Getting this place cleaned up

Knowing that I will be followed by a photographer tomorrow, I started the day by cleaning. I actually got the kitchen table in reasonable shape. Did not think it was possible. I did some cleaning and organizing in the bedroom too. I put all my makeup and little soaps, shampoos, creams, etc in a bag to give away. Chris gave me the task of going to Woori Bank to find out how we can send Michele money after we move. He wanted me to take her passport along and it is going to cost him. Why? Because that same drawer has our extra won in it and I might need some for Friday's trip to the warehouse so now the pile has diminished. I addressed Andrea's box and took it to the post office to mail. Then I stopped by the thrift shop to ask the ex-pats there about banking. I got some good suggestions. Then I sat in the sun and read for about half an hour. I followed that with a walk into Itaewon. Woori bank was pretty far down. But I found it, asked my questions, got some answers, and was leaving when my phone rang. The on-post escort for tomorrow wanted to confirm times. He asked if I'd be alone in my apartment with the photographer and I said "Yes, why? Oh." It had never occurred to me like that. I walked back to post. I ran into Ann LaDouceur. She knows a lot about Korean banking. In fact, she runs a website called Korea4expats. On post, I ran into Star. She showed me the potholders that she made to match her apron. Really cute. When I got home, I had lunch and started on my sewing room. For some reason it was even harder to organize and clean up than the table was. I kept finding myself cleaning in other places. Then I felt like I was coming down with a cold. Ha. Not now. I tried the pressure points for the inner ear cure, the probiotic cure, the hydrogen peroxide cure, the colostrum cure and some tapping. I even laid down to read for awhile. When I felt better, I finished the sewing room - or as much as I could do tonight. I am afraid that when the pics come out in the magazine, all the Koreans will think this is how Americans live. It could affect Korean-American relations for years to come. Now I am off to make the sandwich and go to bed.
* These are the tops we will be making in class tomorrow *

I get the oddest gifts

This is Judy's quiltlet. The center motif was done on the Statler.
Yesterday I had washed all the pillowcases. This morning I ironed all of them. What a chore! I also folded and placed each one in a ziplock bag. I packed them in a box, but I think it is too small. Still, it keeps them all in one place until I am ready to ship. I suspect a few more will come in Thursday night. I ate breakfast, read e-mail, showered, and dressed. I tried on the in-line skates that MaryAnn left me, but they did not fit so I took them to the thrift shop. I also took the cushion cover for Ms. Chung. She was very happy about it. Debbie pulled me into the office to give me the receipt Ella found, and a bag of bras from Joan. Yes, a bag of bras. I had been looking for a bra to decorate for the luncheon next week and she came through with flying colors. Seven very nice black and white bras in three sizes. One size Michele can wear, one I can wear, and the other size will be bra art next week. I shelved books, videos, DVD's, and puzzles. I went over my usual three hours so I can get 16 before we leave. That way I can leave $8 in thrifty bucks for Michele to spend when she is on her own. Still no apartment. When I left the shop, I sat outside in the grass to read. Mary came by and we talked for awhile. Scary thing is, had Cathy been there it would have constituted a board meeting. Only three of us left! When my hour was up I went home for lunch, even thought I ate a package of seaweed while reading. I wanted to work on the QOV blocks, but am saving them for Thursday afternoon when the reporter comes. Maybe I'll do the bra art then too. That'll be a picture! I dealt with some e-mail and tried to clean up in the kitchen. Kept getting sidetracked because there are so many things I just don't know what to do with. In the past I would call MaryAnn and yell 'help!' and she would come over and rearrange stuff and talk me out of things I don't really need. But she PCSd! :( So I am on my own. I cleaned the sink area, and the stove top and washed all the spice containers and the rack. Chris came home and put chicken legs in the oven. Then Michele called, and the two of them went to see the movie that didn't work out last night. More cleaning, and more e-mail. Tried to put together an order with Swansons, but didn't have the total for free shipping. Guess there is more work for tomorrow.

QOV day

Again this morning, it was too cold to read. So I started in on e-mail, breakfast, shower, preparing cheeses, etc. I grabbed a big load of recyclables to drop off on the way to post. When I got to the SPC, the fellowship hall was full of tables set up for the big luncheon. Fearing that we had none left for us, I ran down to our room. They'd left us three. However, I wasn't satisfied. I begged for three more. And they even helped me carry them in. Mary and Cathy and Judy arrived with show-and-tell items. Aimee wanted help with her apron, and I worked with her while the others set up. Our group was not as large as some days, but we worked steadily. Some left early and others came late so we always had people sewing. Ana and I made pillowcases for QOV, and I started another QOV out of previously cut blocks. We discussed having a Christmas fabric swap, a trip to the warehouse, and a group purchase of "9-patch Pizazz: Fast, Fun, Finished". I crossed my fingers that I would remember to send out all the appropriate e-mails to the group. Chris was meeting Michele at the walk-in gate at 2:30 to see an apartment. I hoped to make it, but wasn't ready in time. I went home after quilting. I read some e-mail, sent out e-mails to the group, cut up fabric and photographed it to answer a question on Facebook. I finished the pillowcase started yesterday. Then I worked on the QOV that I started. Chris and Michele came home. Chris said the apt was very nice, but a little pricey. He mentioned that a house-sitting position might become available for her. They had supper and left to see a movie. I kept sewing and trimming. When they came home, they said the movie reels were mislabeled and that they would have to go back again to see the movie. Ok. I quit when my show ended and now am about to go to bed.
I forgot to mention yesterday that Helen gave me a bag of dried shredded squid as a going-away present. I sense a theme here.
* This is Mary's show-and-tell quilt made of block-of-the-month raffle winnings. *

