Don't Just Go Back To School....ROCK Back To School

It's back to school time and that means new school supplies!!! I love to buy me some school supplies. There is just something about a new box of crayons that holds so much hope for the future. There are no broken tips, all of the colors are still in the box and the possibilities are endless. There will be pictures to be colored. Maps to be drawn. There will be cards made for special people. And don't get me started on a new spiral notebook! Oh to think of the stories and journals that will be written out on the 8 x 10 1/2 wide margin ruled papers just thrills me

There is one item though I have never really understood the need for; the protractor. For years and years I bought each my kids one of the plastic half-circles with a ruler on the bottom and numbers going around the curved top and they were never used. I have come to believe that the Teachers Union was in cahoots with the protractor makers and received some under the table cashola for putting it on the school supply list year after year.

I haven't had the opportunity to purchase school supplies for quite some time. After Stephanie's freshman year in college she finally cut me off. Told me that SHE would buy her own notebooks, pens, markers, pencils and planners that she hadn't even used crayons since the 4th grade. I was so sad. Took me weeks to pull my self together. I would often find myself wondering the aisles of Wal-Mart just breathing in the sweet smell of colored wax lost in the memories of years gone by.

But wait!!!! There is a new student in town!!! That's right, Miss Amber is a newly inducted kindergartner! I am back on the school supply trail once again!!! I was so excited to take Amber out for the necessities of kindergarten! Oh the choices --- There are boxes of crayons that come in 8, 24, 48, or 64 crayons. Oooooo I just got chill bumps thinking about them!

So off we go. Our first stop is Target. We got the crayons, pencils, glue, glue sticks and a perfectly rockin' Hannah Montanna lunch box.

This is just ONE aisle of Crayola products.

Then we darted over to Kohl's where we searched and searched for the perfect first day out fit. It is of the utmost importance that you look your absolute best on the first day of school. How you look on the first day will set the course for how the entire year is played out. Go to school on the first day in just any old out fit and you will be eating your PB&J by yourself in the art teachers storage closet for the rest of the year. Start the year out with a bold fashion statement and you are a shoe in for homecoming queen. Or at least won't have to be best friends with the lunch lady. Take a look at Amber's first day outfit.

Stunning don't you think.

Didn't need any new panties. Definitely didn't need a new bra because in the words of Amber "I'm not a woman yet."

But did find a Hannah Montanna back pack to match the lunch box of course.

Here is the whole ensemble. I think Amber will do just fine in kindergarten!

But this little guy has a few more years before Grandma Dee takes him to get his school supplies.

To Market To Market To Buy A Fat Zucchini!

Yeah for Farmer's Markets!!

I love going to farmer's markets and county fairs. I think it makes me feel like I have some kind of soul connections with people who grow their own food! If someone offered me the chance to move out into the country and live on a farm and grow cows and pigs and my own vegetables, I would do it in a heart-beat. I would even turn Amish if I had to.

But that is not likely to happen, so I will just be satisfied with my trips to the local farmer's markets.

Today we went to the Beloit Farmers Market. It is really very nice and has a lot of vendors. There are vegetables galore along with crafts, flowers and homemade goodies. Love the Dutch Apple Pie from Kauffmans Country Store!!

Nashville, TN has an awesome market. It is three buildings full of everything you could dream of. Franklin, TN also has a nice one. They even offer a $3 glass of homemade lemonade!! Ithaca, NY has a quaint market as well. I have no favorite I just enjoy them all.

So here is a snapshot of today's bounty. Notice that the Dutch Apple Pie is not pictured, that is because I thought it would be rude to show a picture of a half eaten pie. But trust me, it was a work of art!


Tonight, we enjoyed the fresh, vine ripened tomatoes along with the juicy corn on the cob and zucchini fixed on the grill. Yum! I fix the corn by husking it then wrapping it in foil with a few pats of butter, throw it on the grill and in about 10 minutes it is ready to eat. With the zucchini, I just slice it into quarter inch thick circles, throw it in a plastic bag and drizzle it with some olive oil. Sprinkle in some salt and pepper and some grill seasoning, shake it up so the seasoning is well distributed then put it on the grill for about 2-3 minutes on each side.

