Day at the post office.
Now its 10:30 and I hope to get into my sewing room before I go to bed.

Why I went to the luncheon

Chris got up early to go to another military base here in Korea. So I got up too, made him a sandwich, then laid down in the computer room to listen to a theta brainwave session. When I got up, I forgot to exercise and had breakfast. I cleared out e-mail, and showered/dressed for the luncheon. The AFSC luncheon. The one none of us wanted to go to since it was being held at the Chosun specifically for the purpose of selling us stuff. None of the outside vendors (like the fabric man) were invited. They served us a box lunch for our usual monthly $18 fee. The only reason I went was because Mary Ann begged me to, because she had to be there. Now we know the price of friendship. $18. But as it turned out, I was glad I went. I was one of the ones chosen to get a $10 gift certificate. And I found some handmade Thai soaps for $2.50. I got six. I looked at the silk tops but they were pretty small. Then MaryAnn found me and we got our gourmet box lunches and found a seat. She had to sit on the floor. Mine had a roastbeef sub. It was 90% bread. I ate the beef and onions out of it with a fork. There was a container of waldorf salad. I tried wiping the sauce off in order to eat the fruit. I ate a few bites of the pasta salad. The gourmet part was the pair of chocolates in a cute transparent box. I took them along with everything else I didn't eat home for Michele and Chris.
After lunch there was a demonstration of poofing fabric on a curtain rod. Then MaryAnn and I sat in her car in the rain and talked, and laughed ourselves silly. We thought about going into the thrift shop to help out, but decided to just go home. The 40 degree weather was like a heatwave, but the rain was not a welcome sight. I was a little soggy when I got home. Michele ate half of a chocolate, and finished off the bread and the pasta salad. I ate some leftover soup from Sunday. I wanted to work on my QOV, but I need solid black and don't have it. Cathy and I are supposed to go to Dongdaemun tomorrow. I didn't do any sewing today, but I did copy a CD to my computer (once I found out that RIP means 'to copy'), and I burnt another CD from some mediation downloads I had already stored. (Lets hope the infernal clicking is not on there.) I want to use the file I downloaded, but have to figure out how to take the first two minutes off because they are just instructions, not affirmations. Chris wasn't hungry when he got home because they had gone to lunch. So Michele and I had soup for suppper. Chris still has his sandwich, so I don't have to make another tomorrow. But I did make another loaf of bread since that was the last of it.

Impromptu QOV

Pam picked me up at the gate, and we drove to the SPC. Cathy met us there with a key, thinking that it wouldn't be open, but it was. The room was stiflingly hot so we opened some windows. While waiting for a few more people to arrive, we talked about baby quilts: maybe we should make them for only E-5's and below, but also give them to Yongsan babies. As more people arrived, we set up for Stork's Nest. Many people brought in tops so there was plenty of backing and tieing to do. We completed 14 quilts and had at least 6 more that just needed tieing. I spent most of my time cutting block exchange kits and passing them out. I ran out of the blue and I hope the fabric man has more in Dongdaemun. Pam dropped me off at the gate around 3. I hadn't many e-mails so I went into my sewing room to work on a QOV. Toniette had found a package of leftovers and I decided to see what I could make of it. See pic. Chris made hamburgers for supper. With a little bit of willpower I was able to eat only one. So I can have another tomorrow.

Jean Skirts

We got up a little late, but did make it to church during the first hymn. While passing the peace, Hyon whispered that she had some fabric to give me. After church I found out that she will bring it NEXT week. After church we stopped at the PX for organic soap and flaxseed. Then we went to the commissary for groceries. When we got back home, Chris cut up veggies with ham and made a stew. It was really good. While it was stewing, he went out on the porch and I cut his hair. It is odd how the porch with the sun was comfortably warm in short sleeves, but the other one (the one with the washing machine) was freezing. After cutting his hair, I went back to my computer. I watched a video called "Sweet Misery: A Poisoned World". It talks about the rise of Aspartame in spite of evidence that it causes neurological disorders.
I also made two jean skirts to practice for Thursday's class. While making them I watched some of Cathy's quilting DVD's. I am going to return them tomorrow so we can show them during our weekly meetings.

