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.

First of all I have to ask, what the heck happened to the 70°+ days that I had been hoping for? Come on, I'm losing an hours sleep this weekend, Mother Nature should at the very least be cooperative and allow us some nice warm spring type weather instead of this cold rail/snow crap we're getting.

The WVU Baseball Home season has finally got a start for the year. They are supposed to have a four game home stand this weekend starting this afternoon against Rider College. Speaking of 70°+ days..you know they would be nice and fitting for right now. Soak up a little sun, wear some shorts and enjoy a little baseball. I'm just saying Mother Nature.

If you want to get this party started, we have to get Friday over with. Hi ho hi ho

Photo Flashback Thursday

Thursdays are a hard Blog to get any inspiration for, so last week I thought I would look back through my 12,000+ pictures and do as flashback. Tell a little story about a picture from sometime in the past.

This weeks was no doubt a transitional period in my life. This is me in the evening after my first day in college in the fall of 1999. A time when my life was at a crossroads and I had to choose a path. My path I chose was to go to college, and I had no idea what would lie in front of me.

This is my going over my Psych 1 notes with my pierced ear, my Dale Earnhardt shirt and one of those cancer sticks that I wasted way too much money on in my life (It has been since May of 2002 since I have had one) when I used to smoke. We had just came back from Ocean City the day before and I was starting college on that day.

I had no idea what I was getting into, but I have never looked back. I had no idea if I could or could not do it, so I gave it everything I had for the next five years and worked in my field (for next to nothing) for my last three years of college.

It was a day my life changed forever.

Ash Wednesday Edition of Hump Day

Well you better have your Mardi Gras Fat Tuesday celebration out your system, for today is ash Wednesday and the first day of lent. I hope everyone has a Charlie Sheen type of good time and were in some type of exchange of some beads.

Well it's back to work after an evening of fun filled frolicking last night, now the fun is over and it is time to get back to work. Looking at the bright side, there will be a lot of great fish sandwich deals for a few weeks, and I love fish.

Hayley had an interview yesterday at Krogers, she thinks it went pretty well. They did a few employment types of things that they really wouldn't do if they were not interested in hiring her. Hopefully she'll be hearing some good news in the immediate future.

Speaking of employment, hi ho hi ho

Tuesday's Tidbits

* Well that dreaded Monday is now past us, and we have our sites set straight upon Tuesday, can;t think of a better reason to do a tidbits.

* 1,089 days since mine and Michelle's first date a few years ago. We're actually a week away from three years since our first date.

* 312 days since I proposed marriage and she accepted.

* 151 days until the wedding.

* Talked to Amy briefly yesterday on Facebook, she said that she fixed her computer problem by reformatting her machine and reinstalling the operating system.

* Talked to Pam a couple of nights ago, she is interested in going to the rails to trails with us. We spoke about possibly renting bikes and going riding on the trails sometime this summer. It would be nice if we could get a group of people to do this. (hint hint)

* Still waiting to see when Jimmy Buffett is planning on going to Pittsburgh this year. He's usually announced by now, so something is telling me this may be up this year for something different from him. Just don't do it August 6th.

* Today is Fat Tuesday. Tonight is the time to be in New Orleans for Mardi Gras. Obviously Wed is Ash Wed.

* We also spring the clocks forward ahead one hour this weekend, so you lose an hour of sleep, but you gain an hour of daylight in the evening. I think my body has already adjusted for the change.