We will look forward to the green beans later this week and the home made granola will be in my yogurt tomorrow!!

Next Saturday I might get a little adventurous and buy a kohlrabi....if I can figure out what it is and how to cook it! Until then...Bon Appetit!

Nairy a Hairy Leg

So since it is the middle of summer we have been wearing shorts or capris for a few months now. Are we all tired of shaving our legs yet?

I am. Shaving my legs brings back so many repressed memories.

Who out there has never had a near death shaving experience?

The hair on my legs was so long and thick that my mom often would assume that it would keep my lower extremities warm enough that she wouldn't bother to buy me tights to wear under my dresses. Of course, as I grew older and wiser I figured out that not every girl in the fifth grade had dark brown, fur covered legs and it was because they shaved them.

So the beginning of an era soon ensued. I began shaving/nicking/severely slicing my legs with my dad's straight edge razor. Oh how I rejoiced when Schick introduced the safety razor!!! My legs now were smooth and scab free and tetanus was no longer a threat. Before long I even started buying my own razor!! Yes, I loved the Lady Schick.

Let me ask you....has any of you ever received an Epilady as a Christmas gift? I did. It was one of those memorable gifts that my husband thought I would really like.

For those who have never experienced the Epilady, it is a coil that vibrates and pulls the hair from your leg at the root. As I understand they have been pulled from the market until the investigation of them being used as torture devices at Guantanamo Bay can be completed.

You can't tell me that if this was coming at your sensitive legs and underarms you wouldn't start singing like a bird!

That gift was quickly returned and never spoke of again.

Yes, shaving your legs can be dangerous to your health. You especially have to be very careful while playing with a razor in the bathtub. As I understand it, if you drop the razor while stirring the water in your play tea cup it, will bounce up and cut your shin about an inch long. Just ask one of my daughters. It happened to her.

So as I close, let me just say to all my leg shaving sisters....Keep it smooth, keep it soft and keep it safe.

I TOLD You He Could Read!!!

Emerson, Daddy's new research assistant.

He had some reading he had to catch up on while we were there on Saturday.

And of course, you know how it is, every time you start reading you get sleepy....So, he had to take a little nap with Grandpa.

Then after a little snooze, he visited with his buddy in the mirror of his play mat.

And then spent the rest of the time just being cute!

July 12, 1982, Was A Very Good Day!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
ELIZABETH!!

Summer Vacation Part One

I am tired.

Since May 15th my life has been a whirlwind of events that just melt a women's heart.

• I marched through the graduation of my youngest daughter with pride and a smile.
• I endured 30 hours with only a few stolen moments of sleep to welcome my grandson into my life with pride and thankfulness
  
• I observed the 5th anniversary of my Daddy's passing with sadness and tears.
• I watched with happiness and gratefulness as my Mother married her friend and began a new chapter of her life at 70 years old.
  

I am overwhelmed.

How do you wrap your heart and mind around any of these? How do you internalize the significance of each blessing as they happen within weeks of each other? How do you accept the changes that each one brings to life as I have known it?

I am blessed.

I know that God's timing is perfect. He knew exactly when each event needed to happen and orchestrated lives and situations to meet his perfect will. He knows how much my little heart can bear and how I will relish each precious moment in my mind for the rest of my life.

I am thankful.

• I count it great joy to be able to share in my little girls future.
  
• I understand what a miracle it is to have a happy, healthy baby join my life and our family.
  
• I trust that those gone before us are rejoicing with the angels.
  
• I am thankful that God cares for us when we are lonely.

I am at peace.

Life is good.

