Back To Work

All good things must come to an end, and unfortunately that includes weekends and it's time to return back to the grindstone. I have no idea what I'm going to run into today, as I had to leave to take care of my iPhone (Which still isn't here yet) and it's cracked screen.

The Steelers managed to be at the Jacksonville Jaguars yesterday, so that made it a nice and relaxing day. Michelle made spaghetti for dinner, and I was good as I'm really trying to get back in shape with a lifestyle change.

Not much to say this morning other than hi ho hi ho

Sunday Morning Rumblings

Here I sit, up in the early AM in a quiet house where everyone but me is in slumber land. Not even the dog is stirring around and the only thing on TV is the movie The Wild Life playing in the background. I'm just thinking it's been five years since Chris Penn, the start of the movie, had passed away. I'll always best remember him for his roles in Footloose which is now at the theaters in a remake and All the Right Moves.

Agenda for the day, I'm working on an old HP laptop that Michelle used to have when we first started dating. I'm going to try to get it up and running properly with the keyboard working, as it's been retired for a couple of years now. Chad may have a job for a month or so in Cleveland working, so we're going to try to get something mobile for him to take up. Like me, his computer is a PC that he built (I bought mine) and it would be a pain to take it up and set it up up there. So we're going to try to get him the old HP laptop up and running. The operating system is fine, it's just the peripherals (Keyboard ad Mouse) that are the problem. Shouldn't be a hard, or even a costly fix.

I think I spoke too soon, Hayley just walked out here. Speaking of Hayley, she has been working at Bed Bath and Beyond and really seems to enjoy working there. A big thank you to JD Lewis for giving her a chance, she wasn't happy at Target but she really seems to like working there. We used her Discount after she first started and bought a Smart Stick that we use every day and just love it.

Back to the agenda, grocery shopping and Pittsburgh Steelers football are also on today's agenda. It is Sunday you know.

Happy Birthday Brittany Dae Cummings

Wow could really have been 21 years ago today that I was sitting in the hospital waiting room watching a Who's the Boss rerun as Ed walked in and said it was a girl. I walked out in the hallway and saw them wheeling you around, and that was the first glimpse that I had had of Brittany 21 years ago today.

If you happen to see my beautiful niece today, make sure that you take a little bit of time out to wish her not only a Happy Birthday, but a very Happy 21st Birthday today.

Happy Birthday Brittany.

Terri to New York City

I have no idea why, but I just checked Facebook, but it appears that my sister Terri is on her way to New York City. She just posted a status of being in New Jersey. I guess she left late last night, I hope she has a lot of fun in the city that never sleeps.

Saturday Morning Ouch

Yesterday wasn't the best of days, and it wasn't the worse of days. It started out with me going to the gym and getting a great workout, followed by me having to go to the restroom and having my iPhone drop out of its holster and smashing the glass in the front.

I called Apple and was going to do whatever it took to have it repaired or replaced, however that is not covered under the warranty. They will give you what they call an "Out of Warranty Replacement" for $199.00 However when I tried to make an appointment yesterday, it was then that I realized the iPhone 4s was being released and I had no chance of getting into an Apple Store.

Long story short, they cut the price to $149.99 and $29.99 for overnight shipping and my new iPhone should be either here today, or I'll get it Monday. Being this is Saturday, my guess is I'll get it Monday.

I did buy an Otter Box Defender yesterday to protect the new Phone when it arrives. I bought one for Hayley and for Michelle previously, but it was me who did not buy one for himself that dropped his and smashed it.

A little over a week ago water got onto and into Michelle's old laptop. As a quick fix I bought her a new one and tried to fix the old one. Yesterday the new keyboard arrived and the old laptop, which we will now refer to my new laptop, so I changed it and problem was fixed. It's as good as new.

We did manage to attend Mountaineer Madness yesterday evening, and we had a great time. I went alone last year because Michelle was under the weather. This year with walking cast on, she managed to get around much better and is starting to adapt to that big cast. Gotta love her, and I do, she is a trooper.

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!!!!

Are you looking for a little bit of local football, well you better get it tonight because the Mountaineers are off tomorrow. The Morgantown Mohigans will play host to Westinghouse, PA, a team I know absolutely nothing about. This will be the first meeting between these two schools and it happens here in Morgantown this evening.University High plays host to John Marshall also tonight in Morgantown and Clay Battelle travels to Cameron this evening.

