Monday

All good things must come to an end, that includes those fun-filled things we refer to as weekends. Now it is time for all you working stiffs to stick your collective noses back to the grindstone for another week of making this a better planet to live on. 

Michelle and I were tasked with improving Kiwi's living conditions inside his cage. He has a little hut hanging in the center that he likes to go in and do his brain work, because Kiwi is an intuitive and world-changing bird with all his thoughts, there is a bar leading up to that hut. Well over time that 5/8" bar has been worn down from him chewing on it, that the center of it was about 3/4 of the way gone. So it was off to Lowes for Michelle and I to buy a 4' long 5/8" dow rod that we would cut in half and slot for him. This made an absolutely perfect replacement and we even have a backup just in case he chews through this one. Spoiled little aviary is what he is. 

Other than that we didn't get into too much yesterday other than shopping and a few things around the house. The grass wasn't really tall enough to cut and I can now do that about any time during the week. 

I'm not sure what I'll get myself into this week, I kept pretty busy last week and I imagine I'll do the same this week. 

Have yourselves a great day, be awesome. 

Sunday Morning Ramblings

Here I sit once again in a quiet household, although Kiwi really prevents that statement from being 100% true. The little chatterbox always wants attention and I half wonder of he ever sleeps. On this morning he's wanting to chat about toilet paper rolls. Do they go over or under? It's a pretty in depth conversation. He says under which I disagree with. 

The rain yesterday morning put a hindrance on us trimming any hedges yesterday. Between the rain and the humidity, it kind of made it an inside kind of day where we basically napped and watched stupid movies. 

We tried a new restaurant on Friday evening, my sister Kim said she loves it and had been there multiple times so we tried it. Mountain Mamas was a place we had never been to, so we tried it. I usually agree with Kim on things like this, but not this one though. I swear anchovies are not as salty as my cheese steak was which was just swimming in grease to the point that the bun was all soggy. The homemade potato chips were overcooked and also just way too much salt for my taste. I understand they are a bar, more sodium in the food the more people drink, but for my taste, this was just over the top. Both Michelle and I ate about 1/4 of our sandwiches and just a couple of chips and I had a salt taste in my mouth the rest of the evening. Did not want to take anything home, we just left it it was that undesirable. I had high expectations but left with unmet expectations. When Michelle and I try a new place I usually ask her if she would do that again and it usually met with a positive response, it was a great big nope for the both of us Friday evening. 

Plans for the day, grocery shopping, and the weekly chores that we do for the household. Nothing is planned beyond that, so we'll have to take a wait and see approach to the day. 

Have yourselves a great day, make it special. 

Happy Birthday Josh Nicholson

I would like to take this opportunity to wish my great-nephew a very Happy Birthday today. 

Seems like it was only yesterday that he entered into this world. If my math is correct, this would make this fine young man 17 years old today. He is just a year away from having his own High School Graduation party.

Not sure if Val has anything planned for this fine young man today, but knowing he is hitting that age just makes me feel a little bit more 21er.

If you happen to see Josh today, take a little bit of time out to wish him a Happy Birthday. 

 Happy Birthday Josh. 

Saturday Morning Ramblings

Here I sit once again in a quiet household, Kiwi and I are up discussing the finer things in life, such as what kind of millet that prefers to be paid in. He performs so many tasks around here that he has it in his contract that he does get fresh millet especially with getting ride of the hornets or what ever they were that stung Michelle last week. 

Our day depends upon what the weather is going to be like, if the weather is nice and Michelle's Bee Protective suite came and we may be trimming hedges again, if it's raining we'll probably be doing nothing, to be honest. 

I have to say a couple of weeks ago my wonderful wife saw an advertisement for a tooth product that somehow corrects the color of your teeth. You don't really see or hear me endorse products, but I have to tell you this stuff called Hismile V34 Colour Corrector Serum is absolutely amazing and I'm even quite surprised with the results. I tried it a couple of times and I could notice a difference. Might be worth a try or at least a little research if this is of interest to you. 

I did buy a Mr Coffee Ice Tea maker this week, I'm trying to transition away from any kind of pop or soda, or basically anything with sugar or aspartame in it. I'm diabetic so I need to avoid sugar and aspartame is a bigger cause for concern for me so I'm just backing away from each of them Unsweetened and brewed Tea with some lemon possibly is now my drink of choice. It makes it much easier to regulate my glucose numbers as all the side effects of the aspartame are not a factor. Between that and Ice Water are what I am primarily drinking now and my measurables are very noticeable. 

Have yourselves a great day. 

Big Ole Hairy Friday

Yes, it is once again that time of the week that we all look forward 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 again the dawn of another weekend and a Big Ole Hairy Friday.

If you are looking for a little cheap or free entertainment, Thunderstruck an ACDC Tribute Band, is playing this evening at the Amphitheatre downtown. I''ve never been to one of these free concerts, but they seem to get really good crowds and do bring in some talented acts and former superstars. Might be worth a trip to see from free music. Now if you want to see a superstar and pay for it, Steve Vai is playing in Clarksburgh tonight. Steve played with Frank Zappa, was David Lee Roth's guitarist when he went solo, Alcatraz and was White Snakes Lead Guitarist. If you have seen the movie Crossroads he is in that movie. (see end of blog for video). 

