Kenny's little hole in the web...

So it's going to be the third month into 2011 soon and it's Mardi Gras here so now is as good a time as any to catch up.

I just tested for Master Sergeant on the 24th of Feb. I won't get the results until July/August time frame. When one makes Master Sergeant (after the fact) there are a few things that get looked at; Career College of the Air Force degree and "Course 14." Both are continued education and self improvement tools. The "CCAF" I accomplished a while back it's basically representative of continuing education; just means I've taken some some required college classes. It's like an associates in the civilian world but it's doesn't means squat outside of the military.

The Course 14 is a online class that preps us for the senior enlisted "mindset." We finish a block then test locally on that block. I hope to have that done before results come out. They opened that course up to Tech Sergeants this past year to take.

Katie is still working on keeping her grades up. LSMSA is vastly more challenging than the local public high school system.

Becca caught a big break in History. Over the Christmas break, she failed to take an open-book, take-home, test on the civil war. She got an F. I made her do it anyway without trying for a late grade (it was way too late anyway). I went through each answer and made her tell me why one answer was right and the others wrong, then made her look up the stuff she didn't know. A few weeks later I ran into her teacher and discussed it with him. He turned to Becca and told her if she still had the test to turn it in for an appropriate grade. She got soooo lucky.

Bad news: Blitzen lost a big chunk of tooth (right upper molar #2). So, while he was getting checked out (because it hurts for him to chew now) I had them catch him up on shots and run the usual blood work. He has heart worms. So, on top of the dental work he needs (approx $300) he'll need to start the treatment for heart worms. That's going to be expensive. I really hope the doc takes payment plans. And I REALLY hope I make Master now. Unfortunately, the treatment is not without risk either. Blitzen could die just getting rid the worms.

He is being started on monthly heart work meds to prevent new worms on Monday. But the doc needs to monitor him for the first dose. Puppy will stay at the vet for the day free of charge (thanks Doc!) for that.

I'm really looking forward to this coming Sat/Sun. It's the Krewe of Gemini and Highland Parades. Every year we go to Walters house for the Highland parade since he lives on the street where they set up. We get there about 9am, cook, set-up, eat, drink, me merry, kids play and socialize, etc... I'm going to have Becca and Katie take pictures this time too. Maybe get some of me for a change!

One year from now I "should" be looking at a few changes happening 'round here. I'll have Master sewed on (God willing), have two major bills done and over, and be looking for a new/used - car/truck. Then I'll be able to start saving, fixing the house, Katie will be turning 18, new stuff there too. She get s the truck, etc.. Becca turning 15. etc...

That's it for now.

Kenn