Saturday Morning Ramblings

Once again I sit here in a quiet household in the early AM collecting my thoughts. I think the only ones who are awake are me and the dog Sadie as she just came out of the bedroom and plopped down in the living room. I just got finished watching the great movie "Bob the Butler" on TV. Such great television on in the early AM.

Anyways, it's game day here in Morgantown once again. This is also the day Michelle wanted to initially get married, but it was quickly shot down when we realized that the Mountaineers play today. Hopefully the Mountaineers will be able to get a full game in today without any Thunderstorms interrupting the game like last weeks blowout of Moo Tech after only three quarters.

We did our Saturday shopping last night in preparation for today so we can watch the game and not have to deal with the heavy traffic that seems to accompany game days in Morgantown.

Have a great day.

Big Ole Hairy Friday

Yes it is once again that time of the week that we all look foreword to, when we can take time to cease the labors for the week and take a little bit of needed time out to enjoy the fruits of those labors. It is once again the dawn of another weekend and a Big Ole Hairy Friday!!!!

Looking for some Football? The Morgantown High Mohigans will be traveling to Parkersburg WV to take on Parkersburg South High School. The University High Hawks will be putting their undefeated and unscored upon record on the line as they travel to defending State Champion Brooke.

College Football what you are wanting to see, well the West Virginia Mountaineers are at home Saturday against Norfolk State.

Hi ho hi ho

Photo Flashback Thursday

Once a week I take a little bit of time out to look through my tens of thousands of pictures that I have managed to take through the years and pick just one and talk a little about that lost moment in time that was captured with a camera.

This weeks pic is from May 16, 2004. When I graduated from WVU there was the College Graduation where I received my Degree (actually grabbed it off a table upstairs at the Coliseum). There was the University wide one that was in the Coliseum where the featured speaker, David Selby spoke to us and was the bug one.

First of all though that day was my Departmental one, the one where I actually made my graduation walk. This weeks picture is with one of my first digital cameras and is of that walk. When my name was announced and I walked and shook the Department heads hand.

It was a very special day and a very special moment in my life, it was the completion of a lifelong dream that I finally completed.

Hump Day

Well that was quick, I like these weeks with Holidays in them because you get through the week much faster. Today we are already at Hump Day and are starting to look towards another weekend just over this horizon.

With this crappy weather however, it may be an inside kind of weekend with the weather that is on the horizon. It's calling for rain all the way up until next Tuesday, but that is not set in stone and I'm sure things could change before then.

It's not that often that I get addicted to a TV program, but Michelle and I have been watching an awful lot of Pawn Stars on Netflix. Arron got us started a few weeks ago and we are about done with the second season right now.

Speaking of working, hi ho hi ho

Tuesdays Tidbits

* Well a Holiday Monday is now behind us, and we are looking to start our workweek on a Tuesday, still can't think of a better reason to do a tidbits.

* It's been 1,271 days since Michelle and I had our first date a few years ago. I actually tried to buy the movie 10,000 BC that we went and saw yesterday afternoon and she still told me no. yes, it was that bad.

* 494 days since our engagement.

* 31 days ago we partied down at the Marilla Center and exchanged our vows.

* There are 110 shopping days left until Christmas 2011.

* Only 4 more days left until the Mountaineer Football team plays again this season.

* the Official Josh Judy Major League Strikeout count has been bumped during the past week and is currently at 4 as Billy Butler became victim number four on the season.

* Hi ho hi ho

Happy Labor Day

It was a day of firsts yesterday. It was the first game on a Sunday for the Mountaineer Football Team, it was the first time beer was ever sold at Mountaineer Field, it was the first time I can ever remember a game being delayed because of weather (see pics) and it was the first time I can ever recall that a game was not played to it's completion with WVU.

The Dana Holgorsen era kicks off with a real bang as WVU beat Marshall 34-13 with the game halted in the 4th quarter. There was a 3 hour and 3 minute rain delay midway through the 3rd quarter, and an additional 4 minutes or so was played where WVU scored again, but late last night the Athletic Directors met and for the welfare of the Student Athletes deemed the game final as is.

I think we are calling for extended rain today, so it may be a relaxing movie day at home for our holiday and the culmination of our three day weekend.

