Saturday Morning Rumblings

Here I sit early in the AM as the only person that has recovered from a long hard fought battle with the sandman. I'm up early watching some documentary on Netflix as there really isn't much on today.

If you are looking for an Auction, my brother on law Jim is having his January Special Auction this evening at 6:00 at the Cassville Firehall. A Lit of items being auctioned today is available HERE, so if you are looking for a deal, this is the place to be. Michelle's sister Danni is coming into town as tomorrow is her birthday. (I swear there are 8 birthdays in a 9 day stretch in both Mine and Michelle's life).

The only bad thing about today is Michelle was starting to get a touch of the flu last night. As we were coming home last night her throat was starting to get sore. I'm hoping she is feeling better by the time she gets up.

Have a great day.

Happy Birthday Nick Rehmani

I would like to take this opportunity to wish my Brother in Law Nick a very Happy Birthday today.

Nick is one of the best brother in laws that you could ever ask for, or even hope for. He's wanting to become a blogger to help his business out, so you blog readers may soon see Nick's blog linked to this blog in the near future.

If you happen to see Nick Today, make sure that you take a  little bit of time out and wish the man a very Happy Birthday today.

Not sure what his plans are today, but we're talking about getting together today if we have time.

Happy Birthday Nick.

Big Ole Hairy Friday

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

I would also like to take this opportunity to with one Layla Marie a very Happy 5th Birthday. It seems like just yesterday that she blessed the world with her presence, but it has been five wonderful and fun filled years for Layla Marie.

I'm off today as well as Monday for Martin Luther King Day, so for me it's going to be a nice four day weekend. I'll be going in this morning to do some blood work for my Doctor.

Have a great day, In plan on it.

Photo Flashback Thursday

Once a week I like to take a little bit of time out and look through all of my old pictures that I have stored on my computer and come up with just one picture to post up and tell a little story about. Sometimes it's pretty easy to find that picture and sometimes I do struggle to find that one lost moment in time to reflect upon. One thing I can always say is that it is always a lot of fun.

This weeks pic goes back almost five years. Back to a time "Poised to Strike" was dominating the KDKA Steelers Trivia show and never falling behind the entire tournament and winning the while thing. I lucked into a great team to say the least.

We considered defending our title the next season, but chose to retire as Champions and "Go out like Bettis" as Chris so put it. We retired never trailing and undefeated. It was a great few days and we had the best cheering section of any team, Jenny (Chris's Wife) and Michelle were right there cheering us on. It was definitely a fun time

One has to wonder how good we were, say compared to all the past Champions of the Steelers Trivia Show. I guess we'll never know.........or will we.

Stay Tuned

Hump Day

If you look over that noon time hump we will be facing today, over on the other side of a photo flashback, you'll see the dawn of yet another weekend off in the distance.

I did get a call yesterday about a job in Houston Texas for as GIS Analyst. $110,000 a year, but it was more for a developer / programmer. I'm more of a Pseudo Code kind of guy rather than a developer. I did take a Python course last week, but a few days in a classroom does not make a very good programmer, especially when it comes to geospatial stuff. It was nice to know that someone contacted me about a job that paid that much, but I don't know if I would pull up stakes to take that much of a risk in an area I've never been to. Like I said, it's nice to daydream and to have been considered.

I have to be honest, I am having a little bit of a brainfart today, and I am really struggling for contact other than what I have already written. When this happens, time for a funny youtube video to close it out.

Happy Birthday Michelle Hall

I have to say that I am the luckiest man in the world, I am fortunate enough to be married to a very special lady who just happens to be celebrating her birthday today.

I want to extend a very Happy Birthday to my best friend, soul mate and beautiful Wife Michelle. She is the one person who has managed to make my life complete and the person I most like to spend my time with. Whether it be just riding in a car or sitting down to eat, my time I spend with her is the highlight of my day and for that I consider myself a very lucky man.

Michelle, I Love You are everything to me. Thank you for making me a complete person and allow me to use my BLOG to wish you a very Happy Birthday.

Tuesday's Tidbits

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

* 1,768 days ago I was fortunate enough to go on my first date with a very special lady. The movie was horrible, the rest was history.

* 991 days ago I got down on one knee and asked that special lady to be my wife.

* 528 magical days ago that special lady became my wife.

* There are 344 more shopping days left until Christmas 2013. Time to get started?

* In 158 days I'm taking my special lady to go see Kenny Chesney in Pittsburgh.

* There are only 65 more days until spring, I know this weekend was a little bit of a teaser, but I'm ready for spring already.

* I have a Doctors appointment scheduled for this morning, it's my routine six month checkup with my regular doctor.

* Speaking of, I probably need to schedule my annual diabetic eye exam sometime pretty soon. I had a cataract removed from my right eye a couple of years ago, and I think my left eye is starting to get a little worse. Not as bad as a couple years ago however, so I want to stay on top of it.

* Anyone notice all the traffic around town? The students are back, only 16 more weeks until they are gone for the summer. * Hi ho hi ho

Weekend Reflection

I have to say that yesterday Mornings birthday breakfast for my Mom went well overall, Kaiden was sick so Amy was only able to show up briefly, but she came bearing gifts and Michelle and I absolutely love ours and have it hanging in our living room already.

I think Mom enjoyed herself at breakfast, we really do need to do this more often as it was a good time to sit down with the family at a meal and just talk to each other. It's something Michelle and I started doing again at home recently and doing things like this helps you meet and spend quality time with the people you love without any distractions. Michelle's family here in town does it all the time, it was nice to enjoy a moment like that with mine. I am both lucky and blessed to have had the opportunity to share this time with some very special people in my life. Amy and her crew were missed, but not forgotten.

I did have a little bit of a surprise for me yesterday as I was walking into the Golden Coral. My old softball team mate turned superstar Josh Judy, who has been the subject of many of my blogs, was in town and walking out with from breakfast with Steve and Bernie. I've talked to him a few times, since the draft, but this was actually the first face to face meeting since the night before the draft when we BS's a few hours at a softball game. I kidded my niece Val about him as she and Amy used to come and watch us play some years ago.

After breakfast the rest of the adventurist day was ours, so we took a trip up to the mall and did a little bit of shopping. Bath and Body Works was having a sale on their soaps and Michelle loves their soaps. We usually stock up on them around Christmas time but for some reason didn't do that this year, which turned out to work to our advantage as their after Christmas sale is bigger than their before Christmas sale. I think we are set on bathroom and kitchen sink hand soaps for 2013.

Overall I have to say I had a great weekend. The weather was awesome for early January, I was even able to wear shorts both Saturday and Sunday. We had some great food, spent some time with some very special people, made a few sales and were even treated to a beautiful home made gift from my niece. I was able to meet up with a few old Softball team mates (Josh, his Dad Steve and I later ran into Mike Haines) and had a great weekend with my wonderful wife.

