Saturday Morning Ramblings

Here I sit once again in a quiet household, I'm the only person who has recovered from a losing battle with the sandman and am up. On the TV is the old movie "The Money Pit" with Tom Hanks.

Not too much on our agenda for the day, a little early morning Yoga and we'll call this round 2 of the yoga, but other than that not too much planned for the day. We do have to make a trip to Lowes to pick up something to for the house, but other than that not too much going on.

Jimmy Buffett tickets go on sake Monday, if anyone is wanting me to pick up their tickets this year I'll need the money by Monday. I'm also ordering some for Michelle's co-workers so this is going to be a sizable transaction to ticketmaster, hopefully we can get a large contingent going this year and break in our new grill right.

We're putting the Subaru in the garage monday for an Oil Change and the 15,000 mile check up. They'll rotate the tires and do all of that fun stuff that keeps Pearl running nice and smooth. Fortunately Michelle works just a few yards from there and is not that big of a burden. Great crew they have there.

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.

I have to say that this is the time of the year that I hate. Football Season is over with, baseball hasn't began yet and it's not the outdoor summer movie weather yet. It's kind of that time of the season when my Friday blog is really looking for some type of content.

I guess for you NASCAR Fans this is your Superbowl weekend as the running of the one race a year I may watch gets run. Yes, the Daytona 500 will be run this Sunday to kick start the 2013 NASCAR season. GoDaddy Spokeswoman Danica Patrick will be on the pole (I can see Beavis and Butthead laughing) for the start of this race, meaning she will be starting at the front row inside position.

Not too much planned for me and Michelle this weekend. A little Yoga tomorrow morning again and that may be the highlight of our weekend, other than a few well placed naps. I guess it's just that time of the year when it's too cold to do anything outside and there isn't any football to watch.

Cardio and Arms today

Hi ho hi ho

Photo Flashback Thursday

Hayley in "Sweeney Todd"

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 select just one lost moment in time and post a blog about it to relive it briefly. Sometimes this is pretty easy to find that picture and sometimes it's a daunting task, it is however always a whole lot of fun.

This weeks blog goes back a couple of years now. Hayley was starting her Senior year at Morgantown High, but she also got involved with an outside theatrical production of "Sweeney Todd" at the Metropolitan Theater.

She played the roll of a towns person and put a lot of time and effort into this role. They were actually in rehearsals for about a month before the play went live for about a week.

On this night Michelle, Chad and I went to watch the play. There was a scene when the characters ran through the audience during the performance and I remember Hayley running in behind us and stealing Chad's hat. It was pretty funny and something I'll always remember.

It was a good night.

Hi ho hi ho

Hump Day

If you take a little bit of time to look over the noon time hump, just on the other side of a photo flashback you will be able to see the dawn on another fun filled weekend off in the distance. It's not that far away, so start planning your weekend.

I might be on my own for dinner tonight, Michelle's former Brother in Law's father passed away and she might go home and come back today. She's talking about leaving after lunch and going up an paying her respect and coming back home tonight. Jeff was more than a brother in law, he was also someone she grew up with.

I see where my niece Val finally joined the cool club, she bought a Subaru Legacy yesterday. Subaru owners are much cooler than other types of car owners, you have read it here on the internet so you can quote this as true and factual. If anyone ever asks you where you heard that, you can officially say you read it on the internet.

Bonjour =)

Tuesday's Tidbits

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

* It's been 1,803 days since Michelle and I went on our magical first date almost five years ago. My life was changed for the better ever since.

* It's been 1,026 days since I got down on one knee at 4:00 in the morning and proposed marriage.

* We are on our 563rd day of wedded bliss since we tied the knot in front of our closest friends and family at the Marilla Center.

* There are only 309 more shopping days left until Christmas. Not too early to start.

* In 201 days we set sail once again on the high seas heading down south on our Carribean Cruise.

* In 149 days we'll be partying down with Jimmy Buffett. This will be Michelle's sixth and my seventh Buffett concert.

* In 123 days Michelle and I will be at Heinz Field watching Kenny Chesney.

* There are only 30 days left until Spring 2013, if it wanted to hurry up and get here it would not offend me.

* In 6 short days Jimmy Buffett tickets go on sale for this years Pittsburgh Concert.

