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.

Michelle and I are switching cars today, she'll take LP to work and I'll take Pearl. The adjuster we are going to use is across the street from where I work, so I'll take it over and get the adjustment so we can start the repair process on her. Hopefully Pearl forgives me for putting here into the ditch.

In other news, Punxsutawney Phil committed suicide and  we are going to be stuck with a long winter. Mother nature wasn't going to cooperate and he just couldn't take the abuse like he did last year when he said Spring was around the corner. I think we went from Winter to 4th of July and back to Fall as we really didn't have much of a Summer last year.

There is some great news for people who like to Cruise, Carnival who is going to end services in Baltimore later this year will resume services next spring as the carnival Pride is going to get a big face lift and makeover.

Hi ho hi ho

Carnival Returning to Baltimore

Sharing this


BRILLIANT NEWS

CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES, PORT OF BALTIMORE ANNOUNCE RESUMPTION OF
YEAR-ROUND SERVICE FROM BALTIMORE IN MARCH 2015

Carnival Pride to Undergo Extensive Multi-Million-Dollar Makeover That Will
Add Variety of Line’s Fun Ship 2.0 Innovations Prior to Baltimore Deployment Next Spring


MIAMI (January 30, 2014) – Carnival Cruise Lines and the Port of Baltimore today announced that the cruise line will resume year-round departures from Baltimore when the 2,124-passenger Carnival Pride begins seven-day cruises in spring 2015.
Carnival Pride is currently based in Baltimore where it will remain through October 2014 then reposition to Tampa for a winter cruise schedule before returning to Baltimore for year-round service in March 2015, hosting nearly 120,000 guests annually.
In anticipation of Carnival Pride’s return to Baltimore, the ship will undergo an extensive multi-million-dollar makeover in fall 2014 that will add a host of dining, bar and entertainment innovations that are part of the line’s $500 million Fun Ship 2.0 product enhancement program.
In addition to the new on-board features, Carnival Pride is one of several Carnival Cruise Lines ships that will be outfitted with exhaust gas cleaning technology – known as scrubbers –designed to reduce air emissions from cruise ships and large marine vessels. Scrubber technology will be installed on Carnival Pride prior to its Baltimore deployment in spring 2015. This new technology will enable the Carnival Pride to exceed the stricter air emission standards established for operation within the North American Emission Control Area (ECA).
“Baltimore is a convenient mid-Atlantic embarkation point for ‘Fun Ship’ cruising and we’re pleased to resume these attractive year-round departures which offer our guests an opportunity to visit a variety of beautiful, tropical destinations,” said Gerry Cahill, Carnival’s president and CEO. “We would like to extend our thanks to officials from the port and the state of Maryland for their outstanding support in our efforts to resume year-round cruising from Baltimore,” he added.
“We are pleased to welcome Carnival Cruise Lines back to Maryland and the Carnival Pride cruise ship back to the Port of Baltimore,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “Our Administration has a proven track record of advocating for a strong, healthy environment and fighting for high-quality jobs for Maryland families. I’m pleased Carnival and the Environmental Protection Agency and Coast Guard have agreed on a plan that will keep family-supporting jobs in Maryland and allow a cleaner and even greener Carnival Pride to return to this thriving cruise market.”

Year-Round Seven-day Cruises From Baltimore
On its year-round deployment from Baltimore, Carnival Pride will offer two distinctly different itineraries with voyages departing every Sunday beginning March 29, 2015. Week-long exotic eastern Caribbean cruises will visit Grand Turk, the private Bahamian island of Half Moon Cay and Freeport, The Bahamas, while a Florida/Bahamas schedule will feature Port Canaveral, Fla. (Orlando), and Nassau and Freeport, The Bahamas.
During these cruises, guests can relax on beautiful white-sand beaches, participate in fun watersports activities and visit popular landmarks and attractions throughout the Caribbean, Bahamas and Central Florida.

