Happy Birthday Erica Jean Nicholson

Today is a very special day to one little girl in this family. While it may be Father's day today, more important than that it is Erica Jean Nicholson's Birthday. If my math is correct she will be 7 on this day.

I can remember that day like it was just yesterday. Everyone was at the hospital waiting for the new addition to the family, Nick was pushing Gary up and down the halls in a wheel chair having fun, Bobby was watching Scooby Doo, Amy was as nervous as any Aunt to Be could ever be and I was fortunate enough to be there that day to grab a few pictures.

Val is planning both Erica's and Josh's Birthday party together next Sunday at Marilla Park. Traditionally this has been one of my favorite days of the year, this year it has grown and I am just as eagerly anticipating seeing Erica and Josh celebrate their birthdays.

If you see or talk to a very special little girl named Erica Jean Nicholson today, make sure you wish her a very Happy Birthday.

Happy Fathers Day

Today is Father's Day a day that like Mother's day has it's origins in North Central West Virginia. Father's Day had their first observance took place in 1908 to honor the 210 Fathers that were killed in the 1907 Monongah Mine explosion.

The picture I posted covers two people, my Father and my Grandfather. Both men were very influential in developing me to the person I am today, and both of them are missed today.

My Grandfather raised me until I was 13 and the time of his passing, my Father was my rock of security up until the day he died. I owe both of them a lot and am very Thankful that I had two wonderful men to influence me in my life.

They are both missed and honored every day of my life.

Happy Father's Day

Saturday Morning Ramblings

Here I sit once again in a quiet household in the early AM, collecting my thoughts while everyone else is losing a battle with the sandman. I'm an early riser so I am already up and at em this morning.

I am on the first of four days out of five where I will be off from work. Weekend then work Monday then off Tuesday and Wednesday for a concert.

Not too much on our agenda for the day, by the end of the year I am looking to buy a new car. I'll have the Rodeo paid off and I think I'm going to purchase a new car for the first time. We stopped at a few places yesterday to start our research, Michelle really liked a Jeep Compass, at the Waterfront Jeep Dealership.

I did vaguely mention a few weeks back that I had to go to the Doctors for a procedure to be done. I had a very large mole on my back that needed to be removed and biopsied. I had the procedure done a few weeks ago and I got the call from my Dr with my results back and it was benign.

Maybe it's time for a nap. =)

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!!!!

No movies on the Mon this week, they are going to be taking a three week break from their schedule and will return in July with the Karate Kid. I'm sure all the constriction downtown is part of the problem.

For me and Michelle it's work today, off two days, work one day, off two more days for the Buffett concert, work two days and then another two days off, followed by a full week at work then a three day weekend. Woo Hoo, I'm excited to get out of the office for a while.

Photo Flashback Thursday

Maybe the more appropriate title for this blog should be "Every Boy needs a Dog". This boy growing up was no different, and this was my companion Rocky. I had had dogs that I was attached to previously like Dad and Jean's dog Mitzi, but Rocky was MY first dog.

Rocky was my buddy and was a very friendly dog, he would always get excited when someone he knew would show up, always happy to great someone. I had begged Grandma Hall and begged her for a dog, and she finally gave in and this was my dog.

We went to the city pound to get a dog and he and I instantly connected, I knew this was going to be my dog.

Rocky was with me through some tough times in my life, I got him not too long after Grandpa Hall passed away and he was there with me when Grandma Hall passed away and I entered into a new life.

Hi ho hi ho

Hump Day

This week is actually going by pretty quick, so I can't complain. Weekend is just over this horizon that we need to go over.

We finally got a chance to really eat out of our urban garden last night, we picked a bunch of lettuce yesterday morning and ended up making some very nice steak salads with the lettuce that grew in our raise garden on the patio. We had taken some herbs out of there before, but this is the first time we were able to make a meal out of what was grown in our garden. It feels like a monumental achievement.

Not much else to say today, other than the garden it was pretty much and uneventful day. So I guess it's hi ho hi ho

Tuesday's Tidbits

* Monday is once again behind us and we are staring straight down the barrel of a Tuesday. I can't think of a better reason to do a tidbits.

* 1,187 magical days since I was blessed with the opportunity to take the love of my life out on our first date.

* It's been 410 days since I got down on one knee in the wee early morning and proposed marriage.

* 53 Days until that becomes a reality and we become man and wife.

* 7 more days until we head off to Margaritaville for the fourth straight year together. This will be my fifth Jimmy Buffett Concert and Michelle's fourth.

* A big shoutout to Josh Nicholson. I heard from the tooth fairy (otherwise known as Mommy) that he had perfect teeth yesterday when he went and visited the dentist.

* For you music lovers looking for a little cheap (as in free entertainment), tonight at 7:00 at Krepps Park Boparc is going to have their first Concerts in the Park series with An evening of Jazz with special guests Curtis Johnson and James Moore. This will be the first concert of the year. You might want to put on your calender that the next one will be on July 26th with, the Hillbilly Gypsies putting on a free show.

* Our garden is really kicking some butt, I actually saw the first tomatoes of the season a couple of days ago. Our lettuce is ready for the first harvest and might even be dinner tonight.

* Hi ho hi ho

Back to the Grindstone

All good things must come to an end, and that includes time away from work we call weekends. It's time to take our noses and stick them back on the grindstone for another week so that we can enjoy the creature comforts that we all so much like.

It was a pretty nice weekend weather wise, we really didn't get into too much and stayed home for the most part of the weekend. It's nice to have an occasional relaxing weekend, and for Michelle and I, this weekend was one of them. The weather was awesome, but we were movie watching home bodies this weekend with the exception of running Hayley too and from work, shopping and an occasional meal.

I'm relaxed, maybe it is a good time to head back to work. With that said hi ho hi ho

Sunday

Mid morning Sunday and Michelle and I are getting ready to go and do breakfast, take Hayley to work and do our weekly grocery shopping today. It's just a typical Sunday morning for us, nothing exciting planned, just routine.

We did receive some very good news this morning, jean will be allowed to use the church to cook for the food for mine and Michelle's wedding. That'll make it real nice and allow her to have a large kitchen with biog ovens to prepare the days feast.

Have a great day and get out and enjoy the weather.

Early Saturday Morning Ramblings

I sit here once again on an early Saturday morning, quiet place and I'm pretty sure everyone in the household has been attacked by the sandman and is in lala land.

I have to say that the events that have transpired at WVU this week and culminating yesterday with the resignation of a very good man with a lot of integrity, Bill Stewart, has me at a level where I am absolutely disgusted by my Alma Mater.

I'm not saying Bill Stewart was a world beater as a head coach, but the man was 28-12 was WVU's head football coach, that is a .700 winning percentage. Six of those 12 losses, one play was the difference in the game, meaning a fumbled ball, a dropped pass or a missed field goal was the difference in the game.