* My Brother in law Nick has acquired a new domain where his website will reside. Getgreenandwealthy.com is his new domain name which points to his new website.

* A heartfelt condolence to the Summers Family on the Grafton Road. Nathan who grew up with my nieces lost his father Billy Sunday evening in a freak accident when he was cutting Firewood.

* It's back to work today for me after a three day holiday weekend.

* Cardio and Chest day for me in the gym. I'll do my cardio workout and then do all my chest lifting today (Bench Press, Incline, Pushups and Fly's.)

* Hi ho hi ho

President's Day

I love being a Federal Contractor, every time there is a Federal Holiday I get a holiday and that includes extending this weekend another day.

I have nothing planned for today other than watching some movies and taking a nap. Michelle on the other hand has to work today, so I'll be at home without her. Sounds like a guy movie kind of day.

We're trying to round up the people who want to go and see Jimmy Buffett with us this year, I know a number of people have expressed interest in going. If you are interested in going and want me to pick up your tickets next Monday I'll need before then.

Have a great day

Sunday

Coleman Roadtrip LXX

Once again here I sit in a quiet household, I'm the only one who has recovered from a losing battle with the sandman and am up early playing around the internet.

Michelle and I purchased our yearly Valentines Day gift for each other. When we were at the Buffett concert last summer we had four people using our little hand held grill that worked pretty well for just the two of us. However it wasn't quite enough for what we needed and we noticed the people tailgating across from us had this really nice grill that folded and broke down into a carrying bag.

I think we decided that day what our gist to each other would be this year, something that we could use for tailgates as we are doing not one but two concerts this summer with Jimmy Buffett announcing his concert in July and tickets go on sale for that in eight days.

We bought a Coleman Roadtrip LXX Grill to be able to use for both of those concerts and maybe even a pic nic or two when we pack up the Subaru and head out to someplace like Ohiopyle. After doing a little research and reading a few reviews we decided that this was the grill for us.

Have a great day

Saturday Morning Ramblings

Here I sit once again in a quiet household, I am the only one who has recovered from a losing battle with the sandman and am awake at this hour. I've got nothing on in the background and am actually putting all the updates back on my Mom's computer. It bogged down for her and I think it was hacked or something, because it was very slow and all of the storage space was basically used up. So I reformatted it and getting it back to new for her this morning.

I did get to to speak to my niece Amy yesterday, she told me she is tired of having no internet and said Frontier now offers internet for where she lives so she is thinking of getting it. I don't know what I would do with out the internet, it's been a part of my daily life for roughly 20 years now dating back to my old AOL days or my WebTV days immediately following that.

My Dad, Pam and George's Dad Buddy

A very special congratulations that I missed earlier this week go out to my Sister Pam and my brother from another mother George McClain as they celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary this past Tuesday. Michelle had to point out that it was their 25th Wedding Anniversary to me, my first that was it couldn't have been that long ago, well I have to say that I guess I was wrong on that. February 12, 1988 and I still seem to remember that day like it was yesterday. George and his brothers Rich and Buddy stopped up at my apartment when I was living at Barrington North prior to the wedding and we all went together to the little church at Drummand Chapel. Afterwards dad and Jean took everyone out to dinner at Ali Baba's when they were near the Dairy Mart in Westover. Yes it was 25 years ago, many have gone from that day and we have welcomed many new people to our family since then. Once again a belated Happy 25h Wedding Anniversary to Pam and George McClain.

Michelle and I are going to try to do a little Yoga this morning. I've never done Yoga, but I want to extend my workouts beyond cardio and weight lifting and get a little bit of flexibility. I have a feeling this is either going to be humorous or painful for me this morning, or maybe a little bit of both.

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.

For me it's going to be another three day weekend, as Monday is President's Day and another Federal Holiday. My sweetie however has to work and I'll be home all day watching movies and napping (tee hee)

No out of the ordinary plans for us this weekend, we're still trying to finalize what our valentines Day together gift is going to be to each other. It's been a nice outdoor grill, a surround sound system, a vacuum food sealer and last year a bread maker and a food processor. We're thinking about a grill to take with us for cookouts and concerts. I think we are set for anything kitchen related, we have Cuisinarts coming out the ying yang.

