July 2003
FAQ
Q. Where in the Netherlands are you guys moving?
A. To The Hague, the administrative capital of the Netherlands. It is about an hour south (by train or car) from Amsterdam.
Q. Staci, what are you going to do there?
A. Not quite sure what to call myself yet. Which of these sounds better?
Housewife without kids
H-WOK
Stay-at-home dog mom
Self-absorbed homemaker
Professional sight-seer
Lucky
Living a charmed life
So, when someone asks me, "What do you do for a living", I can say, "Oh, I'm just living a charmed life...professionally, of course."
Q. What exactly will Chris be doing there?
A. I want to clear it with him before I put an answer here...there are security issues with his company, ya know.
Q. Will the dogs have to stay in quarantine?
A. Nope - we wouldn't be going if that were the case. The Netherlands dropped all quarantines years ago. I am, however, pretty anxious about putting the dogs in cargo on our upcoming flight.
Q. How are you preparing the dogs for the trip?
A. We are starting over from scratch with crate training. Notice in the photo below that the dogs are in the crates, but there are no doors attached yet. They get millions of tiny treats while they are in the crates. (Ike on the left, Gus on the right.)
Q. Is Chris helping with crate training?
A. Yes...see in the photo below, he is showing the dogs how fun it is to hang out in the crate. (Also please notice the beautiful kitchen floor - just finished tiling it.)
Q. Will the cats go with you, too?
A. Unfortunately, no. KittyBoy is getting up there in years, and I'm concerned that an overseas flight would be too much for him. Luckily, my little sis Phyllis is ready and willing to take both kitties to live with her and Timmy.
Q. Will you wear wooden shoes in Holland?
A. Yes - I will wear wooden shoes and carry tulips with me wherever I go.
Q. Wait a minute, Staci - you don't speak Dutch!
A. Hey, calm down! I have a private Dutch tutor that I meet with twice a week. It doesn't really matter, anyway...most everyone in the Netherlands speaks English. But I am taking my lessons seriously.
Q. Does Chris speak Dutch?
A. Sure. He can say "dog" and "cheese", which may or may not get him a cheddar frankfurter in Holland.
Q. How long will you live there?
A. Chris' assignment is for two years. We may have the option to take another overseas assignment after that...no way of knowing right now. We are currently assuming that Chris' next assignment will be in Texas.
Q. When are you leaving?
A. Chris has to report to work in July of 2003...I will follow with the dogs after he secures housing for us.
Q. What are you doing with your house in Seattle?
A. Want to buy it?
Q. Can you please show us a video clip of your dogs yawning several times?
A. You got it! (Requires QuickTime)
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