Saturday Morning Ramblings

As I sit here in a quiet house writing my blog, I am reminded of just how lucky of a person that I am. I don't think I could have designed a better mate, lover or best friend than the one that I have found in Michelle.

Her coffee is brewing and I'm a couple of minutes from going and waking her up. My daily routine is to make her her coffee and bring it to her as I oh so gently wale her up. I think it is something we both enjoy.

On to day, we're going to be heading out to the rails to trails here as soon as I can get her up and going. On Saturdays we love going to the end of Morgans Run Road and walking out my beside Cheat Lake. It's nice and calming and relaxing, plus the aesthetics are unbeatable as the smell of the cool lake tickles your nasal passages.

This evening we will be baby sitting for some friends who are going out and celebrating their first anniversary together.

Should be 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.

For those of you looking for a little bit of cheap, as in free entertainment, Movies on the Mon is showing the blockbuster ET this evening. So grab yourself a nice seat, your favorite beverage and head on down to ole Hazel Ruby tonight and watch Elliot and ET become friends.

Michelle will get to start her weekend a little early today, she's working half of a day because of a Doctor's appointment early this afternoon. After the Doctor's appointment, it would be kind of silly to go back to work for a couple of hours, and on a Friday at that. I'm going to see how my day goes and assess from there. I do have a meeting in the early afternoon, but we'll see how that goes.

Hi ho hi ho

Happy Birthday Josh Nicholson

A certain little boy reached the tender age of 4 today. Joshua Robert Nicholson graced the world with his presence just four short years ago today. I remember it like it was just yesterday and I was actually the first person to put a video of Josh up on the Internet.

We celebrated Josh's birthday a few weeks ago along with his sister's in one big party at his house.

Anyways, if you see Josh today, remember to wish this four year old a very Happy Birthday. For what it is worth, my earliest dated memory that I have in my life that I can confirm the date, was in fact my fourth birthday.

Enjoy

Hump Day

Well I do have to say that this week is moving much faster than normal, we are already looking to cross over work week hump and head on down towards another glorious and fun filled weekend.

The weather has been, well same as it has been. Warm and toasty and beautiful weather. I know some do not like this time of the year, but for me it is my absolute favorite time of the year. School is out for the kids, the weather is beautiful and you can get out and enjoy it.

Last night Michelle and I went for a nice walk down at the Rails to Trails in Van Voorhis. Nice couple of miles, Michelle actually ran the greater part of it. Sadie enjoyed herself as usual.

Oh well, hi ho hi ho

Happy Birthday Daniel Bell

I would like to take this opportunity to wish someone very special a very Happy Birthday. Daniel Edwin Bell entered this world as a bundle of joy on this day, 27 years ago.

Time goes by very quickly, he is now a married man living in Kentucky, even though it seems like just yesterday he was a young kid hitting plastic wiffle balls with me in the back yard.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish Daniel a very Happy Birthday today.

Monday Morning

All good things must come to an end, and that includes the time we get for rest and relaxation from the grindstone that we know as work. It is Monday, and it's time to put our noses back on that grindstone.

I'm off this week from softball, this is our last off week we will have this season before the season culminates in a few weeks.

We are calling for a week with nice weather ahead, no rain and temps cooled off a little bit from the blistering 90's that we have been having. Calling for it to be in the 80's this week which I'm sure many will welcome.

Oh well, hi ho hi ho

Update on Josh Judy

BIG article on Josh in today's Dominion Post. I would love to have an electronic Copy of it if anyone subscribes to the online edition.

Josh has been the subject of a numerous amount of my BLOG's with updates from him signing his College LOI to todays three page spread on him as he is probably just a little over a month away from getting that phone call of a lifetime to report to the Major League team.

He pitched with the Major League club in Spring training and was assigned to AAA Columbus for some final development. He is about to become only the second player ever born in Morgantown to make it to the Major leagues. The last time was 50 years ago and that was a guy who went up for a couple of games.

If you get a chance, pick up todays Dominion Post and read the article on Josh.

We Had a Great Day

Michelle, Hayley and I traveled back to where Michelle grew up and was reared and took a little bit of time of long overdue time to spend with her family and the people that she grew up with.

The day started off with a shopping trip to Tanger Outlets and then off to the Hot Dog Shop in East Liverpool. The last couple of times we picked up Hayley, she really wanted the Hot Dog Shop, a local legendary confectionery that they all love.

After lunch it was over to see her Aunt Charlotte's garage sale that she was having and a chance to see her cousin Julie and her grandma Gigi. It is Gigi's house that we all congregate to during the Christmas holiday. You gotta lover her, on the picture above I counted 1 2 and instead of saying "Cheese" she says "Sex". She is absolutely just full of life.

After that we headed on over to her sister Danni's house for her nieces birthday party. Michelle had the camera a going as we took a number of pictures from our adventures and I have put them all up HERE for all to enjoy.

It was a very good day that was enjoyed by all. The weather was hot and humid, but I am one of those people that recall being stuck in the house this past winter and do not mind it at all.

It was a real joy to see the love of my life with such a big smile on her face yesterday. I think she was starting to miss some people and she really needed a trip home.

Off to See Michelle's family

We are off to Pittsburgh and East Liverpool Ohio today to spend a little bit of time with Michelle's family. It's her nieces 13th birthday and nephews graduation party. So we'll be heading out earlier this morning and probably making a stop by the Tanger Outlets before we head over to probably east Liverpool for our first stop.

We manage to get up there a few times a year for any extensive visiting, usually once or twice during the summer and in December for her families Christmas party at her grandmothers.

Should be a great day, weather is beautiful and is ideal for traveling. Morgantown will have a lot of motorcycle traffic today with Mountainfest, so it will be kind of nice not having to deal with the extra large number of people in town.

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.

Well to those of you anticipating a Movie on the Mon tonight you are out of luck. It returns next week with a showing of the blockbuster ET.

If you are looking for what is going on around town today, look no further than the West Virginia Mountain Fest that is going on right now and through the weekend. It already started a couple of days ago, but I would imagine that it's getting ready to kick into full motion starting today. The legendary Charlie Daniels Band will be on stage tonight and Credence Clearwater Revisited will take the stage Saturday evening.

