Goodbye 2017

January

* January pretty much started out with Michelle and I going to St. Louis, I had to go out for re-certification for one of my jobs. It was the first time Michelle had ever been on an airplane. 

* The new Suncrest Elementary School opened up, it is located right across the street from NETL. 

* The WVU Men's Basketball team defeated the #1 Baylor Bears. 

* We said goodbye to President Obama and inaugurated the 45th pRESIDENT of the the United States. .

* Michelle was admitted to the hospital due to her blood sugar drops. They had her fast for 72 hours and try to see if they could simulate her blood sugars dropping low. They could not. 

February

 * Phil ruined my day by seeing his shadow and ensuring that we were going to have six more weeks of winter.

* I got addicted to an internet game, slither.io I started playing it when Michelle was in the hospital.

* Michelle left her job at BFS Companies. She was underappreciated and undervalued.

* I traveled to Paw Paw West Virginia to work for RTI over President's Day weekend.

* Michelle got addicted to watching April the Giraffe on an internet stream. So much so that I put Youtube on the Bedroom TV so that she could watch April during the night as well in case she woke up.

March

* Winter storm Stella we were warned was going to show her ugly head. It turned out to be a big dud of a Storm. More hype than snow.

* The WVU Basketball Team advanced to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Basketball Tournament.

* Michelle and I attended the Johnny Koon Bowl-A-Thon at Suburban Lanes.

* Our niece Amanda had her Bridal Shower at the Marilla Center.

* Michelle received three job offers since leaving BFS. Express Scripts was the first one, Mylan Pharmaceuticals was the second one and MEPCO who she was temping for acknowledged she was too much of an asset to lose and topped everyone's offers. It was where she felt the most comfortable, and it was the best offer. Mylan's was pretty attractive, but MEPCO stepped up to retain her services full time.

* Michelle got a new job, I bought a new gun. I thought it was a fair deal...lol

April

* Michelle went to the Johnny Koon Bowl-a-Thon at Suburban Lanes. I was working that day but did end up making it towards the end to say hello to everyone. 

* I found out and believed that my time at NETL was coming to an end. I had lost funding under the Research Contract and I had 15 Billable hours (instead of 160+) for the month to charge to. The horizon did not look promising as the Atlas efforts that had consumed so much of my time were being put on the back burner, meaning I was pretty much done. 

* WVU Basketball player Javon Carter won the NCAA Defensive Player of the Year. 

* My sister Terri celebrated a milestone 50th Birthday. 

* I traveled to Sistersville, West Virginia to work for RTI for a few days. 

* April the Giraffe, an animal Michelle had been streaming for roughly three months waiting for her to give birth, finally gave birth.  

May

* May started out with me making a second extended trip to Sisterville to work for RTI. This was my second trip here within about a month's time.

* I started my second season playing in the BOPARC 50+ Softball League. Many of the guys I played with this year were part of one of my older original teams at BOPARC. We had just re-assembled it for a couple of seasons.

* Michelle and I traveled and stayed in PA for Amanda and Joey's wedding, the wedding was in New Stanton, but everyone stayed a night or two close to the wedding venue.

* Michelle and I spend the Memorial Day weekend going to the local family Gravesites and placing flags on the tombstones of all relatives who have served our country and were no longer with us. It's something we have been doing every year as of late.

* We literally had thousands and thousands of dollars stolen from our Savings account, no fear we filed all the appropriate paperwork, closed the account and opened a new one and filed a police report. Happy ending we got every nickel back.

June

* June started on a sad note, when we officially had to cancel our 2017 cruise. It was one of the most heartbreaking things I had to do, but it was the right choice. (Month's later there were three Hurricanes in the Caribbean and that cruise would have been a total bust as Carnival pretty much canceled it due to the Storms) I guess we picked a good year to miss one.

* My Brothers Fiance Tonya was admitted to Ruby Memorial, meaning Gary was in town for a few days. It was nice to take a little bit of time out to see him.

* Hayley moved out of our house, her and Josh had lived with us almost a year. Josh remained living here as she went off and got her own apartment since they had broken up. It was no problem, Josh was a great guy and would be on travel for work for weeks at a time, so he was never here.

* Michelle and I found an injured woodpecker that we took to Cheat Lake Animal Hospital. They fixed him all up and released him back into the wild.

* We traveled to Harrisonburg Virginia for Calvin and Jeanetta's Wedding. It was a happy day, but pretty much everyone got very sick afterwards. It was one of those explosive at both ends types of sickness, it wasn't pretty.

July 

* July started out with the 4th annual Friends and Family Picnic at Krepps Park. The weather was quite cooperative this year and we had family travel to attend the picnic from all over.

* Michelle and I went and watched fireworks the right way, we sat in our car at the Coliseum after the BlackBears game and had great seats for a wonderful fireworks show.

* I had the pleasure of meeting my third (actually 4th) Secretary of Energy during my career as Rick Perry visited NETL on one of the days I worked at NETL over the past few months.

* I traveled to Charleston for an extended weekend to work. I was actually working a small town north of Charleston, but I stayed in Charleston while I was working. I actually visited my first Pigly Wigly while I was down there.

* A documentary called "Families Like Yours" was released, it featured a couple of long time friends of mine and their families.

* Michelle and I attended our first MountainFest. We went to see Hank Williams Jr on Friday evening, we did not make it back for George Thorogood on Saturday evening due to the weather.

* My time at NETL had just received a new life. I had had a umber of job interviews over the previous few months and was starting to get a little worried. I was interviewed by the Prime of our contract that I had worked on for another Contract and was offered full time employment with them. The fears that I may have to leave the area to make the money I wanted to make were becoming a reality, until I got my phone call, interview and offer with AECOM.

* We had our 35th High School Class Reunion, it was great to see everyone and Ron and Sara Beth Blosser hosted it and treated us to a great meal at WhiteTail Crossing.

August

* I Officially left my job with Sextant after about 7 1/2 years, Dale was the best boss anyone could ever ask for and he treated everyone like gold. It was closing one of the happiest chapters of my life. 

* I Officially started my new employment working for AECOM, making the transition complete. I switched offices and for the first time was not in the building I had spent the previous 8 3/4 years in  (also sat there when I worked for SAIC), and got to move into a newly renovated building and floor. It was nice not having to look around for funding, money to buy supplies or anything of that nature. I'm pretty confident I will retire with this company. 

* Michelle with her employer, got the opportunity to go underground in a Coal Mine. Me the son of a Coal Miner, never had that opportunity and my wife beat me to it. 

* We bought new furniture from Star Furniture. We had looked around for a few weeks, but we ended up spending twice as much as we had planned on, but we also realize you get what you pay for. New Large Couch, two new large recliners that met all of Michelle's standards that she wanted in a new recliner and a few end tables. 

