Congratulations Briitany Dae Cummings

It seems like only yesterday that I was showing my Niece Brittany around the WVU Campus. It was 2009 and she was just an incoming Freshman trying to figure out where everything was located on campus as she was getting ready to start her collegiate academic career.

Well it has been a few years and she has stayed dedicated and focused on achieving her degree and joining me as an Alumnus at West Virginia University today.

To say that this makes me very proud is an absolute understatement. I've had three nieces/nephews start college, but she will be the very first one to earn her degree and both Michelle and I will be there with cameras, tripods and camcorders in hand to try to capture the days events.

I was trying to surprise her, but she already knows about it for one of the Graduation Gifts that we are going to give her. Just like I did with my wedding, I've worked with my Congressman and will obtain  one of the flags that flies over the US Capital today and it will be shipped to her probably tomorrow. I knew that there was plenty of time and knew that this is a special day, so I obtained something special for her day for her to remember this day by.

Congratulations Brittany, both Michelle and I are tremendously proud of you and what you have accomplished. Until you have completed your walk down the hallowed hallways and completed the journey it's hard to understand the time, commitment and sacrifice that it takes to achieve this. Brittany, from the bottom of my heart I am very proud of you.

This is your day girl, savor every last second of it as you have earned it.

See you this afternoon.

Saturday Morning Ramblings

Here I sit on a quiet Saturday Morning, I'm the only one that is up and There's Something About Mary is playing in the background on HBO. I'm up collecting my thoughts for the day.

Last night was full of surprises. Calvin Graduated from Clay Battelle but the big surprise was that Jean finished up her Chemo and drove back from Baltimore in time to surprise everyone except Val who knew she was coming. Talk about a big surprise for Calvin.

Today I think we are going to get the patio set up for summer, plant the garden and probably do a little bit of BBQing. With the last couple of days Michelle has had, she needs a little bit of fun and R&R. The weather looks like it is going to cooperate, so this is going to be an awesome weekend.

Have a great day and enjoy your unofficial start of summer.

Big Ole Hairy Friday

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

Well tonight is the end of my Nephew Calvin's Scholastic career as he walks the walk this evening a Clay Battelle High School to receive his High School diploma. We celebrated his Vo-Tech Graduation a couple of nights ago on my Sister Pam's Birthday, now on my Brother in Law George's Birthday we celebrate his Graduation. Tonight at 7:00 at Clay Battelle High School, come out and show your support if you can make it.

This is also the unofficial start of Summer. The time of the year that I know I absolutely love as it's shorts and sandals type weather.

As for our plans this weekend other than a Graduation. We'll probably do a little bit of work outside. Uncover the gas grill and get things cleaned up on the patio in preparation of summer. I think we will use our Webber Charcoal Grill much more than the big gas grill, but it's nice to have both options available. Maybe a trip somewhere for a small BBQ if the weather is cooperative. We've also talked about planting our garden for this year.

Have a great day, enjoy your weekend and

Let's get this party Started.

Hump Day

Calvin McClain

Well two days down and two to go after we get over today's noon time hump.It's all down hill after that heading towards a three day holiday weekend.

This fine young man to the left is my nephew Calvin. Tonight I will have the honor of watching him in his first of two graduating ceremonies this week when he graduates from Vo-Tech at the WVU Creative Arts Center at 7:00. It's a special honor anytime someone completes an academic journey, and his journey at the Vo-Tech center finishes tonight when he graduates. I'll be there and will try to video his acceptance of his diploma, as well as a few other things this evening.

The big graduation will be Friday night at Clay Battelle High School at 7:00. Both Michelle and I will both be on hand to help him celebrate a lifetime accomplishment. We are both very proud of him.

I guess I am now starting to feel old, now all of my dad's grandchildren will have all graduated. Meaning all of my siblings have watched all of their kids grow up and finish their scholastic careers. I'm not sure what Calvin's plans are, but I know Pam mentioned he will be heading to Virginia this weekend to watch his girlfriend graduate.

Have a great day.

Congratulations Amanda

Congratulations are in sore for Michelle's niece Amanda, she has now officially ended her career as a student at West Virginia University with her second degree. A Masters Degree in Public Health.

She was awarded her degree and her hooding ceremony was last night at the Waterfront Convention Center where she had a large contingent of family (with a cow bell in hand) were there to help her celebrate this wonderful accomplishment.

After the ceremony the family and a few friends went to Oliverio's for dinner where we all feasted and spent a little bit of quality family as we helped her celebrate.

Next up she will be leaving for Marietta College in Ohio in a few weeks and enrolling in their Physicians Assistant Program.

You have to absolutely be inspired by this girl, as she had an feature written about her just a few weeks ago by WVU.

Congratulations Amanda, one more ceremony to go!!