The chairs did not sit well with me.

I listened to my sleep track on my tablet and it worked. But it kept on playing after the track was over. Somewhere in the playlist was the klaxon from the Enterprise. Needless to say, it woke me up. I took off the headphones, turned off the tablet and eventually went back to sleep.
I woke up just after 7:30. I did not hear my alarm go off, but I had to go to the bathroom. I went back to bed. Chris stayed in bed late and did not make it to church. I got up and found a Mother's Day card from him lying on my laptop. He had written a touching sentiment inside. Then I read e-mail and listened to an audio.
At 10, I washed up and got ready for church. I decided to give the new chairs one try, and I did not want to disappoint Ms. Pae who came to church to sit with me. I parked in front of the school and walked to the chapel. I saw that the chairs were set up in the same rows that the pews had been. I sat in my usual place. But at first it didn't seem possible. The chair was so much higher and harder than the pew. And it leaned back. It took me a minute or two to find a way to perch on the chair. Suzanne came and sat beside me. She commented that the chairs were built for tall people. I know,because my heels did not touch the floor. The chaplain explained to the group that he had ordered the chairs in August and they had just been delivered. Also, that they were there because they were more mobile than the pews.
We stood and sang the praise songs. Ms. Pae sat beside Suzanne. Then the choir sang a hymn. We had communion.
Then came the bible reading. The hymnals and Bibles were gone. Each chair had a pocket in back, possibly wide enough for one book, but not very deep. Connie had his Bible, so he read and we listened. Then the chaplain gave a sermon from the book of Exodus where Jethro tells Moses to find men to help him deal with the issues of the people. Nothing about mothers. But several women in the congregation wished me a Happy Mother's Day. In fact, Chong told me to check my Kakaotalk for a message that she'd sent. The sermon went long and my back complained strongly. After the service, I took a pic of the chairs. As I was leaving, the chaplain pulled me aside and said there was going to be a singing Sunday in June. I told him I didn't think I would be back because the chairs were so uncomfortable. He told me he had ordered them from a church supply site and that all of the products were the same height.
After our discussion about chairs, I walked outside and called Chris. Then I drove the car home so I could change clothes. I wrote a note for the CO's suggestion box concerning the chairs. I drove us back to the commissary. I turned in the note. It was a quick trip because we didn't need much.
When we got back, I turned on my phone's wifi and checked Kakaotalk. There was a Mother's Day message forwarded by Chong. I typed a reply. I texted Kurt to find out how to get my tablet to play only the track I wanted. We texted back and forth for some time. I sent him my track so he could try it. He sent me links to sleep tracks that he listens to on Youtube. All that sleep talk nearly did me in. I stopped texting him so he could go to sleep. I watered the plants and picked some of the peas. I listened to a very long interview on the brain microbiome. Then I invited Chris to go for a walk. We walked the trail and back. I wore my new shoes to test the traction and they did well. We stopped to look at the cherries on the one tree that gets cherries. Edible ones, anyway. Chris pointed out that the other cherry trees got cherries, too, but they were small and did not taste good. He found one on the ground and I tried it. Bitter. I found some more and took them home with me. I picked some lettuce and ate it with the bitter cherries. Chris put eggplant in the oven. I read more e-mail. I sprayed my wallhanging with water and hung clothespins on one side to straighten it. When the eggplant was ready, I ate some of that. I also ate an orange. Chris sat with me to watch TV. I got a bowl of blueberries with cinnamon. Then Chris got a bowl of blueberries with cognac. We watched two episodes of Once Upon a Time. I was startled to see that we had run out of episodes. Chris suggested Shetland, so we watched two episodes of that. It was hard for me to understand the Scottish accent, but with Chris' help, I followed the story line. Then he went to bed and I stayed up to blog and choose a track to listen to to fall asleep.