* We said Goodbye to LP, I took possession of Pearl and we bought Ice, a 2018 Subaru with all the extras. Ice is the new family car for when we travel and Michelle's day to day car. 

* Michelle, Ashley, Christopher and I attended our first BlackBears game of 2018. 

* We saw a solar eclipse in this area, this was the fullest solar eclipse that we had seen in this areas since I was a kid. 

* Michelle and I attended the 2017 Johnny Koon Light Up Night, Lantern and Balloon release. 

* Chad traveled to New Orleans and got to attend a Saints Game. There is a prominent NFL family that Chad does a lot of Saltwater tank work with, and he was their guest in the Suite. 

September

* September started out with my lovely wife and I heading out to Amish Country, we decided to stay out there a night this year for a get-away since we were not taking a cruise this year. Would you believe that our new car got backed into by a horse and buggy.

* Our new furniture that we ordered was delivered, brought in and set up. It took a few weeks, but anymore they don't really sell the items on the showroom floor and instead order it. Got a great deal on financing and used the money we saved to buy the five year warranty on everything.

* Hurricanes Irma and Jose hit the Carribean, it was a good thing we canceled our cruise this year because it would have royally sucked. We did have family in Punta Catna while the storms ravished the islands.

* We traveled to Cumberland Maryland to attend Trent's Birthday Party. We took Trish and Layla along with us for the ride.

* I reached a blogging milestone, 5,000 blog posts in just a little over 13 years. Just think, there are 365 days in a year and I usually write one blog post a day.

* Michelle and I made a trip to Preston County to attend the Buckwheat Festival.

October

* Donald Trump was scheduled to make a visit to Morgantown, but a mass shooting in Las Vegas put a damper on those plans.

* My Brother in Law Nick's Father, Abdul passed away. A very good man that I had numerous educational discussions with. I am a better man for knowing him.

* We attended the Steelers vs Jacksonville game. Arguably the worst game in Big Ben's career where he threw 5 INT's including two pick sixes. Our poor car took a rock to the windshield on the parkway, our poor car.

* Jim and Chris had their new home delivered and it was started to be set up. It took a few weeks before it was finished inside and they were handed the keys.

* Chad moved back into our home. He had been on his own a couple of years, but was having some financial trouble and needed a place to live.

November

* There was a shooting a church in Texas, Michelle's best friend Holly lost her brother and her sister in law in that fatal mass shooting. 

* Jim and Chris had their first Auction in some time, Chris has her license now and they are both Auctioneers. 

* WV Quarterback Will Grier suffered a very ugly and season ending broken finger in the Texas game. 

* We once again did Thanksgiving dinner at the Cassville Firehall. We rent it out every year and pay for it with money we make from an Auction that day. Everyone brings an item and we auction it off. My brother in law Roy and I always get into a bidding war for something or another. We jack the price way up, knowing it all goes to a good cause. Mainly the venue and the food. 

* Michelle and Chad went and cut down a live tree to put up as our Christmas Tree. Sammy the Christmas Elf also made another appearance for the year. 

* I did come across a childhood picture of Jean that her cousin Ron shared with me as well as a few other pictures. 

December

* Michelle started the month up doing a whole lot of baking, we had saved Bananas for about a year and basically had a freezer full of them to make Banana Nut Bread. 

* We bought Hayley the first Christmas gift of the year when we bought her 4 new tires for her car. 

* We traveled to Ohio to have our Ohio Family Christmas earlier in the month, Michelle's grandmother is 97 years old and still hosts Christmas every year at her house. 

* I had a big meeting with the Army Corp of Engineers, I'm hoping to get a number of new toys at work. 

* We bought our Mountainfest 2018 tickets. 

* Michelle and I went to Joey and Amanda's for Chrtistmas Eve, Joey cooked a whole pig on the spit and we feasted on pork. 

* I have made a total of 390 posts for 2017, this is the first year I made less than 400 posts in a year since 2006. 

* See you on the other side of 2018

New Years Eve Blog

Here I sit in a quiet household once again, I'm up early catching my thoughts and trying to clear this remaining crud out of my chest as I collect my thoughts for the day.

This will be my last regular blog for the year, my Goodbye 2017 Blog will post in about 4 hours recounting my year as seen through my blog. A summary as you will of what I have written about in my boring life over the past 365 days. It has been an eventful year to say the least with both Michelle and I switching jobs.

No big plans for us today, hopefully we can get out of the Valley this morning as Mother Nature puked that ugly white stuff all over the place and the state road crew really has not been very efficient in treating the roads, so needless to say we had people stuck in front of our house yesterday that could not get up the hill. Ice (our newer car) does very well in the snow and has X-Mode on it, for that added security when driving in hazardous snowy conditions, especially with our terrain.

No plans for this evening, we usually always stay in on New Years Eve and with my flying out to St. Louis early Tuesday morning it's probably the smartest thing to do.

Have yourselves a great day, I have written a number of absentee blogs for this upcoming week, so there is a good chance I may not be commenting on anything that has not already been written until next weekend.

Have yourselves a great day, make sure you read Goodbye 2017 and We'll see you on the other side. Let's send 2017 out and welcome 2018.

Saturday Morning Rambling

Here I sit yet once again in a quiet household, I'm up early watching who knows what on HBO and collecting my thoughts for the day and surfing the net.

This may or not be the last blog that I write for 2017, my Goodbye 2017 blog publishes tomorrow morning at 9:00 and I may or may not do a blog tomorrow morning. I've written all of next weeks blogs ahead of time to cover my time in St Louis and my travels. Sometimes it is just nice to have a little bit of a break as a blogger. If I don't write one tomorrow, next Saturday will be my next live blog.

We went to WalMart after dinner last night to find some after Christmas Deals on things like lights and wrapping paper where they mark it way down in price just to get rid of it. My Brother in Law goes in later and buys up all of the remaining stock at a substantially discounted price and sells everything off at an auction. I call it thrift shopping. We bought a few of these things called Fidget Cubes on the discount isle, and I am going to tell you, these things are addictive as hell. I'm thinking about taking mine into work as I can see where it helps you concentrate a little more.

No big plans for this weekend other than the normal shopping and laundry. I don't think it's going to be warm enough to take the drone out to fly, I may have to wait a few weeks where the weather is much more suitable and not well below freezing like it is forecast to do the next week or so.

Have yourselves a great day today 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 and the start of another three day Holiday Weekend.

I better enjoy this weekend, these are the last days off I will have for about a month or so as we are gearing up for another quarter and another year of working with RTI.