It's Game Day

There are about 6-7 Saturdays a year when Morgantown transform into the states largest city, it's on six or seven days a year when the Mountaineer Football team plays a home game.

The 2011 College Football season has started this season, and today for the first time ever on a Sunday the Mountaineers will host the Blundering Turds from Huntington. Dana Holgorsen will lead the 2011 edition of the Mountaineers to the field with the schools new tradition of the Man walk, which will debut today.

Ironically even though the game is on a Sunday, this will be the first time beer will be allowed to be sold at the Stadium. It's kind of funny that it's on a day of the week that the Mountaineers have never played, that alcohol will be sold.

I love this time of the year, I love this school and this team almost to the point where it has a large affect on my blood pressure and Michelle's sanity. Although I am a level headed fan 99.9% of the time, I feel my team should dominate every game and ever snap.

Standards are high for not only being a Mountaineer fan, but a Steelers fan too.

A Pittsburgh Day

I know, we buy a new car and we are off an running, but Hayley's iPhone has been acting up to the point they may need to replace it, we are heading to South Hills Village today and the Apple Store to see about getting her phone looked at or replaced.

Normally I am up early and writing my BLOG, but this morning Michelle actually woke up before me and is cooking my breakfast (Turkey bacon, Eggs and toast) while I am writing this, I am so lucky to have such a loving wife. We have both decided to get healthy again and make a lifestyle change, knowing that this is the time of year when I put on weight (Football season).

Should be a good day.

Big Ole Hairy Friday and 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 a Big Ole Hairy Friday and a three day weekend!!!

Are you ready for some football? My Alma Mater, the great Morgantown High Mohigans will be playing at home against Annacostia, a team from DC who is looking to come down and try to lay the smack down on the Mohigans. The University High Hawks are at home and will be hosting the East Fairmont Bees in what could be a very good game.

Then the biggie, on Sunday the Marshall Blundering Turds will come into Morgantown and leave a residue of pure stink at Mountaineer Field as the Dana Holgorsen era officially begins in Morgantown with the first game of the season.

Should be a good weekend of football, but first I have to get this party started,

Hi ho hi ho

Photo Flashback Thursday

Once a week I like to take a little time out and look back through all of my older pictures and select one to make a blog about. I've been doing this for a couple of months now and it is one of my favorite blogs of the week to write, mainly because it makes me take a little time out and reflect upon my own life a little bit that I have captured in pictures.

This weeks picture is from a few years ago with what I used to refer as my "boys of summer" with Chewy, Phil and Chris. We had taken that afternoon off and traveled to Pittsburgh to watch the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the San Diego Padres at PNC Park.

Believe it or not, this was only my second Pirates game that I had ever attended in my life (Willie Stargell's last game was my first) and the first one I had ever attended at PNC Park, although this was not my first event at PNC.

You'll notice we are all chowing down on beer and Primanti Brothers sandwiches, and enjoying a great summer afternoon. It was a good day and a very memorable day with some great guys.

Hi ho hi ho

Hump Day

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

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

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

Speaking of work, hi ho hi ho

Tuesday's Tidbits

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

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

* It's been 487 days since our engagement.

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

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

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

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

* Hi ho hi ho

A Weekend Ending Trip

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

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

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

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

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

Congratulations Mr and Mrs Cummings

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

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

The new bride and groom will be honeymooning in Jamaica.

Saturday Morning Ramblings

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

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

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

Big Ole Hairy Friday

Yes it is once again that time of the week that we all look foreword to, when we can take time to cease the labors for the week and take a little bit of needed time out to enjoy the fruits of those labors. It is once again the dawn of another weekend and a Big Ole Hairy Friday!!!!

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

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

Hi ho hi ho

Photo Flashback Thursday

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

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

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

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

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

Hi ho hi ho

Update on Pam

I just got a text message from Moke.

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

Pam having Surgery Today

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

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

Hump Day

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

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

Hi ho hi ho

EARTHQUAKE

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

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

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

Josh Judy Called Up Again

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

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

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

Mow em down Ace.

Happy Birthday Moke

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

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

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

Happy Birthday today Moke.