Michelle and I will be out of town tomorrow. We're going to PA to visit her family and celebrate her nieces 13th birthday.

Oh well, let's get this party started. Hi ho hi ho

The Brainfart Blog

Every once in a while you struggle for material. You try to keep a blog going every day and the creative juices that you use to create such a masterpiece is in drip mode instead of just flowing like an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Today for me, my brain just happens to be a day of drip mode.

I did hear that Jean bought a new TV. I was talking to Mick last night and he said that in her remodeling she bought a new 60" (he guessed) TV for the newly remodeled living room. Maybe we have found a new place to watch football games...LOL

Hi ho hi ho, I'll do better tomorrow.

Softball

We had another fun filled night of softball last night, and my sweetie grabbed the camera and did a great job getting as many PICTURES as she could while the game was going on and before. That coupled with a few from last nights pictures allowed me to create an album on my site of some memories over the last two nights.

Last night our winning streak came to a halt against team Budweiser. Unfortunately for us old timers, the remaining schedule as well as last nights game will be against solid playoff teams.

My highlight of the night came on a play at the plate where Adam Treadway came up firing a perfect strike from the outfield to help me nail a runner at the plate on a close play. Tready is VERY fast, and last night he demonstrated he has a very strong and accurate arm under pressure. All the credit goes to him, I didn't even have to move my glove, it was an absolute perfect throw. He does it again we might have to find him an agent and start paying him next season..LOL

We're off next week and resume in two weeks before closing out the 2010 campaign the following week.

I love this time of the year and the time I spend with my brothers of summer.

Oh well, for now it's hi ho hi ho

Tuesday's Tidbits

* Well Monday is behind us which means it's Tuesday. I can't think of a better reason to do a tidbits than that.

* Played Softball last night and we were victorious on the evening. Despite battling a slight case of the hemorrhoids I did manage to drive in 3 runs and score another off of 2 for 3 at the plate in an 11-4 win over an old time rival.

* We suit em up again tonight at 7:00 on Ogden field. Hopefully we can extend that winning streak to two games before we take another two week break on the season before the home stretch on the schedule.

* It's day 868 on the Ed and Michelle first date watch.

* It's the 81'st day since our engagement.

* No wedding date has been set, but we are thinking some time in the fall of 2011.

* Michelle is down 23 pounds over the past three weeks and it's been two months since she has had a cigarette.

* We have been invaded by four kittens running rampage around the place. You have to be very careful where you step and make sure you listen for the feint little meows.

* Hi ho hi ho

Yuck, Monday

I think the title says it all, the weekend is over with and it's time to stick our noses back on the grindstone for the next few days. The weekend is now just a memory as we look forward to another one at the end of the workweek.

Two softball games for me this week, one tonight and the second one tomorrow night. Both games are at 7:00, so I have the fortunate luck of having them at a decent hour. For me, the 7:00 slot is the best, it's not too early where I can't go home and eat and change clothes, and it's not too late where it throws off a sleep pattern.

We watched a couple of movies yesterday. The Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia. It's a movie that is playing at the Warner, but I rented it from Amazon. The other was 2012. Both were worth the enjoyment of seeing and passed the day quite nice.

However today it's back to work. Hi ho hi ho

Typical Sunday

It's going to be a typical Sunday for us, wake up and go grab a little breakfast and then off to do a little grocery shopping. Other than that I don't think we are planning on doing anything other than that.

We did have a good 4+ mile hike yesterday morning at Cheat's backwaters. If you have never been back there, stay away. It's gorgeous and not crowded at all, so keep it that way. LOL

Have a great day.

Saturday Morning Ramblings

Well Mine and Michelle's favorite Pizza place is back from vacation and we got a chance to enjoy our Friday night date night again with a Milano's Pizza. They were on vacation last week and we really missed that great pizza.

After that we stopped by and visited Mom for a while. It's been a while for us and yesterday marked the 12th week since her surgery when she was restricted on what she could do. I guess after the 12 weeks she can now start to go swimming or do what ever it is she wants to do. She'e full of life and has made a 100% recovery from her open heart surgery.

Today it's going to be a trip to the rails to trails for a good hike and Michelle wants to hit a yard sale or two around town. Hopefully the weather holds up for us today.

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 if you are looking for a little bit of that cheap, as in free or closting next to nothing entertainment and you might be a little ready for football season. Head on down to Hazel Ruby McQuain park and enjoy a nice showing of the true underdog movie Rudy. Great movie even though he went to (gasp) Notre Dame, I guess you can't really hold that againt him. I'm not really a Notre Dame fan, but I do love this movie, so grab a blanket and your favorite snacks and enjoy a movie night under the stars....maybe.

Starting this evening, the Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia will be hitting the big screen at the Warner Theater. I wish I could say this is a fictional movie, but this is an unscripted documentary about famed mountain dancer Jesco White's family. The producersd of Jackass are the ones that have produced the movie.

Michelle and I will try to do a little bit of relaxing this weekend, we'll be traveling to Beaver for her neices birthday party next weekend and we're going to make a day of it.

We'll see what we will get into though.

BTW, Michelle is down a number of pounds over the past few weeks AND she has not lit of a Cigarette in over two months and she is no longer using the electronic Cigarette I bought her in a couple of weeks now. I am so proud of her, she is a very special person and I love her to death.

Oh well, gotta get today over with so hi ho hi ho

A Few Videos

Giving a little love to a young and inspiring artist. Phil Hughes, a friend of Hayley's that she has made a couple trips to Alabama this year to see, is an aspiring young YouTube artist/Singer/Songwriter.

Give him a listen.

Michelle's Ring is In

About a month or so ago, Michelle noticed that her ring had a loose stone and we took it to get it repaired. JB Robinsons sent it out and had it repaired, but they didn't completely repair the ring and weakened one of the posts that hold the diamond.

The manager saw this upon us picking up the ring from repairs and decided to order a similar ring from another store and have it sized properly.