No big plans for Michelle and I this weekend, we never go out on New Years Eve, mainly because there are a bunch of idiots out on the roads on New Years and we both figure it's much safer to just stay home. Truth be told I have no idea when the last new years happened that I was actually awake at Midnight to watch the festivities. I'm old and am one of those early to bed early to rise kind of people.

I do have a short day today with another three hour early release, so I will once again have a head start on the weekend.

Have yourselves a great day.

Hi ho hi ho

Photo Flashback Thursday

Once a week I like to take a little bit of time out and look through some of the pictures that I have either taken, scanned or stolen off of the internet through the years and find one special picture that stands out. Little lost moments in time from yesterday caught with a Cameras lens and relived right here in my blog. Sometimes it's pretty easy to find that one special picture and sometimes it's not that easy, one thing it consistently is however is a whole lot of fun.

This weeks pic goes back at least 21 years (Since I am 21 years old) to a time when  I was just a young one. Yes that little cutie was in fact the author of this blog and I was sitting up on my Grandpa Hall's knee.

This had to have been the old house down in Van Voorhis that we had, so I would put this picture sometime around the mid 1960's and pretty much prior to any of my known memories. I have no idea what I have in my hand, it almost looks as if it was a belt or something that I was playing with.

Just a random picture from yesteryear.

Have yourselves a great day.

Hi ho hi ho

Wednesday

I guess you can call this the up and over the hump day, Monday was Christmas and we're already at Wednesday for the new week.

I hope everyone had a great day back to work from the Christmas Break, although my regular job was pretty bare yesterday as most people are either extending a weekend or on vacation until the first of the year so it is a little bit slow there.

I need to start concentrating on next week and my travel plans as Tuesday will get here quicker than I would like. I have pre-written all of next weeks blogs for when I am away, I'm listing flight numbers and flight trackers so that Michelle can track me as to where I am going each day.

I've also written the majority of my Goodbye 2017 Blog that will post this coming Sunday at 9:00 AM. I just have to place a few finishing touches on it and it will be all done. I'll need the final blog post count for 2017 to be included and that is probably about it, unless something major happens between now and Sunday.

Have yourselves a great day and make the most of it.

Hi ho hi ho

Tuesday's Tidbits

* Christmas is now once again behind us, all the presents (or most of them) have been opened, I have watched A Christmas Story a boatload of times and now it's time to concentrate on a back to work Tuesday. Can't think of a better reason to do a tidbits.

* It has been 19,766 days since my reported birth, by my calculation and using my patented 938 day calendar, that should make me 21 years old by my calculations.

* It has been 4,972 days since I graduated from West Virginia University with a Degree in Geography, I've been pretty much working in my specific field of study ever since then.

* 3,573 days ago Michelle and I went out for our very first date, dinner and a movie.

* 2,797 days ago I proposed to Michelle, I figured making her wait until I proposed had to come to an end. She has been by my side ever since and it was I who got lucky that she waited for me.

* It was 2,334 days ago in front of our closest friends and family, we partied like rock stars and feasted like Kings as Michelle and I became Husband and Wife.

* I have 5,087 days to go until I retire, give or take a few hundred days here or there, or at least start doing something else with my life other than working.

* The next Backyard brawl where we beat Pitt's ass is only 1,741 days away. I'm ready for the game already.

* There are 364 more shopping days left until Christmas 2018. I know it's a little early, but the after Christmas Sales this wee might be something to take advantage of. We have not started on next years shopping yet...lol

* My next Anniversary of my 21st Birthday will be in 340 more days. If you use that antiquated 365 day calendar, this will be the 34th Anniversary of it.

* There are 223 more days to go until Michelle and I celebrate our magical Seventh Wedding Anniversary.

* There are 212 days to go until MountainFest Starts, we already have our tickets.

* We have 84 more days to go until Spring 2018, with the first snowfall in Morgantown over Christmas, I'm already ready for Spring.

* In 41 more days, I will be the exact same age as my Dad was when he passed away. He was definitely too young to go.

* 39 more days until Phil takes center stage and I am counting upon you this year Phil.

* 6 more days to go until my Goodbye 2017 Blog is posted where I recount 2017 based on what I have written in my blog. It has been an interesting year to say the least.

* I have written 5,096 blogs in what is now my 13 full years of being a Blogger and working towards 10,000. Only 4,904 to go until I reach that Milestone.

* Nothing new on the Brother Search, but what else is new. I've done DNA tests and nothing has been returned. If he did one, I would know it pretty quickly.

* Did do a little bit of updating to the Hall Family Tree and I did a few more updates on the Find A Grave site that I use to tie into it. There are still currently 390 members currently still in the database, no changes this past week.

* I did take my initial flight with my drone, I have a lot to learn before I master a drone like this one. I'm eager for the challenge.

* I did not get out to see the new Star Wars Movie, the Last Jedi. I'll make it out to see it eventually, after all the hype dies down a little.

* It's time for me to start gearing up to got to St Louis next week. Michelle is not going with me this year on this trip, hopefully it's somewhere else next year and she can accompany me next year.                                 
* I need to start writing next weeks blogs, or at least Tuesday through Friday as I will be traveling. No tidbits next week.

* Yes I did have a Hot Sausage Hoagie for Breakfast yesterday morning, I've had at least one every year since probably the 1970's when my Dad started preparing them. My Sister Pam was working yesterday, so I ran one up to her.

* Confucius say, man who fart in church, sit in own pew

* I'm STILL converting some old VHS tapes to Digital Format for Trish. I really need to get back on this as I am such a procrastinator. Jackie has a few more she wants me to convert as well. Slacker I am.

* Have I ever mentioned that I Hate Snow? It's not something that I think I have mentioned on my blog, but I thought I would just put that out there in case anyone cared.

* Have yourselves a great day.

* Hi ho hi ho

Merry Christmas

As Santa is finalizing his journey and gets the opportunity to take a nice break after working his one big day of the year, I hope that everyone had a great Christmas Eve and a Super Christmas Day.

Last night we went to Joey and Amanda's house and had a pig roast with them. Hats off to Chef Joey, that was one phenomenal tasty feast that was prepared. Michelle and I had a great time sitting around talking, laughing, telling stories and chowing down on the feast. It was a remarkable evening and thanks to all for allowing us to share in the festivities.

Chad is up in PA at Jon and Laura's and Hayley spent last night at her boyfriend Tyler's parents home and will bring Tyler and his son Luke over this morning so we can open Luke's presents. Hayley stopped over yesterday and did all of our wrapping for us,  meaning we didn't have to wrap anything. She also wrapped all her gifts because I went to WalMart last year after Christmas and picked up a lot of cheap wrapping paper.

