Hump Day

Well thats two days down, if you look over the horizon you can see Friday just on the other side of Thursday. First we need to get through today though.

I finally took my lazy butt down to the trails yesterday, I have not made it out too many times this summer due to sheer laziness. I'm wanting to honestly cut a few pounds and it is entering the time of the year where I traditionally put on weight, so maybe I need a little bit of a lifestyle change and get a little more exercise than I have been getting this summer.

Michelle and Sadie went with me, I think Sadie about passed out of a heart attack when I grabbed her leash, she knows what that means. It felt nice to finally get back out. I'm going to start using the gym at work as well.

Speaking of work, hi ho hi ho

Tuesday's Tidbits

* Well Monday is now in our distant memories and we are staring straight down at a Tuesday, I can't for the life of me think of a better reason to do a tidbits.

* It's been 1,264 days since mine and Michelle's first date.

* It's been 487 days since our engagement.

* It's been 24 days since we partied like rock stars and ate like kings and our wedding.

* There are 117 shopping days left until Christmas, that's just a little less than 17 weeks if you need to plan paydays or paychecks. Plenty of time to start preparing.

* It's only 5 more days until the next era of Mountaineer Football begins and we stomp the dog snot out of the Marshall Thundering Herd. Yes I am biased.

* The Official Josh Judy Major League Strikeout count is stuck at 3. He was called up last week and sent back down the next day to make more room for a hitter. He'll probably come up later in September for the rest of the year as the Clippers are poised to make a run at a repeat Championship. He'll be up full time after that as the team expands to the 40 man rosters in early September.

* Hi ho hi ho

A Weekend Ending Trip

I love weekends, and we made our final day of this past weekend an enjoyable one with a day trip to Fallingwater for the day.

Michelle had never been there before and I was just wanting to get out for a little pic nic yesterday, so we decided to head to OhioPyle, but first a tour through Fallingwater. This was my third trip to Fallingwater, I was there in the 80's once, I was there 12 or 13 years ago and I was there today.

I wanted Michelle to grab a Picasso or two so we could bring them back and stick them on eBay, but she didn't.

It was a good weekend, it included a Football Game, a Wedding and a nice aesthetic trip to see something special.

Ho hum, I guess it is now Hi ho hi ho

Congratulations Mr and Mrs Cummings

Yesterday Michelle and I had the very distinct honor of seeing one of my oldest friends get married. Michelle and I were privileged with the honor of seeing Ed and Monette tie their bonds in holy matrimony at the Forks of Cheat Winery here in Morgantown.

It was a beautiful ceremony and very well done, the only thing was it was an outdoor ceremony and the winds from Hurricane Irene were not being too cooperative as they were trying to light the unity candle. They did manage to get it lit despite it being a very wind filled day.

The new bride and groom will be honeymooning in Jamaica.

Saturday Morning Ramblings

Once again here I sit in a quiet household with everyone else sleeping and me up watching movies and writing my BLOG. I'm up a little later than I normally would on a Saturday, Michelle and I went to the University High vs North Marion football game last night to watch Arron play.

Today Michelle and I will be going to a Wedding at the Forks of Cheat Winery, a venue that we once considered, for Ed and Monnette's (sp) Wedding this afternoon.

Hopefully Hurricane Irene won;t have any affect on today's weather and it can be a great day for all.

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!!!!

Are you ready for some football???? High School Football started last night with the Mohigans playing Steubenville. At the time of this BLOG, I had no idea of any scores or results. The University High Hawks will be traveling to Rachel West Virginia to play the North Marion Huskies.

I hope the weather holds up this weekend, we'll just have to wait and see.

Hi ho hi ho

Photo Flashback Thursday

Once a week I like to take a little bit of time out and look through my tens of thousands of digital pictures that I have taken through the years and tell a little story about one of them.

Today's story I believe was from the Christmas of probably 1976 or 1977. I can tell by the stylish shirt that I was wearing that kind of matched our couch cover and that I not only had hair, but a good bit of it at that.

On my side was a nerf basketball game that I had set up in the dining room. I know I used to make Grandma Hall mad, because I was always playing at night after she had went to bed for the evening. I'm sure my jump shots from the back of the room on more than one occasion.

