Before we returned to the States in 2011 I promised the kids we could get a dog. We talked together about the importance of rescuing a pet from the shelter along with the usual responsibilities of pet ownership. Now though I'm running into major problems. At first I thought these complications were restricted to breed specific rescue centers, but I've since learned that they apply to the SPCA in our area as well.
*Money: These shelters ask up to $350 for the adoption fee. I know that pets are not cheap but I also know what a dog costs from a breeder.
*Home Visits: I don't like anyone I don't know coming to my home. I have the right to privacy and the right to safety. It is difficult enough letting the cable guy in once to install the internet much less know that anyone from the organization may stop by at any time to check up on the dog.
*Applications: Some of the applications I've seen are seven or more pages long. One of the questions we fail on is: How long have you lived in your current home?
I've had pets my entire life and grew up around animals of all sorts. I know these groups have their heart in the right place but are they really helping animals by making the adoption process so rigid? Would love to hear some thoughts and feedback regarding this.
Showing posts with label Kids. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kids. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Starting Over
Tomorrow the household goods arrive at our new home here in Northern Virginia. I'm very happy with my choice of area so far. Everything I need seems to be within 10 minutes and DC is just a quick Metro ride away, but where not close enough to have terrible traffic. I can't wait to dive into my patterns and fabric and decide what to do first.
I bought two of these little journals (one in each color) for me to write in for the girls. I am enjoying them. Two days in only but I'm surprised by how easy it is to fill up the space. Mom's One Line a Day: A Five-Year Memory Book
In somewhat frustrating news I purchased a new phone today. When I went to transfer the telephone number and contract I wasn't able to. Turns out the zip code I originally had my account in doesn't have smartphone service and in order to use my new phone I had to change my zip code. In order to change the zip code I had to get a new phone number. Blerg. To top it off the customer service rep promised I'd be able to use the old phone until the new one was activated. Didn't happen so now I have no usable phone. I'm sure I'll be happy once the new phone is going but for now it stinks.
I bought two of these little journals (one in each color) for me to write in for the girls. I am enjoying them. Two days in only but I'm surprised by how easy it is to fill up the space. Mom's One Line a Day: A Five-Year Memory Book
In somewhat frustrating news I purchased a new phone today. When I went to transfer the telephone number and contract I wasn't able to. Turns out the zip code I originally had my account in doesn't have smartphone service and in order to use my new phone I had to change my zip code. In order to change the zip code I had to get a new phone number. Blerg. To top it off the customer service rep promised I'd be able to use the old phone until the new one was activated. Didn't happen so now I have no usable phone. I'm sure I'll be happy once the new phone is going but for now it stinks.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Halloween Yee-Haw!
Last night the girls went trick-or-treating at post housing. I was really pleased with how their costumes came out and actually got asked by several people if I could sew some for them!
At home in front of the decorations D made.
Getting candy from friends.
This photo cracks me up!
In this photo you can kind of see their matching treat bags that are embroidered.
I had planned on taking more photos tonight but all the festivities were rained out. So here instead is a sneak peak at our holiday matching outfits.
At home in front of the decorations D made.
Getting candy from friends.
This photo cracks me up!
In this photo you can kind of see their matching treat bags that are embroidered.
I had planned on taking more photos tonight but all the festivities were rained out. So here instead is a sneak peak at our holiday matching outfits.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
High Flying
It has been a long time since I posted. I have excuses, too busy with school and not doing anything fun.
Today the kids and I went to the Osan Air Base air show. It was fantastic. I could watch planes all day. As it was the kids and I only lasted 3 hours before we left to eat but it was still a great time.
While the Blue Angels will always have a special place in my heart I can now say the Thunderbirds ROCK!
Today the kids and I went to the Osan Air Base air show. It was fantastic. I could watch planes all day. As it was the kids and I only lasted 3 hours before we left to eat but it was still a great time.
While the Blue Angels will always have a special place in my heart I can now say the Thunderbirds ROCK!
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Homeschool Is Cool
September 1 I hosted a Not Back to School Party for the homeschool children on post. It was the first day of back to school for public school students. Instead of sitting behind desks we headed to the water park! It was great fun.
Learning to Share
I like this photo because it shows off the fun parts of the park.
Defne with some friends.
The cake.
Some of the kids.
My kids swimming on a different day.
Learning to Share
I like this photo because it shows off the fun parts of the park.
Defne with some friends.
The cake.
Some of the kids.