Outdoor movie

I stayed up late perfecting my sleep track. I transferred it to my tablet, then went to bed and listened to it. But it ended far too soon. I laid awake, wishing I were asleep.
I woke up early. I heard Chris get up and take out the food waste. Then my phone alarm went off. Eventually I got up. I drank some water and checked e-mail. I looked up apps for my tablet and downloaded one called Twilight, and another one that plays rain sounds. Chris separated the laundry and started the white load. We walked out in town to the bank to get currency for China. But the bank lobby was closed. Still, we were able to get the rest of Michele's money out (in three transactions).
Then he went to work. I went outside to get some sun while I trimmed the yard. I pulled a lot of the mint that was out of control. Chris came home from work. He put the colored load in the washer, but did not start it until after I took my shower. I decided not to eat today. I spent some time creating more rope for necklaces. I hung a different panel on the wall; replacing the Christmas one with one of the Eiffel tower. I baked banana cookies. I pulled the clothes from the second hand shops out of the dryer. I laid them on the bed and pulled pants and shorts and shirts from my drawers. I tried to pack, or at least decide what to take.
Finally I texted Dynee to see if she was ready to go to the 5-day market. She called to say the barbecue wasn't over yet. So I asked Chris to drive me. He agreed. It was going to be a quick trip: go to the market, get the skirt I had seen on Monday, and come back. But there was traffic on the way. We parked at Home Plus. The market was so crowded we could barely get through. The second hand shop was further up the hill than I remembered. Then I had to find it, and it was still there! But then I discovered my fanny pack was gone. I figured it was in the car. So Chris had to pay for the skirt. Then we walked back, dodging the crowd. We were across the street from Home Plus when an older Korean man started talking to Chris. Perhaps he was just practicing his English. He talked to us all across the street, into Home Plus, and into the elevator. The elevator ride was long because we went up to the third floor, but then went down to the basement before getting to the 4th floor. When we came out in the upper parking deck, we finished the conversation and headed to our car. Chris wondered if the man had been fishing for information. We discovered that my fanny pack was indeed in the car. Then Chris drove us home. As we walked from the parking lot to the house, Dynee called, but hung up when she spotted me. She asked me to go with her to buy flowers. So I turned around and got in her car. She drove down to Lotte Mart and came back down the other street, then made a u-turn. She parked with flashers right in front of the florist. I sat in the car, a little uncomfortable because the cars rushing past were so close. Then she came out with a bouquet. She put it in the back seat and drove us to the traditional market. We looked through three shoe shops. She found some footies like mine. We looked at dress pants, but decided to keep going. We went to the underwear store. I got a white tank top to go underneath stuff and a pair of lingerie shorts to wear under skirts. Then we went to another shoe place. The shoes were more expensive so we went back to the third place. After examining every black shoe in the place, I bought a pair of white ones. Then we got in her car and came home. When I came in, Chris was on his laptop. I checked my e-mail and read about MWR showing Top Gun in the tennis court. I wanted to know how it was done, so I walked down there. I spoke to the couple who had just had a baby. Amber was holding her. Then we watched the movie. Darkness had fallen and the air was getting chilly. I was sitting there in shorts. I could see a projector on a table, showing the movie on what appeared to be an inflatable screen. Later Dynee and Ryan sat beside me. But as the temp dropped, I decided my job was done. I excused myself and walked home. I listened to some of the rain sounds on my tablet, then started playing 2048. When Chris was ready, we watched three episodes of Once Upon a Time. Then he went back to fiddling with the new cheap laptop and I typed up my blog, ready to try the sleep program again.
* The puhlowah shop. *

