tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80334263792282554972022-08-12T11:01:11.047-07:00Moltey MenagerieHave lived in France, The United Arab Emirates, and the USA. Have traveled much. Dream of traveling much more. Married to a Frenchman. Wish I were more Buddhist. Love urban art & alternative photography. Passionate about ethnobotany. Pursuing an international adoption in Ecuador. Searching for offbeat adventures. You might say this blog is about this and that, with a touch of bizarre, kooky, wacky, discovery, and a pinch of epicurean, secret, underground, and non-touristy life adventures.Mee Shellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12457391547275464932noreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033426379228255497.post-21863752751127370302017-12-13T06:47:00.000-08:002019-01-09T07:44:41.069-08:00China Adoption Dossier Submitted!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xdk7cCULDv4/XDYKaFdjD3I/AAAAAAAA24M/hFdoPH8NAUUNWIo8F-B7SVU0g5g3Z_WxwCLcBGAs/s1600/HipstamaticPhoto-531946994.214202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xdk7cCULDv4/XDYKaFdjD3I/AAAAAAAA24M/hFdoPH8NAUUNWIo8F-B7SVU0g5g3Z_WxwCLcBGAs/s320/HipstamaticPhoto-531946994.214202.jpg" width="320"></a></div><br><br>We have completed all the paperwork to adopt from China. This photo comprises most of the documents we had to collect and send to the adoption agency. I repeat: most of them. Not all. There are, indeed, a lot of documents.<br><a href="http://motley-menagerie.blogspot.com/2017/12/china-adoption-dossier-submitted.html#more">Read more »</a>Mee Shellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12457391547275464932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033426379228255497.post-26170085606494861412017-11-11T12:11:00.005-08:002017-11-27T08:41:02.821-08:00Go Gray With Grace: Avoiding the Pixie Cut<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ykkp2qrhj5U/WhwlPix9ysI/AAAAAAAAxEA/aeoo0iIq0lM010XgEqYuIMulMfqz_3bHACLcBGAs/s1600/gray2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="321" data-original-width="500" height="205" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ykkp2qrhj5U/WhwlPix9ysI/AAAAAAAAxEA/aeoo0iIq0lM010XgEqYuIMulMfqz_3bHACLcBGAs/s320/gray2.jpg" width="320"></a></div><br>My hair started going gray at the age of 17. When I was 35 I was nearly a full silver fox on top. I wanted to embrace the gray, but did not want to do a pixie cut to achieve it. So what to do? Here is a solution: <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/motleymenagerie/color-me-gray/" target="_blank">#ColorMeGray</a><br><br><a href="http://motley-menagerie.blogspot.com/2017/11/go-gray-with-grace-avoiding-pixie-cut.html#more">Read more »</a>Mee Shellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12457391547275464932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033426379228255497.post-45246360529587098732017-04-12T07:03:00.000-07:002019-01-09T07:44:25.864-08:00And Our Next Adoption Will Be From.... *drum roll* .... China!<br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w8BAnL7pBDE/XDYNLJM2hNI/AAAAAAAA24Y/2qT4tqWHzVc1ucjvE1xtN76gKEqNXrxMgCLcBGAs/s1600/go-to-china.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w8BAnL7pBDE/XDYNLJM2hNI/AAAAAAAA24Y/2qT4tqWHzVc1ucjvE1xtN76gKEqNXrxMgCLcBGAs/s320/go-to-china.png" width="240"></a></div><br><br>We have decided to pursue a second adoption! From China this time... which, actually, has been on my 'bucket list' since I was in high school. <br><a href="http://motley-menagerie.blogspot.com/2017/04/and-our-next-adoption-will-be-from-drum.html#more">Read more »</a>Mee Shellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12457391547275464932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033426379228255497.post-56608611760520918472017-01-31T08:14:00.001-08:002017-06-15T07:23:34.190-07:00Words from the Adoption Trenches: Almost a year after we brought our daughter home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZiWtn0Eyyc0/WJC3AGj-FQI/AAAAAAAAHV0/q8pIGvxZNsQ_AUIxUOIsCWmL8ZSsnC6BwCLcB/s1600/IMG_0301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZiWtn0Eyyc0/WJC3AGj-FQI/AAAAAAAAHV0/q8pIGvxZNsQ_AUIxUOIsCWmL8ZSsnC6BwCLcB/s320/IMG_0301.JPG" width="240"></a></div><br>It has been almost a year now since we met "J" and adopted her. I have been quiet on the blog-front because we have been dealing with becoming parents. i.e. - no free time! :) But here is a post about our first-year experiences, and some advice and words of wisdom, which I hope will be useful to other adoptive families about to embark on the same journey.