Photo Flashback Thursday

Once a week I like to take a little bit of time out and reflect upon all of my pictures that I have stored on my computer. Little moments in time that I have captured through the years that I can write a blog about and reflect upon. Sometimes it's easy to find that pic and sometimes it's not so easy. It is never dull or boring ans always a lot of fun to reflect.

This weeks picture goes back to 2005 and Halloween at Jean's place. This is a picture of Rich, I had the opportunity to post a few pictures of him wearing his bonnet, but I chose one from later in the evening.

It's a picture of him holding Bunky, it's a picture taken after everyone had already left for the evening and I caught this very nice picture of Rich and Bunk.

If anyone remembers, this is also the year that we had gotten a foot of snow three weeks earlier while the leaves were still on the trees. If anyone remembers, this caused a lot of power outages around the area.

Happy Birthday Moke

I would like to take this opportunity to wish my nephew Moke a very Happy Birthday today. If my memory serves me correct, that should make him about 24 years old today.

Moke is one that has made everyone in this family proud, he has served his country and he did so in as many as six other foreign lands including the war zone in Iraq.

I'm not sure if he is attending classes this semester or not, he has been attending WVU but has not been going every Semester. I know he has been working at the UPS store on Patterson Drive for a while now.

If you happen to see Moke today, make sure you wish him the Happiest of Birthdays.

Back to Work

I know it's the middle of the week, but I've been off the last two days due to Michelle's surgery and recovering from it. I was under Doctor's advice to not leave her alone for 24 hours and since Chad has the pet store now I stretched it into a four day weekend.

Today however, it's back to the grindstone for a few days. It is going to make for a nice short week, but we're traveling Saturday so that will be a long day.

We stopped over at Scales and tails yesterday, just to give Michelle a chance to get and around a little bit. I wanted to get her up and out of the house, she is supposed to return to work today if she feels up to it. We also stopped down at P and P Auctions Warehouse for a little while to see my Brother in Law Jim.

On a side note if you are looking for a cheap tank, Chad has these on sale for $5.00 each while they last, They are some of the old tanks from the store. There is nothing wrong with the tanks, they are just trying to clear out the store while they remodel.

Back to lifting today so

Hi ho hi ho

Tuesday's Tidbits

* Well Monday is done for most of you, it's still a Tuesday and I can't think of a better reason than that to do a tidbits.

* Michelle's surgery went well, we got her home last night and fed her some soup and chicken. That day is now behind us and today will be a recovery day. I'll be off today as well taking care of her.

* It's been 1,621 magical days since Michelle and I went on our first date.

* It's been 844 days since I proposed.

* 381 days of wedded bliss.

* 126 more shopping days left until Christmas.

* We set sail in 19 more days. It's getting closer and closer!!!!!!

* This weekend it is probably going to be another weekend of travel to Amish Country. This will be our last weekend we have anything scheduled until we set sail on our cruise. The following weekend is a Holiday weekend and the start of football season, we're staying put.

* A thank you to everyone who checked on Michelle yesterday, a special thanks to Ang for showing my lost butt how to get back to the recovery room after I got lost and was wandering around.

* I'm participating in a couple of for fun fantasy football leagues again this year. Michelle's family does a couple of leagues.

* Have a great day.

Surgery Today

I love an extended weekend, but only for the fun things we do to enjoy life. Michelle will be having surgery this morning and hopefully she will be able to come home today or tomorrow.

Note to her Mom and dad and Sisters, I will keep you updated via phone and/or text message today.

Happy Birthday Gloria Jean Hall

I would like to take this opportunity and wish the one everyone refers to an anmaw a very Happy Birthday Today.

jean is someone that Michelle and I still owe a huge debt of gratitude to because she did all of the cooking for our wedding last year. I actually had a friend of mine tell me yesterday he wished Michelle and I would renew our vows so he can get some more of those perogies.

If you happen to see jean today, make sure that you wish her the Happiest of Birthdays today. I know she is someone who has touched and influenced everyone's life in a positive manner, make sure she enjoys the day.

Sunday Morning Ramblings

Here I sit in a quiet household where everyone except me and one of the cats is fighting a losing battle with the sandman. It's been a long few days for everyone with the reunion, the opening of scales and tales and watching my Mother in Laws four dogs for the entire week.

With WVU starting tomorrow I would like to get an early start this morning, but that all depends on how Michelle is feeling. She was a little bit under the weather yesterday evening, so I'll have to see how she feels in a little bit.

Later today I think we are going to go to scales and tails and help them get their inventory into to a database using a the new Point of Sale system they just purchased and installed. That and continue to do a little bit of cleaning at the store, they have made tremendous strides in reorganizing it since they have taken over. Chad and Laiah have been getting home long after I have went to bed.

Pearl, our car, finally hit the 10,000 mile mark. It's been a year since we purchased it so I guess we are doing good on mileage. She has seen a few more miles during the warm summer months. We plan on doing a day trip next weekend to Amish Country and Michelle's family reunion and heading to Baltimore in a couple of weeks after that to set sail.

Enjoy your day.

Reunion Day

With a kickoff last night at Madeline's and "Drinking with Smitty" that turned out to be a big success, today is the day of the pic nic and this evening is the official get together at Archie's this evening.

We missed dinner trying to run around this newly student infested town and get a few things done. We did make it to Gene's and I was actually surprised that we had a very good turn out last night. Jeff Grable provided the evenings entertainment and Smitty was the guy greeting anyone and everyone who walked through the door.

Many people I was able to recognize due to Facebook, some never changed much, and I was siting talking to John Rice and for the life of me could not figure out who he was.

Maybe today I can get around a little better, it was crowded last night, and meet a greet a few of my old classmates.

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.

If you are looking for a little cheap, and in cheap I mean free entertainment tonight, BOPARC is having what I would assume to be their last movies in the park of the summer with a showing of the Movie Spy Kids 4 tonight at 9:00. They will have the bouncy house this evening starting at 7:00. I'm not sure where the movie is being played specifically, they did not list it.

This weekend is my 30th Reunion for my Class at Morgantown High. There was an informal get together last night at Archies, but I didn't go. There will be dinner this evening at 7:00 at Madelines followed by "Drinking with Smitty" at Genes at 9:00. Tomorrow there will be a tour of Morgantown High for all who are interested and a Pic Nic at Coopers Rock tomorrow afternoon followed by a get together at Archies tomorrow night.