Second-hand market

Last night I listened to the same track on my tablet. It did not put me to sleep, although I got close. Forgetting to take my evening magnesium might have contributed to having such a hard time falling asleep.
I woke up, thinking Chris was still here as has happened every day this week. I stayed in bed waiting for him to take his shower. After a long time, I heard the skype beep. I got up to check. It was my morning tapping buddy, ready to tap. I was surprised to see that it was 9am. I threw some clothes on and got my quart of water. Then we skyped. We worked on my problems today: namely packing supplements and wondering how to take pictures or post to my blog in China. The call lasted about an hour and a half. I was a lot less worried and looking forward to the trip.
Dynee texted me asking if I was ready. I texted back that I needed 10 minutes. I changed my clothes and ate some seed crackers. I got some money and put my shoes on. I heard a beep outside. I put on my light jacket and hurried out. Four women were in Dynee's car and I joined in beside Anna.
Then Dynee drove us to Masan to the second hand market. We looked through lots of little stores and everyone found something. I got a few tops and a dress that I can make over. I also found a really colorful scarf that I could not resist. We went to lunch in one of the buildings topside. Tammy and I had kimbap at one booth and the others ate at a noodle place. Then Tammy needed to get back to pick up her kids. So we got in Dynee's car and went back to the base. Dynee dropped everyone at their place and then came back to ours. We parted at her house. I went inside and had a bite to eat. I went to Housing to reserve the room for the next FRG meeting. I stopped by Myra's place to pick up the container that had pork in it.
Then I checked e-mail and listened to an interview from the Microbiome Medicine summit on SIBO. Very interesting. Often caused by damage to the migrating motor complex, which in turn is usually caused by food poisoning.
I spent some time watching Dawson Church videos after sending one of the links to my tapping buddy. I laid down, hoping to fall asleep, but it didn't quite happen. I went outside to pick the strawberries that were faintly ripe. I also put out a can of beer for the slugs. Chris came home from work just long enough to get his CC card. I read and deleted more e-mail. Eventually Chris came home for supper. I finished listening to the long interview. We watched four episodes. Then he went to bed. I stayed up to write my post. Myra and I messaged back and forth. I posted my blog and wrote another sleep session, hoping for a better result.
* This is a shirt I did not get, but I liked the idea. *

The meeting is finally over

Last night I listened to my sleep track on my tablet. I was not able to avoid the blue light from the screen, and perhaps that was why I did not fall asleep.
I woke up early, nervous about the FRG meeting later today. I did some mental programming and tapping, but the anxiety did not subside. It was just before 7:30 when I got up, to ask Chris which should come first – a vote or a request for someone to lead the activity being voted on. Ideally someone would make a motion that involves who would lead it, but the group has not been in the habit of making motions. I drank a quart of water and checked e-mail. I listened to an interview from the Microbiome Medicine Summit.
I oiled my hair. I read e-mail, and tried to consolidate my thoughts for the meeting. I wished for someone to propose motions during the meeting but did not know who to ask.
Dynee stopped by with Amber's unfinished apron. The pieces were all cut out so I just sewed on the pockets and the straps and the lining. I pressed it well, folded it and wrapped it in tissue paper. I had a gift bag left from something else. I vacuumed it out and put the gift in. Then I worked on a sign-up sheet, made several tries before I got just what I wanted. I made and ate breakfast.
Chris came home for lunch. He opened a box and took out a small laptop. That is when I found out that we are not taking our laptops or phones to China. When he explained all the things that could happen to them, I wondered if I really wanted to vacation in a place that such things were likely to happen.
He thought we could share the little laptop. I wanted my tablet at least.
I took a shower, washed the oil out of my hair. Chris had already gone back to work. As I was getting out of the shower, the door bell rang. I threw on a housecoat and met the guys who had come to check the AC. I got dressed while they did the other rooms.
After they left, I worked on my opening remarks. Then I walked out for my usual massage. I ran into Irene in town, so I was slightly late for my appointment. I changed clothes and started the music on my phone. Then I laid on the table. He came in and massaged my back and shoulders while I tried to relax. I knew I was obsessing about the meeting. when my mind was not deterred by him pressing his elbows into my ribs.
Afterward, dressed again, I showed him a calendar that I had printed out. I had marked today and June 1st, indicating that I would miss the next two weeks. He asked a question I did not understand but I suspected he thought I was going to America, so I said “China”. He acted impressed. I thanked him and wished him an enjoyable day.
Outside, I checked my phone for the message that had come in during the massage. It was from Dynee. I typed an answer and walked back to base. Kelsey texted from my house. She had arrived before I did. When I got there, I let her in and offered her a glass of water. She didn't need it, but I did. We went through the list of things I wanted to discuss with her. We chatted another minute and she left.
I ate a few leftovers for supper. Then I worked on my agenda some more. I typed it into my computer and printed it out. Chris came home from work just as I was putting on my shoes. I asked him to come along. We walked down to the chapel. It was locked, but the lights were on. I knocked and no one answered. Chris checked the other doors. I texted Dynee. Chris called someone who said they didn't have a key. And the chaplain was out of town for the week. But just then, Ms. Sung opened the door. She invited us to use the other classroom, the one we use for sewing. She said the rugs had just been cleaned in the other room.
So we walked through the sanctuary into the sewing classroom. The pews were gone and it was full of ugly green chairs. I remembered Ms. Sung showing us small blue kneelers a month ago. They were not going to match at all.
Maria came with her two kids. Because she was tall, she offered to write the agenda on the whiteboard. While she did that, I watched people come in. Kelsey came with another enlisted friend. Hewitt came, and the Antrams. Amber came and Dynee (who brought cookies). I passed out the sign-in sheet. Anna came in later.
When Maria handed back the agenda, I started the meeting. I thanked everyone, I presented Amber with a gift for having been president. I made the opening remarks that Chris suggested. Then we discussed the items on the agenda: No one wanted to be vice-president. Dynee volunteered to coordinate meals for new moms. The master chief agreed to tell sponsors to contact the FRG if they want support for the new families. There was some talk about what should go in a new family's basket. The basket would go to the sponsor. Fresh baked goods would be delivered later.
Then we talked about the Open Base event for July. The decision was to sell lemonade provided by CYP, and spaghetti and meatballs (after lots of discussion about how to do that.) We talked about mowing lawns for donations. Chief Hewitt said other groups were considering it too, but he didn't know if they would get any further than that. Then he had to leave. We did not get to the social or service activities. I quickly asked when we should meet next. We decided on June 15th and then the meeting was over. Kelsey and Maria stayed to talk. Rina told me that the CYP had a community service club for the kids and that they would like to help in any way. She gave me her contact info. Then Chris and I walked home. He made himself supper while I checked e-mail and jotted notes for my blog. When he was ready, we watched two episodes of Once Upon a Time. I followed him to bed, but did not stay because I had a skype call scheduled. But when I got back to check, she was not ready. I stayed up to finish my blog, thinking she might just reschedule. And she did. And I didn't mind because it was really late and I would rather go to bed.
* Here is a pic from the market on Monday *