* Hi ho hi ho

Tried a Real Good Recipe yesterday

I was at work on day last week when a co-worker told me about this Spicy Sausage Rigatoni that he couldn't get enough of. Michelle and I tried it yesterday and give it a two thumbs up and highly recommend it. Allow us to share.


http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/spicy-sausage-rigatoni-recipe/index.html

Ingredients

• 12 ounces rigatoni, cooked and drained
• 12 ounces hot Italian sausage, removed from casing
• 1/4 cup reserved cooking liquid from rigatoni
• 2 tablespoons olive oil and chopped
• 2 cups whole canned tomatoes, drained
• 3 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
• 1/2 cup parsley, chopped
• 1/2 cup Parmesan, grated

Directions

Heat oil in large skillet, Cook garlic, red pepper flakes and cayenne over medium high heat quickly. Add in crumbled sausage meat and cook until completely browned. Add in tomatoes and bring to a simmer. Cook about 5 minutes until sauce begins to thicken and add cream. Return to a rapid simmer. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add cooked Rigatoni and reserved liquid. Return to simmer and sprinkle with parsley and Parmesan. Serve with extra Parmesan cheese and black pepper.

Michelle and I absolutely loved this and for you cooks out there looking for a pasta recipe with a little bit of a a bite to it, try this. It was awesome.

On that note, hi ho hi ho

Finally Made It

Last weekend I really wanted to go and see the movie Hall pass, but we ended up not making it to see it last weekend for one reason or another. This weekend however we took a little time out to go to the movies and see the movie.

I gotta say, the guys who made this are the same guys who made Something About Mary and it more than lived up to its expectations. Most of the theater were literally laughing out loud at this movie, and both Michelle and I enjoyed it. If anyone is looking for a good movie to see that is out right now, we gave it two thumbs up for adults. Might not be suitable for the young ones though.

That makes two movies that we have went to see this year so far. It had been a while since we had gone to the movies, it's nice going back and seeing all the previews. Kung Fu Panda II is definitely on my agenda to see this may.

Earl Saturday Morning Ramblings

Once again, the house is all quiet and peaceful and I am up in the wee hours of a Saturday Morning trying to come up with a few original thoughts to put into a blog. I'm bit a freaking Rock Star from Mars and my life lacks the excitement level that is the life of Charlie Sheen. (I had to make at least one Sheen reference this week)

I spoke with Chris O and he is talking about gathering a group of his co-workers to go and play paintball on April 3rd at MVPPark. I saw Sean and Danny a couple of weeks ago and mentioned that a few people I work with may be interested in playing and he said Chris was going to bring a crew on that date. I called Chris yesterday and confirmed that date and he said the more the merrier. So if anyone is looking to play a little paintball, get in touch with me and I'll give you the details.

Michelle did have a hair appointment today, but moved it to next weekend so we really have no plans this weekend. It's calling for rain anyways, so our outdoor activities could be limited.

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.

Once again no plans for the weekend, although those days will soon be drawing to a close with longer days and warmer weather where we can get out and have fun geocaching. There are a number of new ones around Morgantown since we last went, and I'm ready to go out and start finding them.

Michelle was off work yesterday with a beginnings of a migraine. I should consider myself fortunate as I have no idea what one feels like. I've had headaches, but nothing like what she gets and what other describe to me as a migraine.

Gotta get this party started, hi ho hi ho

The Day I Learned I Was Going Bald

Sometimes its just a lot of fun to go back through your old pictures and remember certain events in your life.

I was looking at this picture and realized it was the day my Sister Terri married Nick, and I was there in attendance. My sister Kim was on the upper deck Video taping the event, and I was sitting beside my sister Pam. Although looking at this picture, I should have been sitting on the Bride's side of the isle, I guess you live and learn.

My Father walked Terri down the isle, who made a very beautiful bride by the way, and it was a great day. We all enjoyed the ceremony and the reception at Terri and Nick's place. My brother Gsry was the featured entertainment, he and his band were having their world debut en route to the world domination tour that they were planning but never got around to.

The next day I was over at Kim's, and watching the tape that they made from high above the church and I noticed a bald guy sitting beside my sister Pam. I recognized everyone in the church expect this strange looking fellow and then it hot me like a ton of bricks. I was that bald guy sitting beside my sister. I knew I was balding, but never really saw it.

