Sauna day

I stayed in bed late, even after my alarm went off and Chris went to work. But nature called and I answered. I checked e-mail and drank a quart of water. I checked my muffin cups of cacao butter. As I tried to remove the first one, it came free but was not intact. I put the whole tray in the fridge. I put water in the coffee maker to heat up. I found my bathing suit and put it on. I dressed and packed my sauna bag. Then Myra called to say she wasn't meeting me at the sauna. But the call went long and I did not get to the sauna until 9:50. I got a locker key from the attendant. I had trouble turning on the sauna so I had to ask for help. While it heated, I put my stuff in the locker and took a towel and two water bottles. I climbed to the top shelf. I moved around to get the perspiration going. I noted that metal plating had been put around the heating unit. The attendant said a man wanted to check the unit and I said ok, but apparently he decided to wait until after I left. Nearing an hour in, I heard voices so I leaned out to talk to Myra and Joelle. Then I sat in a little longer. I washed up and joined them outside for yoga. There were three ladies on mats by the pool. I had forgotten mine, but used one of the class mats. I did the poses slowly and modified and some poses not at all. Then, because the gym was near cherry trees, the leader had someone come take our photo doing poses by the pool. As class broke up, I followed Myra up the hill. We met someone we hadn't seen before and the lady was from Busan, but she preferred Chinhae because of the American community. So we talked to her for awhile. Then we continued on. I left her at her place and went up the hill. I took my daily picture of our place to mark the progress of the cherry blossoms. Chris was home having lunch. He indicated the mail, and there was an Easter card from MaryAnn. We talked and I ate seed crackers. I looked up cherry blossom post but there were none. After he went back to work, I put on an audio and made and ate breakfast. I tried to read e-mail, but the links wouldn't open. So I rebooted my laptop. While it did that, I cleaned a little in the kitchen and laundry room. I removed all the cacao butter from the muffin tray and put them back in the containers. The one that broke went back in the oven to, hopefully, glue back together. I took boxes out to the shed. I popped Puff-its so I could recycle the plastic. I re-attached the cover to the stroller and the one to the sleeve ironing board. I checked my newly rebooted computer and it was working better. I went through my healing techniques file to sort into subfolders so I could find certain topics quickly. But I did not finish. I stopped for supper. I meditated. Chris came home from the lighting ceremony. He told me he had called, but I never heard my phone ring. He told me that the tower was lit. I went outside to water the peas and flowers but could not see the tower because of the cherry blossom. He showed me the schedule of events for the evening and for next week. But it was only the stuff he was supposed to appear at. Some of it I was not invited to. Then he changed his clothes and we watched several episodes of CSI. He went to bed and I stayed up to post to my blog.
* pretty good for a person with a bad back *

Pre-festival stroll

I got up early, probably because Chris was up early. My back was stiff so I walked around like an old lady with arthritis. I drank water and read e-mail. I started listening to an audio just before Chris left. When I realized he had not taken the recyclables out, I tried to call him back, but he did not hear me. So I put on my shoes (which did not go with my bathrobe) and took them out myself. I had made myself a list last night of all the things I wanted to be sure to do this morning before quilting. Recyclables were on the list, as was posting the quilting event to Facebook, and making up dosages of supplements for the next nine days. I also put together another order, which took awhile, and kind of ate up the morning. I forgot to see if some of those supplements were already on order. I took a shower and got dressed. I called Myra who sounded like she would be here momentarily. I put on my shoes and put into a bag fabrics to bring along. I was watching out the window while listening to an audio that I would not get to finish. Then my phone rang and she drove up. It was the chapel asking when we wanted to start the Wednesday evening classes. I told them we would use the FFTC classroom instead. Then I left, to ride down with Myra, to the chapel. We carried our stuff inside, but most of it was there, in storage already. I set up while she checked on the FFTC classroom. Then I worked on cutting fish blocks while she put the final borders on the second QOV. When she finished, I took a pic of it, and then we clipped all the loose threads. Nela came by during her lunch hour. She ate her lunch then sewed fish blocks. Then we packed up. Nela went back to work. Myra and I went to welcome new residents. We ran into Chris going back to work after lunch. We welcomed two couples, and went to find the third, but no one answered the door. We went home for lunch. I made and ate breakfast. I listened to another audio. I opened a package Chris got at the post office. It had some of the supplements that I had just ordered. Oh well. Then I called Myra who wanted to walk into town to see the cherry trees along the canal. I put on my backpack in case I came across anything I wanted to buy. As we walked down hill, we ran into Dan. He told us the FFTC classroom might be full of the books from the daytime class. So we walked over there, and yes, their stuff was all over. So Myra wrote to Facebook to cancel the class.

Then we went out in town. Even though the festival doesn't start until Friday, vendors were setting up and people were taking selfies among the cherry trees. Each section of the canal was decorated differently. One was with red umbrellas with wires. One had bicycles, another stars, another fake flowers on long stems. It was evident that all this would be lit at night. We wandered, and took pics. I bought a coconut with a straw. After drinking the juice, I put the coconut in my backpack. At another stand, I bought a hot corn on the cob. It was sweet but mealy. One vendor called to us to come see his stand. He sat us one at a time on a bench in front of a background that looked like the canal. He posed us and took a photo, then had software that made the photo look like a painting. It was interesting but I thought he said it cost over $100 to get it transferred to canvas. We wandered some more, looking at Korean festival food and other items for sale. Then we walked back on the other side of the canal. When we got back to base, she went home. So did I. Chris arrived seconds after I did. He took the garbage bags on our porch to the neighbors, who need them more than we do. I took the coconut out of my backpack, and put it in two grocery bags and swung it hard against the patio to crack it open. I ate part of it for supper and drank a bottle of coconut water. I checked e-mail and listened to another audio. I re-wrote my hummus recipe and e-mailed it to Kelly. Chris finished his supper. I had a brilliant idea to melt all my cacao butter and pour it into my silicone mini cupcake tray. Each space held two tablespoons. It melted while we watched an episode of CSI. I poured it into 6 muffin spaces. I melted another package and we watched another episode. I poured that one off, too, then added the last bit. We watched a third episode. Chris went to bed. I finished filling the muffin tray and went on to the chocolate molds. They each held 1 tsp. Chris thought the effort was not worth the benefit of being able to measure the cacao butter before it was melted, but I did. Then I sat down to write to my blog and go to bed.
* See my face on the screen? *

Walking and cleaning

I woke up before the alarm. I heard Chris take a shower, get dressed and leave. At first I was so sore that I wasn't sure I could get out of bed. But I made it, unaided. I checked e-mail and drank water. I swished and dry-brushed. I did a modified form of my exercises. I tried to have a coffee morning. It did not work as well as I hoped. I listened to more chapters from the Youtube book "Forest". Chris came home for lunch. He had two packages for me. One was a magnetic dish for Nela and the other was cacao butter. I ate the rest of the blended cucumber (did I mention that Chris blended up five cucumbers for me on Sunday?) He helped me download some block instructions. After he left, I printed them. I called Myra to see if she would walk with me. As long as I keep moving, I am ok. I dressed in shorts and a cool top. I put the hair bows in a bag and jotted down the address. When I got outside it was too windy. I changed into pants and a longer-sleeved top. But outside I changed my mind again and went back for a jacket. I walked down to Myra's place. She was picking up trash someone left. We walked to the post office. I got a box and put the hair bows inside. We taped it shut and put the label on it. I mailed it at the window. Then we went to the commissary to get swiffer cloths. We saw Nela there. Then Anna stopped by with her little boy. She asked how I was doing. Then she had to run to get her other son from school. After we checked out, the manager told us what a good worker Nela was. As we left for home, we saw Kathy and she asked how I was doing. Then we stopped at Myra's place and she ducked in to get a mop. We proceeded to my house. She and I rearranged the guest room. Chris had made up the bed. But we de-cluttered it, hid the second bed parts, and dusted and swept. Then I showed her all of my quilts. We put one on the bed. Then we decluttered in the living room. I swiffered everything. She dust-mopped and then damp-mopped. Chris came home and we realized how late it was. She went home to cook. I made and ate breakfast. I read e-mail for awhile and my back got stiff again. I made up a new batch of chia/flax seed, and a new spice mixture. We watched three episodes of CSI. Chris rubbed Icy/hot on my back. He went to bed and I stayed up to check e-mail and write to my blog.
* A view our place with the cherry trees in front. *