Two out of three

Last night I listened to a sleep track that I programmed. But it went on for some time and I did not fall asleep. So I went to bed.
I woke up early, but fell back asleep and did not get up until after 8. Chris had taken the recyclables out and had put a chicken in the oven to slow roast.
I drank a quart of water. I checked my phone: there was a text from the secretary saying she could not make the meeting. I checked e-mail. I listened to an interview from the Microbiome Medicine Summit.
I cleaned up the desk and coffee table. Previously, it took a bit of faith to be sure there was a coffee table under all that stuff. I found a box of fancy cookies. I decided to leave it as a snack. I added a jar of sweet potato sticks and a bowl of seed crackers. I selected a few kid-friendly DVD's in case Maria brought her kids. I also picked up clutter on the diningroom table. I found a card sent to Chris a year ago. I laid in on his laptop. I even cleaned up some in the kitchen. My house never looked so good.
But 10:30 came and went. I worked on another sleep track until 10:45. Then I called her. She was at 1201A which is the house number I gave her. Yikes. I apologized and told her 1301A. Soon she appeared, with her two sons, one about 4, and one in a car seat. The latter one was sleeping. She put a movie on her phone and handed it to the former one. He sat quietly watching while his mother and I talked. The conversation took the whole time. I was glad I had my class stuff ready to go. I picked up all the bags and went outside. Dynee was waiting for me. So we walked to the chapel together. No one was waiting. We got out two machines and then three people walked in. Each one wanted to work on something different. As we were getting out the stuff, other ladies came in. Dynee and Chong made the flea and tick repellent dog bandannas. So Young worked on a top for her daughter. Tammy made QOV blocks. Chantal worked on her quilt (when her daughter would let her be). Anna … not sure what she worked on. Lacee worked on a 100 wishes quilt. Suzanne worked on her cushion cover. I made a solution for for bandannas and soaked them. I gave a black bag to each to carry their wet bandanna. At 3 we packed up. As we were leaving, we saw Ms. Sung scrubbing at spots on the chapel carpet. I asked her if she needed a carpet cleaner, but the man watching her explained that the carpet was in squares and would fray under the scrubbing action of the machine. Then we left. Lacee walked with me as far as her house. Ironically, just after we parted, the man from Housing called out. He told me that we could use the 2nd floor for sewing classes starting next week. So when I got home, I Facebooked Lacee to tell her we could move the stuff from the chapel on Monday afternoon, and that seemed to work for her.
I hadn't had breakfast so I ate a few seed crackers. I remembered that Dynee had thrown out some plants at the top of the hill by the steps. I took a bucket and rescued the potting soil from the plants. I saw boxes Chris had left from lunchtime. I opened one and it was black cumin seed oil. The other one was an order from Swansons.
I thought about the upcoming meeting and what I should say, making a few notes. Dynee had suggested that I finish Amber's apron as a thank-you gift from the new president to the old president. So I walked to the chapel and searched all the baskets of fabric looking for it. The unfinished apron was not there. I went home.
I got out the mower and cut my lawn and Dynee's lawn. She rushed out to pick up the dog poop, but I had already mowed there, and had not stepped in it. I repotted two plants that had too much clay in their pots. Although it had not rained today, the plants did not seem to need watering. I picked and ate some of the lettuce and a pea pod. Chris came home from work. When I came in, he said the chicken was ready. So I ate some of that and it was good. The bones were so soft that they fell apart in my mouth. I composed a meeting reminder message for the FRG. I spaced it out and changed some of the font sizes and colors. I even grabbed an image from the net to add. But when I uploaded it all to Facebook, all the fancy spacing was lost. Still, it was better than a boring message. I texted the secretary and asked her to share it to the FRG page. We also set up a time to meet.
When Chris was ready, we watched two episodes of Once Upon a Time. I took my evening supplements. I watched a video on how to take black cumin seed oil. I finalized my sleep track and moved it to my tablet. I queued it up and paused it for later. Then I wrote up my blog post for today.