Monkeys and Bananas

I didn't go to bed last night. Instead, I slept in the computer room. Not only did it allow me to listen to a neuroprogrammer session, but the daylight coming in the window woke me in time to shower, dress and eat and be at the ArtsNCrafts center by 9. Thankfully traffic was light and I got there a little early. Beth Anne arrived a little later and we headed up to the longarm to finish her quilt. For some reason the computer thought she had three rows left when she only had two rows. When we got down to the last row, we had to call Cathy to come straighten it out, and she did. Then Annette came over and we put her quilt in. Cathy had to leave so it was up to Annette and I to handle whatever came up. And we did. At least until we discovered that the backing was 2 inches shorter than the top. It was very frustrating. She was so looking forward to having her monkey and banana quilt finished. But we had to leave in on the machine until tomorrow. Hopefully she will have time to sew on another piece, then we can finish it.
When I got home, I got on my computer. I learned about the dangers of electromagnetic waves from cell phones. I also learned not to type "Stack and Whack" into the search engine of Youtube. 95% of the hits have NOTHING to do with quilting. Do not try it if you are easily offended.
Chris helped me run antivirus software to clear up the problems I had been having with my computer. Four viruses were found. Now that they are gone, my computer is working faster and just feels cleaner.
When I got tired of being on the computer, I went into my sewing room to work on baby quilt tops. I completed two, standing up, because in order to have room on my cutting table, I had to dump the fabric in my chair. Maybe I have too much? Never!
I wrote recently about burning a CD on my computer. Well, later when listening to it, a mysterious clicking appeared. It sounds like a spider dancing on toothpicks inside my head. Oddly, I do not find this sound comforting and it does not help me meditate. I hope it just means the disc was defective. I shall have to try again.

My two favorites

I woke up late, like at 9. I didn't have anywhere to go so I got on my computer and cleared out the e-mail that accumulated over night (kinda like hangers in a closet). I also washed all the fabric I bought yesterday and ironed it. It took two loads to wash it all. Why do I keep buying more? I started another baby quilt top since we are going to tie Stork's Nest quilts on Monday, but didn't finish. I got back on my computer only to find that the winsock provider catalog was corrupted again and I couldn't interact with the internet. Rebooting solved the problem, but I did some googling to find out what causes this. It seems many people have this problem and rebooting DOESN'T solve it, so that may be my destiny too if I don't figure this out now. Someone suggested that it has to do with spyware, so I will ask Chris in the morning if there is some program I can run to eliminate such things.

It was a good day for buying fabric

Instead of going to the thrift shop, I played hooky. At 8:15 I walked over to the commissary to get won out of the ATM. Then I met the other quilting ladies in the parking lot. Two had to cancel, so 7 of us climbed into Poncie's van and she drove us to Mr. Kang's warehouse. Took about an hour. As I expected, the warehouse was not heated and the temp was in the low 20's. I had my ski gloves on, as well as leggings, socks and pants, but I was cold! The only way to justify such suffering was to buy a lot of fabric, and we did. I spent about $100 on fabric for the group for the block exchange, and then another $100 for fabric for myself. We all bought a lot and Mr. Kang gave us a box of fabric for free. Unlike previous visits, he gave us yardage, not scraps. When we got back to post, we opened the box and each took some. The rest went to the SPC to be used for classes. I left my purchases there too because I didn't have the car to carry them home. Then I went home and discovered that Michele wasn't there. I was very surprized, but remembered that she is 18 so didn't get upset. I answered my e-mail and had lunch. Then I cut muslin sections for tonight's class. I printed out 10 copies of the instructions. I also packed extra fabric in case more than 10 ladies showed up. Finally I pieced a cover for the rice pad. I laid down for awhile, then got up just as my husband came home. He had forgotten to leave the car on post for me, so he put supper in the oven and drove the car back. I ate a little leftover ham, then packed up all my fabrics and headed out. At the SPC I discovered that all the tables had been moved to another part of the building. Star came early and helped me track them down and bring some back. We set up the room as people slowly began to arrive. I got everyone started, then Cathy came with Bethany. Her father brought in a machine he'd ordered from WalMart and Cathy set it up for her. As more people came in I had to run back to the storage room for more tools, machines, etc. CAthy saw my fabric purchases and wanted to know if she could buy some. So we carried it into the big room to cut it. Well, then other people saw it and they wanted to buy, too. And I was cutting group fabric for the block exchange. It got confusing and I felt selfish when someone would want to buy a fabric that I didn't want to sell. After all, I have plenty at home. So I did sell some halfyard cuts and kept the rest. Then it was time to pack up and head home. Strangely, the traffic on post was slow and it took me awhile to get home. Then I lugged all that fabric up the stairs to our 6th floor apartment. Phew! Chris turned in early, so I laid down with him until he fell asleep, then got up to finish my blog.