Michelle worked with Santa to treat me very well this Christmas, I got a DJI Phantom 3 SE drone for Christmas. I've already got it registered with the FAA and have the appropriate license for what I initially intend on doing with it. Joey has his UAW Pilot's License and I think it is something I also want to obtain, this way I can do it commercially. He does it as a Photographer, I would like to offer it as a Geographer with a background in Photogrammatry.

Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas, don't forget to watch a Christmas Story a few times.

Christmas Eve

Here I sit in a  quiet household, I'm up early watching Gung Ho on HBO and collecting my thoughts for the day. I just posted all of my Christmas videos from the past as I traditionally do for everyone to enjoy.

For those of you tracking Santa Claus as he journey's around the world tonight leaving presents for all the good little boys and girls, you can track him once again using the NORAD Tracker and know where he is at at any time and how long it should take him to get to where you are at. Little boys and girls better be sleeping and leave him some delicious milk and cookies to eat and drink.

Our plans for the day include us going to Joey and Amanda's this afternoon and evening to have a pig roast. It's something Joey's family does every year and we have been invited to partake in this years event. I have to say that I am a little excited, I've been to a couple of pig roasts previously, but it has been about 20 or so years since I have been to one.

I hope everyone has a great Christmas Eve, I hope everyone is surrounded by loved ones and that it is a special day, evening and Christmas Day for all.

Merry Christmas. 

Christmas Videos Past

Every year I try, or should I say I attempt to try to put together a Christmas Video from our Christmas Eve. I've done a number of these through the years, enjoy some of my past work and Merry Christmas Eve.



2016



2015




2014




2013

2012

2008




2007



It doesn't appear that I did one for 2006, but here is one of the first videos that I ever did to fill in a little.





2005 which is probably my all time favorite one that I have done.




2004



1999 Which was my Dad's last Christmas

Christmas Eve Eve

Here I sit in a quiet household, it doesn't appear that anyone else is awake and I'm sitting here watching something on the boob tube and collecting my thoughts for the day.

Although I have had my flu shot this year, I'm starting to develop a case of the crud in my chest, not exactly something I need or want at this time, hopefully it doesn't develop into too much as I am going to be busy for a while after this weekend.

Today Michelle and I are going to do our weekly shopping, we want to get to the University Town Center before the mad rush and it gets ridiculous. I was up there yesterday after work, and there were a lot of cars and people in the area. Probably the last minute shopping procrastinators making sure that they have all of their shopping done.

After that we are going to Enterprise Rent a Car to get a car for Chad, he's heading up north for the weekend to visit Jon and Laura and watch the kids open up their Christmas gifts. Followed by wrapping the rest of our gifts and placing them under the tree to give that Christmas feel.

Chad finally sold his snake this past week, he has been trying to sell it for some time, but I guess no one wanted a 15' long Python that eats 30 lb rabbits twice a month. He did finally find a buyer and the guy came up from Beckley to pick it up. Chad has raised it basically from an egg, it just got a little too big for him to keep (space wise).

Have yourselves a great day today and Merry Christmas Eve Eve.

Ho ho ho ho

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 the start of a three day Holiday Weekend.

It's Christmas weekend, Christmas Eve is Sunday Night and Monday is Christmas. Today is going to be a short one for me thanks to our Director and giving us an early release today. We had our Company Christmas Party Wednesday for lunch and Michelle and I attended the Sextant Christmas Party (my old company), last night.

Chad is traveling up to Jon and Laura's tomorrow to watch little Johnny and Madie open up their Christmas presents. He'll be up there until Monday when he returns to Morgantown and Jon and Laura also come down for Christmas at Jim and Chris's.

Have yourselves a great day and the start of a great weekend.

Hi ho hi ho

Photo Flashback Thursday

Once a week I like to take a little bit of time out and look through some of the pictures that I have either taken, scanned or stolen off of the internet through the years and find one special picture that stands out. Little lost moments in time from yesterday caught with a Cameras lens and relived right here in my blog. Sometimes it's pretty easy to find that one special picture and sometimes it's not that easy, one thing it consistently is however is a whole lot of fun.

This weeks pic goes back to when Michelle and I were Newlyweds, so much that picture was actually taken at Ocean City, MD on our honeymoon.

I was (and still am) an early riser and have always loved watching the sun rise in the morning over the ocean. I think it is one of the most refreshing things my eyes have ever seen and I just love this time of the morning.

I would drag Michelle out of bed every morning before sunrise just so we could see it, and I still do that every time we are on a cruise. 35 days at sea and counting and I try to watch the sunrise every morning, although it is a little more difficult at sea for some reason.

Have yourselves a great day.

Hi ho hi ho

Hump Day

Two days down, a couple more ahead of us before another fun filled Holiday Weekend, now all we have to do is get up and over this dreadful noon time hump and it will be a downhill journey to that weekend.

There was a little bit of a Pre-Christmas Announcement earlier this week, WVMountainFest has announced a couple of the featured acts for this Summers event. Montgomery Gentry, or should I say Eddie Montgomery as Troy Gentry is now deceased, will play Thursday night. Saturday Night was the reason I bought my tickets, Alabama, the Country Music Band of the Century will be returning to Morgantown to play Saturday Night. Alabama has sold the WVU Coliseum out numerous times, but it has been a number of years since they have been in Morgantown. We used to be part of their regular tour stop for a number of years, I think I have seen them five times, might even be six.

As soon as the announcement came, I quickly jumped online and bought our tickets. I still listen to them a good bit to this day and I would say they are one of the top two or three played bands on my iPhone from my music. Jimmy Buffet and Boston are the other two followed by probably Queen or Led Zepplin and John Cougar.

I hope everyone is almost done with the headache known as Christmas shopping, I'm pretty sure that we are done for the year. Now comes the wrapping and the waiting on some of the things to arrive.

Have yourselves a great day today and let's get up and over that hump.

Hi ho hi ho

Tuesday's Tidbits

* Monday is now once again behind us and we have a great start art work, can't think of any better reason to do a tidbits unless Sammy unplugs my computer with his mischief.

* It has been 19,759 days since my reported birth, by my calculation and using my patented 938 day calendar, that should make me 21 years old by my calculations.

* It has been 4,965 days since I graduated from West Virginia University with a Degree in Geography, I've been pretty much working in my specific field of study ever since then.

* 3,566 days ago Michelle and I went out for our very first date, dinner and a movie.

* 2,790 days ago I proposed to Michelle, I figured making her wait until I proposed had to come to an end. She has been by my side ever since and it was I who got lucky that she waited for me.

* It was 2,327 days ago in front of our closest friends and family, we partied like rock stars and feasted like Kings as Michelle and I became Husband and Wife.

