11 Goodbye

There are places I'll remember all my life,

though some have changed.
Some forever, not for better.
Some have gone and some remain.

All these places have their moments with lovers and friends,
I still can recall.

Some are dead and some are living;
In my life, I've loved them all.

But of all these friends and lovers,
there is no one, compares with you.

And these memories lose their meaning, 
when I think of love as something new.

Though I know I'll never lose affection for people and things that went before,
I know I'll often stop and think about them;

In my life, I love you more.

In my life, I love you more.

Many, many thanks to Lennon/McCartney and The Beatles. This song has long been one of my favorites, but has come to mean something so dear since living here. I don't know how long hearing it will make me burst into tears, but I promise, they're thankful, joyful tears- because I got to call God's Own Country home for three beautiful years.

disclaimer: Paul isn't pictured because he hates being in pictures, so my selection is limited. Mia's not pictured because nearly all of my pictures of her are indoors and sadly, don't show the beauty of Yorkshire. Also, the first picture of the dogs is actually from Jedburgh Abbey, The Borders, Scotland.  I just love it.

4 Inspiration Sunday, Dog (and Cat!) Edition

 I talk about them a lot, and for good reason.  They're our kids. 

I often say Max is my toddler, as he has completely unreasonable fears (feet, things above his head, things on the ground, making the bed, etc.), is incredibly self-centered in his affections (he'll gladly lean on you and rub his head on you, but it's purely an exercise in getting you to scratch him), and is unfailingly stubborn (he turns into a solid, unmovable rock when he doesn't want to do something- you try budging an above-the-knee 75 lb brick wall).  He is also unfailingly loyal, has perfected the "puppy eyes", and has the most hilarious and ungainly crazy-run (he looks like a walrus on land).  He is my heart.

Sloan is more like a best friend- she will both listen to my conversation and mock me with her eyebrows.  She is self-sufficient, but would prefer to be around humans.  She is a passionate kisser/licker, to the point that she's turned my skin red from her scratchy tongue.  (No, I've never had a best friend do that- that's definitely a dog thing!!)  She believes all of life's problems can be solved with a tennis ball, that bikes/roller skates/skateboards are things she needs to save humans from, and can turn a bad day around just by laying her ten-pound head on you in a way that will inevitably lead to your limb falling asleep, or you needing to pee (you pet-people know what I mean!).  She is my heartbeat- and when Max's orthopedic issues are flaring, she often is the only thing that can distract me from falling apart. 

Mia is a weirdo.  There's no other way to describe her. She acts like a dog, but comes by it honestly- our other cat died when she was 5 months old and she's been raised by these two fools.  She believes breakfast is the most important time of day, and should occur the second the sun rises (3:30AM during English summer...). She is a great cuddler, and loves to be carried around koala-style, clinging to your shoulder and sitting on your hip- you don't even have to hold her.   She is a serial stalker of the local rodents and birds, although she prefers bringing them in alive to play with for a few days over killing them outright. Because of this habit, we're able to free her victims, unharmed, the majority of the time.  She comes when you call her, she has a vocabulary of 7-8 words, will eat anything that fits in her mouth, and thinks someone in the shower is a captive audience to listen to her stories.   As often as I threaten to punch her in the face (our favorite threat, although neither of us would dream of following through!), I tell her everyday I'm glad she came to us.

Here are a few of my favorite dog quotes (and a cat one, of course!).

There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face.

Bern Williams

If a dog will not come to you after having looked you in the face, you should go home and examine your conscience.

Woodrow Wilson

Way down deep, we're all motivated by the same urges.  Cats have the courage to live by them.

Jim Davis

I talk to him when I'm lonesome like; and I'm sure he understands. When he looks at me so attentively, and gently licks my hands; then rubs his nose on my tailored clothes, but I never say naught thereat.  For the good Lord knows I can buy more clothes, but never a friend like that. 

W. Dayton Wedgefarth

*In other pet news, I read a post today from The Daily Tay that reminded me so much of Max's story, which I'll get around to sharing someday.  His life-long orthopedic issues have re-shaped the way we live our lives, but the joy and love he's given back to us is infinitely more than what we've been able to give him.   We will be the first to tell you that a medical-money-pit pet can be a challenge, but will also teach you just who you are at your core- and show you the true nature of those who hear his story.

9 Dogs as Children: The Things We Say

We have dogs (and a dog in a cat's body) as our kids.  I know human children are different, but, given the stories I hear from my friends who are moms to small humans, they're really not all that different. 