Exciting Fun Ship 2.0 Innovations
Carnival Pride will undergo a three-week dry dock from October 19 to November 9, 2014, during which it will be outfitted with a variety of Fun Ship 2.0 innovations, including:

Guy’s Burger Joint, a free-of-charge poolside venue developed in partnership with Food Network personality Guy Fieri serving hand-crafted burgers and fresh-cut fries in an atmosphere that celebrates the chef’s California roots and love of car culture

BlueIguana Cantina, a complimentary poolside Mexican eatery where guests can enjoy authentic, freshly made burritos and tacos on homemade tortillas that can be personalized with a variety of salsas and toppings

Bonsai Sushi, a full-service sushi restaurant offering delicious Asian-inspired delicacies – sushi, sashimi, rolls and more – all enjoyed amidst a contemporary Far East décor

WaterWorks, highlighted by Green Thunder, the steepest and fastest water slide at sea, as well as the line’s signature Twister slide full of exhilarating twists and turns and a spray park

Hasbro, The Game Show, where guests are part of the show through a series of larger-than-life productions and entertainment activities based on the company’s iconic and popular games

Playlist Productions, builds upon Carnival’s reputation for high quality entertainment, combining captivating live performances and high-tech special effects, all set to popular and recognizable songs

EA SPORTS Bar, a sports and video game lovers’ paradise where guests can catch live sporting events, check out scores on the real-time 24/7 sports ticker, and play the latest EA SPORTS games on a 16-screen video wall

BlueIguana Tequila Bar, a fun and festive outdoor watering hole offering a laid-back Mexican-themed atmosphere and tequila-based frozen drinks and beers, perfect for chillin’ by the pool

Alchemy Bar, a vintage-themed cocktail “pharmacy” that’s the go-to spot for guests seeking a unique experience with mixologists who “prescribe” concoctions from different elixirs and ingredients or guests’ own custom-created cocktails

RedFrog Pub where guests can enjoy the Caribbean’s best rums and beers – along with Carnival’s own ThirstyFrog Red private label draft brew – and island-inspired pub fare while soaking up the distinct British-West-Indies-meets-Key-West ambiance

RedFrog Rum Bar, a poolside adaptation of the RedFrog Pub offering the quintessential Caribbean vacation vibe with refreshing Caribbean rum-based frozen drinks and beers, including Carnival’s own ThirstyFrog Red

The Library Bar, a warm and cozy venue offering self-serve wine dispensers and full bar service for those seeking a more intimate spot for before- or after-dinner drinks

Cherry On Top, which celebrates the joys of simple indulgences with bins of bulk candy, fun fanciful gifts and novelties, custom apparel and more

Photo Flashback Thursday

Once a week I like to take a little bit of time out and look through all my pictures that I have either scanned, taken or stolen off the internet and write a little blog about one of them. Little lost moments in time that was forever captured to be shared at a later moment in time. Sometimes this is a pretty easy task, and sometimes it's not that easy, but it is always a whole lot of fun.

This weeks picture I will confess, is not that old and I did steal it from the net. It is a unique picture although. The house you see is the historic Falling Water, the Kaufman's summer home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. I just thought it was an awesome picture and immediately knew that I wanted this to be this weeks picture.

It's not that often that it happens, but it has happened a couple of times this year, but the stream that flows under the home is completely frozen over. Temperatures dropped so low, that a movie waterfall was left completely motionless. Someone captured this piece of magic and put it on Facebook for me to grab and blog about.

I've been here numerous times, but never in the wintertime to see such a marvelous sight.

Hi ho hi ho

Meet Little Pearl aka LP

Yes I have finally retired the old Ford Taurus, we managed to get 5 good years out of a $2,100 investment on an old retired fleet car from Michelle's company. 215,000+ miles on it and to be honest with you it has seen its better days, so we decided to replace it. Would you believe the Taurus actually had no heat in it. It is a well know issue with linkage under the dash and we had it repaired once.  So it was either time to throw more money into it (just had a battery which I got under warranty) on a new starter or it was just time to retire it.

