Semi-retirement...

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens." -Ecclesiastes 3:1

In February, Warren started working half-time.  We believe it was a God thing dropped into our laps.  Warren always said it would nice if he had someone who just wanted to work part-time.  Well, my friend, and vet, Beth, had a very nice lady bring her dog in to see her.  As she was examining the dog,  Beth was asking the lady how she came to Roswell.  Her husband is a nephrologist here, and she mentioned she was a pediatrician, only she was not working.  Hmmm...wonder if she would like to work?  Was this a coincidence?  I think not...Beth told me about this lady, and I told Warren.  He did some research, and found out her husband is in the office right next to his.  Isn't that amazing...right next door!  He called the nephrologist, and asked if his wife would be interested in working.  She did!  Part-time!  Perfect!  This had to be a "God-stop."  She started in February.  Warren works one day, and she the next- unless one has to be gone for some reason.  They share weekends the same way...one weekend off, one on.  So began a new season in our life: semi-retirement.  I did not know how this was going to work out having Warren home all day long.  Would he be underfoot, would I have to cook more, would I have to do everything with him?  I did not know how this was going to affect my everyday life.

 After 5 months of our new season, I find it quite nice.

I find my dishes all of a sudden washed, and the kitchen clean.  Laundry mysteriously gets done.  Weeds magically disappear from our yard.  Over due projects are getting done.

 That does not mean that all Warren does is work around the house...no.  He goes for long bike rides.

 He reads a lot.  He takes me for more dates.

He relaxes.  And he is happy.

WE get to go places.

notice Mark making a face in the background...

He has surprised me with spur of the moment out of town, over night trips, or movies.  I am growing to love his just being around...somewhere.

That blur in the background is Warren...

Maggie is undecided about Warren being around.

Yes, it is a new season in life for us...we have weathered being newly weds, children, empty nest, and now semi-retirement.

All have required some adjustment, but it has been good.

Life is an adventure.  Each season with its newness, and yet, routine.

We are looking forward to see what God has in store for us as we continue on our life journey.

 God is indeed good!

Still life...back lighting...

"Let your light so shine before men, that they see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." -Matthew 5:16

In one of my online classes, Be Still 52, offered by Kim Klassen, we had a lesson in back lighting.  She suggested we find a subject to photograph with light coming from behind the object or subject.  Sometimes this is difficult to do because the subject will often come out as a silhouette.  We were not supposed to have a silhouette, but a photo that showed detail in a subject.  To  do so requires changing several settings on your camera.  I had a few roses that were sort of on their way out...in other words wilting... that I decided to use as my subject.  I really liked the softness of the photos.
Here are my results.  I like them all.  It was a good exercise.

textures: kk_perfectly pink, soft light 100%, 2 Lil' Owls: brown texture, soft light 100%

light room preset: kk_darkmood

Family...catching up...

"Family is one of nature's masterpieces." -George Santayana

Before I get into the family, I wanted to share my "finds" with you.  First, here is a photo of my first sunflower in my yard.  Although I planted a lot of seeds, only two sunflower plants came up.  I think the birds found the seeds, and had a nice feast.

texture: kk_simple, softlight 100%, portioned masked off.

 My second find is of the doors and windows at NMMI.  I love, love, love the way they used photos on the doors and windows.

NMMI

I am linking up my finds with Kim Klassen's Friday finds.  Go on over and take a peek at all the finds from other people.  They are pretty awesome.

Now on to the family...

Members of my family have come to visit...I did not get around to posting the pictures.  We have gone to visit family...I did not post many of pictures.  We have done some fun family things her...I did not get pictures posted of them either.  Today is my catching up day.  Lots of family photos today.

Luke came to visit while he was on a business trip here...a long time ago.  I think it was early June. He had the opportunity to go riding on three mornings, bright and early.  He did talk his older brother into joining them on two of the days.  No flats, no wrecks= a good rides.

Dad and Luke

 When Luke left from the visit, he went to Georgia where he participated in his first triathlon with an ocean swim.  He placed first in his division, and I happen to think it was because he got to train with his family.  Family time always makes a better.  I think.

Photo by Jordan, not me even though I have my name on it.  I automatically watermark all my web photos.  This should have Jordan's name on it.

While Luke was here, the family teamed up for some fast and furious games of foosball.  I am not sure who won, or if it even mattered...wait, when it comes to brother vs. brother who wins always matters, right?  Regardless, they all had a great time.

Foosball action.

Next we have photos from Zach's family.  Thank goodness for smartphones...Photos sent by phone alway make me feel like part of the action.  Zach was good to send me some photos of their summer time adventures.

Zach's little one...styling.  Future model?

Ready for swimming.

The family.  Look at the size of the hibiscus flowers behind them.  Gorgeous.

There's nothing better than a father's love.

Okay, I think this pictures looks like she is in a dollhouse...don't you think so too?

More selfies...they are the best.

For the fourth of July, Warren and I traveled to see Mark, and his family.  Mark was the main chef for our meal on the 4th, but Warren managed to get some flipping in too.  They did a great job with the cooking all the food.

Top and bottom right: Warren and Mark flipping and cooking; left lower...our soon to be cooked meal.

upper left: Mark and his dad: upper right: Amber and Oliver, Bottom: Mark

The Main chef

Luke had another triathlon...this one was in his own neck of the woods.  He placed first in his division.  Here he is holding his winnings, and looking a lot thinner.  He and Jordan have cut the carbs like the rest of all the family.  Luke is down 20 pounds, and Jordan, 7.  Yeah family.

The triathlete...Congratulations! (photo by Jordan)

Warren has been watching the Tour de France...every single hour of it, and there is a lot of hours.  He uses some of his time during the lunch hour to watch a few minutes of it.  Today, he was joined in his "lie down" by Maggie.  She had no interest in the Tour though.  She prefers napping.  I interrupted her nap with trying to get photos.

Maggie and Warren

She's trying to ignore me.

That's all Folks