My favorite tochases in the world.

Case in point, at least for our family: 

Girls potty train faster and easier than boys.

Sloan peed inside twice, at the tender age of four weeks.  We thought we were pros, until Max proved us wrong by not giving a lick where or when he pottied- and took over a month to learn to care.

They eat things they shouldn't and get into things they shouldn't.

Granted, mine tend to eat poo and plastic food wrappers over crayons and play-dough, but I bet they'd be willing to try the latter if given the opportunity.

They get really excited to see their Nanny (my mom's "grandma" name).

They jump on her and dig in her suitcase when she arrives (looking for tennis balls) and want to be with her at all times. Sloan is a monstrous whiner whenever my mom is out of sight.

and so on.

Anyway, I've been jotting down a little list of things I say to them, as their mommy. 

Hopefully you get a laugh out of these!

(warning: If you've not spent much time around dogs, these may seem rather crude.  Sorry.)

The happy face of a fetchaholic.

This I Hope You Never Have to Say to Human Children

Get your nose out of your sister's vagina!

(and vice-versa)

We don't sniff other people's poop; that's how you get a tummy ache.

Stop learning how words are spelled!

If you don't stop running your mouth, you're going to bark a poop out!

Sloan actually did bark a poop out once, when she was about a year old. It was hilarious, and I'm pretty sure Paul's hoping it happens again- he starts laughing just at the memory!

He's a professional couch-tester.  Okay, so no one's paying him, but really. He's a pro.

Things You Might Say to Your Human Children

Don't you dare lay down in that puddle/mud!

Ewww, you slimed me!

Usually meaning slobber or river-drool in our case.

Stop sitting on the printer!

Yep, this one's Mia- she's a big fan of the printer, even though it's not on unless I'm using it.

Come here so I can get your boogie- 

Here, eat your boogie. I don't want it on me.

The first part you might say; I'm guessing you'd discourage the second!!

(This is regarding eye boogies, for the record.)

The most cat-like thing about her: she cannot resist a box.  The donuts were long gone by the time Sloan confiscated this from the recycling. 

This You Probably Do Say to Your Children

The couch is NOT a playground!

I will pull this car over if you don't stop barking!

Okay, so you probably don't say 'barking', but you get the idea.

Put your penis away; I don't want it in my pictures!

Poor Max's hip issues cause him to sit at a funny angle, making his wankie (it's funnier that way) stick out.  That's the only thing I do photoshop!

Max is very much a Momma's boy, so moments like this are rare- and even more rare that I'm able to capture them! 

Any of y'all with furry family members have some phrases I've left out?  Any of you with human kids have any good stories?

3 How to Save Lives and Love Your Pets

Emily and Lindsay are hosting this fantastic link-up, Flaunt Your Cause.

I'm (unfortunately) not currently involved in any volunteer activities,

so I wasn't going to participate. 

However, I realized a "cause" can also be a passion I spread the word about and encourage regularly.

I was going through my routine masochistic hobby and perusing the adoptables on Athenspets.net- 

the website for Athens-Clarke County Animal Control, where we adopted Sloan-

and I noticed that there are three different litters of kittens that are owner surrenders.

Meaning, three different pet cats got knocked up and the owners didn't want to deal with finding homes for the kittens.
Here's my cause:

Spay and Neuter: It Saves Lives.

{via}

This may seem like a broken record to some of you, and I hope it does- and means your furry family members are spayed and neutered. 

Sadly, though, there are still people who think it's okay to not spay and neuter-

since just one litter won't hurt;

they just want the kids to experience the miracle of life;

they aren't going to breed, but their cat or dog won't come in contact with any others.

There are a lot of adorable faces on Petfinder and other rescue sites that would beg to differ.

By spaying your female dog before her first heat cycle you virtually eliminate her chances of developing mammary tumors, and spaying at any time will definitely eliminate any chance of ovarian and uterine cancers (since a spay is an ovariohysterectomy).  Mammary tumors are treatable, through surgical removal, but this surgery is not only more expensive than a spay but also a more painful recovery for your dog. 

Mammary tumors are the most common type of tumor in dogs, and over 25% of unspayed females will develop them. 

Mammary tumors are the third most common type of tumor in cats. 

Pyometra is another danger of not spaying.  An infection of the uterus, it usually develops after an unfertilized heat cycle- remember that excuse of "my cat is indoors-only and won't come in contact with any males"?  Apply here.   Pyometra can be hard to identify, since cats can be reclusive when sick, but if not treated quickly, death is imminent. 

