What does it take to have your cake and eat it too?

Contained in an earlier post, I denounced my love for Des Moines. I think I am going to take that back.
I went on and on and whined about how things have changed so much over the course of my life.
Focusing mainly on the 2 years I was in Kansas. I went into how I had a great job I really liked but lost mainly to outsourcing, my cute little apartment where the kitchen caught on fire, my biological father dieing, how Stephanie and I had gotten so close, then she leaves me for Oregon, Daryl, the long 7 hour drive back and forth from Ma and company to Ogden, and how I had to leave all the great friends I made when I was there.

Things were great there.

But it changed.

All of it.

Or did it?

I have a job I really like and am getting paid much more then what I was getting doing tech support. And the benefits...Oh my the benefits. Full medical, dental and vision. Discounts at a lot of major retailers...Must have deals with the phone company, 1/2 off any service they provide...Home phone, wireless, long distance, DSL and Direct TV. They will even pay for their employees to go to school...For anything! Doesn't matter if it is job related or not. And to top that all off, job security is sounding stronger and stronger by the day.
I still have a cute apartment. Roommates and all *sigh* But that will change in not to long. And in my new place, you better believe the smoke detectors will work properly.
I still have a dad and have had one for the past 17 years. And this one loves me.
My dear darling Stephanie may be 2 time zones away...With a baby and one on the way...ya ho bag.xoxo...But she really never left me. I may not get to see her everyday, but we sure talk enough to make up for that. Thank you Sprint for free nights and weekends. And Daryl...that has been off and on since day one and will probably always be like that for awhile. The feelings will always be there at some level. We will always be in the back, but probably closer to the front, of eachothers minds. Forever.

The long drive has been shaved down to 2 hours...1 1/2 if I go 80mph.

Although I do miss the friends who are still in Kansas, I have made some fantastic new ones who have turned me onto a lot of new things. That sounds so dirty...The bad kinda dirty. Laura introduced me to many people and escorted me to a few neat-o bars I still love to go to. Ben is one of the most insightful people I have met in a long time. Ryan introduced me to some of the best music that has ever filled my little ears. Jordan seems to have this uncanny ability to get me in a good mood no matter what the day has held. He taught me to play a better game of pool, the best spots in Des Moines to play disc golf and hike, the wonderful taste of Morel mushrooms and how to play Texas Hold'em Poker. Ah poker...
So it looks like everything that made me so happy in Kansas has followed me here. Some took a bit longer to arrive then others, but they are all here now...In one form or another.

After a few modifications...My life will be complete. But those will happen in time. All things happen in time, just depends on how badly you want them.

So here...

Have some cake.

And grab a fork.