Scales and Tails is now open in Westover. They took it over Wednesday officially, they are going to do some remodeling, but they are now open. So if you in the market for a new snake, yes they make great pets, head on over to Scales and Tails in Westover for all your reptile needs. It's just across from the Dairy Mart and up the hill a little, it's not hard to find.

Hi ho hi ho

Photo Flashback Thursday

Once a week I like to take a little bit of time out and look through all of my pictures that I have stored on my computer and select just one picture to tell a little story about. I have to be honest, this weeks picture is not my picture and is just simply one I googled off of the internet.

Why did I google a picture of Elvis? Well today is the 35th Anniversary of his death. It was 35 years ago today that I was out in the back yard playing baseball, something I loved to do, and my Grandmother walked outside crying. I had no idea what was wrong, so I asked her. Wiping away her tears and stuttering she said Elvis died.

It had come across the networks as a special announcement that did nothing short of start a media storm of Elvis and his life. I've never seen anything like it before, and never really seen anything like it since with two notable exceptions. When the Iraq War started about 20 years ago and we bombed Baghdad and 9-11-01. Other than those two events I've never seen such a media storm over an event in my life.

I had another picture I was going to use, one of my own, but when I realized this was the 35th anniversary of Elvis's death I decided to change it up a little bit.

Hi ho hi ho

Hump Day

Well that's two days down, get over that lunchtime hump today and we'll be able to look off in the distance and see another weekend off in the horizon.

Michelle worked late last night to try to get some things done before she has her surgery next week. Her and her partner in crime Lydia are getting some of the taxes done so that Lydia can concentrate on the other things. She's not going to leave her high and dry, so she's making sure everything is good to go before next week.

I'm thinking either today or tomorrow is when Chad and Johnny take over the pet store officially. He was having some complications from his surgery last week, but appears to be feeling much better now.

Is it football season yet? I'm about ready to watch the Mountaineers put a serious hurting on Marshall to close out that lopsided series. A win and that will move the series to 12-0 in our favor before it is shelved after the most recent seven year run.

Lifting and a cardio day so

Hi ho hi ho

Tuesday's Tidbits

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

* 1,614 days ago was when me and my sweetie went on our first date. The movie stunk, but it was a great date.

* 837 days ago I played the romantic and got down on one knee and proposed marriage to my best friend.

* 374 days ago we partied down at the Marilla Center and exchanged our vows.

* There are still 133 more shopping days left until Christmas.

* There are only 26 more days remaining until we set sail for our tropical vacation.

* The Olympics are now over with. The United States won the overall medal count and had more Gold's and Silver's than any other country. U-S-A U-S-A U-S-A

* We are dog sitting my Mother In Law's dogs this week as they are on vacation in Myrtle Beach.

* Chad takes over as manager and Streets Pet Store in Westover changes owners this Thursday. I think they want to concentrate on reptiles and fish. There are a number of saltwater tanks already set up over there.

* My 30th High School Reunion is this weekend. Michelle and I will be attending.

* Cardio day so

* Hi ho hi ho

Monday

Well my weekend of travel and White Castle Hamburgers is now over with, now it's time for me to head back into the office for yet another week of putting my nose to the grindstone.

I have to say we had a great weekend, we had a great time visiting Cleveland and spending a little bit of time at Lake Erie. I would like to return some time soona dn visit a couple of attractions. One would be the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

and the other would be to visit the house from the movie A Christmas Story which is only a few blocks away. Not in the immediate plans, but something we would like to do in the next year.

Today is both a lifting and a cardio day for me. I took Friday off from lifting to give my shoulder a little bit of a rest, but I was playing around a little bit in the gym in Cleveland. I have some deadlines coming up soon for production of another Atlas, so I'm about to get busy again. I like it better like that, the days tend to go much quicker and it gives a whole lot more content into my monthly reports..lol

Hi ho hi ho

Country Roads Take me Home

Coming to you from Cleveland Ohio after enjoying last nights festivities and sightseeing. We'll be heading back to West Virginia here sometime this morning. We might be heading down towards Amish Country sometime today, it all depends on when we get started and what time we want to arrive home today.

We still have to do our grocery shopping when we get home today, we did our Sam's Club Shopping Friday evening and Michelle busted butt and got the laundry done for the week before we ever even headed up this way.

It'll be nice to get to good old West Virginia and back to our own home. We enjoyed our time here in Cleveland and spending some time with Michelle's cousin Julie, who she grew up with. We've taken a couple of cameras, so maybe we have captured a magical moment in tome or two.

Cleveland Bound

Road trip!!! We are heading out of town this morning and will be staying overnight in Cleveland this evening as we attend Michelle's cousins wedding this evening.

We'll be heading out this morning around 9:00 is and stopping by where her Mom lives, who is in Myrtle Beach, to drop off a Pampered Chef order to some people who ordered from us.

Ont thing I do plan on doing today or tomorrow is I will make my first ever in person trip to White Castle to get some of those hot off the grill hamburgers that everyone loves. I've only ever had the ones that are frozen, now I am looking forward to actually going to a White Castle and chowing down. I've heard about them for years, I've also heard a lot of mixed reviews from people. Some love them, some hate them. I like the frozen ones, but I hear they are better of the grill. We shall see.

The wedding and the reception will be at the historical Nicholson House in Lakewood this evening at 7:00 with the reception immediately following at the same location.

Have fun today, we intend to.

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.

With the Mon County Fair in full swing this week, that is where you are going to have to go for your entertainment from BOPARC. They will return next week with another movie in the park, this week they want you to enjoy the county fair.

Michelle and I will be running around trying to get most of the weekend chores done as we are heading up north to Cleveland for the weekend. Her cousin will be getting married tomorrow night and we will be heading up tomorrow morning. It'll be a nice get away for us as we count down to when we set sail.

It;s a lifting and a cardio day so.

Hi ho hi ho

Photo Flashback Thursday

Once a week I like to take a little bit of time out and look through all of my old pictures that I have stored on my computer and select just one image to tell a little story about. Each one is a captured moment in time of days gone by that we can reflect upon. Some times it's an easy thing to find that picture, sometimes it's not really that easy. It is never dull and always enjoyable.

This weeks picture goes back a few years, back to the time when I was not hair impaired and actually had something on top of my head that needed groomed. I was also a few pounds lighter way back then, when I lived at Barrington North back around 1985-6 time frame.