If you are looking for a little different kind of excitement tonight, the 2011-12 Mountaineer basketball season officially starts tonight with the first practice of the year during Mountaineer Madness. It will be introductions of both the Men's and Women's teams, a scrimmage by the men and the always fan favorite of a Slam Dunk competition followed by an autograph session to close out the evening's festivities.

I received my first ever Josh Judy "Major League" Baseball card in the mail yesterday. I had a few of his minor league cards, but this was the first Major League card and it was issued by Topps. It's going into the safe until Josh can get here and sign it for me.

Have a great day, hi ho hi ho

Photo Flashback Thursday

Once a week I like to look back at all my pictures that I have collected through the years and just select one photo, one moment in time and try to relive that one moment gone by on my blog.

This weeks image is a place some of you have seen, but many of you in Morgantown drive by ever day without a clue as to what is there.

In White park there exists a huge reservoir. I large body of water that is actually Morgantown's water supply. It sits back in the woods, out of the view of the casual observer. On the back end of this reservoir, the water takes a significant drop in elevation and actually goes to the level of the river. This happens right behind the Toyota Garage on University Avenue.

A few years ago when I got my first camera, I ventured out to where this beautiful piece of lost beauty in Morgantown was and took a few pictures. Today's picture is of one of those pictures I took of the cascading waterfall.

Hi ho hi ho

Hump Day

Two down, let's get today in and look over the horizon, I can see another weekend just off in the distance.

Well Michelle went to the Orthopedic Dr yesterday, her foot is definitely broken and she has a walking boot that they have given her that she's not liking too much. It's a different one than the one they originally gave her, this one is designed more to correct the problem. They told her no rails to trails for a couple of months, so maybe we;ll have to look for an alternative way for her to get a little bit of cardio exercise.

She can still drive, but since the Subaru is a five speed it makes it a little bit trickier. She'll be fine though, she hasn't had much trouble driving with the other boot on.

Speaking of the trails, hi ho hi ho

Tuesday's Tidbits

* Well so much for my three day weekend. It's Tuesday and back to work, so I guess I should do a tidbits.

* We received Michelle's new laptop a little early, it actually came yesterday. She came home sick from work yesterday, so maybe she'll get a chance to try it out today since she really couldn't yesterday.

* I've ordered a new keyboard off of Amazon for her old one and I'll switch it out once I get it to see if that makes any difference.

* I ordered a Josh Judy Rookie card last night from Ebay. Josh said that Topps now has them and they were available on EBay, so I bought one. Not sure when he'll get back to Morgantown so I'll probably give it to his dad and have him sign it for me. I

* I just texted him and told him to sign it and a few others when he gets to town.

* It's been 1,306 days since mine and Michelle's first date.

* 529 days since we became engaged.

* 66th day of matrimony for us.

* 75 shopping days left until Christmas.

* Hi ho hi ho

Columbus Day

I consider myself lucky today, for me it is Columbus Day which also means that it is a Federal Holiday and I am fortunate enough to have a paid holiday today. Michelle still has to work today, so my holiday may even contain a day when I actually go to the office to work out for a while. Go in, get my walking and lifting done and then I can just turn right around and come home.

I honestly don't have any plans other than that and running Hayley to work later this evening. If the post office was working I would get Michelle's new laptop, but they aren't so it won't be here until tomorrow. I think I'll try fixing her old one and use it myself, I have a PC and actually prefer a PC, however it would be nice just to be able to sit on the couch and surf the World Wide Web.

On a side note, I would like to wish a very happy First Anniversary to Moke and Ang, it was one year ago today that they were bound in matrimony.

Have a Good day, maybe I should say Hi ho hi ho it's off to the gym I go.

Sunday Morning Rumblings

Here I sit in a quiet house, everyone else is in a state of slumber and once again I am up early like I am every day.

This has been a strange weekend so far, AI think we have all been sick at one time or another, but the sickness has lasted a few hours and the recovery time has been rather quick. Michelle was feeling under the weather early yesterday afternoon and I got it in the early evening. Later that evening she went out and visited her Mom at the Auction and I feel good this morning.

