Video Flashback Thurday

Once a week I lie to take time and look through all of my pictures that I have either taken, scanned, stolen off the internet or in his weeks case saw on youtube since it has significance to us. Little lost moments in time that I like to put up and share with everyone. Sometimes it's pretty easy like this week and sometimes it's not so easy, it is however always a whole lot of fun.

I saw this video on Youtube and it was actually the cruise that we were on. The people and sights that you see is what we witnessed on our 2013 Cruise and the ship will look the same as we bet ready to board it again in about 5 1/2 weeks. They Music they chose is significant to the cruise as they played it at dinner one night and formed a big conga line.

Still pictures just can't do justice as to what we saw, and I will be providing videos when we are once again out at see this year as I show our movies from last years cruise day by day.

Enjoy the Carnival Pride.

Hi ho hi ho

Hump Day

Hump Daaaaay

Well that is once again two days don two days ahead of us, that must mean that today is the middle of the work week. Now if we can just get up and over than noon time hump, we'll be well on our ways to another fun filled weekend.

Well I have been looking around the past couple of days trying to find myself a new hobby or something to occupy my time away from the computer a little bit in the evenings. It's easy to get caught up in front of a computer screen in the evening, even after you have just spent all day in front of one of them. I'm looking into finding something not computer oriented to do.

I stopped at Michaels  and looked at a few things. I first thought to just buy a model car and put it together, but it wasn't as appealing once I actually got to the store. I then thought about building a puzzle, but that wasn't appealing either. Something that did catch my eye was clock making, something I still like the idea of but kind of lack the creativity I may need to make something appealing rather than just a few assembled parts.

Michelle mentioned metal detecting which is always a possibility, but start up costs compared to how much time I actually want to spend doing this is something that has to be considered. I've thought about Astronomy, but once again comparing start up costs to how much time I will actually spend doing it, plus I kind of like to sleep when it's dark outside.

Half of me says you don't need another project as you have the scanning and family tree to do that I started as well as writing a daily blog, but the other half of me says that I need to get away from the computer a little bit. There is always geocaching, which I need to spend a little more time doing as well.

Hi ho hi ho

Tuesday's Tidbits

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

* Today is my 18,503rd day living. I have been blessed with a decent and healthy life, some times you should just count those blessings.

* 3,726 days ago I graduated from West Virginia University.

* 2,327 days ago, I had the opportunity to take out a very special lady on a night on the town. A lady who would forever change my life.

* 1,552 days ago I got down on one knee and proposed marriage to this wonderful woman.

* 1,088 days ago in front of our closest friends and family at the Marilla Center, we exchanged our Marital vows.

* I have 8 more days until our wonderful Third Wedding Anniversary.

* WVU kicks off their 2014 Football Season in only 32 more days, this should be a looooong year IMHO.

* We are down to 40 days to go until our 2014 Cruise. Michelle printed off our boarding passes and luggage tags yesterday, I think she is about ready to get on the boat.

* You have 149 more shopping days left to go until Christmas.

* I have 155 more days of blogging to come up with content for my Goodbye 2014 Blog post.

* I have about 6,335 more days to go until I finally retire, give or take a few hundred here or there.

* This is my 3,726th Blog Post since I wrote my first Blog on September 11, 2004

* The Monongalia County Fair is in full tilt, it started off last night with the Fair Parade.

* Today is Rain Day in Waynesburg Pennsylvania. It has rained there 113 out of the last 140 years and I think they are going to get a little more today.

* Michelle and I will be traveling for a birthday party this weekend. We'll be heading to Monaca for her Great Nephew's First Birthday.

* My Lifestyle Change / Weight Loss is going very good. I'm down 48 lbs since our first official weigh in on May 29th and 63 lbs since Christmas. We should be getting our Spiraler today, so that will greatly expand our healthy cooking capabilities and recipe base.

* With all the weight loss, I'm not quite ready to buy a new wardrobe just yet, however Michelle and I went to the Mall Sunday Afternoon and I'm quite pleased of all the options that are now available to me as far as sizes.

* Does anyone have any plans or ideas for Christmas 2014? It's never too early to start planning Christmas Eve, I'm just trying to get a feel for what everyone may want to do.

* Confucius say… birds of a feather flock together… then crap on your car.

* Hi ho hi ho

Happy Birthday Joshua Robert Nicholson

I would like to take this opportunity to wish my Great Nephew Joshua Robert Nicholson a very Happy 8th Birthday today.

Val and Bobby have already hosted his and Erica's Birthday party earlier this summer at her home. It was a day filled with family, presents, cake and for the kids a day of swimming in their swimming pool.

I can remember the day that he was born just like it was yesterday, I was smart enough back then to grab my camera and make a video of his as he is just minutes old that I am sharing on this blog for everyone.

I'm not sure what Val or Bobby have planned today if anything since we celebrated it last month, but I'm sure his day will have a little bit of swimming involved in it.

It you see Joshy Boy today, make sure that you wish him a very Happy Birthday today.

Happy Birthday Josh.

Back to Work

All good things must come to an end and that does in fact include those fun filled things that we refer to as weekends. The time that we take out from our busy work week and take a little bit of time enjoying the fruits of your labors. This weekend may now be over, but there is always another one right around the work week.

Well Mountainfest is now over with, but fret not, the Monongalia County Fair begins today and runs through the weekend. Mylan Park has switched from Motorcycles to Livestock in just one day. The Monongalia County Fair Parade is these evening at 7:30 downtown on High Street.

I think today is also the first day when High Schools can start practicing Football for the 2014 season. It used to be August 1st, but I think they moved it up to today to give the kids a little extra time to work officially with the teams. Football is right around the corner.

No plans for us this upcoming week, but we will be traveling to Monaca on Saturday for a birthday party. Michelle's great nephew Little Johnny will be celebrating his first birthday.