Glad to be vertical again

I spent the night sleeping on couch cushions on the floor by our bed. I was unable to get into bed without triggering a spasm. Chris' alarm went off early and he got up to have breakfast and check e-mail. I crawled into the bathroom, but needed his help to get to the toilet. I could not make it, so used an empty trashcan instead. Still, it represented progress. Chris moved the cushion back to the couch and prepared a place for me there. He put my laptop on the coffee table. The couch was much easier to get up from than the floor. He brought me lots of water while I read e-mail. Anna called to see how I was doing. I told her I could not make the food prep class this morning or go to Daegu. Chris and I watched the last two episodes of Castle. Eventually I was able to walk to the bathroom as long as I held on to Chris. Nela called after the class to see how I was. She was disappointed that we were not going to Daegu. As I read e-mail, I took breaks to stand up and gingerly walk with and without assistance. Later, Myra called and offered to help in any way. About 11:30, Chris made lunch from rolls and pork. He made two for me. Then he helped me make my breakfast. I sat down to eat it. He went to Elizabeth's house to get the walker I lent her. I had him put it in the bathroom. It was such a sunny day that I thought I should walk in the yard a little. I thought Chris was coming with me, but he continued on to work. During the afternoon, I went out several times: once I took Kelly's hanbok to her, once I just walked, and once I picked up the coolers that had been left out to dry. I made seed crackers and left them in the oven to crisp. Chris came home early. I read e-mail and listened to interviews. One of the interviewees was posting Youtube audios of a fiction book he was writing. So I started listening to them. I had chicken and spaghetti squash with olive oil and turmeric for supper. We watched 4 episodes of CSI. Chris went to bed. Kathy messaged me to see how I was doing. I posted to my blog and went to bed, feeling much better.
* Cherry blossoms are starting to open. *

Happy Easter

Jesus rose on Easter morning but I did not. During the night I got cold trying to sleep on the floor. So I crawled into the bedroom but could not get into the bed. Chris brought me a long cushion from the couch and it was so comfortable that I eventually went to sleep. It wasn't much sleep, but I was glad for it and happy to see daylight. Chris brought me water then got dressed and went to church. He came home after the service to check on me and make me breakfast. It was hummus, brussels sprouts and plantain chips. Then he brought me pork and two small rolls. They were unbelievably good. At noon he went to the Easter brunch at Turtle Cove. When he came back, Anna was with him. She wanted to visit me. She suggested acupuncture, but I told her there was no way I could get there. She suggested an ambulance but I did not want to be moved because my back would seize. After she left, I took a round of meds. I slept a little bit. Then I read e-mail and saw that Myra had messaged me. I messaged her back and then decided to call, because typing was so difficult. The people next door were having a yard party. Chris went over and got some food. Then he cooked chicken for supper. I processed e-mail, listened to audios and watched videos, including one from The Quilt Show where the guest cut up her show quilt to make something else. Heart-stopping! Chris brought me two chicken legs for supper and later some spaghetti squash. I sat up a few times for a few seconds, just to keep my back from getting stiff and to reassure myself that I was getting better. We have planned a trip to Daegu fabric market for tomorrow and I don't want to miss it. Also, Chris is going to work and so cannot help me when nature calls. I tried to write my blog on my tablet, but it is too big for my hand and I keep dropping it or pressing something that takes me out of compose mode and I can't get back in it. So I pulled my laptop onto my lap and craned my head up to type a few sentences at a time.

Not the best day

I got up early because Chris got up early to play with the voices. I was cutting triangles for the next BOM when my back seized. I laid on the floor for the rest of the day. Typing is difficult from this position. I hope to be better tomorrow.
* pic from wed *
What I would have written:
While lying on the floor, I took my meds because the pain was so bad. I ate the last of the seed crackers so the meds would not hurt my stomach. I listened to audios, and read e-mails on the laptop Chris placed beside me. I watched an episode of TQS and another video. Chris made the plantain chips that I had planned to make. They were ok. He also made brussels sprouts, which turned out really well. I took the meds again, but they did not seem to be helping. The pain was more manageable and I was more relaxed, but the muscles were no less likely to spasm again given any reason or no reason. I did a lot of tapping, and meditating. I ordered a bunch of $3 t-shirts from Joanns because they were having a sale and most of mine are stained with turmeric. Chris brought me kinchi and squash for supper. I took a nap. I read more e-mail. I tried to write to my blog using my tablet, but it brought my blog up in Korean. So I typed out a few sentences with one finger of my left hand, and shut down my laptop for the night.

These blocks are the BOM

I was already awake, so I got up when the alarm rang. I drank water, and read e-mail. I listened to audios. I sewed a button on the inside of Chris' suit coat. It was coming off. Then I noticed that the lining was coming out too, so I sewed that up. Then I sewed the snap on Kelly's hanbok. I called Anna. She wanted to go to Daegu on Monday. So I called Myra and she wanted to go, too. I called Anna back. I ate seed crackers, and cleaned in the kitchen. I dressed for using bleach. I listened to another audio until she arrived. We went out back to wash FRG items from the shed. I put warm water and beach in a tub. I washed small bikes and three coolers and a roaster oven. I rinsed off the bikes with the hose. Anna had to go. She took some unfinished fish blocks with her. Chris came home for lunch. He made 4 small sandwiches with rolls from last night. I made and ate breakfast, then read e-mail. I listened to an audio. I addressed a box, sealed a quilt top inside and took it to the post office to MPS it to Yongsan. The clerk said it would go out Tuesday morning. I stopped at the commissary to buy plantains. I talked to Nela. She wanted to go to Daegu on Monday. Then I went home. I looked at boat blocks on Pinterest. I downloaded some pics of them. I listened to meditation audios. Then I worked on BOM's, wondering why they decided to do two a month after starting with one a month. At one a month, I would be caught up. Chris came home and fixed his usual burrito. The light bulb in my lamp burned out and Chris helped me find another bulb. I finished a second block. We watched two or three episodes of Castle. Then he went to bed while I stayed up to post to my blog.

Making bagel breadsticks

I woke up before the alarm but stayed in bed, hoping for a little more sleep. I drank water and read e-mail, I did my exercises. I washed the shea butter from the hair near my ear, then got dressed and went next door. Kelly cut my hair and asked me to mend a hanbok she bought for her daughter. Then I went back home to fill two water bottles with hot salt water. I packed my sauna bag, and went to the gym. The sauna was off, and two older Korean women were in there, fully dressed. I think their job is to clean the locker room. They turned on the sauna and left. I did some exercises to get the sweat going. Myra arrived soon after I did. As the temp went up, we talked. After 45 minutes, we left to take our showers. We met Joelle, the yoga teacher, getting ready for class. We all went into the gym. Two men joined the class. Joelle said it was leg day, but it's always leg day. Today was no worse. After yoga, I walked back with Myra as far as her house. When I got home, Chris was right behind me. I looked up bread recipes in books and then online. I started one in the bread machine. I made and ate breakfast , then read e-mail. I started a Swansons order. I formed the dough into fat breadsticks. I boiled them in water, then rolled them in sesame seeds, then put them in the oven. When I checked on them, they needed a little more time. I finished my order and when I went back, they were dark so I took them out. I cut one open to see if it was done. I had to eat it to see if it was doughy in the middle. It needed salt, so I sprinkled salt over the sesame seed tops. I let them cool slightly. I tried to call Chris to see when the service was, but his phone was busy. I packed the bread sticks in a strawberry bowl lined with paper towel. I also picked up a letter that I have been intending to mail. I was walking toward the mailbox and the chapel when Kelly came along and offered me a ride. So I hopped in, hoping to make it before 5. Kelly went to the commissary and I walked to the chapel from there. Chris was sitting in the sanctuary alone. I put the bread bowl in the kitchen, then told him it was there. We kissed and I walked home, dropping the letter in the mail box as I passed it. There were a lot of meditations in e-mail this week, and I listened to several of them. I packed the first QOV top into a box. There was room for a second one so I e-mailed Myra to see if she had it. Chris came home from the Thursday mass and wine and bread supper. He said the sesame seed bread was very popular, so popular that he did not even put the rolls out. After he changed his clothes, we watched three episodes of Castle. Chris went to bed. I looked at links to sewing makeovers, then read some e-mails and posted to my blog. And now its time for bed.
* These are the fish blocks we laid out on Wednesday *

