Back home Sept 24

Sat. Trish and I went shopping in Birmingham. We mainly just window shopped, did get a few things. Ate at the Tavern, it was good and we could watch the Alabama game on their tv. So was fun. Spent all day and when we got home Trish went over to a friends to visit.



Sun. I hung curtains and pictures while Trish studied.



Monday I finished up the rest of the chores and talked to the men about mowing Trish's backyard. Not sure they really want to do it, but got two quotes one for $30 and another for $35. Her yard is tiny and I get my yard in TX done with flower beds weeded for less than that. Oh well may go back to getting a mower. Took Trish and three of her friends out to dinner before I left on Tuesday to Desperados Steakhouse. It was good steak and the girls really liked the mashed potatoes. Was a fun evening.



Tues. I drove to New Orleans. Before I left I got a call from Ruth and she told me Sue Beigler had died. She suffered from ALS. She will be missed. Bryan, Marj and I went out to dinner at Pascal's Manale. Didn't get the bbq shrimp which they are known for, but what we had was good. Really liked my asparagus/shrimp soup. They thought it was good too.


Wed. I returned the rental car after jumping the blue taurus. It is old and doesn't like sitting in the garage. Then did some errands.

Thurs. cleaned and straightened things up. Had dinner with Pat Baker and Debra Gallemore. We caught up on what was going on with every one's family. They are doing fine and Debra in a grandmother again. Debra still doesn't have electricity. Hopefully she will get it soon.

Friday had lunch with Pat Dickerson. Also called a roof person to put a chimney cover on our chimney. He will do it on Monday of next week. Yeah!!!

The weekend was quiet. I fed Ruby (neighbors dog) while they went on a NASCAR driving weekend. They told me it was a lot of fun. Hung the plates back in the kitchen and other pictures that were sitting in my room. Hadn't rehung them since I had the house painted this past spring. Went to church and visited with friends there.

Monday I went to my old bible study. Was great seeing everyone again. Afterwards we went to lunch. Enjoyed catching up with everyone. Afterwards I mailed packaged, deposited checks, and got my hair cut. It is really short now. Figured I needed it short for the middle east. Talked with Mike he has a five day weekend. He will try to keep busy. He is adjusting well to the middle east. He is still in the hotel and probably will be there until I arrive. Then we will settle into our accommodations. Looks like we will be in the company complex. Let you know what it is like when I find out.

Home for a visit after Ike Sept 15

Sad to leave Jay and Ruth's had a great visit. Arrived home Monday, but it was dark so couldn't see much damage. No trouble getting a rental car, they were all stored at the airport I think. Had lots of choices. There was an accident on the beltway so it took me over an hour to drive home, but that was ok, I was home.



Tues. went through most of the mail in the morning. Had a letter from the deed restriction office - needed to trim the bushes. Since my neighbor Patti raked my front yard, I didn't have much hurricane damage to fix, so trimmed the bushes and thinned out the lariope(sp?). Carrie next door invited me for breakfast. It was delicious - pancakes, bacon, and sausage. Then I came home and got together the things Trish wanted. Will leave tomorrow and visit with her for the weekend.

Wed left for Tuscaloosa. I went to New Orleans and had dinner with Bryan and Marjorie his girlfriend. It was late, so spent the night with him. We ate at Upperline - it was nice. In the morning I stayed around and we went lunch with Bryan. We ate at Crabby Jacks - they have huge po-boys - I only ate half of mine so Bryan has another leftover for lunch tomorrow.
Got to Tuscaloosa on Thursday in time for dinner. Trish and I went out to eat. She told me all the things she would like done while I am here and I will see what I get to.

Fri - I tried weedeating the backyard. The weedeater I brought from home didn't work. So looked into buying a new one. Met a yard man in Home Depot - he explained the different items to us and said why didn't we hire someone. Told us to look in the phone book. But after talking some more he will come out and give us an estimate on the cost to mow her backyard. Trish is keeping busy with law school, so doubt she would keep up with the lawn mowing anyway. We will see what he quotes. We went to the movies and saw The Women. We enjoyed it, Trish says she may get the movie when it comes out. Not sure I liked it that much.

Heard from Mike - went driving around exploring - he put his feet in the Indian Ocean. Said he will try to check out the housing in Ruwais - saw the camp for single people, but not the married housing. Guess I will find everything out when I get there.

Last week in Seoul

Monday I was hoping to hear the exact time of departure, but that was not to be. It is now Wednesday and we aren't sure if we will be leaving. The powers to be have not yet authorized his travel, so we will wait and see what happens.

Tuesday I went to the AWC (American Women's Club) meeting to say Hi and Bye to my friends. They have a raffle at the end and I got a lovely necklace. Actually Ina got the necklace, but she only wears two necklaces so gave it to me as a parting gift. She is so sweet. After the meeting we went to eat at Buddas Belly in Itaewon then coffee and to the express bus terminal for shopping. Liza had to get some groceries and I needed to get out of the apartment. I stayed home all day yesterday and was getting tired of sorting and going through papers.