Early this afternoon we are going to watch the Pittsburgh Steelers take on the Tennessee Titans, and this one will be in the friendly confines on Heinz Field. Three of the first four Steelers games have been on the road, now they get to return home for the second time this season.

The Mountaineers beat UCONN 43-16 yesterday here in Morgantown. Geno Smith passed for what would have been a school record 450 yards a few weeks ago, but it was short of his 466 yards he threw for against LSU.

Have a great day.

RIP Mike Puskar

I saw some very bad news over the night, Mike Puskar a man whose name is all over this town including the Football Stadium and the facilities building for the Football team, passed away last night.

If you know anything about Morgantown, West Virginia, or West Virginia University, you will know the name Milan "Mike" Puskar.He started a pharmaceutical company in 1961 that is now one of Morgantown's largest and best employers. His tailgates were the biggest at Mylan Puskar Stadium where the Mountaineers play this afternoon and I honestly have never heard anyone ever say a bad word about the man.

Thank you Mike for all you have done, you have changed this town, this community and this University for the better.

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

Looking for a little bit of Football Action? The Morgantown Mohigans host the always troublesome Wheeling Park at Pony Lewis Field. The University High Hawks play host to #2 ranked Bridgeport at their stadium. Out in Blacksville, Clay Battelle will host Van which may be the counties best High School Football game this weekend.

At home tomorrow also will be the Mountaineers hosting the Connecticut Huskies and we will out to seek revenge for last years debacle where they managed to beat us up in Storrs. We'll see if the Offense can let the rest of the Big east know who's going to represent the conference in a BCS game this season.

We'll probably not get into too much this weekend, Michelle has a stress fracture on her foot, I told her to quit kicking my butt so much, and we will probably take it easy this weekend.

Hi ho hi ho

Photo Flashback Thursday

Once a week I look to look back through all of my old pictures and select one to tell a little story about.

This weeks picture is one that I actually can't tell you much of a story about, other than who is in the picture.

To the left is Mick Toth Sr, my sister Pam and she is holding my nephew Moke, Jean and her Mother Helen.

It's amazing how quick time goes by some times, this was a summer of me still working at Sterling Faucet, both of the jean's parents were still alive and Moke was a youngun. This just seems like yesterday and makes me realize that time and life goes by us very fast. I would even believe the premise that the older that you get, the quicker the time goes to make up for how slow time went when you were waiting to turn 16 to get your drivers license.

Hi ho hi ho

Hump Day

two down so far, now it's up overt his hump and down hill to not only the weekend, but a three day weekend for me.

As a heads up, my brother in law Jim is going to have an auction this Saturday at the Cassville firehall starting at 6:00. He's going to be auctioning off some Halloween items if you are looking for those types of things.

The kids bought a bunch of pumpkins last night and have started to carve their pumpkins for this year. I have a couple books with a lot of designs and a pumpkin carving saw plus the dremmel tool. I'm sure we will see some very creative pumpkins.

Hi ho hi ho

Tuesday's Tidbits

* Well Monday is once again behind us and we are looking straight down the barrel of a Tuesday, if you know me that means that I am one person who can not think of a better reason that that to do a tidbits.

* It's been 1,299 days since mine and Michelle's first date, I must be one heck of a unique individual to even be still tracking this, and I am.

* 522 days ago I proposed marriage.

* 59 Days ago we all gathered at the Marilla Center for a party and to make it official.

* There are still only 82 more shopping days left until Christmas.

* We had a little accident here Sunday evening, water got into Michelle's laptop and pretty much ruined it. I've ordered her another one and am trying to make hers do until that one arrives.

* I had a nice little pleasant surprise today, I figured out that I am going to have a three day weekend coming up. Next Monday is Columbus Day, a Federal Holiday!!!!

* Hi ho hi ho

Monday

Here we go again, noses back on the grindstones ready to face yet another week of work ahead of making that stuff that allows us to enjoy our weekends. It's once again time to see those bright smiley faces at the office that we have come to know so well.

I'll be pretty busy the first part of this week as we are trying to finalize the first draft of a three country atlas for sequestration. It's going pretty smooth so far, just finalizing a few things and making sure they are kosher with previously reported publications and come up with a reason why if they are not.

Did anyone see that there was snow this weekend in Snowshoe West Virginia? Let me start the season off right by stating that I hate snow and I am already tired of seeing the white stuff and I haven;t seen the first snowflake yet. I'm ready for Springtime!!!!