I have to say though, I was the undefeated world living room nerf basketball champion of the entire world, or at least for our dining room. If any of my childhood friends happen to be reading this, I will plead the fifth and insist the statute of limitations has expired on any appeals.

Speaking of Grandma Hall, it was 31 years ago today that I woke up and saw an empty living room where she was sleeping. She had passed away and the coroners had already came and retrieved her before dad woke me up to tell me the news. It was a day my life changed forever.

Hi ho hi ho

Update on Pam

I just got a text message from Moke.

Pam is going to be kept in the hospital, her Gall Bladder was really bad and they had to remove it surgically. She is in recovery right now.

Pam having Surgery Today

My Sister Pam will be having Gall Bladder removal surgery today at Mon General. Her surgery is scheduled for 1:00 today at Mon General hospital.

I'll try to keep everyone updated as I know, she is hoping to be able to go home today after her surgery. They are doing it as an outpatient.

Hump Day

Well we survived the big Earthquake of 2011 yesterday and Michelle's step dad Tom is back out of the hospital, so I guess it's life back to normal today as Michelle is also back home after they released Tom yesterday.

Two days down, one being very eventful, and now if you look over lunchtime you can see Friday on the horizon. Normally I would be excited about this, however Hurricane Irene should be working her way up the coast about this time so the weather is probably going to be less than perfect heading into the weekend.

Hi ho hi ho

EARTHQUAKE

No kidding, for the first time in my life I literally felt the earth move today. I was sitting in my office and it felt like someone bumped the building with a bulldozer. I walked outside and so was everyone else from all the buildings.

We felt the effects of a 5.8 Earthquake in Virginiaearlier this afternoon. I've never experienced anything like that in my life, so it was a first for me.

I called Michelle within seconds, she was in Pittsburgh, and she felt it as well.

Josh Judy Called Up Again

Yesterday the Cleveland Indians once again called Josh Judy up to the Majors for a stint. They are trying to give the tired arms of the bullpen a little bit of a rest so they have called him up again.

Not sure of his status, especially with Columbus making a push to repeat and Josh making a push to lead AAA in saves, but he was called up yesterday and I imagine will see a few innings this week.

Current Josh Judy Major League Strikeout Count is at three and holding. I sent Josh a message and told him I'm tired of seeing that number of three and to bump it a few in the next few days.

Mow em down Ace.

Happy Birthday Moke

If you happen to see my Nephew Moke today, make sure that you take a little time out ans wish him the very happiest of birthdays today.

If my math is correct, Moke should be turning 23 today if I am correct, and I am not always correct.

Everyone is very proud of Moke, from him being a Iraqi War Veteran to him attending college to marrying the girl of his dreams. He has always been one who sets goals and goes after them.

Happy Birthday today Moke.

Tuesdays' Tidbits

* Well Monday is now once again behind us and in our fading memory, we are starting to look down the barrel of a Tuesday. I can't think of a better reason than that do do a tidbits.

* It's been 1,257 days since my first date with Michelle a few years ago. 10,000 BC was on the agenda for the evening.

* 480 days ago we got engaged in the back yard.

* It's been 17 days since the wedding.

* There are only 124 shopping days left until Christmas.

* WVU is back in session, traffic yesterday morning was an absolutely atrociousness going to work. I have never had so much trouble going a short distance and not have it be due to weather or a wreck.

* FallFest was last night for WVU, the lead band was the band who played during my Senior year, 3 Doors Down. Makes you kind of wish you were a college student again.

* Michelle went back home yesterday evening, her step father Tom had been hospitalized and people were starting to worry a little. They discussed doing a trach today, but the swelling in his head has went down and he was feeling much better yesterday.

* We did finally get the sirius installed in the car yesterday before Michelle went back home, I got the subscription taken care of before she left. I know she was jammin to the 70's on 7.

* Hi ho hi ho

Back to Work Monday

Well the weekend is over, it's time to put our noses back to the grindstone and start working for a few days to help provide us the lifestyles we enjoy. It's time to go back to work.

First though maybe I'll reflect a little upon the weekend. Michelle and I went to St. Mary's yesterday as they were having a Slavic Food get together. We both enjoyed a great meal for lunch with my brother Gary before later having a cookout at our place later in the afternoon with....Gary and Trish.