Duck and more duck

The alarm went off at 7:30 but I did not get the energy to rise until 8am. I checked e-mail while drinking lemon water. I started exercising and Myra called to talk about coming to pick me up. Then I ate some seed crackers and got dressed. I put some QOV fabric and the fish project in my sling purse. I walked out to the road and waited, then walked down to Myra's house. She was just getting in her car, so then we rode down to the chapel where she found a parking space. We carried the machines inside. Two chapel workers set up the tables. I got the iron and another machine out of the storage closet. Myra and I set up the room to work on QOV and the fish quilt. Myra could not find her thread stand. She checked the FFTC classroom and her home. I auditioned fabric for borders on the second QOV. She came back and finished the first two borders while I pinned and sewed fish blocks. I asked the chaplain for a key so we could get in to access our sewing stuff when the chapel was locked. He declined but said we could call and someone would open it. I mentioned night classes and he was very much in favor of them, but still no key. Nela came by during her lunch hour. I let her sew fish blocks while I pinned more pieces together. Then we packed up and Nela went back to work at the commissary. Myra and I went to see Dan in case someone had found the thread stand in the classroom. And he had it, not knowing what it was. We talked to him for awhile, and set up some evening class times in April. Then Myra took me home. I knocked on Kelly's door to see when she could cut my hair, but she was not home. I went to my door and dropped the fabric inside. I took the vit C that I meant to take this morning. I checked my messages. I made and ate breakfast. I meditated with Oprah and Deepak. I listened to the Spring Fling paraliminal. I e-mailed Kelly and she suggested cutting hair tomorrow morning. I got an e-mail from the lady in Yongsan who quilts QOV, giving me her address. I measured the quilt top and discovered that it was a little short. I called Myra. She came over with some red fabric to audition with the second top. We decided it would do, so she took it with her to work on. I cut strips to add to the sides of the first top to make it wide enough. I wrote a check to the church in Huntsville. Then I did a guided visualization. Chris came home but he did not disturb me. When it was over, I greeted him. I went back to reading e-mails. Then we got ready and walked down to Myra's building. We met Danielle and Ross. As we headed to the gate, we saw Myra. I invited her to go with us, but she declined. The four of us walked to the duck restaurant. We did not have a reservation, but they found a place to seat us (on the floor). We ordered two duck dinners – one bulgogi and one duck with salt. It was plenty for four people. First the lady cooked the 'duck with salt' in the gas cooker on our table. We ate from the side dishes until all the pieces were cooked. When that was eaten, she cooked the duck bulgogi, which was my favorite. Did I mention that we wore the aprons provided by the restaurant? We had a great time talking about music and authors and eye surgery. Finally we got up to leave. All the other patrons had left. The man served us coffee. Chris drank mine. Then we walked back to base. But on the way, I spied strawberries for 4500 won, which was a very good price. So we all looked at the produce and got brussels sprouts and cucumbers too. Then we went back to base and home. Chris said we got a Castle DVD in the mail. So we watched two episodes of that. Then Chris had to make a call to the states and I stayed up to post to my blog and try to remember all that happened today.

Movie jackpot

I did not get up until almost 8. I had awoken with night sweats and just wanted a little more sleep. But nature called, as it always does, eventually. Then I fixed a quart of lemon water and was drinking that and checking e-mail, when my sister called. I dry brushed while talking to her. After the call, I rebounded and got the coffee started. I did my exercises and listened to an audio. Then I took a shower and got dressed in my new yoga pants. The ties had frayed unbelievably in the wash. They looked like pom-poms. I cut them off, grabbed my mat and walked to yoga. I was a little late so the class was already in progress. I unrolled my mat behind Myra and joined in. Anna gave me a vac belt to use for the full binds. It also fit around my rolled up mat after class. We talked about going to Daegu on a Wednesday. It is the only day that works for her so she wants me to cancel QOV and go with her. Anna showed us the Korean garb that she bought for her sons. Then she and Myra went to the ROK base for lunch. I went home. I checked e-mail, then finished my morning routine. I made and ate breakfast, adding extra maca. I did lots of tapping, as per an article in an e-mail. I remembered that Chris pulled the stove out yesterday so I could clean behind it. It was not as dirty as I feared. So I made a note to mention it. I went out to the shed to check the bin from the FRG for movies. There were a lot in there, but most were home copies – stuff we cannot sell. But there were an awful lot of them. I went through them and re-organized the DVD's. I read e-mail, and listened to part of another audio. Chris came home. I paused the audio so we could talk about our day. We made supper from leftovers, and talked about the movies. I picked some out and he chose. We had a discussion. When he was ready, we watched half a season or so of Legend of the Seeker. I could see why it ended with only two seasons. Actually, I was surprised that there was a second season. Then we watched the pilot episode of CSI. Chris skyped the states for some reason and I posted to my blog.
* this is where I got my massage yesterday - see the foot? *

Massaged into submission

I got up as soon as Chris left, which was before 8. I had been told it was a training holiday, but civilians still had to work. I drank water while I checked e-mail. I started cutting colorful squares for fish blocks while I listened to an audio. I never did swish or exercise. It got late so I quickly washed, dressed and ate some seed crackers. Myra called to say she'd be over in five minutes. I put on my coat and picked up the box of fabrics. I stood out on the curb and finally started walking. She met me coming up the hill. I got in and we picked up Nela. Then we parked behind the FFTC building. I went over to the chapel to get my sewing implement box and machine, but it was locked . Right – training holiday. Several ladies showed up. One wanted to make a pillow from an old dress. Another wanted to make a princess dress from some blue fabric she had bought. Myra went home to get an iron and some patterns for the lady. We did not need my machine after all. But Myra's iron leaked rust all over the pillow case that she brought to iron on. But no one needed the iron. Chris came by just before noon with a package from the post office. He said it might be possible for me to get a key from the chapel – when they are open. We packed up. Myra took Nela home and Suzanne took me home. Because of our plan to get massages, I had a light lunch – all fruit. I also drank water. I filled up a water bottle to take with me. I washed again and put on fresh underwear just to be extra clean. I walked down the hill to meet Myra. We walked down to meet Nela. We saw Maricio with his cat on a leash. Then we hustled into town to The Foot Shop. When we walked in, the clerk recognized us. We paid. He indicated that we should take a key from one of the lockers. Inside were slippers. We exchanged them for our shoes. Then we were motioned into a changing room. The locker keys fit the second set of lockers. There were piles of loose-fitting tops and shorts. We selected what would fit and put our clothes in the lockers. When we came out, we were shown to a platform with three sunken foot tubs. He sprinkled something red in each one. But I did not want my feet in this unknown substance, so he drained the tub and refilled it with plain water. We sat and talked a bit. Then we realized that there were cups of tea and little wrapped crackers beside us. He said it was bamboo tea so I drank it. Then three masseuses arrived. The male one approached Myra with a towel for her feet. The older woman approached me, and the younger woman went to Nela. Our feet were dried and we were led to small rooms with low tables. I remembered the word for bathroom and used it. I was shown to one down the hall. I had to transfer my feet from the regular slippers to the bathroom slippers. After using the toilet, I did not know how to flush it since there were myriad buttons to push on the panel. Some had a bidet picture on them. But the others had Korean characters. I had to ask the lady by pantomime. To my embarrassment, there was a handle just behind the control panel. Duh! So we went back to the room. I indicated taking off the garments, but she shook her head. I laid on the table face down and she massaged my back through the shirt. Her motions were not gentle, or slow or fluid. Maricio's wife had told us the word for 'gentle', but I could not remember it. Still, I tried. My shoulders complained the most, but surprisingly, my lower back did not complain at all. Then she took my top off and oiled my back with the jojoba oil I brought along. She did my arms, too. And she tied me in knots. Then she left, and it felt so good when she stopped. But she came back with hot towels, which she draped over me. More back massage, and then the oil was wiped away. She kneaded my hips and massaged my legs. She twisted them this way and that. Again, it felt good when she stopped to get more hot towels. Finally she turned me over and massaged my stomach, but that did not last long, nor was it as rough. Finally she sat me up, and sat behind me. She gave me to understand that I should grab her arms as she grabbed mine. She pulled them back and pushed her foot against my spine. What a stretch! Then it was over. I indicated my feet, but she shook her head no. Really? I bought the most expensive massage and the feet are not included? I went to the dressing room to change back into my clothes. I got my shoes and gave back the locker key. I joined Myra and Nela sitting in the hallway to put on my shoes. Myra had given her masseus a note explaining about her shoulder. She said he was very good. Nela liked her masseuse ok. They both said they could hear mine thumping away at my body. They each got a card with the name of their person. I did not want to see mine again. We walked back to the base. When I got home, I drank the water and used the bathroom. I checked e-mail. I meditated with Deepak and Oprah. Then I made and ate breakfast. Chris came home. We ate some of the pork. I checked e-mail again. Chris said the Catholics were having a wine and bread supper on Thursday. He wanted to know if I would make bread or if he should buy bread. I had not realized before that he was in charge of providing all the bread and wine. So I found a recipe that used tahini. I put the ingredients in the bread machine. We sat to watch Pride and Prejudice. He stopped the movie when it was time to form the rolls, and again when it was time to bake them. Once more when I checked the rolls, and a fourth time when I took them out to rub them with butter. After the movie, I had him cut one in half to see if it was completely baked. It was, and he ate it. We left them to cool while I posted to my blog. Then he put them in a bag in the fridge. My hand still ached, presumably from the massage. I had held something from the freezer in it to calm it down. But typing at the keyboard reinflamed it. I did some tapping and went to bed.