First Afternoon Steelers Game of the Year for us

Finally after two weeks of Birthday parties and a Sunday Night game last week, we finally get a chance to sit and watch an afternoon game with the Pittsburgh Steelers playing. They take on the Houston Texans this afternoon at 1:00 in Houston.

We have already done our Sunday Morning Grocery shopping, we actually did it at 1:00 this morning as we both fell asleep and took naps after the Mountaineer Game and were both wide awake, so we beat the rush and made the most of it in the early AM.

Have a great day and Go Stillers.

Saturday Morning Rumblings

You know when you work a full time job, and are leaving for work an hour earlier so you can get a good workout in before you start work and sometimes are there a little later because of some approaching deadlines for a three country Atlas that will see the highest executive office, time tends to run a little bit short of free time. Couple that with trying to get Michelle out on the trails as well and your days just got longer.

Couple that with things we do around the house like grocery shopping and making sure all of the bills are not only paid, but paid early so there is nothing to worry about. You have a full week and there really is not much downtime.

Last night I wanted to spend some quality time with my wife so we headed out to the Buckwheat Festival, but stopped at the Methodist Church in Masontown to get my fill of Buckwheat Cakes. I was going to be good and only eat one plate, but Michelle doesn't care for them and offered me hers. AS we were eating I witnessed raining running down on the edge of the church, so I knew that the Buckwheat Festival would be a mud pit and we opted to just take a drive and enjoy the evening.

This morning with weather permitting we are going to make breakfast and try to head out to the trails with Sadie, then it will most likely be our weekly Sams Club shopping trip to gather a few items that we get from there ie bulk lunch meats, soda, almonds, meats or spices etc.

This afternoon at 3:30, I would like to take a little time out and watch the Mountaineers play Bowling Green. That and probably a movie or some pawn stars this evening and that will pretty much be our day until tomorrow morning when we do our regular grocery shopping followed by our first Steelers game of the year (its week 4) that we can actually be able to sit down in the early afternoon and watch.

Our days are long and our free enjoyment time is short, you have to be able to budget your time efficiently to be able to do everything you want to do and not miss anything.

Big Ole Hairy Buckwheat Festival 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 have never heard of a buckwheat cake, take a look at my picture and that is going to be my dinner for this evening. I'm still negotiating on how many plates I am going to be allowed to eat, Michelle is still holding steady at one is all I am allowed to eat, I'm still bargaining for three. Something tells me she is going to win however. Damn diabetes.

Looking for a little bit of football this weekend? The Morgantown High Mohigans are hosting the Preston Knights. This game is usually at the Buckwheat festival, but my indications are that it is at Morgantown. University travels to Fairmont to play Fairmont Sr High School. The Fighting CB's are hosting Valley Whetzel in Blacksville.

Looking for College Football? The Mountaineers are at home this weekend and will be hosting Bowling Green at 3:30 on Saturday afternoon. The game will be broadcast on ESPN 3.

Hi ho hi ho

Photo Flashback Thursday

Once a week I like to take a little time out and look through all of the pictures I have either taken or scanned through the years and take a little bit of time out to reflect on that photo. This weeks photo is no different even though it just looks like a picture taken at Coopers Rock.

This was taken a few months after I graduated from college. My salary had just went from poor struggling college student to "OK you can actually survive meagerly". I had managed to save a few dollars from ever paycheck for a few months and purchased a new Digital Camera that at the time was pretty high end. I managed to save $300.00 and did my research and purchased my first "real" camera. I had a few others that I had had in college, but this was a very good Kodak that I still have today (until my sweetie bought me a newer and better camera). I BLOGGED about it, when I purchased it. Funny thing is, that blog was my third blog post ever after the first two of testing and playing around with Blogger. You could say this was my forst "serious" blog that I had ever wrote.

Anyways, I was still working at the NRAC and the leaves were changing so I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to get some good photos. If you have never been to North Central West Virginia, it is the heart of Appalachia and is filled with hardwood forests that their leaves change colors before they fall off. It is as if someone painted the forest and I was not going miss this opportunity.

On this picture I was standing on top of the overlook at Coopers Rock State Forest when I noticed this bird was flying high above the Cheat River. I had a great vantage point and looking down on the bird, so I could not let this opportunity pass. Hence this photo.

