Don't worry, Dog, you're in good company. A lot of us took time off, too, usually at the end of high school, and we turned out attention to girls and beer, and maybe even starting families. Then we came back, too.
Nice job! How did you finish this bird? Did you spray, or brush? Who makes the kit? I have 2 Monogram P-47s on the bench right now, isn't it a great aircraft? All the stores you can add for a real ground-pounder.
Now you've got to keep 'em coming and post more pics!