Last seasons defense was one of the nation's best, despite playing through many injuries the defense was among the nations elite.

Bill Stewart had two downfalls as a head coach, but neither constituted this. One he put faith in an offensive coordinator that really was not ready. I didn't question Mullen's knowledge of the game, it was his in game management skills where he was that was his shortcoming. Bill Stewart stuck with the man, he believed in the man, but I guess for this fickle fan base it wasn't enough to have a defense that one games instead of the offense. Bills second downfall was his clock management skills. Don't even want to go there, but neither of these should have been enough to be treated like he was.

This fan base has put blind trust into a lawyer who has lied to this fan base, is very deceptive and I honestly am not liking right now. His own son would have been, nit could have but would have been the first pick of the past springs NFL Draft and Oliver advised him to return to school. First pick of the NFL draft is an instant Millionaire, set up for life with the stroke of a pen and Oliver advised him to return to school. Like I said he would have been the first pick of the draft, Denver already stated it and he chose to return to school. This spring, figure out how many Millions that decision cost his own son.

Rant over and I would really like to extend a heart felt thank you to Bill Stewart. You have more integrity in your pinky than that snake in the grass lying Athletic Director could ever fathom.

I am as disgusted in my alma mater as much today as I was a few years ago with the Heather Bresche incident.

Rant over.

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 cheap entertainment, as in free? Movies on the Mon tonight will be playing How to Train Your Dragon tonight at the Hazel Ruby McQuain Amphitheater on the River. So grab yourself something soft to sit on, your favorite beverages and snacks and head on down for a free family movie.

Not really too much on Mine or Michelle's agenda for the weekend, but that is always subject to change. I hate sitting inside and the weather has been beautiful, maybe a geocache or two may be in store.

Have a great friday, Hi ho hi ho

Photo Flashback Thursday

Once a week I take a stroll through all the thousands if not tens of thousands of pictures that I have managed to acquire overt he years and pick one and tell a little story about it.

This weeks picture comes from about six years ago, when Nick and Terri owned the Country Inn on Rt 73. This weeks picture was from a poker run. They were the last stop of the run, meaning that they had to provide a meal and it was the place where everyone congregated at the end of the run.

I remember this being a very busy day at the Country Inn until one drunken idiot pulled out of the parking lot doing a wheelie with his girlfriend on the back of the bike. She fell off and cracked her head on the pavement of Rt 73, meaning the police came and the majority of the people and bikes you see in this picture (as well as any money Nick and Terri would have made with such a large crowd) were gone.

I think they did additional poker runs, but they were never the final stop where all the money is made again.

They did have one heck of a crowd for a while.

Hump Day

Monday, Check. Tuesday, Check. It's Hump day!!! The day of the week when you are able to look up over the horizon and see another weekend in the distance.

Michelle bought a nice King Sized bed from her brother in law yesterday, it was nearly brand new and he picked it up and was going to take it to auction, but they called us first. made us a heck of a deal and even delivered it for us, can't beat a heck of a deal like that.

Not much to say today. so it's a short blog.

Hi ho hi ho

Happy Birthday Hayley

18 years ago today my beautiful daughter Hayley Dawn was born. I don't know where the time has gone, but it sure has gone fast. This picture is from her home visit before she started kindergarten. She has grown into an amazing person.

Ed surprised her Sunday by buying her an iPhone, I am going to take her out for a girls day and go shopping next weekend. She wants to buy summer clothes and get a manicure.

Kevin is taking her out for dinner tonight and when she gets home we will have cake and ice cream.

If you see or talk to Hayley today please wish her the happiest of birthdays.

Hayley we love you and hope you have a great day:)

Tuesday's Tidbits

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

* Let me start out by wishing Hayley Dawn Collins a very Happy 18th birthday. She turns 18 today and we're hoping to see her. Yes she lives here, but you know those young adults. If anyone wants to send her money, I'm sure she'll spend it..LOL

* For those of you counting, it has been 1,180 days since mine and Michelle's first date.

* 403 Days since I got down on one knee early in the morning and proposed marriage.

* 60 days remaining until the wedding.

* We finally got our first round of wedding invitations sent out, yesterday. We still have a few more to send once we get a few addresses to go with them. Please send them back so we can get a headcount.

* Our garden is doing very well. I'm actually quite happy with how it is developing so far. Yum fresh vegetables.

* Oh, the kids have been playing a four man monopoly game the past few nights outside under the canopy. Hayley won Friday Night and her boyfriend Kevin won Sunday night. I told Chad he needs to invent a better set of rules.

* Hi ho hi ho

Back 2 Work

All good things must come to an end, including weekends and this one was no different. It's time to take our noses and stick them back on the grindstone and get back to work for yest another work week.

Tomorrow is Hayley's birthday, but I started a couple of days early and got her an iPhone yesterday for her 18th Birthday. She was worried about breaking it, so I bought her an Otter Box to go with it. iPhones are very durable, but I figured this would allow her a little extra sense of security because she is so hard on phones.

Anyways, it's back to work today. Hi ho hi ho

Happy Birthday Gary Allen Hall

If I were allowed to design the best little brother in the whole wide world, I would not have to look very far for the mold because I already have him. If my math is correct, this should be Gary Hall's 40th Birthday today and I am REALLY starting to get old.

If you have the opportunity to see Gary today, you know he likes to work, make sure you wish him a Very Happy Birthday today.

Happy Birthday Gary.

Late Morning Ramblings

Thanks to Michelle for reminding me that I have not done a blog today, I am such a slacker. It had completely slipped my mind and I would never have given it a second thought the rest of the day. That would have killed one heck of a streak with consecutive days that I have posted at least one blog, a streak that goes back a number of years and one that I wouldn't exactly want to start over.

Michelle has her next to last hair appointment this morning before the wedding, I guess the next one will be the morning of the wedding, and I'll be running the errands today as she gets pampered.

It's a Sam's Club kind of 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!!!!

I have to love this weather this week, it has been absolutely beautiful and my kind of weather. Hot with sunshine and perfect weather for my garden to keep growing. We should be starting to harvest some of the crops in the next month or so and I am rather excited about that.

If you are looking for something cheap to do this evening, as in free, BOPARC now calls it Family Fun Fest & Movie at Hazel Ruby McQuain Amphitheater on the river. Tonight is the first movie of the year and tonight's movie begins at 9:00 AM. It's a kiddie favorite tonight with a free showing of Yogi Bear




Hi ho hi ho

Photo Flashback Thursday

It is once again that time of the week when I get to write one of my favorite Blogs, A time when I actually take a little bit of time out and look back through all my old pictures and pick one and blog about it.