Mom and Don had drove up from Georgia where they were both living to pay a little visit, and they brought my sister Terri over with them. Terri was already married and I believe this was done right after Amy was born if that helps get the year a little closer. I think I actually had a little bit of a sexy mullet going on back then.

This was the time in my life when I was a partier. I worked at Sterling Faucet by day, and spent the evenings enjoying living that care free lifestyle.

It was definitely a long time ago.

Hi ho hi ho

Hump Day

Well the Mountaineers are in full swing on fall practices for the 2012 season. Expectations are high with a #11 preseason ranking this season as the Mountaineers start threir first season of Big XII play.

Everyone knows the names of Geno Smith, Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey. These guys are the heart of our passing attack from last season that torched anyone and everyone they played. The Offense will be fine this coming season, maybe even a little better than last years, hence the high pres-season ranking.

The big question is on the defensive side of the ball where we are replacing the majority of the staff and we graduated First Round Draft Pick Bruce Irvin who will be tearing it up this season in the NFL.

There is one newcomer on defense that I will be keeping an eye on. Karl Joseph graduated High School a semester early and enrolled at WVU this past spring. He had a nice instinct for the ball and looked like he will be a next level player. He's already won a starting job for the season.

It should be a very good year, one to get excited about.

Tuesday's Tidbits

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

* It's been 1,607 days since mine and Michelle's first date a little over four years ago.

* It's been 830 days since I got down on one knee and proposed marriage.

* It's been 367 days (One year and one day with leap year) since my best friend went from Girlfriend to wife.

* There are 140 more shopping days left until Christmas.

* There are only 33 more days until we set sail on the high seas and head down to a tropical paradise. This has been a long countdown, and we're ready to go with the exception of packing the suite cases.

* We will be heading out of town this weekend to attend Michelle's cousins wedding in Cleveland. With watching so many people take vacations as we patiently await ours, it'll be nice to get away for a night out of town.

* We'll be heading back that way in two weeks for a family reunion.

* It's a cardio day

* Hi ho hi ho

Happy Birthday Randy Lee Hamrick Jr.

I would like to take this special opportunity to wish my Nephew Randy a very Happy Birthday today.

If my calculations are correct and he was born in about 1988, this should make Randy about 24 years old today. I've been known to miss a date or two in my life, but I am almost positive on this one.

Happy Birthday Randy, I'm not sure that I will see you today, but hopefully you get a chance to read this.

If you happen to see Randy today, make sure you take a little bit of time out and wish him a very Happy Birthday today.

First Anniversary

It was one magical year ago today that my life changed forever. It was a day that I'm sure many people in my family had wondered if they would ever see, a day that I some times even wondered if I would ever see.

One year ago today I married my best friend, my lover and my soul mate. The person who has helped me bring my life into perspective and made me realize that I had just wandered around like an empty soul for the first 47 years of my life.

It was one year ago today that our lives were forever joined as husband and wife. A day when I finally felt complete for the first time in my entire life. I have my wife to thank for allowing me to experience this feeling that had evaded me for my entire life.

It's been one magical year. We have had our ups and downs just like every married couple, mostly ups with a rare down. She is the love of my life, the one who I chose to spend the rest of my life with.

To my beautiful wife and best friend Michelle, thank you for saving me. It was you that rescued me from a life of loneliness and unfulfillment. We came a long with in the time we dated and we have come a longer way in the past year. I only look towards the future with anticipation as to the tomorrow we are building while cherishing the yesterdays we made. I love you with all of my heart.

Happy First Anniversary.

BFS Company Pic Nic

So much for my early morning spiel here, the kids are all up and ready to head to a reptile show in Pittsburgh at the Convention Center. Michelle and I however will be heading over to Mason Dixon Park this afternoon for her company pic nic this afternoon.

Of all the years we have been together, I think this is the first time BFS has actually went out and had a corporate pic nic for all of the office personnel. They will be moving out of their current location on the mileground in the near future and will be relocating to a new location to Cheat Lake. Michelle said they have rented the whole park, meaning there are three pavilions in case it rains or anything of that nature. Should be a real good day.

Yesterday we took advantage of the season ending sales at JC Penney's and bought a lot of new clothes for our cruise next month. We just happen to hit that just right as they had lowered the prices on everything and were literally getting ready to bring out their fall collection.

Yesterday evening Michelle and I met Jean at the P and P Family auction. Jim had a number of nice items including a Refrigerator, Stove and Dish washer than he was trying to let go dirt cheap as well as a lot of cabinetry, but no one was biting any anything. He had trouble moving the larger ticket items last night. Something tells me he can put those items at the store and they will move pretty quickly with the students coming back soon.

Have a great day

Saturday Morning Ramblings

To my pleasant surprise yesterday, when I arrived home and the FedEx truck was there delivering three large boxes addressed to us. And wouldn't you know that the name of the side of the boxes said Pampered Chef.

We have everyone's order who ordered and will be delivering them in the next couple of days. The nice part about it all is the picture that you see to the left is JUST OUR STUFF, the majority of it free due to having a very good show and meeting a Pampered Chef incentive for the month of July. We made a big sale a few years ago as well, plus Pampered Chef stuff Michelle had previously had and we have a kitchen stocked in high quality kitchen gadgets with lifetime warranties. It was a nice surprise.

Nothing on the schedule today except a little shopping maybe before the Fall lines come out. We will be traveling next weekend for a wedding in Cleveland. It'll be nice to get away for an evening, but that'll be next weekend.

Our Garden is starting to put out. We've already frozen some jalapeno peppers and now we are starting to harvest some nice sized cucumbers. I guess there is a special pleasure when you can grow your own food.

Have a great day.

Big Ole Hairy Friday

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

First and foremost congratulations to my old boss at IMCWV and fellow NETL contractor Chad and his wife Ashley. They were blessed with their third child yesterday afternoon.

If you are looking for a little cheap, and as in cheap I mean free family entertainment BOPARC is having the family funfest at Hazel Ruby McQuain Park. Tonight's free movie will be Footloose. This is not the original movie that was made back in the early 1980's, but the remake of that movie that was done last year. Come out early for the family fun bounce house at 7:00 and the movie starts around 9:00.

I have been a little tired this week for some reason, I really have not been myself. Hopefully I can feel better today, I've just been feeling blah.