New time and place for church service

After having a hard time getting to sleep, I slept in. Not only was it too cold to go outside barefoot, but church is now at 11. When I did get up, I had breakfast, read some e-mail, showered and dressed. We grabbed the communion bread on our way out the door. Our service has moved to the chapel at the hospital. It is a good thing they put up signs. Although I have been there before, I did not remember that it was so hard to find. We did find it, and turned in the jar of communion bread and the extra baggie of wafers that wouldn't fit. I grabbed the service books, and we found a seat in the second row. The lectern, altar, and flower stand were all made of clear acrylic. Thus the Bible, sacraments, and flowers seemed to be floating in mid-air. The choir sat in the front row since there was no choir loft or section up front. The pastor insisted that the choir process in, but it was a very short walk. After the service, I spoke to the people behind me. They live in Tennessee and are visiting. She was very friendly and gave me her card hoping we could get together back in the U.S. Chris handed me a bag of snacks to take to the room by the cafeteria where we will now have our after-church refreshments. When I laid out the packages, I noticed that there were three bottles of sunscreen in the bottom. But the man who brought them had already left. When all the fellowshipping was over, we went to the commissary for groceries. When we got home, Michele helped to put them away. Romaric came over to game. Heidi came over for a lesson. I had to clean up my sewing room for that. She was interested in buying a serger, so I let her use mine. After her lesson, Helen called. I wanted to return her skates to her, but she said she did not feel like carrying them home, so would I donate them to the thrift store? Ok. I met her at the Seobinngo station and we had an early supper at a nearby restaurant. We had a great time talking about this and that. I will miss her when we move. She insisted on paying for both our dinners. I walked her back to the station and I went home. The others were still playing. I made up a package for Andrea, hoping she will like the fabric choices I made. Then I started assembling a pillowcase for the kids with cancer. It got late and I decided it could wait for tomorrow. I packed up the extra wheat flour to take to the meeting tomorrow. I swept the kitchen floor. I turned the calendar to October, our last month. I have spent so much time wishing I could leave here, and now I don't want to go. I have finally acclimated to this place and life, and now we have to leave.
* Random quilt pic from the show at the Seoul Art Center. I don't think I have posted it before. *

What else...more quilting.

Still no pics of the ceremony yesterday. I would have thought they'd be posted on one of the Army's facebook pages by now.
Anyhow, this morning it was too cold to read outside, and too cold to be barefoot. So I stayed in bed longer and Chris 'kept me company'. Ha. He and Michele did not play with the voices today. I guess the voices were not playing. I had breakfast and gathered up the stuff for a quilt and a cushion cover. Chris drove me on post. I took my car to the AnC center, passing Mary walking her dog. The AnC staff was outside and waved to me as I went in. It took me an hour to get the quilt layers loaded, and to pick a thread color and a quilting pattern. I decided to do all the basting at once and use up one of the low bobbins so the next person would have an empty bobbin. Everything was going well. Then Cathy came by after her class. Not that it reflects on her, but then things went wrong. The needle fell out. The 'continue' function didn't. Even the Restart wouldn't. Then the Statler Stitcher software crashed and we had to reboot. But she got it back up and running. While it stitched, we looked at designs for the cushion cover. I purposely made it from rather plain fabrics so the quilting would show. So we picked elaborate designs. But the white thread just did not do it justice. She left just before it finished. I stayed a little longer to trim both pieces, then I went downstairs to pay the fees. I drove to gate 12, taking one of the last remaining parking spaces. I walked into Itaewon to see if Mr. Bob had my shoes ready. I had trouble finding him, but when I did, he did not have them ready. Then I stopped by the embroidery place with a photo of what I wanted on a jacket, but the lady said they couldn't do it. So I returned to post, stopping to buy squid fries on the way. It had become a nice day, so I sat in front of the vet clinic, ate squid fries and read, barefoot. Then I drove back to my parking lot. I could have called Chris, but decided to walk home 'cause the weather was so nice. Chris was cooking supper when I got home. I read through some e-mail, sent a few messages, and finished the small quilt into a cushion cover. I serged the raw edges for good measure. Now I am ready for bed.