<br><br><a href="http://motley-menagerie.blogspot.com/2017/01/words-from-adoption-trenches-almost.html#more">Read more »</a>Mee Shellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12457391547275464932noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033426379228255497.post-82630142193287511812016-03-18T08:23:00.000-07:002016-03-19T09:25:14.538-07:00Sentencia - We're officially a family! (Colombia Adoption)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yRXd_j68BG4/Vu14X_8q6RI/AAAAAAAAEm4/QJvd14t7Lh4QrlUpSYEgVh38yRkAONfsg/s1600/IMG_0141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yRXd_j68BG4/Vu14X_8q6RI/AAAAAAAAEm4/QJvd14t7Lh4QrlUpSYEgVh38yRkAONfsg/s320/IMG_0141.JPG" width="240"></a></div><br>Today was our 'Sentencia', which is the day that the judge signs your papers, and your adoptive child is officially a part of your family.<br><a href="http://motley-menagerie.blogspot.com/2016/03/sentencia-colombia-adoption.html#more">Read more »</a>Mee Shellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12457391547275464932noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033426379228255497.post-40440304505757129172016-03-14T18:12:00.000-07:002016-03-19T09:30:50.720-07:00The Integration Period (Colombia Adoption)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kYuTWOeu2zE/VuyucZcSZYI/AAAAAAAAEks/wi--kr2c4N8DUk2g71gUDUo83i3foo-4g/s1600/IMG_0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kYuTWOeu2zE/VuyucZcSZYI/AAAAAAAAEks/wi--kr2c4N8DUk2g71gUDUo83i3foo-4g/s320/IMG_0003.jpg" width="320"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div>After Encuentro, when you meet your child, then families have the 'integration' period for a week. Our 'integration' week flew by fast!<br><a href="http://motley-menagerie.blogspot.com/2016/03/the-integration-period-colombia-adoption.html#more">Read more »</a>Mee Shellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12457391547275464932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033426379228255497.post-51596209817306336472016-03-08T16:53:00.000-08:002016-03-19T09:12:37.771-07:00Encuentro Today!!!! (Colombia Adoption)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iAiGh2LPZDs/VuyXxMph0XI/AAAAAAAAEkA/i9J2Er-h26kqZGBuVgx3rw56LEda4lcaQ/s1600/DSC04578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iAiGh2LPZDs/VuyXxMph0XI/AAAAAAAAEkA/i9J2Er-h26kqZGBuVgx3rw56LEda4lcaQ/s320/DSC04578.JPG" width="320"></a></div>Today was our 'Encuentro', which in Colombia is the name given to the day a family first meets their child they will adopt... after months of waiting, everyone meets in person.<br><a href="http://motley-menagerie.blogspot.com/2016/03/encuentro-today.html#more">Read more »</a>Mee Shellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12457391547275464932noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033426379228255497.post-86447594264423369832016-02-25T10:29:00.000-08:002016-03-19T09:10:34.501-07:00Flying to Colombia!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cSpl47RDUL0/VuhGoH3b2RI/AAAAAAAAEjA/tUSrl-lnaGw/s640/blogger-image--418611851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cSpl47RDUL0/VuhGoH3b2RI/AAAAAAAAEjA/tUSrl-lnaGw/s640/blogger-image--418611851.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>We got notice the end of February that we could buy our tickets to travel, and that our Encuentro would be on March 8th.<br><a href="http://motley-menagerie.blogspot.com/2016/02/flying-to-colombia.html#more">Read more »</a>Mee Shellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12457391547275464932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033426379228255497.post-23049833632532126242016-02-20T10:00:00.000-08:002016-03-18T18:12:02.495-07:00Visa to Colombia in Hand!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FTjJ4Jk8EdA/VuhHldzNHPI/AAAAAAAAEjQ/Jo_ThR8TVGE/s640/blogger-image--160328910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FTjJ4Jk8EdA/VuhHldzNHPI/AAAAAAAAEjQ/Jo_ThR8TVGE/s640/blogger-image--160328910.jpg"></a></div>It has been a busy 2 months getting ready to go to Colombia.<br><br><a href="http://motley-menagerie.blogspot.com/2016/02/visa-to-colombia-in-hand.html#more">Read more »</a>Mee Shellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12457391547275464932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033426379228255497.post-46613286808018393772016-01-07T10:39:00.001-08:002016-01-08T09:28:49.220-08:00Approved to Adopt J!