Goodbye 2012

January

*  2012 started out great, the Mountaineers walloped Clemson in the Orange Bowl 70-33. WVU set the record for the most points scored in a bowl game, much less a BCS Bowl Game.

* Michelle spent the New Year sporting a pink cast on her foot which she had broken.

* Long time Penn State Football Coach Joe Paterno passed away

February

* Punxatawny Phil saw his shadow promising siz more weeks of winter, but that had to be the mildest winter that I have ever witnessed in my lifetime.

* We officially booked our vacation for 2012 in February.

* We bought a new food processor and a bread maker as our dual Valentines Day gifts to each other.

March

* In March Michelle and I officially obtained our passports. We needed them for our cruise, if something goes wrong and you have to fly back, you had to have them. They are both good for ten years.

* Steve Judy bowled back to back 300 perfect games.

* Just for the heck of it, Michelle and I ran to Parkersburg, WV to do a little bit og Geocaching.

* Michelle's friend Holly released her book, "My Daughter, My Hero".

April

* My 2012 April Fools joke was that I was being transferred to Albany Oregon. Always a possibility, not much of a probability.

* We had our family easter Egg Hunt at Amy's.

* Michelle and I visited the Flight 93 memorial.

May

* Michelle's dad finally entered the 21st Century, he bought a cell phone. An iPhone specifically.

* Michelle and I took a nice day trip to Wheeling to visit Wheeling Downs.

* We attended the WVU Graduation where Michelle's niece Amanda graduated.

* My brother and sister in law, Jim and Chris Paugh, went to Hawaii so all of the kids got together and re-organized their thrift store downtown.

* We took a day trip to Ohiopyle for a cookout.

* We attended Danielle's graduation party. She had finished up her college career at Wheeling Jesuit.

June

* Michelle's Dad Dave came in to play golf at Lakeview, we hosted a nice cookout in the back yard. We made some great steaks.

* An Atlas I had previously worked on won a very prestigious award.

* My niece Amy had a baby shower.

* Chad was hospitalized and had to have surgery.

* With Jean and Gary, Michelle and I attended our our fifth Jimmy Buffet concert together. It was my sixth and Jean and Gary's first.

July

* West Virginia University "Officially" entered the Big XII.

* We took a hot summer day day trip to Idlewild Park and the Soak Zone.

* The Pittsburgh Pirates were actually playing very good baseball.

* I found out that I tore my Labrum.

* The family welcomed the birth of Kylea Rae Dalton.

* We took a trip to the burgh to celebrate a couple of Birthdays. Chris O was surprised with his 40th birthday party and we stopped in on Michelle's niece Abby's party.

* We had a big Pamperd Chef Party.

August

* Michelle and I celebrated our first Wedding Anniversary. I guess we got promoted from rookies to veterans.

* We traveled to Cleveland Ohio for Michelle's cousins wedding. It was the first time I had ever seen any of the great lakes.

* I attended my 30th High School Reunion. It was a two day event starting Friday Night and ending up Saturday night.

* Michelle had surgery.

* Chad and Johnny took over Scales and Tails in Westover.

* We took a trip to Amish Country in Ohio and attended a Family reunion in the same area.

September

* At the start of our vacation, we visited the national Aquarium in Baltimore.

* We set sail on our week long cruise to Grand Turk, Half Moon Cay and Freeport Bahamas. It was the first time either of us had ever left the country.

* The Mountaineers started off the 2012 College Football season with a real bang,

October

* We took a day trip with my old buddy Smitty and his wife Steph to Springs PA for the Springs Festival.

* Arron Hill played his Senior Homecoming game for University High School.  I were there to cheer him on and grab a few pictures.

* Michelle and I both upgraded our iPhones to the iPhone 5. She was not eligible when they first came out, so I waited until she was eligible before we bought the new ones.

* Hayley took over as manager of the Transit Center BFS/Gloria Jeans store.

* I celebrated my 3,000th blog post.

* Hurricane Sandy hit the East Coast. Dumping a significant amount of snow in the area and causing many to be without power for an extended period of time.

November 

* East Gate Manor finally had their Trick or Treating, I told everyone it would be hit or miss and it was an absolute hit. We had nearly 1,000 pieces of candy and were out of candy within the first hour.