The weekend did in fact have a sad note for some old friends and an old softball team mate. Andy Wilson and Michelle Tennant lost their wonderful son Micah Wilson.

I hope you have a great day and it's a cardio day.

Hi ho hi ho

Sunday

Once again here I sit in a quiet household, I'm the only one who has recovered from a losing battle with the sandman from last night. I've actually slept in a little today, which is a little unusual for me.

It's going to be a Golden Coral 70th birthday kind of morning for me as we are all meeting at the Golden Coral to celebrate my Mom's 70th birthday. She likes breakfast food and she likes the Golden Coral, so Terri organized for everyone to go to breakfast this morning. So Mom, if you don't know about this and you are reading this, SURPRISE...LOL

We had a great day yesterday, Michelle wanted to go to Fashion Bug since they are going out of business and they are having a huge liquidation sale. We managed to hit the one in Fairmont as well as the one in Clarksburg.

I did manage to finally take Michelle to Muriale's for lunch yesterday. We have been trying to make it down there for a few weeks, Michelle had never eaten there, and yesterday was a perfect opportunity early in the afternoon. She loved it and I think we will make some return visits when we visit Fairmont.

Have a great day.

Saturday Morning Ramblings

Once again here I sit in a quiet household, being the only one so far who has recovered from a losing battle with the sandman and am awake. I know the weather is supposed to be much nicer today, so I would like to do something just not sure yet what something is.

I talked to my sister Terri yesterday, she decided that since yesterday was Mom's 70th birthday that we should all get together and do a little something. We're all going to breakfast tomorrow morning at 9:30 at the Golden Coral. That's where Mom likes to eat, so that is why the Golden Coral was chosen.

Speaking of Terri we stopped by Big Kahunas where she works last night for dinner. I've yet to see anything served from there that I didn't like, like last night Michelle and I split a small Stromboli, it alone was enough to satisfy the both of us and was just full of flavor. It was pretty awesome.

Not sure what we are going to get into today, but we're going to get into something.

Have a Great day

Happy Birthday Mom

If you happen to see this lovely young lady on the far right today, make sure and tell her Happy Birthday. If it were not for her, you would not be reading this blog because I wouldn't be here to write it.

I'm not sure what Sandra Irene's plans are for the day, you know her 29th birthday today, but I'll try to touch base with her and wish her a very Happy Birthday.

The image you see might not be what her or for that many any of them look like, I think they have all gotten a little younger and a little more wiser since this magical image was snapped some 25+ years ago.

Happy Birthday Mom.

Big Ole Hairy Friday

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

Well we are calling for some warmer weather both today and tomorrow, the only problem with that is that it's raining and is supposed to be raining all weekend. I can't complain too much, it the temps were much lower all that rain would equate into snow and hazardous driving conditions in the area. Let the kids go to school and let the weather be warmer, I'm ready for spring.

No immediate plans for this weekend, but I'm sure I'll do my best to drag Michelle out of the house and deny her a weekend nap to do something or another. I would love to put the easy up outside and have a cookout, but it's raining and it's not really that much of a be outside kind of weather.

Have a great day, I'm off till Monday.

Photo Flashback Thursday

Once a week I like to take a little bit of time out to look back through all of the pictures that I have stored on my computer and try to find just one lost moment in time that was captured to write a blog about and relive a little. Sometimes this is a pretty easy task, sometimes it's not so easy, but it is always a whole lot of fun.

For this weeks pic, lets turn the clock back about 36 years and take a good look at this handsome young man. A man who actually had a full head of hair on top of his head and decided to wear a stylish shirt on picture day.

Yes that is me in the picture, from a time when Elvis was still alive, Threes Company was just appearing on television and Morgantown was a lot smaller back then.

This is my seventh grade school pic, it was a time when I had my whole life in front of me. Both of my grandparents who raised me were both still alive, and Drummond Chapel Church was the place to play pickup basketball.

Life was definitely a whole lot simpler for me and everyone else back then. I think the one thing I liked to do more than anything was go to Suburban lanes and play Pinball.

Have a great day

Hi ho hi ho

Hump Day

Well thats two days down, if you just look over the noon time hump, just on the other side of a Photo Flashback, you can see the dawn of yet another weekend.

It's day two of the Geo-processing with Python class for me at WVU. Yesterday was pretty interesting, it's pretty fast paced and I'm managing to keep up. Python is not exactly the most forgiving of programming languages, I don't know how many times I set a variable and then called the variable using one letter in a different case. I guess it reads everything in ASCII so an "i" and an "I" are two different values. I'm learning a good bit and it's a nice change to get out of the office.

I am liking this warmer weather, I told Michelle I want to get out and do something this weekend, since it is supposed to be in the 60's. Maybe that something will include a walk on the trails or something, I just know I don't want to be cooped up inside with the beautiful weather out. I may not get too many more of these chances before spring.

I have to say never underestimate the satisfaction of playing with silly putty as you are trying to come up with something to blog about. Michelle bought me one a couple of weeks ago and I have been playing with, stretching, rolling, squeezing, ripping and about anything you can do with silly putty since. Yes I also have a real slinky on my desk as well. =)

Hi ho hi ho

Tuesdays Tidbits

* Well Monday is once again in our rear view mirror and we are staring straight down the barrel of another Tuesday, I for the life of me still can't think of a better reason than that to do a tidbits.

* It has been 1,761 wonderful days sine I took my wife out on our first date. It's also the date of our first kiss.

* 984 days ago I got down on one knee and proposed marriage in our back yard.

* We have enjoyed 521 days of marital bliss since we all partied down and had a wonderful feast at the Marilla center.

* There are 351 Shopping days left until Christmas. It's never too early to get a good start.

* We are 165 days away from the Kenny Chesney concert in Pittsburgh this summer. First time I have ever purchased tickets eight months before the Concert.

* There are only 72 days left of winter. Yes I am counting down and we are being teased later this week as the temps are supposed to be in the 60's. I think I can handle that.

* I'm down at WVU for the next three days for some Python Scripting Training.

* I talked to my Brother In law Nick last night, he's still wanting to get his blog going and is looking for a little advice. I told him it is much simpler than it was when we first started writing web pages 20 + years ago. We talked about him being the first in the family to actually publish a website.

* It's going to be a series of crock pot meals the rest of the week, I'll be getting home late and we've arranged to do crock pot meals the rest of the week. That way everything is done by the time we get home.

* I finally got my e1098 form, it was all I needed to get an accurate assessment of how much we were going to get back on our taxes this year. Now I just need the latest government update and our W-2's and we'll be ready to file.

* Off to WVU

Weekend Wrapup

Well the fun filled times that we call the weekend are now over and it's time to stick our noses back on the grindstone and do what we do that allows us to have the fun we do. However, I'll hang onto the weekend just a little while longer with this blog.