I got a call yesterday afternoon that the new ring is in and we will probably go up to the mall sometime this evening and pick it up.

Hump Day

Well the first couple of days this week have went by pretty quickly, now if we van just get through the next few of them we will have it made.

I hope everyone else has had a decent week, mine has been kind of blah. Maybe the weather has had a little bit to do with it, but I have just been kind on non excited and just existing so far this week. Maybe something can change for the better, it has to the weekend is getting closer.

Tuesday's Tidbit

* Well Monday is past us and we are on to the next day of the week, so it is Tuesday and can't think of a better reason to do a tidbits.

* We played softball again last night, but we just didn't have it as a team last night and lost 12-3 on a semi half hearted effort. It wasn't exactly the teams best effort on the season.

* Arron Rosiak Hill was out riding his 4 wheeler yesterday and had a pretty bad wreck. They took him to Mon General and then transported him to Rudy. I'll update everyone as I get the chance.

* It was calling for rain all day yesterday, Michelle was praying to the rain gods, but we managed to avoid it until after we got our game in.

* After the game many of the guys headed over to MiHaley's to watch the All-Star Home Run hitting contest last night.

* Oh well, hi ho hi ho...

The Party

Well yesterday we made our yearly track to Val and Bobby's house to celebrate the birthdays of Erica and Josh. I have to say that I think those two kids made out like bandits yesterday and enjoyed some quality time with their family and friends.

As always I had my camera in tow and took a number of pictures. I have all of them on my site HERE and I posted a few select ones over at Facebook. Amy had her camera a going too, so if you get a chance, check out the images that she put up on Facebook also.

It was actually a pretty decent turn out this year, a few new faces from Bobby's side of the family that I can't say that I've here ever met, but it appeared to turn out very well for everyone.

Of course Gary started everything with the icing to the face of Erica, but he was paid back a few times unknowingly until it was too late.

Oh well, it's Monday again and it's back to the grindstone. Hi ho hi ho...

Birthday Party Today

Today Val is going to have her annual mutual birthday party for both Erica and Josh. Erica's birthday was last month and Josh's is later this month, so she picked a weekend day on the middle of the two to hold their birthday parties together.

There were initially plans to hold it at Marilla Park, but it will be once gain held this year at the Nicholson home.

Michelle and I will both be there in attendance as we purchased both of the kids gifts last weekend when we found the new Toys R Us Express at the Morgantown Mall.

Should be a good day.

Rain

I have to say yesterday was arguably the rainiest day that we have had in some time, however I have to say that it was more than welcomed and much needed. It helped replenish the water table and basically break the string of very hot days where for many it was almost unbearable.

I guess if you went and watched the movies on the Mon last night you would get rather soaked. Me on the other hand, I fired up the Roku and watched Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory in the comfort of my own living room.

No sure what today holds as of yet, but I am anxious to see. 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.

For those of you looking for a little bit of that cheap as in Free entertainment for this evening, head on down to Hazel Ruby McQuain Amphitheater for a free showing of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory this evening at dark. Bring your favorite snacks, something to park your rear end on and your favorite beverage and enjoy a free movie out on the Mon.

The All Good Music Festival is in Masontown this weekend for those of you in the mood for a little bit of Musical Entertainment. It started yesterday evening and runs through the entire weekend.

Weather should once again be very cooperative this weekend, so get out and have a good time in the sun.

Bought Another Website

As many of you know, I have my own hosting account and multiple domains that I own. My first domain name I ever purchased was about seven years ago when I purchased George-Hall.net. A site that I initially purchased to market my services and myself as I was finishing college and getting ready to re-enter the job market.

It allowed me to have my own e-mail as opposed to the ones that I had had previously prior to market myself. Psycho7244 is me and is all over the internet, but it wasn't exactly the way I wanted to be communicating with prospective employers. The site slowly transformed into a do all site featuring my life story and a lit of pictures.

Last year I left my second host (GoDaddy) to find a host that was more to my liking. So the site was reborn, and took on a more informational role. Housing my resume and my images, but not so many links.

My next sote I purchased was about three years ago when I started Shitzngiggles.com to see if I could make a buck or two running banner ads on a gaming site. Well, I guess you get what you pay for and on a shared server I developed a site little gaming site. Banner ads were not something that was going to make me any money, a couple cents here and couple cents there, but nothing to cash in on. The site has all banners removed and is back up and running.

I purchased nicknterris.com for one year to help Nick and out with the bar, but the nothing ever developed and I released the domain name after a year.

Yesterday, I purchased yet another name and with purpose. Everyone knows my george-hall.net, I now own George-Hall.com which I want to start to use to sell items. Initially I was thinking about drop shipping, but I honestly started th think about it. I would be nickel and diming everything to make a couple cents here and a couple cents there again to once again lose interest. I set the site up yesterday just to start development and realized my most marketable and most profitable thing I could sell are my own professional services as a GIS analyst on the side. So probably over this winter I will be preparing this for a launch.

I have a few things to look into, such as declaring myself a LLC, taxes and marketing myself. I am going to start by using open source software to create the services, use my credentials to market the products to a specific target market for a justifiable consulting fee.

Wish me luck as IO try to get this kicked off the ground and started.

Hard fought game, but we lost

Softball resumed last night for the MiHaley's softball team after a two week lay off. Defensively we were there, and played a very solid game. Offensively we were quite silent with the bats with the exception of just a few players.

Mark Devault returned after his hiatus and Jarrod "Da Hamsta" Talbot both delivered a couple of very key base hits. As a whole though, we had trouble stringing multiple hits together as a team and generating runs. We left too many runs on the base paths unscored because we had trouble delivering that key timely base hit.

We return to action next Monday at 7:00.

Is It Over Already?

I can't really complain, long weekends are very nice, but all good things do need to come to an end and it is back to work for both Michelle and myself today. So I guess it is time to stick the nose back on the grindstone and get back to work.

It was a very nice day off yesterday, Michelle and I went and saw the Movie Karate Kid at the theater yesterday. I do have to say that as far as remakes go, this one did the original justice and was done very well. It was worth the two hours and twenty minutes of my time and money to see. Both Michelle and myself have given it two thumbs up for anyone thinking about going to see it.

