I did not, however, win the lottery with those numbers.

One thing I have learned since retiring from the Air Force to raise my two kids is change is not only inevitable, it’s fast moving, never ending, and it can sometimes be an angry little bastard. The kids change at dizzying pace. What they like to eat, what they will eat (these are not always the same), what they like to wear, and play, and do. Hell I’ve changed, and I didn’t think that was possible.

Situations change too. And those changes force other change. And that’s where we find ourselves at the very moment; a big change at Frank’s Place.

I’ve received an offer I cannot refuse. An organization has made me a substantial offer (read money, greenbacks, doubloons. You get the idea) to do some teaching, mostly in the leadership area but some other areas as well. It’s a full time gig so I will begin the inevitable; removing the title “Stay at Home Dad” from all obelisks and pylons, or ya know, Facebook and Twitter and blog profiles.

Now I know what some of you are thinking. But not to worry. It’s a 4 day, 10 hour schedule with every Friday off so my golf is not in jeopardy. I know y’all are as relieved as I am. There is one person in Knoxville that has been wearing sack cloth and ashes for the past few months in faith I would get this job so our Friday morning round will go on uninterrupted. Praying and fasting people, it’s not just to ward of the seven plagues of Egypt anymore.

Will there be changes here at Frank’s Place? Probably. I have no idea what they might be. I can guess my posts will actually become more regular. I can foresee a steady Saturday morning deal whilst watching The Premier League. I really can’t envision anything too drastic. We’ll see.

Two funnies I can relay without delving into specifics of where I’ll be working. The HR department called to say the offer was official and to give whatever notice to my other employer as was necessary. It’s a big place and my resume doesn’t say I’m a stay at home, so no big deal. But I did give notice to the kids, in verbal and written form. They had mixed feelings but understood the need for me to develop more and wished me the best in my new endeavor. Ha not really.

We had a good run guys…

Frank was happy mommy would be home during the day cause daddy complains too much. Meaning I make him clean his room, pick up his toys in the living room, clear his place at the table, do his school work…. He’s not sure about getting to the bus stop or school on time now. All I’ll say on that subject is his concerns are not without merit. 6:30 comes pretty early in the morning.

The midget, well she loves her daddy and she’ll miss me as much as I’ll miss her. But she’s going to love being home with mommy.

The other funny? Well it might not be funny to you all but it’s downright hilarious to me. There is quite an extensive physical involved with this job. They drew my blood at 6:05 am. I note the time only because it’s a little ironic that both my kids sleep well past that point. Anyway by 2 in the pm as I was finishing that last of the physical stations I received my blood-work results.

Now keep in mind I’ve been at home since September of 2009 eating what ever the kids left on the plate. I know I know, but it’s a reflex action. In 2010 at my first ever civilian physical the young good looking lady doctor told me I was a fat man heading for sure death. To avoid that I should fire my lawn guy and do it my self, which I did, and to play golf at least once a week as long as I walk and not use golf cart. I never take a cart unless the course won’t let us walk so I was good to go there.

I say all that to say this. Aside from those two things, the golf and doing my own mowing, not much has changed since 2009. Back then my cholesterol was high. Last week it was 15 points lower and in the green. I’m also about 20ish pounds lighter from 2012 when the midget was born. No meds, no routines, no low carb diets, just good old American yard work and golf. Again you might not think so but that’s pretty damn hilarious.

So with that bit of healthy news and my notice given to the kids, back to the work force I go. I’ve worked two places in my life: the stockroom/sales floor at Sears and the United States Air Force. Sears & Roebuck paid very little in 1985, and expected even less. The US Military pays even less but demands the maximum effort from its members at all times. I’m proud and privileged to have served and for the most part given my best effort for 22 years.

But this new joint? This is a whole new level. It’s been six years since I answered to the man, put in an honest days work, or even wore pants that would remotely be considered “nice”. I’m about to stretch some muscles I’ve not used in a long time. Figuring out the plots lines of Jake and the Neverland Pirates or Doc McStuffins (how does she work without a license or medical degree) are a thing of the past. Gonna have to know stuff again.

God help us all.