It's a cardio (every day) and arms day for me today. I do chest one day, shoulders the next, then legs a day and my final day is arms. I bought a yoga DVD last weekend that we are probably going to try this weekend.

Hi ho hi ho

Photo Valentines Day Flashback

Once a week I like to take a little bit of time out and look through all of my pictures and select just one special pic and write a little blog about. Today I dedicate my blog to my beautiful wife who I love with all of my heart on this Valentines Day version of a Photo Flashback. So help me relive this lost moment in time.

This weeks special blog to my valentine is something we plan on doing again this year. This was our first (and not last) trip to a Margaritaville Restaurant. This particular one is in Grand Turk in the Caribbean and had the best calamari on the planet. We had a great time here as this was our first land stop on our cruise last year.

We're planning on eating here again while we're doing our snorkeling this September. It was a trip of a lifetime and I was fortunate enough to be able to do it with the love of my life.

I love you sweetie, Happy Valentines Day

Carnival Pride

Same trip we're taking, it you look at the 2:35 mark, the guy below the camera. That was our room for our trip last fall.

Cruise 2013

We enjoyed ourselves so much in 2012, that we booked and paid for our 2013 cruise yesterday afternoon. Carnival Pride here we come again this fall. We will be doing the same trip during the same weekend, on the same boat we went on last year, only this year we used last years experiences to determine exactly what we wanted.

Yesterday afternoon we booked and paid for in full our 2013 vacation. We had contemplated a few other options, but this is what we wanted to do and it really is the most cost effective vacation you could ever do. We semi-considered departing out of other ports, but that would have shortened the actual cruise time and made it more costly. We were in heaven last year at Half Moon Cay (shown in picture) that we really wanted to return this year.

We changed a few things up this year, with a little first hand education last year we realized that the back end of the boat really is not the view that you would think. The Sun rises on the port side and neither sun up or sun down was visible from our room. We didn't make that same mistake this year. We're not on the top level this year, but we opted for midship, that way you are not far away from anything.

We're both excited!!!!!!!!!

Tuesday's Tidbits

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

* It's has been 1,796 wonderful fun filled days since Michelle and I went out on our first date.

* It was 1,019 days ago that I got down on one knee and proposed marriage.

* It has been 556 wonderful days of wedded bliss for us.

* There are only 316 more shopping days left until Christmas 2013. It's never too early to start as some may say.

* 130 days we'll be partying down with Kenny Chesney at Heinz Field.

* There are only 37 more days until Spring is Officially here. It was unseasonably warm yesterday, almost like we're being teased.

* I checked yesterday morning before I went to work, our dafodils are starting to come up. YEAH!!!!

* I guess it's getting close to being time for deciding what the 2013 patio garden will consist of. I always have a lot of fun with that thing and the vegetables that come out of it are awesome.

* I have an Eye appointment today. I'm not sure if they are going to dilate my pupils or not, they usually do this every year being I'm diabetic.

* Michelle commute home yesterday took about an hour due to all the construction on the Mileground. They are placing a roundabout on the end of 705 and traffic is down to one lane.

* Cardio and shoulders today, both Michelle and I are looking into starting to do yoga. I want to get a little bit of flexibility back.

* Hi ho hi ho

Weekend Reflection

It's once again time to stop the relaxing and stick our noses back on the grindstone for another fun filled week of work. First, I would like to reflect a little bit before I stick my nose on anything.

Yesterday afternoon Michelle and I went to the Micah Wilson Charity basketball game at University High School. I have to say that they did have a very nice turnout and it was a fun filled day considering. Micah's mom Michelle gave a very heart felt and tear jerking statement before the festivities started and she tossed the ball up for the initial tipoff of the game seen here. All proceeds from the game were donated to the family and Michelle wants to start a scholarship fund in Micah's memory.

It was hard for me to see the mother of a young child who used to come and watch me play softball crying over the loss of her son. I got a couple of bug hugs from Micah's sister Shay and his Mother Michelle before the start of the event. My heart goes out to her and their entire family in this time of healing.

Anyone notice there was no football this weekend? Does this mean spring is coming up soon? I had one Facebook friend in Morgantown post a picture of his daffodils coming out of the ground, meaning spring is right around the corner. I think my old Groundhog Buddy may have been right, we're going to have an early spring.