Hi ho hi ho

Hump Day

Two down, two ahead and today. We're starting to get to where we can enjoy the fruits of our labors for a few.

I went to my final diabetes education class yesterday, it's been a refresher from the one I went to a few years ago where I got my initial education about being diabetic. It had been a few years, and Michelle needed to be educated a little but about it as well although she could not get off work yesterday. She made the important one about diet.

Speaking of diet, I'm not on one. I have done a lifestyle change however. I'm walking in the mornings before work and have even started to life weights before I start work. We have a state of the art gym and it is right across the hall from my office, so I really needed to start taking advantage of what was available to me. We have a 1.5 Mile fitness trail with a lot of elevation changes that works you pretty well. My blood sugars have been solid good.

Speaking of, hi ho hi ho off to the gym I go.

Tuesday's Tidbit's

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

* It's been 1,292 days since mine and Michelle's first date. How many people would still be counting this? I am.

* 515 Days since our engagement.

* 52 days since we were married.

* 89 shopping days left until Christmas.

* The official Josh Judy Major League strikeout count still stands at 10, he had 2 last night. The season is winding down and they are playing their last couple of games of the year in Detroit.

* Sugar Free chocolate jello pudding is awesome inspiration while writing a blog.

* I have a diabetes education class this afternoon, so I'll only be working half of the day.

* Hi ho hi ho

I Hate Mondays

Weekends are awesome, they meant to relax, have fun and enjoy the fruits of our labors and spoil and enjoy ourselves a little bit. This was a big football weekend in Morgantown and the town is still standing, so I guess that means it didn't go as well as we all wanted it to, but it was still a great weekend.

Now it's back to the grindstone of that thing we call our jobs. Hopefully we are all rested and relaxed and ready for another week at the office.

Hi ho hi ho

Wow what a game

Well, we gave it all we had and came up on the short end of a 21-47 loss to LSU last night here in Morgantown. Geno Smith lit it up for a school record 463 passing yards against what may arguably be the best Defense in college football as I mentioned yesterday.

LSU kept winning the battle of field position all night, their punter continually pinned us inside the 10 yard line and it seemed like LSU started every drive at mid field.

There was a point when we pulled to within 21-27 and the crowd was fired up, then LSU responded with a 99 yard kickoff return for a touchdown where the runner should have been tackled and just never quit.

I actually seen a lot of positives for the Mountaineers last night. The Offensive line, one that I have refereed to as a continuation of the worst line in WVU history played like one of the best lines in WVU history last night. I can see this team winning the rest of the games with the next challenge coming on December 1 against South Florida that will probably be for the leagues BCS spot.

We were blown out, but I saw a lot of positives last night. Watch LSU win it all this year.

Happy Birthday Kaiden Dalton

I would like to take this opportunity to wish Kaiden Dalton a very happy third birthday today. Amy and Ralph hosted his birthday party a couple of weeks ago to avoid all the excitement around Morgantown today and any conflicts with Calvin's birthday last week.

The family assembled and had fun with a cookout, games for the kids, cake and even a little old fashioned chicken chasing.

If you see Kaiden today, make sure that you tell him lets go mountain...er Happy Birthday.

Calm before the potential storm

Here I sit, early on a quiet Saturday Morning in a quiet household on a day when Morgantown will be the center of the College Football world. If all goes well this evening tomorrow morning's story will be how Morgantown is still standing after the defeat of the #2 team in the Country here in Morgantown last night (tonight).

It promises to be a very good game. The Mountaineers went to Baton Rouge last year and lost by six points, 20-14 in a game where star running back Noel Devine was injured and never was himself again after that game. LSU has arguably one of the toughest defenses in College Football, they pretty much dismantled a high flying Oregon team that played for the National Championship last year earlier this season. This will be Offensive Guru and WVU's first year Head Coach Dana Holgorsen's trial by fire. We will not see another team of this caliber the rest of the season and it will be a true test to our newly revamped Offense.

Should be a good one, stay tuned to ESPN all day as Gameday is set up at the Mountainlair. Maybe we can watch a lot of excitement in this town tonight.

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 looking for a little football? Well this weekend should be very exciting especially here in Morgantown. The University High Hawks will be playing at home tonight and hosting Parkersburg South High School. The 2-2 Hawks will be trying to improve their record with a good showing tonight.