We got into pretty much nothing yesterday other than grocery shopping and relaxing a little bit on the day of rest. I know I for one am done with winter and am ready for the warmer weather with shorts and sandals. I'm ready for the smell of fresh foliage everywhere you look and not the smell of cinders on the roads.

I did buy a copy of of our tax software for the 2012 season. I used to use H&R Blocks TaxCut but they have switched that the past few years to H&R Block at Home which I have used since the switch. I've always had good luck using H&R Blocks software, so I have tended to stick with it through the years. We usually buy the Deluxe edition which includes 5 Free Federal Filings as well as the State's software. I have all my taxes from 2003 backed up using that software, I store the files on a jump drive and the paper copies in one of the fire protected safes that we have.

We have made a little bit of change around here. We have tended to eat our meals on our computers and have gotten away from the dinner table. We've decided that we want to go back to using a dinner table to eat our meals. It brings the family element back into play, when you do grab and goes you tend to get lost into the internet and don't spend a whole lot of quality time together, so we have set up the dinner table to be used for all dinners. I think this is something too many Americans have gotten away from, we live in too much of a fast paced world and sometimes you just need to take a little bit of time out.

Hi ho hi ho

Sunday Morning Ramblings

Something tells me we are going to be out of the house early today, Michelle is already up and wide awake. She started her coffee and seems like she is ready to start the day. I guess she kicked the sandman's butt early today.

Well our Christmas Tree is officially no more. We worked around the house all day yesterday and get it and all of the Christmas decorations broken down, organized and put away till it's time to bring  a new tree in next fall.

Not sure what is on our agenda for the day other than some grocery shopping, but I know I'll be at NETL one day next week. I'll be at work Monday and at WVU for some Python Geoprocessing  training that my company has paid for. WVU will not be in session next week, so traffic shouldn't be too bad.

Have a great Sunday.

Auction Today

I just saw that my brother-in-law Jim is having an auction today at the Cassville Firehall. He'll have a number of items up for auction today at 6:00. Come on out, they are going to have a 50/50 drawing and probably a number of consignors with merchandise up for sale as well.

Michelle is not up yet, so I'll talk to her then as to whether or not we're going to go. I know she likes to go occasionally to visit family of nothing else.

Saturday Morning Ramblings

Here I sit once again in a quiet household, I'm the only one who has recovered from a losing battle with the sandman as everyone else of sound asleep. I have to say that even I slept in an extra 3-4 hours from what I usually do. I'm usually already up and at em for a few hours by this time, no loss though, we'll be hanging around the house most of if not all day today. I'm just up playing a couple of games on Facebook.

Our intentions today is to break down the Christmas Tree. It was a good tree this year, like I previously stated I think we really have the hang of these live trees now and they are beautiful. Michelle has me hooked on them.

We did our Sam's Club shopping last night, we actually debated if we would renew our advantage membership or drop down to a regular membership like we used to have last year we purchased the advantage plus membership, which give us a number of perks like being able to get in three hours before anyone else, special discounts through the year, extended warranties and if I would lose my insurance my prescriptions would be greatly discounted due to that extended coverage. The cost of the Advantage plus is $100.00 per year compared to the regular membership of $40.00 a year. We actually pulled up all of our purchases over the past year t o see if we actually saved the extra $60.00 or not and we did.

Have a great day.

Big Ole Hairy Friday

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

For this weekends excitement, we're probably taking down the 2012 Christmas Tree. It was a great tree and I think we have the hand of this live tree thing now, I could probably replant this tree if it had roots. Unlike our first years tree that lost the majority of it's needles and was losing even more as we were carrying it outside.

The NFL Playoffs start this weekend, but without the Pittsburgh Steelers competing in them this year my interest will probably be minimal. The only good news that I have heard this week is Baltimore Ravens Linebacker Ray Lewis is calling it quits after this season. If you're not a football fan, this is the players locker that Michelle would most like to pee in. She hates him, but with all due respect he;ll be in Canton in a few years.

Hi ho hi ho

Photo Flashback Thursday

Once a week I like to take a little bit of time out to look through all of my pictures that I have on my computer. I like to look through and find one lost moment in time to put up and reflect upon. Sometimes it's pretty easy, and some times it's not that easy of a task, it is however always a lot of fun.

Let's have some fun and turn the clock back over 30 years. To a time when I think I was a sophomore in High School and one of the few times that I actually spent the night at my Mom's and visiting my Sister Terri. It was a time when I was not so folically impaired and actually had a good deal of hair on top of my head.

It was also a time where my waistline was much smaller and I was much thinner than I am in my current state.

If memory serves me correct, this was 1980. I know this because I also know this was a Monday night. The Oakland Raiders played this night, and it was when Jim Plunkett was their Quarterback. It was a year that they won the Super Bowl and that killed me, because this was the first time that the super Steelers of the 70's were insignificant after a nice six year run that brought to Pittsburgh Four Super Bowl Trophies.

A time long ago.

Hi ho hi ho

Vacation is Over

Well I enjoyed it once again, an eleven day break from work, also known as a vacation and now unfortunately I have to stick my nose back on the grindstone and get back to work.

I can't say I did not enjoy myself, we had our traditional Pork Sauerkraut yesterday for dinner. I was never bug on Sauerkraut, but Michelle does it in away that I absolutely love. We've had it on New Years every year we have been together.

We really did not get into anything yesterday other than vegging out all day. I didn't even watch any football other than catching a score on the ESPN Website to see what the results were after the games were played.

We were talking yesterday about the things we would like to do this year, places we want to go, things we want to do and things we want to see. I think we have come up with a few new things we would like to do and see.

I can't believe I have to go out in this cold, but too many Christmas Cookies need to be worked off so

Hi ho hi ho

Happy New Year!!!!!

SHOULD AULD ACQUAINTANCE BE FORGOT,
AND NEVER BROUGHT TO MIND?
SHOULD AULD ACQUAINTANCE BE FORGOT,
AND AULD LANG SYNE!

CHORUS.-FOR AULD LANG SYNE, MY DEAR,
FOR AULD LANG SYNE. WE'LL TAKE A CUP O' KINDNESS YET,
FOR AULD LANG SYNE.

 HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Goodbye 2012

January

*  2012 started out great, the Mountaineers walloped Clemson in the Orange Bowl 70-33. WVU set the record for the most points scored in a bowl game, much less a BCS Bowl Game.

* Michelle spent the New Year sporting a pink cast on her foot which she had broken.

* Long time Penn State Football Coach Joe Paterno passed away

February

* Punxatawny Phil saw his shadow promising siz more weeks of winter, but that had to be the mildest winter that I have ever witnessed in my lifetime.

* We officially booked our vacation for 2012 in February.

* We bought a new food processor and a bread maker as our dual Valentines Day gifts to each other.