Hi ho hi ho

Photo Flashback Thursday

Once a week I like to take a little bit of time out and look back through all of my pictures that I have stored and select just one image, one captured moment in time to tell a little bit of a story about. Sometimes it's easy to find that image, and sometimes it's rather challenging, however one thing it always is a lot of fun.

This weeks picture goes back a few years, back to the last season that the Pittsburgh Steelers won the Super Bowl. We had won the Steelers Trivia Show and one of our prizes was the ability to go down on the field prior to a Steelers game of our choice.

We all decide that the Indianapolis game that season was the one we wanted to attend, Peyton Manning was the man and if memory serves me correct they were the defending Super Bowl Champions and the Steelers were playing them.

If you are asking who is in this picture it's an easy answer. This was taken probably an hour before anyone else even came to the field. This was the first player out, the one who worked his butt off and is one of my favorite all time Steelers, although he is no longer a Steeler anywhere but our hearts.

The man is Hines Ward. I learned a new level of respect for him on that day.

Hi ho hi ho

Hump Day

Here we go again, the single hardest blog of the week to write. It's two days away from a Monday or a Friday and stuck right in the middle of a tidbits and a Photo Flashback. It's the one blog of the week that I am the least inspired to write, barring something major has happened.

I am starting to think that my life needs a little more excitement during the week. Something I can write about and fill this empty blog. Maybe I need a new subject to write a recurring blog about. A sports roundup maybe, I'm a big football fan and love to talk about sports or something of that nature. I'm just needing a theme for the middle of the week so I can get through the day of blah and blogging.

I would have a wide variety of things to talk about, the Mountaineers, the Steelers, the Pirates, the Penguins, recruiting, rumors that I have been hearing, or just the past weeks results from one of those sports.

I could always write a blog about my fashion sense, but I don't really seem to have any. Or maybe I could write about food since I love to eat. Review restaurants or movies?

Anyone have any ideas?

Lifting and cardio

Hi ho hi ho

Tuesday's Tidbits

* Monday is once again behind us and in our rear view mirror, I can't for the life of me think of a better reason than that to do a tidbits.

* It's been an even 1,600 days since mine and Michelle's first date. I have to say these have been the best 1,600 days of my life. I have truly been blessed by meeting my soul mate and my best friend.

* 823 days ago I got down on one knee and asked Michelle to marry me.

* 36o days ago, we're coming up on that first year, we celebrated our union in front of some of closest friends and family at the Marilla Center.

* There are only 147 more shopping days left until Christmas, provided the Mayans's were completely wrong and the earth will go on past December 20th this year.

* We're getting closer, only 40 more days left until we cruise. I'm going to have to think about writing blogs to post for each day we are at seas and have them post that day. There is very limited internet access in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and we'll be on vacation.

* Josh Judy is currently on the seven day disabled list. I was talking to his Dad Sunday and he seems to think Josh is fine.

* Anyone keeping track of the 2012 Olympics? We have been watching them and really enjoying them. As of the time of this BLOG the Americans are tied with China on the Medal count.

* Got a chance to talk to Moke last week, he spent three weeks in Peru for the military and is back home now. He's bought himself a new iPad as well.

* Talked to Amy briefly last week, the baby is doing fine.

* We finally finished our Pampered Chef show. We ended up getting a number of things as well as getting a substantial amount of free product. They were running a special for July, you hit $650.00 in sales and you get an extra $100.00 in free products plus you get a couple at 60% off. Michelle did much better this time than the last time we sold it, we love their products.

* I'm hearing the new iPhones will be released September 21st. We'll be on our cruise when they make the announcement, but we're planning on upgrading both of our phones and transitioning our phones to the kids which will also be an upgrade for them.

* Cardio day

* Hi ho hi ho

Monday

All good things must come to an end, and unfortunately for us 9-5 ers that includes the weekends. Now it's time to stick our noses back to the grindstone and get back to doing what it is that we do that allows us to live the life we do.

We lost our little house guest last night, the little "Rock of Love" has went home to his Mom, Dad, brother and sister. I have to say that he ruled the roost from the moment that he got here. The cats pretty much laid low and Sophie basically hid all weekend until our little house guest went home.

We finally are finishing up our Pampered Chef show today. Michelle is meeting with the representative tonight to exchange money and submit everyones orders to him. We actually did a little better this time than we did when we did our first one a couple of years ago. Of course the rewards were higher and I spent a lot more, but if you love to cook this is the stuff to have in your kitchen.

Cardio and lifting day.

Hi ho hi ho

Happy Birthday Josh Nicholson

I took this picture six years ago today, it was right after Josh Nicholson was born in the hospital. We can probably argue this is the oldest picture of him.

With that being said I would like to take this opportunity to wish Josh Nicholson a very Happy Sixth Birthday today. It was six years ago, we were all there awaiting his arrival and be blessed us with his presence.

If you see Joshy today, make sure that you wish him a very Happy Birthday today.

Val had combined his and his sisters birthday last month, picking a date as in the middle of the two as she could, but today is actually that day.

Happy Birthday Josh.

Saturday Morning Ramblings

Here I sit once again in a quiet household collecting my thoughts as everyone else is fast asleep. I'm up early as I usually am with some movie playing in the background and me sitting here trying to determine whats going on today.

We're dog sitting the yorkie that Michelle's mom gave to Ashley and "Little Rock of Love" is tucked under the covers with Michelle. That little puppy has just way too much energy, but he is a lot of fun to play with, he likes to terrorize the cats.

Michelle's Pampered Chef Party went pretty well, the online show is now completed and she did a little better than last time. She'll meet with the Representative Monday and if all goes well, we should have a couple of hundred dollars worth of free products coming our way. If you have ever owned the products, you will know they are some of the highest quality, most durable cooking supplies out there. We love everything we have.

Today there is not much on the agenda, we went to Chris and Jenny's last night to watch the opening ceremony of the Olympics. I have to say I was sitting there wondering WTF????? I think they really kind of dropped the ball on this. They were going the history of England and did the industrial revolution with a bunch of tall smoke stacks plus they pumped the smell of sulpher into the stadium. I wasn't that impressed.

Have a great day.

Big Ole Hairy Friday

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

Mountainfest is in full swing this weekend around Morgantown. If you are out and about this weekend or if you're attending Mountainfest, take a little extra care driving and lookout for the increased number of bikers in the area for the next few days.