Talk about football, College GameDay will be broadcasting from the Mountainlair all day tomorrow as the college football world will be centered here in Morgantown tomorrow culminating with the 16th Ranked Mountaineers will take on the 2nd ranked LSU Tigers on prime time network Television Saturday night. 8:00 on ABC and hopefully a few hours later this city will see a few some chaos as a victory celebration.

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

Happy 50th Wedding Anniversary

I would like to take this opportunity to wish both Abdul and Farida Rehmani a very Happy 50th Wedding Anniversary from both me and my wife Michelle.

This is my brother in law Nick's parents and it's not really that often than you see someone celebrating their golden wedding anniversary.

Farida and Abdul were family long before Nick and Terri ever took their wedding vows, they have always seemed to have been a special part of our family ever since they first arrived to the US from Zaire a number of years ago.

Happy 50th Wedding Anniversary, may you see another 50 more Happy years.

Photo Flashback Thursday

Once a week I like to take a little bit of time out and look through my pictures. I sort through them all and see if I can find one that may interest me that just hasn't really been posted and tell a little story about it.

With September winding down and looking at early October that means one thing, the Preston County Buckwheat Festival is right around the bend. I LOVE Buckwheat cakes and want enjoy them this year, me and Michelle are debating if I can have one plate of three or my bid of three plates of nine. This may take some begging and pleading and negotiating, but I'm working towards it.

I've been hit or miss on the Buckwheat festival through the years, I missed it last year and am planning on making it up this year for the celebration and my three plates of Buckwheat cakes....LOL

Hi ho hi ho

Hump Day

Well we got the first two days down and now once we get passed today we can concentrate on the down ward part of the week as we work towards another weekend.

Does anyone else feel that once they get to the workweek that their days all seem to run together. Maybe I am in need of another extended weekend when I can sit and relax a little bit and break the monotony. I sure could use a couple of days at a nice tropical beach on a warm summer day with the sounds of the waves just crashing against the seashore. Feel a nice crisp wind blowing as the seagulls are flying over head looking for scraps of food. Days long gone by and it will be a while before I can enjoy that comfort again.

It's getting cooler in the evenings and I am starting to notice the days are starting to shorten a little bit, could be that we are in the last couple days of summer and the Autumn Equinox (Fall) starts this Friday. I'll miss you summer, it was a great time.

Hi ho hi ho

Tuesday's Tidbits

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

* 1,285 days since mine and Michelle's first date.

* 508 days since our engagement.

* 45 days since our wedding.

* 96 shopping days left until Christmas.

* The Big East was shocked this past weekend with the announcement of Pittsburgh and Syracuse moving over to the ACC. West Virginia will be exploring its options on what to do on Conference affiliation. Three possible options are probably on the table.

* Merge with the remaining members of the Big 12.
* In invitation to the SEC.
* An invitation to the ACC (Not likely)

* In case anyone has missed it, Gameday will be in Morgantown for the WVU-LSU game this weekend.

* I got a text message from my sister Terri yesterday, she had lost her iPhone over the weekend but she had managed to find it behind the couch. I had an older one I was going to loan her, no need now as she found her 3GS.

* The Official Josh Judy Major League strikeout count stands at 8. I was speaking with both his Mom and dad over the weekend and it appears that he will be up for the remainder of the season.

* Hi ho hi ho

Weekend Recall

before I put my nose back on the grindstone for the day, let's reflect back to yesterday and avoid that the thinking about work until I actually get to work.

It was a good day yesterday, we all converged on Pam and George's to help Calvin celebrate his birthday. I grabbed quite a few photos yesterday as did my niece Amy, we have both placed all of our photo's on Facebook for friends to share.

I think Calvin had a good time, he had a few friends over and the younguns as you can see by this picture took a moment of time for a photo opportunity that makes us think back to our own youth and days of worry free innocence.

That being said, hi ho hi ho

Happy Birthday Calvin Michael McClain

I would like to take this opportunity out to wish my Nephew Calvin a very Happy Birthday today.

Later this afternoon Michelle and I will join the rest of my family at Pam and George's for a little bit of celebration to help Calvin ring in his birthday. If my math is correct, and don't hold me to this, I think this is Calvin's 16th birthday.