March

* In March Michelle and I officially obtained our passports. We needed them for our cruise, if something goes wrong and you have to fly back, you had to have them. They are both good for ten years.

* Steve Judy bowled back to back 300 perfect games.

* Just for the heck of it, Michelle and I ran to Parkersburg, WV to do a little bit og Geocaching.

* Michelle's friend Holly released her book, "My Daughter, My Hero".

April

* My 2012 April Fools joke was that I was being transferred to Albany Oregon. Always a possibility, not much of a probability.

* We had our family easter Egg Hunt at Amy's.

* Michelle and I visited the Flight 93 memorial.

May

* Michelle's dad finally entered the 21st Century, he bought a cell phone. An iPhone specifically.

* Michelle and I took a nice day trip to Wheeling to visit Wheeling Downs.

* We attended the WVU Graduation where Michelle's niece Amanda graduated.

* My brother and sister in law, Jim and Chris Paugh, went to Hawaii so all of the kids got together and re-organized their thrift store downtown.

* We took a day trip to Ohiopyle for a cookout.

* We attended Danielle's graduation party. She had finished up her college career at Wheeling Jesuit.

June

* Michelle's Dad Dave came in to play golf at Lakeview, we hosted a nice cookout in the back yard. We made some great steaks.

* An Atlas I had previously worked on won a very prestigious award.

* My niece Amy had a baby shower.

* Chad was hospitalized and had to have surgery.

* With Jean and Gary, Michelle and I attended our our fifth Jimmy Buffet concert together. It was my sixth and Jean and Gary's first.

July

* West Virginia University "Officially" entered the Big XII.

* We took a hot summer day day trip to Idlewild Park and the Soak Zone.

* The Pittsburgh Pirates were actually playing very good baseball.

* I found out that I tore my Labrum.

* The family welcomed the birth of Kylea Rae Dalton.

* We took a trip to the burgh to celebrate a couple of Birthdays. Chris O was surprised with his 40th birthday party and we stopped in on Michelle's niece Abby's party.

* We had a big Pamperd Chef Party.

August

* Michelle and I celebrated our first Wedding Anniversary. I guess we got promoted from rookies to veterans.

* We traveled to Cleveland Ohio for Michelle's cousins wedding. It was the first time I had ever seen any of the great lakes.

* I attended my 30th High School Reunion. It was a two day event starting Friday Night and ending up Saturday night.

* Michelle had surgery.

* Chad and Johnny took over Scales and Tails in Westover.

* We took a trip to Amish Country in Ohio and attended a Family reunion in the same area.

September

* At the start of our vacation, we visited the national Aquarium in Baltimore.

* We set sail on our week long cruise to Grand Turk, Half Moon Cay and Freeport Bahamas. It was the first time either of us had ever left the country.

* The Mountaineers started off the 2012 College Football season with a real bang,

October

* We took a day trip with my old buddy Smitty and his wife Steph to Springs PA for the Springs Festival.

* Arron Hill played his Senior Homecoming game for University High School.  I were there to cheer him on and grab a few pictures.

* Michelle and I both upgraded our iPhones to the iPhone 5. She was not eligible when they first came out, so I waited until she was eligible before we bought the new ones.

* Hayley took over as manager of the Transit Center BFS/Gloria Jeans store.

* I celebrated my 3,000th blog post.

* Hurricane Sandy hit the East Coast. Dumping a significant amount of snow in the area and causing many to be without power for an extended period of time.

November 

* East Gate Manor finally had their Trick or Treating, I told everyone it would be hit or miss and it was an absolute hit. We had nearly 1,000 pieces of candy and were out of candy within the first hour.

* We celebrated Thanksgiving with Michelle's family as we have done every year at the Cassville Fire Hall.

* Michelle headed out for some Black Friday shopping as I stayed at home and avoided that mess.

* We attended Michelle's 25th High School class reunion

* We got an early start and put up our 2012 Christmas Tree.

December

* We took out a weekend and did all of our Christmas baking. I love Cookie day =)

* A Gas Pipeline exploded in Southern West Virginia.

* We attended my Company Christmas party at Oliverios and received our fourth Make A Wish Christmas ornament.

* We traveled to East Liverpool, Ohio to spend Christmas with Michelle's family.

* We did outlast the Mayan Calender and survived the Apocalypse.

* We spent Christmas Eve with my family at My sister Terri's home. I did my first Christmas Eve video in a few years.

* I have posted including this one, 421 Blog posts for 2012.

* See you on the other side of New Years. 

Last regular Blog of 2012

This will be my last regular blog post for the 2012 posting season, later this morning my Goodbye 2012 blog, where I go back through the year month by month according to my blog and relive the year as was told by my blog. This is one of the funnest Blogs that I do every year, it makes me take a little bit of time out and reflect upon the previous year in my blog.

I think I will extend my vacation another day, tomorrow is a Holiday and no need to go back for just a day to take another day off. This will be the longest break of my professional life and it feels pretty good, even though it did occur in the middle of the cold season.

No plans for Michelle and I tonight, Smitty invited us over but we are probably going to stay home. Too many crazy drivers out on the road and I would rather stay safe and sound in my home.

Speaking of moronic drivers, I saw a guy yesterday morning traveling across the star city bridge and tailgating another driver try to pass him and lose control of his car. He almost hit us, but I was prepared and the moron spun the car around just missing the guy he was tailgating and hit into the bank on the other side of the Star city bridge. Slow down moron.

Be safe tonight, don't dink and drive and remember that you might be alright, but the other morons on the road that you need to pay attention to. Have a safe and Happy new years.

Enjoy my final blog of the year later this morning.

Late Blog

Michelle just asked if if I wrote a blog today, I then just realized no I did not. So, here I sit writing this blog.

Did anyone watch the WVU Bowl game yesterday against Syracuse? That had to have been the most unprepared, uninspired, cocky and arrogant but no idea what you are doing team I have ever seen the Mountaineers field. The defense looked much better, but couldn't manage to get off the field. The offense was 0-10 on third down conversions. Really? Don't we have a multi-million $$$ a year offensive Guru for a head coach? O for 10 on third down. If you don;t understand this simple basic of football you are not going to win. "Move the sticks". This team was too worried about the big play or their statistics, running east and west rather than north and south and they embarrassed this University on National television. Coach Holgorsen, the honeymoon is over, you better figure something out quick or your time in Morgantown is going to be very limited.

Let's turn our focus to basketball when the Bob Huggins lead Mountaineers will be battling a team that is lead by my old softball left-center fielder. No Joke, Jeff Neubauer was our left center fielder and was a great guy, he was unexpectedly had his last season with us shortened when he was offered the Eastern Kentucky job.

Have a great day.

