Stuffed Pumpkins

Chris got up sometime around 2am to go to work. I fell back asleep. I woke about 7, and took some food waste downstairs to drop off before reading my book. As I read, I was occasionally assaulted by raindrops. But I stayed for an hour anyway. I went up to have breakfast and e-mail. At 10:30 I had a shower, gathered some recyclables, and headed for the thrift shop. There were not many books to shelve, so I filled my time by counting 1000 piece puzzles. Actually, most were over 1000, so I guess that number is just a guideline. It takes me 20 minutes each. Hardly worth it for a $4 price tag. And it is no guarantee that all the pieces are there. If there are 1007, is that right or should there be 1008? Anyway, at 2 they decided to call it a day. I drove to the DHL to cash a check and get cash for picking up my dress tomorrow. Then I stopped by the commissary to get cherry tomatoes. But they were all gone, and the lady said the man who brings them doesn't work there any more. So I got Romas but they don't look as good. Also got a brown coconut (no fresh ones) and Cheerios for Michele. At home, I made a hole in the coconut, sipped out the water, then whacked it with a hammer. The shell cracked all over, and only the meat was left. It resembled an deflated basketball. I ate about half while reading e-mail. I took a pic of the machine parts that the Pfaff man took last December. At 4 I pushed myself away from the computer to work on tonight's class. I rounded up some green fabric and some orange fabric. I found a little bit of stuffing, and last year's pattern. I printed out the more complicated pattern just in case. I also brought the minutes for Cathy to sign if she came. But she didn't. I arrived about 6:15, got the materials out of the closet. Someone had stacked the tables against the wall, and covered them with chairs. So I had to dig out the tables. We had a nice size class. The prayer group next door had their kick-off meeting. I forgot to take pics of the pumpkins we made, but they were cute. This pic is from last year. Erin brought me 5 pillowcases she'd made for the kids with cancer. They are really cheery. I was able to sell one ruler and a gridded ironing board cover. We packed up early since the project went fairly fast. I went home expecting Chris would be in bed, but he was still up, though not for long. I made his sandwich for tomorrow and soaked my sprouts. Their performance is so disappointing. I don't know what has changed.

Some place new

in
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Ok, I read for an hour, ate breakfast, skimmed e-mail. Then I dressed and drove over to the commissary. I put a check in the mail and grabbed a taxi. I handed him Cindy's card. She had invited me to walk on the mountain behind her house with her and some friends. I did not remember which bus to take, and she hadn't told me which stop to get off at. He put the address into his GPS. Then I called her to tell her I was coming. She was delighted because she had forgotten to call me last night. She had said the bus ride would take an hour. The taxi ride was about 40 minutes. It dropped me off on the road above her house. But a man nearby (possibly the guard) hurried over to read the card in my hand and to show me where Cindy lived. She was home and her dog was very happy to see me, jumping up and licking me. We talked until the other two women arrived. One of them had a dog and the two dogs took off, racing around the house. And a very nice house it was, too. So we walked down to the main street, and over to the right to a bus stop. The bus took us partway up the mountain. We walked the rest of the way, and then down through the woods. We stopped to see the place where "Coffee Prince" is/was filmed. We saw the foundation remains of old buildings in the woods. We saw a school group looking at the flora. It felt so good to be mostly alone in a forest, walking by a stream. But they told me that on the weekends, it is full of people. We came out on the main street and walked back to Cindy's house, stopping along the way at a snack place. They split a pizza, and I had a San Pelligrino. I had some nuts in my purse. When we got to Cindy's house, Olivia had to leave, but the rest of us gazed at the surrounding rooftops and had a nice chat sitting on her porch. The dogs kept chasing each other. When the 4th lady had to leave, I left too. She drove me to the bus stop. There were two possible buses to take. One takes longer and goes to Itaewon. The other goes to Seoul station where I would catch either the subway or another bus. I grabbed the first one and it took me to Seoul station. I perused the list of buses in the area but none of them were buses that went near my apartment. So I took line 4 to Sinyongsan, and caught the post run bus to the commissary. I drove my car back to its normal parking place. I was glad to be home and having lunch. I ate most of the remaining sprouts from E-Mart. I had to eat them with natto to choke them down. The taste is strong and bitter. I do not know what kind they are, although it looks like there are several kinds in the package. I had forgotten to take my vitamins, so took them then. I engaged my e-mail for an hour and took a break to juice up the last of the veggies I bought last week. It was almost 5 when Michele came home from college. Later Chris came home, bearing a box that came in the mail. It had supplements in it. Chris cooked brautworst for supper. I started another batch of seeds for sprouting. Not having much luck and don't know why. I covered the containers with a collander to keep the fruit flies out, but I suspect they are small enough to get in anyway. Chris went to bed early 'cause he has to be at work at 3am for a teleconference. I put on my night gown, and made his sandwich. I checked out the meetups in Alabama to see what people are interested in. It seems there is something for every one. I am writing this blog as I listen to an hour-long audio. When it is over, I plan on going to bed.