Blogging is supplemental

I didn't need to go to post today and that was a good thing. It was quite cold. So I spent my day on the computer, researching my next batch of supplements. I re-ordered cacao nibs and goji berries. I also ordered 2 more tubs of organic coconut oil. Among its qualities is that it helps with weight loss. And it tastes good!
I also watched the remaining Statler video. It was very informative. And I made another charm square panel while watching a video on landscape quilts. Chris went to bed early so he could go to a prayer breakfast. I made his sandwich so I wouldn't have to get up at 5. But I do need to get up early enough to be at the commissary at 8:30 for our trip to the fabric warehouse. We will be picking fabrics for our block exchange. I hope I won't lie awake tonight trying to figure out how much to buy.
**Since I didn't take any pictures today, here is one from the Tokyo Quilt show.**

I learned something new.

When I got up this morning I posted to my blog - twice. The first time it got erased because the winsoc file got corrupted. I have no idea what it is, but it happens every few days and I have to restart my computer in order to have access to the internet. After breakfast et al, I went on post. I was going to drive to the thrift shop but the car wouldn't start. So I walked. In the cold. And the wind. All the way. Apparently they didn't have the heat on in the thrift shop, so after a while I began to get cold. Anne Marie had to leave because she was so cold. For lunch Ella ordered pizza. She told me there was a piece with seaweed and squid for me. Ha, Ha. But I had brought my own seaweed so I didn't eat those processed carbs. After 3.5 hours I had finished processing everything in my area and had rearranged several shelves, etc. And I was cold. So I called Chris to ask for a ride to the gate, which he gave me.
Back at the apartment, Michele was on her computer. So I got on mine to answer e-mail and address quilt group questions. Then I got on google to look up short chain fatty acids. Most fats are made up of long chain FA's. Coconut oil is a medium chain FA and for that reason is much better for you. So I wanted to know if short chain FA's were even better. They are quite necessary, but it seems that you don't ingest the short ones, your gut produces them from fiber.
When Chris got home, he fixed supper and then he and Michele left to go to a movie. So I took the opportunity to record another affirmation session. This time I used it in a Neuro-programmer session and exported it to the computer, then burned it on a CD. Now I know some people burn CD's all the time, but I have never done it before and feel quite proud of myself for figuring it out. And I tested it to make sure it plays in my CD player. Total success. In fact, I put two sessions on it: one in Alpha and one in Theta. I am looking forward to listening to them tonight in bed.

I know this is late...

Let me first start by saying that it is VERY annoying to have written a long post and then have it disappear completely.
Ok, now, let's see, where did I begin? Oh yes, I woke up late and had to call Pam to tell her I needed an extra 15 minutes. Then we went to Cathy's house for some quilting socialization. Everyone brought food, and Cathy set out chairs. At least 15 people came. Sadly I did not have my camera for show-and-tell. Then someone decided we should have a block exchange and the idea caught on. Now I have participated in two block exchange in my life, and in each case thought that I traded perfectly matched blocks for a set that didn't go together. But as president I felt it was my duty to support the will of the majority. So Thursday morning we will be going to Mr. Kang's warehouse to pick a blue and a yellow fabric. Yes, that is the day of the luncheon at the thrift shop to announce the volunteer of the month. So I will have to let them know not to pick me this month since I can't be there:) Ha. AFter the event, we stopped by the post office so I could mail some charm squares to Andrea. Then back at home, I cleared out some e-mail, watched a video interview, then posted a message to the quilting group to let me know how many people want to participate in the exchange. I also watched a video Cathy gave me on the operational features of the Statler. Then, because I'd read that it is important to be asleep between the hours of 9pm and 11pm (though I don't remember exactly what the body is doing) I laid down in the computer room with my meditation software. I was planning to get back up at 11 and post to my blog, but that didn't happen. Instead I woke at 3am and went to bed. I had trouble getting back to sleep.