'Fish'ing with Anna

I got up soon after the alarm went off. I drank a quart of water while reading e-mail. Chris put a pork butt in the oven to cook. I wrote to Shi-Uk, thanking him for sending me links to the songs we will be singing in church today. I also searched Youtube for links to hymns for Easter and passed them on as suggestions. I showered and got dressed. I thought Chris would be home soon to get me, but he wasn't so I had just decided to go myself when he called to say his service had run long and he needed to help count the money. So I grabbed the car keys and drove myself to church. Chris came out as I got out and took the keys. I sat with Jane and showed her all the KakaoTalk messages I was getting from other people. She said they were for a previous owner of the phone. (But I bought it new.) Anyway the service started. The songleader was not there and we sang Palm Sunday hymns. We greeted each other with a handshake. I saw Kelly so I asked her for a hair cut. She said Wednesday. Then we had communion in the back and sat for the sermon. It was a detailed historical account of what was going in in Jesus' time. I am glad the kids had their own service when he described what Roman floggings were like and how people were nailed to a cross, etc. It was gory, but informative. After the service, I told the pastor how I had never heard this information before. Then I drove Chris and me home. That went a lot better than I expected – uphill all the way and with stops. I changed my clothes and made breakfast. As I checked e-mail, I saw someone on base was looking for moving boxes. So I offered mine. She sent her husband over and he only took a handful. I think she'll send him back. Chris took the pork out to pull it apart, then put the dish back in. I went around picking things up and putting them out of the way. I wiped the counter tops in the kitchen. I cut colorful squares to make fish blocks. At 2:15 I called Anna to see if she and her son were coming to watch the movie. She said she totally forgot and would be over in half an hour. I cut more squares. Then I got my keyboard out of the box and set it up in the living room. I had trouble getting it to power up, but Chris did something and it worked. Then Anna arrived with her son. But he wanted to play with his friends. We talked about them coming later, but how late? When I said I was making fish blocks, she wanted to help. So her son ran off with his friends and she and I went to my sewing room. I cut and drew diagonal lines. She sewed and pressed. And we talked, a lot. The scent of cooking pork got stronger and stronger. Finally she realized it was time to go home and cook for her family. Chris offered her some pork to take along, but she declined. We ate supper after she left. I made a salad with the last of the veggies and ate that. Chris put on a movie called RED (Retired Extremely Dangerous). We watched all the special clips at the end. Then Chris made the bed. I posted to my blog and we went to bed.
* this is one of the flower shops across from Daiso *

The watch man

I slept in late. We had some cuddle time and then Chris got up to make coffee. I stayed in bed as long as I could. When I got up, he asked me if I would like to call Michele. So we called her on skype. As usual, I had to make up topics of conversation. She's not very talkative on the phone. I did the weekend Sudoku puzzle. Then I drank a quart of water. I put all the white grocery bags inside each other. I went to my sewing room to check e-mail and watch an episode of TQS. I did most of my exercises, and then cut blue background squares for the fish blocks. When the episode was over, I ate some seed crackers. I got dressed and put my fanny pack in my backpack. I was going to go up the trail, but changed my mind and walked to the PX to buy sunglasses. I also looked for watch batteries but found none. On my way home, I saw Myra and Scott out spraying polyurethane. I walked down to talk. Myra's can ran out so she needed to buy more. We went to the ATM, but it would not accept her card. So we went to the other ATM. While she was using it, I went into the bank which was about to close. I handed over my dollars to be exchanged for won. Then we walked out into town heading for Daiso. We passed a jeweler so I stopped to ask about a battery. I handed over the watch and he put in a new one and adjusted the time. Then I handed over my watch that needs a band. He pulled out close to 100 from under the counter and searched for one like mine. He put it on a lot quicker than I could have done. I paid 13,000 won for both, which is just over $12. Walking down the street, we saw strawberries, and decided to come back later. Then we saw flowers. I could not resist buying two dahlias. We reached Daiso, and bought plant seeds – kind of like a garden in a cup. Myra got the polyurethane. Then she got a begonia at the place nearby. We walked through the market and I stopped for a fish noodle on a stick. Along with a cup of broth, it was 0.50. Then we went to buy strawberries. Well, I did. She got the peppers. We walked back to base. When we got to the check point, there were trucks waiting to come on base and get inspected. We had to wait. Then we walked to her house, and then I went to mine. I dropped the plants at the door. I showed Chris my new band. I located the movie that we are supposed to show tomorrow. I ate the last of the bison while Chris went to the commissary for pork. I jotted notes for my blog. I made tea and cleaned up clutter in the kitchen. I got a box to clean off the dining room table. Most of it went in the box but some got recycled or trashed. I picked up in the living room, too and ran the dust mop. We watched three episodes of CSI, finishing the season. We put the VHS movie for tomorrow into the player to make sure it would play. I hoped there was nothing too adult in it that I don't remember. Then we folded the laundry and put it away. The new yoga pants I bought had a tie at the waist that frayed terribly. The two ends looked like pom-poms and the laundry was tied up in threads. Another pair of pants had a hole in one seam. I sewed it shut several times before it was just right. I downloaded the pics from today. I posted to my blog and went to bed.

Rainy day and banana cookies

I slept in late, getting up only when the phone rang. It was Chris, telling me that the community round up was at 9 (in half an hour) and if I chose to come, could I bring his phone? I dashed to get ready. I called Myra to see if she wanted company at the meeting. It was raining so I carried an umbrella (and Chris' phone) and walked down to her place. She was waiting, and we went off together, hurrying. But when we got there, the door was closed and the room was dark. I called Chris at work but he did not answer. I called his other number and my pocket rang. Oh well. Soon he arrived with Myra's husband. They tried to turn on the lights in the auditorium but had some trouble. I guess you have to flick the switches twice. Anyway, the lights came on and people filed in. The ops officer went through the 8-week schedule. I was pleased to see that my class was on it. Myra had a lot of people to talk to, both before and after the meeting. Kristen gave me some red-white-and-blue fabrics that her mother sent for QOV. Myra and I walked back home. I checked e-mail and ate seed crackers. I made up a batch of supplements to see what I was low on. I placed a Swanson's order to take advantage of their March17 sale. I needed eggs, so I called Myra to say I was bringing her scarf over on my way. But she needed to go to the commissary too, so she came by and picked me up. I gave her the scarf and some chocolates. We shopped together and Nela came along. We all checked out together. Myra dropped Nela off first and then took me home. I made and ate breakfast. I fell asleep on the couch. Later I moved to the bed, bit it just wasn't as comfortable. I beat three eggs and put in nuts and seeds and spices for seed crackers. While they were baking, I looked up banana cookies. When I had an idea of how much of what to put in, I went to the kitchen. I put four small bananas in a mixing bowl with oatmeal and an egg. I added salt, nutmeg, cinnamon, cacao powder, and vanilla. I mixed it all up. When the seed crackers came out of the oven, I took the cracker off and put cookies on the parchment. I pressed pecans into each one. Then I baked them at 350. I wasn't sure they were done after 10 minutes, so I left them in a little longer. Then I took them out to cool. I went in my sewing room to work on e-mail. Later I took a break to try some adrenal reset tea that came in the mail today. I also ate one of the banana cookies. It was awfully bland. I shook a little salt on it and that helped. So I guess they need more salt. Too late now. Chris came home for supper. Then he left to see a movie called Deadpool. I looked at the trailers and decided I did not want to go. While he was gone, I listened to audios and did some tapping. I also sewed D-rings onto my backpack, and took out some seams in a dress that I had taken in years ago, thinking it would then fit Michele. I found it while trying out my new scarves to see what to wear them with. Chris came back from the movie, and we watched an episode of CSI together. Then I sat down to write to my blog while he waited for someone in the states to call him back. The call did not come. I listened to an audio while deleting the latest e-mails. Then I posted to my blog and went to bed.
* This is our first QOV quilt top *