Tonight Michelle and I are heading over to the Ostiens house this evening and spending a little time with some very good friends and watching the opening ceremonies of the 2012 Olympics. We surprised Chris last weekend with his surprise birthday party, even though his 40th birthday is not until October this year, so tonight we're going to watch the Olympics.

Lifting and cardio day so

Hi ho hi ho

Photo Flashback Thursday

Once a week I like to take a little bit of time out and look through all of my older pictures that I have stored on my computer. I like to select just one picture and write a little blog about it. Sometimes it's easy to find that special pic, and sometimes it's not so easy. However It's always a lot of fun.

This weeks pic take us back a few years, back to when Erica jean Nicholson was celebrating her first birthday. A day that was very hot, spent at Val's and a day when a few special memories were captured.

Not too often did I get the chance to take any pictures of Rich, much less Rich just being himself and not posing. This weeks picture is exactly that, one that I captured of Rich with an unopened beer and some tomato juice in his hand to cool himself down a little with a redeye.

What I think I remember most about this day was when Rich tricked my brother Gary to stoop down for a picture by Erica's smash cake. The rest was priceless.

Hump Day

I swear the hardest blog of the week for me to write is the one I write for the middle of the work week. Nothing is really going on, nothing planned for a few days, already did a tidbits and going to do a flashback tomorrow and here I am stuck in the middle trying to come up with some kind of content.

Can I just put my arm up and wave for a fair catch of this punt? This brainfart of a day when the creative juices just aren't flowing? Sure I can, I can write a blog about absolutely nothing and pass it off as one of my witty posts. Just trick the reader first with a little bit of misdirection to make them think that I'm actually talking about something and all the while running a good smoke screen for my brainfart today.

Naaah I wouldn't do that, I would give you something to read...and I have.

Hi ho hi ho

Tuesday's Tidbits

* Well once again another Monday is in our rear view mirrors and we are looking at another Tuesday, I can;t think of any better reason than that to do a tidbits.

* It's been 1,593 days since mine and Michelle's first date a few years ago. Who would ever imagine that I'm still tracking that after four years.

* 816 days ago I got down on one knee and proposed marriage.

* 353 days ago (we're coming up on our one year anniversary) we exchanged our vows at the Marilla Center in front of our closest friends and family. We partied down with a feast and even managed to get a few pictures.

* 154 more shopping days left until Christmas. It's hard to believer that we are getting closer and closer to jolly old Saint Nick again.

* We're down to 47 more days left until we cruise the open seas for a week. Everything is already done, paid for and organized, it's just a matter of packing and getting on the boat.

* It's not too late yet to place your Pampered Chef Order if there is anything you are wanting. This is some of the best kitchen gadgets on the market, make sure you order something for yourself if you enjoy cooking. You won't regret it.

* The NCAA handed down the the sanctions to Penn State today. SMU got the death penalty a number of years ago and the NCAA said they never wanted to do that again to a school. The Death Penalty might have been less severe than what Penn State received in terms of sanctions. These are pretty sever, but the punishment fits the crime.

* For those of you who like sports and pageantry, the 2012 London Olympics starts this Friday and will run into August. * For those of you who like to ride Motorcyles, Harley's specifically, WV Mountainfest is this week.

* Cardio Day.

* Hi ho hi ho

Winding down a Pampered Chef Party.

Michelle loves Pampered Chef, it is some of the best and most durable cooking tools that are on the market. We did a big book sale a couple of years ago and now Michelle is winding another one down Thursday this week.

If anyone is interested in ordering anything from Pampered Chef, now is the time to do it. All you have to do is go to her Pampered Chef Book Party Site and place your order. If you are looking for any recommendations we love the Stoneware Cookware. We have I think three of the round stones and one of the rectangle ones as well as the multi loaf pan in the stoneware. I think Chad uses the big rounds stone almost daily to make pizza.

If you are wanting to order any new cooking toys, these are the ones to have.

Bought a New Freezer

Since Michelle and I moved in together we have had a chest freezer that was kind of small. It was one she has had for years and was only 5.0 Cubic feet of space in it. It works great, but sometimes gets a little cramped as we tend to buy a lot of bulk items when the prices drop and vacuum seal it and freeze it. Yesterday our little one was just a little too full and it became time to actually upgrade our freezer.

Michelle wanted an upright freezer, I just wanted one that was bigger than what we had. I understood her want for need for an upright, it's so you can organize everything and not have to dig around looking for what you want.

We decided on a new Frigidaire 13.7 CU ft upright and went and bought it yesterday. We were actually able to put it in a Ford Escape and bring it here, I think the wheel wells in the Forester would have prevented it from fitting, but it fit in the escape and we were able to bring it home.

Because we laid it down and it's an upright freezer, we set it up and wont power it on until this morning. This allows all the Freon to settle at the bottom once again and minimizes the risk of damaging the unit. We'll power it up before we head out for work today and transfer all the meat to it this evening.

Chad's going to take the old one and use it to store reptile food in. I think he's going to take it down to the store when they exchange ownership and store pet foods in there.

Hi ho hi ho

Surprised

I have to hand it to Jenny, Chris's wife and his parents, they planned and executed his surprise 40th birthday party to perfection. Michelle and I as well as a few other friends headed to Apollo PA yesterday to partake in the surprise.

Chris is scheduled to fly to Dallas today for some function with the Big XII and he was going to stay at his parents house. Perfect opportunity to surprise him, especially since his birthday is not for as few more months.

It was great to be around some of the boys of summer again for me, they are a very special group of guys who all just got a little older and have retired from playing softball, with the exception of Chris who is playing this year.

After surprising Chris we traveled to the other side of Pittsburgh, past the airport to where Michelle's family is from to help her nice Abby celebrate her birthday. Today is actually Abby's birthday, so an extended BLOG Happy Birthday to Abby.

It was a day of a lot of traveling, traveling to a couple points and back to Morgantown that basically formed a big triangle. Apollo ton the northeast of Morgantown, Beaver about an hour an a half west of Apollo and then back southeast to Morgantown. Sometimes it's just good to get out of town for the day.

Watched the Buccos win again last night to got to 13 games over .500. We've managed to watch both game this weekend.

Have a great day.

Burgh Kind of Day

A little bit of a later blog this morning, we're already up eating breakfast and making plans for the day. We'll be heading to Pittsburgh here in a little while for a couple of birthday parties.