The weekend like all weekends was too short, but it was very relaxing.

Hi ho hi ho

Sunday Morning Rumblings

I sit here on a semi-quiet Sunday morning once again collecting my thoughts and realizing that I missed a celebratory BLOG post when I posted last week about the possibility of buying my first brand new car. That was an under the radar 2,500th post for me as a Blogger. I will beginning my eighth year as a blogger on the same day our country observes the ten year anniversary of September 11.

Talk about consistency, how many people have taken an experimental hobby and continued to do it almost every day for 8 year? It all started in 2004 when I heard someone make a statement, "I'm not a Blogger, I'm a Grogger". I knew that a Grog was a basically a cup of beer, but I had no idea what a Blogger was so I researched it. That's where George's Journal: My First Post all started.

I site back eight years later and never straying from the option of Blogging and know that I have created a unique piece of online history about nothing more than what has happened in my life and the lives of my family and friends as seen by my eyes. I've shared birthdays, celebrations and tragedies and created a historical timeline for anyone who cares to reference of the events surrounding my life and in a few cases my feelings at the time.

I've tried to avoid allowing a blog to be used as a tool to purposely slander, insult or berate anyone else, much less an intended reader. I decided a long time ago that I would try to never try to sink to that level on a place that is recording my life's ongoing story.

I look back over the past eight years and 2,500+ times in my life that I took time out and sat down at a computer keyboard and tried to share the positive aspects of my life. I've covered births, birthdays, deaths, graduations, anniversaries, marriages, job hunts, career changes, parties, a number of events, tidbits, pictures and videos, and helped everyone start a weekend or two. I have had a feud with that damn groundhog from Punxatawney named Phil, expressed what seasons I do not like and have even attempted to cover the career of my former Softball Right Fielder as he went away to college and his journey until he reached the major leagues earlier this year.

I'm proud of my blog, and I am so thankful after all of these years that I stuck to the original plan and have created something that if no one else enjoys, is enjoyment for me.

Ramble over, time to think about grocery shopping. =)

Happy Birthday Gloria Jean Hall

Today is the birthday of someone very special to all of us, a woman who selflessly gives so much of herself and Michelle and I owe a debt of gratitude. To a woman who about four years ago when I re-met my wife nudged me and said go invite her, I would like to send a heart felt thank you for all that you do and wish Jean a very happy birthday today.

The woman known as anmal to many is having her I think 29th (give or take one or two years) birthday today.

If you see Jean today, make sure that you wish this very special person a very Happy Birthday. I know the chicken Wing cookoff is today and we always go together, maybe we will try to surprise her today.

Happy Birthday Jean.

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!!!!

yesterday was the first day of school in Monongalia County, Erica Jean attended her first day of school and Alex Ostien attended his first day of Kindergarten. The sad part about it all, they have to do it all again today.

In case you haven't noticed, they're back. New Jersey has invaded my beloved city for the next nine or so months with a a new batch of college students have invaded my City. Traffic will be a pain in the rear end until May of next year now. (Sigh)

Chicken Wing Cookoff is tomorrow at Mylan Park if anyone is interested in going. I usually attend and I usually go early to avoid the larger crowds.

Hi ho hi ho

Married Edition of Photo Flashback Thursday

Since I was in Ocean City at this time last week, this will be my first Photo Flashback Thursday since the wedding and I thought I would start it off right.

I've stolen this picture from my niece Amy, it was one that she did that Michelle and I absolutely love, so that is this weeks Photo Flashback. Thank you Amy for your great Photographer's eye and your ability to edit. Michelle and I both love this picture.

Hi ho hi ho

Hump Day

Well we got a little something in the mail yesterday that I was anticipating, the Flag that flew over our nations Capital on the day Michelle and I got married is now in my possession. I ordered it a number of weeks ago in honor of our wedding through our Congressman David McKinley through the Flag Program that the House of Representatives offer. I have to say Thank You to him, even though I fully supported and voted for the better candidate in Mike Oliverio. I would have loved to have ordered it from Mike, however I am very thankful to have a precious piece of our Nations history on a day very special to me and Michelle.