So I did a little looking around yesterday, my second day off this week, and found a Nice 2007 Subaru Legacy  that I bought yesterday. Michelle and I both are very comfortable with Subarus and it was Pearl White color just like the Forester. Hence where the name came from. The Forester we named Pearl due to the color of the car and it was a neat sounding name. When we saw this one, the first thing we thought of was "Little Pearl" or "LP" as we are starting to call her.

I have a claim started with Pearl from my accident on Sunday, we have to take it to an adjuster and have them look at it and report back to our Insurance Company.

I guess my extended weekend is over.

Hi ho hi ho

Tuesday's Tidbits

* Well Monday even though I was home, is now behind us and we are straight straight down the barrel of a Tuesday. Still can't think of a better reason to do a tidbits.

* 2,145 days ago Michelle and I went out on our first date.

* We were engaged 1,369 days ago.

* 906th day of Marital bliss, we're getting closer and closer to that 1,000th day of marriage.

* I have 6,516 days to go until I retire, give or take a few.

* 337 days to go until New Years Eve and my Goodbye 2014 Blog.

* You still have 331 days left to do your Christmas shopping for this year. It's never too early to start planning.

* 190 days to go until our third wedding Anniversary.

* Only 51 more days to go until Springtime. I don't know about anyone else, but I am personally tired of all this snow and frigid cold temperatures that we have been experiencing this winter. I'm ready for warmer weather.

* This is my 3,526th blog that I have posted.

*  I Did manage to get my car home from work yesterday, I called Summers Towing and we successfully got it home. Now maybe it is time to start looking into other transportation options.

* Have I ever mentioned that I hate snow?

* With the Super Bowl this weekend it should be a good game. Will former WVU Linebacker Bruce Irvin get a Super Bowl ring or will Peyton Manning get one with the Denver Broncos. It should be a very good game. I'm leaning Seahawks to win this one.

* Hi ho hi ho

Monday

Well normally I would say it's time to stick our noses back on the grindstone, but I'll be home today. We unsuccessfully tried to bring my car home yesterday, Summers said they would not tow it in these weather condition. On our way home someone got stuck on the hill on Van Voorhis, so I decided to turn around and try another route.

Into the ditch Pearl went, the same tow truck driver who said he couldn't the Taurus was sitting in the bank parking lot when I went into the ditch, and was there quickly to pull me out and assist. As you can see Pearl got hurt, but fortunately it is just cosmetic and we were able to snap it right back into place. We're going to go the the Subaru garage and have them look at it. It was a day I should have just stayed home.

Today I'm just going to stay home and extend my weekend, hopefully tonight I can get the Taurus home and start looking at it. I'm still thinking it's time trade in the Taurus, it has seen its better days.

Have a great day and stay warm and safe.

Happy Birthday Ralphie Dalton

I would like to take this opportunity to wish Ralphie Dalton the Happiest of Birthdays today.

Ralphie is my niece Amy's loving husband, and I can tell you you will not find many better than  this fine young man. He is a hard working loving father and Husband who has more than earned the love and respect of everyone in the family.

Not sure what they are planning to do today, I know Ralphie used to have a snow plow and did plowing during snowy weather days like like today,  clearing out parking lots and everywhere else.

I'm not sure if I will see Ralphie today, but I would like to extend him a very heart felt birthday today.

Happy Birthday Ralphie.

Sunday

Here I sit once again up early recovering from a losing battle with that dreaded Sandman from last night. I'm up early watching the Movie Ted on HBO and collecting my thoughts for the day. I seem to have a little bit of a sour stomach at the moment, so not sure what that is going to mean.