* We celebrated Thanksgiving with Michelle's family as we have done every year at the Cassville Fire Hall.

* Michelle headed out for some Black Friday shopping as I stayed at home and avoided that mess.

* We attended Michelle's 25th High School class reunion

* We got an early start and put up our 2012 Christmas Tree.

December

* We took out a weekend and did all of our Christmas baking. I love Cookie day =)

* A Gas Pipeline exploded in Southern West Virginia.

* We attended my Company Christmas party at Oliverios and received our fourth Make A Wish Christmas ornament.

* We traveled to East Liverpool, Ohio to spend Christmas with Michelle's family.

* We did outlast the Mayan Calender and survived the Apocalypse.

* We spent Christmas Eve with my family at My sister Terri's home. I did my first Christmas Eve video in a few years.

* I have posted including this one, 421 Blog posts for 2012.

* See you on the other side of New Years. 

Last regular Blog of 2012

This will be my last regular blog post for the 2012 posting season, later this morning my Goodbye 2012 blog, where I go back through the year month by month according to my blog and relive the year as was told by my blog. This is one of the funnest Blogs that I do every year, it makes me take a little bit of time out and reflect upon the previous year in my blog.

I think I will extend my vacation another day, tomorrow is a Holiday and no need to go back for just a day to take another day off. This will be the longest break of my professional life and it feels pretty good, even though it did occur in the middle of the cold season.

No plans for Michelle and I tonight, Smitty invited us over but we are probably going to stay home. Too many crazy drivers out on the road and I would rather stay safe and sound in my home.

Speaking of moronic drivers, I saw a guy yesterday morning traveling across the star city bridge and tailgating another driver try to pass him and lose control of his car. He almost hit us, but I was prepared and the moron spun the car around just missing the guy he was tailgating and hit into the bank on the other side of the Star city bridge. Slow down moron.

Be safe tonight, don't dink and drive and remember that you might be alright, but the other morons on the road that you need to pay attention to. Have a safe and Happy new years.

Enjoy my final blog of the year later this morning.

Late Blog

Michelle just asked if if I wrote a blog today, I then just realized no I did not. So, here I sit writing this blog.

Did anyone watch the WVU Bowl game yesterday against Syracuse? That had to have been the most unprepared, uninspired, cocky and arrogant but no idea what you are doing team I have ever seen the Mountaineers field. The defense looked much better, but couldn't manage to get off the field. The offense was 0-10 on third down conversions. Really? Don't we have a multi-million $$$ a year offensive Guru for a head coach? O for 10 on third down. If you don;t understand this simple basic of football you are not going to win. "Move the sticks". This team was too worried about the big play or their statistics, running east and west rather than north and south and they embarrassed this University on National television. Coach Holgorsen, the honeymoon is over, you better figure something out quick or your time in Morgantown is going to be very limited.

Let's turn our focus to basketball when the Bob Huggins lead Mountaineers will be battling a team that is lead by my old softball left-center fielder. No Joke, Jeff Neubauer was our left center fielder and was a great guy, he was unexpectedly had his last season with us shortened when he was offered the Eastern Kentucky job.

Have a great day.

Saturday Morning Ramblings

Here I sit once again in a quiet household, only I have recovered from a losing battle with the despicable sandman who attacks us all on a daily basis. I have just got done watching the Perfect Game on Netflix and I'm sitting on Facebook playing a crime drama game that everyone is starting to play.

It's time for the Pinstripe Bowl today at 3:30 as the Mountaineers and long time former conference rival Syracuse battle for the Pinstripe Trophy in Yankee Stadium in New York. I have to say this is one team Head Coach Dana Holgorsen and Sr QB Geno Smith has struggled with over the course of their careers here in Morgantown. We actually took a very bad butt kicking last season in Syracuse.

I have to say that I am a little pessimistic about this game. Doug Marrone has basically schooled Dana Holgorsen the last two seasons and we just do not match up well against them at all. Although we are the favorite, I look for us to struggle as we have the past two times against the Orange, and that kills me to admit that, but I just have a bad feeling about his game. I hope I am wrong

Have a great day

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.

Actually its the last day of my weeks vacation, I've been off all week this week and haven't went in to work. Michelle has had to work, but I have been lazy taking naps and just watching movies the past couple of days.