Hi ho hi ho

Sunday Morning Ramblings

Here I sit once again on a quiet Sunday Morning, I'm once again the first one here to recover from that losing battle with the Sandman last night, although I put up a much better fight last night as we stayed up and watched the movie Lone Survivor. Now I am up early collecting my thoughts, resetting everything that was killed by the brief power outage last night and watching The Song Remains the Same on Retro.

I got a phone call from my Nephew Moke yesterday, he saw us driving and decided to call. He had purchased a Motorcycle yesterday as you can see in the picture and stopped by to show us. It's a new Yamaha 900 that he has absolutely fallen in love with. He stopped by yesterday evening to give us a chance to see it and pay a little visit.

Looks like rain and Thundershowers all day today, quiet sever from what I can see. This makes planning our day a little easier, since we have our normal shopping and house chores that need to get done today. Maybe even slip a rainy Sunday afternoon nap in as well.

We exchanged one of our Cuisinart Coffee Pots yesterday at Bed Bath and Beyond, this was the one that blew up last fall in the electrical storm and their exchange program is phenomenal. We ended up using store credit for the old Coffee Pot and bought a real nice mortar and pestel and a couple of new Frying pans since my wife likes to use Metal objects in the ones we bought last year.

Once again WV Mountainfest is still going on today, so please pay a little extra attention and use a little more caution today as this large event winds down.

Have a great day.

Happy Birthday Daniel Edwin Bell

I would like to take this opportunity out and wish my Nephew Daniel Edwin Bell a very 30th Birthday today.

Daniel lives in Kentucky presently as this is where he has lived since he and his father Danny moved there years ago for Danny's teaching job.

Not too sure what Daniel is in to these days, I did send him a couple of Job opening up in this area as he expressed he may be interested in moving back to West Virginia some day.

Not sure what his plans are for the day, but I hope he has a great day and that all of his dreams become fulfilled today.

If you happen to see, talk to, message or any other form of communication today, make sure that you take a little bit of time out and wish him a very Happy 30th Birthday today.

Happy Birthday Daniel.

Saturday Morning Ramblings

Here I sit once again on a quiet Saturday Morning, I'm the first one to recover from that losing knock out battle with the Sandman last night. I'm up early collecting my thoughts for the day and watching Alf  on some obscure channel that we have and I never watch. I used to love this show when it originally run and never missed it.

Looks like the weather is going to be pretty cooperative today, so I have to talk to Michelle when she gets up and see if there is anything that she would like to do or has planned for the day. I know we are traveling to Pittsburgh next weekend for her great nephew's first birthday party, but no plans of of yet for this one. I know we are terrible slackers in the fun planning department, especially on our fun day off.

I did buy a unique item on Amazon this week. On our diet we have done Spaghetti Squash once a week for about 5 or 6 weeks now and are in need of another healthy alternative to our Wednesday pasta night, so I purchased a Paderno World Cuisine A4982799 Tri-Blade Plastic Spiral Vegetable Slicer. It opens a world of possibilities for us when it comes to meal planning. There are a few cheap plastic knock offs, but I went and bought the original which gets about 80% outstanding reviews.

Once again for those of you in Morgantown, be very careful out on the roads today as Mountainfest continues until tomorrow. It's going to be a nice day out so the bikers will be out on the roads in mass riding around. Please be careful and use a little more caution today and tomorrow, this is a great festival for Morgantown and we don't need any accidents.

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!!!

First and foremost, WV Mountainfest is going on right now and I heard one of the Sheriff's Deputies anticipate 50,000 people attending the Festival this weekend. Ted Nugent takes the stage at 8:00 tonight and Big and Rich taking the stage tomorrow night. With so many people bikers visiting this weekend, please I can't emphasize enough to drive a little more cautiously and safely and anticipate additional traffic around town.

We had another day off yesterday so after cleaning up from the tailgate the night before, we decided to take a little drive and find the site where Skylar Neese's body was found. This is the second time we have been there, the first was on the anniversary of her Murder and then again yesterday. Last year Dave and Mary were there with us as well, this year we were there alone.

After leaving there we stopped at the Pedlar Wildlife Reserve on our way home and grabbed a few pictures as Michelle got her feet wet and played with the fishes. It was a relaxing end to a couple of days off before we embark on our 1 day workweek today =)

Hi ho hi ho

Photo Flashback Thursday

Buffett 2010

Once a week I like to take a little bit of time out of my schedule and look through all of the pictures that I have either taken, scanned or stolen off of the internet through the years. Little lost moments in time that were captured by a camera for all to share someday down the road. Sometimes it's pretty easy finding that picture and sometimes it's not so easy, one thing it always is is a whole lot of fun.

Since I was really busy yesterday with the concert and all, and I wanted to get this out at it's normal time, I actually wrote this blog on Tuesday as many things were still up in the air about the concert so I decided to do a Buffett Flashback.

This is a picture of me and my lovely wife at the 2010 Concert. This is the last year that we went up by ourselves and no one came with us, but boy did we have a great time that day. Partied it up with a bunch of college kids who tailgated beside us who just made the day.

Always a highlight of my summers. Now I've had two days off and I have to head back to the office so

Hi ho hi ho

Parrot Heads Unite

Today is the day, Jimmy Buffett visits Burgettstown this evening and we will once again be there. We have a couple we are meeting this afternoon, and Val and Bobby are coming up a little later. Gary and his date (who ever that may be) I am still trying to get in touch with Gary and learn his plans. Jean and Jerry will not be making the trip this year although they have a couple tickets they are trying to unload. Hopefully we will be able to resume our partying with them in 2015.

Tuesday's Tidbts

* Well that dreaded Monday is once again behind us, even though I suffered all day from a cold office, but we're now looking ahead towards Tuesday and I still can't think of a better reason to do a tidbits.

* Today marks my 18,496th day since I blessed this world with my existence, everyone should feel blessed.

* 3,719 days ago I graduated from WVU with a degree in Geography. Majoring in GIS and had a couple of minors in History and Communications. I've always had a fascination with temporal issues in geospatial data, so that's kind of fitting.