* I have 5,095 days to go until I retire, give or take a few hundred days here or there, or at least start doing something else with my life other than working. I do enjoy what I do though and am always looking to expand my skill set .

* The next Backyard brawl where we beat Pitt's ass is only 1,748 days away. I need to play some panthers and whoop that Panther Butt.

* My next Anniversary of my 21st Birthday will be in 347 more days. If you use that antiquated 365 day calendar, this will be the 34th Anniversary of it.

* There are 230 more days to go until Michelle and I celebrate our magical Seventh Wedding Anniversary.

* We have 91 more days to go until Spring 2018, we're down to the double digit countdown and now I am waiting for the single digit countdown.

* 46 more days until Phil takes center stage, we have it worked out that he is not going to see his shadow this year. Right Phil?

* 13 more days to go until my Goodbye 2017 Blog is posted where I recount 2017 based on what I have written in my blog. I've got it written and it was a lot of fun, I just need to write December and it will be all done.

* There are 6 more shopping days left until Christmas, I'm done shopping and ready.

* I have written 5,088 blogs in what is now my 13 full years of being a Blogger and working towards 10,000. Only 4,912 to go and I win a Golden Ticket to Willie Wonka's Chocolate factory.

* Nothing new on the Brother Search, but what else is new. I've done DNA tests and nothing has been returned. If he did one, I would know it pretty quickly.

* Did do a little bit of updating to the Hall Family Tree and I did a few more updates on the Find A Grave site that I use to tie into it. There are still currently 390 members currently still in the database, no changes this past week.

* I know what Michelle is getting me for Christmas and I have to say I could not be happier. I've always wanted one, now I'm getting a very good one. What is it? I don't know, it's not Christmas yet =)

* Our Christmas Eve plans are that we are going to go to Amanda and Joey's for a Pig Roast. It's been a tradition of Joey's family and we have been invited. I love a good pig roast.

* How is everyone liking Morgantown with all of the students gone and out of town? The finished up finals last week and traffic has been much better, unless you go anywhere near a shopping center...lol

* I did not get out to see the new Star Wars Movie, the Last Jedi. I'll make it out to see it eventually, after all the hype dies down a little.

* I did get a little pleasant surprise driving by the Coliseum this weekend, the WVU Baseball Annual Leadoff Dinner has been announced. The emcee is none other than WVU Grad and internet sensation, Pittsburgh Dad.

* Josh Judy needs something named after him in this town. He was the second player born in Morgantown and he grew up here to make it to the Major Leagues. I know he didn't play at WVU, but Van Zandt offered him $0.00 in scholarship money and Indiana Tech (where he made All-American) gave him a full ride. This town needs to honor him in one way or another.

* I'm STILL converting some old VHS tapes to Digital Format for Trish. I really need to get back on this as I am such a procrastinator. Jackie has a few more she wants me to convert as well. Slacker I am.

* Have I ever mentioned that I Hate Snow? It's not something that I think I have mentioned on my blog, but I thought I would just put that out there in case anyone cared.

* Have yourselves a great day.

* Hi ho hi ho

Monday

Well it's that time of the week that we all look forward to the least, it's time to stop having all that weekend fun and get back to doing what it is we do for a living. The work week is loaded and Monday is up to bat.

Looking at the week ahead, I have a Dr's Appointment on Tuesday to have my eyes looked at. It's my diabetic eye exam that I need to go through every year to make sure there is no nerve damage to the eyes. It's just routine and something I have to do every so often.

I have not one but two Christmas Parties this week, we are doing one for my Company on Wednesday, but it is just luncheon at work. We do these all the time, but we're using Christmas as an excuse to do it this week.

Thursday evening Michelle and I will be going to Hill and Hollow for the Sextant Company Christmas dinner. I left Sextant in August for AECOM, but we were a small company that was pretty much an extended family and Dale always invites his former employees out to dinner. I was a lucky guy to have worked so long for a great company.

Michelle is off today, so she gets to extend that weekend one more additional day, but she has a Doctors appointment this morning and possibly PT this evening.

Have yourselves a great day and remember we are in the home stretch for Christmas.

Ho Ho Ho Ho

Sunday

Here I sit yet once again in a quiet household, Peanut is being a little rambunctious but I sometimes wonder of she ever sleeps more during the night. It's her time to prowl around the house without a Pitbull playfully chasing her. I'm watching some infomercial about something or another I'm not going to buy and collecting my thoughts for the day.

The day started with a trip to Harry's Custom Meats to buy some bulk meats like Hamburger, Bacon and a few steaks and such to throw in the freezer. Michelle and I separated everything and calculated 19 meals from they stuff we bought and it was like $67.00, or about $3.50 per meal for some high quality meats including some Spencer Steaks, which is like a Delmonico and it the opposite cut for a flat iron. I found out about Harry's from a buddy of mine who owns a local tavern where he has the best smoked meats in the area, and has been our Softball Sponsor the last two years (Whitetail Crossing). This is where he gets his meats and it is first class all the way.

We did get the vast majority of our Christmas shopping done yesterday, I just have to pick up a few things this morning when we go shopping and I'm done for this year. Traveled to Toys R Us in Clarksburg and did got a few gifts, then we did a little more running around stopping for lunch at Muriel's in Fairmont for lunch. By far the best Italian Restaurant in this area. First class establishment all the way and highly recommended if you have never eaten there.

I hope everyone has a great day today, make the most of it and live it to its fullest.

Saturday Morning Rambling

Here I sit in a quiet household, May is here for a visit as we are dog sitting a few days as Hayley's cat just had surgery. I'm up early watching Gran Torino and collecting my thoughts on the day.

Sammy has been hanging with Yoda Claus as of late, I think these two are in cahoots and are planning some kind of attack on us sometime today. The new Star Wars movie is out, and I am a Star Wars geek and confess that I would like to see it sometime in the very near future.

It has actually been a few days since I have actually written a blog, I basically wrote all of my Goodbye 2017 blog last weekend with the exception of this month and kept going. I've changed when I write my blog to allow myself a little more time for creativity. Usually I am a day ahead of the publishing, but this past week I was two days ahead and haven't written anything since Wednesday.

Our plans for the day include us heading up North to  go to Harry's Butcher Shop on 857. If you are going to buy fresh meat, this is the best that I have found in the area. It's a small family owned business and he does a lot of processing, the retail side is just a very small portion of his business.

Michelle has the honor of a three day weekend, but I am working Monday and will have the following weekend as a three day weekend. Then things get really busy as I head to St. Louis after the first of the year and will probably be very busy the first month of the quarter. I was even asked to travel during one of the holiday weekends back to Paw Paw during either the weekend of MLK day.

