Mom & Dad

[Above: Dad and Mom with Mark at Laura's wedding]

Dad (Bob) retired in 2006 after a career as an engineer. Now he's absolutely going to the dogs! In addition to training Mabel, he thinks working with a vet would be interesting.

Mom (Martha) also retired in 2006 after way too many years with her job. She figured Bob needed her at home. Now she has time to do all the volunteering for which there was no time before. Lunches with friends are another pleasant perk.

Rather timid at the time of her rescue, Mabel has evolved,as Dad says, into a 45 lb. bundle of energy, a fearless chaser of all creatures four-footed and winged, who looks like a little soldier when she snaps to begging position and has decided that she is just the right size to be a lap dog.

Both Mom and Dad think it's great to own their own lives. Down with alarm clocks! They've rediscovered the theater, movies, and books. Mabel insists that they get exercise with long walks daily. Thinking of relocating, they haven't found the right community just yet, but North Carolina is somewhere in the top 15.

They're also planning to hula in Hawaii and meander up to Michigan. Somehow they're trying to figure out where to have a family vacation when all the family can come.

Life is exciting.