Today's Picture is from August 14th, 1975 and that's me in the back row with the yellow baseball cap peeking through standing in front of Suburban Lanes owner Steve Lorenze. It was taken from a program that then Sheriff Charlie Whiston had implemented. It allowed school aged children to go to Suburban lanes during the summer and have one free game of bowling. Considering I basically lived there playing Pinball, I participated in this routine on a daily basis. I still talk to or work with a few people in this picture believe it or not.

That was a great summer, I remember we used to take snap and pops and put into the bowling ball holes and roll it down the lane and then try to hit the snap and pop on the next ball if it fell out. It was good times, it was innocent times and it was a summer filled with pinball (Top Card was my favorite game) and riding my bike all over the place.

Days gone by that I sure do miss.

Hump Day

Well with the convenience of a Holiday on Monday, we have already reached Hump Day where you can see another weekend in the not too far off distant future. Woo Hoo!!!!

I do have a Dr's appointment this morning, it was scheduled last February and they are just now able to get me into the specialist to do what he has to do. Nothing to worry about, just going to see a Dermatologist, shouldn't take that long and I should be back at work later this morning.

How do you like this weather as of late? I Love it!!! No rain, nice warm weather and this is my favorite time of the year. Have I ever mentioned that I hate snow?

Hi ho hi ho

Back to Work Tidbits

* Monday is past us and we were off today, now it's on to Tuesday.

* It's been 1,173 days since mine and Michelle's first date.

* 396 days since the engagement.

* 67 days until the wedding.

* We had a great three day weekend, with three cookouts over three days. Yesterday Arron and Trish stopped on by and we had a great time. Layla was a total sweetheart, but when isn't she.

* I can't believe we had a nice three day weekend and no rain.

* We had to retire our vacuum yesterday, it was getting pretty old and we needed a new one so we upgraded to a nice one from Sam's.

* Hi ho hi ho

Happy Memorial Day

These are the kinds of Mondays that I like, the ones where the weekend is extended one more day and the weather is nice like it has been all weekend long.

However in our extended Holiday Memorial Day Weekend when we have BBQ's and cookouts with friends and family, the times when everyone is together and having a great time. We need to remember and respect the meaning of this Holiday and not forget it. It's a time when we stop and honor our fallen soldiers of war. Brave Men and Women who sacrificed their lives so that you and I could enjoy the freedoms that we have today.

Remember the soldiers, both the ones who have passed and not forget the ones living today, both Veterans and active soldiers that that ensure our freedoms and protect us each every day.

Have a Great Memorial Day.

It's Going to be a Cookout Kinda Day

Today after our normal morning routine, we are heading to Pam and Georges for a cookout. Pam called me yesterday morning and invited us, said George was making Ribs on the grill and that was all that I needed to hear. We plan on being there, we need a good family cookout, it's been a while.

Of course we cooked out here last night, but that was just us doing roasting ears and steaks on the grill and eating under our easy up. The weather was just too nice to sit inside, so we had ourselves a fun filled and busy day yesterday with the cookout finishing off the day. It was a very good and very productive day.

Hope everyone gets out and enjoys this nice weather that we have waited so long for.

Saturday Morning Rumblings

Once again here I sit in a quiet house, everyone is sound asleep with the exception of me who get's up in time to wake the Roosters. It's nothing abnormal, this is just me every day.

Michelle and I went to the movies last night. I've never seen a modern movie in 3D with the new technologies, even though I wanted to see Avatar, but having a cataract at that time prevented it. Last night we went and saw the movie Kung Fu Panda 2 in 3D. I have to say as a former 3D compiler, I was quite impresses in how far 3D technology has come.

This morning I think we are planning on hitting the trails. I would say weather permitting based on last weeks weather forecast, but I just looked and it looks like it is going to be an awesome weekend of nice warm weather and sunshine.

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 and a three day weekend!!!!!!

Yes it is the unofficial start of summer, it is the Memorial Day weekend and the start of a few months of nice hit weather, cookouts, and good times. It's a time for fireworks, festivals and that good old music being played on the radio. It;s time for families to be together, summer vacations and fun.

Hope you have a great weekend.

Photo Flashback Thursday

It's that time of the week again, time when I look back through all of my old pictures and come up with one that I want to talk about.

This years picture was from a New Years Eve Party at Terri's. In case you did not notice, I was a little bit tipsy when this picture was taken. Gary and I decided to kill a bottle of Aftershock. This was sometime in the 90's probably early 90's at that as Nick and Terri had not moved into their house as of yet.

I remember this night, I drove him thinking I'm fine. Probably the one time that I wasn't fine, the lines in the road got blurry and I had to sleep with one foot on the floor that night to stop the room from spinning. That was probably the dumbest thing I ever did behind a wheel of a car that night and I made it home safe with no incident. I was lucky.

Hi ho hi ho

Hump Day

Well that is two days down and is that the weekend I see over the horizon there, why yes it is the weekend over this here hump. Right on the other side of Thursday.

Michelle has a checkup with her Doctor today, and I have a Dermatologist appointment next Wednesday. Nothing to be alarmed about in either situation, just routine appointments.

I have a good Netflix movie coming today, a classic movie that Michelle has never see and one of a few I would like her to see. To Kill a Mockingbird should be here today and ready for our viewing. I think she will like it.

Hi ho hi ho

Tuesdays Tidbits

* Well Monday is behind us and we are looking at a Tuesday, can't think of a better reason to do a tidbits.

* 1,166 days since mine and Michelle's first date a little over three magical years ago.

* It's been 389 since our engagement.

* 74 days and counting until the wedding. We ordered our rings this past weekend, they have to custom make Michelle's so it will be in right before the wedding.

* Josh Judy currently has 1 Official Major League Strikeout.

* I am currently at 116 Geocaches Found and counting. I need to get back out this year and get more.

* I do have to say after seeing yesterday mornings weather report that I am happy that it did not turn out as predicted. We would have been in for a couple straight weeks of rain, rain and more rain.

* Hi ho hi ho

Happy Birthday George McClain

I would likt to take this opportunity to wish one of the best Brother-In-Laws a man could ever wish for a very Happy Birthday today. If you see George today, or if you owe him a favor like all of us do (some of us more than others) make sure you wish him the very Happiest of Birthdays today.

Happy Birthday to my brother from another mother.