Well good news and bad news with my car, the batter was 23 months old and bad. It had a two year warranty on it, so I was in by about a month and received a new battery under the warranty for no charge. The bad news was I still couldn't get my car to turn over even with a new battery. My guess is something has frozen up, possibly the starter, due to the extreme cold weather from last week. I do have to say it has me considering buying another car to replace mine.

With the snowstorm yesterday and today, we really didn't get into much as will be the case today. We will be dog sitting Rocky and Lilly this evening as Ashley and Michael are taking Christopher to see the Royal Rumble tonight in Pittsburgh.

It'll be an around the house chores day and grocery shopping kind of day for us.

Have a great Sunday.

Saturday Morning Grumblings

Here I sit once again on a quiet Saturday Morning, I'm the only one up, but I was the first to lose that dreaded battle with the Sandman last night. I'm up early trying to find something entertaining on the boob tube and am not having any luck.

I think we are due for another snowstorm today, so for the most part we are going to have to hunker down and stay warm. Bitter cold temperatures are expected early next week once again.

I will have to go out either today or tomorrow, the cold killed my battery in my car and I had to leave it at work. I'm just going to buy a new battery and put in it, the bitter cold of the last two storms has just killed the cold cranking amps to nothing. We even tried jumping it yesterday and there was nothing. Time to replace it, but it really is only a couple years old. Kind of disappointed in the product.

There was a little bit of closure yesterday in the Skylar Neese case. Sheila Eddy pleaded guilty to first degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison with the chance of parole in 15 years, which due to a Supreme Court Ruling was the maximum that they could give her. I watched the stream yesterday afternoon, Eddy was sitting there crying, but I felt absolutely no compassion for her.

Have a great day and stay 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.

We are a week away from the Super Bowl, so there is no Football this weekend except for maybe the Pro-Bowl, but who really watches that.

The weather outside is horrible and it is due to only get worse over the next few days. They are actually calling for temperatures to be -15° F Below on Tuesday. That's not even taking into consideration the windchill factor if there is any wind. Something tells me this is going to be a stay warm and nap kind of weekend in our household.

Have a great day and try to stay warm.

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 either taken, scanned or stolen off the internet. I like to look to see if I can find that one special lost moment in time to post up and write a little blog about. Sometimes these images just stick out and you find them quickly, sometimes it's not so easy. One thing it always is however is a whole lot of fun.

This is one of my favorite pictures. If memory serves me correctly my nephew Moke was about to be deployed to Iraq. Before he left, Pam and George had a going away party for him at their home.

The picture is of me on the the left, Moke in the middle and my Brother Gary on the right. I can remember Moke was playing beer pong with his friends and as you can see by this picture wasn't feeling too much pain. To say that he was feeling quite happy would be an understatement. We managed to get this picture of the three of us when these two were playing beer pong against each other.

Not sure who won the game of beer pong, but my camera definitely had a winning moment by capturing this picture. Like I said, one of my favorites.

Hi ho hi ho

Hump Day....Kinda

It is Wednesday, Hump Day as many know it. To me it might be the first day that I actually go to work this week.

With Monday's Holiday and Yesterday's Snowstorm that actually closed the Facility where I work, this may be my first day this week when I actually make it to work. I like the idea of these short work weeks to say the least.

My wife Michelle on the other hand has absolutely been a trooper, I even tried to convince her to stay home yesterday or even come home early, but to no avail. She went and worked all day, so for her this truly is her Hump Day.

I don't know if I have ever mentioned this before, but I hate snow. I'm actually already tired of the white stuff falling to the ground and the cold temperatures that seem to go with it. I'm ready for the warm weather, the birds a singing, long days, shorts and Sandals. I don't think Springtime can get here soon enough for me.

As you can tell, Pearl was under the snow yesterday, good thing is that this was at Michelle's work and I was at home not having to go ans sweep all the snow off of Pearl.

Have a great day.

Hi ho hi ho (I think)

Tuesday's Tidbits

* Well my three day holiday weekend are over with and the blue footed boobie is hiding under the bed in fear of all the snow we're supposed to get today. Still can't think of a better reason than that to do a tidbits.