Tuesdays' Tidbits

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

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

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

* It's been 17 days since the wedding.

* There are only 124 shopping days left until Christmas.

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

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

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

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

* Hi ho hi ho

Back to Work Monday

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

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

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

Hi ho hi ho

Sunday Morning Rumblings

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Happy Birthday Gloria Jean Hall

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

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

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

Happy Birthday Jean.

Big Ole Hairy Friday

Yes it is once again that time of the week that we all look foreword to, when we can take time to cease the labors for the week and take a little bit of needed time out to enjoy the fruits of those labors. It is once again the dawn of another weekend and a Big Ole Hairy Friday!!!!

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

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

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

Hi ho hi ho

Married Edition of Photo Flashback Thursday

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

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

Hi ho hi ho

Hump Day

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

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

Other than that, Hi ho hi ho

Tuesdays Tidbits

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

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

* 473 days ago I asked her to marry me.

* 10 days ago shew did.

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

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

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

* Hi ho hi ho

Yuck, Monday

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

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

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

Hi ho hi ho

It's Been a Busy Vacation

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

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

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

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

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

New Car?

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

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

Friday

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

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

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

Have a Great day.

EDIT, my pictures are all HERE

Back to West Virginia

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

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

We have both enjoyed ourselves.

Worn Out

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

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

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

Ocean City

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

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

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

Ocean City Bound

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

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

Happy Birthday Randy Lee Hamrick

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

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

Happy Birthday Randy.

Marriage Day One

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

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

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

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

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

Wedding Day

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

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

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

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

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

Big Ole Hairy Ten Day Vacation

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

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

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

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

It'll be a busy day for sure.

Photo Flashback Thursday

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

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

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

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

Hump Day

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

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

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

Hi ho hi ho

Tuesday's Tidbits

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

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

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

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

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

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

* Hi ho hi ho

*

And the Countdown starts

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

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

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

The clock is ticking, wedding day is getting closer.

Sunday Morning Blog

First of all thanks to Michelle for asking me "Did you Write a Blog?" If it were not for those magical words I would have completely forgotten to write anything this morning. I guess I got a little too sidetracked playing Texas Hold Em on Facebook this morning. I did win a round one game for the shootout to enter round two.

We managed to get a number of things done yesterday including some much needed shopping. Clothes, decorations, pricing soda and a few other things were on the agenda for yesterday. I did get my wedding gift from Michelle, a Garmin Nuvi 1300LMT GPS. Maybe this will help me stop getting lost when I travel anywhere. Now maybe I won't get lost as much as I normally would.

Have a great day.

Saturday Morning Ramblings

Well I am exactly one week away from getting married and still have a number of things to get done.

Last night we met with Bill, the guy who is marrying us and took a trip to the venue to get a few ideas. I think we are going to do the vows nice and simple as opposed to some longer drawn out version. Bill's bucket list included marrying someone and he really wanted to do ours, so we agreed to let him do our wedding.

Took another trips to Sam's yesterday to get all the plates, cups, silverware, napkins and things like salt and pepper for next Saturday. We actually loaded the car down with stuff and we have go out and do more shopping this weekend for the rest of the food.

Beer has been ordered, flowers have been ordered, extra tables have been reserved, cake order has been delivered, but we still have a number of things to do and places to go today. It's going to be a busy day no doubt.

Happy Birthday Josh Nicholson

Today is one very special little biys birthday, today is Josh Nicholson's birthday. val had his birthday party for him last month, where he received a go cart from Mommy and Daddy.

We all met at Krepps park to help him celebrate his birthday with family, friends and lots of food and fun.

If you see the birthday boy today, make sure you wish him a very Happy Birthday.

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!!!!

In case you have not noticed, there are 1 or 2 or 70,000 Motorcycles that have came to town for West Virginia Mountain Fest at Mylan Park. I would say if you are driving around today, be very careful because there are a lot of visitors around down riding motorcycles. Plan ahead, give yourself a little extra time to get to where you are going and that way you can manage to keep your sanity with all the extra traffic.

Just for the record, this will be my last working Friday as a single man.

