Photo Flashback Thursday

Photo Flashback Thursday is starting to be one of my favorite BLOGs to write during the week. It gives me a chance to look back through Thousands of pictures and reminisce on days gone by.

This picture was long before I was even thought of, this was when my Mother and my Aunt Bonita were living in Hawaii and getting lei'd every day. Speaking of getting Lei'd, we're gonna make sure everyone gets lei'd at mine and Michelle's wedding.

Mom and Bonita shaking their rear ends in the grass skirts on the beaches of Hawaii. Why did they ever come back to the mainland? Actually I have it on good authority Mom's addiction to midget porn and lack of internet services in Hawaii lead her back to Morgantown.

Hi ho hi ho

Hump Day

Once again we are at the point of the week where the wait until the weekend is growing shorter and shorter. It is hump day and I couldn't be more excited.

However I am having that dreaded brain fart that hits me every once in a blue moon where the creative juices just aren't there. Some blogs are easy to write, some aren't that bad and then there are those where you could sit and ponder for an hour what the first word was going to be over a subject you still hadn't picked up on.

Either way, I am still committed to writing daily as I have for a few years now.

Hi ho hi ho

Tuesday's Tidbits

* Well Monday is now behind us and we are now staring down the barrel of a Tuesday, can't think of a better reason to do a tidbits than that.

* If you are still counting, I know I am it has been 1110 days since that first magical evening when Michelle took four hours to get ready for a date with me.

* That mean's it has been 333 days since I got down on one knee and asked her to marry me.

* Speaking of, we're 130 days from that magical date this August when we will tie the knot and get married.

* What's up with this cold front? I'm ready for some 70°- 80° days here before long, this 20° stuff is really starting to get old. Warm up and bring us warmth and sunny days.

* If anyone is interested, there is a group of guys going to MVP Park this weekend to play paintball. A guy I work with and a guy I used to play softball with are organizing it. They will start at 11:00 Saturday Morning.

* Hi ho hi ho

Back to Work

Well it's time for most of us to put our noses back to the grindstone and get ready to start another week of work in our offices or places of employment.

The picture you see is of Josh Judy who should break with the Indians and be a part of the 40 man roster this season, but he will probably start the year om Columbus again. I saw the picture on MLB.com and thought I would put it up.

For me however it's back to the office today. This week should be finalizing a few things for the conference that we will partially host next week with West Virginia University for the North American Carbon Atlas Partnership (NACAP). A report due today, finalizing a few things and that is my agenda for this week.

Hi ho hi ho

We Made Butter

Well with yesterdays weather a little less than acceptable we decided to make it a day at home and try something new. I found a recipe for making butter, so to speak.

Neither one of had ever made it before and really had no concept of what to do. So with the weather being less than suitable we decided to give it a try. There has been a butter that we have found that we really like from Homestead Creamery , and if you have never had their milk it is the best I have ever had. WE go weekly to buy their dairy products at Krogers on 705.

However we wanted to try to make our own butter as something different. The ingredients are heavy whipping cream and a little bit of salt for your own preference in taste. The process is simply beating the heavy whipping cream (we have a kitchenaid, but any food processor will do) for about 10 minutes.

The butter comes out and separates from the milk leaving you two products. One is obviously the butter and the second is buttermilk. You just have to make sure you get all the milk separated from the butter. The butter is cheaper, healthier and can be seasoned to your own taste.


To see for yourself, here is a video we found on how to make two different kinds.

Saturday Morning Ramblings

Once again I am siting here in a nice and quiet house, one where I don't think that a soul is moving in other than me collecting my thoughts.

What happened to spring time? It's 28 degrees out this morning and I wanted to get out and do a little bit of geocaching this morning, instead it's cold weather. So much for wearing shorts this morning and going out and having a little bit of fun in flip flops. Instead it looks like blue jeans and tennis shoes.

It may just turn out to be a lazy day if the weather doesn't clear up a little bit.