First Major League Strikeout

Well it happened earlier than I thought it would. I said earlier today I was anticipating Josh's first Major League Strikeout and game action tomorrow, but I guess I would be a day late as he closed out the game against the Reds and recorded his first Strikeout.

http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=310522105


Here is is first batter faced and his first strike out

Pitcher
J. Judy
Batter
F. Lewis
Speed Pitch Result
1 93 Fastball (Four-seam) Ball
2 92 Fastball (Four-seam) Ball
3 92 Fastball (Four-seam) Foul
4 92 Fastball (Four-seam) Ball
5 92 Fastball (Four-seam) Foul
6 94 Fastball (Four-seam) Swinging Strike

Late BLOG

This is a late BLOG, for me anyways. I'm usually up and writing them early in the AM or I write them the night before and let them post in the early morning. Saturdays and Sundays are usually done that morning and the BLOGS during the week are usually written the night before for a frame of reference.

I meant to write one early this morning, but got a little sidetracked looking back through my old softball pictures of years gone by. I retired this season because I just wasn't having fun anymore, the guys were great, but it was like a task to go out and play and I've felt that way the past few seasons.

I need to look around my TV listings for baseball games being played by the Cleveland Indians over the next couple of weeks. I'm waiting for Josh's first career major League strikeout.

Weather looks to be nice today, enjoy yourselves.

Update on Josh Judy.

I have been waiting a number of years to say this. Josh Judy has been called up to the Majors, he is now with the Indians during the regular season. In other words, he is now OFFICIALLY a Major League baseball player.

I talked to Brian to get an update, he said Steve was on his way to Cleveland. Josh will be dressing tomorrow and may be pitching Monday against the Red Sox.



WOO HOO!!!!!

Saturday Morning BLOG

I sit here once again in a quiet house with everyone sleeping and me collecting my thoughts. Michelle went to Trish's yesterday evening as I was a little run down and not feeling well, so I stayed home and rested.

Today we are going to go and pick out our rings for the wedding this August. We have to give them time to size them and make any and all adjustments that need to be made so that we can have them in time for the wedding. You know something tells me that we will need them by then.

For all you digital Comcast subscribers, how much do you hate the new firmware upgrade to your TV? I think they totally screwed up and made this very user UNFriendly and then turned around and raised my bill after making my interactive guide less useful. I have actually considered canceling their TV service (keeping their cable internet) and getting satellite. They are just getting out of hand.

We have another cookout to go to tonight, Smitty and Stephanie have invited us over once again for dinner (I think we owe them a return trip or two). Should be a good day.

Happy Birthday Pamela Sue McClain

I would like to take this opportunity to wish my Youngest Sister Pamela Sue Hall McClain a very Happy Birthday today. This picture was taken a number of years ago at Terri's place, t hat is Pam holding Amy and my Dad carving a turkey. A number of years have passed since this picture, however we are stuck in the time zome and Pam is now celebrating her 21st birthday again like all of my siblings.

If you see Pam today, Make sure that you wish her the very happiest of Birthdays today. She has always been someone I could count on, the one who if you asked to walk 100 miles for you would do 200. I am very lucky to have a Sister like Pam.

So to my sister Pam, a VERY Happy Birthday to you 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.

It's party time tonight at Trish's, Michelle and I will be going to help her drink in her birthday (which was actually yesterday) this evening at her place. She stopped over yesterday afternoon to get a little bit of assistance on putting her Resume together. It was nice to say Layla, I hadn't seen her in a while.

I think we are going to get our wedding rings tomorrow, so this should be a great weekend.

Photo Flashback Thursday

It's Photo Flashback Thursday. The one day of the week when I take a little bit of time out to reflect back on my pictures from days gone by and blog about it.

Today's picture is of none other than the Birthday Girl from the 2003 Rosiak Family 4th of July Pic nic. I knew I had to find the oldest picture of her that I had taken and make it my Flashback Picture for this week.

If you have ever been to Trish's parents, you can see that a number of things have changed since this picture was taken. That set of woods right behind them is now a single row of trees and there are townhouses that the foundation settled on behind them.

My how time fly's.

Hi ho hi ho

Happy Birthday Patricia Ann Rosiak.

If you happen to see Trish today, make sure you wish her the Happiest of Birthdays on this her birthday. She is thinking about having a little get together tomorrow night that Michelle and I want to stop by for.

I think I first met Trish like 13-14 years ago and she has stayed a close friend through it all. Thank's Trish, and I hope you have the Happiest of Birthdays.

Hayley has a New Job

Congrats to Hayley, she started her job today at Gloria Jean's Coffee at the Mall. She went through her orientation yesterday afternoon at the corporate office and starts her first shift today at the Morgantown Mall.

She is wanting to transfer to the new store that is going to open up in the WVU parking Garage on van Voorhis Road. It'll be in the parking garage right below the PRT station.

I know both Michelle and I are very proud of her and she is excited to get back into the work force and start making some money.

Congratulations Hayley.

Hump Day

Well I made the change yesterday. As many of you will notice, my website is down and so are the others that I own. I have switched hosts back to GoDaddy and am going to start the site over again from scratch over there. I wasn't really satisfied with the host I was using, I thought they were too expensive and did not really offer what they promised. So I took it to the cloud and GoDaddy hosting. Not that I need cloud hosting, but it's always nice to have.

It is once again Hump day, and we are going up over that hill and getting ready to head towards another weekend. I can't complain though, the week has went by rather quickly to this point and hopefully that will continue today.

As mentioned in yesterdays BLOG, Daryl Talley had a chance to enter the college football Hall-of-Fame yesterday and was voted in successfully. He is now a member of the College Football hall of Fame. I always like Daryl, he was a fierce competitor and was afraid of basically nothing. He is one of my all time favorite defensive players to ever done the gold and the blue.

Hi ho hi ho

Tuesday's Tidbits

* Well that dreadful Monday is now in our rear view mirrors and we are looking down the barrel of a Tuesday, I can;t think of a better reason to do a Tidbits.

* For those of you counting, it has been 1,159 days since mine and Michelle's first date a little over three years ago. How many people do you know that would still count that?

* It's been 382 days since the engagement last year.

* We are looking at 81 days left until we are blissfully married this Summer.

* Big News, My niece Valarie got a Tattoo of a Dragon Fly in the past week. It was in memory of my Dad and the sermon the preacher gave for him at his Funeral.

* I've spoke with Both Brittany and Moke in the past week or so, both did well in this past Semester at WVU. Brittany is actually taking a Summer Class, I'm not sure what Moke is doing for the summer.

* We should find out today at 11:30 if former WVU Linebacker Daryl Talley has a chance to be entered into the College Football Hall-of-Fame on this years ballot. Talley played in four straight Super Bowls with the Buffalo Bills and may have a chance someday to be inducted into the NFL Hall-of-Fame. These two things are requirements to have your number retired at WVU.

* I'm thinking about redoing my website again. The domain really is not used other than me hosting a number of pictures there. JustHost really has not impressed me. As much as I hated GoDaddy, they are one of the sites I am considering switching back to. My website just kind of sits out there and other than hosting the pictures and an outdated Resume, is pretty much no longer functional. I'll hold onto it, but looking for something to do with it.