Goodbye IMCOM-K

I got up early to read, but it was too cold. So I started my day with the usual onslaught of e-mail: a few missives from friends, and LOTS of ads and articles. Somewhere in there I ate breakfast, showered and dressed. Last night I asked Chris what the dress code for the color-casing ceremony was, and he said 'what you're wearing is fine'. So this morning I put on black pants and a black top. Chris picked me up at the gate at 9:30. It seemed plenty early for a 10am ceremony at Collier field, but parking was hard to come by since the garrison was having their fall outing. We parked at gate 17 and walked back. The other IMCOM-K spouses were dressed up. Oh well. We had designated seating on the front row, facing the 8th army band. The trombones were up front. I loved it. The ceremony was on time, if not early. There was lots of army protocol, saluting, standing at attention, or parade rest, etc. The history of IMCOM-K was read aloud, former IMCOM-K generals and CSM's were honored, a speech was given. The IMCOM-K flag was rolled up and a long tube was drawn over it. I thought casing it meant putting it in a frame. Another oh well. I did not take pictures 'cause official photographers were there, and I figured the pics would be on Facebook and I could borrow one. When the ceremony was over, the Demko's invited us and the Johnson's out to lunch at a Chinese restaurant. It was very good. Mr. Demko's wife is Korean and knew just what to order and how to order it. We shared at least 4 entrees, and shrimp rice and noodles. It was too much food. The conversation was excellent and we had a great time. We all rode in one car. When we got back to our car, Chris drove me to mine, and then I drove right back to gate 17. I went to Namdaemun. It might be my last time, so I did a bit of wandering. I got more of the little footies that I wear with my flats, and I got 4 of the soup bowls that keep the soup so hot it boils at the table. Not sure why. As a beholder, I am amazed at its heat retention properties, but as an eater, I think what is the point of keeping food too hot to eat? I got some things for a friend, too. I saw a vat of chicken feet. If they had been cooked, I would have ordered some just to try them, but they were raw. Sadly I did not have my camera even though I remembered packing it. The temperature dropped and I started looking for the subway. The soup bowls got heavier the longer I walked. I was glad to finally find the station. When I got home, it was after 5. I ate the three persimmons I bought at the market. They were too soft to keep. Michele was watching Lord of the Rings. I watched a bit, then checked e-mail. Chris came home. I fell asleep on the couch 'cause the flannel quilt was just too inviting. Later Chris put me to bed, but I woke up tasting kimchi and I had to brush my teeth. So now I am posting to my blog and going back to bed.

Nothing says 'I Love You' like squid and seaweed

I did not read this morning because it was raining - hard! So I got on my computer and read e-mail both before and after breakfast. I got an e-mail from my sister that my parents are in the hospital. Mom is there for therapy and Dad moved in to watch her so she doesn't fall. Then MaryAnn Skyped me for awhile. She thought giving me a hard time would make me feel better. Of course. What are friends for? When I got to the thrift shop, almost no one was there. Ms. Chung had a gift for me - squid and seaweed. Now with a gift like that, you know she shopped just for me. Most of the books donated were in Korean and we have plenty so they all went to charity. Not much to shelve, so I counted puzzles. The one I most wanted to count was still new in the box so there was no reason to count it. Hmph! I checked a few games for missing pieces and priced them, and put them out on the shelves. I also priced the Singer sewing machine, the Touch-n-Sew bobbins and cams, and the antique buttonholer attachment. Around 2:15 I sat in my car and ate cashews for energy. Then I drove to gate 17 and went to Dongdaemun. I bought a roll of VB for backings and some other stuff that caught my eye. Ms. Kang was very generous with the remnant pile. I saw Mr. Kang near the elevators. He pulled out his phone and called up the October calendar. He tapped on Oct. 11th for the luncheon and I nodded. Then I tapped on the 22nd and pantomimed leaving. He looked sad and tears came to my eyes. There goes his retirement. On the way back to the subway, I decided to stop by the Moda man. He showed me the new stuff he had. When I asked if it was 3500 won, he said no, it was 4000. I hung my head at the price, but really it is still quite a savings over stateside prices, so I bought some anyway. I was going to head to Namdaemun, too, but had very little money left and too much to carry. So I just went home. I had a bite to eat and checked e-mail. I almost forgot to get the potholder demo ready. Fortunately I had the pieces from last year still in the closet. I sewed together some strips of batting to make pieces big enough for potholder. As I turns out, I did not need to. During class, no one finished early enough to make the potholders. As you can see in this picture, the apron is too long for her. But another lady made the same one extra wide for her husband. He came to pick her up at the end of class. She had him try it on and it was like a bib on him 'cause he was so big. I should have had a pic of that. Esther stopped by to give me a bag of kimchi she made a year ago, I think. I am always glad to have kimchi. But when I got home and tried it, I labeled it OMG kimchi. Very spicy! It was really good with a bit of pork.