Big Ole Hairy Friday

Yes it is once again that time of the week that we all look foreword to, when we can take time to cease the labors for the week and take a little bit of needed time out to enjoy the fruits of those labors. It is once again the dawn of another weekend and a Big Ole Hairy Friday.

Well I'm not to sure if I am fond of this weather, it's springtime and a time for sunshine and warmer days than we have been experiencing this week. The students are on spring break, but today is the last day off and it will be back to the classroom Monday and traffic headaches around town. That's OK, they are getting to start the home stretch on the school year.

I would like to get out tomorrow and do a little bit of geocaching. It would be our first real time out this year.

Hi ho hi ho

Photo Flashback Thursday

I introduce to everyone, the worlds best looking baby that has ever existed. Look at that cute kid (I hope this is me and not Kim), isn't he absolutely adorable?

Obviously this is a picture of my Mom and Dad and of myself. It is one of the very few if only one that I know of that is comprised of just the three of us without anyone else in the picture.

I notice the picture was taken while my Dad was still in the Army and my Mom had the Jackie O hairdo of the day, even though she was a Kennedy at that time.

Michelle made the comment that looking at my dad, she really sees my Nephew Moke in this picture. Saying those are Pam's eyes. I have to agree with her.

Speaking of pictures, yesterday was Maxine Snider's Birthday and I took my camera for a few pictures.

Happy Birthday Maxine Snider

I would like to take this opportunity to wish someone very special a very Happy Birthday. Maxine "We all know her as Nana" Snider has finally reached the age where I think she can legally buy beer (which means at least 21).

I snapped this picture last summer and Michelle knew exactly which one I should use for this blog, so I can't argue with the boss.

If you see Nana today, make sure you wish her the very happiest of birthdays today. If you don't see her, make and effort to either call her and wish this very special lady the happiest of birthdays today.

Tuesdays Tidbits

* Well Monday is now behind us and we are staring down the barrel of a Tuesday, can't think of a better reason to do a tidbits.

* Day 1,103 since mine and Michelle's first date a little over three magical years ago.

* It's been 326 days since I got down on one knee in the back yard and asked her to Marry me.

* There are only 137 days to go until the wedding.

* Wow did we get some rain yesterday. Michelle sent me a picture of the road that was flooded as she was on her way to pick me up. I'm sharing it in this BLOG so you can see what she saw. The picture was turning onto Van Voorhis from Chestnut Ridge Road.

* BTW, I think she is really starting to fall in love with her iPhone.

* Hi ho hi ho

Back To Work

Well it's time to stop all the weekend fun and enjoyment and time to take our relaxed persons and stick our noses back on to the grindstone.

As of 7:21 PM yesterday evening, we are now OFFICIALLY in spring time!!! Winter is over, it's time for shorts and sandals and getting out and having fun. It's time for geocaching and driving with the windows down and the radio playing your favorite summertime songs. It's a time of birds a singing rather than snow plows a pushing. I love this time of the year!!!

Around Morgantown you may see traffic a little bit more bearable this week as the student sare off on Spring Break.

Hi ho hi ho

Saturday Morning Ramblings

I sit once again in a quiet house, Hayley is up and on the couch with her laptop, but neither one of us is watching TV. I've been up playing Texas Hold Em on Facebook. I'm trying to win this morning, but the cards are not falling my way on this day as of yet. I am in the final 10 of the 1,000 player three round tournament for the second time. I'm really wanting to win one of these 1,000 player tournaments so I can have that on my record.

Yesterday we went to the monthly P&P Family Auction. We ended up not buying anything, but there was a very good turnout and they appeared to be moving a good bit of merchandise. I guess the nicer weather had everyone out and wanting to see what deals they could find.

Not sure what is on our agenda for today beyond our weekly shopping. There is a WVU Baseball game at 1:00 this afternoon, Michelle's Mom has also came into town so it is hard to say what we will definitely be doing.

Lot;s of sadness after the WVU men's basketball team lost to Kentucky in yesterdays game, knocking us out of the tournament and officially putting and end to the 2010-11 Mountaineer Men's Basketball season. I have to say that this team went above my expectations this season. Great job Coach, and thank you to the outgoing Seniors.