Hi ho hi ho

Photo Flashback ThursdayO

Once a week I like to use my blog as an excuse to look back through the thousands of pictures that I have on my computer from the years gone buy and share it and tell a little story about it. This weeks picture was an image from my first real GIS company that I worked for in Frostburg Maryland called VARGIS.

VARGIS was opening up a satellite office away from their Sterling Virginia base and I was in the original group of compilers that was hired by that office. There were actually just five of us, the two in the front (notice how cute the bald one is) and the three that were behind the two of us up front. There was someone from the Sterling Office and a pair of workers who had traveled clear around this rock from Hyderbad India to teach how to compile 3D geosptatial data.

It was a time in my life when I was literally commuting 600 miles a week back and forth to work for my first real GIS job that actually gave me benefits as well as a paycheck.

I sometimes miss Frostburg, I don't miss that daily commute, but I miss the office and the people that I worked with.

Speaking of GIS Jobs, Hi ho hi ho

Hump Day

Well that's two days down so far this week. If you look up over the noontime hump, you can see another weekend just off in the distance. I say that we start to head over towards that weekend and finish up this work week.

We're starting to finalize a few more things including our wedding (cupcake) order from the cupcakerie here in Morgantown. Our wedding cake will be a series of cupcakes and these ladies make the absolute best ones in town. We're doing a Reese Cup one (guess who picked that one), a very vanilla one, a Neapolitan one and rasberry lemonade.

Oh well, so much for cupcakes.

Hi ho hi ho

Happy Birthday Daniel Edwin Bell

For any of you that are lucky to see Daniel Bell today down in Kentucky, make sure that you wish him the happiest of birthdays today. If my math is correct 27 years old today, that should put him back to being born somewhere around 1984. Wow, if Daniel is 27 now how old does that make me feel?

Anyways, the picture you see if of Daniel and his lovely wife Kamey and her two lovely daughters Shaina and Taylor.

Happy Birthday Daniel Bell, enjoy this years birthday and celebrate it with three beautiful young ladies.

Happy Birthday.

Tuesday's Tidbits

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

* Mine and Michelle's fist date was 1,229 magical days ago.

* It's been 452 days since our engagement, I wonder how significant this will be after the next fact.

* 11 more days until our wedding. My final 11 days as a single man, it was a nice ride, but I'm ready to finally get to this part of my life.

* I think we have narrowed down our choice for Vacation/Honeymoon. We're liking the idea of heading to Ocean City for a few days. I haven't been to the Beach since the weekend before I started college, I guess this would be another good time.

* I hope everyone is enjoying a nice break from the ridiculously hot weather.

* Tonight at 7:00 at Krepps Park, Hillbilly Gypsies will be playing. Good times although I doubt if we have noodle salad.

* Hi ho hi ho

Back to the Grindstone

Well, this weekend has now went from present day to a place in our memories. It's time to put our noses back on the grindstone and start to concentrate on the things that help us pay our bills, that nasty little thing that always ruins a weekend called work.

Just realized this will be last full week of work as a single man as I will be taking off Friday the following week to prepare for the wedding the next day. We still have not decided on where we are going to go for our honeymoon, we've thrown a few ideas around and come up with a time frame and have estimated our budget, so now it's time to decide what we want to do and where we want to go. The clock is ticking, so I'll need a game plan sometime between now and two weeks from now when we might be leaving.

Well the good news is the NFL lockout is about over with, everyone has agreed to the terms and now the players must just approve the offer they made and the owners approved. I would say it will be settled today in my opinion.

Other than that, Hi ho hi ho

From Busy to Relaxing

Being that Michelle's bachelorette party was last night, I don;t think that Michelle is going to have any motivation at all until this afternoon. She said she had a great time last night, thanks to all who helped out or allowed her to have one, she had a huge smile on her face when she got home this morning.

Hayley showed me a great way to get music yesterday, it's called VideotoMp3, all you do is paste the address to a Youtube video that you want and it will extract the audio from the video and give it to you in mp3 format. I thought it was a nice little tool if you are only looking for a song or two. I've always like Bit Torrents, but that is usually for whole albums or an entire collection.

So, today should be a nice relaxing day.