Saturday Morning Ramblings

Here I sit once again in a quiet household, only I have recovered from a losing battle with the despicable sandman who attacks us all on a daily basis. I have just got done watching the Perfect Game on Netflix and I'm sitting on Facebook playing a crime drama game that everyone is starting to play.

It's time for the Pinstripe Bowl today at 3:30 as the Mountaineers and long time former conference rival Syracuse battle for the Pinstripe Trophy in Yankee Stadium in New York. I have to say this is one team Head Coach Dana Holgorsen and Sr QB Geno Smith has struggled with over the course of their careers here in Morgantown. We actually took a very bad butt kicking last season in Syracuse.

I have to say that I am a little pessimistic about this game. Doug Marrone has basically schooled Dana Holgorsen the last two seasons and we just do not match up well against them at all. Although we are the favorite, I look for us to struggle as we have the past two times against the Orange, and that kills me to admit that, but I just have a bad feeling about his game. I hope I am wrong

Have a great day

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.

Actually its the last day of my weeks vacation, I've been off all week this week and haven't went in to work. Michelle has had to work, but I have been lazy taking naps and just watching movies the past couple of days.

Not sure if anything is up this weekend, the Mountaineers play their bowl game tomorrow against Syracuse and the basketball team plays Sunday afternoon. Ironically the basketball team we are playing is coached by my former softball teams left fielder. Jeff Neubauer who is EKU's coach was out left fielder until they offered him the job there. He was one of John Beilein's assistants here and a heck of a coach.

Have a great day.

Photo Flashback Thursday

Once a week I like to take a little bit of time out and look through all of my pictures, seeking that one lost moment in time to post up and write a blog about. Sometimes it's pretty easy to find that picture and sometimes it's not so easy. Then there is times like this week when you pull your hair out trying to find one specific picture and can't. However it is always a lot of fun.

This weeks picture is one that I thought I had done before, but could not find. I thought I had it on my computer, and spent about an hour looking through about every folder imaginable to find this one particular picture.

My sister Terri has it at her home, and me and Pam were talking about this picture last night. I told her I would make it today's Photo Flashback.

I remember my Grandmother telling me the story of this picture. The man behind them was their long time friend Emmitt Lynch, the picture was taken at Forbes Field. I can even put a date on this picture of May 25, 1935. It was the day Babe Ruth played his only time at Forbes Field and they went up to watch the game.

Have a great day.

The Day After

I just love my sister in law's tree topper, she uses it every year and it's just the one you look forward to seeing every year.

I hope everyone had a great Christmas, I am pretty sure everyone here did. Hayley came over yesterday morning and we all opened up our gifts and Michelle fixed a big breakfast for everyone. It was a Christmas morning feast to say the least and yes I did have a traditional Hot Sausage Hoagie early in the AM. I talked to Pam yesterday and she didn't make it Christmas Eve because she had to work, but she said she went out and made sure that she could have one Christmas morning.

The Hot Sausage on Christmas I think all started when we were all kids. If you knew my dad, he would always cook in overabundance and he always seemed to have Hot Sausage every Christmas Eve. There was always some left over the next morning so we all used to eat a Hot Sausage Hoagie as we were opening our gifts and that tradition just carried over for decades. I know for me it would not be Christmas without one.

I'm on vacation the rest of the week and Michelle just got up as she has to work today. They are calling for a winter snow advisory today, I'm just thankful we have an awesome all wheel drive Forester named Pearl and not very far for her to travel.

I think I will start setting up the formatting for my year end blog today.

Christmas Video 2012

Merry Christmas

It's that special time of the year, a time when families get together and spend time together creating memories and, having a feast and just enjoying being around the people that you love and that love you the most.

It's the one time when this world shuts down and all the hatred is forgotten for one short day. It's why people tale vacation and travel home and it is a time for family.

Last night we went to my Sister Terri's house and I have to say that was one of the better Christmas Eve's that I have had outside of the monstrous extravaganza my dad used to put on and Jean kept it going for a few years after he passed.

The evening included a Chinese Gift Exchange that turned out to be a lot of fun, a visit from Santa Claus himself and plenty of great food including out Hot Sausage and Nick's remarkable Prime Rib. A very big thank you to Terri for not only hosting, but making this an exciting Christmas Eve. I want to do another video of the pictures I have taken, I'm still debating on the music to use.

I'm sitting here watching 24 hours of a Christmas Story, hoping Ralphie doesn't shoot his eye out. I love this Christmas classic, I DVR'd it once again since our last DVR went kaput so I can have it all year. I'll probably end up watching it 3-4 times today.

Today the individual family units come into play for everyone. Michelle and I as well as the kids will be heading over to Michelle's sisters for the Morgantown version of the family Christmas. Chris and Jim, Michelle's sister and Brother in Law, are great hosts and it is always very memorable. Her Mom makes the trip down from Pittsburgh and we once again are fortunate to spend Christmas with a house full of people that we love so much.

As I noted, I want to do another Christmas video for last night, it's been a number of years since I have done one. I used to use the default Windows Movie maker, but since I've done my last one there has been all kinds of better software to do them with, but I'm not familiar with them and I don't care to try to assemble something on Chad's iPad.

From my family to yours, have a safe and Merry Christmas.

Christmas Eve 2012

This video is from 2005 and I have not done any videos for a few years, so it has me thinking tonight if there is any way I could get enough pictures and put together another one of these videos.



One I did from 2004.



I debated putting this one up, but since it was the last one that I did I'll still stick it it up.



One I did for my Dad's last Christmas in 1999.



Here is a quick video from Christmas eve 2009 from mine and Michelle's home.

I also have the 2007 Christmas which was one of my favorite, with the 2005 video, however Youtube didn't like the song I used.

I would like to do another video this season.

Sunday Morning Ramblings

Here I sit once again in a quiet household, everyone has fought a losing battle with the sandman except me where I have recovered from his attack. I just put on the movie Step Brothers on Crackle.

We got a lot of napping in yesterday, as we really didn't do anything. This morning we're going to have to do our shopping and the rest of our Christmas wrapping. The kids all requested Gift cards to certain places, so they were actually pretty easy.

Thanks to President Obama I'm not on vacation tomorrow, but will enjoy a holiday. Tuesday is Christmas so I'll only use three days of vacation for the week.

Watched the Mountaineer Basketball team yesterday afternoon. We won, but we are going to be in a long season it appears. Coach Huggins has his work cut out for him to say the least.

Have a great day and stay warm and safe.

Worst Apocalypse Ever

Well We're still here, the end of all the earth as we know it failed to happen and I guess the Mayans were wrong. Not that anyone was taking them seriously, but it was a lot of fun to play up to. There were no zombies, no fire and brimstone and no end to anything other than the Fall season and the welcome to winter.