What are my plans for the day, I''m going to get the laundry done, Walmart and Sams Shopping all done so that when my lovely and hard-working wife gets off of with this evening, all of those things are done and we can just go out and do our Friday Night Date Night Dinner like we try to do every Friday evening. 

Have yourselves a great day, a great evening and a great weekend. Make it memorable. 

Photo Flashback Thursday

 Once a week I like to take a little bit of time out, time to look at some of the 30,000+ photos that I have stored on my computer. Little lost moments in time that I either captured with a lens, scanned or just stole from someplace on the internet. I like to find just one and post it up and recall or relive the picture to the best of my ability. Sometimes this is a pretty easy task and sometimes it's not that easy, one thing it has always been a whole lot of fun.

Since today is Daniel Bell's Birthday, I thought I would reach back and do a Photo Flashback from yesteryear. An image that Kim had me grab years ago when she was designing websites and was going to take her site to a commercial site rather than using the free Geocities site that we all had had.

I'm not sure of the origins of this picture, other than it was it was taken many moons ago when she lived in Dekalb Illinois. I seem to recall it was Daniel's Birthday or something along those lines. 

Have yourselves a great day, make your own memories today. 

My Personal Music Top 12, #9

 Looking for something different to do on Wednesdays, so I thought I would come up with a series of My personal Top 10 (it's going to be 12 in this case) of my favorite music growing up through the years. I decided I did not want to repeat any artists to allow for a variety, so I had to come up with 12 unique songs by 12 unique artists that I personally have enjoyed the most through the years. I'll do one song/artist every Wednesday from my own personal preference. How well do you know me? Do you think you know my top 12 and in order? 

#12 If you Don't Know me by Now - Simply Red

#11 I Believe in You - Don Williams

#10 Still They Ride - Journey

#9 Rough Boy - ZZ Top

Let me say that I have been a ZZ Top fan for years. I loved the Eliminator Album but my favorite ZZ Top sound actually comes off of Afterburner, the follow-up album. 

There was one track that was a slow melodic tune that just captures you and doesn't let you go. It was not as popular as one would think, topping out at #23 in the Billboard Hot 100. 

I remember the first time I heard, or in my case saw the sone on MTV back in the 80's. the channel that I never turned away from and always had it on. From the very first time it just reached in and grabbed my Musical Soul. Everything about the song from the guitar riffs to the slow melodic vocals justs grabs you as it did me. 

Tuesday's Tidbits

* Monday is over with, once again resetting goals and addressing a Tuesday, great reason for a tidbits. 

* It has been 21,754 days since I was born, that is 21 years using my new,  new, and improved 1,000-day Calender. I do have to say I start to feel my age or older than 21.  

* It has been 7,014 days since I graduated from WVU with a Degree in Geography. I love my field and have been fortunate to make a career of it. 

* 5,602 days ago Michelle and I had our first date together, the pizza hut is gone, the movie was 10,000 BC and it sucked to high heaven. 

* 4,805 days ago I proposed to Michelle in the backyard at 4:00 in the morning. Second best decision I ever made. 

* It was 4,350 days ago in front of our closest friends and family, for the most part, Michelle and I became husband and wife at the Marilla Center, we poured sand into a vase and said our I do's and we were hitched. 

* I have now lived 1,986 days longer than my Dad did and I'm still going strong. It's almost two years according to my birthday age calendar. 

* Michelle has been living a clean and productive life and beat that alcohol demon 644 days ago today. I am very proud of her, despite everything she has gone through she has come through this like the Champion that she is. One foot in front of the other. 

* My older Brother Jonathan lived 21,266 days, I've now outlived him by 510 days making me Senior Supreme Sibling once again! To my younger siblings, bow down to my age seniority. =)

* I have 3,086 days to go until I retire, give or take a few hundred days here or there, but I love doing what I do. Who knows though, doing what I do I may never retire. 

* There are only 239 days to go until the next start of my favorite Season. Spring 2024. 

* 200 more days until Phil steps to center stage again for Groundhogs Day, Phil is spending his summer hanging out in my backyard with all of his other animal friends. 

* 167 more days to go until my Goodbye 2023 Blog is posted, I'm just now getting started on content for that one. 

* There are 153 more shopping days left until Christmas 2023. You still have plenty of time to prepare and get ready. I did see a couple big Halloween blowups at Lowes over the weekend. 

* There are 130 days until I hit the age of 60. Yeah I know, I'm really older than 21. 

* There are 53 more days until the Pitt Panthers bring their butts to Morgantown so we can get some revenge on our game this year. 

* There are 46 more days to go until the Mountaineers travel to Happy Valley and get another shot at an old-time Rival, Penn State. 

* It has been ∞ (infinity symbol) a number of days that I have hated both of those two schools. 

* There are 13 more days to go until Michelle and I celebrate our Twelfth Wedding Anniversary together.  

* I have written 7,251 blogs in the now 18 1/2 years plus a couple of days of being a blogger. 

* Older Drone still needs to be sent out for repairs, not a big priority at this time. My little drone is awesome and I really like it....when I take time out to fly it.  

* I think I know where I want to do my next drone flight, out by the old county graveyard whenever I get to it. 