Jimmy Buffet Tickets

Calling all Pittsburgh area Parrot heads, Jimmy's tickets for his 2011 tour that will be running through Burgettstown are on sale today at 10:00. Be online, be ready and have all your information ready if you plan on getting the seats where all the action is going to be located (The lawn of course).

Happy Birthday Amy Dalton

I would like to take this esteemed opportunity to wish my beautiful niece Amy the very happiest of birthdays today.

Her in laws kind of caught her off guard last weekend and gave her a surprise birthday party. I know she wasn't expecting that one, so Kudo's the the Dalton gang for catching her off guard.

I don't know what her plans are for today, but I'm sure it involves two very special men in her life.

If you see Amy, make sure you wish her a Happy Birthday.

Big Ole Hairy Friday

Yes it is once again that time of the week that we all look foreword to, when we can take time to cease the labors for the week and take a little bit of needed time out to enjoy the fruits of those labors. It is once again the dawn of another weekend and a Big Ole Hairy Friday.

I hope everyone didn't drink too much Green Beer and watch too much NCAA basketball yesterday.

Well, tomorrow at 10:00 AM is when the 2011 Jimmy Buffett Tickets go on sale for his concert this summer in Pittsburgh. I'll be at the computer trying to round myself up a couple of lawn tickets for his show this summer. We always have a great time when we go, I just wish a few others would decide to join us.

The Mountaineers advanced in the NCAA tournament yesterday with a 84-76 win over Clemson in the first round of the tournament. The Mountaineers will return to action tomorrow in a rematch game of the Eastern Finals last year when we once again play the Kentucky Wildcats for a chance to advance to the Sweet 16.

Happy St Patricks Day

Happy Saint Patrick's Day. A day of leprechauns, Green Beer and lots and lots of green beer consumed in celebration of Saint Patrick.

Make sure you wear a little bit of green today, you don't want to people around you to pinch you. Especially if you are of Irish Decent.

Have a great day and if you see a leprechaun, tell me me he is at and I'll go steal him gold.

Flashback Thursday

I started a thing a couple of weeks ago when I find and old picture and talk about it as a Flashback.

No one ever said I wouldn't post pictures of my days as a fashion model. Actually I was auditioning for the movie Dazed and Confused years before it was even made.

Actually this is a picture from about 1976 or 1977, and was actually the day I met my sister Kim for the first time. I had met Terri a few times before, but Kim was one that I had yet to meet. So we arranged to met at Suburban Lanes to go bowling and allow me and Kim a chance to meet each other.

You got to love those fashionable Chuck Taylor Canvas Converse, the cut off shorts, the knee high tube socks being held up by rubber bands and how could you not love that 1970's hair style? I was definitely stylin and profilin, that is for sure.

It was a day that I have never forgotten.

Tuesdays Tidbit's on a Wednesday

* Due to yesterday being mine and Michelle's three year anniversary, I moved the tidbits back until today.

* 1,097 days since mine and Michelle's first date, three years and one day ago.

* It has been 319 days since our engagement.

* 143 days until the wedding day.

* I've got a day half full of meetings today, it's going to be my busiest one in a few weeks. We're preparing for a conference that is going to be held here in Morgantown in a few weeks.

* Had a Doctors appointment yesterday, just a routine visit with my Doctor and discuss how I am doing. He did comment on my lungs and no signs of me ever being a smoker. It'll be going on either none or ten years since the last time I lit one up.

* For our third Anniversary, Michelle and I had dinner at Applebees yesterday. I love their steals.

Hi ho hi ho

Three Magical Years

Three years ago my life changed forever. After a lifetime of trying to find the person I wanted to spend the rest of my life with, I finally met her.

I had first met her nine years prior and we got along great, but she was married at the time with two young kids and I was just starting college.

Pan ahead eight years later, I'm done with college, she had been widowed and I asked her to come to our Christmas Party. I was very excited about seeing her, only to be stood up on that night.