Chest and Cardio

Hi ho hi ho

Sunday Morning Ramblings

Here I sit once again in a quiet household, I'm the only one who has recovered so far from a losing bought with the sandman last night. I have the TV playing in the background and have no idea what is even on as I collect my thoughts for the day.

After attending the Christopher vs Alex basketball game at Mylan Park Elementary yesterday, and I have to say that is a nice school, Michelle and I headed west to Amish Country for a little bit of shopping. There is an ointment that we purchased up there while at the Springs Festival and we both thought this ointment was absolutely amazing. It's a do all and probably better than any ointment we have ever seen before. It's called Amish Origins and I would highly recommend it to anyone. The stuff is quite amazing.

Today we will be attending The Basketball Fundraier for Micah at University High. I played softball with his father Andy and have always BS's with his Mother Michelle every time I see her. I remember the last thing I said to Micah a few years ago, I told him I hoped he had a great senior season except against my Alma Mater. He was a great kid.

I see that it's 19° out, what is up with that? I'm ready for Spring.

Have a great day.

Saturday Morning Ramblings

So much for my normal Saturday morning spiel of being the only one who has recovered from a losing battle with the sandman, Michelle is already up and ground her coffee beans for the morning. We are watching the Adam Sandler movie That's My Boy on Amazon.

Our plans for the day include going and watching Christopher Toth play a basketball game this morning at Mylan Park Elementary. He's been on us a few weeks, so we are going to go and watch him play.

West Virginia plays Texas tech this afternoon in Texas. the game will be the 1,000th of Coach Bob Huggins' career spanning over thirty years. I remember his first job at Walsh College and a friend of mine at Morgantown High was actually in his first ever recruiting class. Danny is now a teacher at Morgantown High after a number of years at cross town rival University High.

Have a great day and be thankful you are not in New England right now, they got nailed with a couple of feet of snow.

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 me, I'm off once again today and Michelle has to work. Depending on the weather I'm going to try to get our Sam's Club shopping completed, so Michelle can come home and relax after dinner tomorrow night. She has been a working machine and she needs a little R & R time.

I have switched my workouts up the past couple of weeks. A lot of specific exercises targeting specific muscle groups rather than just building pure upper body strength. I have been stronger than I have ever been in my life, now it's time to do life extending workouts instead of trying to play Offensive tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers. The torn Labrum kind of put a hamper on things and I was putting an awful lot of protein into my body. So much so that I added quite a few pounds and it just got to the point where I needed to re-evaluate my goals.

There is a benefit basketball game for Micah Wilson this Sunday at University High School. Micah was the son of a former softball team mate when I played for Recourse and I've watched his athletic career blossom until his untimely passing last month.

Have a Great day!!!

Photo Flashback Thursday

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

This weeks pic goes back a number of years. It was on a Sunday and it was during the NFL Football season. My Brother in Law Nick is a huge football fan as you can tell. Every Sunday we would set up five televisions in the living room and Nick has five different receivers, all so he could watch five different NFL games at the same time.

If you were a fan of an off market team (other than a Pittsburgh Steeler fan), Nick's setup allowed you to watch your games. Nick was/is a big Carolina Panther fan and I know he used to follow them religiously.

They were some great times, sometimes it would be just Nick watching the games and sometimes all the guys from the neighborhood and a few others would show up.

There was also the time when Nick rented a fog machine for the start of the NFL season, but that's a whole different story.

Hi ho hi ho

National Letter of Intent Day

Today is a day that ends all the madness in College Football known as National Signing Day. Today is the day when the High School Class of 2013 can sign to play football at their chosen colleges. Up until today, a recruit would give a verbal commitment, but they were not bound to that commitment in any way. Today, they sign their National Letters of Intent and these verbal commitments now become binding for both the school and the athlete.

As of the time of me writing this, WVU currently has 24 verbal Commitments, but there always seem to be a signing day surprise in store, whether that is a good thing or a bad thing depends on what happens. Players will change their minds at the last moment possible, meaning we could either lose a prospective recruit to another school or we may flip a player to sign with us that has been committed to another school. It's always interesting to see how this works out.