Busy Day Planned

Busy Day planned today, Michelle has to go to the beauty shop to have her hair colored, Chad has an eye appointment, I have to find time to go to Mom's and fix her computer, I have prescriptions to pick up and drop off, grocery shopping at Sam's and Wal-Mart, work in a nap for Michelle because tonight is her bachelorette party.

I would say that we have a full day planned for the two of us.

Last night after work Michelle went to Amy's for a Mary Kay party. She said that she had a great time and ordered a good deal of product. Jean is going to have the next one from my understanding, so it sounds like hosting a party worked out pretty well for Amy. I know last year Michelle had a Pampered Chef book party and we did really well.

Temps are supposed to be high today, but thunderstorms are in the forecast, so it could make it hot and muggy, but that's OK with me because in case I have never mentioned it before, I HATE SNOW.

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!!!!

No movies on the Mon tonight, but the big news is that they are trying to arrange for a Brad Paisley concert at the Mylan Puskar Football Stadium sometime in the near future.

Ladies, my niece Amy is having a Mary Kay party tonight at her place. Michelle and Jean are going to ride up after work, so no Milano's pizza for me tonight. Although with this hot weather I don't know if I was really in the mood for a hot pizza.

Have a great weekend.

Hi ho hi ho

Photo Flashback Thursday

It's once again that time when I look back through all of my old pictures and pick just one out of my past to talk about. This has become one of my most favorite BLOG of the week to write because I get to walk down memory lane.

This week's picture was taken probably about 1973-4. When I was a kid I would go to the Morgantown Speedway out at Cheat Lake. It was a time when everyone in town would spend Saturday Night at the Speedway, because that was the place to be and the place to go. It was a 1/4 mile dirt track and a load of fun.

Like every other race car fan, I had my favorite driver, and my favorite race car driver in the 70's was Morgantown's own Mike Cole. Mike ran the semi-late division and was in my opinion the best driver at the track. (Note the stylish Evil Knievel T-Shirt and the stylish pants I was wearing).

The speedway is now gone, but it will always be embedded into my memories as a fond time of my childhood.

Hi ho hi ho

12 Years Ago

It was twelve years ago today, a day that will forever embedded into my memory as one of the saddest days of my life. It was twelve short years ago that my Father George Edward Hall Sr passed away at Ruby Memorial Hospital.

A lot has happened in those twelve years, four weddings so far (Val, Kim, Amy, and Moke) with one more coming up. He would have seen three beautiful Great Grandchildren (Erica, Josh and Kaiden) enter this world. All of his grandchildren have graduated High School with the exception of Calvin who is still in High School. One son Graduate from WVU and two Grandchildren enroll at WVU.

He may be gone, but he will never be forgotten and his legacy lives on.

Erica's Surgery

Erica jean's Surgery went well, she was in surgery for less than an hour and was home by early evening. In her honor as I am writing this, I'm eating some Ben and Jerry's ice cream. I'll help her out and make the sacrifice...lol

I guess Amy's place got hit by lightning yesterday morning. It knocked her fuse box out, killed her Bedroom TV and DVD player and knocked out her satellite. I have a 20" TV with a DVD and VHS players that I purchased about four years ago that I'm going to give her. It's been just sitting in the bedroom collecting dust, so I figure she can put it to good use.

How do you like this weather? It's Summertime baby!!!!!


Hi ho hi ho

Tuesday's Tidbits

* Monday is once again behind us and we are staring straight down the barrel of a Tuesday, so I can;t think of a better reason than that to do a tidbits.

* 1,222 days since mine and Michelle's first date a little over three magical years ago.

* 445 days ago I got down on one knee and proposed marriage to the woman I love.

* In 18 more days that woman will become my wife. We have the rings, have the license, have the person will will marry us and we have the venue.

* Went out again last night after work and bought more food for the reception. Jean went with us and we went to and got 60 lbs of hamburger for her to start cooking. She'll be making cabbage rolls, sambusa and baked spaghetti, so we are preparing to feed an army. There are still a number of things we will need to get before our day arrives.

* Big day of meetings today, I have a webinar that I'm hosting to an international audience and then a nice long meeting with the sequestration team.

