A profusion of flowers

Today is my 46th birthday. It may interest you to know that I am a bit of a snob when it comes to numbers, especially prime ones. The more factors a number has, the more I like it. So 45 is definitely better than 46. 46 is better than 47 (totally prime). But 48 is one of the best.
Anyway, at church the pastor always has the birthday people stand with him and pray. So I did. And during the service, Nancy and her friend played Panis Angelicus as a cello duet. That was very nice. I pretended it was for my birthday. After the service, Nancy and I took her cello home then returned for our husbands. Chris Skyped them later in the afternoon to check out the video capabilities of the connection and our computer. Our Skype ID is Damourcd.
Along about 6pm I started getting worried that we hadn't seen Michele. She wasn't allowed a cell phone (or a watch), and we didn't have a contact number or an estimated time of return. It was dark and I didn't want her having to walk home all that way. Chris called around, got a contact number, and found out that they were just then about to leave the retreat center. So we dressed up warmly. I told Chris he needed a scarf and he said "But you made a rug out of it!". Fine, wear the rug. (pic to come).
Anyway, we left a note and a cell phone facing the door, in case she got a ride home, and set off for the South Post chapel. About half way there, she called, so we turned around and headed back home. She greeted us with a large bouquet of flowers that they had given her at the retreat. Add that to the flowers I bought Friday and the ones she came home with on Wednesday and you get a table full. I love flowers. I spent the rest of the evening binding the scarf rug and making another larger rug.

The election isn't over?

This morning, with Michele gone, we stayed in bed later than usual. Then I checked my e-mail and found one that said that the presidential election is not over, that the electoral colleges have not voted yet and that there are many outstanding lawsuits against Barak Obama alleging that he is not elegible to run for president. That sparked a lengthy discussion between us on what might yet happen, how the courts could rule, the dictates of constitutional law, etc. Chris said it would be amusing if Cheney resigned, and Bush appointed Condoleeza Rice as VP, then resigned himself. Then Secretary Rice would be the first black president (and female), stealing some of Obama's thunder.
After that, Chris and I walked to post. He went to the commissary and I to the thrift shop. I brought my shoulder bag, which I filled with a few purchases: measuring cups, 2 tall glasses (to use as vases), a large square of denim, and a clamp lamp for on my sewing table. Then I walked to the Dragon Hill and signed up for another phone so that now each person in our family will have their own. But, they told me I'd have to come back in an hour to pick it up. Ha! Have I mentioned that today is very cold - especially when the wind blows? Brrrrr! Not wanting to sit and do nothing for an hour, I walked to Gate 17, crossed under the street via the subway, and proceeded to search for a hardware store I spied a month ago. Now I don't usually leave post by myself unless I'm going to our apartment, but I didn't want to ask a friend to freeze with me looking for a place that would be of little interest to anyone else. I felt a little out of place, but had a fine time finding new streets and markets. I bought a metal scrubbie and an adapter for the lamp I'd gotten at the thrift store. Then, I found the hardware store. Unfortunately they didn't have any 90 degree three-way elbows, but they did have some PVC pipe. I bought a length and the lady was kind enough to saw it up for me, or I'd have had a time carrying it back. I was loathe to leave the area because exploring was such fun, but it was cold and my load had gotten heavier, so I headed back. I stopped by the Dragon Hill to pick up our new phone. Then caught the bus back to our small gate. But I had forgotten that it is closed on weekends. Ha. Silly me had to walk back to the main gate and then proceed to our apartment. I warmed up at home with some sushi and a cup of hot orange marmalade. Well, it isn't marmalade exactly, but a spoonful of it in a cup of hot water is delicious. Chris and I spent the afternoon and evening watching Dvd's. Chris was on his laptop most of the time, and I sat on the couch thinking I ought to be doing other things, but I can't think what they are while the TV is vying for my attention. Chris thinks it is just me that has a problem, but I think the people that make TV shows and movies have done research into what grabs and keeps your attention and they purposely fill the programs with it so you won't look away. Sure I'm paranoid, but am I paranoid enough?

Costco, the flower mart, and CSI

My in-laws called us this morning because it was Thanksgiving Day for them and my side of the family was there, too. So we got to talk to them and my parents and sister. Then Michele got ready for her outing and asked if we wanted to see her off. Turned out that she will be gone till Sunday, didn't know where she'd be and couldn't bring the cell phone. So of course I went along to find out just what was going on. I found out that it is some sort of religious retreat, they don't allow any electronics, and the new kids aren't supposed to know where they are going or what they will be doing. Well, HELLO, their parents still need to know! So then I waited with her 'till their bus came, an hour later. One of my friends from the quilt group had 3 kids going so it must have been ok.
Afterwards, I stopped by the Dragon Hill Lodge to see if cell phones were on sale. Then off to the thrift shop to meet Nancy who invited a bunch of us to go to Costco with her. First we went to the flower mart. We all bought some cut flowers. I only did because Michele had brought me some from a friend's mother and it needed a few more stems to fill the vase. I got roses and carnations. In another building we bought pointsettias.
We drove from the flower mart to Costco. It was a big building, crowded. Well, I think we all got something, like napkins, juice, pizzas, grapes, Ziplocks, etc. Then we had lunch there as it is so inexpensive. Just as we were checking out, I rushed to the sushi counter to get a large platter. It is cheaper than in the commissary and I wanted to get it at the last minute.
Nancy drove each of us back to our homes. She dropped me by the gate and I called Chris to help me carry my purchases over the bridge. He had been watching a movie and, after it ended, he gave me a massage. He asked what else I wanted and I replied "Sushi and candlelight". So he lit a candle and fed me sushi in bed. It pays to be gone for the day! BTW, the sushi was excellent!
We watched more movies and took a nap. I had put my flowers in water when I got home, but they still weren't looking good. So then I cut a few inches off of each stem and hoped for the best. We had leftovers and watched CSI on the OCN channel. After the last episode of CSI, a Korean movie came on. I couldn't understand it, but Chris was pretty good at guessing the story line. And I thought he wasn't good at picking up on social cues!