Not sure if anything is up this weekend, the Mountaineers play their bowl game tomorrow against Syracuse and the basketball team plays Sunday afternoon. Ironically the basketball team we are playing is coached by my former softball teams left fielder. Jeff Neubauer who is EKU's coach was out left fielder until they offered him the job there. He was one of John Beilein's assistants here and a heck of a coach.

Have a great day.

Photo Flashback Thursday

Once a week I like to take a little bit of time out and look through all of my pictures, seeking that one lost moment in time to post up and write a blog about. Sometimes it's pretty easy to find that picture and sometimes it's not so easy. Then there is times like this week when you pull your hair out trying to find one specific picture and can't. However it is always a lot of fun.

This weeks picture is one that I thought I had done before, but could not find. I thought I had it on my computer, and spent about an hour looking through about every folder imaginable to find this one particular picture.

My sister Terri has it at her home, and me and Pam were talking about this picture last night. I told her I would make it today's Photo Flashback.

I remember my Grandmother telling me the story of this picture. The man behind them was their long time friend Emmitt Lynch, the picture was taken at Forbes Field. I can even put a date on this picture of May 25, 1935. It was the day Babe Ruth played his only time at Forbes Field and they went up to watch the game.

Have a great day.

The Day After

I just love my sister in law's tree topper, she uses it every year and it's just the one you look forward to seeing every year.

I hope everyone had a great Christmas, I am pretty sure everyone here did. Hayley came over yesterday morning and we all opened up our gifts and Michelle fixed a big breakfast for everyone. It was a Christmas morning feast to say the least and yes I did have a traditional Hot Sausage Hoagie early in the AM. I talked to Pam yesterday and she didn't make it Christmas Eve because she had to work, but she said she went out and made sure that she could have one Christmas morning.

The Hot Sausage on Christmas I think all started when we were all kids. If you knew my dad, he would always cook in overabundance and he always seemed to have Hot Sausage every Christmas Eve. There was always some left over the next morning so we all used to eat a Hot Sausage Hoagie as we were opening our gifts and that tradition just carried over for decades. I know for me it would not be Christmas without one.

I'm on vacation the rest of the week and Michelle just got up as she has to work today. They are calling for a winter snow advisory today, I'm just thankful we have an awesome all wheel drive Forester named Pearl and not very far for her to travel.

I think I will start setting up the formatting for my year end blog today.

Christmas Video 2012

Merry Christmas

It's that special time of the year, a time when families get together and spend time together creating memories and, having a feast and just enjoying being around the people that you love and that love you the most.

It's the one time when this world shuts down and all the hatred is forgotten for one short day. It's why people tale vacation and travel home and it is a time for family.

Last night we went to my Sister Terri's house and I have to say that was one of the better Christmas Eve's that I have had outside of the monstrous extravaganza my dad used to put on and Jean kept it going for a few years after he passed.

The evening included a Chinese Gift Exchange that turned out to be a lot of fun, a visit from Santa Claus himself and plenty of great food including out Hot Sausage and Nick's remarkable Prime Rib. A very big thank you to Terri for not only hosting, but making this an exciting Christmas Eve. I want to do another video of the pictures I have taken, I'm still debating on the music to use.

I'm sitting here watching 24 hours of a Christmas Story, hoping Ralphie doesn't shoot his eye out. I love this Christmas classic, I DVR'd it once again since our last DVR went kaput so I can have it all year. I'll probably end up watching it 3-4 times today.

Today the individual family units come into play for everyone. Michelle and I as well as the kids will be heading over to Michelle's sisters for the Morgantown version of the family Christmas. Chris and Jim, Michelle's sister and Brother in Law, are great hosts and it is always very memorable. Her Mom makes the trip down from Pittsburgh and we once again are fortunate to spend Christmas with a house full of people that we love so much.

As I noted, I want to do another Christmas video for last night, it's been a number of years since I have done one. I used to use the default Windows Movie maker, but since I've done my last one there has been all kinds of better software to do them with, but I'm not familiar with them and I don't care to try to assemble something on Chad's iPad.

From my family to yours, have a safe and Merry Christmas.