Have yourselves a great day and make the very most of it.

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 a funny feeling that Christmas Shopping will intensify over the course of this weekend and the next. That is of course if and that is a big if, people do the traditional Christmas Shopping where they actually visit stores and purchase items as opposed to having everything delivered from Amazon.

Michelle is starting a three day weekend and will be off on Monday, so there is that a little bit of envy on my part. I've finally earned a weeks vacation and I have to use part of it on Tuesday and then 4 days of it when I travel to St. Louis. East come easy go I guess, I don't accrue it anywhere near as fast as I used to.

It's probably going to be a busy weekend, as we are preparing for the Holiday Season. There is always running around to do and things to buy, up until that last minute is seems like.

Have yourselves a great day today, make the very most of it.

Hi ho hi ho

Photo Flashback Thursday

Once a week I like to take a little bit of time out and look through some of the pictures that I have either taken, scanned or stolen off of the internet through the years and find one special picture that stands out. Little lost moments in time from yesterday caught with a Cameras lens and relived right here in my blog. Sometimes it's pretty easy to find that one special picture and sometimes it's not that easy, one thing it consistently is however is a whole lot of fun.

This weeks pic goes back a few years, it does back to the start of Summer in 2013. That was the yeart Michelle and I took our travel gnome everywhere, and the Kenny Chesney Concert at Heinz Field was no exception.

This was from our tailgate at the concert, we usually park at Station Square and ride the clipper over to the Stadium if we are doing anything on the North Shore that has a large attendance associated with it (some concerts, Steeler games, Pirate games, etc.) Riding on the Gateway Clipper is always a treat and one of the best ways to enter either of the Stadium areas.

Have yourselves a great day.

Hi ho hi ho

Hump Day

Two days down, two more ahead of us and all we now have to do is get up and over this noon time hump today and it will be all downhill as we work towards another fun filled weekend. 

I have a big day planned today at work. I'm meeting pretty much most of the day with the Army Corp of Engineers this morning. They want someone to fly the area and create a LiDAR  dataset of the site. I'm sure I will have a good bit of input on this from a Geospatial Perspective as to what are capabilities are, what software we are lacking and what extensions we may need. I prepared a big document a couple of months ago and our Federal Customer put in for a larger budget this coming year to increase our capabilities. I worked in a Programmatic shop from 2008-2008 working with LiDAR data and creating Digital Elevation Models as well as editing all the planimetric into an ESRI compatible database. In short, I get to start doing the fun and challenging stuff again and I couldn't be more excited. 

We had our Christmas Party at work on Monday, it was the USSE2 and AECOM Party where we had Dickies catered in. I think we are having another one next week for just the AECOM people on all contracts and their subs. I can't complain, they treat us well. 

Have yourselves a great day today, make the most of it and live it to it's fullest. 

Hi ho hi ho

Tuesday's Tidbits

* Monday is now once again behind us and we are staring straight down the barrel of a Tuesday, great time for this blog to do a tidbits.

* It has been 19,752 days since my reported birth, by my calculation and using my patented 938 day calendar, that should make me 21 years old by my calculations.

* It has been 4,958 days since I graduated from West Virginia University, one of the proudest days of my life, being able to fulfill someone else's dream for me on the 27th Anniversary of his passing.

* 3,559 days ago Michelle and I went out for our very first date. The movie sucked, but the date never ended.

* 2,783 days ago I proposed to Michelle, I figured making her wait until I proposed had to come to an end. She has been by my side ever since and it was I who got lucky that she waited for me.

* It was 2,320 days ago in front of our closest friends and family, we partied like rock stars and feasted like Kings as Michelle and I became Husband and Wife.

* I have 5,102 days to go until I retire, or at least start doing something else with my life other than working.

* The next Backyard brawl where we beat Pitt's ass is only 1,755 days away, felt good hearing the Eat Shit Pitt chant in their house.

* My next Anniversary of my 21st Birthday will be in 354 more days. If you use that antiquated 365 day calendar, this will be the 34th Anniversary of it.

* There are 237 more days to go until Michelle and I celebrate our magical Seventh Wedding Anniversary.

* We have 98 more days to go until Spring 2018, we're down to the double digit countdown and now I am waiting for the single digit countdown.

* 53 more days until Phil takes center stage, we have it worked out that he is not going to see his shadow this year. Right Phil?

* 20 more days to go until my Goodbye 2017 Blog is posted where I recount 2017 based on what I have written in my blog. I have a pretty good start on it, I do 2-3 months at a time and take a break. As of me writing this one, I've got it mostly written. Everything up until the current month which I am still authoring.

* There are 13 more shopping days left until Christmas, I got a good start the past couple of weeks. Hayley wanted new tires on her car (and needed them) so we bought her 4 new tires before the snow starts to fall.

* I have written 5,081 blogs in what is now my 13 full years of being a Blogger and working towards 10,000. Only 4,919 to go and I will reach that magical number.

* Nothing new on the Brother Search that has been going on for a couple of years, but we've hit brick walls everywhere but what else is new.

* Did do a little bit of updating to the Hall Family Tree and I did a few more updates on the Find A Grave site that I use to tie into it. There are still currently 390 members currently in it and I do need to get working on that. I'll probably have some free time this coming weekend and may do a little more work on it.

* Michelle's Grandmother gave all the Grandchildren some heart warming gifts this past weekend. Scrap books that she has put together through the years for each and every one of them. I will say my wife was definitely a hottie when she was in School, so she was not a late bloomer hottie. It's been a lifelong hotness that she has developed.

* I'm ready for a few food Christmas shows, there were a number of them on this past Saturday night, but we were traveling and pretty much missed them. I'm really waiting for a Christmas Story Live this coming Sunday evening. I will have our FRAGILE (that's French) lit up for this one (OK, it's lit now..lol)

* Michelle has been watching a lot of Netflix, she can't even see the TV from where she sits and I don't think she even cares if the TV is even on anymore. I guess when you have 1,500 channels and nothing is ever on worth watching other than stuff that was produced decades ago, that that can happen.

* You know one of the worst things about Monday Morning, or at least for me? I'm a bald guy and I shave my head twice a week. Once on Monday and Once on Thursdays, it's just a routine I follow. Monday Mornings, are the worst. You have to wake up, write the longest blog of the week and then go and throw that cold shaving cream on top of my bald head.

* Tomorrow is the last day of finals at West Virginia University, traffic should die down significantly after that for about a month.

* I'm STILL converting some old VHS tapes to Digital Format for Trish. I really need to get back on this as I am such a procrastinator. Jackie has a few more she wants me to convert as well. Slacker I am.

* Have I ever mentioned that I Hate Snow? I've seen a little of it this year, but I still hate it.