First on the agenda is a surprise birthday party for a friend of mine. We'll be reuniting the Pittsburgh Steelers Trivia Champions from a few years ago as we surprise one of them for his 40th birthday party this morning. It's been a while since I've seen Chris and Jenny as we both retired from Softball.

After that Michelle's sister is having a cookout this afternoon for her niece Abby, we plan on heading that way after Chris's surprise. Abby's birthday is tomorrow, but Danni is wanting to have a cookout for her today.

It'll be nice to get out of town for a few hours.

Have a great day.

Thirteen Years Ago

It was thirteen years ago today, a day that I don't think I will ever forget. A day that my life changed forever, a day life exited my Fathers body and it laid at rest for the start of eternity. I'll never forget the first time I saw my fathers lifeless body, just minutes after he had passed. My heart sunk like it has never sunk in my life.

Thirteen years later we still reflect upon the life of a great man that we lost that day. A man that my siblings and I called dad, a man my nieces and nephews called pap or grandpa, a man who all of the men who worked under him in the mines called friend and a man who was loved by all who ever met him.

I like to think that he was a very, if not the most influential person in my life.

We Miss you dad.

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.

Kind of to my surprise, BOPARC is really not doing anything this evening. Usually they have a concert or a movie playing. Next week is WV MountainFest and I can understand next week, but like I said I am a little surprised that there is nothing scheduled for kids or the family this evening.

My guess is we will be doing some of our grocery shopping this evening since we are going to be traveling tomorrow. Other than that, we'll be leading a pretty boring life on this day. We'll do our regular Friday evening dinner and that will probably be it.

Lifting and cardio day.

Hi ho hi ho

Photo Flashback Thursday

Once a week I like to take a little bit of time out and go through all of my old pictures that I have storied on my computer and select just one picture to tell a little story about. Sometimes it's pretty easy to find that picture and sometimes it's pretty difficult. It is however always a lot of fun.

This weeks picture goes all the way back to yesterday. Sue me, I never said how far I had to go back and this was a good picture. It's a picture of Amy Ralph and Kynlea Rae at the hospital. Michelle and I had stopped by after work, grabbed a few special moments in time and left allowing the couple to enjoy their steak dinner that they were being served.

This week, I'm even going to include a bonus pic.

Kynlea Rae Dalton

News is at 8:48 this morning, this family welcomed a new member as 6 lb 8 ounce Kynlea Rae Dalton blessed us all with her presence

Probably be stopping up after work to see her.

My Fathers Eulogy

I was looking around Facebook yesterday and I saw where my niece Val made a post about the story of the Dragonfly. It's a special story to all of us, because it was the eulogy used for my father's funeral 13 years ago. 

Allow me to share it with you. Thank You Val.

The Story of the Dragonfly

In a little pond, in the muddy water under the lily pads, there lived a little water beetle in a community of water beetles. They lived a simple and comfortable life in the pond. Once in a while, sadness would come to the community when one of their fellow beetles would climb the stem of a lily pad and would never be seen again. They knew that when this happened their friend was dead, gone forever. One day, one little water beetle felt an irresistible urge to climb up that stem. However, he was determined that he would not leave forever. He would come back and tell his friends what he had found at the top. When he reached the top and climbed out of the water onto the surface of the lily pad, he was so tired, and the sun felt so warm, that he decided to take a nap. As he slept, his body changed. When he woke up, he had turned into a beautiful dragonfly. As he soared he saw the beauty of a whole new world and a far superior way of life than what he had ever known existed. He found he could fly and in his flight he discovered his world was brighter than anything he had ever imagined and the beauty was breathtaking.


Then he remembered his beetle friends and how they were thinking by now he was dead. He remembered his pact with the others below and started down to the water. He tried and tried to break through the surface to reach his friends, but couldn’t.


He wanted to go back to tell them what he had found, and explain to them that he was now more alive than he had ever been before. His life had been fulfilled rather than ended. He could not get back to tell his friends the good news. Then he understood that their time would come, when they too would know what he now knew. That one day we too will break out of the murky water and join the others we love in the bright light of heaven.


So he raised his wings and flew off into his joyous new life!

Tuesday's Tidbits

* Well Monday is now in our rear view mirrors and we are staring straight down the barrel of a Tuesday, I can't for the life of me think of a better reason than that to do a tidbits.

* It's been 1,586 days since Michelle and I went on our first date. We're still going strong.

* 809 Days ago I got down on one knee and proposed marriage.

* 346 days ago in front of our family and friends we exchanged our wedding vows.

* 161 more shopping days left until Christmas.

* 54 more days until we hit the open seas and head down south. I've seen a couple Facebook friends are actually on cruises this week. September 9th can't get here soon enough.

* It looks like we are going to be doing a little traveling this weekend, heading up north to see Michelle's sister and help celebrate her nieces birthday. We have something else planned, but don't want to spoil the surprise just in case they are reading.

* Cardio day

* Hi ho hi ho

I hate Mondays

All good things must come to an end, and unfortunately that includes the thing we work all week for, the weekend. So it's time to get up, get dressed and head into the office and do that thing that you do that lets you pay your bills and enjoy your weekends. Stick the nosed back on the grindstone for a few days, it's time to get back to work.

Michelle was feeling a little under the weather yesterday, so it was a day at home relaxing and watching TV for me and napping for her. I watched the Pirates drop a heartbreaker to a team that has been their Achilles hill the past few seasons. I'm just glad that series is over with.

It's back to the gym again for me today. I took Friday off from lifting, as I'll probably have to start doing more frequently, to rest my shoulder. Labrum Tears are not something you heal from without surgery, I'm just modifying my workout so that I don't irritate it. I'll not stop working out, I made a lifestyle change, little setbacks like this just means you adjust your workout.

Hi ho hi ho

Easy Like Sunday Morning

Well I got a good nights sleep yesterday and watched the Pirates have a come back win and beat the Brewers last night. For the most part it was a nice relaxing day.

Found out yesterday Chad and Laiah will start running the pet store on August 1st. A friend of Chad's is buying it and wants them to run it. They both seem pretty excited about it, since it is his passion and he loves working with reptiles.

It's the pet store in Westover, the current owner has to sell it (wife says so) and a friend of Chad's is buying the business (he's a state trooper in Martinsburg) and paying them to run it. I've always said he needed to do something with pets.

Have a great day.