* How do you like my new Wednesday Blog format? Top 12 and last week was #10 and tomorrow we continue the countdown. 

* How about I start doing my favorite Tic Tok of the week? This is this weeks Tic Tok, something that I may have to order myself. =)

* Have a great day

Monday

All good things must come to an end, that includes those fun-filled things that most of you refer to as weekends. For me it is the end of one contract and beginning to search for another contract. The work has ended with what I was doing for Parsons, but I have my equipment and could get a call tomorrow to go back to work if funding is extended. Other than that, it's searching for the next opportunity. 

With all that being said, I am off today, but of course that doesn't mean anything as Kiwi will have Me busy as well as up and at em in the early morning hours. That's nothing new though, that is every day. I live by his sleep schedule not my own. 

So what is on my agenda, going to pay some bills today and do my finances. I just paid the cable bill on Thursday, I never forget it but I was this time, so to avoid any late fees I'll pay it again today for the next month. I'm usually right on top of it but weekend before last was so busy I kind of put it off and procrastinated. Comcast sent me a text last weekend and I'm like oops. 

Have yourselves  great day today, do something productive and memorable for the ones you love. 

Sunday Morning Rambings

Here Kiwi and I sit in a quiet household, we are up trying to figure out how super bird can avenge Mom for what happened yesterday. Kiwi is out for blood in avenging his Mom. 

So let me tell you about yesterday. We decided we were going to do a little yard work and to trim the hedges we really needed a ladder of some kind. So it was off to Lowes we went and we found one that perfectly fit our needs, so we got it. I almost bought one at the auction last week, but it was a little flimsy and Jim sold them all. 

Anyways when we got home Michelle started trimming the hedges and I started mowing grass. We got smart this year and just threw all the trimmings out into the yard and that allowed me to run over them a few times turning them into mulch. We didn't have to hook the wagon up and carry them out back to dump them.

Anyways I'm mowing and I seen Michelle on the front porch and she looked like she was in pain. I stopped the mower and she said she hit a nest of hornets and got stung about a dozen times by those little SOB's. I advised her to put baking soda and water on it to take the sting out (that's what Grandma Hall used to do for me), but it didn't really work. Michelle ever the trooper started again, determined to finish them like the trooper that she is. By the time I had finished mowing, she hit another nest and got stung another five times. At that point she said she was done. 

When we came downstairs Kiwi noticed Michelle was hurting and Kiwi asked me what happened. I told him and he didn't take too kindly to those a-holes stinging his Mommy. He is planning his revenge, he was on the phone most of the night trying to round a few more of his aviary friends to have a hornet BBQ. 

Today, just shopping and a few chores. That should be about it. 

Have a great day. 

Saturday Morning Ramblings

Here Kiwi and I sit yet once again in deep conversation. He's telling me that he is upset that he has not gotten a trillion Twitter followers and I explained to him that Twitter is pretty much dying and the new thing now is a Meta Product called threads. He said he's not switching over and is pursuing his quest. 

My normal Saturday morning chores I finished up yesterday, that is a trip to the laundromat to dry clothes. I only worked 8 hours yesterday and got some things done before Michelle got off work. 

So today, weather permitting I'll be doing some yard work. We didn't get a chance last week to address it as it was a busy weekend, so if it is dry I would like to knock it out and get it over with. Nothing else is really planned, but that is not always the case with us. We might have to find something to get into this afternoon. 

Have yourselves a great day today, make it memorable. 

Big Ole Hairy Friday

Yes, it is once again that time of the week that we all look forward 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 again the dawn of another weekend and a Big Ole Hairy Friday.

Well today is it, my Contract with Lancesoft is still in place but thee funding for the project has run out so this will be my last day working. 

Good news is Parsons offered to bring me on as a Casual Employee and I get to keep my computer and all my login information, including my email and access to secured servers. I have to start looking again, but I have a couple of things cooking even as I write this. 

No bif plans for the weekend as of this moment, but you never know we always tend to find a way to get ourselves into something. Could be cutting grass, or trimming hedges. I should have bought one of those ladders Jim had at the auction...lol

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, time to look at some of the 30,000+ photos that I have stored on my computer. Little lost moments in time that I either captured with a lens, scanned or just stole from someplace on the internet. I like to find just one and post it up and recall or relive the picture to the best of my ability. Sometimes this is a pretty easy task and sometimes it's not that easy, one thing it has always been a whole lot of fun.

This weeks pic is a picture of my dad doing a couple of his favorite things to do. One, he was a coal miner and it was something that he did over 30 years. He was dedicated to his craft and to his crew that worked under him. 

Being he has his old lunch pail there, I'm guessing it was dinner time and that was his other favorite thing to do. Eat and he also loved to cook. If I were to guess the time frame of this picture I would say late 70's. He had that lunch pail into the 80's but switched to one of the Stanley Lucn Box with a thermos and later the Coleman that he used until his passing. 

Have yourselves a great day. 

Hi ho hi ho

My Personal Music Top 12, #10

 Looking for something different to do on Wednesdays, so I thought I would come up with a series of My personal Top 10 (it's going to be 12 in this case) of my favorite music growing up through the years. I decided I did not want to repeat any artists to allow for a variety, so I had to come up with 12 unique songs by 12 unique artists that I personally have enjoyed the most through the years. I'll do one song/artist every Wednesday from my own personal preference. How well do you know me? Do you think you know my top 12 and in order? 