31 Years, 3 Kids, 1 Grandchild and 4 TV's....

THEN

AND NOW

Emerson - The First Four Weeks! (about a week late)

Here Comes the Bride

I had planned on writing this post on Monday, but just didn't feel it appropriate. How can we celebrate and rejoice in another's happiness while the world mourns. I, myself, considered calling to work Tuesday just so I could work through my hurts and disappointment. I am of course talking about the devastating break up of.......







So do you think that Jon just couldn't take Kate's hairstyle any longer?

I had a friend in 7th grade once. She had a nasty cowlick right in the crown of her head. Of course, kids being kids, teased her mercilessly. So, she thought she could tame that nasty cowlick and took scissors to it. Cut it right off, even with her scalp. The end product was exactly what Kate Gosselin, or TLC, pays good money for. Of course, she (my friend, not Kate) only got teased even more. Poor Debbie Maybe, that was her name, she was just a few years before her time I guess.

But honestly. Did they really think that they could live their lives as television fodder and not suffer any consequence? I hate that the pursuit of fame, fortune and ego destroyed a marriage, but I am even more concerned about 8 little kids who know of no other life other than always being the center of media attention and living a "reality" life that is no where near reality. Let's just hope somebody takes a stand for them and soon.

Any way now that I have that off my chest.......

Saturday June 20, 2009, was a special day.

Lanita J Smith married Charles M Brown.

The ceremony.

The happy couple

Charlie and Lanita plus 14.
Sounds like a future reality show to me!

The best part of weddings.....CAKE!



And just for good measure, here is a picture of the cutest baby in the world!

Emerson's Meet and Greet

Another event filled weekend in my other wise boring life. I gotta start spreading all this activity out over a few months and not bunch it all up in one weekend!

During the past three days we have entertained the entire Cantwell Clan, attended my Mom's wedding and celebrated Father's Day.

In order to spare you one long painful post with pictures from each event, I will spread them out over a few days! Lucky you!

Let's begin with the Emerson Meet and Greet!

So, I thought it would be fun to have the family over for a cook out to meet Emerson. Good idea...bad turn of weather. It not just rained...but the sky opened up with buckets!

Amber is smart and brings her Hannah Montana umbrella.

Amber's Dad didn't plan ahead so well!

But no fear...we just moved the party into the garage and the house! There were hot dogs and Cantwells EVERYWHERE!!!

Cantwell party in the garage....


Cantwell party in the house....

Cantwell party on the couch!



Emerson and Great Grandma.

Emerson is shocked at the score Great Aunt Brenda says she got the last time she golfed.



Great Aunt Pammy tells Emerson why she should be his Favorite Aunt.

Oh Geeze, Holy Cow, Great Aunt Tricia has Emerson.


Great Aunt Sally tells Emerson to not talk to strangers, always eat his vegetables and DO NOT ever spit up on the quilt she made him.


Emerson is amazed at the white things in Cousin Cindy's mouth and wonders if he will ever have teeth.

Emerson tells Aunt Steph and Cousin Amber about all the strange ladies that have been talking to him.


Uncle Rob tells him not to get all worked up about it, they are all really pretty nice people once you get to know them.

Daddy's friend Matt tells him to be thankful that he should meet his family!

Hair Today....Gone Tomorrow

I have been studying about the economy lately. I have come to conclusion that it's downturn is directly linked to the lack of hair products we use today. Yes, that's right, I believe that back in the late '80's early 90's there was enough wealth and prosperity to go around and even extra to send over to the balding people of foreign countries. And how did we wear our hair then? Just like the Cantwell siblings did. Full of chemically processed curls and hairspray.

For real, today's hair styles are flat. No one ever uses a "curling" iron anymore. No, we all use "flat" irons. I believe that the Dow Jones index reacts to how much hair-spray and perm's we as a nation consume. GM and Chrysler will come out of this thing just fine, but who is going to help the Suave's and the White Rain's of this great country? It's up to us folks. It's entirely up to us. If we don't get behind the companies that kept our coif's fluffed, fried and fixated they too will start migrating overseas and then where will we be? Limp and lifeless, that's where. I have lived that way before friends and it is not a pretty sight.