Saturday Morning Ramblings

Here I sit in a quiet household once again on an early Saturday Morning collecting my thoughts as everyone else is asleep. I've got some movie playing on Netflix and I'm just sitting here surfing the world wide web.

Don't think we will be getting into too much outdoor activity today, it's calling for some much needed rain and Michelle wants to get our closet organized. I've got a bunch of clothes that I no longer wear or no longer fit and I think we are going to start to sort them out and get rid of them. We do need to clean up that monstrosity of a closet, so that could be a good task on a rainy Saturday.

I think Chad and Laiah might be running a pet/reptile store in Westover. A friend of theirs is buying the business and wants someone to run it and they is something that they are passionate about. I lose track of how many snakes, ferrets, alligator snapping turtles, taranchulas, Geckos's, Monitors and lizards he has in his room. All the tanks are very well maintained and organized, so maybe this is his calling. The IT work has been sporadic although it paid very well, this however is his passion.

Have a great day.

Big Ole Hairy Friday

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

Not only is today just a Friday, it's also the 13th of the month. A day and date that many people are very superstitious about. They say it is a day of bad luck, they've also made one or two or three or more movies about the date. Personally I can't recall ever having bad luck on a Friday the 13th. Hopefully that streak continues today..lol

The full report came out yesterday about the Jerry Sandusky incidents that he was convicted on at Penn State. I have to say, throughout my life I would have said if there was one man in college football who has avoided controversy it would have been Joe Paterno, the long time head Football coach at Penn State. I had the utmost respect for JoePa as he is called. I have to say that I was shocked to find out his role in this whole thing. I would never in a million years have even entertained the thought that he would ever allow this to happen. The fact that Joe knew about it just completely shocked me. I would never have believed it, the man wreaked of integrity, or so I thought.

Looks like we may get a little bit of a break in the weather this weekend. It's not supposed to be as blistering hot as it has been the past few weeks. We have nothing planned this weekend, but the rest of our summer is starting to look busy.

Lifting and cardio day.

Hi ho hi ho

Happy Birthday Angela McClain

I would like to take this opportunity to wish Angela McClain a very Happy Birthday today.

It was just a little short of two years ago (see previous blog) that we all welcomed Ang as an official member of our family, although she's unofficially been family for a number of years. They just made it official last year.

If you happen to see Ang today, make sure you take a little bit of time out and wish her a Very happy Birthday today. Her husband is in Peru so I'm sure she would love to hear those magical words today.

Happy Birthday Ang.

Photo Flashback Thursday

Once a week I like to take a little bit of time out and reflect back on all of my digital pictures. I like to select one special pic and reflect about that captured moment in time and reflect upon it. Sometimes it's pretty easy to find one to blog about, and sometimes it's not so easy, but it's always a whole lot of fun.

This weeks picture doesn't go back too far, but it does go back almost two years. It was a number of years in the making, but this was Moke and Ang's wedding day and of course I was there with my trusty camera to capture the moment.

This is a picture of the just married couple walking down the hallway and getting ready to exit the church for the first time as husband and wife at the church. Of course after these pictures were taken they went back in and had the pictures taken at the alter.

After that we all went up the road a couple of miles for the reception and a some memorable times.

It was a good day.

Moke in Peru

The things you learn while you are on facebook. I woke up this morning and saw where Ang said Moke is in Peru for a Humanitarian effort. One thing he can't say is that he hasn't had the chance to see the world over the past few years, he's been to more places than I ever have. Of course I wouldn't have wanted to deal with the heat in Iraq like he did.

Pam told me a few weeks ago that he was going to be going there for as I recall three weeks for his training with the National Guard.

I hope he is out of harms way, I would imagine that he is, and I hope he has a good time while he's down there. I know he's working, but no reason not to get a chance to see a few sights.

Hi ho hi ho

Tuesday's Tidbits

* Well once again Monday is in our rear view mirrors and we are staring straight down the barrel of a Tuesday, I for the life of me can;t think of a better reason than that to do a tidbits.

* 1,579 days ago my life changed forever as Michelle and I went out on our first date together. It was to see a horrible movie, but I hit the jackpot.

* 802 Days ago I got down on one knee in the back yard and proposed marriage at 4:00 in the morning.

* 339 days ago we all partied down at the Marilla center as Michelle and I exchanged our vows.

* There are only 168 more shopping days left until Christmas.

* It's 61 more days until we set sail on the high seas towards the Bahama's.

* How about them Buccos. The Pittsburgh Pirates have been tearing it up as of late and are in first place at the All-Star break. I'm just happy the drought is appearing to be over with.

* Talking baseball, Josh Judy is 2-2 on the season with 39 strikeouts in AAA Louisville.

* Michelle has learned that she will be having surgery next Month. It's going to be scheduled for August 20th. Women stuff, so I don't want to go too far into details.

* It seems like we have finally gotten a little bit of a break from the HOT HOT HOT weather and it was only HOT yesterday. Temps only reached the upper 80's. (I LOVE IT!!!)

* Cardio day

* Hi ho hi ho

Back at it

All good things must come to an end, and that includes weekends where we have had nice hot weather throughout. It's time to stick our noses back on the grindstone and get back to work so we can have fun on our weekends doing things we like to do.

How about those Pittsburgh Pirates? At the All-Star break they are now 11 games over .500, they have not been that far over .500 since they had a skinny Barry Bonds playing for them a very long time ago. We have been watching a lot of Pirates Baseball this season, they are a very exciting team to watch. They should break their record of the longest consecutive .500 season record in professional sports. They set the record last year, let's hope they can keep it going by breaking that streak and also winning the division.

Tonight is the All-Star games Home Run Derby and Pirate Andrew McCutchen who is leading the National League in hitting this season and putting up MVP type numbers is going to be participating in the Derby tonight. Let's go Cutch!!!!

My wife he Lobster is feeling a little better, we stayed inside for pretty much the who day yesterday and watched a movie and a little baseball.

Torn Lamrum and all, it's time to get back in the gym so

Hi ho hi ho

Sun Burnt Sunday

Sun Burnt Sunday I thought was the most appropriate title, especially after Michelle wakes up this morning. It's probably going to best define both her and my day, hers more so than mine.

Yesterday we knew that the temperatures were going to be close to 100° so we decided to be in and around as much water as possible. We ended up changing our plans and we took a trip to Idlewild Park to enjoy the soak zone, seeing that they had added a wave pool feature recently.

