Happy Anniversary Mike!

36 years ago today, two VERY young kids walked down the chapel aisle--- and look where we are now.

Some of the things we've done through the years-

lived in 4 states (not that remarkable, but one of our "stats")

lived in 8 different homes- 4 rented, 4 owned with the bank

raised 3 sons who are all now married and gainfully employed

are the proud grandparents of 2 very sweet kiddos

worked at 13 different jobs between the 2 of us

owned (or were owned by) 5 dogs

owned 9 (I think) vehicles-- we drive 'em til they die-- not counting cars purchased for Marc

we've had some ups---- we've had some downs---- but we're still here and still each other's best friend

Happy Anniversary Mike-- love you!

Babysitting

No, I haven't been babysitting anyone, I'm being babysat!  Mike is painting the dining room this weekend and many years ago we figured out that he works much better without my supervision.  So after church this morning, I went to my friend Sydnie's house to play.  Another friend was in town for the holiday weekend from Philadelphia.  We worked on some of our minis and Sydnie fixed us a delicious lunch!  A pasta dish with pancettta and a big glass of Sangria to go with it. Then we had dark chocolate Klondike bars for dessert.

Tomorrow I will be going to play with my friend Mary.  I imagine we will work on some minis and also work on some plans for a club project for next year.  Mary will be the club President and I think I was drafted to be the VP---- not sure how that happened----

Tuesday night it is back to work-- I wonder if there is anyone left in Raleigh who hasn't had their baby yet!

Well, Mike is making pizza for our dinner, so I think I may go to my room studio and play for a bit longer until it is ready.   HMMM-- guess I'm still being looked after-- I am a lucky "girl". 

Chinese Take Out

So, for Lent I gave up fast food (not THAT big of a sacrifice, but still), Chinese take out (a BIG problem-- I was getting take out when Mike was out of town, so at least once a week) and eating in the cafeteria at work (That was the hardest-- and I actually did a pretty good job on this one). 

Mike was out of town again this evening, so I decided to stop on my way home and pick up a Chinese treat.  Well, let me just say, I was more than a little disappointed-- so I don't think I'll be stopping again any time soon.

Guess you've heard by now the newest American Idol is a high school kid from Garner, NC.  Way to go Scotty!

Hey Mary, I commented on your blog---

More later...

Me Again

After writing almost daily while I was away, I thought for sure I'd be able to keep it up once I got home-- but obviously, that was not to be. Not that I've been doing anything really exciting since getting back-- just working and sleeping and playing with minis from time to time. 

The trip home from Korea was uneventful.  The plane from Seoul to Chicago was really full-- and there was a family of four in the row in front of me with a kid who screamed a good part of the trip (if he was awake he was screaming)-- Thank heavens for Ambien and headphones!  The layover in Chicago was OK, enough time not to have to run, but not too much time to have to sit around and wait.  I had a wonderful trip and am grateful to Mary and Marshall and the kids for putting up with me, but it was time to be home.

I still haven't managed to edit my pictures-- Snapfish has become VERY user unfriendly if you ask me. 

The miniature club had a "garage sale" on April 21st-- we had it here since the City of Raleigh would only let us have it at Sertoma if we turned over all the proceeds to them.  It was a lot of fun-- there were tables of minis in the living room, the dining room and the kitchen! We made $139 for the club.

I'm starting to plan for the neighborhood supper club-- it will be a Caribbean theme-- I've been looking for recipes that don't use too many different ingredients. 

Well, I really should try yo get some sleep--more later....

Last Day in Korea

As they say, all good things must come to an end---- today is my last day here in the land of the morning calm.

This morning we walked Mdx to school.  She was going on a picnic with the school today and had to wear a uniform.  The teachers gave me the uniform (a pink track suit with burberry trim) when I picked her up yesterday.  We weren't quite sure what was going on, but she wore the uniform to school and took a lunch.  Mary took her in and tried to figure it out--- 1- yes, they were going on a picnic, 2- they were going in the bus, 3- yes she was supposed to wear her uniform (easier to keep track of all the kids), and 4- no she does not keep the uniform.

Mary also tried to explain the Mdx would not be at school for the next 2 weeks. She ended up having them get out a calendar to show them.  The teachers thought Mdx was leaving the school!  Mary's Grandmother passed away and she is taking the kids back to the States for 2 weeks.  It will be a challenge for her flying with them by herself, but we weren't able to co-ordinate our flights.