In my opinion, this season doesn't seem to have many knock out players from first glance. However that all changes once they hit the field. I've seen 5 Star Superstars turn out to be busts and I've seen no name 1 star recruits turn into NFL First Round Draft Picks. It all depends on the individual and how they approach the next level of their playing career.

The recruiting sites will be a buzz today, it is usually their most busy day of the year.

Hi ho hi ho

Tuesday's Tidbits

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

* It's been 1,789 days, yes I am still counting, since Michelle and I went out on our first date. It'll be 5 years next month for us.

* It's been 1,012 days since I proposed marriage.

* We are enjoying our 549th day of wedded bliss.

* There are only 323 more shopping days left until Christmas.

* 137 days until we party down with Kenny Chesney.

* 44 more days until Spring officially starts, if you want my opinion that can hurry up and get here.

* Newsflash: I STILL HATE SNOW!!!!

* As I am typing this, I am holding my breath because I have hiccups.

* Breathe

* The Mountaineer basketball team played on Big Monday for the second consecutive week.

* Tomorrow is College Footballs "National Letter of Intent Day". This is where all the kids we have been recruiting the last year sign on the dotted line and it becomes a binding commitment. It's usually a pretty busy day for anyone who follows recruiting.

* I have switched my workout the past few weeks. Every day is both lifting and cardio. Yesterday was chest, today is shoulders. Tomorrow is legs and Thursday is arms.

* Considering looking into yoga after a Youtube video I saw.

* Hi ho hi ho

The Gnome Project: Superbowl Sunday at Home

Meet "Sammy the Steeler Gnome". Sammy is our gnome that has been known to sit on our mantle in the living room, but he has a tenancy to roam around a little bit. Sammy tells me that he is going to travel around this year and will have his picture taken in a few different places this year.

Yesterday however Sammy was stuck in a snow storm in my back yard to proclaim his feelings about this years Super Bowl. What choices does he have, does he want the San Francisco 49ers to get their Pittsburgh Steeler record tying sixth Super Bowl trophy or does he want the arch rival Baltimore Ravens and Ray Lewis to get a Super Bowl Championship. Throw in the snowstorm (Sammy hates snow too) and yesterday just was not Sammy's day.

Sammy has told me he wants to see the world this year and would like to travel with me and Michelle wherever we go. I've added the Gnome and Sammy labels to my blog, just click either one of them whenever you see me Sammy and see where he is and has been.

 Hope your day is better than Sammy's.

Sunday Morning Ramblings

Here I sit once again in the early AM, I am the only one who has recovered from a losing battle with the sandman. I'm up early watching the movie Divinci Code on Crackle , streaming through the Roku of course, and collecting my thoughts for the morning.

It's Super Bowl Sunday, yes they still play the game even thought the Pittsburgh Steelers are not in it, so that means it's going to be a great day for some Super Bowl Commercials. If you are not a fan of the game or the teams, the commercials never seem to disappoint.

This evening's game will be between the NFC Champion San Francisco 49ers and the AFC Champion Baltimore Ravens. There will be two big story lines for today's game. One will be the end of a long and storied career of Ray Lewis. Win or lose this long time nemesis of the Pittsburgh Steelers will retire after todays game. I'm hoping for the SOB to go out on top. The other story line is the head coaches for the two teams. Jim Harbaugh the head coach of the 49ers will be facing his brother John Harbaugh the Head Coach of the Baltimore Ravens. Can you imagine what their parents will be going through today? At least they know their son will be a Super Bowl winning coach.

Have a great day and stay warm.

YES!!!!!!!!!

ALL HAIL PHIL!!!!! The greatest groundhog that has ever lived. The seer of things all prospectively meteorological and predictor of what is to come. On this day on Gobblers Knob, the greatest weather forecaster has spoken. The is NO SHADOW and Spring is right around the corner!!!!!!!!!!

Note to my lizard friend Larry, tough Luck, the king of the groundhogs in all his wisdom has spoken.

Break out the shorts and sandals.......just not today/ =)

Groundhog Day

Yes I am up on this day, a day that is dedicated to my old friend Punxatawny Phil, the great rhodent of the meteorology world who gives us our forecast of what we can expect the weather to look like for the next six weeks. It is none other than one of my favorite holidays, one I have dedicated many blogs to and about. It's GROUNDHOGS DAY!!!!! (Or lizard day, depending on Phil's eyesite this morning).