We did in fact welcome winter with a nice little bit of snowfall. Nothing too much here but the roads were hazardous last night and as we were coming home, Van Voorhis Road was shut down. We noticed as we were coming this way that there were multiple cars in the road with their 4 way hazards on coming up the front side of the hill, so we came home the back way coming down eastern avenue and out West Run.

Nothing planned today, except maybe some wrapping of some gifts to get ready for Christmas. We have the Hot Sausage in hand and about 99% of the Christmas shopping done, so since I have been a little under the weather the past couple of days, this is probably going to be a do nothing type of day.

Big Ole Hairy End of the World

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 the end of all existence according to the Mayans.

Well we have made it, it is probably reining down fire and brimstone as you are reading this, so don't forget to duck if one comes directly at you. It's the apocalypse so make sure you have a little fun today before we are all blown into non-existence.

Ok I was having a little fun with the moronic people who actually believe this crap. I'm on vacation next week, so I anticipate the world being here after I get off work later today.

With that being said, there will be a blog tomorrow morning.

Hi ho hi ho

Photo Flashback Thursday

Once a week I like to take a little bit of time out and look through all of my pictures that I have stored on my computer. I like to find one picture and relive that moment in time on my blog. Sometimes it's pretty easy to find it, sometimes it's not so easy, it is however always a lot of fun.

This weeks pic I think I will call "Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow". I appeared to have a little bit of hair at this time, as well as the old mustache that I supported for a number of years. My brother Gary was also sporting a lot of hair back in those days, although I think he is letting it grow out again.

I'm thinking this picture was taken many years ago and taken at the Little Village in Star City. A group of us were going to see Lynard Skynard and Bad Company at the WVU Coliseum.

I'm thinking the year was 1992. I remember when we left the bar that night that Gary peeled his tires going out of the bar JUST as a Star City cop was getting into his car across the street. Knowing he was going to chase Gary I got in front of him to run block, but Gary was waiting for me at the bottom of the Star City hill with the cop trying to get around me.

Long story short, because we were all going to the concert and we were all together, he let Gary go or else he was going to be a little more stern.

It was a great night and a great concert.

Hump Day

That's two days down, now if you look up over that noon time hump, off in the distance you'll see the dawn of another weekend on the other side of a Photo Flashback. Hopefully the Mayan Forecast is off and it's a little cooler than 1250°. That could be a little bit uncomfortable and would cause me to have to turn my Air Conditioning on all day.

WVU Wide Receiver Stedman Bailey made it official earlier this week. The First Team All-American checked his draft status and he is predicted to be a third round pick, so he has officially announced that he will forgo his final season and declare for the NFL draft. I think he will have a nice NFL Career, he's ready to join team mates Tavon Austin and Geno Smith in grabbing sizable paychecks to play the game they love so much.

At work we officially pushed out the NATCARB Atlas IV earlier this week. This will be my thirs completed Atlas that I have worked on in the last three years. Two have been NATCARB ans one has been NACAP Hopefully the NACAP effort picks up again for 2013.

It's a lifting and a cardio day.

Hi ho hi ho

Tuesday's Tidbits

* Well Monday is once again behind us, as dreary as it was and now 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 1,740 days since mine and Michelle's first date.

* 963 days ago I got down on one knee at 4:00 in the morning and asked her to marry me.

* 500 days now we have enjoyed marital bliss. That's a nice round number.

* There are only 7 more days left until Christmas, it's crunch time if you haven't done your shopping yet.

* If the Mayans are right, the world will end after I post my blog on Friday.

* If they are not right, and I can strongly say they are wrong then...

* There are 186 days left until the Kenny Chesney No Shoes nation tour, this summer.

* There are 372 days until NEXT Christmas, I know, too early for that yet.

* Hayley's boyfriend Manny is flying to Puerto Rico either last night or today. His parents live in DC, but they are all from Puerto Rico and he is going home for the Christmas break. He is in his Junior Year of Engineering at WVU and they have been together around a year now.

* We are almost at the point where the days will start getting longer, the Winter Solstice is Friday and that is the shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere. Let's get New Years over with and start looking forward to days getting longer, me cussing Phil and anticipating Spring time.

* Cardio day

* Hi ho hi ho

Dreary Monday

Well our weekend of travel is now over with, now we're getting ready for the home stretch leading up to Christmas. However that is all next week and this is this week.

Time to stick our noses back on the grindstone for the week, and get back to doing what we do that allows us to live like we live. It's time to get back to work for the week.

We should be having our new Atlas being released today, so it may be a little bit busy around the office as there will probably be a few requests for information. Usually after we release an Atlas, we get an increased number of requests for information and maps.

Hi ho hi ho

Good Job Phil

You have to love it when someone from your old softball team makes the front page of the paper. Phil Caskey, brother Phil as many of us refer to him, was someone was the Assistant SID for WVU Athletics. he had a very nice cushy job but wanted something different.

Not many people at mid life and even being accomplished as he was, he was has a published text book that he authored, decide to go back to school and completely change their direction in life.

On the front page of todays Dominion Post, is a very nice article about Phil's teaching in a history class at South Middle School. When your students are excited about going to your history class, you know you're doing something right and changing influencing a few young lives.

Great Job Phil.

Off to East Liverpool Ohio

Today is going to be another long day, we'll be heading out of here this morning in route to East Liverpool Ohio to Michelle's Grandmothers to enjoy their Christmas.

Gigi as she is called, is one of the two ladies who walked Michelle down the isle when we got married. We go up every year around this time and enjoy a nice dinner, watch her hand out presents, and we play a game of Prize Bingo. Everyone brings a little novelty prize and we play bingo. You win at Bingo and you get to choose a prize.

After that we'll be heading to her Dad's to spend a little Christmas time when them in Calcutta Ohio, which is just a few miles up the road. Her dad lives there and that is where he used to have his Golf Pro Shop, but he has re-located to a country club rent free because of his name and craftsmanship.

It should be a good day, we have about 99% of of Christmas shopping done now thanks to yesterday. I still have to pick a few things up for Michelle, but we have even gotten our Chinese Gift Exchange gifts for Christmas Eve already. When it comes down to the final play, I have a strong feeling that both of these gifts will be given strong consideration.

Have a great day.

Shopping Day

Here I sit once again in a quiet household, collecting my thoughts as everyone is fighting a losing battle with the sandman. I have some unnamed movie on in the background and starting to plan out my day.

We had a our Company Christmas party last night at Oliverios. I was actually quite impressed this year as last years steak was kind of subpar for my taste. We received our fourth ornament from my Boss (we have all four in the series) and we once again have added it to the tree.

Today we are going to try to knock out pretty much the rest of our Christmas shopping. There will be a trip to Wal-Mart I'm suire as well as a trip up north to the Tanger Outlets and a trip to Wheeling this evening to grab a DeCarlos Pizza. It has changed since my father first found it some years ago, I think it's actually much better.