* Have yourselves a great day.

* Hi ho hi ho

Monday

It's a back to the grindstone kind of day, had a great weekend visiting family in Ohio and got a number of things done around the house yesterday. Now it's time to stick our collective noses back on the grindstone for another fun filled week of doing what we do for a living.

Michelle will be going to Physical Therapy for her hip after work today, so I'm kind of on my own for dinner this evening. Her hip has been giving her trouble for some time and it seems to just be getting worse. Hopefully they will be able to help out. Ironically the guy who married us is a Chiropractor at where she goes for PT.

My week ahead doesn't appear to be too busy, we canceled a meeting this morning so my company can have a Christmas Party for lunch. With a company with 85,000 employees around the world, it's a logistical impossibility to get everyone together, so we have ours with a company we are partnered with at our facility.

I hope everyone has a great day today and an even better week.

Hi ho hi ho

Sunday Morning Rambling

Here I sit in the early, early AM after getting just a few hours of sleep last night. We got in later last night from our trip to Ohio and I'm still up early trying to collect my thoughts on the day and watching Necessary Roughness on HBO.

We had a great day yesterday, started out with a trip to Tangers, followed by Christmas at her Grandmothers and finally Christmas at her Dad's. We took our time all day yesterday as to not feel rushed anywhere, hence the late arrival back home.

Today is just our typical Sunday, grocery shopping this morning, followed by a trip ton our bakery and winding up back here doing laundry. The Steelers once again have the late game this evening, so the likelihood of me staying up late to watch it are slim to about nothing.

Have yourselves a great day, I'm laying back down........zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Ohio Christmas

Here I sit once again in a quiet household, I'm up early and Chad is back in his room playing some online computer game. I have the TV on, I watched the movie Chef, but it is over with now and I may restart it, but all is quiet with the exception of Sammy and Sophie Partying and listening to the soundtrack of Elf.

We are heading out early this morning and heading North to East Liverpool Ohio for Gigi's 2017 Christmas. This is Michelle's 96 year old Grandmother whose home we do the Ohio family Christmas at every year.

The family will get together, have fun, talk football, give out some prizes and play the all important games of Bingo for door prizes and the final cash cover all as the days festivities winds down.

From there we will head over to Calcutta to visit her Dad and Karen and spend a little bit of time with that side of the family before we head on back to West Virginia.

The day will however start with us heading to Tanger Outlets, Michelle outgrew her winter coat with all the weight loss and she would like a new winter coat, so we're heading to the Columbia Store or where ever else we can find what she wants and likes.

Have yourselves a great day today, I hope it is filled with the opportunities to make special memories.

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.

West Virginia University is probably going to be quiet this weekend as they are in the middle of finals and we may quietly see the students start to quietly and unceremoniously filter out of town early next week as they start their winter break between Semesters. The next Semester starts on Monday January 8th, so we will have a peaceful period for about a month before the chaos returns.

Our plans for this weekend include us traveling up North to attend the Ohio family Christmases (yes plural). We'll pack up the car and head to East Liverpool and then to Calcutta before returning home later tomorrow night. I like the Saturday events as it allows us to stay later as we are not rushing out because we have to return to work the next day, but that is just my opinion.

Have yourselves a great day and a great weekend.

Hi ho hi ho

Photo Flashback Thursday

Once a week I like to take a little bit of time out and look through some of the pictures that I have either taken, scanned or stolen off of the internet through the years and find one special picture that stands out. Little lost moments in time from yesterday caught with a Cameras lens and relived right here in my blog. Sometimes it's pretty easy to find that one special picture and sometimes it's not that easy, one thing it consistently is however is a whole lot of fun.

This weeks pic goes back to 2009 and our first Christmas at this home. It was Christmas morning and I was testing out a new camera that Michelle had bought for me. I saw Chloe and grabbed this picture of her.

Chloe is long gone, she had to be put down a few years ago as she was in constant pain and was suffering. It was one of those pets that you will never forget as the two of us had a bond.

Have a great day.

Hi ho hi ho

Hump Day

OK two days down, two more ahead of us, it's now our job to get up and over this noon time hump and start that downhill journey as we work towards another fun filled weekend.

Construction has started on the new Aquatic Center that is being built at Mylan Park. It's been a couple of years in the planning, but construction started a little late as the commissioners tried to secure funding for the park. I'm looking forward to when it is built.

A New indoor gun range opened up in Sabraton over the weekend. Defense in Depth opened up in back of the old Heck's Plaza. Michelle and I have not tried this place out yet, but plan on giving it a go. When we do shoot, we usually go the the range in Fairmont, I'm eager to try this one out in the near future. I do think that they are a little pricey though IMHO, much more than ATR Performance in Fairmont and that is a quality range.

Have yourselves a great day and I'll leave you with a little joke.What did the tomato say to the other tomato during a race?----Ketchup.

Hi ho hi ho

Tusday's Tisbits

* Monday is once again completed, Tuesday is right ahead of us and needles tackled, good time for a tidbits.

* It has been 19,745 days since my reported birth, by my calculation and using my patented 938 day calendar, that should make me 21 years old by my calculations.

* It has been 4,951 days since I graduated from West Virginia University, I'm still doing what it was I went to school for and feel very fortunate.

* 3,552 days ago Michelle and I went out for the first time, seems like only yesterday and it is amazing how far we have come.

* 2,776 days ago I proposed to Michelle, 4:00 in the back yard and she said yes.

* It was 2,313 days ago in front of our closest friends and family, Michelle and I were married.


* I have 5,109 days to go until I retire, or at least start doing something else with my life other than working.

* The next Backyard brawl where we beat Pitt's ass is only 1,762 days away, bring it on Panthers.

* My next Anniversary of my 21st Birthday will be in 361 more days. If you use that antiquated 365 day calendar, this will be the 34th Anniversary of it.

* There are 244 more days to go until Michelle and I celebrate our magical Seventh Wedding Anniversary.

* We have 105 more days to go until Spring 2018, really haven't seen any snowfall yet this year. Hopefully we get 1" Christmas Eve and it's melted by December 26th, that would be ideal for me.

* 60 more days until Phil takes center stage again and lets us all know how the weather is going to go. I wonder of he goes to groundhog meteorology school.

* 27 more days to go until my Goodbye 2017 Blog is posted where I recount 2017 based on what I have written in my blog. Now I need to start formatting and writing that one, it's the most time consuming one of the year.

* There are 20 more shopping days left until Christmas, it's time to get serious about Christmas Shopping.

* I have written 5,074 blogs in what is now my 13 full years of being a Blogger and working towards 10,000. Only 4,926 to go and I will reach that magical number.