Michelle and I actually have a friend who make the trip to Gobblers Knob quite often, I even considered booking for it this fall but with the uncertainty of the Federal budget opted not to. Our friend Jes is probably on her way up Gobblers Knob as I am typing this blog.

In years past the event has either been televised on TV or has been streamed live for everyone to enjoy. I remember watching the entire event one year from Frostburg and it looked like the place to be. 10,000 fans on the knob and a concert and fireworks display, I want to do this some time in my lifetime, call it being on my bucket list.

On a personal note to my old buddy Phil. Did you enjoy the booze and hookers I sent? Do you want this to continue or are we celebrating Lizard Day next year?

On a serious note they are calling for a lot of snow today, good day to watch the movie Groundhog Day, so stay warm and enjoy your day.

Come on Phil.

Big Ole Hairy Friday

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

I think we should change tomorrow to Lizard day, if this lizard sees his shadow we'll have six more days of winter and if he does not, spring starts. Take note on this my little buddy from Punxatawney, we're trying to negotiate a better deal with another critter to replace you. My advice to you is if you see your shadow tomorrow, just ignore it and pretend it isn't there. You've heard of selective hearing, I suggest you get suggestive eye site especially when it comes to shadows on February 2.

Can you believe the weather the last couple of days? It has went from being in the 70's to around what it was last week and cold. That's about a 50° change in temperature, and not for the good. To say it has been strange and unpredictable is an understatement.

I'm off today, but my sweetie has to work. I probably won't be getting into too much of anything until she gets home and we go out for dinner, which is just something we do every Friday evening.

Have a great day, I will.

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 just one special lost moment in time to use and recall that moment. Sometimes it's pretty easy, and sometimes it's not so easy, it is however always a lot of fun.

This weeks picture goes back not quite six years ago. I was playing Softball for MVPPaintball and we all decided to go up one Saturday and play. I talked to my nephew Moke and he was excited and wanted to play, so he and his room mate at the time Jamie came with me and we all played paintball on this day.

They had so much fun on this day that Moke ended up forming a team to compete with. I think they played a tournament or two, but it's been a few years and my memory is faded on that occasion.

We all did have a good day that day, even though I left the paintball park with a few more welts on m y body than I cared for. I seem to remember my buddy Chris O lighting me up from behind playing woodsball.

Hi ho hi ho

Hump Day

Well that's two down, not if we can just get over this noon time hump, we can see the dawn of yet another fun filled weekend on the other side of a photo flashback.

I had my third career meeting yesterday with Secretary Chu, he was teleconferenced in from DC this time of course. One of the big wigs in Fossil Energy is stepping down and going back to private industry and someone from, NETL is being promoted to replace him. As the meeting was winding down and everyone was joking around he did say that we are still just as committed to fossil energy as we have ever been. I'm sure if you get your news from commercial right wing talk radio hosts they are more credible than the Secretary of Energy. (end sarcasm)

Weather was really nice yesterday, so much so that I actually turned the AC one when I got home from work as it was a little warm at the home front. This is my kind of winter weather, but I know it will be short lived as my old buddy Phil may have something to say about it. If he sees his shadow this year I may just go and gouge his eyes out.

Hi ho hi ho

Tuesday's Tidbits

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

* 1,782 days ago my life changed forever as I took Michelle out for dinner and a movie.

* It's was 1,005 days ago that I proposed marriage.

* 542 days ago at the Marilla center in front of our closest friends and family, we tied the bonds of matrimony.

* There are only 330 more shopping days left until Christmas.

* 144 more days until the Kenny Chesney Concert.

* 51 long days until string.

* I have sent a bribery package to Phil in Puxatawney, we're either going to be partying on Saturday or be eating groundhog burgers.

* I have switched up my workout at work. I had been doing nothing but building pure power and bulk over the last year and a half. It's time to move to the next step of full body and life extending type of workouts. I will not be coming out of retirement to play football this season. Torn Labrum kind of put a damper on that idea.

* The Mountaineers hosted #1 ranked Kansas Jayhawks last night in Morgantown, as of the time of me writing this, the game had not been played yet. I would not be surprised if we get not only beaten, but embarrassed. This years team just lacks the "it" factor.