It's going to be a long day, but we're just preparing for out traveling tomorrow when we go to East Liverpool Ohio to visit Michelle's family and spend some Christmas Time with them. The Steelers play the Cowboys and I have a brother in law who is a Dallas fan. To say he will be outnumbered is an understatement.

Big Ole hairy Friday

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

Well yesterday was actually Michelle's Friday as she started her three day weekend last night. She is off today and will be doing a little bit of Christmas shopping. I'm up in the air about what I'm going to do, I may take the day off and have my own extended weekend or I may go in and work a few hours.

My company Christmas Dinner is this evening at Oliverios. We've had it there every year since I have been at Sextant. Dale treats us to a nice dinner and every year we all get the things remembered Make a Wish Christmas Ornament. They have been doing them for three years and this year we'll get our fourth. We have all of them and they are a nice addition to the tree every year, especially since we're starting to personalize our tree more and more now.

Tomorrow will be a shopping day. We'll probably head up to Tanger Outlets, as we both really like the place. I know we're both craving some DeCarlos Pizza, so a run to Wheeling may even be in the works before we head to Ohio Sunday for Miche;;e's Grandmother's yearly Christmas Dinner.

It's going to be a busy weekend that's for sure.

Tear Jerker

Photo Flashback Thursday

Once a week I like to take a little bit of time out and look through all of my pictures. I like to find just one captured moment in time to reflect upon and relive briefly in my blog. Sometimes it's a pretty easy task, sometimes it's not so easy. It is however always a lot of fun.

The gentleman you see in this picture is a man who I never had the pleasure of meeting. He was my Great-Great-Grandfather on my Mother's side. He was Westover's one man police force for a number of years, "Chiefy" Newbraugh as he was known was the police chief, or should I say the entire police force for the City of Westover years ago.

He's a man I never met, but have heard and read numerous stories about him on Facebook in the Growing up in Morgantown Page. There is even a picture or two of him over there other than this one.

Hi ho hi ho

Hump Day

If you look over that noon time hump, on the other side of a photo flashback, you can start to see the dawn of another weekend. I guess it's all downhill from here.

The picture that you see is from a story that happened in West Virginia yesterday. A Gas Pipeline Exploded down around Sissonville yesterday afternoon. early reports were that the flames were so hot that it melted the asphalt on I-77 causing it to be shut down yesterday. I imagineit would have been something to see, I grabbed this picture off of Facebook yesterday as it was happening.

Early indications are that no one was hurt, although that could always change between the time of me writing this and the time of this posting.

Anyone ready for the weekend yet? I know that I am and it'll be a busy one for me. Christmas shopping and traveling are on our agenda this weekend. Michelle is going to be off on Friday, I was going to take off but that is up in the air right now. There'll be some Christmas shopping and traveling to east Liverpool Ohio for her Grandmothers Christmas.

Lifting and cardio day

Hi ho hi ho

Tuesday's Tidbits

* Once again we have monday in our rear view mirrors and we are staring straight down the barrel of a Tuesday. I can't think of a better reason than that to do a tidbits.

* It's been 1,733 days since Michelle and I had our first date. Movie was lousy, the company was keepable.

* 956 days ago we got engaged.

* We have enjoyed a wonderful wedded bliss for 493 days now.

* There are only a mere 14 shopping days left until Christmas. It's starting to get down to the wire, we'll do much of our shopping this weekend.

* I am really thankful to Google for keeping track of these numbers for me, makes my job much easier.

* According to the Mayans, we have 10 days left. I think they were wrong.

* Talked to Pam briefly this weekend. She informed me that Calvin was sick last week. They determined by accident that he has an allergic reaction to Aleve.

* I have to say, butterscotch cookies assist in writing a blog. They don;t do much for creativity, but they do tickle the taste buds.

* I bought tickets last week for the June 22, 2013 Kenny Chesney tour when it stops off at Heinz Field this summer. Now we just have to see when Jimmy tickets go on sale. * Cardio day, I did lift yesterday.

* Hi ho hi ho

Monday Dreary Monday

There is one day of the week that I really don't care for, it's the day that our weend ends and the workweek begins on. It's the least popular day of the week, it's Monday.

Michelle managed to get all of our baking done this weekend. She was suffering for it last night, she pushed herself to a point that she was in pain all over. I advised her to take a nice hot bath with some relaxing bath salts, they always seem to relax her and make her feel better. Hopefully today she'll be feeling better and will be ready for the week.

We did get a visit from Arron yesterday, we bribed him with some Christmas cookies and some banana bread. If there is one person who respects Michelle's butterscotch cookies other than me, it's Arron.

I might change up my workouts, it's a normal lifting and cardio day.

Hi ho hi ho

Cookie Day Part II

Yes back by popular demand, the sequel to Cookie day will take place today. I lost count on how many Christmas Cookies Michelle made yesterday, but now we're going to get into our chocolate chip and our banana nut breads today.

To say our oven got a good workout yesterday would be an understatement, I think we went a little overboard on the butterscotch cookies that I love so much. I had to run out yesterday to get more flour and butter.

We have a tray of butterscotch for Arron who also loves them, but he was busy in Fairmont yesterday as University High beat Fairmont Senior 82-67. I would imagine he'll find his way over here today.

Time to finish up our Christmas baking today. Next weekend we have traveling, Company dinner and shopping on the agenda so we'll be pretty busy.

It's a Cookie Day

I love this time of the year, I think it is a day that I actually look forwards to once the last Christmas cookie from the previous year is eaten. Today is Christmas Cookie Day 2012.

I remember our first one that we had here, we went wild and bought all kinds of stuff to make them. Hayley was still here, and she will be coming today to assist, and we had a huge snowstorm in Morgantown that day. That was the year we had not one but two pretty bad storms, and cookie day was the first one.

There will be no gingerbread houses this year, unless the kids want to do one, I did one that first year and it really wan't that appealing to look at. My decoration skills are a little bit to be desired, I just lack a whole lot of creativity that some people have. It's a gift, either you have it or you do not and I am one of those people wjho do not have it.

I do get a little treat for breakfast this morning, a co-worker brought me in a little bit of deer hot sausage, I'll be frying it up this morning for breakfast with my eggs. Michelle hates deer meat, that just means there is more of it for me.

Have a great day, and stand by with the insulin. =)

Big Ole Hairy Friday

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

Well plans changed last weekend and we will be doing our Christmas baking this weekend. We're all ready for it with the exception of buying some bulk eggs and butter, which we will purchase this evening. My favorites are the butterscotch cookies that we tried a couple of years ago, Michelle substituted Butterscotch for chocolate chips and everyone fell in love with them.

Next weekend we are going to be very busy with my company Christmas party, our Christmas shopping and traveling to Ohio for Michelle's family Christmas. That means that the baking needs to get done this weekend as the weekend after next will be final couple of days before Christmas, and I'm sure there will be a lot of running around that weekend as well.