* Hi ho hi ho

Monday's

Monday, why do you have to be the one that screws up the rest of the week? Unless you happen to be a Holiday, and you will be in two weeks, I really don't care much for you. You always know how to ruin a good thing.

I guess it's time to put our noses back to the grindstone and get back to work since it is Monday again. I have nothing major going on for me, just a few meetings this week.I'm just going to be like everyone else and wonder when this damn rain is going to cease for a few days. My Garden has plenty of water and the plants are doing good, don't need to necessarily drown them there Mother Nature.

Today is the seventh anniversary of me Graduating from College and the 34th Anniversary of my Grandpa Hall's passing away. It has always been a date that sticks out in my mind.

Hi ho hi ho

What to Do

Sunday Morning and I am up and at em early in the AM once again, although I can see a nap in my immediate future until at least the sun comes up. Yes I am naturally an early riser and have been up for a while.

Today is a what can we do day. We did all of our usual Sunday Morning shopping yesterday, so today might just be a lazy day around the household. I know Michelle was not feeling all that well yesterday evening and went to bed early.

We cooked out on the grill yesterday afternoon and I got to enjoy the best of both worlds. I love burgers, and I REALLY love brats. Johnsonville is making a new Brat patty that they were giving sample of yesterday while we were shopping. I was in absolute heaven to say the least, it was a combination of two things I love to eat. Yummm.

I think it may be nap time.

Early Saturday Morning Ramblings

Once again I sit in a quiet household collecting my thoughts on an early Saturday Morning. Blogger has been acting crazy over the past 48 hours to a point where it was actually down for a 48 hour stretch. Anything that was posted on Thursday was deleted and then re-added yesterday.

Our agenda for today is pretty open, I am planning on going and getting the car inspected this morning, I stopped yesterday afternoon and tried but he had done 17 inspections that day and asked me to come back today. Not a problem, I did get everything else taken care of yesterday. Paid the insurance, Taxes and License renewal.

The rain yesterday was kind of crazy. Michelle and I were leaving Wal-Mart and it looked like rain. She didn't think we would make it to the bottom of the hill and I thought we would make it home before we saw any precipitation. Me being a professional geographer, should have been right. Ran into a torrential downpour before we made it to the bottom of the hill. Get through downtown and same thing. Go by WVU Coliseum and the Creative Arts Center where they were having some Commencements yesterday, nothing, almost bone dry. I joked that we would make it home before it rained again, pretending to not be wrong and we made the turn and wouldn't you know it, halfway down Patterson Drive was ANOTHER downpour. Unreal, but we top the hill at Van Voorhis and guess what, there were dry spots on the ground and it was just a light sprinkle. What I should have initially said was it was holding off AT home and not until we get there.

On to today, what adventures lay ahead of us?

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 the 13th.

First off, I want to take this opportunity and remember my Father, who would have been 66 today. We all miss you Dad.

Well this weekend you will see a lot of WVU students go from the status of a student to an alumni. This weekend will be West Virginia Universities 142nd Commencement here in Morgantown. No big name speakers like last year with former President Clinton other than three time Olympic Gold Medalist Dominique Dawes speakling at the School of Medicine.

I feature that I always right about this time of the year was BOPARC's Movies on the Mon. It has been the subject of numerous BLOGS, however I'm wondering if they are doing that program this season. In years past I could easily find information out about the program, but not so much this season. The Morgantown Utility Board likes to screw up the trail at times when people most like to use it, this seaon is just the same as last year but a different location. Maybe this is affecting the program.

Let's get this party started, Hi ho hi ho

Photo Flashback Thursday

t's once again Photo Flashback Thursday, the one day of the week I set aside to look through my old pictures to find one to talk about.

This weeks picture was one that was taken Christmas Eve at my Dad's house. Santa Clause used to make yearly trips around East Gate and never failed to stop by the Hall household to visit all the good little girls and boys, maybe that is why Val is not in the picture...LOL

Chester was someone who work(s) with my brother in law George. On Christmas Eve because he and his wife didn't have any children of their own, he would take on the role of Santa Clause at East Gate. He would take time out to stop and most all of the houses that welcomed him and had eager children waiting to see Santa.

He had a big belt full of bells and you could hear them from a ways away, the looks on the kids faxes was priceless. Chester and his wife always came back down after his rounds and he was out of costume to visit and have a few spirits that Dad would have ready for him.

It was a great time.

Hump Day

Look overt there, does anyone see what I see as I cross this horizon? I see another weekend off in the Distance. All we had to do was get up over this hump in the middle of the week and we can start to see the weekend.

Michelle and Jess met last night to go over some more of our wedding plans. I stayed home and watched the television as they met. You have to love Netflix, watch a movie about anytime you want and you don't have to make a trip to the store to get it nor do you have to take it back. It just makes life a little simpler.

Just in case you missed it, Osama Bin Laden is still dead.

Hi ho hi ho

Tuesday's Tidbits

* Monday Completed. Looking ahead to Tuesday, can;t think of a better reason to do a tidbits.

* For dinner last night, Michelle made some really nice salads with the fresh lettuce we purchased at the Morgantown Farmer's Market this weekend. I can't wait until our lettuce comes up in the garden and we can get really fresh out of the garden stuff.

* Day 1,152 since mine and Michelle's first date and our first kiss after watching that gawd awful movie.

* It's been 375 days since our engagement.

* Wedding count down is down to 88 days.

* Michelle is meeting with Jess (she is assisting us plan the wedding) this evening to go over a few more details. We did hit a slight road bump over the weekend with the cake, but we have that pretty much taken care of now.

* Is it finally spring? Weather has been nice a number of days now, maybe we are at the May Flowers part. Which would be alright with me.

* Sadie got a little beautification yesterday. Her hair was getting a little long, so Michelle added dog groomer to her resume of do all's and we gave Sadie a nice grooming. She looks very pretty now and much more comfortable.

* Christopher has been coming down stairs wanting to help Shell water the garden. He likes to come and visit us, everyone just loves him to death.

* Hi ho hi ho

Back To Work

Well all good things must come to an end, and that includes weekends and the fun and enjoyment that they bring with them. It is time to put our noses back on the grindstone and go back to doing what we do all week that makes us enjoy the weekends so much.

We did manage to get a few things accomplished this weekend including getting our raised garden planted on the back patio. We did most of that Saturday so we could just enjoy Mother's day with nothing that really needed done other than an afternoon nap.

The garden was something that started as a small herb garden and turned out to be a 7' x 42" x 8" divided project that included our vegetables that we wanted to plant.