Softball season returns for me tonight after a nice couple of week break. We have a game this evening at 8:00 on Liberatore Field. It'll be great to see the guys after a two week break, now I am ready for us to compete in the home stretch.

Oh well, can;t reach another weekend until I do this week. Hi ho hi ho

What a Day

I had a great 4th of July, and I hope everyone else had their fill of BBQ's, Fireworks and time with family. It's a special time of the year for both me and this country, I tend to love it because it is a time when people around the community all gather around to watch fireworks.

Last night I went to see the fireworks with many members of my family near the dam on the rails to trails. I had my camera in tow once again and managed to get a few good pictures before it got too dark. All the images from last night are posted HERE. I put a number of them on Facebook, but a few were not appropriate for that forum so I placed them on my site for everyone's viewing pleasure.

I'm still off today and so is Michelle, enjoying the final day of our extended four day weekend together.

Independence Day

Happy 234th Birthday America. Today is Independence Day in the US, also commonly referred to as the 4th of July. It is the date when our forefathers told the Brits, screw off we'll do it ourselves, and we have done it well.

I'm fortunate, I live in the greatest country in the world, there is no other country I would rather live in. We enjoy freedoms and liberties and have the chance to do what ever we want and achieve as much as we can.

Yesterday Michelle and I went to the Rosiak 4th of July party, and I had my camera in tow for PICTURES. It was an awesome day for a pic nic, the weather was great and the water battle was actually quite refreshing this year with temps pushing the 90's.

There are fireworks tonight here in Morgantown and that will be on mine and Michelle's agenda for this day. Have a Great Day America, you have earned it.

Rosiak Party

Every year about this time, the Rosiaks have their 4th of July pic nic. It's been an event that I go to every year and have many fine memories from through the years. Trish's parents go all out in welcoming people and making them feel right at home, while feeding everyone and having their traditional water battle after everyone eats.

This years party is this afternoon and Michelle and I will both be in attendance. I will be once again breaking out the big squirt gun for the year and be ready to do battle with the water.

It's always a great time and creates many photo opportunities and memories. I feel blessed that I have been able to be a part of it for the past 12 or so years.

Blog Bits

* I have had a test BLOG set up and playing with the formatting for some time. I created a banner last year on my test blog but never transferred it over. Today it is now active as the header for George's Journal.

* I have also installed twitter on the iPhone. I had an account and it has been tied to my BLOG, I've just started to use another application to post to it.

I have thought about adding a shared box like this for some occasions.



I have also started to play with a few tabs to run across the top or side of the blog, depending where ever their final formatting resting place may be.

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 Movie on the Mon goers, this is not your week. No movies but it will return next week with a showing of the blockbuster ET.

This weekend, it's all about the Motorcycles in Morgantown as West Virginia Mountain Fest will be invading North central West Virginia this weekend. Actually in case you haven;t noticed, there are a number of them here already. Charlie Daniels is in town and is tonight's featured act at Mountain Fest. Credence Clearwater Revisited will be tomorrow night's featured acts.

Lot's of excitement and entertainment in town this weekend, me and Michelle will be heading north tomorrow to visit her family for her Nieces Birthday.

Big Ole Hairy Three Day Weekend

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 this time it is an extended three day weekend to make it a Big Ole Hairy Weekend.

Looking for a little bit of free or cheap entertainment for this evening? Well grab your favorite seat, some beverages and snacks and head on down to the Hazel Ruby McQuain Amphitheater on the Mon for a free showing of Imagine That. Weather is going to be nice as it will be all weekend.

Tomorrow Michelle and I will be attending the annual Rosiak 4th of July Pic Nic that we go to every year. This will be Michelle's third and I have lost count on how many years I have attended this in a row. I think this will be my 13th in a row that I have attended, dating clear back to 1997 or 98. I look forward to seeing Pat and Frank every year and this one will be no exception.

Weather is supposed to be great here all week. No rain in the forecast and both Michelle and I (we didn't know if she was going to be able to) will enjoy a nice relaxing three day weekend away from the workplace. I had thought about extending that into a four day, but Michelle is swamped at work and I would rather not stay home without her.

On a side note for those of you who ordered Pampered Chef from Michelle, the stuff is in and has been separated and we will be distributing it out when we get the chance to deliver the goods to the appropriate person.

It's going to be great weather and an extended Holiday weekend, have a great friday. Hi ho hi ho.

Thursday Tidbits

* It's Thursday, I'm a couple of days late on a tidbits, so here it is.

* 839 days since mine the day that changed my life. Mine and Michelle's first date. 62 Days since the engagement.

* Speaking of the engagement, she'll be getting another ring some time soon. The center stone on this ring came back offset and still damaged. The manager inspected it when we got it back and didn't feel secure with that ring (I bought the lifetime replacement so if the stone was lost they were replacing it) so they are going to order her another one.

* Michelle has been very busy at work this week. Her assistant's last day was last Friday and the girl who was going to step in and take her place has to fill in for another girl who quit until they can get her replaced.

* It's going to be a three day weekend for me, with the Fourth of July being Sunday we have Monday off as well. Michelle on the other hand may have to work that day so I probably will not be stretching it into a four day weekend.

* Is it really July 1st already?

* President Obama will in in West Virginia tomorrow. He and Vice President Biden will be in Charleston for the late Senator Byrd's funeral.

* Hi ho hi ho

Happy Birthday Chad Collins

I would like to take this opportunity to wish Michelle's first born a very Happy 22nd Birthday today. 22 years ago today, Chad Richard Collins blessed the life of Michelle and became her first born.

If you happen to run into Chad today or feel the need to wish someone a very happy birthday, make sure you call my home phone at 304-285-8248 and wish Chad the very happiest of birthdays.

When Michelle and I get home tonight, I think we'll be the ones getting the treats because BBQ chef Chad will be firing up the grill with the steaks we bought last night for dinner. Yumm

Happy Birthday Chad.