Christmas Eve 2012

This video is from 2005 and I have not done any videos for a few years, so it has me thinking tonight if there is any way I could get enough pictures and put together another one of these videos.



One I did from 2004.



I debated putting this one up, but since it was the last one that I did I'll still stick it it up.



One I did for my Dad's last Christmas in 1999.



Here is a quick video from Christmas eve 2009 from mine and Michelle's home.

I also have the 2007 Christmas which was one of my favorite, with the 2005 video, however Youtube didn't like the song I used.

I would like to do another video this season.

Sunday Morning Ramblings

Here I sit once again in a quiet household, everyone has fought a losing battle with the sandman except me where I have recovered from his attack. I just put on the movie Step Brothers on Crackle.

We got a lot of napping in yesterday, as we really didn't do anything. This morning we're going to have to do our shopping and the rest of our Christmas wrapping. The kids all requested Gift cards to certain places, so they were actually pretty easy.

Thanks to President Obama I'm not on vacation tomorrow, but will enjoy a holiday. Tuesday is Christmas so I'll only use three days of vacation for the week.

Watched the Mountaineer Basketball team yesterday afternoon. We won, but we are going to be in a long season it appears. Coach Huggins has his work cut out for him to say the least.

Have a great day and stay warm and safe.

Worst Apocalypse Ever

Well We're still here, the end of all the earth as we know it failed to happen and I guess the Mayans were wrong. Not that anyone was taking them seriously, but it was a lot of fun to play up to. There were no zombies, no fire and brimstone and no end to anything other than the Fall season and the welcome to winter.

We did in fact welcome winter with a nice little bit of snowfall. Nothing too much here but the roads were hazardous last night and as we were coming home, Van Voorhis Road was shut down. We noticed as we were coming this way that there were multiple cars in the road with their 4 way hazards on coming up the front side of the hill, so we came home the back way coming down eastern avenue and out West Run.

Nothing planned today, except maybe some wrapping of some gifts to get ready for Christmas. We have the Hot Sausage in hand and about 99% of the Christmas shopping done, so since I have been a little under the weather the past couple of days, this is probably going to be a do nothing type of day.

Big Ole Hairy End of the World

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 the end of all existence according to the Mayans.

Well we have made it, it is probably reining down fire and brimstone as you are reading this, so don't forget to duck if one comes directly at you. It's the apocalypse so make sure you have a little fun today before we are all blown into non-existence.

Ok I was having a little fun with the moronic people who actually believe this crap. I'm on vacation next week, so I anticipate the world being here after I get off work later today.

With that being said, there will be a blog tomorrow morning.

Hi ho hi ho

Photo Flashback Thursday

Once a week I like to take a little bit of time out and look through all of my pictures that I have stored on my computer. I like to find one picture and relive that moment in time on my blog. Sometimes it's pretty easy to find it, sometimes it's not so easy, it is however always a lot of fun.

This weeks pic I think I will call "Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow". I appeared to have a little bit of hair at this time, as well as the old mustache that I supported for a number of years. My brother Gary was also sporting a lot of hair back in those days, although I think he is letting it grow out again.

I'm thinking this picture was taken many years ago and taken at the Little Village in Star City. A group of us were going to see Lynard Skynard and Bad Company at the WVU Coliseum.

I'm thinking the year was 1992. I remember when we left the bar that night that Gary peeled his tires going out of the bar JUST as a Star City cop was getting into his car across the street. Knowing he was going to chase Gary I got in front of him to run block, but Gary was waiting for me at the bottom of the Star City hill with the cop trying to get around me.

Long story short, because we were all going to the concert and we were all together, he let Gary go or else he was going to be a little more stern.

It was a great night and a great concert.

Hump Day

That's two days down, now if you look up over that noon time hump, off in the distance you'll see the dawn of another weekend on the other side of a Photo Flashback. Hopefully the Mayan Forecast is off and it's a little cooler than 1250°. That could be a little bit uncomfortable and would cause me to have to turn my Air Conditioning on all day.

WVU Wide Receiver Stedman Bailey made it official earlier this week. The First Team All-American checked his draft status and he is predicted to be a third round pick, so he has officially announced that he will forgo his final season and declare for the NFL draft. I think he will have a nice NFL Career, he's ready to join team mates Tavon Austin and Geno Smith in grabbing sizable paychecks to play the game they love so much.

