Whoa, oh, well I want to know, oh, oh . . . .

How does the song go?

Hi, still there? I'm back from an unplanned hiatus. It's been a busy summer. Aaron's been traveling alot, I've been working 3 full days a week. Annika is 9 months old, active, more fun every day. And a lot more time-consuming. :)

It's balls-nasty hot outside, but we've had precious little weather like this at all this summer, so I can cope. Central air-conditioning doesn't hurt either I guess. But the summer is nearly over in a lot of ways too. The kids start school in 2 weeks, and my last day at the day job is a week from today. It ends with summer, along with Brenda's availability to watch the girl.

And it's the most bittersweet thing, leaving my job. The truth is, I like it. I have had a great run since returning from maternity leave, and I'm departing on good terms. There are 2 strong candidates for my position, and I am confident that the seeds and little shoots I've planted and tended will grow stronger and bear even greater fruits. I am excited about having more time with Kiki, more time for my family, friends, house, and of course, photography. But I have had a blast, in the final analysis, at the day job. I have gotten to work with some wonderful colleagues, and I will miss them.

So what's next? Teaching part-time starting in October. The hours work with Brenda's schedule, and my folks usually have Annika once a week so that will allow me prep time. Photography is going really well. I've put a big push on this summer to exhibit my work (which is part of why I've had no time for blogging), and it's paying off. I've submitted work to 8 juried exhibitions, and had work accepted to 5. It's a dream come true, and I'll take it.

And of course, the biggest reason for the career change: my family. I get one shot at Annika, and I want to be here to raise her. Plus, Aaron's job responsibilities have changed, and his travel schedule has been hectic this summer. Unfortunately, this is the new normal, and the travel will continue. So now I get to focus more on my Archers, which I need to do. Plus the house needs all sorts of attention, and that requires coordination, which requires more time and resources from me.

So, the upshot of all of it is that life is still full, but without the day job, it'll be a little more manageable. Perhaps you'll be seeing more of me here. I have months' worth of Kiki pictures. She looks so different from the wild-haired little elf in the pictures from May. She's 1/3rd older now than she was then . . . .

whoa, oh, well i want to know, oh, oh . . . . where does the time go?