Two network adapters on the same computer?

I have a home office and hook up to company copmuter with
a VPN. I also need to use the internet for work and to
get e-mail. I have to "log off" the VPN to use the
internet for other purposes. It slows me up. Can I
install two adapters that would work at the same time
(with a router)? I have installed two and they both work
but only one at at time. Is there any way to "bind" an
application to a certain adapter?