St. Patricks Day

I got up before 8. I drank water and swished and checked e-mail. I heated distilled water in the coffee maker. I put it into two metal water bottles and added salt. I could not find my bathing suit, so I put on a sports bra and shorts. I packed my sauna bag and went to the gym. I had to get a locker key from the front desk. I put all my stuff in there except the water and towels. The sauna had just been turned on, so it started out at 70 degrees and went up from there, to 140. I did my exercises to get the sweat going. Myra joined me after 10 minutes. We sat and talked. Two Korean women came in, in coats and boots, drinking coffee. ??? But they left after 10 minutes. I drank my two bottles of salt water. The sauna turned itself off after an hour. So we got out and took showers. I forgot to bring a regular bra, so Myra lent me her camisole to wear under my shirt. We were headed to yoga, which is all female so maybe bras aren't necessary. But as we were setting up our mats, a man asked if he could join the class. Oh well. Today she did lots of arm poses. My arms did not do well, in fact I started wondering if I was coming down with a neurological disease. After class I went home and tapped for it. I ate some seed crackers and nuts. I changed my clothes. Chris had brought me a package from the post office. Two of the items were for Myra. So I went to her house to return the camisole and the two items. We knocked on Danielle's door and she came with us. We met Nela in the courtyard. We walked to the ATM. I got some money, as did Myra. Then we walked out into town to catch a bus to Masan. We got off at the fish market stop, but walked in the other direction. We looked at scarves, and yarn, and yoga pants, and fabric and hair bows. I got cold because I did not have a coat. But hey, it was warm today in Chinhae. I bought some fabric to make yoga pants and wrapped it around my shoulders to keep warm. Finally we left the market and walked to the bus stop. It took about half an hour to get to Chinhae. Then we had to walk all the way back to post. We went our separate ways. When I got home, I called Chris. He was at Turtle Cove, intending to have a beer with the CO and resist the corned beef and cabbage. I read e-mail and came across a movie online that I thought we could watch together. I called again, but he did not answer. So I watched the movie by myself. Then I called again, and this time he answered. He said the phone had not rung before and he would be home soon. I read more e-mail, then took a break to get something to drink. He came home then, bringing a small box of corned beef and raw broccoli. He said the meat was for me and the veggies for him. So I ate the meat and it was just so-so. We watched an episode of CSI. We had a discussion about the community roundup and he went to bed. I stayed up to post to my blog and delete the latest e-mails that I will never read.
* This is a little craft/office supply shop where I bought d-rings and some ribbon *

Lunch at Anna's house

I got up at 7:29, thinking it was after 8. Then my alarm went off. I drank water and checked e-mail. I ate seed crackers. I put together an Amazon order to include a new watchband. But despite adding other items to my order, I was not getting free shipping. When I noticed the time read 9:45, I closed the laptop and called Myra. She was having car issues, but resolved them and came to get me. We carried my stuff to her car. Then we picked up Nela and went to the chapel. She found a parking space right in front, which was like a miracle. We unloaded into the classroom. We set up the machines and Nela sewed on the last border for our first QOV. We took turns taking pics. Myra left at 11 to have her professional picture taken. When she got back, she said that Chris was there, having his taken too. While she was gone, we worked on fish blocks. Nela and Anna sewed while I drew diagonal lines and pressed and cut. But we used up all the blue background that I had brought. So we worked on the second quilt of valor. Myra had added the last two blocks before she left, so all it needed were borders. We auditioned several blues and a white. Finally she tried a red with it. It was lovely but there was not enough of it. But I thought I might have something similar at home. I cut the blue and the white while Nela sewed them end to end. Finally Myra pinned the inner border to one side and we packed up. The secretary of the chapel said we could use the closet in that room for storage. That was better luck than I had imagined. So we put most of my stuff in there. I forgot to mention that Chris stopped by after checking the post office and left me two boxes. One contained only a tube of lip balm. So I threw it in the other box and left the first box near the trash. Then Anna invited us to her house for lunch. Myra took Nela home to drop off her sewing supplies and then dropped me off. I freshened up and walked to Anna's house. Keymora was just arriving so we walked in together. Anna was preparing lunch. She had little bowls of fish something in her slow cooker. She had some dried meat snacks. They were good, but no telling what was in them. Other people arrived. She cooked up ground pork with spices. She deep-fried hardboiled eggs, which I had never heard of before. They got cut in half and topped with a tamarind sauce and something else. Elisa played at the piano and we talked about that for awhile. Lunch was not served until almost 3. We sat around her kitchen table and shared good food and conversation. But I got antsy and was looking for a good way to get out and have some alone time. Myra mentioned that Housing closed at 4 and she needed to ask them something. Well, I needed a light bulb, so I went with her. But she ran ahead to be sure to catch them before they closed. Nela walked with me. We passed my house and I ducked in to get the new bulb that did not work. Housing was open when we got there. The man gave me two new bulbs. Then we left and went home. I put the bulbs down and checked e-mail. I started watching a video segment on heroin addiction in America. Finally I pulled myself away so I could do an errand. But at just that moment, Chris came home. So we talked about his day and mine. I boiled some water and added some soap in a large bowl. In the shed I used the water to soak the sunroof of the stroller. When I had finished, Chris told me that he had to go to the states in May and if I wanted to come, but did not want to fly, I had the option of taking a ship. He suggested I could go back to the states for 2 months. It sounded complicated to me and I don't need more complication in my life. I ate the rest of my chocolate and melted some cacao butter to make more. It took a while. I put in cacao powder and cinnamon and vanilla and vit C and honey. I had to warm up the honey because it had crystalized. I washed my new chocolate mold. Using all my molds, I poured a little chocolate in each one, then put a cashew or a walnut in each one and then topped it with more chocolate. The smaller molds went into the fridge but the larger one had to sit out. I washed up the utensils and countertops. I made and ate breakfast while reading e-mail and finishing the video. Then Chris was ready, so we watched two episodes of CSI. He went to bed and I stayed up to write this post.

Yoga and shopping

I got started on my coffee morning before 8. I drank a quart of water, swished and read e-mail. I boiled water for coffee, exercised, drybrushed and rebounded. I did not finish in time to take a shower before yoga. That meant that there was still coconut oil in my hair when I went. Myra and Nela did not come. Joelle gave us a tough workout, lots of thigh-splitting poses. The other ladies packed up promptly at 12 to get their kids from CYP. So I was alone with the instructor. As we did cool-down poses, I asked her about where she got her massage. After yoga, I went home. Chris was having lunch. He had some packages from the post office, but they were for him. He took the burnt out light bulb from the fridge to get a new one from Housing. I ate my seed crackers, then called Myra. She was still waiting for Housing to fix the doorbell. So I made and ate breakfast, too. She called back when the job was done. I walked down to her house, but she was on the phone. I watched her TV until she finished. Then we walked over to the clinic because she needed to get a question answered. I nudged her shoulder and she asked the doc about that. He took her in the back and when they came out, she said he said nothing was out of place. Then we walked down by the school to look for Nela. We saw Jadyn showing off his knitting. Nela was close behind. She teaches knitting after school. We all want massages, so we walked downtown to where Joelle went. Despite the language barrier, we were able to set up appointments for all of us next week. Then we went to the everyday market. Nela was looking for ribbon. At one little store I bought a bow and a tiny humidifier. At another, I bought underwear, though they did not have the kind I prefer. I had to wonder if it was appropriate to show them what I was wearing so they would know what I was looking for. But I decided against it. We also went to Daiso. I got another chocolate mold and a 2-sided magnifying mirror (to replace the one that finally fell apart). We also went to Office Depot, which is where Nela finally found the ribbon she needed. Then we came home, but it was getting cold and dark. I walked uphill to the house. I saw Chris' car pulling out. Another VTC. I heated up a bowl of bison and made a salad. I ate the bison while reading e-mail. Chris came home. When I came to a good stopping point, we sat down to watch a couple of episodes of CSI. I tried to call Plan International because they sent me a letter detailing problems with our bank. But I did not get through. I jotted notes for my blog while I waited for the next hour. I flattened recyclables and separated them into bags, which I put by the door for Chris to put out in the morning. It was 10pm by then so I tried calling Plan International. The lady was there and I was able to reach her extension. We ironed out the problems and got the payments back on track. After the call, I downloaded the pics from my camera. I wrote to my blog and went to bed.
* Here is a pic from the marine solar park. *