* Hi ho hi ho

Back to Work

All good things must some to an end, and unfortunately that also includes our time off on the weekends that we enjoy so much. So it's time to stick those noses back on the grindstone for a few days and get back to doing what it is we do to earn our livings.

How do you like my little friend here that is just chilling out in our bathtub. It's called a Tegu and has a nasty at the very least bite. Chad described it as a vice grip with razor blades. He's a friendly little guy, but can be very dangerous for someone who does not know what they are doing.

Michelle will probably be working over a little more than usual this week, W-2's need to get out and she has volunteered to assist in getting those all out for BFS. I don't think people realize how big of a company they are, they have many divisions are products that you don't even associate with them. meaning there is a lot of employees in a five state area that they have to account for.

They are calling for a warming trend this week, so hopefully it'll melt some of if not all the snow that we have on the ground.

Hi ho hi ho

Sunday Morning Thoughts

I have always been an early morning person, I have always loved going to bed early and getting up early for some reason. I don't know if it was conditioned into me by my grandparents or that I just prefer the early morning hours. I've just always seemed to be an early riser for some reason.

Not too much to report today, we did get our filters yesterday and after listening and watching guys I worked with last week running up to the shoe store to buy multiple, and I mean like six pairs each, to run to the shoe show at the mall and buy these Merrell Barefoot Shoes that they were liquidating. I stopped in and bought a couple pairs and Michelle grabbed a pair. Normally $100.00 shoes were on sale for $20.00 to get rid of the stock. They were too good of a deal to pass up on and they feel great. I was amazed at how light these shoes are and they are shaped with the foots natural contour.

Earlier in the day we made our trip to Lowes to get some filters for the humidifier and Michelle picked up some Coffee for her Keurig at work that she has.

We did watch a nice snowfall yesterday, which did cover the ground and made it very pretty, but I'm not one who likes snow and I'm ready for it to all be gone ASAP. Give me the warmer weather and the smell of fresh cut grass and a nice spring breeze and I'll be happy.

Have a great day.

Saturday Morning Ramblings

Here I sit once again in a quiet household, being the only one who has recovered from a losing battle with the sandman. I'm up early as I usually am and have the movie Anchorman: The Ron Burgundy Story playing in the background.

Morgantown got hit with a bit of a winter snowstorm yesterday, it made traveling a little bit treacherous yesterday afternoon, especially at rush hour when there were wrecks everywhere and potentially grid locking everything. Interstate 68 was shut down in both directions for a period of time and Facebook was lighting up with people issuing warnings or complaining about all the other idiot drivers on the road.

We left work early as my boss told us all to go work from home and I called Michelle and told her to be safe, but she stayed her entire shift and took her time getting home. We went out to dinner afterwards and by the time we were done and we decided to go to Sam's Club, the traffic had been slightly alleviated and made driving less of a hemorrhoidal flare up, but there were a few "Idiots" on the road.

The winter storm warning is now over with, this stuff should all be melted away by Monday when it's calling for temperatures in the 55° range. Other than a trip today to lowes to get a couple new filters for our humidifier we don't have too much planned.

Have a great day and stay safe and warm.

Big Ole Hairy Friday

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

I have to go the hospital this morning for a little bit of testing. Some of my blood work are showing signs of a problem and we are going to do an ultra sound this morning to get a good look. I was talking to my Doctor about it and he seems to believe that it could be one of my prescription drugs that I am taking that could very well be causing, it. I have been on Actos for a couple of years now and that could possibly be the culprit.

I see where they are calling for 6"-8" of snow starting this afternoon for the area. As if the cold temperatures from this week were not bad enough, now we're going to get the snow on top of it all. Yuck.

I wonder if I send Phil some booze and chocolates if he'll kind of not see his shadow. Hmmmm

Hi ho hi ho

Photo Flashback Thursday

Once a week I USUALLY like to look through all of my pictures that I have stored on my computer and select just one magical moment in time to write a blog about. Sometimes this is pretty easy, sometimes it's not so easy and then you have today's blog which was nothing short of a disaster that was avoided.

Usually I talk about a nice picture of days gone by, this weeks picture is only a few hours (and in the case of me authoring this minutes) old. I'm breaking out of the normal blog today to do a current blog.