Programmed to sleep

Last night, I listened to a Youtube audio called “8 Hour Hypnotic Bedtime Story”. It did not seem to be working. Eventually I noticed skips in the story, then longer pauses. I must have been drifting off. So I went to bed. Conclusion – it didn't work any better than falling asleep on my own.
I woke up early, noticing that Chris wasn't in bed anymore. I tried to go back to sleep, but that didn't happen. I made a mental list of things I wanted to accomplish by the end of the day. Finally I got up.
Chris was sitting at his laptop. I opened my laptop to check past messages from Cecily. But I read current e-mail instead. I found a page of audios from the Microbiome summit to listen to. Chris went to work. While listening, I ate half of the coconut that I opened yesterday. I looked through the President's binder. I made notes for the board meeting tomorrow. I saw that Craftsy classes were on sale, so I looked through them and found one that seemed very useful. I ordered it, then watched the section on cowl neck patterns. I wrote down the list of what Cecily is going to pack so I could get started.
I made and ate breakfast. I walked outside to check the slugs; only 20 – 30 today. I had planned to do a flea and tick collar for our sewing project. But when I looked up the project, they were using a purchased bandanna. Also, the instructions said to soak the bandanna in ¼ C water with essential oils, then hang it up to dry. Having a place to dry could be problematic. I pulled out some scraps that would equal the amount of fabric in one of these (although it depends on the length of the dog collar). I soaked it in a ¼ cup of water and wrung it out just slightly. There was water leftover, so I dried the fabric with my iron and dipped it again. That used up the rest, so I concluded that there was enough for two.
I jotted notes for my blog while waiting for my laptop to change pages. For some reason lately, it has been telling me that there is no internet connection, when clearly there is because the audio is still playing. The interview from the Microbiome Summit talked about the benefits of diverse gut flora, particularly soil microorganisms. So I picked some lettuce and a pea pod and ate them.
Chris came home at lunchtime with a box. There was a coffee pot, cacao powder , maca powder, hydrogen peroxide, and slide oil. The coffee pot did not fit all the way inside the coffee maker. Sigh. The oil helped the slide a little, but it still sounded dry. Chris told me he would need more bread tomorrow, so I started a loaf of bread in the breadmaker.
I scanned the last bank receipt from Michele's account. I put enough cash in an envelope to deposit to make the balance a round figure. Chris was skeptical that I would be able to make a deposit or close the account without the passbook, which she lost.
Then I worked on making more effective delta recordings through NeuroProgrammer. I listened to one after I made it, but it did not put me to sleep. So I lowered the carrier frequency and listened again. I could not resist checking e-mail so I shouldn't have been surprised that it did not work either.
Then I ate lunch, not because I had to, but because I was putting off making decisions on the project. I printed the pattern for project. I selected fabrics for both sides. Then Dynee texted, saying her sewing machine sounded odd.
So I went over there to look at it. I found nothing wrong and the stitches were good. We ended up talking about FRG stuff. We looked at her flowers for a bit, then I went home. I cut out the pattern and made the dog bandanna.
Chris came home while I was sewing. I pressed it and tried to take a good photograph. Then I wrote a blurb and posted the project. I figured out that the coffee pot actually does fit if the lid is off.
I collated the recyclables. I found headphones for my phone. I plugged them to the phone and the music started playing, automatically. Inexplicable but convenient.
I packed up the fabrics I used in the project. I also cut a plastic bottle to make a bowl to hold the essential oil solution. I packed some black bags so people could take their wet projects home to dry. Then I started cleaning off the coffee table and the desk. Finally we sat to watch three episodes of The Librarians from Netflix. Really good. Chris went to bed. I stayed up to type up my day, and see if my new delta audio works.
* Is it just my eyes, or is this picture blurry? *