At work we officially pushed out the NATCARB Atlas IV earlier this week. This will be my thirs completed Atlas that I have worked on in the last three years. Two have been NATCARB ans one has been NACAP Hopefully the NACAP effort picks up again for 2013.

It's a lifting and a cardio day.

Hi ho hi ho

Tuesday's Tidbits

* Well Monday is once again behind us, as dreary as it was and now we are staring straight down the barrel of a Tuesday. Can't think of a better reason than that to do a tidbits.

* It's been 1,740 days since mine and Michelle's first date.

* 963 days ago I got down on one knee at 4:00 in the morning and asked her to marry me.

* 500 days now we have enjoyed marital bliss. That's a nice round number.

* There are only 7 more days left until Christmas, it's crunch time if you haven't done your shopping yet.

* If the Mayans are right, the world will end after I post my blog on Friday.

* If they are not right, and I can strongly say they are wrong then...

* There are 186 days left until the Kenny Chesney No Shoes nation tour, this summer.

* There are 372 days until NEXT Christmas, I know, too early for that yet.

* Hayley's boyfriend Manny is flying to Puerto Rico either last night or today. His parents live in DC, but they are all from Puerto Rico and he is going home for the Christmas break. He is in his Junior Year of Engineering at WVU and they have been together around a year now.

* We are almost at the point where the days will start getting longer, the Winter Solstice is Friday and that is the shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere. Let's get New Years over with and start looking forward to days getting longer, me cussing Phil and anticipating Spring time.

* Cardio day

* Hi ho hi ho

Dreary Monday

Well our weekend of travel is now over with, now we're getting ready for the home stretch leading up to Christmas. However that is all next week and this is this week.

Time to stick our noses back on the grindstone for the week, and get back to doing what we do that allows us to live like we live. It's time to get back to work for the week.

We should be having our new Atlas being released today, so it may be a little bit busy around the office as there will probably be a few requests for information. Usually after we release an Atlas, we get an increased number of requests for information and maps.

Hi ho hi ho

Good Job Phil

You have to love it when someone from your old softball team makes the front page of the paper. Phil Caskey, brother Phil as many of us refer to him, was someone was the Assistant SID for WVU Athletics. he had a very nice cushy job but wanted something different.

Not many people at mid life and even being accomplished as he was, he was has a published text book that he authored, decide to go back to school and completely change their direction in life.

On the front page of todays Dominion Post, is a very nice article about Phil's teaching in a history class at South Middle School. When your students are excited about going to your history class, you know you're doing something right and changing influencing a few young lives.

Great Job Phil.

Off to East Liverpool Ohio

Today is going to be another long day, we'll be heading out of here this morning in route to East Liverpool Ohio to Michelle's Grandmothers to enjoy their Christmas.

Gigi as she is called, is one of the two ladies who walked Michelle down the isle when we got married. We go up every year around this time and enjoy a nice dinner, watch her hand out presents, and we play a game of Prize Bingo. Everyone brings a little novelty prize and we play bingo. You win at Bingo and you get to choose a prize.

After that we'll be heading to her Dad's to spend a little Christmas time when them in Calcutta Ohio, which is just a few miles up the road. Her dad lives there and that is where he used to have his Golf Pro Shop, but he has re-located to a country club rent free because of his name and craftsmanship.

It should be a good day, we have about 99% of of Christmas shopping done now thanks to yesterday. I still have to pick a few things up for Michelle, but we have even gotten our Chinese Gift Exchange gifts for Christmas Eve already. When it comes down to the final play, I have a strong feeling that both of these gifts will be given strong consideration.

Have a great day.

Shopping Day

Here I sit once again in a quiet household, collecting my thoughts as everyone is fighting a losing battle with the sandman. I have some unnamed movie on in the background and starting to plan out my day.

We had a our Company Christmas party last night at Oliverios. I was actually quite impressed this year as last years steak was kind of subpar for my taste. We received our fourth ornament from my Boss (we have all four in the series) and we once again have added it to the tree.