My kids swimming on a different day.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Heat Resistant
Well trying to be anyway. First off I've misplaced the camera so no photos today sorry.
It was supposed to be a glorious weekend vacation to Jeju Island. I wanted to drive down and take the ferry over (four hours) spend one night in a hotel and another on the beach camping. Mr. K. said we didn't have enough time and he has to go pick up young cadets from the airport tomorrow. So instead we took some day trips all of which were less than perfect.
Day One
Saturday we decided to go to Coex Mall in Seoul because the weather was chilly and rainy. I was intrigued by the promise of a bookstore. The traffic on the interstate was bumper to bumper more than 50 miles out so we pulled into a train station. That station had no fast train so we decided to take the subway. 90 minutes, three trains and mostly standing room only later we finally arrived tired and hungry. The restaurant Mr. K. picked was confusing and expensive so I only ate a little. Then it was off to the bookstore which was huge and refreshing. I purchased a sewing book and though it is in Korean it has lots of adorable patterns. We got some small books in English for the Kids. Then we headed off to the food court for some rice and pizza. Later we went to a few shops and I bought some cute stationary items (another one of the things I hoard). We ate ice cream and stocked up on bread and cakes from Paris Baguette and got back on the subway home. The first train was so packed that even when pushed I couldn't fall because there was nowhere to fall. Yuck. The next train ended before the station we needed but a third train came quickly enough. The fourth train was the worst though because we ended up getting off one station to early and being abandoned like lost dolls. For more than thirty minutes no train stopped. We gave up and got a taxi to the next station were we had left the van. Do I like the IDEA of public transportation? Of course. Save the planet and all that jazz. Will I be partaking of it again anytime soon? No way.
Day Two will be published tomorrow.
It was supposed to be a glorious weekend vacation to Jeju Island. I wanted to drive down and take the ferry over (four hours) spend one night in a hotel and another on the beach camping. Mr. K. said we didn't have enough time and he has to go pick up young cadets from the airport tomorrow. So instead we took some day trips all of which were less than perfect.
Day One
Saturday we decided to go to Coex Mall in Seoul because the weather was chilly and rainy. I was intrigued by the promise of a bookstore. The traffic on the interstate was bumper to bumper more than 50 miles out so we pulled into a train station. That station had no fast train so we decided to take the subway. 90 minutes, three trains and mostly standing room only later we finally arrived tired and hungry. The restaurant Mr. K. picked was confusing and expensive so I only ate a little. Then it was off to the bookstore which was huge and refreshing. I purchased a sewing book and though it is in Korean it has lots of adorable patterns. We got some small books in English for the Kids. Then we headed off to the food court for some rice and pizza. Later we went to a few shops and I bought some cute stationary items (another one of the things I hoard). We ate ice cream and stocked up on bread and cakes from Paris Baguette and got back on the subway home. The first train was so packed that even when pushed I couldn't fall because there was nowhere to fall. Yuck. The next train ended before the station we needed but a third train came quickly enough. The fourth train was the worst though because we ended up getting off one station to early and being abandoned like lost dolls. For more than thirty minutes no train stopped. We gave up and got a taxi to the next station were we had left the van. Do I like the IDEA of public transportation? Of course. Save the planet and all that jazz. Will I be partaking of it again anytime soon? No way.
Day Two will be published tomorrow.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Hwaseong
For mother's day we decided to have a little adventure and travel to Suwon Hwaseong (Fortress). My guidebook gives it three stars, a good place to go when the weather is nice (which it was), and a UNESCO World Heritage site. So why not right?
To say it was a disaster might be overreaching just a little. When we got to Suwon we found the signs sparse and confusing. Mr. K. took a lot of wrong turns and got the van into some very tight places. Eventually we did find an entrance got a map and directions and headed off on foot/stroller.
After walking down a steep hill for about half a mile and realizing we had quite a way to go I gave up and sat on a bench to read. (Anyone at all interested in science, biology, medicine, or parasites you must read Parasite Rex by Carl Zimmer. It is excellent!)
Twenty minutes later Mr. K. and the kids came huffing and puffing back to my little bench. For reasons unknown they were not allowed on the mini-train to the archery observation. Their purchased tickets were taken away and money was returned. D was upset, Mr. K. was nonplussed and I simply added it to my list of reasons that I'm not in love with this country.