I have to say, that pool itself is much better than the one at Wave Tec in Fairmont, they just converted the old swimming pool into a wave pool and really added a whole new aspect to it all. The waves are probably twice as powerful there as the ones generated at Wave Tec.

We got up and out early yesterday as we did our Sam's Club trip on Friday, to open the whole day of Saturday up for us. So we headed towards north and towards Idlewild.

Today is probably just going to be our normal shopping/laundry/layaround in pain day.
Have a great one.

Saturday Morning Ramblings

Usually this is where I say that I am the only person up in a quiet household, truth be told Michelle was about about an hour and a half before me today. Completely caught me by surprise.

It's supposed to be HOT HOT HOT today with the temperatures looking to getting into the 100° F range. With temps like that I told Michelle I didn't want to sit at home, I wanted to get out and enjoy a little bit of water.
I think today's agenda includes us making our first trip to Heston Farm in Fairmont. It was actually one of the few places we considered on having our wedding last year, but it was just too much of a bite into our budget so we chose the Marilla Center which cost us about 1/4 of what it would have cost us for Heston Farm. They have the winery up and working now, so it's a little more appealing to go and visit.

Water? Plans are going to Wave Tek Pool today. Michelle woke up feeling a little under the weather, so we'll see how the day plays out.

Have a great day and stay cool, it's going to be a hot one.

UPDATE: It's an Idlewild Park day!!!!!

Big Ole hairy Friday

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

Movies on the Mon and Fun Fest returns this evening with the movie Zookeeper. So if you are looking for a little bit of cheap, and in cheap I mean free entertainment tonight

Not too sure what is on our agenda for this weekend, I know the weather is going to be HOT HOT HOT once again and I know I would maybe like to be by or in some water somewhere. Maybe do a little bit of swimming and beat the heat a little bit, or at least just make it more tolerable.

I went to the Doctors yesterday about my shoulder, my rotator cuff that I thought was going out is fine, maybe a little wear and tear on it but that's to be expected. The bad news I got was that I have a Labrum Tear on my right shoulder. The only way to fix it is actually to have surgery on the shoulder where they would have to slice it open (can't do it with a scope) and recovery time would be 9 months to a year. Considering I am not anticipating any MLB team to call me and need me to pitch for them, I'm going to let it go and live with the pain. I'll have to alter my workouts slightly as to not do any more damage.

Hi ho hi ho

Photo Flashback Thursday

It's once again that time of the week when I take a little bit of time out to go back and look through all of my pictures. I like to find one special picture a week to look back on and tell a little story about. Sometimes it's an easy task, sometimes it's pretty difficult, it is always a whole lot of fun either way.

This weeks picture goes back to my 41st birthday, a day that my sister Terri and her Husband Nick opened up the Country Inn on Rt 73. This was their first day of being open for business and that dollar they are holding is the first dollar they made on their first day of business.

Recourse had shut down earlier that year and they were left trying decide what they were going to do. They pulled all of their resources together and managed to open up the Country Inn. This was their first of two bars they opened up, the other being Nick and Terri's a year or so later.

Hi ho hi ho

Happy 4th of July

Today our country celebrates its 236th birthday. It has been 236 years since our founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776. Telling England to screw off, we're running our own country.

There are a number of events going on today around Morgantown.

At the Hazel Ruby McQuain Park the schiedule is:

11:00 AM Morgantown Municipal band performance.

6:30 Manette Steel Drum Band. In case anyone did not know it, the father of the Steel Drum Dr. Ellie Mannette  is also a professor at WVU, he has also performed with the Coral Reefer Band and Jimmy Buffett on occasion. Might be one worth going to see, a true legend and the inventor of a Musical Instrument.

7:30 are the Community Awards.

8:30 Mon River Big Band

9:45 Fireworks.


Enjoy your 4th of July.

Tuesdays Tidbits

* Well Monday is once again in our rear view mirrors, for me it came after a four day weekend but even with that little bit of knowledge, I still can't of a better reason than that to do a tidbits.

* 1,572 days since mine and Michelle's first date.

* We became engaged 795 days ago.

* 332 days ago we said our marital vows and have been happily married ever since.

* There are only 175 more shopping days left until Christmas.

* 68 more days (they are counting down) until we set sail on the high seas and head towards the Bahamas.

* Our air conditioner has been running hard the past few weeks with all the high heats, last night we actually went outside and cleaned out the vents to get a better air flow. It might need a recharge.

*  They are slowly repairing power to the area from Friday's Storms. I can't believe the extent of the damage that was done by this storm, we were lucky and only got a small bit of it and never lost power.

* I have tomorrow off =)

* Hi ho hi ho

Monday

All good things must come to an end, and that includes our four day weekend that Michelle and I just enjoyed since last Thursday. It's time to take our noses and stick them back on the grindstone for a few days and get back into doing what we do.

Since our vacation this year will come in September, that four day weekend will be our longest extended break until we set sail, so it's got to last us for a couple of months.

It was a good time off. It included a great concert, a great movie,  a couple of cookouts and the annual Rosiak Family 4th of July water battle at Trish's parents house.

To say that I enjoyed myself over this break is an understatement. The only thing bad about it was the storm on Friday night that has knocked out so many people in North Central West Virginia's power, especially during this unseasonably hot trend that we have been having the past week or so.

I know my Sister Pam has been without electric since Friday and they are possibly talking about it taking until this weekend until it's restored. She said Moke's went out Friday as well, but they have electric back on.

Hi ho hi ho

Hello Big XII

The absolute disaster in waiting that is about to happen to the Big East Conference is no longer our concern. After nearly 20 years as a member of the Big East, West Virginia is no longer a member of the conference.

As of today, we are now new members of the Big XII. We've had an invitation since last fall, but it all became official today as we officially switch conferences today.

From 5-7:00 PM tonight around Morgantown the Big XII will be flying a Welcome to the Big XII banner around the city by plane.

We will be joining TCU today as conference affiliates even though a year ago we were going to welcome them to the Big East, but the landscape of College Football changes.

The University of Texas, Oklahoma University, Kansas University, Kansas State University, Texas Tech (where John Denver graduated), Oklahoma State, Iowa State and Baylor will be our new conference foes. We were the glue that held the Big East together after the initial invasion with three BCS wins. With the upcoming change of format and the fact that the Big XII generates more revenue than the Big East and ACC combined, we're sitting pretty.

It's a day all Mountaineer fans have been anticipating.