RIP Senator Byrd

Whether you loved him or hated him, Senator Robert C Byrd is arguably the single most influential politician in the history of the State of West Virginia and one of our nations most storied Senators.

I heard the news yesterday morning when I woke up, Senator Robert C Byrd had passed away at the young age of 92. A day when the entire state of West Virginia lost it's biggest voice we have ever had in Washington.

He was called the King of Pork, earning the name for all the federal Money he funneled into my beloved state from his high ranking position in Washington. I'm not sure you can drive anywhere in the state without seeing his name or something he has placed his stamp on.

Senator Byrd was a man I had a great deal of respect for, and he will missed. Thank You for your service Senator Byrd.

Here We Go Again

All good things must come to an end, and that even includes weekends with nice weather. Yes it is Monday and time to return our noses to the grindstone and get back to work. This coming weekend will be a holiday weekend for me, so I am looking at the face of a nice three day weekend. However in order to get that the next weekend, I have to get this Monday over and done with.

Michelle and I went and saw arguably one of the funniest movies that I think I have ever seen in a theater yesterday afternoon when we went and saw the new Adam Sandler movie Grown Ups. If you are looking for a movie that will have you laughing your rear end off, this is one you won't want to miss.

No softball games this week for us, we are off this week with an off week and will return to action next Tuesday night.

Oh well, hi ho hi ho

Early Sunday Thoughts

Sunday morning and all is quiet in the house, I'm up watching probably the worst Adam Sandler movie that I have ever saw, Funny People just did not deliver what I thought it would. It's a star studded cast, but the storyline wasn't what I anticipated. I'm still a huge Sandler fan though, I guess every movie can;t be an out of the park home run.

We had a real nice walk yesterday at Cheat. We did a little over 4 miles and got to take in some really nice scenery. If you have never visited this portion of Cheat Lake then you don't know what you are missing. It's a piece of Morgantown's hidden or little known beauty.

Grocery shopping on our agenda for this morning, getting back to our typical Sunday morning routine as we have had it altered the past few weeks.

Michelle submitted her Pampered Chef order yesterday and everything should be shipped here within about ten or so days. Once we get it we will distribute everything to everyone who made an order. Surprisingly we did quite well for as little of a time period that we had. She will probably do another book party or host a party next year. It's a quality product that sells itself and brings it's own return customers just on that quality.

Our Route

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New Trail Walk

I think to beat the heat today, we are going to hit the trails earlier than we usually do. WE bought a couple of fanny packs last week with a couple water bottle holders and I think we are going to pack up the GPS, the water and some snacks and head to a new trail today.

I was thinking about going to the very scenic backwaters and walking on that trail. WE usually hit the one around Van Voorhis, but maybe a little change of scenery today could be a pleasant surprise to look at on our tack along the lake.

The days forecast is calling for the temps to be in the 90's, so we want to get out and get our exercise in before those temps get too high and we can;t enjoy ourselves.

Big Ole Hairy Friday

1. 

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 off if you are reading this on Facebook, and it's not Friday, there is something screwy going on with my feed. I can't even manually get it to read the feed.

Now on with your normally scheduled Blog.

Looking for a little cheap as in free entertainment tonight? Movies on the Mon returns tonight at the Hazel Ruby McQuain Amphitheater with the playing of the remake of the movie Fame. So bring your lawn chair, some popcorn and your favorite beverage and enjoy a night under the stars with a nice movie....weather permitting.

Ribfest will be held at Mylan park tomorrow (Saturday)from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Admission is $5.00 and it benefits Scotts's Run Settlement House. Four bands will be playing:

• 11:00 - 1:00 Motown Steel Drums
• 1:00 - 3:00 Brother Short Band
• 3:00 - 5:00 Davisson Brothers Band
• 5:00 - 7:00 Road Dawgs

Have a great Friday. Hi ho hi ho

Kim in Car Wreck

I got a call yesterday afternoon from my Brother in law Robert saying that Kim had been in a car accident and that he was still on the scene, but Kim was being transported to Ruby by Ambulance stabilized on a board.

On her way home yesterday she was stopped due to traffic a couple miles from her house, when a car came up from the rear end and hitting her Subaru and knocking her into the car in front of her who was also stopped.

Michelle and I met her at the Emergency Room to check up on her. She was banged up and in pain, they had her neck braced and she was in obvious pain.

They ran a few tests and nothing was broken, but she was pretty banged up. The sent her home last night, but something tells me she will be off the rest of the week healing.

She is OK, there is no damage or broken bones other than being banged up. The car on the other hand, had to back two doors pushed forward and they can not be closed. Her car will be out of commission for a while, Brittany get's her car back today coincidently.

I didn't want to alert or alarm anyone yesterday until I know more than I did, but by that time they were sending her home and she just needed some rest.

Hump Day

Do you know what you have to go through to find pictures appropriate to your blog title some days, sheesh.

They have finally found Hayley's bag at the airport, the one that was supposed to come back with her to Pittsburgh on Sunday. Good Ole Delta, Michelle actually called the Montgomery Airport yesterday and they were basically like, "Oh, here it is". Wow, do you think you guys could have bothered to look by your feet sometime in the last 48 hours? I mean she came in Sunday at noon, and they found the bag, with little effort, yesterday after Michelle called. Unreal.

Anyways, we finally got a little bit of rain yesterday. We didn't get anywhere near as much as we needed or as much as I thought we were going to receive. We got just enough to wet the ground for a couple of minutes before it evaporated everything again.

As reported yesterday, we now have four kittens and hopefully the cat is now done having this litter. She had her last one early yesterday morning.

Oh well, hi ho hi ho

Tuesday's Tidbits

* Well the final kitty tally is three, we have three new kittens from our cat Sophie. They are 40 days away from being weened and ready for a good home.

* Day 830 for the Ed and Michelle first date count.

* We played softball last night and lost a nail biter 7-8 with 2 outs in the bottom of the 7th inning. Came down to one final play and they scored from second base to win the game. Phil Caskey made his return after leaving last week in an ambulance. He's in pain, but is still doing very well.