The fitting

I started my morning with an hour of reading in the courtyard, followed by breakfast and e-mail. I showered, collected three types of recyclables and put them on the rolycart with a sewing machine. I rolled it down to recycling, dropped off the plastics and cans, and then proceeded to the base. I drove to gate 17, where I met Sue. She looked fantastic and had lost weight. She put two of the sewing machines on her rolycart and put the third one in a bag. We had a nice chat, and then I went to the thrift shop while she went to the post office to mail the machines to her new address. I shelved books, magazines, DVD's and CD's. Just when I thought I had finished and was going to count puzzle pieces, more books came in. It was just after two when I left to go to the gas station gate. I walked into Itaewon. I ran into Shirley and we had a nice chat. I walked on until I reached the tailors shop. I had to sit for a little bit waiting for the tailor. He had the dress cut out and basted together. I tried it on and it was snug. I think he thought it should be that way, but I wanted a bit more wearing ease to sit and in case I gain a pound or two when I go back to the states. So he ripped out some stitching. And the dress did not fall apart. He must have had it double-stitched. It was a bit looser then. But not in the hips where I needed it for sitting. Anyway he fussed and fussed, and finally was satisfied that he could finish it right. He left with the dress and I went back to post. I drove back to my gate and went home. There was e-mail waiting for me. I listened to a few podcasts, and quit about 5. I had just layed out my purple and green quilt with the 4 new squares when Chris came home. He had a new Netflix movie and a box from Amazon. I did not like the 4 new blocks. Three of them are more intricately pieced than the rest and it bothers me. When Michele came home, we watched "The Great Race" and discussed what other films we have seen the main characters in. I made another block for my quilt but am not sure which one to replace.