* 2,320 days ago I managed to go out on a date with a very lovely lady. One who would forever change my life for the better.

* 1,544 days ago I wanted to make that time I spent with that lovely lady a little more permanent, so I proposed marriage to her.

* 1,081 days ago in front of our closest friends and family at the Marilla Center, Michelle and I entered into a world of marital bliss.

* I have about 6,341 more days to go, give or take a few hundred here or there, until I retire. That is unless they change the laws before then and make me go to 70 before I can retire.

* I have 162 more days of blogging to do before I do my Goodbye 2014 Blog.

* If you haven't started Christmas Shopping yet, you still have 156 more shopping days to go. Speaking of Christmas 2014, what are everyone's plans this year?

* 47 days to go until Michelle and I once again embark upon the Carnival Pride for our trip to the Caribbean. The last couple of years I pre-wrote blogs for those days before we left on vacation. I will once again do that, but last year I did a Video Blog each day that I will publish on each corresponding day. It'll be one year later, but you will see some of the sites and sounds that we will witness that day based on our 2013 experience.

* WVU will open their 2014 College Football season up against National Title Contender Alabama in 39 more days.

* Michelle and I are only 15 days away from our Third Wedding Anniversary. Still going strong after all of these years...lol

* We are 1 single day away from gathering with all the Pittsburgh area Parrot Heads as we will watch Jimmy Buffett take the stage tomorrow night in Burgettstown. Michelle and myself, Jean and Jerry will not be able to make it this year, Gary and his date, Donnie and Wendy who we partied with last year, Valarie and Bobby and Bobby's cousins will make it up to a 12 person tailgate this year. I'm glad Val and Bobby are going this year, we can welcome a couple more people into the Parrot Head Nation.

* This is my 3,718th blog that I have written for George's Journal since I started writing it. Talk about a nice historical perspective reference of my life. A lot has happened to me in that decade that has passed since I started writing this.

* I have done little to the Family Tree site since I started doing it. I'll get with it here this Fall.

* Steelers Trivia has started on Saturday Nights, we are in week 5 which will air on August 9th. If we win there our semi-final show will be on August 30th and if we are lucky enough to advance from there we will be playing for the Prizes in the Championship Week on September 6th. Ironically I will be in Baltimore looking at Ravens Stadium that week, so everyone will have to tell me how we did =)

* Joshy Boy hurt his ankle  over the weekend. They are not sure if it is a sprain or a hairline fracture. Val has to follow up with the Doctors.

* My weight loss is still jugging along. I'm down 60 lbs since Christmas and 45 since May 29th when I had my first official weigh in. Nope, not doing it with any over the counter commercial BS or killing myself. Just had a lifestyle change and the results have been amazing. I'm within a few pounds of being at the weight I was a few years ago when I was spending all my time on the trails and not too far from being the lowest weight I have been since leaving Helmick Corporation where I used to work between 50-70 hours a week in a Foundry.

* That was one heck of a long tidbit.

* Michelle's old work computer got screwed up. They were still running Windows XP on it, so rather than trying to update an outdated system, she is getting a new work computer and she ordered dual monitors to go with it. I have three computers running three monitors that all tie into duels on all three machines at my desk with one KVM switch. She will love working with duel monitors, it's a must in my opinion.

* Today is my last day of work for a couple of days, taking a couple of days off to enjoy the Concert tomorrow before returning to work on Friday.

* Moke mentioned about doing another Pic Nic this summer. Not as big as this last one, but one say at Marilla Park where we just go grab some tables and everyone bring a covered dish. Any thoughts on that?

* We managed to save a couple hundred dollars last night on our vacation. We stayed at the Holiday Inn at the Inner Harbor last year and loved it. I tried to book the Saturday night before our cruise there in May, but the Hotel was all booked up for that night. I'm an IHG Platinum Rewards member so I called the hotel and booked it that way, only problem was it was going to cost us like $219 for the night including breakfast. Last night I noticed I have a rewards night that is going to expire and I will gain another one the next day on like September 9th. So I told Michelle maybe we should have a couple hundred dollars and use the free night somewhere else so we don't lose it. Guess what, I was able to not only book it, but use a free night at the hotel we love. Cha Ching!! Free night used on the 6th (would have expired on the 8th) and a new free night awarded on the 9th. It was a perfect use it or lose it situation for us.

* Hi ho hi ho and get ready to put those fins up!!!

Back to Work

Well all good things must come to an end, and that includes those fun filled things (not so much this weekend) that we call weekends. It's time to put our noses back on the grindstone for another fun filled week of work (or at least for a couple of days).

Wednesday is the Buffett Concert, so I'll be taking a couple of days off this week while attending this event. So my workweek will consist of two on, two off and party, one more on and then another weekend so this week should be pretty bearable to say the least.

Hopefully Michelle feels a little better today, she took a little bit ill yesterday afternoon and wasn't feeling very well. I had to run back to WalMart to pick up a few things we forgot and by the time I got back home she was in the restroom and not feeling very well at all. I hope she feels better, we'll know when she wakes up I guess.

I called Val yesterday to talk about plans for the concert Wednesday, but it seems poor little Joshy has sprained his ankle and they had taken him to the Emergency Room to see about his ankle. As of the time of this blog (or at least when I wrote it), there has been no word on his condition. Young boys will be young boys, he hurt it sliding down a fire pole at a district carnival.

My Nephew Daniel had talked about coming in this weekend, but I guess he got a little sidetracked and didn't appear to be able to make it.

A word of caution once again to all residents of Morgantown and for those visiting this week. WV Mountainfest once again embarks on Morgantown and the surrounding areas. This means that there will be much heavier than normal traffic of the two wheeled variety as many Motorcyclists will stop by our town for a visit. Please for your own safety and for the safety of our visitors this week be very cautious when driving around town. No one wants to see anyone injured due to someone not paying attention. Leave yourself a little extra time when trying to get around our town and for those of you attending, have a great time.