* Blame this snow on my wife, she does her little snow dance and next thing you know...we're getting snow. Thanks Michelle.

* Speaking of Michelle, it's been 2,138 days since the two of us went out on the town for the first time. Our first date together.

* 1,362 days ago I got down on one knee and proposed marriage to this wonderful woman, I would like to say though this was before she stated doing her snow dances.

* 899 days ago in front of our closest friends and family, with the help of a friend of ours, we exchanged our wedding vows.

* I have 6,523 days to go until I retire, give or take a few.

* 344 days until New Years Eve and my Goodbye 2014 blog post.

* 338 more shopping days left until Christmas.

* 197 days until mine and Michelle's third Anniversary.

* 58 more days to go until SPRINGTIME!!!!!!!

* This is my 3,518th blog post that I have written, that's a whole lot of blogging.

* The last day that I did not blog, was December 29, 2006. That is 2,581 consecutive days, a little over 7 years and almost one month that I have written a daily blog. That is 368 weeks that I have went without missing a single day of blogging.

* Believe it or not, that streak has caused me some stress as of late. When I hear something didn't post or that I forgot to write something, it increases stress levels to the point where I'm almost unbearable. Just ask my wife. So, I have to say that I am considering either breaking that streak and taking some time off from blogging, or retiring altogether as a blogger. The blog used to be a whole lot of fun to to write, and has seen a number of events happen in both mine and those around me's lives. However I know if I just take time off, I'll get away from it completely. Hopefully this is just a seasonal thing, and the blog can continue to live, but I have to say that the thoughts of ending it have crossed my mind.

* Hi ho hi ho

Federal Holiday

Today I am lucky enough to enjoy a Federal Holiday. I day off with pay is one way to look at it, but lets not forget the reason that we have this day.

Today is the day we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's Birthday, even though his actual birthday was last Wednesday. Dr. King was a civil rights leader from a time that I was alive, but too young to remember.

To honor Dr King, here is his legendary "I have a Dream" speech.


I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.'

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification; one day right there in Alabama, little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today.

Sunday Morning Rumblings

Here I sit once again in a quiet household, I'm up watching Lethal Weapon 4 and surfing around on the internet catching my thoughts for the day. That dreaded loss to the Sandman is now behind me and I'm now drinking a Soda Stream version of Diet Mountain Dew, so I'm probably up for the day.

Well the West Virginia Grand Bash took placer yesterday at Mylan Park. I stopped in a couple of times fro some updates, that place was packed. I was kind of amazed that so many actually showed up for it, but there were 10,000 tickets. Sadly to say that the only thing Michelle and I won was a charitable donation to West Virginia University Children's Hospital. I would say they had a very successful event and I would look for them to do it again next year.

One thing that we did manage to get done yesterday was to finally after break out our Fiestaware. My Mother in Law Susie has been buying this for Michelle and I for a number of Christmas's now, she has been adding on and adding on to the set. We have a total of 8 place settings, 4 Black and 4 Gold which are the colors we chose years ago. Yes we are Steelers fans and that is why we chose to do two colors in sets of 4 instead of one color in a set of 8. I went out yesterday afternoon and got a nice Bamboo Silverware drawer organizer.

Michelle and I had decided to leave this wonderful gift in the original boxes and were not going to take them out until it was only her and I. Call it an empty nest celebratory prize that has been slowly accumulating through the years. It was a wonderful gift and all thanks goes to my Mother in Law as it is one that will last us a lifetime. The factory is actually between where her Mom and Grandmother live in Newell, West Virginia.

Have a great day and stay warm.

Happy Birthday Nihat " Nick" Rehmani

I would like to take this opportunity to wish one great Brother In Law a very Happy Birthday today. Today is Nihat Rehmani's, or as we all have known him through the years "Nick", birthday. 