#12 If you Don't Know me by Now - Simply Red

#11 I Believe in You - Don Williams

#10 Still They Ride - Journey

I have always been a big Journey fan and an even bigger Steve Perry fan. They have done a lof of the music through the years that I absolutely have or do love. They are the ultimate stadium rock band and Steve Perry's vocal range has been on the level of just a very few singers. I would put him at legendary status. 

Like I said there is a lot of Journey Music I love, when I used to head out onto the trails to walk they were one of my most played artists. Still they ride is a song that you can just close your eyes to and allow that high 'tenor altino' voice of his to just grab you in and consume you to the point that you are him singing his songs. 

It was a band that I never got to see live, but would have loved to. There are no time machines and the Steve Perry era of Journey is a distant memory and one that I carry with me. 

Happy Birthday Kynlea

I would like to take this opportunity to wish my Great-Niece Kylea Rae Dalton a very Happy Birthday today.

This little photogenic girl is an absolute bundle of joy to be around, Amy and Ralph have raised this little photogenic camera girls right. Not sure what they have planned, but Amy and Ralph are great parents so I'm sure it will be something special. 

 
Let's see, if my math is correct and she was born on this date in 2012, that would make her 3,652 days old (that is 11 to you who use that antiquated 365 day Calendar). I can remember the day this little bundle of joy was born like it was yesterday. I know Ralphie was looking forward to the steak the hospital served him that evening.

 
If you happen to see this little bundle of joy today, make sure that you take a little bit of time out and wish her the happiest of Birthdays today.

Happy Birthday, Kynlea.

Tuesday's Tidbits

* Monday has been completed and we are looking at a Tuesday. You know what that means. 

* It has been 21,747 days since I was born, that is 21 years using my new,  new, and improved 1,000-day Calender. I do have to say I start to feel my age or older than 21.  

* It has been 7,007 days since I graduated from WVU with a Degree in Geography. I love my field and it was the perfect choice for me. 

* 5,595 days ago Michelle and I had our first date together, the pizza hut is gone, the movie was 10,000 BC and it sucked to high heaven. 

* 4,798 days ago I proposed to Michelle in the backyard at 4:00 in the morning. Second best decision I ever made. 

* It was 4,343 days ago in front of our closest friends and family, for the most part, Michelle and I became husband and wife at the Marilla Center, we poured sand into a vase and said our I do's and we were hitched. 

* I have now lived 1,979 days longer than my Dad did and I'm still going strong. It's almost two years according to my birthday age calendar. 

* Michelle has been living a clean and productive life and beat that alcohol demon 637 days ago today. I am very proud of her, despite everything she has gone through she has come through this like the Champion that she is. One foot in front of the other. 

* My older Brother Jonathan lived 21,266 days, I've now outlived him by 503 days making me Senior Supreme Sibling once again! To my younger siblings, bow down to my age seniority. =)

* I have 3,093 days to go until I retire, give or take a few hundred days here or there, but I love doing what I do. Who knows though, doing what I do I may never retire. 

* There are only 246 days to go until the next start of my favorite Season. Spring 2024. 

* 200 more days until Phil steps to center stage again for Groundhogs Day, Phil is spending his summer handing out in my back yard with all of his other animal friends. 

* 173 more days to go until my Goodbye 2023 Blog is posted, I'm just now getting started on content for that one. 

* There are 160 more shopping days left until Christmas 2023. You still have plenty of time to prepare and get ready. Walmart hasn't put their Christmas stuff out....yet ...I think. 

* There are 137 days until I hit the age of 60. Yeah I know, I'm really older than 21. 

* There are 60 more days until the Pitt Panthers bring their butts to Morgantown so we can get some revenge on our game this year. 

* There are 53 more days to go until the Mountaineers travel to Happy Valley and get another shot at an old-time Rival, Penn State. 

* It has been ∞ (infinity symbol) a number of days that I have hated both of those two schools. 

* There are 20 more days to go until Michelle and I celebrate our Twelfth Wedding Anniversary together.  

* I have written 7,243 blogs in the now 18 1/2 years plus a couple of days of being a blogger. 

* Older Drone still needs to be sent out for repairs, not a big priority at this time. My little drone is awesome and I really like it....when I take time out to fly it.  

* I think I know where I want to do my next drone flight, out by the old county graveyard whenever I get to it. 

* How do you like my new Wednesday Blog format? Top 12 and last week was #11 and tomorrow we start my top 10.  

* How about I start doing my favorite Tic Tok of the week? This is this weeks Tic Tok, for those of you who love the movie Grease, this is some of the cast today.  

* Hi ho hi ho

Monday

Here we go once again, another week of doing what it is that we do for a living to make this world a better place to live in. Let's take our collective noses and put them back onto that grindstone of life once again. Kiwi says get to it Humans. 

Had a pretty good weekend, Jeanetta's Baby shower went well and I was able to grab a number of pictures for them. The Auction went well Saturday Night and Mom even got a nice butter churn that she had her eye on at the start of the auction. I think she enjoyed herself and will return to another one. They auctioned off a large Fiestaware collection that someone really made out on. 