Pan ahead three months later and we finally did manage to go out, and my life has been for the better ever since. We have been together for three magical years as of today, that is 1,096 magical days.

The best is yet to come though, in about another 144 days when she will become my bride.

Michelle, thank you for coming into my life and ridding my emptiness, I love you and look forward to the life we have ahead of us.

Happy Three Year Anniversary.

Brackets are In

Let the 2010 version of March Madness begin. The brackets were announced yesterday evening and the Mountaineers are a playing in Tampa and will take on the Clemson/UAB winner in our first round game.

The winner of that game will most likely get to play the Kentucky Wildcats, a team WVU beat last year to earn our way to the Final 4. Last years Kentucky's team was comprised of five first round NBA Draft Picks including the 31 overall pick John Wall.

Wouldn't it be nice if Hugg's can end their season two years in a row?

Time to get your office brackets ready and Hi ho hi ho

Spring Forward

It is the start of my favorite time of the year, when we move our clocks ahead one hour (If you haven't done it yet, you may be an hour behind) for Daylight Savings Time.

It will now start to get dark an hour later and we have to get up an hour earlier. If you feel like the entire day is a day of playing catch up because you are behind, your body has not adjusted yet. Mine has been adjusted for this for a few weeks now.

We had a great day yesterday, Michelle and I were at Hawley Field to watch a little bit of Mountaineer Baseball.

It is a Minion Morning

From Chewie:

Hi! My name is Edith Ann Marie Stavar. I was born today at 3:43 am. I am 6 lbs. and 12.2 oz. I am 19 inches long. Mommy and I are doing fine. More pictures to come.

Congrats to Courtney and Chewie.

Is it a Minion Morning?

You have to love Facebook to find news and information. I was up bright and early as I am every day and our friends Chewie and Courtney may be having their little Minion as we speak.

Chewie started with a Here we Go followed by a pushing time, so something tells me that they will be proud parents any moment now (I am actually writing this at 4:00 AM as opposed to having it post at 4:00 AM like I usually do).

I'm watching Facebook for some kind of a word from Chewie, but something tells me he is busy right now.

Big Ole Hairy Friday

Yes it is once again that time of the week that we all look foreword to, when we can take time to cease the labors for the week and take a little bit of needed time out to enjoy the fruits of those labors. It is once again the dawn of another weekend and a Big Ole Hairy Friday.

First of all I have to ask, what the heck happened to the 70°+ days that I had been hoping for? Come on, I'm losing an hours sleep this weekend, Mother Nature should at the very least be cooperative and allow us some nice warm spring type weather instead of this cold rail/snow crap we're getting.

The WVU Baseball Home season has finally got a start for the year. They are supposed to have a four game home stand this weekend starting this afternoon against Rider College. Speaking of 70°+ days..you know they would be nice and fitting for right now. Soak up a little sun, wear some shorts and enjoy a little baseball. I'm just saying Mother Nature.

If you want to get this party started, we have to get Friday over with. Hi ho hi ho

Photo Flashback Thursday

Thursdays are a hard Blog to get any inspiration for, so last week I thought I would look back through my 12,000+ pictures and do as flashback. Tell a little story about a picture from sometime in the past.

This weeks was no doubt a transitional period in my life. This is me in the evening after my first day in college in the fall of 1999. A time when my life was at a crossroads and I had to choose a path. My path I chose was to go to college, and I had no idea what would lie in front of me.

This is my going over my Psych 1 notes with my pierced ear, my Dale Earnhardt shirt and one of those cancer sticks that I wasted way too much money on in my life (It has been since May of 2002 since I have had one) when I used to smoke. We had just came back from Ocean City the day before and I was starting college on that day.

I had no idea what I was getting into, but I have never looked back. I had no idea if I could or could not do it, so I gave it everything I had for the next five years and worked in my field (for next to nothing) for my last three years of college.

It was a day my life changed forever.

Ash Wednesday Edition of Hump Day

Well you better have your Mardi Gras Fat Tuesday celebration out your system, for today is ash Wednesday and the first day of lent. I hope everyone has a Charlie Sheen type of good time and were in some type of exchange of some beads.