Todsy however is a day that will have a lot less traffic around town, as the students had to vacate the dorms by Saturday evening, meaning the majority of them have went home and traffic will be much more bearable on our morning and afternoon commutes.

Speaking of commuting, hi ho hi ho

Happy Mothers Day

Mothers Day is a holiday that has roots righy here in North Central West Virginia when Anna Jarvis established Mother's Day in a small little area in Grafton, West Virginia.

I would like to wish a very Happy Mother's Day to all the Mothers out there.

Next I would like to wish my own Mother a very Happy Mother's Day today. Thanks for all you have done and the inspiration that you have given me.

I also want to thank my Step Mother Jean.

To my Grandmothers who have passed and all they did for me and what they have bestowed upon me in the way or morals.

To my three Sisters, and two of my nieces that are all mothers.

I want to wish a Happy Mother's day to my future Mother in Law Susie.

And to the Mother who keeps this household held together, my Fiancée Michelle. I hope everyone has a great Mother's Day.

Saturday Morning Ramblings

Here I sit once again in a quiet house, I think everyone else is asleep and I am in the living room putting my thoughts into my BLOG.

Hopefully the weather holds up today, I finally got the raised garden all set up yesterday on the back patio. It's now loaded with 14 Cubic Yards of top soil and good mushroom compost and is ready to be planted. I think we are going to go out today and get our plants and or seeds that we want to plant. I know we discussed numerous fresh herbs, loose lettuce, various peppers, tomatoes, green beens, onions and maybe some cucumbers on the side. It'll be the first garden that I have since I was a kid and worked in my grandparents garden.

Michelle and I will be hitting the farmers market here in Morgantown this morning, it's the opening of the 2011 outdoor season and we can use a few fresh eggs.

Tomorrow is Mother's Day and we're going to have some running around to do, so it should be a good weekend. I know we had mentioned trying the get a WVU baseball game into the mix sometime today also.

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.

Did we actually have a day yesterday when it did not rain? Hope you enjoyed it, it's calling for rain for the next three days. OK, I've seen enough rain, how about we have a little bit of warm weather and sunshine. The May flowers are blooming and in good shape, now we need the weather to clear up so we can get out.

The Morgantown Farmers Market kicks off its official outdoor season tomorrow morning at 7:00 AM. Michelle and I are planning on going and picking up a few things.

Anyone notice traffic has cut way down? Yep, this is coming to the end of finals week. In other words, three months of relaxation, way fewer students and less traffic around town!!!!!!

Hi ho hi ho

Photo Flashback Thursday

It's once again Thursday (Bin Laden is still dead) and I get a chance to look back through my pictures of yesteryear and and reflect upon one of them. This weeks picture is from my niece Amy's 18th Birthday Party a few years back.

This is a picture of Tyler, Amy and Chrissy posing that evening. It was a time when Amy wasn't dating Ralphie, Kaiden was just a hope for the future and Amy was getting ready to finish up her Senior Year of High School. If memory serves me correctly, this was just last week, give or take a decade one way or the other.

Looking at the pictures of the evening, I noticed a lot of people at Terri's to help her celebrate. It was a very good evening and I remember it well.

Anyone else want to share any memories of the night?

Dead Bin Laden Hump Day

Ok I know, I am ecstatic over the fact that public enemy #1 is probably fish poop right about now. I did find an interesting statement from one of my childhood friends yesterday. Donn lost his wife Shelley Marshall during that fateful day. I thought I would share it with you.

We should be a nation united by victory, but political bickering has already started. Finding Bin Laden has been a top priority since 9/11; any president given this opportunity would have taken it; putting troops in harms way takes courage; and it is the intelligence community and the armed forces who did the hardest work with great skill and valor. Partisan shots at this time are, to put it bluntly, shameful. -- Donn Marshall

Yes I am still grinning ear to ear. I am celebrating the death of Osama Bin Laden, and I don;t care who does't like it. The SOB caused this nation enough grief, I hope he was begging for mercy when they put the bullet in his head. he showed no mercy on the victims of 9-11, why should I feel sympathy for him.

Hi ho hi ho

Screw You Dead Bin Laden Tidbits

* It's Tuesday, and early yesterday morning I heard the news that I think all Americans have been waiting ten years to hear. Osama Bin Laden has been Killed. What a day to celebrate our country, our President and our troops. Thank you to all involved to mill that sumbeatch.

* Osama Bin Laden is Dead. I know I covered that in the previous tidbit, but I just like saying it.

* It's day 1,145 since mine and Michelle's first date.

* Osama Bin Laden is Dead.

* It has been 368 days since our engagement.

* Osama Bin Laden is Dead.

* 95 days to go until the wedding.

* Osama Bin Laden is Dead.

* Michelle is trying to cut me back to one bowl of Kashi Cereal a morning, lot's of sadness. It is the one I like the most, and it causes an excessive amount of flatulence. There is another one that I also like that doesn't cause me that problem.

* Osama Bin Laden is Dead.

* Hi ho

* Osama Bin Laden is Dead.

* Hi ho

* Osama Bin Laden is Dead. =)

Back To Work

I hate Mondays, they really know how to mess up a good weekend. I guess all good things must come to an end and that includes weekends. Time to reflect on the weekend and look towards the week ahead.

Michelle and I had a very busy weekend. After a road trip to Maryland Saturday, yesterday we headed to our States Capital so that Michelle could see it and pick up some of one of our favorite wines which is not sold in northern West Virginia.

I would say we logged around 600 miles traveling this weekend, yesterday seemed like one long car ride and it basically was. I'll have some pictures to put up soon.

Hi ho hi ho

Had a Great Day

It was nice to get out and away from Morgantown yesterday. Paul and Lynn were great hosts and everyone really seemed to enjoy their visit in Maryland.

Michelle and I did manage to pick up a few geocaches yesterday on our trip down, it was an interstate series of grab and goes. We intended to do more later ion the day, but we just had fun and took scenic route 40 back to Uniontown where we had dinner at some Mom and Pop shop where 119 exits to 21 by the mall that was pretty good.

I did see something out in the wold yesterday for only the second time. A Black Bear. I saw my first one a few years ago on the interstate, this one was a couple hundred yards up the road from the house on Van Voorhis. We were coming down the hill and a couple of trucks were stopped waiting for what initially looked like a black dog. Michelle was quick to note, that was not a dog and was a baby black bear.

Today is a grocery shopping kind of day. Have a good one.

Saturday Morning Ramblings

Once again I sit here in a quite household in the early AM collecting my thoughts. Michelle and I went to the WVU Spring Game last night, we had a great parking spot, don;t think I have ever parked so close to the stadium as we did last night.