Hi ho hi ho

Rainy Sunday Morning Ramblings

Here I sit yet once again on a quiet and rainy Sunday Morning, I'm the first one to recover from that losing battle with the dreaded Sandman and am up early collecting my thoughts for the day. I'm up early watching a movie called Detroit Rock City and collecting my thoughts for the day as I surf the World Wide Web.

We didn't get into too much yesterday due to the weather and probably won't get into too much today due to the same reason.

It's been a pretty much rainy weekend and with Jimmy Buffett coming up this week, I'm not too worried about it as I'll be out with the Parrot Heads Wednesday. We did give Jean and Jerry, Gary and his tickets and Val and her tickets all to Jean yesterday morning, now we just have ours and Donnie and Wendy's tickets here with us.

Today's plans are nothing out of a ordinary Sunday for us. Grocery Shopping, Laundry, Cleaning and just basically getting ready for the week of work ahead. It has been a pretty uneventful weekend, other than a bunch of rain.

Have a great day and stay dry.

Saturday Morning Rambling

Here I sit once again in the early AM. I'm the first one to recover from a losing battle with that dreaded Sandman last night and I'm up watching a show called Dating Naked on VH1. Strange show to say the least...lol

Since it is looking like it is going to rain all weekend, we really have no plans made for the day. Maybe start to get ready for our Buffett Concert later this week (My niece Valarie and her husband Bobby have just bought tickets to go this year). The tailgate could consist of anywhere from 6-12 people depending on who Gary finds as a date or how Jean is feeling. It'll be Val's first Parrot Head Experience, so I hope it's a good one for her.

My weight loss is going well still. I've lost 43 pounds since my official weigh in in May and about 60 since Christmas. It's been pretty easy and I'm not starving myself, not buying any subscriptions or pills, not using a personal trainer working my butt off, I'm just using an ap on my phone and and watching my caloric intake. I'm honestly not eating any less or missing any meals, but we have just changed the way we eat as I tell everyone who asks how I am doing it. If people are curious, one cup of Pasta is 221 Calories and one cup of baked Spaghetti Squash in 42. I can have 5 cups of Spaghetti Squash that is equal to one cup of regular Spaghetti. Ground Turkey, which we buy in bulk and spice up to taste exactly like Hot Sausage (I love Hot Sausage) one ounce is 45 Calories. One ounce of Hot Sausage is 120 calories or roughly 3 times the calories of just ground turkey. I can't emphasize how low calorie and tasteful Cucumbers are. Like I said, we just changed how we eat more than anything else and to be honest this has been a pretty simple lifestyle change. One egg 80 calories, four egg whites 68 calories.

So much for my dietary ramble on a Saturday morning. It's going to be a rainy day and a rainy weekend, might be a good weekend to just relax and work around the house.

Have a great day.

Happy Birthday Kynlea Rae Dalton

I would like to take this opportunity to wish a very special little two year old girl (beware of the terrible twos Amy) a very Happy Birthday today.

Kynlea Rae Dalton entered the world two magical years ago today as my niece and her husband provided a little sister to Kaiden.

Amy has that magical photographers eye to always be able to just catch that moment, as illustrated in this wonderful picture here of the Birthday Girl.

For both Kynlea and Kaiden's birthdays, Amy and Ralph treated them to a long overdue vacation for them and a first trip to the beach for the kids to Ocean City Maryland a few weeks ago.

If you happen to see Kynlea Rae today, make sure that you take a little time out and wish her a very Happy Birthday.

Happy Birthday Kylea, I hope your day is fulled with all the fun things that you like to do.

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 so far I have gotten a grand total of one response (actually two) for my request for help on Wednesdays Blog. Michelle came up with the idea of either a Witty Wednesday or a Whining Wednesday. I don't like to use my blog to whine and I like the idea of witty, so that may be a new theme I implement in the near future. She has given me a number of ideas, so we'll see how it goes.

No weekend plans for us so far, but it's still early and that could very easily change. One thing we probably will do is get all of our equipment out, cleaned up and ready for the Concert this week. There is also a menu to plan, I'm thinking Shrimp or something that can be put on the grill and cooked quite easily. We may be needing those easy ups that I have this year, because the weather report is looking like rain, but that has never stopped us...LOL

Speaking of rain, the weather report for the weekend at this time appears to be full of it. With WV MountainFest  coming up this week, we need some really nice weather for all the bikers who will be in town for the week starting on about Wednesday.

One thing that is on TV tonight of local interest, 20/20 is doing a piece on the whole Skylar Neese murder  that so many people have followed. Set your DVR's if you are not home, this should be an interesting story. Both Mom and Michelle are reading the full book right now about the murder.

Hi ho hi ho

Photo Flashback Thursday

Once a week I like to take a little bit of time out of my busy schedule and look through all of the pictures that I have either taken, scanned or stolen off of the internet through the years. Little precious lost moments in time forever captured with a camera to be shared some time in the future or just reflect upon days gone by. Sometimes this is a pretty easy task and sometimes it's not so easy. One thing that it always is however is a whole lot of fun.

This picture goes back a number of years, even in the pre-me era. In the Middle is my Grandfather Ellis Hall and he is surrounded by my Dad's two sisters, Juanita on the left and Pregnant on the right would be Glenna Mae. I'm not sure if she is pregnant for Sharon or Lynn in this picture, so that would either put this picture around 1954-5 or 1959 depending on who Glenna Mae is pregnant for at this time.

This is the old home that we had down in Van Voorhis that my Grandparents had until they sold it in the late 60's or early 70's. Behind them was the infamous well that we used to have to hand pump to get water out of for anything. By anything U mean drinking water, bath water, washing machine water, etc.

All three of these marvelous people who were all very influential in my life have all moved on and are no longer with us. There memories and images however are forever with us now as they are part of a technology (internet) that didn't exist in those times.