Yesterday we went to Danni and Roy's for dinner, for Dessert was an upside down cake that Chris made, and Roy and Michelle got into a bidding war for before I came in and outbid both of them for. Roy and I tend to bid against each other to raise prices up, especially when the money is going to a good cause (this was for the church) and it's pretty entertaining. Jim gets a real kick out of it and he's the auctioneer. 

Looking at my week ahead, I'm entering my last week working on this project, funding for it expires on Friday and that is when it is over with. I think my contract runs until the end of July, but Parsons has already indicated they are going to bring me on as a Casual Employee when my contract expires. Casual meaning when they need me, but it is my foot in the door and also allows me other opportunities to work for other companies. I get one or two more of these and I would be set until retirement..lol

Have yourselves a great day

Hi ho hi ho

Sunday

Here I sit once again in a quiet household, Kiwi and I are discussing whether or not he can have Playstation in his cage. I swear that bird has a short term attention span and keeps changing his mind pretty much weekly as to what he wants to do. One week it is cure cancer then next he wants to play video games featuring, you guessed it birds. 

I am off today after working yesterday. I'll hit it pretty hard the rest of the week as my contract is up on Friday, so I'll have time to wind down and relax after that. 

Had a couple of other events yesterday, one was Jeanetta and Calvin's Baby Shower. We're getting closer and closer to the next little one to be born into the family, and I am so happy for both Calvin and Jeanetta as they have been through a lot since they got married and I could not be any happier for them as I am now. 

Jim and Chris had their auction last night, they are going to start to do one a month or so that is the plan. They are both Licensed Auctioneers and they do a great job hosting these auctions.

Plans for the Day, grocery shopping and possible dinner at Roy and Danni's house to celebrate Abby's Birthday. Can't say it hasn't been an eventful weekend. 

Have yourselves a great day

Saturday Morning with Kiwi

Here my friend Kiwi and I sit, we're up early discussing the day ahead of us and also discussing what are his favorite seeds to eat. You just have to know that he is waking me up to discuss what he wants to talk about doesn't care about my thoughts on the subject. 

It's going to be a busy day to say the least. First off yes I am working this morning, my contract expires on Friday and I've got an open opportunity to work and bill as many hours as I want and that just may be my overall theme the next week. It's a Government Contract and it all depends on whether Funding is continued, but until then this is over with although I am keeping my equipment. 

This afternoon Jeanetta and Calvin are having their Baby shower. I'm glad they sent out a reminder this past week or else I would have ended up going to the wrong location. It's at the old school where you turn down to my sister Pam's house rather than where the reveal was. 

This evening there is an Auction at Woodland UM Church. Jim and Chris are holding one and using the proceeds to buy Tom his headstone. I think that a lot of the items are from their Mom's place when they went out and started to clear it out a few weeks ago. She lived right down the road from the Fiestaware Factory and I know they are auctioning some of that off as Suzanne had a large collection of it. 

Have yourselves a great day

Hi ho hi ho

Big Ole Hairy Friday

Yes, it is once again that time of the week that we all look forward 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 again the dawn of another weekend and a Big Ole Hairy Friday.

If you are looking for a little bit of free entertainment tonight, MANIA- The ABBA Tribute will be playing at the Amphitheater this evening at 8:00. That's if you are in a 70's kind of mood and want to listen to some free music. 

Other than that tomorrow should be a busy day. I'll probably be working in the morning. We have Jeanetta and Calvin's Baby shower (it's a boy) to attend to before the Auction starts tomorrow at 6:00. Needless to say I'm going to be busy and that is the nice way of putting it. 

Have yourselves a great Friday 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, time to look at some of the 30,000+ photos that I have stored on my computer. Little lost moments in time that I either captured with a lens, scanned or just stole from someplace on the internet. I like to find just one and post it up and recall or relive the picture to the best of my ability. Sometimes this is a pretty easy task and sometimes it's not that easy, one thing it has always been a whole lot of fun.

Quick little game, take a good look at this picture and try to identify where it was taken from. Majestic scene of the sun going down in the background, Baseball Stadium right below us. Any guesses?

This picture was taken inside the Gateway Arch in St Louis. I was lucky enough to hit this perfectly on what turned out to be my last trip to St Louis. We tried to go up the day before but tickets were sold out for the day so Michelle got our tickets online early that day and we hit it perfectly. 

Have yourselves a great day

Hi ho hi ho

My Personal Music Top 12

 Looking for something different to do on Wednesdays, so I thought I would come up with a series of My personal Top 10 (it's going to be 12 in this case) of my favorite music growing up through the years. I decided I did not want to repeat any artists to allow for a variety, so I had to come up with 12 unique songs by 12 unique artists that I personally have enjoyed the most through the years. I'll do one song/artist every Wednesday from my own personal preference. How well do you know me? Do you think you know my top 12 and in order? 

#12 If you Don't Know me by Now - Simply Red

#11 I Believe in You - Don Williams

This is a song that touched me in my older years and not really one that I liked when it was released. I'm a rock and roll kind of a person, but I had to put a little bit of Country Music on this list and I selected one that really reaches out and touches me. 