So we hiked back up the hill and decided to go to Papa John's Pizza for dinner. Mr. K. decided to drive around a bit and somehow managed to find two more much larger and ground level entrances to the fortress, but I was so over the whole thing and each time told him to keep driving as I took photos out the window.
We also spotted an IGA.
And cars ornamented for weddings in a style similar to the tradition in Turkey.
I felt so very American and a bit ridiculous taking photos out of a moving vehicle but sometimes it is necessary to give in to what we are in order to maintain this insane life we lead.
Eventually we came to the pizza place and everyone was happier.
Hilarious (at least to me!) menu item.
Table condiments.
Me with my kids. It was mother's day after all. I made the blouse for myself from Butterick 5217.
Izzy didn't want to share me.
Pizza was perfect, but oddly served with sweet pickles.
Then on the way home I asked if I could run into Paris Baguette. What a mistake to let me loose in that place! I wanted one of everything.
To say it was a disaster might be overreaching just a little. When we got to Suwon we found the signs sparse and confusing. Mr. K. took a lot of wrong turns and got the van into some very tight places. Eventually we did find an entrance got a map and directions and headed off on foot/stroller.
After walking down a steep hill for about half a mile and realizing we had quite a way to go I gave up and sat on a bench to read. (Anyone at all interested in science, biology, medicine, or parasites you must read Parasite Rex by Carl Zimmer. It is excellent!)
Twenty minutes later Mr. K. and the kids came huffing and puffing back to my little bench. For reasons unknown they were not allowed on the mini-train to the archery observation. Their purchased tickets were taken away and money was returned. D was upset, Mr. K. was nonplussed and I simply added it to my list of reasons that I'm not in love with this country.
So we hiked back up the hill and decided to go to Papa John's Pizza for dinner. Mr. K. decided to drive around a bit and somehow managed to find two more much larger and ground level entrances to the fortress, but I was so over the whole thing and each time told him to keep driving as I took photos out the window.
We also spotted an IGA.
And cars ornamented for weddings in a style similar to the tradition in Turkey.
I felt so very American and a bit ridiculous taking photos out of a moving vehicle but sometimes it is necessary to give in to what we are in order to maintain this insane life we lead.
Eventually we came to the pizza place and everyone was happier.
Hilarious (at least to me!) menu item.
Table condiments.
Me with my kids. It was mother's day after all. I made the blouse for myself from Butterick 5217.
Izzy didn't want to share me.
Pizza was perfect, but oddly served with sweet pickles.
Then on the way home I asked if I could run into Paris Baguette. What a mistake to let me loose in that place! I wanted one of everything.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Handmade Hounds
D has been begging me to make something from this dog fabric for over a month now. Finally I found time and energy to do it.
This was supposed to be the short version of Simplicity 3546 a Project Runway pattern, but it came out to her knees. D doesn't do dresses so this is now a very complicated perfectly constructed nightgown.
I chose a vintage pattern for Izzy's look thinking that they always run small so I should be fine, but her top turned out a little too big. Shorts are self drafted and a good fit.
Finally I made D a peasant blouse from this awesome tutorial. And self drafted her shorts as well.
This was supposed to be the short version of Simplicity 3546 a Project Runway pattern, but it came out to her knees. D doesn't do dresses so this is now a very complicated perfectly constructed nightgown.
I chose a vintage pattern for Izzy's look thinking that they always run small so I should be fine, but her top turned out a little too big. Shorts are self drafted and a good fit.
Finally I made D a peasant blouse from this awesome tutorial. And self drafted her shorts as well.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Handmade
Last week Defne started sewing with two of her birthday gifts. The Alex Sewing Kit and See and Sew: A Sewing Book for Children by Tina Davis. In one week she learned: straight stitch, sewing on buttons, threading the needle, and tying her own knots. I'm really proud of her.
Kitty
Puppy
Kitty
Puppy
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Hippos and More!
Tuesday the Kids and I went with the post playgroup to Seoul Grand Park Zoo. It was beautiful and we had a wonderful time. Even some of the bathrooms had views of the animals.
Giraffes
Cherry Blossoms
Meercat
Tiger
Otter
Red Panda
Seal
Barbary Sheep
Hippopotamus
Giraffes
Cherry Blossoms
Meercat
Tiger
Otter
Red Panda
Seal
Barbary Sheep
Hippopotamus
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Hippity Hoppity Easter's on It's Way
Well as much Easter as we do. Took the Kids to the post Eggstravaganza (no I did not make that up). They had fun jumping on the bouncy things and scrambling for plastic eggs.
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