Hi ho hi ho

Hump Day

Well once again that is two quick days down, once we get past today we'll have a couple more days to go until we see another fun filled weekend. All we have to do is get past this noon time hump and it'll be all downhill from there.

How do you like my Hump Day picture? Michelle and I went to Hovatter's Zoo this past weekend and this was on the door walking in. I told Michelle that I'm going to grab this pic and use it for a Hump Day blog. So here it is in all its glory.

It's the midweek blog that I always seem to have difficulty coming up with content for the most. I'm usually in the middle of a work week and really haven't spoken to anyone or just simply not going to put information out for everyone to read. So I do have to say that this is in fact my hardest blog of the week to write. Maybe I need to come up with some kind of a theme for Wednesdays like I did for my Tuesdays Tidbits, My Photo Flashback Thursdays or even my longest running Big Ole Hairy Fridays. Does anyone have any suggestions or ideas?Anything you would like to see on this blog on a regular basis that I am not covering now? Input requested.

Hi ho hi ho

Tuesday's Tidbits

* Well that dreaded Monday is now once again behind us and in our rear view mirror, we're now staring straight down the barrel of a Tuesday. I still can't think of a better reason to do a tidbits.

* This is my 18,489th day since I first entered the world. I have enjoyed each and every one of them.

* 3,712 days ago I fulfilled a lifetime dream and Graduated from West Virginia University.

* 2,313 days ago I spent my first evening with the woman who would forever change my life. Michelle and I went out on our first date.

* 1,537 days ago, I got down on one knee and asked her to Marry me.

* 1,074 days ago in front of our closest friends and family at the Marilla Center, we exchanged our wedding vows, fulfilled a bucket list request from a friend and partied down with an absolute feast.

* I have 6,349 days or so, give or take a few hundred here or there, to go until I finally retire.

*169 more days to go until my end of the year Goodbye 204 Blog.

* If you are Christmas Shopping, you still have 163 more days to get ideas and look for bargains.

* 54 more days and counting until Michelle and I once again head out on on our Cruise to the Caribbean. The most beautiful place I have ever been in my life.

* WVU Football opens their 2014 season in only 46 more days when we play Alabama in the kickoff classic.

* I have 22 more days to go until my third Wedding Anniversary.

* In only 8 more days, Jimmy Buffett will be partying down in the city of Pittsburgh and I plan on being there once again.

* My niece Van bought herself a new Vacuum Cleaner recently, she is now the proud owner of a Kirby. However considering she has hardwood floors, I'm getting the impression that she is going to send it back and not keep it.

* This diet has been very good for my blood sugars, I can't wait to see my next A1C when we take it. My insulin peaked at 92 units a day and has dropped off to 38 units a days since I hit the peak and everything started working its way back down.

* Roger Powell's Funeral Plans have been made.

* We attended our third of six dietitian meetings last night at WVU Hospitals.

* There were a few trees completely uprooted on Collins Ferry Road over the weekend, I noticed them after some pictures were placed on Facebook and saw them on my way in to work yesterday morning.

* The Weather is supposed to be below normal this week as another "Polar Vortex" (buzz word for 2014) is supposed to sweep down through the middle of the country.

* Hi ho hi ho

Back to Work Kind of Day

All good things must unfortunately come to an end, and that includes those fun filled things that we refer to as weekends. It's time to stick our noses back on those grindstones and get back to doing what is is we do.

I did find out some bad news yesterday, my Dad's childhood friend and one of his closest friends passed away late Sunday night. Roger Powell was my Grandparents Mailman for years and was the greatest one at that. He used to stop at our house, grab himself a cup of coffee and walk into the living room to deliver my Grandparents mail to them. He was a great man, a kind man and one that I will never forget. RIP Roger.

When we get home from work tonight, it'll be a quick dinner and then off to Ruby to meet with our dietitian for the third time. In order for my insurance to pay for Gastric Bypass surgery, I need to attend six consecutive dietitian meetings in six months. Missing or skipping a meeting puts you back at 0 and you have to start all over again. So far I'm down 40 pounds since my first meeting in May and 55 since Christmas. I still have a ways to go, but I'm getting there and have things well in hand.

Major League Baseball has officially entered the All-Star Break, which means that tonight the Home Run Derby before tomorrows All-Star game in Minnesota. Always a highlight of Summer and what all the sports reporters will be talking about.

Can't get to the next weekend until we get Monday over with so...

Hi ho hi ho

Sunday Morning Ramblings

Here I sit once again in a quiet household, I'm not up early and actually pre-writing this blog a day early rather than waking up and collecting my thoughts.

Yesterday did not turn out like we anticipated in any way size shape or form. After I wrote my blogs yesterday morning I got in the freezer to grab some ice for a soda stream soda that I was getting ready to drink, and our big ice tray was nothing but water. Our refrigerator was on the fritz and wasn't working or as my Mom said shit the bed.

So I called Michael and borrowed his truck and chose to buy a new one that we will take with us when we leave. Michelle headed out to Lowes with the Dimensions and found one that matches our Toaster Oven and our Coffee Pot in stainless and black so we purchased it with an extended 5 year warranty. Michael had one to throw down here, but we opted in buying ourselves a new one.

We did make it to Hovatters Zoo yesterday, Michelle's first trip there. She found herself a buddy or two, but none were more fun than this little guy right here who was just full of personality.

Hovatters has grown significantly since the first time I had visited there about 7 or 8 years ago, so to say that I was impressed from what I saw between the first time I was there and yesterday is an understatement.

We didn't make it out to Ohiopyle yesterday, opting to go to my Mom's and grab a desk that she wanted to give us. Michelle is going to use it as a sewing station in one of the spare bedrooms.

Normal day of shopping and laundry for us today. It's the prepare to go back to work for the week kind of day.

Have a great day.