* I have decided, Justin Knapp can cover a whole lot of outfield out there in left field. He was making catch after catch and even made a couple sports center highlight type catches.

* Michelle was under the weather again yesterday, she received a tetanus shot last week and it was sore and causing her to run a fever. Hopefully she will be OK when I wake her up in a few.

* They still have not been able to locate Hayley's bag in Montgomery Alabama. Way to go Delta.

* I was walking around the DOE yesterday and looked out and saw my former brother in law Randy Hamrick doing some work. He said he left the University and was working for a contractor doing a few places around town, the DOE being one of them.

* Hi ho hi ho

Back To Work

Is it Monday already? Wasn't it just Friday and the start of a weekend? Where did it go to, now it's back to work again, yikes.

We went and picked up Hayley yesterday from the Pittsburgh Airport, she flew on Delta but her bags decided to stay in Montgomery Alabama. Yeah, Delta forgot to put her bag onto the plane and is still in Alabama. They are supposed to be bringing it up to us ASAP and if it's not here by the time we get off work we have a tracking number to get it.

Sophie the Cat is no longer pregnant, so far there have been three kittens and two still borns and I don't know if she is done yet. Last year she had three, two live and one still born. Anyone want kittens?

Oh well, in the good news department it is the first day of Summer.

Hi ho hi ho

Happy Fathers Day

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all Father's a very Happy Father's Day. This just like Mother's Day has local origins as the First Father's Day Celebration was held in Fairmont West Virginia on July 5, 1908, two years before Spokane Washington held their first celebration thought the efforts of Mrs. Grace Golden Clayton despite what incorrect history may tell you. It was to honor those fallen in a mine explosion on December 6, 1907 in Monongah, West Virginia.

I did see a very touching poem on Facebook, one that was directed at Father's who have passed away and are no longer with us. Michelle has two kids and my own father have all passed away, but they are not forgotten:

Happy Father's Day, Dad. Yellow roses grow in heaven, Lord pick a bunch for me. Place them in my Dad's arms and tell him they're from me. Tell him that I love and miss him. When he turns to smile place a kiss upon his cheek & hold him for awhile, because remembering him is easy, I do it every day. There's an ache in my heart that will never go away

Today Michelle and I will be going to Pittsburgh Airport to pick up Hayley who will be returning from a two week vacation in Alabama. We may even try to stop in and see some of her family since we will be in the area, but those plans are still incomplete.

Happy Birthday West Virginia

My home state declared it's independence 147 years ago today, on June 20, 1863. It is the only time in our nations history that one state has told another state "screw you, we are out of here" and it took the Mountaineers to do it.

Happy Birthday to the place that I may not have been born in, but in the state I have lived the vast majority of my life in and considering myself a West Virginian.

Happy Birthday West Virginia, my favorite state.

Happy Birthday Erica Jean

Today is a special little girl's birthday, it is my Great Niece Erica Jean Nicholson's sixth birthday today. Make sure you take a little time out and tell her a happy birthday if you see her today.

Val is going to have her birthday party in a few weeks so that she can have Josh's and Erica's birthdays together.

Happy Birthday Erica Jean.

Ahhhhh Weekend

I just have to say that weekends in the summer time are definitely my absolute favorite times of the year. Beautiful summer time weather to enjoy and not having to work, who could ask for anything more other than not really having to be anywhere at any certain time to throw on top of it.

No major plans today so far, or at least not at the time I am actually writing this BLOG. Hopefully we can get out and enjoy the day, the fruits of our labors. Days like these are the ones you look forward to, days when all conditions are right and you can do whatever it is you want to do.

Maybe there will be a Geocache associated with the day. Maybe a festival or even just a lazy day of taking a nap on a nice warm summer afternoon. What does this day have in store for me?

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 buit of that free and or cheap entertainment tonight, Movies on the Mon returns this evening at Hazel Ruby McQuain Amphitheater this evening at dark with the playing of the Eddie Murphy comedy Daddy Day Care. Grab you a few snacks and your favorite beverage and head on down to the Mon river and enjoy a free movie under the stars.

The next day the 10th AnnualArts on the River will be held at the HRM Amphitheater featuring fine music, dining and wine for all to enjoy.

So if you are thinking about staying at home, just remember this past winter and how much you hated being stuck at home in the snow and get out and have a little bit of fun this weekend.

Hi ho hi ho

How About Another Tidbits

* Two tidbit posts in one week? Surely you est, but no I just have a few things to address.

* First of all an update on my softball team mate Phil Caskey. Phil was injured last night had to be carted off in an ambulance. He broke his Humerus in three placed and one broke off and T'd to the point that surgery was necessary. He had his surgery yesterday afternoon and there was no nerve damage, the surgery went really well and the plate was a very good fit. I'll update from time to time as information is available.

* My sister Kim is getting her new dog today. I tried to unload a cat that has yet to be born on her, but to absolutely no avail. She is very excited and can't wait to get her Yorkie.

* Update on Kennywod. Giant Eagle has tickets at a discount price if anyone would like to go. You have to plan on using the tickets Monday through Friday or there is an additional $10.00 surcharge at the gate to enter. If anyone is wanting to go, get with me or Kim or whoever so we can start coordinating a time.

* Amy has entered Kaiden into the WVAQ Baby Idol contest. The Grand Prize consists of the following:

• $500 US Savings Bond provided by Clear Mountain Bank.
• $500 Gift Basket from the Mon General Hospital Gift Shop
• $500 VISA Gift Card from Women’s Health Care of Morgantown
• $500 in Mall Gift Certificates from the Morgantown Mall
• $550 Photo Prize Package from Dalton’s Photography
• $500 in Pediatric Services from Cardinal Pediatrics
• A Chance to beat Eric Maguire's poor dog.

* Speaking of WVAQ, this Fridays half off hook ups is for Coal Country Mini Golf in Fairmont.

* It was supposed to have rained the past week or so. I think every time I look at the forecast it has called for Thunderstorms. Now it's calling for it to be clear until next week, watch it rain now.