Dogs can develop pyometra, too.

Male pets are also medically vulnerable to testicular cancer. This can be a risk even for a cryptorchid dog, one whose testical(s) did not fully descend during puberty. When a cryptorchid dog is neutered, the vet will use a more invasive procedure (abdominal incision) to locate and remove the testical(s).

Now on to the social benefits. 

Altered animals are less likely to roam (seeking mates), get into fights (hormonal or territorial), and males are less likely to mark inappropriately. 

Spaying and neutering your pets also (obviously) eliminates the chances for unwanted litters.

If you don't think this is a big deal, please check out your local shelter, or Petfinder in your zip code. 

I guarantee there will be hordes of adorable little faces peering through your screen at you, especially this time of year.  For every unplanned or carelessly bred puppy or kitten, one of these little faces won't find a home.

Both Max and Sloan were shelter puppies, although they were both found with their litter mates as strays (Sloan's mom was there, too).

We're confident Sloan's family was adopted, as her two four-week-old brothers were the only other puppies at the shelter at the time and a woman was applying to adopt her mom as we applied for her.

Max's sisters were a different story.

There were two of them, as well- and they were around 10 weeks, so not tiny but not to the gangly stage yet. They were both quite sweet, although one had a lot more energy than the other- but that just meant she was more suited for an outdoorsy person and the quiet one was better suited to a tv fan.

They were at the shelter for just over three weeks when we adopted Max.

We went back a few times to walk and play with the girls,

and hung flyers around town trying to find them homes.

Sadly, about 7 weeks later, they were euthanized due to lack of space.

The three months they were at the shelter is nearly unheard of in the summer in Georgia, 

and it is a testament to the amazing adoption work done by Oconee County Animal Control that they had space for them that whole time.

It just wasn't enough time.

Please, if you want to experience the miracle of life,

foster a pregnant female for your local rescue group and enjoy watching the babies grow until they are ready for new homes.

If you think spaying or neutering is cruel, 

ask your vet to explain tumor excision surgery in comparison to a simple ovariohysterectomy or neuter.

If you still feel a strong desire to breed your pet,

please only do so in the best interest of the breed-

this means eye tests, hearing tests, hip and elbow tests, etc. in order to rule out genetic disorders.

That list is also part of the reason why a well-bred dog or cat is a costly expense from the start-

and if you would rather purchase a bred pet rather than adopt (and you can find almost any breed in shelters or rescues if you look, the internet is an amazing resource), please insist on seeing the records of these tests, and records of the puppy or kitten's vet visits prior to your purchase.

If you have spare time in your day, extra space in your heart, and don't mind crying, please consider volunteering at your local shelter.  Many of these animals are desperate for attention, love, and training- all of which will help them charm a potential new family into adopting them.

We volunteered in the past, had two foster dogs (both of whom were adopted into wonderful homes), and are looking forward to future volunteering opportunities.  

There's my cause, and it's definitely close to my heart- and next to me on the couch, every night!

Please ask me any questions you may have about adopting, fostering, volunteering at a shelter,

or about spaying and neutering- although I might suggest you save those for your vet to get a proper medical consultation!

4 A League of Their Own Costume

 Ever since we went to last year's 1940s Weekend in Haworth I've been looking forward to going back.  When I was debating what to wear I turned to Google and Pinterest, which led me to the idea of dressing up as a Rockford Peach from A League of Their Own- but the only one I could find for sale seemed to be rather poor quality, so I didn't want to order it.

Obviously this is from the movie, not the crappy knock-off costume.

{via}

Well, y'all... my mom can sew, and so I called her and asked her to make me a costume (and I emailed her some pictures from the movie). She hit the fabric store, I sent her my measurements, and next thing I knew she'd put a box in the mail.  It arrived a mere 5 days later- unheard of!

I tried it on and sent her a quick shot:

I beg you to ignore my wet hair, pasty pale English-sun legs, and messy house... we like blankets. It's cold here.
Also, I clearly need to work on my Photobooth expression... 

She sent it to me unhemmed and needing to be dyed- as well as needing buttons and accessories. This was all so I could decide the color I wanted and hem it after trying it on- for that part you do need an in-person fitting! 

Well. Mom sent me RIT dye in orange and pink. After I looked up the color recipes on RIT's website, I realized I needed beige as well as pink- so I headed into Harrogate and found a sewing shop.