Lifting (if my shoulder holds out) and cardio today.

Hi ho hi ho

Photo Flashback Thursday

Once a week I like to take a little bit of time out and look through all of my pictures that I have stored on my computer. It's a way to reflect on moments in time captured in a still image that we can keep forever. I like to select one photo each week and just write a little blog about it. Sometimes it's a pretty easy task, sometimes it's not so easy. It is however, always a lot of fun.

This weeks picture goes back a few years, back to when the KDKA Pittsburgh Steelers Trivia Challenge. We were not supposed to tell anyone about the results as the show was taped in June and aired later on, but we did get the trophy about the time the show started to air.

This was my opportunity to possess the trophy for a while, I think Chris still has it, but those were the two that earned it, I was just the fill in and scorekeeper.

Watch our winning run below.

Hi ho hi hO

Hump Day

Well we're looking at that midweek hump, get over that noon time hump and we'll be able to see another weekend on the other side of a photo flashback.

For the past couple of weeks, my brother in law Nick has been asking about Blogging. he's getting ready to start another business venture, or should I say resume one from a few years ago, and he was asking me about doing a web site or a blog to promote his product.

Both Nick and I, him with much more success than I ever had at it, used to sell a product called Melaluca. It's a multi level marketing business that if you apply yourself, you can honestly make money doing this.

I'm probably going to head down to his house tonight to give him a once around with Blogger. Show him how to set up his account, how to name it, play with the templates and add widgets to his blog.

Lifting and cardio day for me so

Hi ho hi ho

Tuesday's Tidbits

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

* 1,726 days ago I had the pleasure of going out on my first date with a woman I would later marry.

* 949 days ago I asked that special woman to marry me.

* We have enjoyed 486 days of wedded bliss and we enjoyed a big feast in front of our friends and family.

* Only 21 more shopping days left until Santa Claus makes his yearly journey around the world. NORAD will once again be tracking Jolly old St Nick as he makes his way around the world visiting all the boys and girls who were on the nice list.

* The West Virginia Mountaineer Football team accepted their bowl bid yesterday, it will be in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium and the opponent will be the all so familiar Syracuse Orangemen. the game will be played on December 29th against a long time foe. Should be a good as this is one team Geno Smith has struggled against the past two years.

* It's a cardio day today. I have to admit I wasn't up to working out yesterday morning, I got ready and went in, I was just very blah and didn't hit the gym. Both Michelle and I have been fighting off a touch of the flu. * Good night, Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are! * Hi ho hi ho

I Hate Mondays

All good things must come to an end, unfortunately that includes the weekends as well. Yes it's time to stop the enjoyment and time to stick our noses back to the grindstone for another five days so we can continue to enjoy the lives we live.

Both Michelle and I fought through a little bit of illness yesterday, neither one of us were actually sick, but on the verge of getting the flu is how we both felt pretty much all day long.

As the days are getting shorter, it seems like I am going to bed earlier and earlier. We're still about three weeks away from the shortest day of the year, and we're at the time of the tear when I think more people suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). I'm starting to long for the days of spring and cookouts and longer days.

Reality is it is not the spring time, the days are getting shorter and I did not win the lottery last week, meaning I do have to go to work today.

Lifting and cardio day

Hi ho hi ho

Sunday Morning Ramblings

Here I sit once again up earlier than everyone else, this is a normal occurring thing in this household with the exception of a few work days. I'm sitting here with the movie the change up playing in the background and collecting my thoughts for the day.

I would like to thank everyone who wished me a Happy Birthday yesterday and put the blanket Thank You out there in case I missed anyone. I was really active yesterday on Facebook with a whole lot of Thank You's to everyone who wished me a Happy Birthday. 130 was my last count of people I had to respond to and that does not even cover the automated ones. I guess you could say that I am pretty lucky in the cyber world. I even got an unexpected Thank You on the scoreboard at Mountaineer Field yesterday even though I was not at the game. I guess it helps to be good friends with the right people, thank you Chris.

Michelle made me a home made pizza, I love her pizzas and a special birthday bread that may not be the healthiest thing in the world to eat, but OMG it's awesome.

Have a great day.

Ed's Birthday

Today I would like to wish my hubby a very Happy 28th Anniversary of his 21st Birthday. He is wanting pizza for his Birthday dinner, so I will make my homemade dough and get his favorite topping and if he is lucky maybe I will put a candle on it. Make sure that if you see or talk to Ed today wish him a very Happy Birthday. I love you honey

EDIT By Ed. Thank You Michelle, I love you very much. Next time you write a blog, schedule it and publish it, this one was in draft form...lol

Saturday Morning Ramblings

Here I am up early once again collecting my thoughts for the day. Everyone else has fought a losing battle with the sandman and I'm the first to recover for the day. In the background the movie Major League II is on, one of my favorites, and it does bring back a lot of memories for me that I used to spend with my boys of summer.

We had planned on this being our Christmas Cookie day, but Michelle said she would just rather wait until next week to do anything. I think we're just going to relax at home and watch the Mountaineers today.

Today is Sr Day, this will be the last time that this group of Seniors will ever play a game at home. The Kansas Jayhawks are in town, hopefully Geno and Tavon can give us all something to remember them by. Rumblings are the Stedman Bailey who is only a Junior, will be declaring for the NFL draft after this season but that is just a rumor and only speculation at this point.

Have a great day and Let's Go Mountaineers.

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.

All of the local High School Football teams have been eliminated this year from the playoffs. This weekend is the Super Six Weekend in Wheeling, meaning the top teams from all three divisions will be going to head with each other to claim the State Championship. These are the finals and all Mon county teams have been eliminated.

There is some college football tomorrow as the Mountaineers will say goodbye to the Seniors in their final game of the regular season against Kansas at 2:30 tomorrow afternoon. This will be the last time Geno Smith and Tavon Austin suite up in the gold and blue and play in front of the home crowd. We will most likely play a bowl game, but which one has yet to be determined.

I'm ready to get this weekend started.

Hi ho hi ho

Photo Flashback Thursday

Once a week I like to take a little bit of time out and look through all of my digital pictures that I have on my computer. I like to find one lost moment in time and reflect upon it. Sometimes it's pretty easy to find that picture, sometimes it's not. It is however always a lot of fun.

 This weeks pic goes way back, way back to right after my Niece Any was born. Mom and her then Husband Don had made the trip up from Georgia for a visit. They had stopped at Terri's and all decided to come and pay me a visit when I lived at Barrington North.

I had not yet seen Amy at this time, and this was probably the first time I had ever held or even seen her.

The exact time when this happened slips me, but it had to be sometime around mid March of I believe 1986. I still had a full head of hair and was much thinner back on those days.

Hi ho hi ho