A Family In Full

KyKy arrived back in God's country this morning at 5:30 a.m. Who knew there was a red-eye from Honolulu to MSP? I didn't bother to ask, but my guess is that plane was a pretty depressing place to be. Not only were people crammed into an aluminum tube overnight, these warm-weather loving, beach laying, whale watching vacationers came back to upper 20's and the chance of a couple of inches of snow in the next few days.

I, of course, went to the airport alone to get KyKy. 'Nika wanted to tag along but things got a little out of hand last night. TOYH and I were invited to a friend's 50th b-day party. All evening long before we left for the party, we promised ourselves we would get home early. We dropped 'Nika and Madster off with Charlie and his dad, went to the party, and came back to pick up the girls at.....1:30 a.m. That's some good parenting there, folks. Actually, a good time was had by all. TOYH and I got to see some friends we hadn't seen in a while, and Madster & 'Nika had fun with Charlie. 'Nika was not disappointed at all when I told her she would be staying home in bed this morning. KyKy was pretty dazed coming off the plane and she went straight to bed when she got home.

Later on this morning the Evil Grandmother and Dreadful Man showed up for a combination happy birthday E.G. and welcome home KyKy brunch. TOYH whipped up some extremely not too shabby grub and we had a lovely time eating and chatting. Afterwards, I went back to bed for the second nap of the day.

I've been pondering a few things this last week. Last night at the party and today with D.M., I had some conversations related to what I've been turning over in my head. My skill set, as far as employment goes, is a mile wide and an inch deep. I've done a bunch of different things - driving, clerking, bookkeeping, tutoring, studenting, taking care of folks with disabilities - none of which resembles or has led to a "career."

A full life, yes. A life of conventional middle class ease? Not really. Along the way I married TOYH, my superior in every way, (except for maybe finding one's way around town in the car), and we have three incredible, unbelievable daughters. We scrape along enjoying each other immensely as we just get by. I've got some rich friendships that I wouldn't trade for anything, except my family of course. These things keep me from turning into a bitter old crank. Yeah, money is a pain in the ass and I would certainly like more of it, but nearly everyone I know feels the same way.

So, one of my co-workers is in school right now at MCTC taking computer programing classes after he pulls his early shift at work. This got me to thinking that I should maybe do the same thing. I needs me some skilz. Since gainful, career-like employment has not come up and introduced itself to me as I shuffle through this mortal coil, I had better chase something down, grab it by the back of the collar and make myself known. I applied online at MCTC for computer network administration. Will this turn into something? Eh. I don't know, but it's a start.