Thanksgiving

First thing in the morning we got a call from Chris' parents. That was a nice surprise. Chris and Michele spent the morning on their computers. I altered a pair of pants. All of a sudden we realized that we had only a few minutes to catch the on-post bus to make the dinner we've been invited to. Half way there, it hit me that I'd forgotten my ID. So I ran back thinking the others would get the casserole there on time to be reheated. But I had to wait for someone to come out of our building because I didn't have my building card either. When I finally got my ID and card, there was Chris. Apparently the bus was only running every 90 minutes because of the holiday. So he called Rick, and Rick came to the apt to pick us up.
There were 8 of us for dinner: Rick and Nancy, Chris, Michele and I, and 3 co-workers of Chris'. We had a marvelous dinner and interesting conversations for hours. Unfortunately Nancy was feeling under the weather and couldn't eat with us. It was a shame since she was the hostess and couldn't enjoy her guests. Chris and I helped clean up, but she insisted on doing the dishes later. Rick drove us home because it was raining.

Potatoes and rolls

This morning after packing Michele's lunch and seeing them off, I got started making a sweet potato casserole, the traditional Reber Thanksgiving dish. The Korean sweet potatoes are not orange inside, although they are sweet. After boiling them, peeling them and mashing them (since the potato masher didn't get shipped, I put them in the mixer), they were a green mush. Hmmm. Well, undaunted I finished the recipe and baked the casserole. Tomorrow we shall taste the results.
I also baked the traditional Grammy's Rolls that the Damour family eats each Thanksgiving. They took longer than I had planned because I thought they weren't rising. Also I was running out of butter and had to stretch it to get all the rolls made. While waiting for the rolls to rise, I cleaned Michele's bathroom, the kitchen, and swept the floors. That's one of the great things about having company - it motivates me to pick up and clean like I ought, but don't usually take the time to do. On the other hand, by the time they arrive I am usually worn out from cleaning.
Hyon arrived exactly on time, and brought me a rosemary plant. We looked at her chosen design and the fabric she'd brought. Since it was already cut, she needed to buy more. So she suggested we just pop on down to Dongdaemun. Just like that! Having her own driver made it easy. She even had him stop along the way to look for PVC. He was really good at driving through traffic. I couldn't watch. But we made it. Then she and I picked out fabric. She also bought a rotary cutter and ruler. On the way back it was getting dark and the city turned its lights on. Oh what brilliant displays! I hope they are not just for Christmas.
The rest of the evening was spent watching movies.
P.S. I am now on Facebook thanks to my cousin Gwenda. Anybody want to join me?

Preparing to prepare for Thanksgiving

After packing lunches and sending the family off, I settled down to finish reading a book. I also finished the alterations on two pairs of pants. Then I headed for the bus stop to wait for the bus to the thrift shop. Just after I sat down, a man driving by offered me a ride. Since waiting in the cold is not my thing, I accepted. He was very nice, and dropped me off at the front door of the shop. I helped out for a few hours. Then I dropped by the bank. On my way back, a woman stopped me to ask where the furniture store was. It was on my way home, so I walked her there. She was nice, too. She is living in the Dragon Hill and looking for an apartment close to base. Well, I know what that is like.
When I got home, I had lunch, checked e-mail, and made my scarf into the rug it was meant to be. Looks good. Chris gave me a pair of pants and a book bag to mend. Then I started cleaning my sewing room since someone is coming by tomorrow for some quilting assistance. I printed out the two recipes I plan to make tomorrow morning (to be ready for Thursday). I put a new bag in the vac and now I can go to bed.

the scarf-rug (and hat)

Today I took my chenille scarf to the quilt meeting. They agreed it made a lovely rug. So why fight it, since I need a couple of bathroom rugs anyway? Maybe I'll make more. Only four of us stayed for lunch, but we still happened to have a balanced meal: fruit, a ground beef dish, pasta salad and pumpkin cheesecake. Afterwards Pam and I went to the PX and the Gallerie. I got some Korean Christmas cards. I spent the afternoon reading a book and falling asleep. Now everyone else is asleep and I am awake.
In the photo you can see both sides of the scarf and the hat Michele crocheted for Chris.