Happy Birthday Angela McClain.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish the very lovely Angela McClain a very Happy Birthday today. She is married to my nephew Moke and these two go together like peas in a pod. She is a very special kind of lady and is always there to take care of one of us when we are about to or just had surgery.

Ang is also a very good shot with her 9mm as we witnessed last month when we all grabbed our handguns and went out shooting for the day.

I'm not sure what there plans are today, but you know Moke will do something special for this special lady.

Happy Birthday Ang from both men and Michelle. I hope you have a great day and you all your dreams come true today.

If you happen to see Ang today, make sure you take the time out to wish her a Happy Birthday.

Saturday Morning Ramblings

Here I sit once again in a quiet household, I'm the first to recover from that losing battle with the Sandman last night and am up early collecting my thoughts for the day. I've got Iron Man 3 on in the background and I'm just now waking up.

Last year our Coffee Pot got fried in an electrical storm, so Michelle went and bought a Grind and Brew coffee pot that until the past month or so had worked like a charm. For some reason we couldn't prevent it from spilling half the coffee over the counter every morning no matter what measures we took or what we tried. I had had enough of cleaning it up every morning, so we went out last night and bought one like the one that got fried in the electrical storm a last Summer. The Grind and Brew was just a pain in the butt to clean and scrub every day because it left so much residue behind and the coffee filter was basket rather than cone shaped. I re-welcome the best coffee pot we have had back into the house.

Today's plans? Well we are going to start off with a trip to Hovatters Zoo this morning. Michelle has never been there and it is very close, so we're going to start our day with her first visit to the Zoo. She is kind of excited to go as she is a Zoo kind of person.

After the Zoo we're going to head up north to Ohiopyle. We never made it up there once last year, so we decided to grab our small BBQ grill and head up there from the Zoo, since I can just jump on 26 north and get there quite easily. It's a place I have always loved going, but due to last summers horrible weather I never had the chance to make it there. That all changes today. We have a favorite area to picnic and that is probably where we will have lunch.

Since my battle of gout I have gotten no chances to hit the trails, hopefully my foot has recovered enough that I can attempt to hit the trails today at Ohiopyle. I miss my daily walk and am ready to get back to it. I'm still losing weight despite not walking, but walking is a good way to get lost with your music and get some fresh air.

I did get a chance to talk to my lovely niece Amy last night. She found a great deal on a new Camera last night and wanted my opinion on it. She has a DSLR, but for the same reason I did not buy one last fall she doesn't like it. Too big and bulky and there is too much stuff that you have to carry around with it. Multiple lenses and you have to switch them with each shot. She wants a do all camera and this is a good one.

Speaking of Cameras, I'll be taking mine today.

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!!!

Looking for a little of that cheap, and in cheap I mean free entertainment? Well grab a lawn chair and your favorite snacks and take your butt on down to the Hazel Ruby McQuain Amphitheater for a free viewing of the movie Despicable Me 2 . Once again the WVU Healthcare Bounce house will be there and open from 7:00-9:00 and the movie will start at 9:00. This will be the second of four movies played this summer by BOPARC.

No plans in store for us this weekend as of yet, although it is supposed to be really nice on Saturday. Calling for upper 80's and sunshine, so I'll have to get my butt out and do something. Hopefully my foot will be feeling better by then, but it's hard to say since it has lingered on longer than anticipated already.

Maybe to get out, I should plan on doing a little bit of Geocaching, that's always something that can keep us busy and work our brains a little as we try to find the hidden treasures.

Anyone have any plans for this weekend?

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 the pictures that I have either taken, scanned or stolen off the internet through the years. Little lost moments in time that I like to find and briefly relive in my blog for all to share. Sometimes this is a very easy task and sometimes I struggle a little to find that one special picture to share with everyone. One thing it always is though is a load a fun.

This weeks pic is pretty recent, as in just this past Sunday as the big family picnic was winding down. I grabbed this picture of my sister Terri and Brother in Law Nick as they were leaving after a long day of eating and swimming. It's almost a picture that would possibly look better with a little editing.


Maybe something like this:

Well anyways, back to my story. As Nick and Terri were leaving I decided to take a picture and see how it turned out. After looking at it and editing it a little, I think it is one of those images that just tells a story in itself.

Hi ho hi ho

Hump Day

Well that is the first two days down, we have two more ahead of us, so all we have to do is get past this dreaded noon time hump and it'll be all downhill working towards another fun filled weekend.

I have been working the last couple of evenings trying to convert some video files taken with a camera to a DVD format. I found a highly recommended software, but have been having trouble getting it to write to the DVD for some odd reason. Say's that I don;t have permission which is kind of throwing me for a bit of a loop. I'll get it figured out eventually, but right now I'm rattling my brain a little to get this done.

Well it has been over two weeks and I'm still not back in my office, I guess the contractors took a mid year break before finishing up the last few things they needed to do. I'll get back eventually, but still waiting patiently to return to where all of my equipment is.

I'm also still battling my gout, it's no where near as bad as it was, but not recovered 100% just as of yet. I have to remember to drink more water when I get back out on the trails. Michelle always takes hers, but I never seem to take it with me, hence why I am now suffering.

Hi ho hi ho

Tuesday's Tidbits

* Well that dreaded return to work Monday after a four day weekend is now behind us. Looking ahead at a Tuesday and wondering if there is any better reason to do a tidbits.

* 3,705 days since I received my Degree from West Virginia University.

* 2,306 days ago I had the unique opportunity to take a very special lady out for a night on the town.

* 1,530 days ago, I proposed marriage to that special lady. 4:00 AM and out in the back yard on a bench down by the creek.

* 1,065 days ago we partied it up like we did Sunday and exchanged our marriage vows at the Marilla Center. A very magical day in my life.

* I have 6,355 or so days, give or take a few hundred here or there until I enter the world of retirement. That's still a long way to go, but not as far as it was getting here.

* Only 176 more days until my world famous Goodbye 2014 Blog appears as my last blog entry for 2014. I have half a years worth of content, now I just need another half years worth.