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EhL53-ENZME/Vo6ws5gD4YI/AAAAAAAAEPU/Wtt23JcuZUg/s1600/IMG_2808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EhL53-ENZME/Vo6ws5gD4YI/AAAAAAAAEPU/Wtt23JcuZUg/s320/IMG_2808.JPG" width="320"></a></div>We were approved by the Adoption Committee in Colombia the day before Xmas to adopt J! What a great holiday gift!!<br><br><a href="http://motley-menagerie.blogspot.com/2016/01/approved-to-adopt-j.html#more">Read more »</a>Mee Shellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12457391547275464932noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033426379228255497.post-54196808805945811042015-11-11T06:50:00.000-08:002016-01-07T10:27:15.907-08:00Adopting from Colombia: Dossier Submitted!<br><br><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9NmQEUm8Aw4/Vks9-5ZpKgI/AAAAAAAAENQ/jdfOha4_Lpo/s1600/DSC04359.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9NmQEUm8Aw4/Vks9-5ZpKgI/AAAAAAAAENQ/jdfOha4_Lpo/s320/DSC04359.JPG"></a><br>Last May we realized that our adoption process in Ecuador was not moving forward and the agency was completely, COMPLETELY, incompetent ...so we chose a new agency and began pursuing a concurrent adoption, but in Colombia this time.<br><br>We decided to adopt a little girl, "J", who just turned 8 years old. J is living in an orphanage near Bogota. Our Translated dossier was submitted today, which we had been collecting since last June.<br><a href="http://motley-menagerie.blogspot.com/2015/11/adopting-from-colombia-dossier-submitted.html#more">Read more »</a>Mee Shellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12457391547275464932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033426379228255497.post-45476688913970004922015-09-15T11:27:00.005-07:002015-09-16T06:12:54.925-07:00Things that Sabotage your Happiness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K80yFSomMZE/Vfhiwu_744I/AAAAAAAAD1E/1L3qiN8eNJE/s1600/5888805616_15e53887f0_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K80yFSomMZE/Vfhiwu_744I/AAAAAAAAD1E/1L3qiN8eNJE/s320/5888805616_15e53887f0_z.jpg" width="320"></a></div>The pursuit of happiness is probably the one thing all humans agree they want. So why is it so hard for some to find and feel happy or content? There are some specific aspects of human nature that can contribute to that, and we will cover a few here.<br><br><a href="http://motley-menagerie.blogspot.com/2015/09/things-that-sabotage-your-happiness.html#more">Read more »</a>Mee Shellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12457391547275464932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033426379228255497.post-73722994702624541062015-08-10T10:48:00.000-07:002015-08-11T07:21:07.292-07:00DIY Green Tea Aloe Oatmeal Face Mask for Acne Rosacea<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N9Iv4QstsHU/VcjjssRZxyI/AAAAAAAACqs/1xQgFbpTCCE/s1600/IMG_1967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N9Iv4QstsHU/VcjjssRZxyI/AAAAAAAACqs/1xQgFbpTCCE/s320/IMG_1967.JPG" width="320"></a></div>This very nourishing face mask is filled with ingredients that are proclaimed to help reduce scaring, heal skin, nourish dry skin, and negate acne rosacea. I have acne rosacea myself, and it has helped calm and soften my skin.<br><a href="http://motley-menagerie.blogspot.com/2015/08/diy-green-tea-aloe-oatmeal-face-mask.html#more">Read more »</a>Mee Shellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12457391547275464932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033426379228255497.post-48330699072642888092015-08-10T09:42:00.000-07:002015-08-10T10:02:09.817-07:00DIY Nourishing Lip Balm<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bLTvinA5fwc/VcjPakEJmxI/AAAAAAAACqI/lLNhkQLjHlI/s1600/IMG_1965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bLTvinA5fwc/VcjPakEJmxI/AAAAAAAACqI/lLNhkQLjHlI/s320/IMG_1965.JPG" width="320"></a></div>This is an easy to make nourishing lip balm recipe made with all natural ingredients. Add in colors and voila, you have the perfect holiday gifts for friends and family.<br><a href="http://motley-menagerie.blogspot.com/2015/08/diy-nourishing-lip-balm.html#more">Read more »</a>Mee Shellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12457391547275464932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033426379228255497.post-61776052221682661372015-07-27T05:55:00.000-07:002015-08-10T11:06:01.122-07:00Make Your Own Luck<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vZtLoiDzml4/VbYpA68kb3I/AAAAAAAACVM/em_jncMSVwU/s1600/Rain.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vZtLoiDzml4/VbYpA68kb3I/AAAAAAAACVM/em_jncMSVwU/s320/Rain.JPG" width="320"></a></div>My grandmother used to love saying, "If I did not have bad luck, I would not have any luck at all." But, the reality is, we often make our own luck - and by how we approach our lives, we determine, ourselves, if we will have good or bad luck.