A real Korean adventure

I woke up before the alarm went off and never heard it. I did something in my sewing room. I drank water and swished with coconut oil. I checked e-mail. I ate seed crackers. I put the walker out by my sewing stuff. I got dressed and moved the sewing supplies to the front porch, and then to the curb. I stood and waited for Myra to arrive. We loaded the car and drove to Nela's house. I hopped out and carried the walker across the street to Elizabeth's house. I gave it to Raymond who answered the door. Then Nela arrived and we went to the FFTC building. We carried everything inside. Chaun was already there, arranging tables. We got set up and a few other people arrived. Myra and I got them started on whatever projects they wanted to work on. Anna wanted to make a zippered pillow case with a ruffle to learn the skills involved. But she did not have a zipper. Myra got her started on the ruffle. In between helping people, I cut up fabric that I had brought for fish blocks. Chris came by at noon to deliver the mail, which was my new driver's license. It had my old Alabama picture on it and said that next time I am in Alabama I must report to the bureau for a replacement license. Yeah, right. Then we packed up. Nela walked home. Myra drove Chris and me home where he unloaded my stuff. He made himself lunch while I made myself breakfast. I ate it while checking e-mail. Then I grabbed a sling purse and walked down the hill to Myra's parking lot. Nela called to say she was on her way. I saw Danielle and her dog so I walked down to see her. Then Nela arrived, and finally Myra. We walked off post, to the McDonald's bus stop. Nela said she wanted to explore an odd shaped building on the shore that she had seen the day before. So we waited for a bus, and rode it for at least 20 minutes. When we got off, we could see it in the distance. A lady on the bus got off there too, and she led the way through a small street lined with villas down to the shore and across a bridge. Then she went in another direction while we climbed the hill to what turned out to be a marine park with a solar tower. I had to call Chris to tell him where I was. He wished he were with me. We took pics at the gazebo and then entered the building. We went to the fourth floor and bought tickets to enter the tower. We rode the elevator to the 27th floor (not that there were floors in between).

We admired the view. I was a little nervous but the height did not bother me as much as I thought it would. We took pics and wandered around. There were mirrors that skewed our reflections. Finally we came down. They stopped in a souvenir shop to look around. There did not seem to be anything the reflected the place that we were in. Just jewelry and perler bead key chains. We found our way outside and walked across a bridge to a little brightly colored town. We wandered down a street but no one was there. So we walked back. It was a lot of walking uphill to get back to the tower. Then we walked downhill to get back to the bus stop. We had to wait for a bus, and I was so glad to see it when it came. We rode back to Chinhae. Then we had to walk back to base. We stopped at the corner store to get fruits and vegetables. Then we walked on base, and to our separate places. Chris was already home, finishing up supper. I heated up a bowl of the bison with tomatoes. I also made a salad, and started a loaf of bread. Chris had to go back to work for a VTC. I ate my supper and worked a few Sudoku puzzles, ahead for the week. Then, just as I went to my sewing room, he came home. I checked e-mail and watched some short sewing videos. At 8 we watched two episodes of CSI. I returned to my sewing room to check e-mail again. I could hear Chris calling the states over a revised W-2 that never arrived. I wrote up my blog and posted it, with the intention of going to bed.

Here, fishy fishy

I did not hear my alarm go off so I got up late as Chris was getting ready for church. After he left, I ate and checked e-mail. I took a shower and put together another fish block while listening to the praise songs for today on Youtube. Chris came home just as I finished the block. He drove me to church, then went to work. I asked the pastor if we could have hymns for Easter. I sat with Jane. When the service started, we sang the songs. Then we had communion in the back. A lot of people got their wine and bread and sat down. The rest of us stood around talking like we were instructed. Then we sat for the bible reading. The sermon went long, say 30 to 40 past the usual time. Raymond suggested that his wife could use a walker and I offered mine. Chris came to get me. We drove Danielle and her husband home, then went home to change. We walked to the Korean church for lunch. Jane had not arrived yet, so we kind of waited for her. It was a very good meal. In addition to spinach, squid, kimchi and rice, there were plates of lettuce and meat on the table. We put the meat in a lettuce leaf, then added garlic, peppers and hot sauce before eating it. There were orange slices for dessert. Jane had a lot on her plate and men came to fold up all the tables. Since we were done, she told us to go ahead and leave. Sook's husband was just picking her up, so we caught a ride back to base with them. We shopped in the commissary for groceries, then carried them to our car and drove home. I checked e-mail again and must have used my sewing machine (because later I found the light still on). I walked down to the CO's house to give their son a piano lesson. He did not seem all that interested, but my main objective was to get to know him and get him to know me. When he went out to play with his brother, I played with the piano just because it felt so good to play again. Then his mother invited me to have tea. We chatted about seeds and stuff. Then she showed me what the netting laundry bags looked like. We talked about how a laundry fundraiser would work. Her husband came out to visit and then the man next door came over with his two daughters to drop off a gift. Anna showed me how the sling purse she made came apart at one seam. I offered to fix it. She gave me some tea to take home. I walked home and got very cold. I helped Chris fold laundry. I ate some bison. I fixed Anna's purse. I took a pic of the QOV and of the fish blocks. I posted to Facebook to remind ladies of the class. Chris and I moved all the FRG stuff behind the shed into the shed in case it rained tomorrow. I cut up fabrics and made another fish block. I cut up more fabric until Chris started an episode of CSI. We watched the episode together. Then it was 10:30, so I drank my salt water, and went to bed. Chris read for awhile.

Is it magic?

I slept in late because Chris was going to be gaming, but it went south. It was almost 11 when I got up. I checked e-mail and drank water. I got dressed and walked up the trail. When I got home again, I ate seed crackers. Chris helped me write an appeal to the Post Office for refusing to pay for my damaged machine. But while I was searching for similar machines for sale to see the price, the website logged me out. Chris went to work. I found some QOV scraps and started sewing them together. The extra strips were in kind of a mess so I un-stitched and re-stitched until it made sense. Then I worked on the fish quilt, pulling out fabric for the fish bodies. I cut squares for one and drew diagonal sewing lines. Chris came home and made bison soup with the canned tomatoes that Myra gave me. I checked e-mail again. We ate soup and then we went to see an illusionist at the theater, scheduled by MWR. Actually, he was more of a mind reader. He picked people from the audience to think of words, or numbers, and then guessed them as if he was reading their minds. He guessed the phone number of someone's sister back in the states. I thought that was funny because after the show, I was speaking to him and Chris asked for his autograph. He asked if we were married and I figured he should know that if he can guess a random phone number. He also made a table move, and then rise up, which was pretty impressive. He had notes tucked away from before the show explaining things that no one could possibly have predicted. It was amazing. And I examined the table with no unusual findings. Chris and I walked home. I re-did the appeal to USPS. We watched three episodes of CSI. Chris went to bed and I stayed up to blog.
* The illusionist reads Chris' mind as he selects a word at random from a book (which I examined later and it was a real book). *

Jaime's going-away party

I got up about 8. I took out a seam and sewed in another strip. But it wasn't long enough either, so I sewed a white corner over it. Then I checked e-mail and drank water. I exercised and listened to tapping audios. I called Nela to see if we were walking today. I messaged Akia. I made a batch of seed crackers. Akia came by and we went to the FRG locker. We took out everything in there except for the small bikes, which would not fit in her car. We carried it all to a spot behind the shed. Then she had to pick up her daughter. I ate some of the new seed cracker batch. I did some more tapping audios. I seemed to have found a sore spot in my psyche. Myra messaged me that she did not want to go walking. I made and ate breakfast. I walked up the trail and around and down behind my house. I noted that someone had done a very nice job of putting all the uprooted sod back in place and staking it down with green netting. Sadly the sod has been dead for several months. I picked up Chris' key and got in his car. It took me awhile to remember how to operate the clutch and brake. But then it was ok. I did not need to go above second gear driving to the Navy Lodge. I got the bikes out of the locker. I returned the keys and signed them back in. I drove back to the housing area. I moved the bikes from the trunk to the shed. I opened some of the tubs from the locker to air out. I removed the cover from the stroller and soaked it in hot soapy water. I listened to more tapping audios. I got dressed and walked down to the parking lot at Duffy's for Jamie's going-away party. Anna drove up and invited me to wait in her car. As we talked, Myra and Nela walked up, so they got in, too. We all waited for others to come. Another car with three women arrived. We drove behind them to Changwon. Parking was a whole 'nother matter. The lot was full so the operators were parking cars crosswise. But they found Anna a spot somehow. Then we all went upstairs to an Indian restaurant. There were several other Indian places in the same building. But ours was very nice. We looked over the menus. Then three more ladies showed up while we were ordering. I got a prawn dish cooked in yogurt. We had a great time conversing. Elisha showed me how to sign in to KakaoTalk. Several people ordered a set meal, which included dessert. The proprietress offered to provide dessert for everyone. One of the selections was green tea, so I had that. At 9:30, the restaurant was closing, so we went next door to a pub. I was uncomfortable there. So we left. I kind of hinted that I wanted to go home. So Anna took us home, while the others went somewhere for dessert and karaoke. Anna took Nela home first. We sat outside Nela's house talking. Then she dropped off Myra, and then stopped by my house. She asked me to come over Sunday at 2 to give her son a piano lesson. When I came in, Chris was on his computer. I checked my e-mail and posted to my blog, more than ready to go to bed.