* There are 170 more shopping days left until Christmas. You still have plenty of time, but that clock is in fact ticking.

* In 61 more days my wife and I set sail once again out of the Port of Baltimore heading to the Caribbean. I'm in some need of some snorkeling therapy for this year, I have my gear and I am ready once again.

* WVU starts their 2014 College Football season against Alabama in only 53 more days.

* I'm 29 days away from celebrating my third wedding anniversary with my wonderful wife Michelle.

* 15 more days to go until the Parrot Heads unite in Pittsburgh once again for our annual gathering and to party down with Jimmy Buffett.

* This is my 3,702nd blog post since I started as a blogger on September 11, 2004. It'll be ten years that I have been blogging and have managed to average over a blog a day for a decade. I've lasted much longer doing this than I ever imagined.

* Now with the Picnic out of the way, I brought up Christmas to both Terri and Pam this weekend to try to get a fell for what everyones plans are.

* This Saturday Riverside Church on Dent's Run is having a Car Show and will be selling BBQ Chickens fresh off the grill. This benefits their youth bible quizzing team.

* We're also getting closer, a couple of weeks from WV MountainFest here in Morgantown. There is no central location as Morgantown will be invaded by thousands of Harley Davidson's that week, so be careful that week when you drive around town.

* I see my niece Amy has added her pictures to the Family Picnic 2014 Album. I've made anyone I know who had a camera an administrator on that album so that they can add their pictures.

* I would once again like to thank everyone for attending the 2014 Picnic, I was worried we were not going to get a good turnout and it turned out very well. I say we do it again in 2015 =).

* I'm still doing well on my diet, although Sunday was one that I'll have to throw out and forget. I didn't keep track of everything and kind of pieced all day long. No worries, we're back on track today.

* I did get a Josh Judy update this weekend from his parents. Josh fractured his arm throwing a 95 MPH fastball on Father's Day and will be out for the remainder of the season. He is rehabbing the rest of the season should be ready to go for Winter ball.

* Not sure what our plans are for this weekend, I know we are once again Empty Nesters and are down to our dogs. Gracie is now back with Hayley in her new apartment.

* Hi ho hi ho

Picnic 2014

Well that long planned out picnic 2014 has came and passed. I uploaded all the pictures from yesterday to Facebook for all to see and share. If you are not tagged yet, I will get to it eventually or tag yourself and I will approve it. I was a little busy when I got home last evening and was rushing around doing everything preparing to return to work today. I wanted to make sure I got them up and was able to share them for all to see.

Michelle and I would first both like to thank everyone who helped make this a great picnic, with friends, family and fellowship of a lot of great people. It was those of you who came and feasted, that made the day eventful and memorable. Without you it would have been empty and no pictures to be seen. Thank you to everyone who showed up and made sure that it was an absolute feast of food.

I would like to thank my Brother in Law George McClain for being the awesome grill master that he is. It made cooking 80 burgers and 80 hot dogs go very smooth. I tried to assist as much as I could, but the grill master made the decisions and everything turned out great. Thank You George.

 I would also like to thank Jim and Chris Paugh for picking up the tab so that everyone could enjoy time at the pool without the worries of the financial burden on anyone else. Thank You Jim and Chris.

Now the partying is over and it's time to take my butt back to the office after a four day holiday weekend. Time to stick that nose back on the grindstone.

Hi ho hi ho

It's Picnic

Well that magical day that has been months in the planning has finally arrived, it all started with an idea and is ending with an event. The 2014 Family Picnic at Krepps Park is finally here and is today!!!!!

We have the pavilion from 8:00 till 8:00, but Michelle and I plan on being there around 9:00 to start to get things set up and going.

Krepps Park Pool opens up today at Noon, so if anyone is looking for a good reason for the party to start, anytime around then would be good. Come on down earlier if you like, we can always use the extra help setting up and organizing.

I hope to see everyone and get a chance to spend a little bit of time with each and every person who attends. I'm going to set up my tri-pod and camera, so maybe we can get some pictures, individuals, family units and hopefully a group picture of everyone at once, that would be awesome.

To those traveling today, please have safe travels, to those too far away you will be missed and to those attending, Let's Get This Picnic Started!!!!!!!

Saturday Morning Ramblings

Here I sit in a quiet household, I am the first one to recover from a losing battle with the sandman last night and I'm up early watching the Ringer on Amazon collecting my thoughts for the day.

Tomorrow is the big pic nic, so Michelle and I will treat today like it is a Sunday, doing our grocery shopping and chores around the house and finally going to Sam's once again to make the final preparations for tomorrow.

My Gout was acting up a little yesterday, so I wanted to take it easy as to not aggravate before tomorrow, so we didn't do any fireworks yesterday. Michelle didn't want to go down into the crowd and even suggested watching them from Sam's Club last night, but we made it an early night last night.

I'm starting to get super excited for tomorrow, this all started months ago with the planning and picking a date. now everyone has been responding and this thing comes to fruition and becomes reality tomorrow. This will be the first big multi-family get together since mine and Michelle's Wedding almost three years ago. I've tried to put and end to any and all family feuds, but not sure that I was really able to accomplish this, even though I did try. Too many of them going on with too many people, it's time to end them all and come together as a big family unit.

Weather is going to be nice today, so have a great day.

Big Ole Hairy 4th of July

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 Fourth of July!!!!

Actually I was off all day yesterday with my Mother and Sister at the hospital. Mom had a procedure done and we were there with her until she was released and allowed to head on home.

Today however is our nations 228th Birthday and a National Holiday filled with BBQ's, Fireworks and fun.