<br><br><a href="http://motley-menagerie.blogspot.com/2015/07/make-your-own-luck.html#more">Read more »</a>Mee Shellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12457391547275464932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033426379228255497.post-17591693052499041822015-06-07T09:37:00.000-07:002015-07-31T05:54:01.786-07:00DIY Milk-free Strawberry-Basil Yogurt Coconut Milk Ice Cream<br><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tYruzFiu-sQ/VXRwle2qy2I/AAAAAAAAB5I/gheg3UqjK7o/s1600/IMG_1563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tYruzFiu-sQ/VXRwle2qy2I/AAAAAAAAB5I/gheg3UqjK7o/s320/IMG_1563.JPG" width="320"></a></div>I am, sadly, lactose intolerant. I was not so until my mid-30s. Since I was living in France at the time I was sure they would bus me out of the country if they found out. So, I ignored it for a few years, hoping it would go away. But, now I create dairy-free deliciousness instead.<br></div><a href="http://motley-menagerie.blogspot.com/2015/06/diy-milk-free-strawberry-basil-yogurt.html#more">Read more »</a>Mee Shellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12457391547275464932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033426379228255497.post-60529008078720679622015-05-14T07:52:00.001-07:002015-06-07T09:51:45.585-07:00Finding some Zen in the Adoption Process<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l3JnfzeqeVQ/VVSz0RltqiI/AAAAAAAABvI/RRr7_VaLTLw/s1600/plan-b-z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l3JnfzeqeVQ/VVSz0RltqiI/AAAAAAAABvI/RRr7_VaLTLw/s320/plan-b-z.jpg" width="320"></a></div>A couple-friend of my husband's came over for dinner. We have not known them long, but they did know we were in the process to adopt a child in Ecuador. They had just returned from their honeymoon, and, already, she was pregnant.<br><a href="http://motley-menagerie.blogspot.com/2015/05/finding-some-zen-in-adoption-process.html#more">Read more »</a>Mee Shellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12457391547275464932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033426379228255497.post-70769722832601013302015-05-11T08:26:00.002-07:002015-09-16T06:09:07.319-07:00Marital Bliss & Avoiding Those Fights over Lame Stuff<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mnc3_jfwBZI/VVDI5MzYusI/AAAAAAAABus/F8RueRuTOZU/s1600/16999174879_757eef02b1_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mnc3_jfwBZI/VVDI5MzYusI/AAAAAAAABus/F8RueRuTOZU/s320/16999174879_757eef02b1_z.jpg" width="320"></a></div>I told a friend recently that my husband and I were going to burn our Monopoly game. She asked why? I answered, "Because we could not get through a game without ending in a major row!"<br><a href="http://motley-menagerie.blogspot.com/2015/05/marital-bliss-and-keeping-happy.html#more">Read more »</a>Mee Shellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12457391547275464932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033426379228255497.post-88810445066450350132015-05-07T14:20:00.000-07:002015-12-15T10:02:09.400-08:00The Bucket List<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hl0ZFRUeL2k/VUvW1qViRWI/AAAAAAAABuU/fzDUX5809fc/s1600/bucketList.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hl0ZFRUeL2k/VUvW1qViRWI/AAAAAAAABuU/fzDUX5809fc/s320/bucketList.jpg" width="306"></a></div>I remember the day in the mid-90s that I decided to make my first official Bucket List.<br><br><a href="http://motley-menagerie.blogspot.com/2015/05/the-bucket-list.html#more">Read more »</a>Mee Shellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12457391547275464932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033426379228255497.post-5248492237900282232015-04-29T11:45:00.000-07:002015-04-29T12:22:08.016-07:00Hiking Mt. Kilimanjaro on the Rongai Route<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FxR9g8tmvjI/VUEmFMJUyvI/AAAAAAAABpI/XlD8dHAYo0c/s1600/mtkili.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FxR9g8tmvjI/VUEmFMJUyvI/AAAAAAAABpI/XlD8dHAYo0c/s1600/mtkili.jpg" height="240" width="320"></a></div>Most people start climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro on the South side in Tanzania by taking the Marungu Route. But, we took the North side of the Mountain on the less used Rongai Route and really preferred it.