I always liked Don Williams, but his music was rarely on my playlists. About 10 or so years ago he appeared at a bar in downtown Morgantown and I seriously thought about attending. I think his works are simple, memorable and melodic and this is a perfect example of a great artist. 

His voice only got better with age. 

Tuesday's Tidbits

* Monday has been completed and we are looking at a Tuesday. You know what that means. 

* It has been 21,740 days since I was born, that is 21 years using my new,  new, and improved 1,000-day Calender. I do have to say I start to feel my age or older than 21.  

* It has been 7,000 days since I graduated from WVU with a Degree in Geography. Woo Hoo 7,000!!!!

* 5,588 days ago Michelle and I had our first date together, the pizza hut is gone, the movie was 10,000 BC and it sucked to high heaven. 

* 4,791 days ago I proposed to Michelle in the backyard at 4:00 in the morning. Second best decision I ever made. 

* It was 4,336 days ago in front of our closest friends and family, for the most part, Michelle and I became husband and wife at the Marilla Center, we poured sand into a vase and said our I do's and we were hitched. Best Decision I ever made. 

* I have now lived 1,972 days longer than my Dad did and I'm still going strong. It's almost two years according to my birthday age calendar. 

* Michelle has been living a clean and productive life and beat that alcohol demon 630 days ago today. I am very proud of her, despite everything she has gone through she has come through this like the Champion that she is. One foot in front of the other. 

* My older Brother Jonathan lived 21,266 days, I've now outlived him by 496 days making me Senior Supreme Sibling once again! To my younger siblings, bow down to my age seniority. =)

* I have 3,100 days to go until I retire, give or take a few hundred days here or there, but I love doing what I do. Who knows though, doing what I do I may never retire. 

* There are only 253 days to go until the next start of my favorite Season. Spring 2024. 

* 207 more days until Phil steps to center stage again for Groundhogs Day, I saw him this past weekend as he is back here for his Summer home and eating the corn Michelle puts out. 

* 180 more days to go until my Goodbye 2023 Blog is posted, I'm just now getting started on content for that one. 

* There are 167 more shopping days left until Christmas 2023. You still have plenty of time to prepare and get ready. Walmart hasn't put their Christmas stuff out....yet but we are at about the halfway point to Christmas. 

* There are 143 days until I hit the age of 60. Yeah I know, I'm really older than 21. 

* There are 67 more days until the Pitt Panthers bring their butts to Morgantown so we can get some revenge on our game this year. 

* There are 60 more days to go until the Mountaineers travel to Happy Valley and get another shot at an old-time Rival, Penn State. 

* It has been ∞ (infinity symbol) a number of days that I have hated both of those two schools. 

* There are 27 more days to go until Michelle and I celebrate our Twelfth Wedding Anniversary together.  

* I have written 7,236 blogs in the now 18 1/2 years plus a couple of days of being a blogger. 

* Older Drone still needs to be sent out for repairs, not a big priority at this time. My little drone is awesome and I really like it....when I take time out to fly it.  

* I think I know where I want to do my next drone flight, out by the old county graveyard whenever I get to it. 

* How do you like my new Wednesday Blog format? Top 12 and last week was #12. 

* Angela's Birthday is tomorrow. 

* How about I start doing my favorite Tic Tok of the week? This is this weeks Tic Tok, You have to love Shaq. 

* Hi ho hi ho

Monday

Here I sit nice and relaxed from having yesterday off and having nothing to do. Kiwi said Dad, it's time for you to get up and stick your nose back onto that grindstone for another week of doing what it is that you do on that computer thingy that helps you buy all my luxuries in life. It's time to get back to making this a better rock to live on.

I decided that I was going to take yesterday off, Michelle did all the shopping and even mowed grass while I put in a full day at work, so it was my day of rest as she picked up her Mom and took her to church. 

Looking at the week ahead, Jim and Chris will be having an Auction this coming Saturday at Woodland United Methodist Church. They are going to try to start doing them every month and get back into doing them in general. I know a few have asked me about when the next auction will be and it will be this Saturday. 

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

Hi ho hi ho

Sunday

Here Kiwi and I sit in the early AM, he thinks he's my Psychiatrist and has recommended that I stop my consecutive days worked streak at 13 and visit with him today. I said Kiwi, I think you are right and after putting in a full day yesterday I have to agree with Dr Kiwi, Human Psychiatrist. 

So with me taking the day off today, all of the chores that we do on weekends were done yesterday including Michelle going out and doing the grocery shopping for the week, that leaves me with a day of relaxation and nothing to do and don't anyone take any hints from that, I'm napping. 

Michelle is going and grabbing her Mom early for Church, Chris has the Grandkids for the weekend and is busy and asked if Michelle can go get her and take her home after church. So that is why we rushed around Friday night and yesterday to have everything done to clear out Michelle's morning so she can do this. 

Have a great and enjoyable day. 

Saturday Morning Ramblings

Here I sit in a quiet household, except for Kiwi who is in his cage pecking away at his typewriter. He's writing a new book called "How to Control Your Humans". He swears it will be on the top-seller list of the Conure Chronicle Newspaper that I think he's planning on publishing. Talk about biased. 