Morgantown has a fulls schedule ahead with:

Celebration of America at Hazel Ruby McQuain Park

11:00am - CB Wilson Morgantown Municipal Band
5:00pm - High Street Parade
6:00pm - Weed Rags
7:00pm - Awards Ceremony
8:20pm - Mon River Big Band
9:45pm - Fireworks

http://www.morgantownwv.gov/celebration-of-america-2014-schedule-of-events-for-july-4-2014/ 


Have a fun, safe and Happy 4th

Photo Flashback Thursday

2008 McDonalds KDKA Steelers Trivia Champions

Once a week I like to take a little bit of time out and look through all of the pictures that I have either taken, scanned or stolen off of the internet through the years and reflect upon them a little. Little lost but permanently captured moments in time that I can post up and reflect upon for everyone. Sometimes this is a pretty easy task and sometimes it's pretty difficult, it is however always my pleasure and a whole lot of fun.

This weeks pic goes all the way back to 2008. We as "Poised to Strike" competed in and won the McDonalds KDKA Pittsburgh Steelers Trivia Challenge. One of our prizes was obviously two tickets for each team member to a Steelers game as well as sideline passes for us and our guests. This weeks picture is from the 2008 Colts Game that the Steelers unfortunately lost.

We were down on the field with the players for a couple of hours and got all kinds of pictures, it was a surreal experience for this lifetime Steelers fan.

Last year we reformed the old Poised to Strike team but went by the names the Pudgy Polamalus. We did win our first two round games last year, but stumbled out of the blocks in the Championship game and finishing third. Last years prize was a VIP Trip to Steelers Training Camp and we enjoyed that. A third place finish and all of us had events happening days leading up to the taping including Michelle being in the hospital.

However those are both in the past and the Pudgy Polamalus reassembled this year to once again compete. We are in week 5, which will air on August 9th on KDKA. If we win that week we will be on again in the Semi-Finals in week 8 on August 30th. If we get lucky there and manage to advance, we would appear in the Championship Show on September 6th to play for the prizes. I'll be in Baltimore getting ready to get on a boat that day, so everyone will have to tell me how we did when I get back if we advanced that far. =)

Hi ho hi ho

Hump Day

Well that is two days down, we have two more ahead of us, so all we have to do today is get up over that dreadful noon time hump and it will be all downhill from there working towards a fun filled three day weekend. I almost forgot that Friday is the 4th of July and is a Federal Holiday, so I guess at this point we are already passed the half way point and have today and tomorrow to go for most people. Me I'll be enjoying a four day weekend starting tomorrow, but I wouldn't exactly call tomorrow a fun weekend day.

What will I do with my four day weekend? Take Mom to the Doctor tomorrow, see some Fireworks maybe on Friday, shopping for the Pic Nic on Saturday and spending time with a lot of good people on Sunday at Krepps Park. Hopefully this should be an awesome weekend.

As far as today, I'm still in my temporary office at work, I think the contractors must have the week off from working on my office. So maybe when I return to work on Monday it will be completed.

Hayley is about 99% moved out, she actually moved most of her stuff Monday night and has only left a few odds and ends. We'll be reconverting her bedroom (our old bedroom) into a guest room/Dressing Room/Sewing Room. The smart TV is still in there and if there, so it could be a secondary viewing room for us and a modern guest room for anyone who may come to stay.

I can't get my weekend started until I get this day over with, so...

Hi ho hi ho

Tuesday's Tidbits

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

* 3,698 days ago I fulfilled a lifetime dream and Graduated from West Virginia University. I was 35 years old before I ever entered, so I was so far out of the loop I had to work extra hard, but it happened.

* 2,299 days ago on a quiet evening, I took a very special woman out for a pizza and a movie.

* 1,523 days ago I got down on one knee and proposed marriage to this woman that changed my life forever.

* 1,060 days ago in front of our closest friends and family at Marilla Park,we exchanged our Wedding Vows and became Husband and Wife.

* I have about 6,363 days to go until I enter the world of retirement, give or take a few hundred here or there.

* There are 183 days left to go in this year. We're almost at the halfway point for the year. Have I ever mentioned that I Hate Snow?

* There are 177 more shopping days left until Santa Claus flies all around the world delivering toys to all the good little boys and girls.

* We're down to 68 days to go until we once again head out on our cruise the the Caribbean.

* College football in Morgantown begins in 60 days when the West Virginia Mountaineers will take on the Monongah native Nick Saban's Alabama Crimson Tide in the kickoff classic.

* 36 days to go until mine and Michelle's third wedding anniversary.

* We're down to a mere 22 days to go until the Parrot Heads unite once again in the City of Pittsburgh to see and hear Jimmy Buffett perform once again.

* This will be the last entry for this blog this year, only 5 more days to go until the Family Pic Nic. I'm starting to get excited as we have it reserved and don't have to try to pull any trickery. Weather looks to be nice, so bring your swim trunks and enjoy the pool as well.

* This is my 3,695th Blog Post that I have written. I think I'll celebrate my 10th year as a Blogger in my favorite place I have ever been to in my life. Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas.

* Amy said that she will bring her new camera to the Pic Nic, hopefully between the two of us and everyone's smart phones we should be able to capture quite a few precious moments to share down the road.

* My foot has become inflamed, not sure what it is but I have asked to schedule a Doctors appointment to have it looked at. It seems the more I walk on it (walked an hour and 15 minutes Saturday) the worse it seems to get aggravated.

* Update on foot, it looks like I have a hairline fracture on my toe and I think I have been just diagnosed with Gout. I thought Gout was for people who drink a lot of alcohol?

* I'm only working three days this week, got something I need to attend to on Thursday and then Friday is the 4th of July. I guess this means that this is my Hump Day!!!!!

* We are getting some sweet corn brought in for us soon, a co-worker of Michelle's is taking a trip to Ohio and bringing it back. We'll take it of the cobs and vacuum pack and freeze it for the winter. It was amazing what we had this past winter when we did that last year.

* I do have to say that there are just some days that your semi-creative juices just are not flowing. Today happens to be one of those days. I am struggling for content and trying to hold up my standards.

* How about some Fins

 * Hi ho hi ho