I'm not too sure what Terri or Nick have planned for the day, but I have a feeling Nick will be watching some football at some point today. He is the one who used to have the wall of TV's in his living room and one in the bathroom so as to make sure that you would not miss a play.

I would like to extend a very hearty Happy Birthday to Nick today, I hope you have a wonderful day and that all your dreams come true. 

Happy Birthday Nick. 

Happy Birthday Layla Marie Rosiak

I would like to take this opportunity to wish a very beautiful young little lady a very Happy Birthday today.

If memory serves me correct, and it could be fading because I am getting a little older now and that tends to fade away, Layla Marie should be turning 6 years old today.

Not sure what Trish and Joe have planned for Layla today, but I'm quite sure this little girl will be spoiled today.

Happy Sixth Birthday Layla Marie Rosiak.

Saturday Morning Rambings

Here I sit in the early morning, I'm the first one once again to recover from a losing battle with that dreaded Sandman and am up watching GI Jane on HBO and trying to get some scores from around the world.

Sidney Switzer Softball  represented the US yesterday in the first round game against the Dutch National Team in the Netherlands. The US team 2-1 in the opening game and the game was streamed for all to see. Her second round game started at 4:00 AM US time, but the stream isn't working and I can't get any updates. At 7:00 AM our time they play their third pool game against the Czech Republic. This round robin pool will determine the seedings for the tournament. UPDATE before I can Post the Blog, they won their second round game 3-0.

My brother in law Jim is having his "Chocolate Lovers Delight" auction this evening at 6:00 at the Cassville Fire Hall. They are auctioning of a WVU gnome, much like our Steelers Gnome, but dressed in WVU Colors.

Michelle and I will be paying attention to what is going on at the WV Grand Bash, as we try to win one of the prizes in this monster raffle that benefits WVU Children's Hospital.

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 and a three day weekend.

Martin Luther King Jr's Birthday is going to be celebrated Monday, it's a Federal Holiday which means I get a nice long weekend.

If you are looking for something exciting to do, keep your fingers crossed for Michelle and I as we try to win a prize in the WV Grand Bash that benefits WVU Children's Hospital. I'm kind of hoping to win that $100,000 Grand Prize, but I will accept ANY prize that I could win. Even if we don't win, the money is going to a very good cause. I would like to win something though, they are giving away 1- $100,000 prize, 5 cars, 15 - $4,000 prizes, 1- $10,000 prize, a couple Harley's a few 4 wheelers and Jet Ski's, I think 25 custom rifles, jewelry and a few other things. I'll take any of them.

Have a Great day.

Hi ho hi ho

Photo Flashback Thursday

Once a week I like to take a little bit of time out to look at all of the pictures that I have either taken, scanned or just stolen off the internet over the years. Little lost moments in time captured with some kind of a camera and stored away waiting for the day for me to pick it to use in one of my blogs. Relive it a little bit and bring it back to life, if only on the internet, but life will be restored. Sometimes it's pretty easy to find that picture, and sometimes you take a while to find something you want to use. One thing that it always is, is a whole lot of fun.

If you have ever been to Ocean City Maryland, you have probably had some of the best French Fries you have ever had in your life. Thrashers French Fries are something that you will never forget once you've had them.

This weeks picture comes from mine and Michelle's honeymoon a few years ago. After we got married we took our honeymoon trip to Ocean City, stayed in the cheapest hotel we could find and it was Go go go from the time we hit the island. I think the one thing that we will remember is the French Fries and I still have Malt Vinegar in my Fridge and our deep fryer has peanut oil in it due to what you see in this picture.

If memory serves me correct, we were at the very south end of the boardwalk when I took this picture, we were eating at Boog Powell's near the pier and were eating a delicious and carb free tub of fries. If memory serves me correct, a seagull pooped on Michelle not to long after that. I got pooped on later, but we were at a different part of the board walk.

Great memories.

Hi ho hi ho