Just take a look at these pictures from back in the day when we proudly raised our bangs for Uncle Sam.

Now do you believe me? I thought so. So people, for the love of God and America, go out TODAY and get yourself a perm, some heavy duty hair spray and mousse it up for the old red white and blue.

It has been a whole week since I last held Emerson. It seems like such a long time!

I imagine he is walking and talking now. I believe this first because he is just that smart and far advanced for his age!! Second, because it seems like it has been that long since I have seen him!

I guess I will just have to keep looking at the pictures from last week when I got to stay with him for a few days and just wait until he gets to visit Grandma and Grandpa's house for the first time!!

Isn't he just the cutest?
(Please take note of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield advertisement and purchase your health insurance coverage from them! Grandma Dee would be ever so grateful!)

He is Grandma's boy.

ECLC frightens Aunt ERCB!

But after a day or so Aunt Liz bonds with Emerson and they become great friends.

Yes, he is a thumbsucker!

Emerson is not enjoying is first bath at all!

But Dad gets him dry and warm.....

...and comforts him after such a traumatizing ordeal!

Walking With His Jesus

It is said that we wear many hats in our lives. I think that we also wear many shoes.

Some shoes teach us how to walk. The little white Stride-Rite shoes that hold our ankles steady as we learn to take our first steps are precious.

Others, like our Converse or Nike's, help us run faster and jump higher.

There are those that make us fashionable. Or, haunt us because of the fashion failures they were!

The shoes we wear every day are the ones that help us earn our livings. They might be high heels or they might be work boots. Either way, they are part of the job.

Today, as I think back five years ago, I am remembering the last day my dad was with us. I am thinking about how he wore all of these shoes in his lifetime.

He learned to walk in a little, backwoods town in West Virgina. He moved to another little town in Kentucky where he wore his tennis shoes as he played basketball. Actually he was the manager, he wasn't near tall enough to play for the John's Creek Bearcats!

I can remember the dress boots of the 70's that he wore. You know, the kind that zipped up the side and had a square toe.

I also can remember his work boots. They were always right beside the door going out to the garage. He wore those boots for 30 plus years to Chrysler. Then, when he came home in the evenings, he would wear them in his own garage while he worked on cars. He always called them his brogans....go ahead, look it up, see what a brogan is!!

He wore a lot of shoes in his lifetime. They took him to places that many would think as simple or even boring. But the journey that he took in his shoes is what made him the man he was.

He wasn't perfect. He had a temper that would ignite in a moments notice. But he was genuine. He was who he was and he didn't try to be anything different. That is what I remember and admire about him. How he wanted to be the best he could be, but he wasn't going to try to be something he wasn't just to impress others.

He didn't care that the outside of our garage door was multi colored because of the over spray that covered it from the cars he painted. He knew that was just a result of his hard work that provided for his family.

He was just as happy with a fried bologna sandwich as he was with a juicy steak. He enjoyed nice things, but didn't put much stock in them. And the thing is, that even if he was around someone who had more material things or maybe was a little more refined then he was, he didn't care. If it were lunch time, he would offer to make them a fried bologna sandwich right along with his and not even bat an eye.

He walked through his life in his different shoes leaving his footprints where ever he tread. The most permanent one is the print he left on my heart. I miss him. That is why I cherish these shoes of his. They remind me of the kind of man he was. Simple, classic and genuine.



I would never wish that he was still here. No, he fought his battle and now is resting in his reward. But I do wish I had just a few minutes to talk with him.

I want him to know how smart and cute Amber is. I want to see the pride in his face as he looks on Chris, Elizabeth and Stephanie. I want to see him hold his great-grandson and smile at him the way he smiled at my babies. I need for him to snatch Brad up by the collar and tell him how much he loves him and how he knows he can beat his problems.

Yes, I miss him and want him to be here with us. But I will wait. I will wait until I can walk with him in the new shoes he wears now. The ones that he wears as he walks with Jesus. I will tell him all about it then.