Well it's back to work after an evening of fun filled frolicking last night, now the fun is over and it is time to get back to work. Looking at the bright side, there will be a lot of great fish sandwich deals for a few weeks, and I love fish.

Hayley had an interview yesterday at Krogers, she thinks it went pretty well. They did a few employment types of things that they really wouldn't do if they were not interested in hiring her. Hopefully she'll be hearing some good news in the immediate future.

Speaking of employment, hi ho hi ho

Tuesday's Tidbits

* Well that dreaded Monday is now past us, and we have our sites set straight upon Tuesday, can;t think of a better reason to do a tidbits.

* 1,089 days since mine and Michelle's first date a few years ago. We're actually a week away from three years since our first date.

* 312 days since I proposed marriage and she accepted.

* 151 days until the wedding.

* Talked to Amy briefly yesterday on Facebook, she said that she fixed her computer problem by reformatting her machine and reinstalling the operating system.

* Talked to Pam a couple of nights ago, she is interested in going to the rails to trails with us. We spoke about possibly renting bikes and going riding on the trails sometime this summer. It would be nice if we could get a group of people to do this. (hint hint)

* Still waiting to see when Jimmy Buffett is planning on going to Pittsburgh this year. He's usually announced by now, so something is telling me this may be up this year for something different from him. Just don't do it August 6th.

* Today is Fat Tuesday. Tonight is the time to be in New Orleans for Mardi Gras. Obviously Wed is Ash Wed.

* We also spring the clocks forward ahead one hour this weekend, so you lose an hour of sleep, but you gain an hour of daylight in the evening. I think my body has already adjusted for the change.

* Hi ho hi ho

Tried a Real Good Recipe yesterday

I was at work on day last week when a co-worker told me about this Spicy Sausage Rigatoni that he couldn't get enough of. Michelle and I tried it yesterday and give it a two thumbs up and highly recommend it. Allow us to share.


http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/spicy-sausage-rigatoni-recipe/index.html

Ingredients

• 12 ounces rigatoni, cooked and drained
• 12 ounces hot Italian sausage, removed from casing
• 1/4 cup reserved cooking liquid from rigatoni
• 2 tablespoons olive oil and chopped
• 2 cups whole canned tomatoes, drained
• 3 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
• 1/2 cup parsley, chopped
• 1/2 cup Parmesan, grated

Directions

Heat oil in large skillet, Cook garlic, red pepper flakes and cayenne over medium high heat quickly. Add in crumbled sausage meat and cook until completely browned. Add in tomatoes and bring to a simmer. Cook about 5 minutes until sauce begins to thicken and add cream. Return to a rapid simmer. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add cooked Rigatoni and reserved liquid. Return to simmer and sprinkle with parsley and Parmesan. Serve with extra Parmesan cheese and black pepper.

Michelle and I absolutely loved this and for you cooks out there looking for a pasta recipe with a little bit of a a bite to it, try this. It was awesome.

On that note, hi ho hi ho

Finally Made It

Last weekend I really wanted to go and see the movie Hall pass, but we ended up not making it to see it last weekend for one reason or another. This weekend however we took a little time out to go to the movies and see the movie.

I gotta say, the guys who made this are the same guys who made Something About Mary and it more than lived up to its expectations. Most of the theater were literally laughing out loud at this movie, and both Michelle and I enjoyed it. If anyone is looking for a good movie to see that is out right now, we gave it two thumbs up for adults. Might not be suitable for the young ones though.

That makes two movies that we have went to see this year so far. It had been a while since we had gone to the movies, it's nice going back and seeing all the previews. Kung Fu Panda II is definitely on my agenda to see this may.