Taking care of details

I woke up at 8, went down to read in the courtyard. As it was later than usual, kids were outside playing. There were three boys, kinda noisy. I ignored them so I could read. Then two of them had to leave. But the one that was left knew me from second grade math class. So he decided to tell me about the 'somethings' that are growing in a tank in his apartment, and about a movie he saw . But not in a fashion that I could decipher what happened. When he left, I went back to reading. But all he had done was go get his bike. Then he sat on it and told me why cats open their mouths to sniff the air, and about some surfer who gets attacked by sharks every time he goes surfing and .... Luckily it was 9 and I was done. So I took my leave and went upstairs to have breakfast. Michele left soon after for college. Chris wanted to get some shoes re-soled near Itaewon, so I grabbed my bad shoes and stuff and followed him. We parked at the gas station gate, and walked to the right outside the gate. On the other side of the pedestrian bridge, there was a 'cubicle' housing a man who fixes shoes. Chris arranged for his shoes, and then when the man saw mine which needed gluing, he said he would do them for free. We walked up hill to Itaewon. We stopped at What the Book for a copy of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Michele needs it and The Hobbit for a class she is taking. But they did not have The Hobbit. They did have lots of Star Trek books, but I did not get any. Then we went to the place the Chris and Michele had their suits made. I had my favorite dress and a piece of expensive silk from Thailand. I had been thinking for some time that I wanted to have a dress custon made. Not only would I then have a nice dress to wear, but I could use it to make a pattern so I could make more properly fitted dresses. I never thought that they would want $300 to make the dress! Yet, expensive silk needs to be sewn properly and you only get one chance since needles holes will be permanent. So I agreed. I thought getting a second one made at the same time would be cheaper, but he still wanted $250. No. Anyway, I put on my dress, and the chief tailor measured me. And suggested changing the lines of the dress, saying it would be more flattering. He had better be right. He asked me to come back tomorrow afternoon for a fitting. Then Chris and I walked back to post. We went to the thrift shop to see if they had The Hobbit. They did not, but Chris got two DVD's. Then we stopped by his office to get some empty coffee cans. We parked inside gate 17 and walked to the organic market. I bought kimchi and 10 eggs, which we put in the coffee cans. Chris dropped me off at our walk-in gate. I took the eggs and kimchi home, while he went to get the shoes. He returned a while later. Michele was home already, only having 1 class on Monday's. I ate lunch and checked e-mail. They watched the two DVD's from the thrift shop. I sat in on the second part of a movie called Akita. It made no sense to me, and not to Michele either, who saw the entire thing. Chris made supper which we ate during the movie. then he put on Journey to the Center of the Earth. Now that it is over, I am blogging and might do some sewing before I go to bed.
*Another random quilt, indicative of the cooler weather I am anticipating *

E-Mart and groceries

I skipped reading again in favor of some attention from Chris. We showered, dressed, ate breakfast and then drove to church. Since my car was at the apartment, we drove separately onto post, and then jointly to church. The sermon was not on a religious topic, but about our chances of keeping our service. The powers that be are reorganizing the services on post due to budget cuts and parking issues. We could lose our time slot and funding for choir director, organist and pastor. Then where would we go? After the service, we had kimbap and doughnuts. The choir members asked me if Michele had gotten an apartment yet. They recommended the area outside of Yonsei's east gate. We took one member to the gas station gate, and then filled Chris' tank. We parked at old gate 19 and walked to E-Mart. It's funny how such a short pleasant walk on a day like today seems soooo long and arduous in the winter cold. We bought natto and sprouts. Then we went to the commissary for groceries. As we drove home, I tried to call Michele to meet us at the apt building door, but she didn't answer. We left the groceries in the entry way. Chris parked the car in the parking deck while I carried the groceries into the elevator, and Michele helped me get them into the apartment. We put them away. Chris popped a movie into the DVD player. I fell asleep on the couch, having been up so late last night seeing that play. When I woke up, I checked my e-mail. Romaric came over. So we all sat and chatted 'cause we hadn't seen him in months. Chris made supper and we all ate. Then I went back to my e-mail. Sometime last week I had it down to 30 unread e-mails, but I am back up to 45 now. Oh well, there is more to life than e-mail.
*Another random quilt picture*