Wed. I went to the craft class at Oakwood. We made two flower hair ribbons. It was fun. Mike came home from work so I could go, since the packers were to come. They came, but no boxes and not a big enough car to take our stuff. So after the secretary translated, DHL said they would be back before 4 pm. Then I went to lunch at Mita's since it was my last week. I thought it would be just her and me, but it was a surprise lunch with the girls from Oakwood. The picture is of the girls, Leanne had to leave before the photo. The food was great and it was a total surprise. I had a good time. The packers came back, but they just threw things in boxes and said they would pack at their office. So off they went. Mike and I went to La Grilla to celebrate getting things packed up.

Thurs. work gets an email from the packers what to do with the things that they would not pack and send. They couldn't pack playing cards or Mike's medicine. Told them to bring them back to our room before 10am tomorrow. Also found out that the tickets have not been approved for our travel. After a few more phone calls and some hassle they were approved. But with Ike threatening we changed my reservations to have a stop in Los Angeles before going to Houston. Mike will go straight to Dubai and get a car to Abu Dhabi. We ate at On the Border for our last meal in Seoul and ran into Debbie and Gene. So we ate and visited with them.

Friday. Finished packing, but Mike waited for the DHL packages. He took me and my bags to the City Air Terminal and then we came back for an hour before I would have to leave for the airport. DHL came at 9:30am and we went to the air terminal. I went to the Korean Air lounge to wait for Mike. He caught up with me around 10:45. We had some food then walked the terminal. I left for LA and he went to the Korean craft area and made a hanji box and got to play a flute. Which according to him, he couldn't make it make a sound. But he got to keep it. It was a good way to spend his free time before his flight. I arrived in LA and Ruth was waiting for me. On the way home from the airport we stopped for lunch and caught up with what was happening. She told me that IAH (Houston airports) were closed at 10 am Fri. morning. We watched the hurricane news, had dinner and watched the new some more. Mike called to tell me he arrived safely in Abu Dhabi and was staying at the Hilton. I also talked to my mom and the girls to let them know we were fine. Couldn't get in touch with Bryan. I fell asleep and finally decided I needed to go to bed and did.

Sat Watched the news and wondered why when there was mandatory evacuation about 10,000 people stayed on Galveston Island. They were lucky the storm surge wasn't as high as predicted. Talked with my neighbor, my house is fine, the only damage she noticed was the chimney cover blew off. But she found one in her front yard and it is in my garage now to be put back on. No electricity yet and it may be awhile. My plans now are to stay in LA until Monday and fly home. But that depends if they are flying into Houston and I can get a rental car. My neighbor Carrie said if the electricity is still off tonight she will clean out my refrig and freezer. I have great neighbors. Jay and Ruth went to a social event tonight and I am watching their dog Toots. Toots and I had a good dinner and are watching tv. I will probably go to bed soon, since I still feel a little jet lagged.

Sunday I checked with my neighbor again to see if I would be able to get home. She told me they now have electricity. So that is good news and grocery stores are open. Yeah!! So I am getting ready to fly home. Not sure if I will have a rental car available or not, but getting to Houston is good. Will let you know how that goes later.

This weekend Mike got a call asking him when he was coming to Abu Dhabi and on Monday got another one saying he needs to be there. So looks like we will be going sooner rather than later. He still doesn't have a contract, but has been told he will soon.

Well they don't celebrate Labor Day in Korea. But I took a day of rest and watched the hurricane news. Glad that New Orleans levees survived and that Bryan was safe in Alabama. Did go exercise in the evening with Mike, so maybe I will maintain my weight, since I can't seem to lose any. It is Mike's fathers birthday. But forgot to call and wish him a Happy Birthday. Hope he had a good one.

Tuesday we to Kim's brauhaus for lunch with Ina, Liza, Collen, and Ruth. Had a great time visiting. Ruth's mother and sister are coming for a visit and Ina's sister is to arrive today. Colleen leaves for holiday in England and France on Friday. So they all will be busy. Mike and I needed some papers notarized, so went to the US embassy. It closes at 3:30 and we arrived at 3:20, so had 10 minutes to spare. Afterwards we went to Itaewon and ate at Hard Rock cafe and then walked around. It was a nice evening, so we got some exercise then came home by subway. Looks like I need to start packing, but since I am a procrastinator, I will probably wait until next week.

Thursday my embroidered boxes came. Love them Then I went to book club with Liza, Ina, and Colleen. We ate in Itaewon first at the Flying Pan then went on to Elizabeth's house in Itaewon where the meeting was this month. We discussed Eat, Pray, Love. Ok book, but no one raved about it. Afterwards we went shopping in Itaewon. Colleen bought a Louis Vuitton purse for her sister who she is going to visit on Friday and a wallet to match. I purchased a suitcase, since we gave the girls one of ours when they came for a visit, so they could take the souvenirs home.

The weekend was slow. We just went through things and rested for the upcoming week. Sunday was Todd Tapley's 40th Birthday. They just moved to Seoul with their two children from Sugar Land. We went to his party, just stayed a short while since moving day is quickly approaching.