Here in England the common dye brand is Dylon, which is very similar to RIT.

I purchased two beige and one pink.

I went home and tested the dyes-

repeatedly.

These didn't photograph well, but my goal was the bottom left- a nice mix of beige and pink, making as close to peach as I could get (hey, dye companies, how about a nice peach?!).

I proceeded to mix the big bucket of dye.  I poured in the rest of the beige and pink (Dylon) in the bucket. 

I then started to pour in the RIT pink, but I stopped as soon as I saw that it was not light pink- it was BRIGHT!  I poured the entire other beige packet in, but the damage was done.  Even after dumping out half the dye water and adding more plain water to dilute it, the dye was very, very pink. 

Oh, well.

Next step (after buttons and belt loops) was to make the patch for the front.

My mom sent me this circle serged around the edges, but it was a little small for the chest patch.  I'd found this red Puma hat at a sports shop for £5.99, and got Paul to seam-rip out the Puma emblem.  I colored the serged thread red with a Sharpie and drew/wrote the center. I just noticed that the movie costumes have R on their hat patches. Only R.  Oops.

For this patch I cut two circles out of the fabric and sewed embroidery thread around the edges. Tedious, you say? Why yes!  Good thing I was a couple of weeks behind on Revenge...

Then I Sharpied the middle part on.  This patch didn't bleed as badly as the top one, but I'm not sure why.

After buying some football (soccer) socks at a sports shop, putting it all on, safety pinning the belt together (procrastinators unite!), and adding my baseball glove and anachronistic Converse (whatever.), I was set!

If you want some fun, look at my socks.  Yes, they came out of the package that way- one with a black/red band, one with an all red band... weird.  

I'd say the costume, as my punny friend said, "knocked it out of the park!"

I'm planning to re-dye it (PEACH!) and redo the patches (and make the hat one an R...) in all embroidery floss, rather than Sharpie.  Oh, and add a buckle to the belt. 

That said, there's another 1940s day at Valley Gardens in June... I think I've got my outfit!

Come back tomorrow for pictures of our day in Haworth- it was a blast, just like last year!

2 Way to Go, Mom!

 My mom annoys the crap out of me.

I'm pretty sure I annoy the crap out of her, too-

so it's okay.

While I think she's intrusive, dorky, and irritating,

I'm also really proud of her.

See, she has a past-

(no, Dirty, not that past)

a pre-kids past.

When she was 18 she went to Germany for a year as an au pair.

We heard about this frequently growing up,

especially after Rebekah and I took German in school

(neither of our schools gave us a choice, FYI).

But then she got married, moved to Georgia,

had four daughters...

and became boring, and a wearer of crew socks and sweatshirts.

While she still wears crew socks and sweatshirts,

she's using her golden years to rekindle her inner adventurer.

Having tea at Betty's in Harrogate.

She came to visit us in November 2010, which only partially counts, since she was visiting us.

That said, your first long-haul flight in 40 years is still kind of a big deal.

image courtesy of Colin Garrett

This year she decided to kick it up a notch.  She left the school system when I was 15 to become a full-time nanny, and has had several nanny families since (kids grow up, you know?).  One of her former nanny families moved to Thailand and she's been plotting a visit since.  She's finally gotten out there, and is having a blast spending time with "her" kids and sightseeing.

Well, that might still only partially count, since she's visiting someone she knows again.

However.

My mom is OBSESSED with babies. 

No, I don't understand it, but whatever.  She is.

She's followed the stories of a Chinese orphanage, the Starfish Foster Home, for years.

When she was planning this trip to the other side of the world she decided to go to China for a couple of weeks and volunteer at the orphanage.

To be honest, my sister and I were a little surprised she didn't just move in there.

I mean, come on?  A building chock-full of babies?
When you *choose* to spend your retirement cleaning up spit-up and rocking whiny teethers-
after doing it four times over for your own-
how could that not be a building full of your own baby-poo rainbows and gummy-smile sunshine?

Unfortunately, she was apparently too busy holding the babies to get any pictures of herself with them-
I think it's so Interpol (is that even real??) won't have photo evidence when she baby-snatches them all.

We do have this gem, though:

Image courtesy of Linda Tunnell, another American volunteer.

She and another volunteer were riding around the city wall and became the photo-op for two Chinese tourists.  And here I thought a short, dark-haired (if you don't count all the gray) lady wouldn't have been the novelty.  She isn't even showing her crew socks!

Love you, Mom, and I'm proud of you!