On to today and this being hump day, which means we are well on our way to another weekend. The first two days of this week have kept me hopping, things should slow down now as I am caught up and preparing for things to be done at the end of the month.

Other than that, Hi ho hi ho

Tuesdays Tidbits

* Well vacation is over with and we are back to work, Monday is now over with and we are looking at the dawn of a Tuesday. I can't think of a better reason to do a tidbits than that.

* 1,250 Days ago I took Michelle out on our first date.

* 473 days ago I asked her to marry me.

* 10 days ago shew did.

* There are only 131 more shopping days left until Christmas.

* 34 years ago today, Elvis Presley the man known as the King of Rock and Roll, passed away at his Graceland home.

* We are back to a two car family now, so I don't have to spend as much time at work as I had been. I can actually work the time periods I am just supposed to be there and not have to worry about Michelle's schedule.

* Hi ho hi ho

Yuck, Monday

I guess all good things must come to an end, and that includes vacations. After having the past ten days off it's time for me to stick my nose back to the grindstone and get back to the thing that I do to earn a living. It's time to return to work.

I'm going to hate to see how many e-mails I may have to address, I did receive two calls last week while I was on vacation, but I think both things were taken care of by other co-workers.

Anyways, I am going to work my first day as a married man.

Hi ho hi ho

It's Been a Busy Vacation

It's my last day of my first week plus long vacation from work in a number of years, and I have to say it has been eventful to say the least.

I married the woman of my Dreams last week and we went on our Honeymoon to Ocean City Maryland, you can view all of those pictures are available HERE. I have gathered a few pictures from random people from our wedding, hopefully this list of pictures will grow as time goes on. We still have not seen the images from P and P Portraits yet.

Yesterday I did something a little early and managed to buy a new Subaru Forester from John Howard on the Mileground. We have been looking and doing our research for a few months on what kind of a car we wanted, initially it was a Jeep Patriot (ironically John Howard had a 2011 Patriot sitting on the lot that the lasy lost $10,000 on the tradein of it.), but after reviews and research we decided what we wanted.

We wanted a mini-SUV type with great gas mileage and a little power. This is a 4 Cylinder, but it has a 2.5 Liter Engine and 170 HP so it has some get up and go. It's All-Wheel Drive with the option of turning that off with the push of a button. It has all the things that used to be options (AC, Power Windows, AM-FM CD Player, Anti-Lock Brakes), we wanted a 5-speed and actually were looking for one. I wanted Sirrus Satelite Radio and it is bought and paid for as well as a few options we chose this week. I did purchase an extended warranty and our salesman was the best you could ask for, Jamie Trippett and if anyone is looking to buy a new car from John Howard, trust me this is the man you want to deal with.

That was my week of vacation. We return to work tomorrow after a final day of relaxing.

New Car?

The the payments from the Rodeo that I have had sitting for a few years almost out from under me, Michelle and I are considering buying a new car. We test drove one yesterday that we both felt comfortable with and liked, but there are a few things we wanted that that one did not have. I saw where the dealership had a new one in transit and noted that I preferred a five speed instead of an automatic. Low and behold, the one we wanted arrived on the truck yesterday afternoon.

We may very well be owners of a new Subaru Forester today if all goes well.

Friday

It's Friday Morning, we have returned from vacation and Michelle is still asleep from yesterday afternoon after we arrived home. She drank two large red bulls on the way home and still managed to fall asleep on the trip home. Ocean City has obviously taken a toll on her, only this morning I will not be getting her up at the butt crack of dawn to watch the sun rise over the ocean.

Today will probably be filled with the rest of the unpacking and organizing of everything we took down with us. It's also the last day of of our vacation workweek as we enter into a new weekend.

I have to say that the past seven days have been eventful, fun filled and exciting. Getting married and the honeymoon we were on "Go Mode" the entire time to get everything done and to be able to do what we wanted to do. I'll put my camera vacation pictures up sometime today.

Have a Great day.

EDIT, my pictures are all HERE

Back to West Virginia

After the last three nights on our honeymoon in Ocean City, we are Planning on watching one last sunrise this morning and then eating breakfast and hitting the road back home.

I have to say we lived this honeymoon to the fullest that we could. Two boat tours, the beach, the Ripley's Museum and the boardwalk to just name a few things that we have done. I know Michelle and I are both worn out from having souch fun.