Well, what is on our weekend agenda? I'm going to be working again this morning. it'll be day 13 in a row and that's on one job. It ends in two weeks so I want to get as much done and time as possible. Michelle is heading to the laundromat this morning as I'm working, and we'll either cut grass this evening or tomorrow depending on the weather.

It's going to be a busy day for both of us, as we are planning on going grocery shopping this afternoon. We usually do it on Sunday Morning, but Chris asked Michelle to pick up their Mom for Church since she has the grandkids for the weekend. That really puts a crunch on our Sunday Morning, so we'll do the grocery shopping this afternoon to allow her to have her Mom ready and at the church by 9:00 AM tomorrow. 

It's going to be a busy weekend for sure and there will be no rest for the wicked next weekend either as Jim and Chris are doing an auction and Jeanetta's Baby shower is also Saturday. I'll get some rest, but it looks like it won't be until after this contract is completed. 

Have yourselves a great day. 

Hi ho hi ho

Big Ole Hairy Friday

Yes, it is once again that time of the week that we all look forward 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 again the dawn of another weekend and a Big Ole Hairy Friday.

If you are looking for a little free entertainment for yourself, we have it down at the Hazel Ruby McQuain Amphitheater downtown. The night starts out with a pretty kickass band The Davisson Brothers, a local band that has seen international fame and the highlighters for the evening are the Oak Ridge Boys. A legendary group that has been around for a long time. 

No other plans for the weekend as far as I know, but next weekend I know Jim and Chris are going to be doing an Auction up at Woodland United Methodist Church. I'm not sure as to any details yet or what they will have on hand for the auction, I know that Michelle is wanting to sell a lot of Hayley's excess wedding stuff that has been back there a couple of years. She was going to sell it online, but never got around to it so to clean up some space we'll be selling it at the auction next 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, time to look at some of the 30,000+ photos that I have stored on my computer. Little lost moments in time that I either captured with a lens, scanned or just stole from someplace on the internet. I like to find just one and post it up and recall or relive the picture to the best of my ability. Sometimes this is a pretty easy task and sometimes it's not that easy, one thing it has always been a whole lot of fun.

I've always loved this pic, it was my first Bike that I got one year for Christmas. It was the one I used to learn how to ride, I remember Dad was pushing me along and the next thing you know I am on the other end of the Drummond Chapel Parking Lot and he's clear back on the other side. I thought he was back there pushing me, but that wasn't the case. It was when I realized that he was not back there holding me steady that I had my first wreck...lol

I have no idea what year this is, but I know I got a 10 speed a couple of years later and I still road this one a good bit. I had worn the seat off down to bare metal, there were no gears and I tried to learn to ride many wheelies on this bike, it was my boy being a boy bike, 

Have yourselves a great day. 

Hi ho hi ho

My Personal Music Top 12

 Looking for something different to do on Wednesdays, so I thought I would come up with a series of My personal Top 10 (it's going to be 12 in this case) of my favorite music growing up through the years. I decided I did not want to repeat any artists to allow for a variety, so I had to come up with 12 unique songs by 12 unique artists that I personally have enjoyed the most through the years. I'll do one song/artist every Wednesday from my own personal preference. How well do you know me? Do you think you know my top 12 and in order? 

#12

If you Don't Know me by Now - Simply Red

This is a very special song to me, I loved it when Simply Red put out their version in the 1980's and it has always been one that I have loved. Mick Hucknall I have always thought had a great melodic voice, the song was originally performed by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes back in 1972, but Simply Red's 1989 version always touched my heart in a way that very few songs do. 

When Michelle and I were married nearly 12 years ago, she told me to pick the song of our first dance and I thought this song was absolutely perfect. 

All these years later it still stands true, because we think so similarly and always seem to have the same train of thought before the other one says anything, it's simply amazing. 

Tuesday's Tidbits

* It is the 4th of July, so let's do a 4th of July Tidbits. 

* It has been 21,733 days since I was born, that is 21 years using my new,  new, and improved 1,000-day Calender. I do have to say I start to feel my age or older than 21.  

* It has been 6,993 days since I graduated from WVU with a Degree in Geography. 

* 5,581 days ago Michelle and I had our first date together, the pizza hut is gone, the movie was 10,000 BC and it sucked to high heaven. 

* 4,784 days ago I proposed to Michelle in the backyard at 4:00 in the morning. Second best decision I ever made. 

* It was 4,329 days ago in front of our closest friends and family, for the most part, Michelle and I became husband and wife at the Marilla Center, we poured sand into a vase and said our I do's and we were hitched. Best Decision I ever made. 

* I have now lived 1,965 days longer than my Dad did and I'm still going strong. It's almost two years according to my birthday age calendar. 

* Michelle has been living a clean and productive life and beat that alcohol demon 623 days ago today. I am very proud of her, despite everything she has gone through she has come through this like the Champion that she is. One foot in front of the other. 

* My older Brother Jonathan lived 21,266 days, I've now outlived him by 489 days making me Senior Supreme Sibling once again! To my younger siblings, bow down to my age seniority. =)

* I have 3,107 days to go until I retire, give or take a few hundred days here or there, but I love doing what I do. Who knows though, doing what I do I may never retire. 

