A Long Time

This snap is from the day we got our new dog. This is the first meeting between dog and munchkins. We waited for what felt like a long time for a dog.

Well...the longest we've lived anywhere since our university days is four years. By the end of this spring, we will have been here for four years. And we know we're looking at a minimum of two more. Wow...

Things have been beyond busy lately. The husband has been traveling (India and another Mid-East country), and I've been looking for bigger accomdation for our family. Our flat is lovely, but we're really wanting some more space. I think we've found a place to move in to, but it's not gonna be 'real' to me until we've signed papers and the keys are in hand. So, we'll see.

Because of the volunteering/helping out I do, I'm going to be heading out of the country for a few days to attend meetings. I'm really excited that I get to go again this year.

The husband's parents are due in for a visit this week. They'll be here for about two weeks, but I'll be out of country for about a week of that. We're hoping for a day or two of off-roading while they are here.

I look around me and even though the surface of the place is shiny and pretty, there is so much poverty and suffering that one sees. For those who have money, things are totally fabulous. For those who don't have money, who don't have the 'right' country-of-issue passport, life can be miserable. For many here, the equivalent of $50 U.S./Canadian a month pay increase is a significant amount of money.

I encounter what I call the 'push-shove' mentality. You see it everywhere in so many countries/places. Push-shove your way ahead in the check out at the market, push-shove in traffic, push-shove getting munchkins to and from school. Push-shove, push-shove, push-shove. It's constant. What's sad is that many days I don't even notice it anymore AND I have to push-shove sometimes to simply get home in a timely manner from running errands. It's like so much of the world runs on a me-first mentality. If folks would just calm down and work together, we'd all get there faster and safer. Sigh...

In the mean time, I really hope we get the larger accomodation I found. I will not cry if I have a private garden where I can sit and look at plants and listen to birds and totally forget that the push-shove exists.

Peace.

Rainy Day?

The day started out so cloudy and gray. It even drizzled a bit on me as I walked our dog. Living in the desert, rainy days are actually welcome.

I love this snap. It was taken when Munchkin #1 first met our new dog at the doggie adoption place. Both kid and dog are good for each other.

I love living where we live, but I'm so ready to change abodes. I'm tired of the constant noise. I'm tired of the constant driving to get anywhere. I'm tired of being nearly run over by taxis each time I take the dog for a stroll. I'm tired of the munchkins not being able to have an ocean of friends over because there's just no space. But, I'm concerned that hunting for a new abode is going to be an emotionally charged and painful process. I need peace to forge along with the task ahead.

One of the really odd things about living here is that many many many times people are so very rude to one another. It is so very hard to get used to. And frankly, I don't know if I ever want to get used to it. Some days it is harder to just blow off the rude behaviour. Some days it is so very hard to not say, "Really? Do you really think that being so very rude to other people is going to actually help you get ahead in life? Really?"

Well, I need to go grocery shopping. Maybe it will drizzle a little more while I'm driving. I love rainy days.

Peace.

Life with a Dog

Life with a lovely dog is an excellent thing. Even though this is supposedly a not so 'dog friendly' place to live, when I take Jesse here for walks most people smile. I know I'm feeling more easy-going about life here in the sandbox these days.

I don't think Jesse had ever seen grass until we got her. Every time she walks on a patch of grass (only special ones where dogs are allowed of course), she steps gingerly like she's just not sure about this soft green stuff. It is very interesting to watch. Her favorite place to 'relieve' herself? A patch of sand that's all rocky. She is definitely a desert dog.

Jesse is now enjoying making 'school runs' with me. I spend a full hour each morning driving munchkins to school and getting back home. Jesse enjoys looking out the windows of my vehicle of choice. I just need to give her a bandanna to wear while she rides -maybe up the cute factor a tad more.

Well...I am hosting a rather large gather this evening so I need to stop typing. I have not even taken down our winter decor yet. Plus, I need to cook and bake.

Peace.

The Danger of Hate-Filled Words

Meet the newest member of our household! This is Jesse. She's a desert mutt. She wants nothing more than a bit of food and lots cuddles. How can someone look into those big brown eyes and not just melt? We are all very happy to have this pooch among us.

I was horrified to read about the horrible tragedy in the U.S. in Arizona. I am sure there are some out there who would label me a 'liberal' blogger. Well, that may be true....

Folks who publish need to go back and study their American history. It was WORDS that incited rebellion amongst an already anxious population at the time of the American Revolution. Do people in the States really want violence as part of the political process? Even if one is using words that are meant to be satirical, folks you just can't use hate-filled images in politics - it's dangerous. Talk about ideas and issues. Share different points of view. These are good things. But, using violent imagery in politics is just not appropriate.

Peace.

I'm Back

What a totally awesome fabulous amazing holiday! And, now...we're back in the sand box for the foreseeable future. Wow. 3 1/2 years in the sand. So much for the 'two year contract.'

As I sit here typing listening to some Shakira, I never dreamt what an adventure my life would one day become. Once I get moved into some bigger digs, I'm hoping my parents will make the journey to come see us here in the sand!

I am so thankful for all my friends here in the sand! And....I'm thankful that everyone is now safely back from their holiday adventures. Over school holidays, everyone scatters to the four corners of the globe. I had friends and people I know travel to the Americas, all over Europe, South Africa and China. We really log the airplane miles/kilometers!

Peace.