* Erica Jean is having her tonsils and adenoids removed today, it should just be a simple surgery, so I guess that means she gets ice cream.

* Remember that NEXT Tuesday that the Hillbilly Gypsies will be having a free concert at Krepps Park, the concert will start at 7:00.

* Hi ho hi ho

Monday

One weekend is over with, but there are only four more fun days until another Friday. I guess you have to look at the optimistic side of the worst day of the week, so everything has an upside including Mondays.

Dinner last night was awesome, we found some really nice, thick and tender steaks at Sam's that we through on the grill last night for dinner. I have to confess my guilt that my taste buds love a good steaks with sauteed mushrooms and onions smothering the top of it with a delectable taste that you just want to slowly enjoy and savor. I have to say that the vacuum sealer we bought marinates steaks very well to say the least. It was a meal fit for any king and Michelle prepared them to perfection.


Anyone notice that the Pittsburgh Pirates are 5 games over .500 and 1/2 game out of first place? Barry Bonds was a tall lanky kid the last time the Pirates were above .500 this late in the season and contending for first place. Go Tribe and Go Bucs.

Hi ho hi ho

Sunday Morning Ramblings

Once again I'm up early, didn't awake before the roosters today, but still up pretty early. Michelle's Bridal shower went pretty well yesterday, I've put the pictures from yesterday up on MY SITE that Michelle has taken.

I think Michelle had a blast, even after the shower she and a close friend who she hadn't seen since High School came back to the house to catch up on things. Holley ended up taking me and Michelle out to dinner later on before she started to head back north. It was a pleasure to meet another parrothead.

Once again another heart felt thank you to Chris and Jes especially, but also to all who attended and helped Michelle with this special day. I could just tell by the look on her face, that was a very special day for her.

Back to normal, grocery shopping we must do.

Michelle's Bridal Shower

Well our big day is getting closer and closer, three weeks away from today and preparations are under way to get this party started.

Today is Michelle's Bridal shower. She is starting to get a little nervous, but I know she is also getting excited. A special thanks to her Sister Chris for all the work she has done and to the best wedding planner around, Jes thank you for all that you have done. I know Michelle really appreciates everything that you two have so selflessly done to assist her and help her get this bridal shower organized.

I'm sure she'll grab a few pictures today, I hope I can teach her to take clear pictures and remain calm when her finger is on the shutter.

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 great movie to see and even for a better price, tonight's schedule for Movies on the Mon is the movie Despicable Me. I saw the movie on Netflix this past week and loved it, I wanted to see it in the theater last year. So, if you are looking for a little cheap, as in free entertainment, grab your favorite butt cushion, some snacks and head on down to the Amphitheater for a good evening of fun. It's also Family Fun Fest night which means the inflatable jump tent will be up and running tonight for the kiddies.

We went out yesterday after work and bought some of the food for the wedding reception. We did manage to eliminate renting any equipment that we had priced about a month ago. We came in under budget for the stuff we were going to rent and we get to keep a few nice chafing dishes. We're not done by any stretch, but we have a good start on the stock items like veggies, butter, flour, sauces etc. We still have to purchase the meat, but we're waiting till a time closer to the reception to do that. With the wedding getting closer we're now starting to finalize everything that we need to.

Hi ho hi ho

Photo Flashback Thursday

Once a week I take a little bit of time to look back through my tens of thousands of digital images and pic one and reflect upon. This weeks picture is no different, maybe not one that has been lost or hidden, but one of my favorites.

I was living at Barrington North and Mom and Don were living in Georgia and had come up for a visit. They had stopped over to see me and brought Terri over with Val and Amy. Mom snapped this keeper of me and Terri on my back deck. It was a time long ago when I had hair and was much, much thinner than I am these days.

I would date the picture at around 1985 or 86 if I had to make an educated guess. I don't remember too much about the day, but I do remember that it was a day that Mom and Don were in for a visit.

Hi ho hi ho

Hump Day

Well we are past both Monday and Tuesday and up over the horizon is yet another fun filled weekend. I do have to say that work wise this week has gone by rather quickly, we have been busy with the preparation of a couple of Atlases coming up over the next 15 months or so. One a multi country effort and one a US effort that between the two will keep us busy for a while.