Today we are going to try to knock out pretty much the rest of our Christmas shopping. There will be a trip to Wal-Mart I'm suire as well as a trip up north to the Tanger Outlets and a trip to Wheeling this evening to grab a DeCarlos Pizza. It has changed since my father first found it some years ago, I think it's actually much better.

It's going to be a long day, but we're just preparing for out traveling tomorrow when we go to East Liverpool Ohio to visit Michelle's family and spend some Christmas Time with them. The Steelers play the Cowboys and I have a brother in law who is a Dallas fan. To say he will be outnumbered is an understatement.

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 yesterday was actually Michelle's Friday as she started her three day weekend last night. She is off today and will be doing a little bit of Christmas shopping. I'm up in the air about what I'm going to do, I may take the day off and have my own extended weekend or I may go in and work a few hours.

My company Christmas Dinner is this evening at Oliverios. We've had it there every year since I have been at Sextant. Dale treats us to a nice dinner and every year we all get the things remembered Make a Wish Christmas Ornament. They have been doing them for three years and this year we'll get our fourth. We have all of them and they are a nice addition to the tree every year, especially since we're starting to personalize our tree more and more now.

Tomorrow will be a shopping day. We'll probably head up to Tanger Outlets, as we both really like the place. I know we're both craving some DeCarlos Pizza, so a run to Wheeling may even be in the works before we head to Ohio Sunday for Miche;;e's Grandmother's yearly Christmas Dinner.

It's going to be a busy weekend that's for sure.

Tear Jerker

Photo Flashback Thursday

Once a week I like to take a little bit of time out and look through all of my pictures. I like to find just one captured moment in time to reflect upon and relive briefly in my blog. Sometimes it's a pretty easy task, sometimes it's not so easy. It is however always a lot of fun.

The gentleman you see in this picture is a man who I never had the pleasure of meeting. He was my Great-Great-Grandfather on my Mother's side. He was Westover's one man police force for a number of years, "Chiefy" Newbraugh as he was known was the police chief, or should I say the entire police force for the City of Westover years ago.

He's a man I never met, but have heard and read numerous stories about him on Facebook in the Growing up in Morgantown Page. There is even a picture or two of him over there other than this one.

Hi ho hi ho

Hump Day

If you look over that noon time hump, on the other side of a photo flashback, you can start to see the dawn of another weekend. I guess it's all downhill from here.

The picture that you see is from a story that happened in West Virginia yesterday. A Gas Pipeline Exploded down around Sissonville yesterday afternoon. early reports were that the flames were so hot that it melted the asphalt on I-77 causing it to be shut down yesterday. I imagineit would have been something to see, I grabbed this picture off of Facebook yesterday as it was happening.

Early indications are that no one was hurt, although that could always change between the time of me writing this and the time of this posting.

Anyone ready for the weekend yet? I know that I am and it'll be a busy one for me. Christmas shopping and traveling are on our agenda this weekend. Michelle is going to be off on Friday, I was going to take off but that is up in the air right now. There'll be some Christmas shopping and traveling to east Liverpool Ohio for her Grandmothers Christmas.

Lifting and cardio day

Hi ho hi ho

Tuesday's Tidbits

* Once again we have monday in our rear view mirrors and we are staring straight down the barrel of a Tuesday. I can't think of a better reason than that to do a tidbits.

* It's been 1,733 days since Michelle and I had our first date. Movie was lousy, the company was keepable.

* 956 days ago we got engaged.

* We have enjoyed a wonderful wedded bliss for 493 days now.

* There are only a mere 14 shopping days left until Christmas. It's starting to get down to the wire, we'll do much of our shopping this weekend.

* I am really thankful to Google for keeping track of these numbers for me, makes my job much easier.

* According to the Mayans, we have 10 days left. I think they were wrong.

* Talked to Pam briefly this weekend. She informed me that Calvin was sick last week. They determined by accident that he has an allergic reaction to Aleve.

* I have to say, butterscotch cookies assist in writing a blog. They don;t do much for creativity, but they do tickle the taste buds.

* I bought tickets last week for the June 22, 2013 Kenny Chesney tour when it stops off at Heinz Field this summer. Now we just have to see when Jimmy tickets go on sale. * Cardio day, I did lift yesterday.