After dropping Mdx off at school we walked to the base.  I had a package to mail (my pottery). Marshall bought them bus tickets to the airport for the morning.  Mary went to the library to try to check in for their  flights but it was too early.  We stopped at the BX so Marshall could go to clothing sales-- he is now a 7 level at his job and had to get a new occupation badge.  Mary picked up a few things for the trip and I looked around at the kiosks.  After finding almost nothing miniature on my trip, I found a 1/40th scale model of a traditional Korean house!

This afternoon Mary and I both got packed up and Marshall weighed our suitcases for us-- we should be good on weight.  This evening we are going to the Hospitality House again for dinner.

Marshall will go with Mary to the airport in the morning (the bus leaves base at 6). He will get them checked in and stay until they go through security.  Then he will come back and we will have lunch (probably at the 6,000 won place) and take a cab to the bus station about 3 pm.  I told Marshall I could get there by myself, but he is afraid the bus might not let me off where I need to be.

I have had such a wonderful time visiting here.  I have LOTS of pictures to share when I get home.

More later....

FABRIC!!!!!

This morning a friend of Mary's, Lisa, picked us up and took us to the "Happy Quilt"-- WOW!!!!!!  It was a bit of a religious experience!

Imagine-- a building FULL of fabrics f every kind-- including Vera Bradley prints.  A lot of the fabrics were precut in  2 yard packages for 6,000 won ($5.47), flannel was 7,000 won ($6.38) and there was a table out front with some end pieces marked from 1,000 won to 4,000 won.  The table outside was 20% off today!  Since I have to start thinking about coming home (sniff, sniff)-- I weighed the my bag when we got back to the apartment-- it weighed about 8.5 lbs.  (I packed my big suitcase to see how I was on weight-- it was 48#--- so, does that mean I shouldn't put anything else in it-- or I can buy 2 more lbs of stuff to bring home??)

Lisa has an Etsy shop and sells quilts.  Her husband's tour here at Osan will be over soon.  She and her boys will be leaving in about 5 weeks.  It was obvious the guy at the fabric shop knew her! She is trying to stock up on fabric before she leaves.

After lunch, Mary, Mav and I walked to the clinic on base so Mav could get his 6 month old shots.  He was such a good little guy!  On the way back, we stopped at the ATM so I could get some money-- the ATM's were down-- now I just gotta wonder if Mike is maybe in cahoots with BoA so I can't buy anything else.

Marshall had to go into work this afternoon.  He is applying for a grant for his schooling and had to get a letter signed by his commander.  He should be home soon. He is going to grill brats tonight!

Mdx and Marshall have been hard at work building her a kitchen out of cardboard boxes. It has really become quite the project!

I've been taking LOTS of pictures and will post them after I get back to the States... more later...

HMMMM....

Marshall and I took  a walk to town this afternoon.  We had chicken on a stick and a corndog---YUM!  Then we went to a pottery place-- another one of those places that has a store front, but, "more downstair". The Korean celadon pottery is so pretty! I found some pieces I really liked-- but it was hard to make a decision!  I finally picked out a few pieces and had them wrapped to mail.  Marshall ran up to the base to get me some more cash while the guy was wrapping my stuff.  When he got back, Marshall said--uh, Mom, you didn't have any money---what the??? it was after noon here so it was after midnight at home---so hmmmmm, my paycheck SHOULD have been deposited--- guess I'll try again later.  It has been very strange not just whipping out the credit card every time I want to buy something-- Dave Ramsey would be proud!

We walked out on the street and stopped at one of the "packing guys" and got my stuff ready to mail---first he lined the bubble wrapped packages up on his table, then selected a box that he lined with 1 inch styrofoam, he packed the bubble wrapped packets in then filled the space with newspaper-- we will go to the PO on base tomorrow and send it off to NC.

It is such a beautiful day that we stopped at the "Blue Opera" and sat outside and had a drink--LIT for both of us.  In the restaurants (and bars) there is a button on the corner of each table that you press when you are ready for service-- kind of cool!

Marshall, Mdx, Mav and I are going to Mr Chicken tonight-- good thing we've been doing so much walking-- 'coz we've sure been eating well!