<br></div><a href="http://motley-menagerie.blogspot.com/2015/04/hiking-mt-kilimanjaro-on-rongai-route.html#more">Read more »</a>Mee Shellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12457391547275464932noreply@blogger.com0Peak Kilimanjaro, Mount Kilimanjaro National Park, Tanzania-3.0757128 37.352979199999936-28.5977473 -3.9556148000000633 22.4463217 78.661573199999935tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033426379228255497.post-25385612133843632015-04-07T11:59:00.000-07:002015-04-07T16:35:09.078-07:00Favorite Paris Eats and Drinks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--yyPF_nrE04/VSQsoqBDIrI/AAAAAAAABjg/V_lYlU2IrHY/s1600/5057195715_74f63d6cca_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--yyPF_nrE04/VSQsoqBDIrI/AAAAAAAABjg/V_lYlU2IrHY/s1600/5057195715_74f63d6cca_z.jpg" height="320" width="213"></a></div>Here is a list of some of my favorite places to eat, drink and be merry in Paris, France.<br><a href="http://motley-menagerie.blogspot.com/2015/04/favorite-paris-eats-and-drinks.html#more">Read more »</a>Mee Shellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12457391547275464932noreply@blogger.com0Paris, France48.856614 2.352221900000017748.6894645 2.0294984000000178 49.0237635 2.6749454000000177tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033426379228255497.post-50456650317833373862015-04-01T12:52:00.000-07:002015-08-31T10:31:24.585-07:00Some Billiant Posts on International Adoption - Must Reads<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T1OlejwIZv0/VRsXEfr4F-I/AAAAAAAABbg/1Hpt4svk5_w/s1600/2144933705_20517bedab_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T1OlejwIZv0/VRsXEfr4F-I/AAAAAAAABbg/1Hpt4svk5_w/s1600/2144933705_20517bedab_m.jpg"></a></div>I was watching the movie 'What to Expect When Expecting' and was horrified at the inaccurate portrayal of the adoption process. They barely took a chip off an iceberg. Let's look at the reality of this...<br><a href="http://motley-menagerie.blogspot.com/2015/04/some-billiant-posts-on-international.html#more">Read more »</a>Mee Shellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12457391547275464932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033426379228255497.post-84479374947988081552015-03-15T11:08:00.000-07:002015-04-29T12:15:46.860-07:00Our Favorite Things to do in Dubai<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--UDJhia6MsQ/VRrkGctPNxI/AAAAAAAABVs/s8WmSfBme8s/s1600/dubai.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--UDJhia6MsQ/VRrkGctPNxI/AAAAAAAABVs/s8WmSfBme8s/s1600/dubai.png" height="320" width="250"></a></div>I lived in Abu Dhabi just over 2 years, and we went to Dubai a lot, as it is about a 2.5 hour drive, so spending the weekend in Dubai was never unreasonable. So here is a short list of some tips, and a list of the things you might want to do in Dubai if you are passing through on a layover, and you have limited time and only want to hit biggest attractions.<br><a href="http://motley-menagerie.blogspot.com/2015/03/i-lived-in-abu-dhabi-just-over-2-years.html#more">Read more »</a>Mee Shellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12457391547275464932noreply@blogger.com0Dubai - Dubai - United Arab Emirates25.2048493 55.27078280000000624.2844128 53.9798893 26.1252858 56.561676300000009tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033426379228255497.post-86259031248923976982015-03-01T15:24:00.000-08:002015-04-01T11:03:31.470-07:00Back on Track<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LvIgUAbPZFg/VRsesD-ovHI/AAAAAAAABcQ/hfsMw3f2-JM/s1600/back.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LvIgUAbPZFg/VRsesD-ovHI/AAAAAAAABcQ/hfsMw3f2-JM/s1600/back.png" height="320" width="274"></a></div>Seems we are back on track finally to adopt again... after many hiccups this year due to moving back to the US from abroad.<br><a href="http://motley-menagerie.blogspot.com/2015/03/back-on-track.html#more">Read more »</a>Mee Shellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12457391547275464932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033426379228255497.post-22449668191493620972014-05-25T15:14:00.000-07:002015-04-01T11:03:48.239-07:00Finally Approved - Though, it is Bitter-Sweet.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jX2F-X-NywI/VRsajlsNg-I/AAAAAAAABb4/dBZWHrkq8Ss/s1600/approved.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jX2F-X-NywI/VRsajlsNg-I/AAAAAAAABb4/dBZWHrkq8Ss/s1600/approved.jpg" height="256" width="320"></a></div>We were finally approved to adopt in Ecuador. It took 6 months!<br><a href="http://motley-menagerie.blogspot.com/2014/05/finally-approve-though-it-is-bitter.html#more">Read more »</a>Mee Shellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12457391547275464932noreply@blogger.com0