* Hi ho hi ho

Monday Dreary Monday

There is one day of the week that I really don't care for, it's the day that our weend ends and the workweek begins on. It's the least popular day of the week, it's Monday.

Michelle managed to get all of our baking done this weekend. She was suffering for it last night, she pushed herself to a point that she was in pain all over. I advised her to take a nice hot bath with some relaxing bath salts, they always seem to relax her and make her feel better. Hopefully today she'll be feeling better and will be ready for the week.

We did get a visit from Arron yesterday, we bribed him with some Christmas cookies and some banana bread. If there is one person who respects Michelle's butterscotch cookies other than me, it's Arron.

I might change up my workouts, it's a normal lifting and cardio day.

Hi ho hi ho

Cookie Day Part II

Yes back by popular demand, the sequel to Cookie day will take place today. I lost count on how many Christmas Cookies Michelle made yesterday, but now we're going to get into our chocolate chip and our banana nut breads today.

To say our oven got a good workout yesterday would be an understatement, I think we went a little overboard on the butterscotch cookies that I love so much. I had to run out yesterday to get more flour and butter.

We have a tray of butterscotch for Arron who also loves them, but he was busy in Fairmont yesterday as University High beat Fairmont Senior 82-67. I would imagine he'll find his way over here today.

Time to finish up our Christmas baking today. Next weekend we have traveling, Company dinner and shopping on the agenda so we'll be pretty busy.

It's a Cookie Day

I love this time of the year, I think it is a day that I actually look forwards to once the last Christmas cookie from the previous year is eaten. Today is Christmas Cookie Day 2012.

I remember our first one that we had here, we went wild and bought all kinds of stuff to make them. Hayley was still here, and she will be coming today to assist, and we had a huge snowstorm in Morgantown that day. That was the year we had not one but two pretty bad storms, and cookie day was the first one.

There will be no gingerbread houses this year, unless the kids want to do one, I did one that first year and it really wan't that appealing to look at. My decoration skills are a little bit to be desired, I just lack a whole lot of creativity that some people have. It's a gift, either you have it or you do not and I am one of those people wjho do not have it.

I do get a little treat for breakfast this morning, a co-worker brought me in a little bit of deer hot sausage, I'll be frying it up this morning for breakfast with my eggs. Michelle hates deer meat, that just means there is more of it for me.

Have a great day, and stand by with the insulin. =)

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 plans changed last weekend and we will be doing our Christmas baking this weekend. We're all ready for it with the exception of buying some bulk eggs and butter, which we will purchase this evening. My favorites are the butterscotch cookies that we tried a couple of years ago, Michelle substituted Butterscotch for chocolate chips and everyone fell in love with them.

Next weekend we are going to be very busy with my company Christmas party, our Christmas shopping and traveling to Ohio for Michelle's family Christmas. That means that the baking needs to get done this weekend as the weekend after next will be final couple of days before Christmas, and I'm sure there will be a lot of running around that weekend as well.

Lifting (if my shoulder holds out) and cardio today.

Hi ho hi ho

Photo Flashback Thursday

Once a week I like to take a little bit of time out and look through all of my pictures that I have stored on my computer. It's a way to reflect on moments in time captured in a still image that we can keep forever. I like to select one photo each week and just write a little blog about it. Sometimes it's a pretty easy task, sometimes it's not so easy. It is however, always a lot of fun.

This weeks picture goes back a few years, back to when the KDKA Pittsburgh Steelers Trivia Challenge. We were not supposed to tell anyone about the results as the show was taped in June and aired later on, but we did get the trophy about the time the show started to air.

This was my opportunity to possess the trophy for a while, I think Chris still has it, but those were the two that earned it, I was just the fill in and scorekeeper.

Watch our winning run below.

Hi ho hi hO

Hump Day

Well we're looking at that midweek hump, get over that noon time hump and we'll be able to see another weekend on the other side of a photo flashback.

For the past couple of weeks, my brother in law Nick has been asking about Blogging. he's getting ready to start another business venture, or should I say resume one from a few years ago, and he was asking me about doing a web site or a blog to promote his product.

Both Nick and I, him with much more success than I ever had at it, used to sell a product called Melaluca. It's a multi level marketing business that if you apply yourself, you can honestly make money doing this.