I have to say I have really watched Calvin grow up in the past couple of years, not so much physically because he is about 6'6" or 6'7" now, but as a young man. It really is an honor to have him as a Nephew.

Happy Birthday Calvin.

Saturday Morning Ramblings

Once again I am sitting here in a quiet household in the early AM collecting my thoughts. The People Vs Larry Flynt is playing in the background and I'm the only one up right now.

Last night was not very good to the local High School Football Teams, let's just hope that when the Mountaineers take the field at noon today that they do not continue that trend. I think this will be the first test during the Dana Holgorsen era and next week will be the BIG test if we pass this one when #3 LSU comes to town. We'll see how today plays out before we worry about next week though, I am concerned with our lack of a running game so far this season.

Have a great day.

Big Ole Hairy Friday

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

Looking for a little football? Both Morgantown and University are on the road again for the second straight week. The Mohigans will be traveling to Martinsburg to take on the defending State Champion Martinsburg Bulldogs and the hawks will be traveling to play Wheeling park.

West Virginia is also on the road this wee as they travel to Maryland to take on the Maryland Terrapins in College Park Maryland.

If you are looking for something local to do, the Wine and Jazz Festival will be held both Saturday and Sunday at Camp Muffly.

Hi ho hi ho

Photo Flashback Thursday

Once a week I like to take a little time out and go back through all of my pictures that I have digitally stored on my computer and select one and reflect a little bit about the picture.

Today's picture takes me back a few years, back to the year 1988 and a great group of guys and a great softball team that was the Sports Page. If there was ever a season that we should have walked away with a Championship, this was one of them that should have. We were the #1 ranked team going into the playoffs and we had more talent than anyone we faced.

However that doesn't always translate into playoff series wins. I recall we bowed out in the semi-finals that year as did the team seaded #2 in the tournament.

It was a summer of change for me, I left a team that I played for the year before to go back and play with a group I started with and we had an absolute blast that year.

There were two others on that team that I played with until I retired this year, this was also the first year I played with Chris and Paul.

Good times, we may have even had noodle salad that day.

Hump Day

Two own, this hump and then two to go. That's a nice way to look at things. Weekend isn't that far away and I'm about ready for another one.

This is a brain fart kind of a day, nothing really to say today. As I am writing this (I write them the evening before), I'm actually in an empty house as Chad and Laiah are at a cookout and Michelle has taken Hayley to work. Sadie is camped out on the pillow sleeping and the cats, who knows what those two little hellions are getting into. Actually one is sleeping atop the staircase, so one must be plotting the mischief.

With that being said....hi ho hi ho

Tuesday's Tidbits

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

* It's been 1,278 days since mine and Michelle's first date a few years ago.

* 501 magical days since our engagement.

* 38 days ago we met stood in front of all our friends and family and exchanged our vows of marriage.

* 103 more shopping days left until Christmas. It'll start to close in on you faster than you think.

* I guess Sams Club and Target in Morgantown were evacuated due to a Carbon Monoxide leak, this was done just as a precaution.

* hi ho hi ho

Kaiden's Party

Yesterday afternoon Michelle and I went to Amy's to help Kaiden celebrate his third birthday with a group of friends and family.

Amy and Ralph did a great job playing the part of the party hosts and making everyone feel welcome. They had a little BBQ and fed everyone before setting up a pinata for the kids to whack on a few times to see if they could release all of the candy treats.

I managed to capture a few picture of the day and have them on Facebook and hosted on my site.

It was a nice relaxing end to a almost perfect weekend (way to go Steelers, screw it all up).

Hi ho hi ho

9-11-01

It was ten years ago today that the lives of all Americans changed. A day when we saw a domestic terrorist attack on our own soil to a magnitude that we have never before seen.

A group of crazed terrorists Hijacked four planes, the first two were ran into the world trade centers in New York, the third one was ran into the Pentagon in Washington DC and the fourth was brought down by a brave group of American Heroes that were on the flight in Shanksville PA.

It was a day I never have forgotten, it was a day that I was in college and had one class that day in the evening and was not working that day at the NRAC. It was a day that I sat glued to my television all day to watch the days events as they unfolded.

It's been ten years, Osama Bin Laden is now dead, but the memories of that day lives on in all Americans.

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.