It started out with an old timers game and culminated with a scrimmage that left most people coming out feeling pretty good about the upcoming season. The offense seemed to have a flow to it that it has lacked for a number of years. I'm hopeful with what the upcoming season presents us, I'm thinking BCS Bowl.

On to today, Michelle and I are traveling to Maryland to do a little bit of possible Geocaching and to help a friend celebrate their birthday with a party this afternoon.

Weather permitting, and it looks like it will be, it's going to 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 Mountaineer Football Friday.

Yes Football fans, we will get our first chance to see the 2011 Mountaineer Football team tonight with Head Coach in Waiting's Dana Holgorson's new offense that he has installed this season. Michelle and I are planning in being there, but if the weather gets bad I might just be sitting at home and watching it on the internet.

I can't remember the last time I missed a spring game, all I know is it has been a long time since I didn't go to one and I would like to continue the streak this year. I am anxious to see how effective the new Offense is going to be, or even if it is even better than last years. One would assume that it will be, but you also never know.

Hi ho hi ho

Photo Flashback Thursday

It is once again Photo Flashback Thursday, the one Blog during the week when I take a little bit of time out to reflect on my tens of thousands of pictures and talk about one.

This one I will call my last walk. In 2001 I started working at the Natural Resources Analysis Center (NRAC) at WVU. I worked an internship there through college and continued to work there for a period of time after graduation while I was seeking that permanent employment somewhere else.

I would typically park at the Coliseum and walk up past the engineering PRT station to the other side of the Evansdale Library and to the NRAC. I did it my final four years of college and for a year after college. Every day IO would make this walk. The picture you see if from my "Last Walk". This was the last time I made this walk before I started working in Frostburg, Maryland the following Monday.

As I took this walk, I reflected on all my time at WVU and at the NRAC. The friends I had made, the classes I had taken, and the all the times both good and bad that I had at my Alma Mater. It was the end of a transitional period in my life. One that saw me go from steel mills, to the classroom to being a GIS professional. It took me a little longer to get to work that day, there was a good bit of reflection that needed done.

I don't think I will ever forget that walk, because it was my final walk and completion of my transition. It was a very good day.

Hump Day

We actually made it through the first couple days of the work week and if you look over the horizon you can actually see what looks like a possible weekend.

For you football fans, this weekend will have the 2011 NFL Drafton Saturday. I'm hoping the Steelers can get an Offensive Guard, Mike Pouncey would be my first choice, but his stock has risen and he may not be available when the Steelers Draft. His twin brother is our Center and I think Guard is the position we really need to address in this years draft.

Speaking of football, the spring game for WVU is Friday evening, so this coming weekend is going to be one heck of a weekend for this football fan. We're also planning on traveling and visiting some friends on Saturday.

Hi ho hi ho

Tuesdays' Tidbits

* Well Monday is once again behind us and in our memories, and we are looking right down the barrel of a Tuesday, Can't think of a better reason to do a tidbits.

* 1,138 magical days since Mine and Michelle's first date a little over three years ago.

* 361 days since our engagement last year.

* 102 days left until our wedding this August. Plans are going good so far, Michelle met with her sister and Kim yesterday at lunch about a Bridal Shower for her in early July and our invitations should be here some time soon.

* Bill Filcheck has officially made us all feel old when he said he watched Billy Idol in PBS yesterday on Facebook. I started to think about that, didn't Billy Idol use to be on MTV and didn't MTV use to actually show videos? You know the acronym for Music Television (MTV) would suggest they did.

* I was feeling a little under the weather yesterday when I got home, cranky and was running a fever. I'm feeling a little better this morning.

* hi ho hi ho

Back to Work Kind of a Day

Rainy days that we will remember as this weekend are now behind us and it's time to get back to the grindstone and return to yet another week of work today.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish my future co-father in law and Michelle's step father Tom Andrews a very Happy Birthday today. By latest count I think he is about 29 years old and holding.

Michelle and I did have a nice Easter Dinner yesterday, she made a beer can chicken on the grill despite the rain and it was quite awesome. She outdid herself with home made bread, deviled eggs, grilled chicken, asparagus, potatoes and Sautéed mushrooms. It was a feast fit for any man and being it was just the two of us, we had plenty of leftovers.

Hope everyone had a great Easter, but now it is hi ho hi ho

Happy Easter

Happy Easter to everyone. The Holiest day of the year for those of the Christian Faith.

Michelle and myself will be at home today making a beer can chicken and just enjoying the day. Yesterday we managed to make it up to Amy's for an Easter Egg Hunt that I managed to get one or two photographs from and have posted them online at both my site and Facebook.

The rain did manage to hold off enough yesterday afternoon to allow the kids to have a few rounds of finding Easter Eggs. I think that Erica, Josh and Kaiden had an absolute blast going to look for the eggs. You could see the excitement on their faces when they were told to go and find the eggs. I don't think they cared about the prizes inside, I think they got their joy from just looking for them. Hence why they were hidden more than once.

With our Sunday shopping completed yesterday, today should be a day of relaxation for Michelle and Me.

Saturday Morning Ramblings

Here I sit once again in a quiet house with almost everyone sleeping. Hayley is in Pittsburgh visiting family, so the house is nice and quiet on an early Saturday morning.

Maybe it's just me, but I think the water table is in good enough condition that it could stop raining for a while. If April Showers bring May flowers, we should be getting ready for a jungle of flowers coming up real soon. I should just be thankful that at least it is not snow.

Since tomorrow is Easter, we're going to try to get our shopping done this morning so we can try to make it to Amy's this afternoon for an Easter Egg Hunt, weather permitting. If it is raining we probably are going to stay home rather than just crowd inside of her place getting mud everywhere. I hope it stops raining today.

Have a good Saturday

Big Ole Hairy Good 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 Good Friday.

Yes it is the start of a holy weekend for Christians, the holiest time of the year and a time when Peter Cottontain will be hopping down the bunny trail and leaving goodies for little boys and girls for Easter.

Weather permitting my niece Amy will be holding the 2011 Easter Egg Hunt at her home this year. Hopefully the weather will be cooperative.

Haley is going to Pittsburgh for the weekend to stay with her cousins and I think Chad is going to Maryland with Laiah. It'll just be a relaxing easter morning with me and my baby.

Hi ho...er hippity hoppity hippity hoppity

Photo Flashback Thursday

It's Photo Flashback Thursday, the one day of the week when I take a little bit of time and look back through all my photos and relive a small portion of my past life on the internet.

This particular picture was taken just up on top of the hill from where I live now, it was a time when my Mother was in visiting from Georgia and her and Terri stopped in to see me. It was also a time when I had hair and actually tried to grow a mullet (yes this was in the 1980's and they were in style). Might be one of the last few pictures taken of me with a full head of hair, it was later that summer that I started getting crew cuts and having next to no hair.