Friday and Saturday

On Friday morning, I read, had breakfast, briefly checked e-mail, and headed to the AnC center. I got there before 9 but the building was open so I immediately set up my quilt on the longarm. I called Cathy when the machine did not give me reference points after my first row of edge to edge. While I was talking to her, my phone died. I was rushing through the quilt hoping to finish by noon so I could go look at an apartment with Michele. When Ms. Kim came up to see what was going on, I asked her if she had a phone charger, and she did, in the office downstairs. So I charged my phone, and called Chris. He said he was going to see the apt so I had more time to finish my quilt. I had made the center in the early '90's before I had much experience and it was a bit stretched out, but I managed to 'quilt it up' so the borders would be in line. I got it done at 2:30. I thought Judy had something to quilt, but she wasn't feeling well and did not come. Cathy did not have anything either. So I went home, ate lunch, rested a little, and went back with another quilt top. It was a double wedding ring. Cathy came over to show me what designs we had specifically for dwr's. I chose a middle and a melon. I also chose a Bryte green thread for the quilt top. But after it sewed out, I decided it was too bold. And yet you don't really see it in the picture. Anyway, I was not able to finish before 7, so I left it unfinished and got to my gate before it closed. The gate guards remarked how much they like my husband. Okay, well, I like him too. At home, Chris had made steak for supper. I was so tired that he loaded a plate for me and I ate on the couch watching TV. It was a movie called "Son of Rambow". I was going to spend the rest of the evening readying another quilt top to be quilted and posting to my blog, but Chris made me a better offer (wink, wink).
Saturday morning - Apparently the 'offer' was still good, so I skipped my usual hour of reading and had seconds. Then I ate breakfast and read through a bit of e-mail. Chris drove me on post. We had to go around to gate 17 because of construction back-ups. I went to the AnC center to finish my quilt. When I was done with the wedding ring portion, Cathy came over to help me with the border fill. I finished about 12:30. I went over to the Chosun to find out exactly when the luncheon would be. And yes, it is during Chusok. But the lady there could not say whether the fabric man would be there. I left my e-mail address and she will get back to me. I thought about going to Dongdaemun, but it was too hot. I drove home, skirting the construction by going around the back way - something that would normally scare the day lights out of me. I ate lunch, and juiced up veggies. I drank some and made popsicles with the rest. I read more e-mail, and then we watched Serenity. I was expecting Julia to call before 7 to meet me. We planned to go to a play called "If Tables Could Talk...". I started walking to Noksapyeong about 6:45. She called about 7:15 and said it would take her half an hour to get there. I got there way ahead of her and went in to save her a seat. It was a bunch of folding chairs set up in a basement. $15 entry fee. Three small tables were set up in front. Mostly English-speaking people arrived to watch. But Julia was the only one who spoke to me. The play was series of conversations that took place in a restaurant. I shall not describe them here. If I had a mental eraser, I would eradicate all memory of what I heard and saw when the lights went down. I am sure the actors did a fine job, but I would not call those conversations entertainment. The last one went on so long that I had decided it was an artsy thing where the actors make up lines until the audience leaves. But no, there was a surprise ending and I would dearly like to forget it. Julia and I got on the subway together. She got off after one stop and I got off after two. I called Chris from the first station and asked for a ride home. So he was waiting by the gas station gate for me to arrive. It was so good to see him. When we got home, he and Michele finished watching another movie, and I am going to bed as soon as I finish this blog.

First day of class for us both

I was in the courtyard by 7 and read until 8. Michele left at 9 for her first day of classes at Yonsei. I made Chris' sandwich (forgot it last night) and dropped it by his office on my way to the thrift shop. Again, we had plenty of children's books, so many we had to give away perfectly good ones. We also had CD's and DVD's. I gave to charity all the "Parental Advisory" ones. At two I brought in Ella's machine and tested it. Then we locked the doors and left. I went to the commissary to buy fresh vegetables. When I got them home, I did not have the energy to juice them. I checked e-mail, and wrote the group minutes for the months of July and August. I had a late lunch, and then worked on a project for class. I made a snap-close pouch as a sample of something we could do in a future class. I also made one last block for my purple and green quilt. Michele came home at 5. I asked her how it went. She said ok, but she has to go back tomorrow. Ha, ha. Chris was home soon after. I ate a quick supper and grabbed my class samples as well as fabrics for the pillowcases and headed out. I got there at 6:15. Daniele was already there. She wanted to finish her purse from earlier in the summer. So I gave her the next step and then set up tables, etc. for class. I was expecting a much bigger turnout. Three people made pillowcases and Rusty came to return baby kits and help out. They decided to do the stuffed pumpkin next week. I talked to Rusty for some time after class, and then went home. Am ready for bed now. But wait, what about the sandwich?