I found out last night that Val totaled her car yesterday evening, she is OK, the kids are OK everyone is physically OK. Her car on the other hand is probably finished with a smashed front end. I spoke to Gary first and Val later to confirm everyone is OK.

Jean was finally released from the Hospital right before then from her short little stay. She says she feels fine and is ready to go, she didn't want anyone to know she was in there, but some of us didn't listen.

Everyone is OK and it's a go for this weekend.

Tuesday's Tidbits

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

* It's been 1,215 days since I had the pleasure of taking Michelle out on our first date. Dinner at Pizza Hut and that wonderful movie 10,000 BC.

* It has been a total of 438 days since I got down on one knee at 4:00 in the morning and proposed marriage.

* We are at 25 days until that proposal becomes marriage.

* It's Angela McClain's birthday (reminder)

* The Josh Judy Official Major League strikeout count still stands at 3. he's back in AAA Columbus, but should be called back up at various times throughout the season.

* Hi hi ho hi

Happy Birthday Angela McClain

I would like to take this opportunity to wish Angela McClain a very Happy Birthday Today. Ang has been in the family for a number of years, her and Moke go together like lamb and tuna fish (Big Daddy reference) and it has been my pleasure to first get to know her and last year help welcome her into our Family on 10-10-10.

If you get a chance to see Ang today, make sure that you wish her the very happiest of birthdays today.

Happy Birthday Ang!!!!

I don't air out dirty laundry on the internet

As much as I would like to just scream at a few people, I refuse to step to the level of some. I want to write this blog and just scream at the top of my lungs about how mad I am right now.

But I won't do that, so this is a very short blog.

Hi ho hi ho

Sunday Morning

It's another Sunday Morning, which means it's our day to get our grocery shopping done for the week. I've always liked shopping on Sundays, considering that we are busy during the week and I like fresh vegetables to take for lunch, this is the one day I can get vegetables and have them the freshest by weeks end.

Michelle and Jes went out yesterday and assembled some nice personalized gifts for the bridal shower next week. I have to say they were very creative, or at least more creative than I ever could have been, but then again I'm a guy and lack that creativity. Michelle took a few pictures, but they are on her phone, I'll wait until her Bridal shower is over with and maybe get some pictures from her so that I can share them on my blog.

Our raised Garden is growing, we pulled up our lettuce as It grew very tall and started to get a little bit of a bitter taste. Same with out Broccoli, it kept on flowering so we had to pull up all the plants. The peppers are doing well, the Cabbage is growing and I underestimated how may tomatoes are on a tomato plant, there are more growing than we will ever eat.

Have a great Sunday.

Saturday Morning Ramblings

Once again I sit here in a quiet house, early in the AM and just collecting my thoughts. I'm watching the award winning Pauley Shore is Dead on the boob tube, because it's just the best thing on TV at this hour. Sad I have hundreds of channels and a Roku and this is what I'm watching.

Michelle and Jes will be doing a little bit of shopping today in preparation of next weeks bridal Shower. Going to be grabbing a few game prizes and maybe a little bit of shopping for the wedding that is just four short weeks away from today. I've got one or two things on my todo list that I need to get done, so I might take advantage of Michelle spending the day with Jes and gather some pictures and start putting some music together for the reception.

In some sad news other than Betty Ford passing away, the NCAA has accepted the punishment WVU Football has implemented upon itself for the improper use of coaches and extra practice time under former coaches Rich Rodriguez and Bill Stewart. It includes two years of probation, loss of two scholarships last season (already done) and loss of one during this recruiting year. The good news is we are not suspended from any Bowl games, won't have to vacate any wins like Ohio State just had to nor be suspended from any Post Season or Conference Championships that this team could win in the upcoming season.

Have a great Saturday, this is what we work for.

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 Friday!!!!


For those of you looking for soem cheap, as in free entertainment tonight, Movies on the Mon is playing the Karate Kid. So grab your favorite butt cushion or sit on the bleachers, gran you some snacks and go to the Amphitheater for a really good movie. I've seen it a couple of times, and I am pretty sure we even went to the Theater to see it. It's worth a watch if you haven't seen it before.