* Hi ho hi ho

Hump Day

Well that is two days down, working on this one and we have two days to go until we are at yet another weekend. Don't get too excited yet, it is still only Wednesday, but it is over the hump day.

Yesterday was a day of running to say the least. Both Michelle and I worked a normal day and turned around and ran out to the ballpark for an over the hill men's slow pitch softball double header last night.

The first game we managed to pull off a nicely played defensive game and won a one run decision 5-4 to start out the day. We played the USGS and I recall that they beat us last year, so it was a little bit of revenge.

Game two was us playing a team that hammered us last year, Classics 3. Once again we managed to win the game by one run in the bottom of the last inning 6-5. On the games next to last play, our right fielder who was trying to score the winning run in the last inning either separated his shoulder or had a clean break to his humerus. He was toted away by ambulance and I'll be checking on an update today to see how he is doing.

We did sweep the double header which felt pretty good.

Oh well, hi ho hi ho

Tuesday's Tidbits

* It's Tuesday, I can't think of a better reason to to a tidbits than that.

* Good weather has continued through yesterday, I hope the weather holds out for tonight as we have a double header at the softball fields at 6:00 and 7:00 on Ogden Field. We have one single double header on the season and tonight is the night. Come on out to the ballpark and cheer us on, we need it.

* What would a tidbits be without a count from mine and Michelle's first date which was 823 days ago today.

* It's been 45 days since the engagement. Michelle is without her ring for the time being, her stone became loose so we took it to have it repaired. She noticed what she thought was a crack in one of the smaller side diamonds, but it turns out the main stone was loose so we sent it away for repairs. I was smart enough to buy the lifetime warranty for the ring for all repairs.

* There are merely 193 shopping days let until Christmas this year. Maybe I should do a count for next seasons softball rather than something that involves snow. Have I mentioned I hate snow.

* Talked to Mom briefly yesterday, she was under the weather over the weekend and told me she had some trouble walking Gabbie the night before as both she and Gabbie were attacked by another dog not on a leash. When I spoke with her she was resting and doing just fine.

* Hayley is still on vacation in Alabama visiting her boyfriend Phil and his family. She'll be returning this Sunday.

* It's going to be a long day so hi ho hi ho

Kennywood

A week or so ago, my sister Kim had a suggestion of possibly doing a day at Kennywood Park where a bunch of family members could take a day and go up and have some fun. Only problem is ticket prices to Kennywood have gotten semi-ridiculous over the years and are $35.99 for adults and $22.99 for kids under 46" tall.

Ruby Memorial has a special going on for employees where they can pick up tickets for $21.50 for adults and can only be purchased on June 23. Kim is going to check to see if there is limit of number of tickets she can buy (I would guess not), but if anyone might be interested we need to pick a date and arrange to have tickets purchased (Money to Kim) by the time she needs to buy the tickets.

Seniors (over 55) have no limit on tickets, their price is $17.49 every day.

If anyone is interested in a family day at Kennywood, let Kim know ASAP.

Monday Again

Hey everyone, I think the weekends weather turned out better than originally thought. Sunday turned out to be a nice day for the most part, but Monday Morning has decided to rear its ugly face once again and start another week of sticking our noses to the grindstone and earning that living.

Not much on my agenda this week as I recall, other than a softball double header tomorrow night. These will be out fifth game in eight days, and we'll have a downtime with one game in a three week time period after Tuesday night.

We stopped up to see jean yesterday after the game, she had some pictures of mine from a number of years ago that she had found and wanted to return to me. Pictures from my Trip to the Coca Cola 600 12 years ago, a softball team pic nic and pictures from inside Helmick Corporation from when I used to work there 12 and 13 years ago all respectively.

This past weekend was fun, but I can;t enjoy the next one until this week is over with. So I might as well get it started.

Hi ho hi ho

Softball Day

It's going to be a day at the ballpark for us, as the rained out games are made up today. Thankfully for us we only have on game on the agenda for today that has to be made up. I know Michael really wants to beat these guys because they have came into the bar talking a lot of trash.

Last night Michelle and I went to watch the WV Gladiators play for the first time in a couple of seasons. They went up against the WV Lightning out of Charleston and a team the Gladiators had lost twice to the past season. You could tell the Gladiators were not the same team we watched a couple of years ago. Many of the familiar names have moved on and a new bunch has filled their spots. When we left last night the Gladiators were losing 7-20 and that was near the end of the 4th quarter.

Have a good day.

Is it going to rain?

After looking at the radar for the weekend I was quite sure it was going to rain all weekend. I may have to reassess that after looking at it again this morning. It's still calling for Thunderstorms today, but the radar is no where near as ugly as it looked yesterday. We could possibly have a better looking weekend weather wise than I anticipated.

Michelle and I did a lot of running around last night right after work, half way anticipating that today would be rain filled and soaked.

If the weather holds out, maybe there could be a geocache or two on the agenda for the weekend.

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.

If you are looking for a little bit of free and cheap entertainment this evening, Movies on the Mon will once again be playing this evening at Hazel Ruby McQuain park and will be playing the movie Monsters vs Aliens.

Michelle has been very much under the weather the past few days with some Migraine headaches. I think they have been barametric headaches that has been what has had her down. She was feeling much better last night and hopefully is herself again today.

The weather for the weekend doesn't appear to be too cooperative, so you might want to make sure you get your outside fun activities in tonight before the rain dampens everything.

We have a softball makeup game Sunday at noon.

Hi ho Hi Ho let's get this Friday Started!!!

Rainy Days

Yesterday we received some much needed rain to help cleanse the air. It renews and cleans everything giving us a nice spring fresh smell. I'm just glad we got our two softball games in this week on Monday and Tuesday.

I still have a website that I need to develop again and I have been looking for ways to redevelop Shitzngiggles again, even though I haven't done anything with it for a while. I may just stick the old website back up there with the games. I've played with the idea of putting a topic specif blog there and I have played with the idea of throwing some type of a video site up. I've been looking, but nothing seems to have tickled my fancy as of yet. I have been looking at Hotscripts for something to put up there. Anything I guess is better than nothing.