* There are only 260 days to go until the next start of my favorite Season. Spring 2024. 

* 214 more days until Phil steps to center stage again for Groundhogs Day, I saw him this past weekend as he is back here for his Summer home and eating the corn Michelle puts out. 

* 187 more days to go until my Goodbye 2023 Blog is posted, I'm just now getting started on content for that one. 

* There are 173 more shopping days left until Christmas 2023. You still have plenty of time to prepare and get ready. Walmart hasn't put their Christmas stuff out....yet but we are at about the halfway point to Christmas. 

* There are 150 days until I hit the age of 60. Yeah I know, I'm really older than 21. 

* There are 73 more days until the Pitt Panthers bring their butts to Morgantown so we can get some revenge on our game this year. 

* There are 67 more days to go until the Mountaineers travel to Happy Valley and get another shot at an old-time Rival, Penn State. 

* It has been ∞ (infinity symbol) a number of days that I have hated both of those two schools. 

* There are 34 more days to go until Michelle and I celebrate our Twelfth Wedding Anniversary together.  

* I have written 7,229 blogs in the now 18 1/2 years plus a couple of days of being a blogger. 

* Older Drone still needs to be sent out for repairs, not a big priority at this time. My little drone is awesome and I really like it....when I take time out to fly it.  

* I think I know where I want to do my next drone flight, out by the old county graveyard whenever I get to it. 

* We're doing burgers and dogs on the grill today, I'm working but Michelle is off and we plan on cooking out. 

* I'm thinking about doing something different for my Wednesday Blogs. It'll be a 10-part series that I may either start this week or next week and run for 10 weeks in a row. It's just something about me and my tastes and I think it would be enjoyable. 

* How about I start doing my favorite Tic Tok of the week? This is this weeks Tic Tok, I have to say Tick Tok is a lot of fun, but there are some challenges that are just better left laughing at others than participating it. 

* Happy 4th of July

* Hi ho hi ho

Monday

All good things must come to an end, for some of you that means your weekend is over with and it's time to stick the collective noses back on that grindstone once again. Others are lucky enough to have an extended weekend since tomorrow is the 4th of July and have chosen just to take an extended weekend. Then there is me who worked Saturday and Sunday and am working today as well. Whatever situation applies to you, let's kick this Monday off right. 

It's going to be a real long day for me, I'll be starting early this morning and then have to break sometime early morning to go to the POC for a Doctors appointment before returning to work the rest of the day. I want to put in as many hours as I can so I can a few hours to myself tomorrow while Michelle is also off. 

Tomorrow is the 4th of July, but I think most people did their celebrating over the weekend. I know that the City of Morgantown was supposed to have its fireworks on Saturday Night, but I was in bed sleeping and once again missed them. I must be getting too old as I never stay up that late anymore. I've always been an early riser, so maybe that has something to do with it. 

Anyways, if you are working or if you are off today, make it a special one. 

Hi ho hi ho

Sunday

Here Kiwi and I once again sit in the early morning, having our regular discussions like we normally do. I think he's upset because I won't hard wire an internet connection to his cage, and he doesn't like connecting through Blue Tooth. He thinks others are trying to steal his original and ingenious ideas and that's why his inventions aren't selling. He said he wants me to order him a set of acetylene torches because he wants to build an addition to his cage. 

I ended up working yesterday and I may do so once again today, I know I'm a glutton for punishment, but I say make it while you can. I may put in a few hours this afternoon, especially with Tuesday being a Holiday and I have a Doctors' Appointment tomorrow, it lets me get ahead of any time I may have to miss. 

Grocery shopping this morning and our normal routine as we prepare to take on another fun-filled week of doing what it is that we do for a living. 

Mom was worried about Lucy yesterday so we got her an appointment at the Cheat Lake Veterinary Clinic. They gave her a few shots and hopefully, she will be feeling better in the near future. 

Have yourselves a great day

Hi ho hi ho???

Happy Saturday

Here I am on a semi-quiet Saturday Morning, Kiwi and I are up just generally talking about life and everything about it. He's a good early-morning listener and he gives excellent advice and feedback. 

Well I learned this week when my drop dead end date is with Lancesoft, or should I say kind of. The government funding ends for this position on July 21st and that will be my last day so to speak. However Parsons (our client) has offered me a position on Casual status, meaning they don't have funding for me but when they do I've already jumped through all the necessary hoops to work on sensitive information with the Department of Defense and they want me to keep my computer and pretty much be on call for anything that may come up. They like me, but right now it is a funding issue. Could this lead to a full-time permanent position? Let's just say my foot is planted well within the door and I have all the equipment and log-ins that I need, so let's see how this goes. I'll probably start looking again for another contract like this one and the one I had with Duquesne Light, I'm already set up and am free to work for whoever I want. We'll have to wait and see how it all turns out. I've pretty much got a chance to work as many hours as I want between now and the 21st. So I might just be taking advantage of the opportunity. 

My plans for the day if I don't put in any hours, I'll be heading to the laundromat this morning to dry laundry. Other than that not much in the way of plans, Tuesday is the 4th so I might put in a few hours to make up for that day. 

Have yourselves a great day and for those of you with long weekends because of the 4th, enjoy yourselves. 

Hi ho hi ho?