Cleaning

I slept in until 9. I got up to clean in the bathroom. Then I drank lemon water, exercised, checked e-mail, etc. I ate seed crackers with coconut oil. I put the pot of bones on the stove to boil again. I got dressed for yoga and then realized that the shirt I picked had turmeric stains on it. I threw it in the washbowl to soak. I turned down the burner a little and went to yoga. There were two men waiting to participate. I was worried that they were behind me and could be looking at my butt. But while doing Downward Dog, I glanced at them and they were not. What? Is my half-century old butt not worth looking at? I guess there is no pleasing me. It was a tough workout. After yoga, Kathy asked if I had any interest in joining the PTO. Although I thought I had something to offer such an organization, I did not want to overcommit myself. Then I walked home with Myra and Nela, who went to their homes. I made and ate breakfast. I checked e-mail. I put the turmeric shirt in the washer with two rugs, a coat and the dust mop head. I made hummus. Later I put all but the shirt in the dryer. The shirt was still stained, so I put it in the sink with lots of soap. That got me in the cleaning mood. I scrubbed the kitchen floor. I vacuumed the hallway and part of the bedroom, but it was not picking up the black fuzz on carpet. I got out the other vacuum. But then I damp mopped the hallway and the utility room. I vacuumed the hall bath and the master bath. I washed the master bath floor, and scrubbed the sink area. I cleaned inside part of the shower that I could reach without getting my feet wet. Myra called to say she had sent me a pic of two items that she wanted to add to my Swansons order. I finalized my order and sent it in. I planted the remaining three pea plants in a cut off plastic bottle. I put that in the window in case the ones outside freeze. I resumed cleaning. Since the fridge was low on food, I took out shelves and washed them. I vacuumed the bottom underneath the last bin. Chris came home for a bite to eat before going back to work for a VTC. I sat to jot notes for my blog. While he was gone, I listened to a tapping audio. I drank a bowl of the bone broth. I printed out some block instructions, and scanned a letter from the post office denying my claim. I vacuumed the bedroom and sewing room. I hunted for scraps of QOV. I found two blocks from the ends of strip sets. I added some red to each one. That made one long enough to be a block, but the second one needed more of a certain blue strip but I had no scraps of that. Chris came home from his VTC. I needed a few minutes to finish sewing the strips. Then we sat on the couch to watch three episodes of CSI. They were linked together with those dreaded three words: “to be continued”. Chris went to bed, and I stayed up to cool off the bone broth so I could put it away. While it was cooling, I posted to my blog.
* I did not take any pics today so here is one from a few Sundays ago when we were eating at the Korean church. *

Watch out Chinhae!

Last night I did not sleep well. I can't say why. Then, when I came back from the bathroom, the restless leg sensations started. I did yoga poses, but for the first time, they did not help. When Chris got up, he turned on the heat (which I had turned off several days ago). He said there were snow flurries on the ground. After he left, I got up, surprised that I wasn't more tired. I checked e-mail while drinking water with vinegar. I exercised, then made and ate breakfast. Before I was finished, Nela called to say they were coming over. So I got dressed, then finished breakfast. Nela knocked and said she'd wait in the car. I threw on my coat and grabbed the iron and my bag. I got in Myra's car (my stuff was still in the car from Monday) and we went to the chapel. We unloaded our stuff and got to sewing. Lily came, and then Anna. Lily worked on the borders and I had Anna and Nela sewing blocks together for a second quilt. Myra made more blocks since we were a few short. We started packing at 12:30. We were out by one. Nela walked home a little early to eat before the driver's test. Myra drove me home. Then she and Anna went looking for wood to make planter boxes. As I was studying, they came by for some cardboard to protect the floor of the car. I ate seed crackers and studied the pamphlet. I tapped as I read, hoping to remember it all. At 1:45 I walked toward Transportation. Nela caught up with me after arriving early but having to go back home for her license. When we arrived, we went into a back room. I handed in my pamphlet. We were given test booklets and answer sheets. He took our licenses and when he came back, he gave us pens. One man was already taking the test. I read the first page which said to only do sections A and B unless getting a gov't vehicle license. So I did sections A and B in less than 15 minutes. He gave me forms to fill out and checked my sheet. He wrote my name in a book and brought me an orange USFK license. Watch out Chinhae! I asked how many I missed and he said none. The form I filled out asked about me having a whole bunch of health issues. I replied no, even though one mentioned mental health. He signed my license and I signed it and was ready to go, but I decided to wait for Nela. Then the first man finished his test. I found out later that he is the math teacher at the school. Nela needed more time, since her native language is Spanish. And she had to call home to get her ssn. But by three we were out. We stopped off at her house and then went to the hill behind mine. She was looking for wood to make a planter box and did not see what she wanted. So we each went home. I checked e-mail and listened to some audios. I jotted notes for my blog. I mixed up a batch of chia and flax seeds. I made up nine days worth of supplement doses. Having identified those that needed refilling, I worked on a Swanson's order. Chris came home briefly for supper. Then he carried my rolling cart as we walked to the commissary. He continued on to his office. I bought a few things on the list, and rolled out of the store. Kelly offered me a ride but she was waiting on her daughter to return from a field trip, so I walked anyway. I resumed work on the Swanson's order. Some things were cheaper from Nuts.com and they had a free shipping offer, so I ordered from them. I did not finish the Swanson's order in case Myra wanted to get something. I finished today's puzzle. Chris came home after his VTC. We watched several episodes of CSI. He went to bed and I stayed up to blog.
* how did we sew for 2 1/2 hours and not finish the borders? *

Out of my hair

I got up soon after 8, not realizing it was that late. I put the food waste out by the street. I made it a coffee morning. I checked e-mail and did my exercises. I took a shower to wash the oil out of my hair that I put in last night. I put a lot in because my hair was so dry and most of it was absorbed by morning. I tried to leave a little oil still in it. My toothbrush holder came unstuck. I stuck it back up, but it will no longer hold the weight of my toothbrush. After my shower, I raced to get dressed, grabbed my mat and headed to yoga. Kathy picked me up halfway and gave me a ride. We were a little late but not late enough to miss the thigh killing poses. After the session, Myra said she had called me to say Ms. Kim wanted to meet us at Housing at 2. Anna invited us all to go eat lunch at a restaurant in town. I begged off to get my loaner stuff ready. I hoped Chris would be home for lunch to carry the TV, but he was not there when I got home. I caught up on Sudoku. Chris came home for lunch. We looked at my phone and together figured out that the ring tone was very low so we increased it. We agreed we would rather have simple phones, not these 'smart' phones with more options than you can shake a stick at. How smart is a phone that lowers the volume of the ring tone but not the volume of anything else? He carried the loaner TV to the foyer, and left. I made and ate breakfast. I called Myra who was just getting back from lunch. I found a bag listing the contents of towels and wash cloths. So I counted and made sure they were all there. I moved some of it to the foyer while the ladies arrived. As Nela put the lid on the tub of loaner items, I saw a list taped to it. But we were already late so there was not time to count everything. We jumped in Myra's car and headed to Housing. Myra drove around back, where Kelly was unloading her loaner stuff. We piled mine inside and Myra took Nela home. As the lady checked Kelly's stuff in, Dex came to borrow stuff. So the lady told him to take what he needed from my pile. And he did. After she checked what he left, she said it was all there, but I wondered what would happen if he brought back my tub of kitchen stuff and it wasn't all there. Myra saw a table in there that she liked, so she asked if she could trade for it, and was told no. Then we went to the commissary. I bought coconut milk and some gift bags. We dropped her groceries at her place. She gave me a jar of canned tomatoes and some breakfast cookies. Then she came to my house to pick up all her stuff that we had to take out of her car so my loaner stuff would fit. As she drove off, Kelly came out and asked if I minded if she ran a business for cutting hair from her place. We talked for awhile, and got cold because it was a cool, rainy day. I came in to jot notes for my blog. I finished today's puzzle. I cleaned in the kitchen. I went through some tapping audios. Chris came home for supper and then left for a VTC. I was still tapping when he got home 20 minutes later. We watched three episodes of CSI. Chris went to bed. I added to the recyclables and put the bags by the front door. Then I posted to my blog and went to bed.
* this is the cake cut at the ship at Busan *