Oh well, hi ho hi ho

Hump Day

Well we have our softball games in for the week and the two busiest days for me this week are now behind me. Now it's just a matter of looking ahead towards the back part of the week and ahead to the weekend. I do have to say I have been busy, but the good part is the week has sped on by.

I got an e-mail yesterday that I have been invited to Golden Colorado from August 10-12 for a Sequestration Seminar. The dates conflict with a Doctor's appointment and a A Jimmy Buffett Concert, so I'm not sure how hard I'll press to go to this one. Just the work worst time period of the year for me to travel across the country on business. A week before or a week after and everything would have been kosher. I may have to pass on this one though.

We had a great time playing softball last night, we took out our frustrations from the evening before and it all came together last night. We pulled out a nice 14-4 victory as we strung together hit after hit all night long. It was a sparse lineup, I put our right center fielder in at shortstop by accident and he played very well. I even had to start the Wookie on the pitchers mound. Great job Chewy and Kevin in relief.

Ok back to reality...hi ho hi ho

Tuesdays Tidbits

* It's Tuesday, it's time for a quick tidbits.

* For those of you keeping track, you have 200 shopping days left until Christmas. We're starting to get ton crunch time, if you buy everything now, YOU can be surprised on Christmas too. LOL

* Still counting, it's been 816 days since the first date with the love of my life and 39 days since our engagement.

* Weather looks like it has and will hold out for a day or so more so that we can get both softball games in this week. We play again this evening at 6:00 following last night's 9:00 game where everyone and his brother seemed to be traveling, sick, had to work or had a death in the family. Maybe we can get a few more guys out tonight.

* I saw my Doctor for the last time yesterday, I'll be meeting my new one in a couple of months when I go back.

* It's been a bus=y week to say the least, so hi ho hi ho

Monday

Well Sadie and I took full advantage of the nice weather yesterday afternoon with a stroll along the rails to trails yesterday evening to culminate our weekends activities. We managed to get lucky enough to find some gorgeous weather to take advantage of, so take advantage of it is just what we did. I did manage to get a few pictures along the route, I've shared one with everyone here.

It's going to be a busy couple of days for us, this afternoon I have a Doctor's appointment and will probably be meeting my new doctor for the first time as I say goodbye to Dr. Feathers as he moves on with his career.

After that we have the first of two softball games this week where I have no option but to be there. Chris is in Georgia, so I have all of the equipment and will be assembling the lineups the next couple of days. We play tonight at 9:00, and then return tomorrow night at 6:00 for the second game. Needless to say I will be busy for the next two days.

Oh well, can't get to another weekend until we get Monday over with so....Hi ho hi ho

Happy Birthday Hayley Dawn Collins

A year ago we celebrated your 16th birthday with a surprise birthday party. This year you are in Alabama visiting Phil for a couple of weeks and enjoying the nice weather and the vacation.

I have to say that I am quite proud of what she has done during this past semester, she has really busted her rear end. With the exception of the occasional door slam you couldn't ask for a better kid.

Anyways Hayley is not here, but that does not mean I take a little time out and wish a very special girl a very Happy Birthday on a very special day. Happy Birthday Hayley, we'll celebrate when you get home.

Rainy Weekend

Well the weather hasn't been all that cooperative so far this weekend, but we have managed to make the most put of it so far. Friday evening Michelle and I went up to Mylan Park to see Kim and Brittany who were taking part in the Relay for Life event that they had then. It was actually the first time I had been to that particular facility and I was quite impressed with it. It was the first time I had been in that building.

We drove up through the complex, and although she had been at that facility, Michelle said she had never been through the rest of the complex so we drove through for her to get a chance to see everything.

Yesterday even though it was raining most of the day, we managed to go out and attempt to garner a couple Mystery Geocaches. We got the first one we had tried, but the second one we were having a bot of trouble with to to the leaf cover of the trees where we were at. It was causing the GPS to jump all over the place and we could not pinpoint where the cache was located. We will probably try that one again this fall after the trees lose their leaves.

Mystery caches are comprised of puzzles you need to solve to get the coordinates, Michelle and I solved two yesterday morning and sought out to find them.

The problem was however it had rained a good bit and by the time we were on the trails at 2:00, the temps were heating up and it was rather humid out there. So, we did get out and manage to get a good healthy walk on the trails before heading home to some more rain.

Hayley left early yesterday morning for Alabama, she arrived safely early yesterday morning and is enjoying a couple of weeks with her boyfriend.

P&P Family Auctions Monthly Auction

Jim Paugh and crew will once again set up their monthly auction at the Blue Horizon Flea Market behind Vance's Service Station this morning. People may want to take very special note that the Auction will be starting earlier than normal today, it will be starting at 10:00 AM instead of the normal start they had and, this will extend throughout the summer as the rest of their monthly auctions will also be starting in this time slot.

As always, there are numerous items up for bid today. So bring your money and do a little bargain shopping to see if you can find a nice deal to bring home for yourself. All kinds of tools, glassware and antique toys going up on the auction block today.

Happy Birthday Gary Allen Hall

I have to be the luckiest man on earth, because I have the best brother that anyone could ever ask for and today coincidently happens to be that particular brothers birthday. If you should happen to see my brother Gary today, make sure that you take a little time out and wish him a very Happy Birthday today.

From the bottom of my heart, I would like to wish my favorite little brother the very happiest of birthdays. may all your dreams and wishes come through for you, especially on this day.

Happy Birthday Gary.

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 Hayley is finally done with school for the school year, she finished up yesterday and will probably be spending much of today packing and getting ready for leaving from the Pittsburgh Airport at 3:00 tomorrow morning for Alabama. She will be going down for two weeks to see her boyfriend Phil and his family.

Movies on the Mon kicks off their summer long movie series tonight with Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. It will be the firs tin a series of movies this summer. So if you are looking for a little cheap (free entertainment) for the kids, grab your favorite drinks and a few snacks and maybe a lawn chair or a blanket and head on down to the Hazel Ruby McQuain Amphitheater.


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Have a great weekend and Hi ho hi ho