Earl Saturday Morning Ramblings

Once again, the house is all quiet and peaceful and I am up in the wee hours of a Saturday Morning trying to come up with a few original thoughts to put into a blog. I'm bit a freaking Rock Star from Mars and my life lacks the excitement level that is the life of Charlie Sheen. (I had to make at least one Sheen reference this week)

I spoke with Chris O and he is talking about gathering a group of his co-workers to go and play paintball on April 3rd at MVPPark. I saw Sean and Danny a couple of weeks ago and mentioned that a few people I work with may be interested in playing and he said Chris was going to bring a crew on that date. I called Chris yesterday and confirmed that date and he said the more the merrier. So if anyone is looking to play a little paintball, get in touch with me and I'll give you the details.

Michelle did have a hair appointment today, but moved it to next weekend so we really have no plans this weekend. It's calling for rain anyways, so our outdoor activities could be limited.

Have a great day.

Big Ole Hairy Friday

Yes it is once again that time of the week that we all look foreword to, when we can take time to cease the labors for the week and take a little bit of needed time out to enjoy the fruits of those labors. It is once again the dawn of another weekend and a Big Ole Hairy Friday.

Once again no plans for the weekend, although those days will soon be drawing to a close with longer days and warmer weather where we can get out and have fun geocaching. There are a number of new ones around Morgantown since we last went, and I'm ready to go out and start finding them.

Michelle was off work yesterday with a beginnings of a migraine. I should consider myself fortunate as I have no idea what one feels like. I've had headaches, but nothing like what she gets and what other describe to me as a migraine.

Gotta get this party started, hi ho hi ho

The Day I Learned I Was Going Bald

Sometimes its just a lot of fun to go back through your old pictures and remember certain events in your life.

I was looking at this picture and realized it was the day my Sister Terri married Nick, and I was there in attendance. My sister Kim was on the upper deck Video taping the event, and I was sitting beside my sister Pam. Although looking at this picture, I should have been sitting on the Bride's side of the isle, I guess you live and learn.

My Father walked Terri down the isle, who made a very beautiful bride by the way, and it was a great day. We all enjoyed the ceremony and the reception at Terri and Nick's place. My brother Gsry was the featured entertainment, he and his band were having their world debut en route to the world domination tour that they were planning but never got around to.

The next day I was over at Kim's, and watching the tape that they made from high above the church and I noticed a bald guy sitting beside my sister Pam. I recognized everyone in the church expect this strange looking fellow and then it hot me like a ton of bricks. I was that bald guy sitting beside my sister. I knew I was balding, but never really saw it.

It was a day I will remember forever for a multitude of reasons.

Thursdays are my hardest blog to write during the week, maybe I just need to reflect a little upon my life.

Hope you enjoyed the story, but now it is Hi ho hi ho

Hump Day

Monday, Check. Tuesday, Check. First part of the week is in, now it's time to get over that hump and work towards another fun filled weekend.

I think March should officially adopt February 28 this year. Why? because it thunder-stormed and the weather was much more lion like than lamb like that was yesterday's weather. You know what they say about March, in like a Lion, out like a Lamb and in like a Lamb and out like a Lion. Although I can't complain too much, because for once my buddy Phil was right with his prediction of an early spring. Thanks again Phil.

Since this was a boring Blog, let me leave you with a little entertainment to brighten up your hump day.



Hi ho hi ho

Tuesdays Tidbits

* Well Monday is now behind us an has entered into our memories meaning it is now Tuesday, I can't think of a better reason to do a tidbits.

* 1,082 days since mine and Michelle's first date.

* It's been 305 days since our engagement last year meaning...

* ...we have 158 days until we are married.

* Today is the first day of March, a month that offers us the official start of my favorite time of the year, Spring time!!!!!!

* We're doing our weekly crock pot dinner tonight, it's been a while and the temps are dropping so it is going to be home made chilli and corn bread for our after work feast.

* Hayley found a beautiful chocolate lab a couple of nights ago that followed her home. Michele called the pound yesterday and the dog was returned to its rightful owners. Seems like they had just moved to the area and it was storming and he got scared. Chad and Hayley fed him a can of alpo and some soft food and gave him a nice place to get some rest before returning him to his rightful owners yesterday.

* We watched the Movie "The God's Must be Crazy" last night from Netflix. Michelle has never seen it.

* Hi ho hi ho