It was a day I will remember forever for a multitude of reasons.

Thursdays are my hardest blog to write during the week, maybe I just need to reflect a little upon my life.

Hope you enjoyed the story, but now it is Hi ho hi ho

Hump Day

Monday, Check. Tuesday, Check. First part of the week is in, now it's time to get over that hump and work towards another fun filled weekend.

I think March should officially adopt February 28 this year. Why? because it thunder-stormed and the weather was much more lion like than lamb like that was yesterday's weather. You know what they say about March, in like a Lion, out like a Lamb and in like a Lamb and out like a Lion. Although I can't complain too much, because for once my buddy Phil was right with his prediction of an early spring. Thanks again Phil.

Since this was a boring Blog, let me leave you with a little entertainment to brighten up your hump day.



Hi ho hi ho

Tuesdays Tidbits

* Well Monday is now behind us an has entered into our memories meaning it is now Tuesday, I can't think of a better reason to do a tidbits.

* 1,082 days since mine and Michelle's first date.

* It's been 305 days since our engagement last year meaning...

* ...we have 158 days until we are married.

* Today is the first day of March, a month that offers us the official start of my favorite time of the year, Spring time!!!!!!

* We're doing our weekly crock pot dinner tonight, it's been a while and the temps are dropping so it is going to be home made chilli and corn bread for our after work feast.

* Hayley found a beautiful chocolate lab a couple of nights ago that followed her home. Michele called the pound yesterday and the dog was returned to its rightful owners. Seems like they had just moved to the area and it was storming and he got scared. Chad and Hayley fed him a can of alpo and some soft food and gave him a nice place to get some rest before returning him to his rightful owners yesterday.

* We watched the Movie "The God's Must be Crazy" last night from Netflix. Michelle has never seen it.

* Hi ho hi ho

Back At It

Well all good things come to an end, and that includes weekends. It is now time to stop enjoying the fruits of our labors and stick our noses back to the grindstone and start another week of work.

I had a very productive weekend, Michelle and I got a lot done and even managed to get on the rails to trails yesterday evening for a nice little weekend ending walk with Sadie. It was nice yesterday evening and we just couldn't pass up on the opportunity to go out and enjoy ourselves.

We spent part of yesterday setting up Michelle's iPhone and making personal to her and unique to her. She still has a lot of contacts to do and synchronize, but we have her voice mail, e-mail and calender syncing and her e-mail set up. Now she just need to create a new contact list to is compatible with her new phone.

Hi ho hi ho

New Phones

After nearly three years using my old iPhone 3G, and being a couple versions behind the times, I finally decided to update my phone and add Michelle to my plan.

My choice was easy, I got the new iPhone 4G and Michelle stayed back a model and chose the iPhone 3GS as her phone. This is her first smart phone, I think it is going to have to grow on her as she starts to get acclimated to it.

My upgrade was simple, just had to plug my phone in and ht restore from backup and walla, my old Phone's settings, aps and contacts were all transfered to my new iPhone.

It was time to upgrade, I thought I was going to lose my unlimited data package, but I did not and was able to retain it.

Saturday Morning Ramblings

I went to bed early last night, which mean I am up waaaay too early this morning, so the house is quiet I might as well write my daily BLOG.

Not really much on our agenda today, most of the things we wanted to get done we actually managed to get done last night after work, so this is an "us" day to do whatever we want. The weather looks to be a little less than cooperative, so that may have some limits on what we actually do manage to do.

We talked about possibly going to go and see a movie. I thought the movie Hall Pass looked like it may be an entertaining movie. It was made by the same people who made Something About Mary, so it looks to be a good light hearted comedy.

Have a great Saturday.

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 the weather is not going to be quite as nice as it was last weekend, but I'll take it. I'll take this kind of weather over cold and snow any day of the week.

No weekend plans yet for me and Michelle other than our typical weekend plans. Milanos later tonight for dinner and we are going to have to make a stop at Comcast for a digital converter box for Chad's room.