* Nothing new on the Brother Search that has been going on for a couple of years, but we've hit brick walls everywhere but what else is new.

* Did do a little bit of updating to the Hall Family Tree and I did a few more updates on the Find A Grave site that I use to tie into it. There are still currently 390 members currently in it and I do need to get working on that.

* West Virginia will be playing Utah in the Heart of Dallas Bowl on December 26th. It's a Tuesday and the game will be played at 1:30, so needless to say there will be a lot of streaming going on at work...lol

* I did speak to Gary over the weekend, I guess Tonya's dad is doing well after his open heart surgery and it went very well. Full recovery is expected.

* We tried to buy Hayley 4 new tires Sunday. Bought and paid for them at WalMart. Big Mistake, the basically rounded off all the lug nuts and even broke one. Never changed a single tire, needless to say we were not happy. They tried to refund our money minus the cost of the tires (like I'm buying your product after you damaged a car.) We'll see if we get any resolution on this.

* Traveling this coming weekend, going to Ohio for the Ohio Christmas. Michelle ordered a treasure chest of kiddie Christmas Gifts (like we do for the picnic) for all the little ones.

* Today is the last day of classes at WVU. They are off tomorrow and finals start Thursday and run to next Wednesday and that is when this town empties out for about a month before the next semester starts. I wish we had this structure when I was in school, gives you a day to prepare for Thursday and Friday finals. then a weekend to prepare for the final three days of finals.

* I'm STILL converting some old VHS tapes to Digital Format for Trish. I really need to get back on this as I am such a procrastinator. Jackie has a few more she wants me to convert as well. Slacker I am.

* Have I ever mentioned that I Hate Snow?

* Have yourselves a great day.

* Hi ho hi ho

Happy Birthday Kim SanJulian

I would like to take this opportunity to wish my Sister Kim SanJulian a very Happy Birthday today. We started out in life where I was one year older than her, but since I am only 21 years old, she has passed me up by a couple of years by now.

It was exactly 21+ the number of years she is older than me years ago at the very time that this blog is posting that Kimberly Joann braced up with her presence.

I'm not sure what Robert has planned for Kim today, they usually like to travel to Clarksburg and eat at her her favorite restaurant, Minards. This may be just a guess as this is something that she likes to do, but it all depends on how she feels and if she is up for the trip this afternoon.

If you see Kim today, take a little bit of time out and wish her a very Happy Birthday today.

Happy Birthday Kim

Monday

All good things must come to an end, and yes that does include the fun filled weekends that we do enjoy so much. Now it's time to stick our collective noses back on the grindstones for another fun filled week of doing what it is that we do for a living.

Looking at my schedule ahead for this week, it doesn't seem too busy. I have to start preparing a presentation on geospatial capabilities and ways to serve it our for our a few clients. I'm trying to attract more specific GIS work on this contract, I have a chance to influence the decision makers, so I have to be on top of my game.

We should either have found out late last night or sometime today as to who the Mountaineers will be playing in the Bowl Game and what Bowl Game we will be playing in this year. Projections are all over the place, so I will not make any predictions. As of the time I am writing this, I do know 3 of the 4 playoff teams in Clemson, Oklahoma and Georgia, the fourth one is up for debate. Once that is settled, all the other bowls will fall into place.

Have yourselves a great day today.

Hi ho hi ho

Sunday

Here I sit in a quiet household, I'm the first one here to recover from getting knocked out by the Sandman last night and I'm up early watching the Sandlot and checking all the scores from yesterday.

Both Michelle and I had a productive day yesterday, her and Chad baked a few Christmas cookies and I went out and knocked out a section for RTI. I don't think I am returning today, there are only two residences to hit and one is one that I doubt that anyone is there, and the other simply said not thank you previously. I was able to complete any outstanding work that was still pending. Possibly my last time out before I have to get re-certified next month in St. Louis.

We did go to Michelle's Christmas Party last night at the Hotel Morgan. Ironically that was only the second time I had ever been in that hotel and Michelle's first. I was there for a dinner a few years ago when I worked on the three country NACAP effort with leaders from Mexico and Canada.It was a nice party, but Michelle knew very few people there as it was mostly Longview Employees and just a handful of MEPCO employees. They gave her a nice blanket as a Christmas gift.

Shopping and laundry today, typical Sunday before we start it all over again tomorrow.

Have yourselves a special day.

Saturday Morning Ramblings

Here I sit on a quiet Saturday Morning, the house still emanates of Banana Nut Bread and Banana Bread that Michelle baked yesterday. I'm up early watching nothing on the boob tube and collecting my thoughts for the day.

I'm out early this morning to travel for work, I'm going to go and do a little bit of clean up of another FI's section and she is taking mine to do cleanup. This is when we go back to the refusals and see if they have changed their mind. I should be down there at least today and probably tomorrow as I can't make it out next weekend due to scheduled travel to Ohio.

Michelle baked somewhere around 45-50 leaves of bread yesterday and today will start concentrating on baking cookies. Her and Chad had a lot of fun yesterday baking, they can do it again today with the Christmas cookies. Talk about a hard time to be trying to lose weight and control your blood sugars...lol

This evening Michelle and I will be going to her company Christmas Party at the Hotel Morgan. This will be our first of two company Christmas Parties this month for us. My company AECOM is having a luncheon at work in a couple of weeks and my old company Sextant, has invited us for their company Christmas Party on the 21st.

Needless to say both Michelle and I will have busy days.

Have yourself a great day and thank you to everyone for the Birthday wishes, it was overwhelming.

Hi ho hi ho

Happy Birthday

I want to take the time and wish my hubby HAPPY BIRTHDAY, yes I know that he celebrates anniversaries of his 21st birthday, but I am here to tell you that he turns "54" today. I know that we are going out to dinner tonight as we always do and I am going to let him pick where we go. So if you see Ed today wish him Happy Birthday. I love you babe

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 is off today, she is finally taking a days vacation from her job today, I think this is the first one that she has ever taken from her current employer. She either has to use them by the end of the year or they will pay them out to her, so she decided that she is going to take one. Me, I'm in the office all day.

While I thought my quarter was pretty much done for RTI, off to another place I go this weekend. I will be once again be traveling to another area that is once again about an hours travel each way. I've worked 4 sections this quarter, one I could literally walk to and three I've traveled about an hour in each and every direction except north. I should wind it down for the year this weekend, as I am traveling next weekend on personal travel for our Ohio Christmas.

Michelle is firing up the ovens this weekend and baking our Christmas Cookies, but I won't be around for all the quality control work. My blood sugars are thanking me...lol

Have yourselves a great day today, make a difference in this world.

Hi ho hi ho