It was a time when I was working at Sterling, partying my butt off and having as much fun as I possibly could muster. We had some great neighbors downstairs and it was a fun filled couple of years when I met some great people. Most of if not all of them are out of my life now, but it was a time that I think everyone needs to enjoy.

These were my wild and crazy years.

Hump Day

What is up with this weather? If I were a duck I might love this, but I'm not a duck and I think the water table is more than full. It's time to start bringing the sunshine instead of all of this rain. With Easter weekend fast approaching, it would be nice to have a little bit of a break from all this rain and see a little bit of sunshine. Kids do have to find those eggs.

Michelle was sick once again yesterday and stayed home from work. She's usually a trooper and a hard one to keep down, so I know those headaches had to have been horrible. Hopefully she will be feeling better today and will be able to get back to work. I know she is starting to feel a little bit of cabin fever and wants to get out of the house.

Hi ho hi ho

Tuesday's Tidbits

* Well Monday is now a distant memory and we are on to the next day of the week, can't think of a better reason than that to do a tidbits.

* 1,131 days since mine and Michelle's first date a little over three years ago.

* It's been 354 days since our engagement.

* and were are at 109 days and counting until our wedding this August.

* My niece Amy is going to be hosting the Easter Egg Hunt for 2011 this Saturday. I've donated my eggs from last year to the cause and I'll even try to fill most of them up before the hunt.

* Michelle was a little bit under the weather yesterday morning when she woke up. She wasn't feeling that well when she went to bed Sunday Night, and she definitely wasn't feeling very well yesterday. Hopefully she'll feel better this morning when she wakes up.

* Funny story, Michelle woke me up yesterday morning at 6:30. No big deal except when you consider I'm up between 4-5:00 EVERY day including Saturday and Sunday. So, it felt like I slept in.

* The weather looks like it may want to start cooperating with us now, at least a little bit. I'm not holding my breath though just in case.

* Speaking of easter Dinner, Michelle is going to prepare one for us here. I have to come up with some ideas for food.

* Hi ho hi ho

Mondays

All good things have to end, and that includes weekends. It's back to the grindstone for the next few days for us, before we can enter into Easter weekend next weekend.

Our bas day Saturday with a great day yesterday, we did start to get our garden set up and a portion of the dirt into it. We wanted to at least get it set up and give the soil a little time to settle before we officially start planting our tomatoes, different varieties of peppers, probably a little bit of loose leaf lettuce and some green beens as well as some assorted herbs like Basil, Parsley, Chives, Mint, dill and maybe or two others. I'm going to plane some cucumber plants, but not in that planter.

Onto this week and another fun filled week of putting our noses on the grindstone. Don;t you just hate Mondays?

Hi ho hi ho

One of those days

Today has to be a makeup day, yesterday was one of those days that you just wish you could forget about. It seemed that anything that could go wrong, did go wrong and it started early in the morning with our easy up being blown across thew yard and ended up with the us having the alternator go out in the car and having to change it.

Once again a big thank you to George McClain and Pam for coming over and giving me a hand changing the alternator out in our car. I was having one heck of a time getting the serpentine belt back on, he came and worked his magic in a small space and was able to slip the belt on.

We didn't want an already bad day to end, so we decided to do our weekly grocery shopping last night, the day was already bad, I just thought we might as well get everything done yesterday so we can relax and have fun today.

I'm just hoping today is going to be a relaxing kind of day, we deserve it.

Early Saturday Morning Ramblings

Here I am, once again in a quiet house with everyone sleeping except this early bird who is up in time to make sure the roosters are awake.

I don't think Mother Nature is going to be as nice to us this weekend as she was weather wise last weekend. It's calling for rain in the forecast and at 5:00 AM it appears to have rained last night. I'm sure we'll make the most of it though, somehow or another. I know Michelle and I have plans for this evening for dinner, but the rest of our weekend is pretty much open.

We did get our first shipment from Oriental Trading for a lot of items we ordered for the wedding yesterday. There is still one shipment that needs to be made, but that is for items that were personalized and took a little more time to ship. In case anyone didn't know, it's going to be non formal, Hawaiian/Beach/Margaritaville styled wedding. Everyone will bet leid, some of us more ways than others. =)

Hope everyone has a great 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.

I'm kind of hoping that the weather holds out this weekend, we bought an herb garden from Sams last weekend that I would kind of like th get set up this weekend. I want to line it in plastic and be able to to use it as a Herb/Vegetable garden on the back deck this year. I figured I retired from softball, I can find something else to do with my time and I have always missed having a garden.

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

Photo Flashback Thursday

Well here we are once again, another Thursday and yet another time to look back through my tens of thousands of pictures I have either taken or scanned through the years and take a littlebit of time to reflect back on times gone by.

This picture I can date back to I think January 7, 1973. It was my grandfather's 80th birthday and everyone was helping him celebrate it. It also marked the time when he actually retired from working a job and only worked around the house.

To say that he was a hard worker was an absolute understatement. It was up every morning between 3:00 and 4:00 AM and he was at work at the church by 4:00 AM every day.

On this day, it was a very special memory for me as my grandfather and grandmother posed for a picture together, probably one of the last times they had a picture taken together when they were both 100% healthy and definitely a very fond memory for me.

Hump Day

Well we are now at the day before Friday eve and looking at the downhill part of the workweek and staring at yet another weekend.

Michelle's Mom and grandmother are coming into town this afternoon for Gigi's eye appointment at the WVU Eye Institute here in Morgantown. We are talking about getting together and having dinner with them this evening after work. Gigi likes eating at the Golden Coral, so that is where we will be dining for dinner this evening. I hope it's a seafood kind of evening myself, I would have a little mbit of fish this evening.

Hi ho hi ho

Tuesday's Tidbits

* Well Monday is once again in our rear view mirrors and we are looking down at a Tuesday, I can't think of a better reason to do a tidbits.

* It's been 1,124 magical days since mine and Michelle's first date a little over three years ago.

* It's been 347 days since our engagement, and we are looking at a year on that pretty soon.

* 116 days to go until we are blissfully merged together in wedlock.

* I guess all good things have to come to an end and that included the great weather we were experiencing yesterday. A couple days in a row of 80° weather kind of spoiled me, but I like that kind of spoiling. I love the spring time.

* Jean has mentioned that she would like to maybe do an Easter Egg hunt this year somewhere. I told her we have probably 100+ plastic eggs from last year and would do anything she would like to assist her. It's for the kids and she mentioned possibly doing it at Marilla and let the kids seek eggs.

* We were thinking about going to the trails yesterday evening, but the weather was a little less than cooperative and we ended up just staying home.

* Hi ho hi ho