Let's get this weekend party started. Hi ho hi ho

OK It's Official

In the past week Mine and Michelle's wedding plans have started to take shape. Rented and no longer available to us were a couple venues that we were debating with since last fall.

Wouldn't you know everything seems to have a way to work out. We secured a venue on Monday that we both felt the most comfortable with among the four we considered. I said I didn't want to post anything about it until it was paid for with receipt and permit in hand. Considering it was all done by phone, I had to wait for the mail. Well, it is now official.

Our wedding reception venue will officially be the Marilla Center on August 6th. We held Valarie's wedding there back in 2003, the facility has been completely redone since then. New floors, Air Conditioning has been installed, a sound system is already in place with two flat screen TV's, new tables and new chairs.

Now with a date set, a venue for the reception, the person actually marrying us and a first draft of the guest list in place, it is time to start making this happen.

In the coming months we will be organizing menus, recruiting many family members and a few close friends to lend a hand doing various things. If anyone would like to help, we would appreciate it and tell us what you would like to do.

Hump Day

Ok, what is with this cold weather? Lat week we were looking at 60°F and now it's below freezing, cold and just not the most desirable of of weather conditions for someone like me.

Well we are at midweek for some of you people working the full week this week. I was off Monday, so it really doesn't feel like midweek just yet. Maybe tomorrow and by that time it'll be Thursday and I'll be ready for the weekend.

Anyone notice Comcast switched completely away from Analog yesterday early in the morning. If you don't have a Digital TV or a converter box, you are going to be out of luck until you get one. Chad's TV is currently useless and I need to pick up a couple of converter boxes to be able to bring his back online plus any additional ones we want.

Oh well, Hi ho hi ho

Tuesday's Tidbits

* After a nice relaxing Monday off, we are looking down the barrel of a Tuesday, can't think of a better reason to do a tidbits other than that.

* It has been 1,075 days since mine and Michelle's first date.

* It has been 298 days since our engagement.

* There are 165 days until the wedding.

* Speaking of the wedding, as I mentioned last week our first two venues were not available for the date we needed, HOWEVER a venue we both liked much more than is available. More to come once we sign the contract and secure the facility which should be very soon. UPDATE since I initially wrote this: venue has been reserved and paid for in full. It is ours for August 6th, 2011. I'll announce on BLOG when we have paperwork in hand, this was done by phone. Michelle and I looked at it from the outside Friday afternoon. I think at least people in my family will be very impressed with the upgrades made at this location since the last time we used it.

* Wedding planning is starting to get a head of steam. We spent last fall putting our initial guest list together and speaking to a few key people who we would like to be involved with the wedding. Now the budget money is in place, we'll secure the facility and then it will be full steam ahead.

* We have our theme in place for the wedding and reception. We want to do a small ceremony and concentrate most of our resources on the party/celebration/reception afterwards. Nothing has been finalized, just discussed to this point.

* Hi ho hi ho

Presidents Day

It used to be George Washington's Birthday, but now it is called President's Day. Either way it is a Federal Holiday for me so I'll just say thank you to our founding father for the three day weekend.

Michelle has to work, but I'm off for the day so I won't be getting into to much.

Have a great day.

Relaxing Day

After a nice and productive day yesterday, maybe we'll take the day and relax being that the weather is going to be a little less than cooperative today.

It could be a movie kind of a day as after our weekly shopping trip, there is nothing else really planned unless the weather all of a sudden gets nicer.

Morgantown was a little nicer yesterday thanks to Bob Huggins and the Mountaineer Men's Basketball team beating 7th ranked Notre Dame 72-58 in front of a national audience and over 12,298 screaming fans. It's been a tough years for the Mountaineers after advancing to the Final 4 last season, but anytime you can beat Notre Dame it makes the Mountaineer nation smile just a little bit more.

Have a good day.