We have both enjoyed ourselves.

Worn Out

Ever since we arrived in Ocean City we have been living and sharing life to the fullest. Last night it, that and the heat finally caught up with us as we took a breather and made it a n early night after dinners at Embers and Michelle kicking my ass at minerature golf after dinner.

Today we are taking a speed boat out into the Ocean for our second tour, we went to assiteaque Island yesterday and saw the wild omits. Michelle did manage to catch a large hermit crab.

Check my Facebook for images and a really nice time lapse I did of the sun coming up this morning. I have other pictures with my other camera, but the ones on my iPhone I can share instantly.

Ocean City

Well Michelle and I have made it to our honeymoon destination, Ocean City, Maryland. The trip was a pleasant one, not too much trouble and she was fascinated with the Bay Bridge.

As soon as we got here we went to the ocean to stick our feet in it and enjoy a nice kiss before getting on the tram to ride all the way down to the beginning of the boardwalk. Today will either be a beach day or an on the Ocean site seeing day.

I think location wise, we found a hotel on the right place. A few of the places we had recommended are right by the hotel. We've already had a bucket of Thrasher Boardwalk Fries.

Ocean City Bound

Michelle and I are going to be traveling today to Ocean City, Maryland to start our Honeymoon. She has never been there, and has never even see the Bay Bridge, so early this morning we are heading east until we find the Atlantic Ocean.

We'll have her laptop plus our iPhones, so I will be in contact.

Happy Birthday Randy Lee Hamrick

If you happen to see my nephew Randy Lee Hamrick today, make sure that you wish him the very Happiest of Birthdays.

Not sure what his plans are today, but both me and Michelle would like to extend our Birthday wishes to him on this his Birthday.

Happy Birthday Randy.

Marriage Day One

First off I want to thank everyone that helped us make yesterday happen, it just made the day that much more special. I wish I could say I grabbed a lot of pictures, my camera was with me but I did not have the opportunity to take the first picture other than the few I managed to gran with my iPhone. I understand now why couples hire professional photographers and we were no different. If anyone has any pictures from yesterday, Me and Mrs Hall would greatly appreciate the chance to be able to see them.

Michelle and I will be doing a little shopping today before packing up tonight and heading to Ocean City, Maryland tomorrow morning. She's never seen Ocean City or even the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, so I think she is going to be in for a treat. It's not too often that I just pick up and take a vacation someplace, so I am ready for a honeymoon too.

I do have to confess that every time I looked at Michelle during the ceremony I started to bawl, I kept thinking to myself there are 100+ people here and people are running cameras and I do not want to be material for a viral Youtube video of me bawling at our wedding.

I hope everyone had a good time, left with their bellies full and managed to leave with enough food to have another meal. Jean, Pam and the women at the church made all of the food for the feast and allowed everyone to enjoy a fabulous feast. I owe everyone a huge debt of gratitude.

I'm still running on nervous energy and very little sleep (I'm an early riser, so once again on behalf of me and my wife Michelle, thank you to everyone that helped us make yesterday a special day for us and the fellowship we were able to have. It was my once in a lifetime. Thank You.

Wedding Day

I'm sure there are a lot of people out there possibly reading this that wondered if they would ever see this day, heck at age 47 1/2 I was even wondering sometimes if I would ever see a day that I was going to get married. However with a lot of help and encouragement from friends and family on both sides, we have somehow managed to get to this day. This is the day I have been waiting my entire life for, the day I finally cross over from my long time bachelorhood to marital bliss with the woman I love and by the time I write my next BLOG my wife Michelle.

Yesterday evening we went into the Marilla Center and with the help of some very special people we were able transform the place into a place that Mr and Mrs George and Michelle Hall can spend a fun day with many special people our lives. I know Michelle has family that have traveled from as far as South Carolina and East Liverpool, Ohio and that her family and my family will share a special fellowship with us on this day, our day that we enter Marital bliss.

I think the question people may be wondering about me is am I nervous, the answer is not yet, but I have about 9 hours from the time I am writing this to get to the nervous or butterfly stage.

