OK, unlike Paul McCartney, I couldn't come up with a clever one-liner to begin this blog, much like he did with the song "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band."

Still, it was one year ago this week that my fiancée and I were running around the house like chickens without heads.

We were preparing earnestly for a house warming party, which was scheduled for a Saturday.

We had only one dog at the time, as Beagle Bailey was still just a pup.

Now, she's bigger, but not by much.

Since then, a lot has changed in our household.

We now have two dogs as we added Andromeda to the household this past summer. Andi, as we affectionately call her, has already surpassed BB (another treasured nickname) in terms of size. And she's still a puppy. I honestly don't know if this is a good thing or a bad thing.

But I digress.

At this time last year, we were frantically preparing for the house warming.

She and I were both moving around at break-neck speed cleaning everything. We even cleaned over the clean spots.

By the time Saturday rolled around at this time last year, we were ready.

Several people showed up and all had a great time. We really enjoyed entertaining for the afternoon.

This year, no house warming. That doesn't mean, however, that we've stopped cleaning. We just aren't moving quite as quickly as we were last year at this time.

But, unlike our situation, where we were preparing for the big event where we could finally invite people over to our home, some things haven't changed this year.

Take for example, the Northview Marching Knights.

They are heading back to the state finals this year. For the 23rd time in a row.

That's a long time! When you think about it, the seniors on the 2009 Marching Knights' roster weren't even born yet.

Simply amazing. And something to be quite proud of.

I remember this time last year almost like it was yesterday.

As people kept coming and coming to see our home, I kept thinking about the state finals.

Since we had our house warming that afternoon, unfortunately, I was unable to attend.

But I kept an ear to the wind checking to see how the Marching Knights had finished.

When I heard they had won the state title, I immediately headed to the school, where I caught up with NHS band director Bob Medworth.

This year, as I said, some things have changed.

Rather than sitting at the house anticipating the outcome, I'll be right there at Lucas Oil Stadium, in the thick of the action.

I'm looking forward to it.

I was in marching band in high school. But in my four years, we never advanced to the state finals.

I have gone to the state finals event, to watch my sister march as she was part of an Owen Valley group that advanced.

The history of the Marching Knights in Clay County is truly magical. Residents of the county should be proud, excited and nervous all rolled into one.

As a reporter, you are taught to not show emotion. But sometimes, that is difficult.

I'm rooting for the Marching Knights to capture yet another state title. Make it count. Win or lose, enjoy Saturday. Enjoy the entire day. Make it memorable.

Good luck Saturday.