Laundering ideas

I was up before 8, and checked e-mail. I cut and sewed a fish block while listening to audios. I swished, and exercised. I ate seed crackers, and then called Myra. I could see she had called earlier but I never heard the phone ring. I called Nela because she called while I was trying to call Myra. They were on their way over. I put on my shoes and coat. They arrived and carried my stuff to Myra's car. She drove us to the classroom. We set up while she parked the car at Security. Several ladies showed up, some with machines. Most made or finished their aprons. One made a potholder, and another worked on a mitt. After we packed up, we drove to Transportation, but they were closed for lunch. So Myra drove me home, and we unloaded my sewing stuff. Chris was here, but he left. I made and ate breakfast while checking e-mail. The house phone rang. The man was looking for Chris, but talked to me for some time. My side of the conversation went like this: “Uh huh... ok.... right... yeah... hmmm... really?... wow... nice... etc. Finally I told him I was supposed to meet someone at 2. He said goodbye and hung up. I checked my cell phone to see that Myra had called, but I never heard it ring. I called her and we agreed to meet. I walked down to her apartment building. We walked to Transportation and got two pamphlets for the driver's test. Then we walked to FFTC to talk to Ms Kim about returning loaner stuff – hopefully tomorrow. We chatted with Dan, then walked to Nela's house to give her one of the pamphlets. I walked Myra to Housing and went home. I sat outside to read the manual because it was such a nice day. When my feet got cold, I came in and sat on the couch. I got sleepy. I managed to fend off sleep until I finished reading and then curled up on the couch. I got up at 5 and remembered that there was an FRG meeting at 6. I had something to eat and Chris came home. I talked to him. Then I threw ingredients in the bread machine. I called Nela to ask where the meeting was. She had forgotten. She agreed to call Myra as Chris and I hurried out the door. When we got to the FFTC building, only two people were there. But a few more showed up. We discussed fundraisers for the FRG during the exercise. One was to make breakfast snacks for the extra people on post. Another was a video game challenge, and some sort of dance contest. Finally we discussed doing laundry. It seemed quite the opportunity to make money but the logistics were sticky – when to accept drop-offs, pick-ups, and what to do with the bags of laundry after they are done – since we would be doing them at the coin laundry. Finally we agreed to meet later in the week because the CO had not yet signed the by-laws to make it all legal. Chaun drove me home. Chris had the light on for me. I cut up a yellow pepper and ate it. Then we watched episodes of CSI season 10. Chris went to bed while I stayed up to post to my blog.

Finally, a ride to church, now that we have our temp licenses

I woke up slowly and got out of bed when nature called. I woke up my laptop and was surprised to discover that it was 10am. I threw on a nice top and pair of pants. I drank some water and ate some seed crackers. I called Chris, first on his cell phone and then on his work phone. There was no answer. He called a few minutes later as I finished putting on my coat and shoes to walk to church. He had gone to church and was coming to pick me up. So I got the keys and met me at our car. He dropped me off at the church. I sat with Jane and showed her messages on my phone that I did not understand. She said they were for a previous owner of the phone. She showed me how to block them. Then the service began. We sang three praise songs with the song leader. I have yet to convince him that hymns would be welcome. Then we met at tables in the back for communion. We were given a question to answer but I am not sure anyone did. I talked with a man who was on the same ship last night. Then we sat for the bible reading and a talk. There were announcements after the service. Chris came in to talk to the chaplain. Jane insisted I come to the back with her. I guess she thought I would eat the snacks, but since we were about to go to lunch at the Korean church, what was the point? A young man who has played guitar for the service in December, said he would like to hear me play trombone sometime at church. I explained that I needed a chord instrument to play with me. Then I joined Chris and Jane had to go with a group to get off post (some new security thing). A big bus was waiting outside the chapel to take people to see a ship at the ROK base. We did not do that because a) we did not know if it would be back when Chris needed to be back, and b) they said only U.S. Military could ride the bus. So we walked to the Korean church and Jane met us there. They had kimchi, japchai, rice, seaweed soup, and another dark green vegetable. There were rice cakes and orange slices on the tables. Jane collected the leftover rice cakes for the senior center. Another lady came up and seemed to recognize me. She put her arm around me and asked if I had a Korean friend. Jane put her arm around me from the other side and replied to her in Korean. I would have loved to understand THAT conversation. Then another lady had me type my phone number into her phone. I hoped she wasn't going to call me to go places with her. My social calendar is full. That reminded me of last night, when I met an administrator from the school and he encouraged me strongly to become a substitute teacher at the school. I know they need substitutes, but I am already committed 4 days a week. Jane left to catch a bus and we walked home. Chris immediately left for work. I saw Sook had called so I called back and we met halfway between our houses. I gave her the backpack and went home. I checked e-mail. I listened to audios. I chose some fabric to make fish blocks. I wrote an e-mail to my list of people interested in sewing QOV. Looking for a photo, I realized that the list was too long. I started the process of putting each month's worth of photos in one folder, starting with September, which is where I left off some time ago. Eventually Chris came home. We had a chat. He did three loads of laundry and made his supper. I sent my e-mail, and made my breakfast. I cleared more e-mail and did some tapping. He made popcorn. We folded laundry and watched the last Hornblower movie. Sadly, it ends with his wife announcing her pregnancy. We folded the rest of the laundry and put it away. I drank salt water, posted to my blog, and went to bed.
* Here we are, sitting in the belly of an Osprey *

We took a trip to see a ship

We woke to hear my alarm sounding. I was hoping for a relaxing morning in bed, but then his phone rang and he had to go to work. I checked e-mail while drinking salt water. I did some tapping with an article in the e-mail. I swished and took vit C. I ran the dishwasher and emptied it. Shi-Uk sent me Youtube links for the songs on Sunday. So I listened to them, but was unable to sing them because … I could not pick out the melody and it was men singing. Why can't we have regular hymns? One of them I had the sheet music for so I played it on my tablet and that helped. Incidentally, I had to turn off the wi-fi because Korean ads were showing up on the keyboard app and slowing the program down to unusable levels. Chris came back to take a shower and have breakfast. I made and ate breakfast, too. We talked about how hard the music was to sing. Then he went back to work. I made a shower mitt from a Korean scrub towel that I bought. I put elastic around the wrist. When I took my shower, it was like scrubbing my skin with a wire brush! These Korean women are true stoics if they can do this everyday. I discovered a brush burn on my ankle. I had no memory of how it happened. But I avoided it with the mitt. Then I called Sook to tell her the backpack was ready. She said she'd pick it up Monday. I ironed the top I wanted to wear tonight. I got dressed. I worked on a fish block for a quilt for the school. It is (was) supposed to be for a fundraiser for the PTO, but it sounds like the PTO may be disbanded for lack of participation. Chris came home to have a bite to eat. I finished my block and had a bite, too. Then we got in the car and went to meet the van. But it turned out that we were taking a bus because so many people were going. And when the bus got outside the gate, it stopped and picked up more passengers. Then it was a long slow ride to Busan to the dock. We got off the bus and proceeded to climb tall metal stairs to the inside deck of the USS Bonhomme Richard, an amphibious assault ship. Chris was excited to tour it. There were lots of people there for the reception. A buffet was set out. I had to used the head, as they say in the Navy. This was not easily done since it took a number of people to come up with the answer to 'where is it'?

Finally someone took us through a maze of oblong door-sized ports into narrow hallways, kind of like you see in submarines in movies. When we arrived, I hoped the man would wait for me because I would never find my way back. And he did, but the way back was through the mess, and much faster and easier. Was it 'stump the civilians' day? We stood in line to fill our plates. We ate at a standing table. Chris spoke to anyone and everyone, frequently leaving me by myself. There was a ceremony where the CO spoke in paragraphs and someone interpreted. I found it difficult to concentrate, so I imagined it was a warm summer day with a breeze and flowers all around. In fact, it was dark and would have been chilly (but not cold) if not for heaters placed around. Then we walked out to a piece of deck hanging over the water. It rose into the air, taking us all up to the top deck. We were allowed to see a Seahawk and an Osprey. We went in the Osprey. I walked down the deck until a young man in a uniform addressed me as Ma'am and indicated that I wasn't supposed to be there. Then we gathered on the piece of deck and descended to the previous place. I spoke with the Admiral's wife and the CO's wife and met some new people. Soon it was time to meet our bus. On the way down the tall metal steps, I nearly fell because one step was much larger than the others, and I kind of twisted my ankle. When we got to the bottom, we walked out of the pier. There were port-a-poties which were a welcom sight. Then we got on the bus, but had to wait for the CO and Senior Chief. Then we headed back to Chinhae. It was a shorter trip. I rested my ankle on Chris' knees to keep it elevated. The bus stopped just short of the base to let the Korean men off. Then we pulled onto the base where our ID's were checked. When the bus got to where it started, we got off and stood talking for a bit, then drove home. I checked e-mail and refilled my humidifier flower. I wrote to my blog, drank salt water, and went to bed.