I get a call yesterday at work, Chad called Michelle who called me. I guess we had a water pipe bust in the garage. Water was everywhere and had started to work its way downstairs and into the carpeted area of the house before Chad got home and shut off the main water to the house.

It basically flooded the garage, and worked down into our furnace room which has a drain and onto the carpet in the laundry area. Like I said, Chad came home and shut the water off before too much damage was done.

Michael shut off the secondary water line that was feeding the line that busted and we quickly restored water to the house. Fortunately we have a carpet scrubber that sucks the water back up into that that allowed us to soak the majority of the water back up.

It was a fun day to say the least, I'm just thankful that it was caught early before it did any serious damage or got into out closet.

hi ho hi ho

Hump Day

If you can manage to pop your head over the lunch time hump, make sure you keep it covered because it's cold out, you can see the dawn of another weekend on the other side of a photo flashback.

I have to say it was cold yesterday and it's colder today. I've actually had to break out my winter jacket, ironically that I never wore one time last year, for the second day in a row to drive to work. I've already had enough of this winter crap, bring on the warm weather and longer days. We're a month out of three into winter, so we'll have to bear this for a while.

Monongalia County Schools a two hour delay today for the second day in a row. You know, when I was a kid I walked 5 miles to school each day through 3' of snow in sub-zero temperatures and you ready for this, uphill both ways. These kids today don't know what rough is with their gaming systems, laptops and electronics of convenience. Toughen them up, lets send them for double school today =)

Ok So much for my ramble. Stay warm, it;s cold outside.

Tuesday's Tidbits

* Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr it's cold.

* There are only 58 more days left until Spring, I figured I start with a local weather report and outlook.

* Now back to our regularly scheduled BLOG. Monday is behind us and it's cold outside, can;t think of a better reason than that to do a tidbits.

* 1,775 days ago Michelle and I went out on our first date together, it was much warmer outside than it is today.

* 998 Days ago I proposed marriage, it too was much warmer out than it is right now.

* 535 days ago in the warm sun, Michelle and I exchanged our wedding vows. It was a LOT warmer than it is today.

* There are 337 shopping days left until Christmas, hopefully it'll be warmer than today.

* In 151 days Michelle and I will go and see Kenney Chesney, it's better be a lot warmer than it is now.

* Have I ever mentioned I hate snow? I might like it a little more if it happened in warmer weather.

* No rumors yet on a Jimmy Buffet Tour in Pittsburgh, It may be another month or two before he announces that date. Hopefully it's a lot warmer than it is today.

* We're starting to plan our 2013 vacation. We spoke with our Cruise Director Sunday Night and will be planning on booking within the next month or so. We're planning on doing the same cruise, same port and same dates. We loved our last years cruise and knew it was only the first of possibly many. I'm sure it'll be much warmer in the Carribean.

* Hi ho hi brrrrrrrrrrr

Monday

I am fortunate today, it's Martin Luther King Jr's birthday, which means that it is a Federal Holiday and I get to stay home all day and watch the inauguration and movies on television.

Michelle has to work today, but I'm enjoying the last of my four day weekend. Today will probably have a nap involved in it and maybe even another nap if I get too tired. Call it a planned lazy day.

Not too much else to say, nothing planned and the weekend for the most part was pretty uneventful.

Have a great day and stay warm.

Sunday Morning Ramblings

Here I sit once again in a quiet household, being the only one who has recovered from a losing battle with the sandman last night. I'm up early playing in the internet and have some movie on in the background, not even sure what's playing.

Any plans that we had yesterday kind of got sidetracked. Michelle has been hit with the flu and it hit her hard yesterday morning, so much to the point that we really did nothing all day long other than household chores and relax.

Not sure if today will be much different than yesterday, it is my Sister in Law Danni's birthday and Chad's girlfriend Laiah's birthday well. This will wind of the short stretch of all the birthdays we have had the last ten or so days. So a happy Birthday to Danni and Laiah today.

Prepare to stay warm this week as old man winter is about to his his ugly head. The thermostat will even be taking shelter this week as the temps will be dropping this week. It was a nice little warm trend, but now I think things are getting back to normal.

Stay warm and watch some football today. We'l know who plays in the Super Bowl after today.

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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!