I want to thank everyone who have so selflessly helped us get even start to pull this wedding off and help make it a reality. Michelle and I appreciate anyone who has helped with the planning, to the bridal shower, to the cooking and setting up and for the assistance we will need to clean it up tonight, the baking the the running around and just the many things that people did to help us live our dream. A big heart felt Thank You from both of us, without you our stress levels would have been much higher.

Casual dress today, festive party to follow. Bring your grass skirts, your Hawaiiam shirts, put on your sandals and shorts and lets get everyone lei'd and have a great day.

Big Ole Hairy Ten Day Vacation

My nose is off the grindstone this week and I am preparing for my wedding tomorrow, for those of you who have to work I feel for you. I'm off today and all of next week as Michelle and I exchange our vows and head out of town for our Honeymoon.

Last night Michelle baked a number of cookies for our cookie table at the wedding. I never heard of a cookie table before two years ago, but as soon as I heard of it I wanted one.

If and that is a big IF the Marilla Center is available tonight (someone else may have it rented) we are going to go down and decorate for tomorrow. We can use all of the help we can get.

Just to avoid any confusion, our wedding is going to be very casual, as in Caribbean type dress, we just want everyone to be comfortable. We're both wearing flowered shirts.

It'll be a busy day for sure.

Photo Flashback Thursday

Once a week I get a chance to look back through all of my old pictures to come up with one to tell a little story about. This week is no different.

The picture that you see, even though it was not the first picture taken of the woman I am going to marry in a couple of days, this was actually the second picture taken of the both of us. Why is it so special, it was the first one that I took of the two of us.

I picked up Michelle and Hayley and we attended a WVU baseball game that day, something that we have done a number of times since then. We both like taking our "ass cushions" and go to Hawley Field to cheer on the Mountaineers. I always have to get my traditional Hot Dog, because it's not a baseball game without a good old American Hot Dog in your belly.

Hi ho hi ho, it's the last day of work as a single man I go

Hump Day

My week is halfway over, or just beginning depending on how you look at it. I'm off Friday and all next week for the wedding and Honeymoon, so I'm already on the backside of my work week even before I get my day started. Michelle on the other hand, this might be her last day this week as she is probably taking Thursday off as well.

Michelle went over tot Jes's last night to do a little more more on the wedding programs, I was trying to find a good deal for the honeymoon but not so good that it's an unpleasant experience. Nothing is finalized yet, but we have a pretty good idea and I would like some kind of a backup plan in place just in case.

I'm sure the obvious question everyone has for me is "are you nervous"? I have to honestly say not in the slightest yet. We've had helping hands and planned well financially, everything is falling into place so far. I just hope it stays like that.

Hi ho hi ho

Tuesday's Tidbits

* Well once again Monday is behind us and we are looking down the barrel of another Tuesday. I can't think of a better reason than that to do a tidbits.

* It has been 1,236 wonderful days since my first date with Michelle when we went and saw that god awful movie 10,000 BC.

* It was 459 days ago when I got down on one knee at 4:00 in the morning and proposed marriage.

* And this will be the last entry you will see on my Tuesday's Tidbits concerning this, next week I'll debut a new line but we have only 4 more days until our wedding this Saturday. I'll reintroduce the Christmas Countdown next week.

* We're still trying to decide where we want to go for our honeymoon. We're about 95% sure of where we are going, but we're still waiting to see before we finalize anything. I'll have the GPS ready =)

* My niece Amy has got a new phone, a smart phone at that but I don;t think she is very happy with it. She got a Samsumg mesmerize, but she doesn't appear to happy with the battery life of the phone.

* Hi ho hi ho

*

And the Countdown starts

Well, this is my last week of work as a single man, I'll be working until Thursday and I'll be off Friday getting ready for our wedding Saturday. So, I guess this will be 4 on, and then 10 days off!!!!!!!

We did get a lot done this weekend, and things look like they are going to be running smooth up until the wedding date. We're getting help from all over the family and I have to say it is much appreciated. Michelle was over at Jes's yesterday making the programs to be given out, our "Wishing Well" as I have heard it referred to has been completed, we made it at home yesterday.

Mike has a keg of beer sitting ready for me at the bar and Pam and George are off Thursday and Friday to help us out.

The clock is ticking, wedding day is getting closer.