Hi ho hi ho

Photo Flashback Thursday

It's once again that time of the week when I take a little bit of time out to look back through all of my old pictures and look for that one special picture to write a blog about.

This weeks blog goes back a number of years, back when my sister Pam went from being a Hall to being a McClain. A day when two young kids exchanged wedding vows a number of years ago, when going for Ice Cream was the thing to do and before Moke or Calvin were even a twinkle in their parents eyes.

It was a nice day, a day when two families joined together and there was a wedlock that has lasted until this day.

Easier times, simpler times, less complicated times.

Hi ho hi ho

Hump Day

Well do I count that as two down or just one down? Who cares, it's Hump day and just over this horizon is another weekend for us to enjoy.

Last night Michelle went over and met with Jes, who has been helping us plan our wedding to go over a few things for the Bridal Shower in a couple of weeks. They are doing a little brainstorming and probably having a few legal beverages going over some games for the Bridal Shower. We're lucky to know someone like Jes and we both owe her a very bug thank you.

I think we are not planning anything this weekend so we can take some time out and get some things ready for the wedding and the bridal shower.

Hi ho hi ho

Tuesday's Tidbits

* Even though we had yesterday off, we are still looking at starting the week with a Tuesday, can't think of a better reason to do a tidbits.

* It's been 1,208 days since mine and Michelle's first date.

* 431 days since our engagement.

* 32 days until the wedding.

* The official Josh Judy Major League Strikeout count is currently at 2. He had his second one Sunday.

* Pam and George had a 4th of July cookout yesterday, everyone had a great time. I put all of my pictures from yesterday on my picture site. I had a few I stuck on facebook, but the juicy ones are on my site.

* Hi ho hi ho

Happy 4th of July

235 years ago today, a group of men met in Philadelphia and declared that we the Colonies were going to be Independent of England and we were going to form our own country.

Today we are going to the McClain residence for a what promises to be another great cookout. Pam and the grillmaster George will once agin this year host a get together at their place full of food, fun, family and friends and Michelle and I have the honor of being able to attend.

It's going to be a great day.

The Sunday Morning After

Another annual Rosiak Party has once faded into memory. Once again Frank and Pat Rosiak put on one heck of a shindig with lots of old and good friends, plenty of food, and of course a chance for me to break out my water cannon for its annual usage.

They had a waterslide that some of us took advantage of. Layla had a lot of fun riding it and you might have even seen a portly man ride it a few times himself.

Thanks once again to Frank and Pat Rosiak, had a great time once again this year.

Josh Judy is BACK in the Majors

I had a hunch something was up yesterday, I just had a strange feeling that Josh was going to be called back up in the VERY near future. Chris Perez was added to the Teams Bereavement list and Josh was once again called up to the active roster for the Indians.

The Official Josh Judy Major League Strikeout Count continues. Count is currently at 1 and Still counting.

Josh currently has 12 saves so far this season for the AAA Columbus Clippers.

This is his second OFFICIAL (as in Regular Season) stint in the Majors.

Enjoy it Josh.

Rosiak Party

It's once again that time of the year when I break out my water cannon for an annual mega water battle that is the Rosiak 4th of July Party. My cannon and I will be attending our 14th annual water battle this year ans we are looking to soak a few people.

Yes it is the Frank and Pat Rosiak annual 4th of July Pic Nic today. An annual event that I have attended a number of years and Michelle will be making her fourth appearance at today.

There are a few days that I use for a benchmark during the summer time, one is obviously the Jimmy Buffett concert in Pittsburgh. The other is this Pic Nic that has become such a big part of my life and summer. Frank and Pat have opened their home to a slew of guests over the years and have always opened everyone with open arms.

I'll be taking my camera and my faithful water cannon to today's festivities.

Big Ole Hairy Three Day Weekend 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 Three Day Weekend Hairy Friday!!!!

I hope everyone has plans for a great holiday weekend, I have a couple of cookouts we are planning on attending. The annual Rosiak 4th of July Pic Nic is tomorrow and Pam and George are going to have a cookout on Monday. Hopefully the weather holds up for the entire weekend.

Have a great day and a better weekend. Hi ho hi ho let's get this holiday party started.