I'm probably going to head down to his house tonight to give him a once around with Blogger. Show him how to set up his account, how to name it, play with the templates and add widgets to his blog.

Lifting and cardio day for me so

Hi ho hi ho

Tuesday's Tidbits

* Well Monday is once again in our rear view mirrors and we are staring straight down the barrel of a Tuesday. I can't think of a better reason than that to do a tidbits.

* 1,726 days ago I had the pleasure of going out on my first date with a woman I would later marry.

* 949 days ago I asked that special woman to marry me.

* We have enjoyed 486 days of wedded bliss and we enjoyed a big feast in front of our friends and family.

* Only 21 more shopping days left until Santa Claus makes his yearly journey around the world. NORAD will once again be tracking Jolly old St Nick as he makes his way around the world visiting all the boys and girls who were on the nice list.

* The West Virginia Mountaineer Football team accepted their bowl bid yesterday, it will be in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium and the opponent will be the all so familiar Syracuse Orangemen. the game will be played on December 29th against a long time foe. Should be a good as this is one team Geno Smith has struggled against the past two years.

* It's a cardio day today. I have to admit I wasn't up to working out yesterday morning, I got ready and went in, I was just very blah and didn't hit the gym. Both Michelle and I have been fighting off a touch of the flu. * Good night, Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are! * Hi ho hi ho

I Hate Mondays

All good things must come to an end, unfortunately that includes the weekends as well. Yes it's time to stop the enjoyment and time to stick our noses back to the grindstone for another five days so we can continue to enjoy the lives we live.

Both Michelle and I fought through a little bit of illness yesterday, neither one of us were actually sick, but on the verge of getting the flu is how we both felt pretty much all day long.

As the days are getting shorter, it seems like I am going to bed earlier and earlier. We're still about three weeks away from the shortest day of the year, and we're at the time of the tear when I think more people suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). I'm starting to long for the days of spring and cookouts and longer days.

Reality is it is not the spring time, the days are getting shorter and I did not win the lottery last week, meaning I do have to go to work today.

Lifting and cardio day

Hi ho hi ho

Sunday Morning Ramblings

Here I sit once again up earlier than everyone else, this is a normal occurring thing in this household with the exception of a few work days. I'm sitting here with the movie the change up playing in the background and collecting my thoughts for the day.

I would like to thank everyone who wished me a Happy Birthday yesterday and put the blanket Thank You out there in case I missed anyone. I was really active yesterday on Facebook with a whole lot of Thank You's to everyone who wished me a Happy Birthday. 130 was my last count of people I had to respond to and that does not even cover the automated ones. I guess you could say that I am pretty lucky in the cyber world. I even got an unexpected Thank You on the scoreboard at Mountaineer Field yesterday even though I was not at the game. I guess it helps to be good friends with the right people, thank you Chris.

Michelle made me a home made pizza, I love her pizzas and a special birthday bread that may not be the healthiest thing in the world to eat, but OMG it's awesome.

Have a great day.

Ed's Birthday

Today I would like to wish my hubby a very Happy 28th Anniversary of his 21st Birthday. He is wanting pizza for his Birthday dinner, so I will make my homemade dough and get his favorite topping and if he is lucky maybe I will put a candle on it. Make sure that if you see or talk to Ed today wish him a very Happy Birthday. I love you honey

EDIT By Ed. Thank You Michelle, I love you very much. Next time you write a blog, schedule it and publish it, this one was in draft form...lol

Saturday Morning Ramblings

Here I am up early once again collecting my thoughts for the day. Everyone else has fought a losing battle with the sandman and I'm the first to recover for the day. In the background the movie Major League II is on, one of my favorites, and it does bring back a lot of memories for me that I used to spend with my boys of summer.

We had planned on this being our Christmas Cookie day, but Michelle said she would just rather wait until next week to do anything. I think we're just going to relax at home and watch the Mountaineers today.

Today is Sr Day, this will be the last time that this group of Seniors will ever play a game at home. The Kansas Jayhawks are in town, hopefully Geno and Tavon can give us all something to remember them by. Rumblings are the Stedman Bailey who is only a Junior, will be declaring for the NFL draft after this season but that is just a rumor and only speculation at this point.

Have a great day and Let's Go Mountaineers.