Five day market

After posting to my blog last night, I downloaded the delta beat to my phone. But when I realized that my headphones won't fit in the phone, I moved it to my tablet. The downside of that was that I would have to view the blue screen in order to tell it to play. And blue light stops the production of melatonin. So, I listened to the CD again last night, skipping ahead to the beat part after a few minutes of the music. It did not put me to sleep:(
I woke up hearing Chris take his shower. Sometime after he went to work, I got up. I drank some water and swished. I exercised and rebounded. I made coffee. I meditated and tapped. Then I cleaned the kitchen. I swept the bathrooms and dustmopped all the wood floors. Myra called to say she was going to the 5-day market at 12:30. I texted Dynee and Terri to see if they wanted to come along. Then I took a shower, and ate some seed crackers. I went outside to water the plants, keeping an eye on the time. Dynee came out and watered, too. I showed her the 40+ slugs I caught last night. When we saw Myra drive up, we put our watering cans down. I grabbed my market bag and walked to the parking lot. Rose came along, too. Myra drove the four of us to the chapel where she dropped off her sewing machine for Chantal to use later. Rose went to the ATM. We could see the Christmas Party committee selling burritos in front of the commissary. Then we drove to the parking lot of Home Plus and walked to the market from there. The four of us wandered through the market, buying produce. I got a very large egg, not sure what creature laid it. I also got sesame seeds.
We stopped at the shoe place. We all looked through the shoes, trying them on and asking for other colors or sizes. Mostly he did only had what was out. I bought one pair. Myra bought 3 pairs. Then we walked up the hill to the kimchi place. The lady did not have old kimchi so I had to buy it fresh. On the way down, we stopped at some second hand clothing places. Most of it was too small for us. But I did see a skirt I thought would fit Michele. I took a pic but did not buy it. Then we wandered back to Home Plus and took the car home. Myra dropped us off at our parking lot (that Dynee, Rose and I share). She gave us each some tomatoes because she had to get a whole plate full and only wanted 2. (They are leaving tomorrow). Then we each went home. Dynee and I discussed when our yard needed mowing again. The Koreans who do the public places were out mowing today, but had not done the hills behind our houses.
I put the food away, and ate one tomato. I tried fermenting coconut water with coconut whey. I watered the few plants that did not get watered earlier. I opened a coconut and drank the water. Trying to get the meat out, I broke off the tip of the steak knife. Don't tell Chris.
I read e-mail for awhile. Then I put water on the stove to boil. I vacuumed the rooms with rugs. Then I added sugar and tea bags to the water and let it cool. Chris came home from work while I was listening to an audio and doing Sudoku puzzles. He brought veggies from the corner market. I took most of the kombucha from the kombucha jar and filled it with the tea from the stove. I sat down to continue listening, this time sipping kombucha as I worked the puzzles.
Around 8, Chris hooked my laptop to the TV and we watched two episodes. Then I took my evening supplements. He put a pot of rice in the fridge and went to bed. I stayed up to blog.
* A picture from the market. *