good stuff!

Today is a good day!  So far today I....

1. dropped Peter off at a pitching camp run by Derek Holland!  Okay as much as I get frustrated with the time and attention sports plays in our world (micro and macro) I can get excited by home town major league player- world series pitcher- interacting with my son and 25 or so more kids.  I loved seeing girls in the gym, I loved seeing the Newark team past and present interacting in this way.  I loved the variety of communities represented.  I loved Derek's opening message - have fun, don't pitch curve balls yet- don't get hurt.

2. Slept in...yes really slept in- got up when I needed and wanted to get up. Joe picked up Griffey and he found me in bed for a good cuddle hug love- twice!

3. I finished my blog book!  Thanks to the encouragement of many of you I found a way to print the blog.  I captured the first 100 blogs, and the photos that went with these and did the self-publish thing! It was super easy!  Fellow Bloggers- I encourage you to do this too!   Blog2Print is the web site!
http://blogger.sharedbook.com/pilot/toNonSecureFrameset.do?actionForward=landingPage&bookId=Blog2Print    I'll let you know how it turns out when I receive it in about 20 days....

So it has been a great day on Newark-Granville Road so far....no doubt it will continue!

Christmas until the 6th....

So another tradition that I've continued from my childhood is not taking the tree down until Epiphany. With Sally's birthday on this day (which was also my grandmother/Ga-Ga/Clara Schnebly Price's birthday) it makes it all the more festive and fun to keep things up.  This year I'm grateful as we need to enjoy this festive beautiful house on Newark-Granville Road a bit longer!!  I'm so glad we went to Maryland and added our fun in Pittsburgh (future blog entry about this great city and the Carnegie Science Center!!)- it was the right thing to do!  However it was time away and we were not in our home, enjoying our tree, relaxing in our way.  I also took the time to not do "tasks" so the reality is there are still some Works holiday - new years!!- cards to deliver and Christmas packages to mail- but it still Christmas in my mind!!

So here I am typing in my nest, happy to be sleeping in my bed- loved the hotel rooms- William Penn in particular!!  Loved being with my parents, but the reality is their house is small and 4 kids and all the extra holiday stuff add to the stress.  My kids are far from perfect and their squabbling gets on nerves.  Kids declared Nana meaner than Mom- mixed feeling about that one- but it is what it is.  We love each other and commit to being together and value the time.  Christmas isn't Christmas until I've had one of my mother's cut out cookies- super thin and crispy with sugar on top! This year she did pink and green - so perfect for this Lilly lover!  Louisa is darling and Sarah and Greg fit us in with family and work juggle....I do wish the world would slow down, but it won't.  We take what we get and enjoy the ride. And when we can we make it last as long as we can like Christmas on Newark-Granville Road! Look for our tree in the window for another week or so and know I'm savoring every minute and thankful to come home to such a special place.

filled with Tradition!

The holidays are filled with traditions for us and we love that the kids drive most of them! Nothing makes me happier than when we hear "we have to- it is a tradition" This year we shifted a few traditions around a bit but kept them going with a new twist!!  Here are some of the highlights:
1. Whit's on the last day and opening day- this year we had some deliveries to make so we managed to enjoy our holiday Whit's in Pataskala this year! Bonus with arrival during the last half hour- an extra quart went home with us and as many freeze pops as we could carry!  Kids were pleased with this and it counted as the last Whit's of the season so we skipped the Granville final day.  But we can't wait to know the opening day in 2013! We'll probably visit Pataska for their February opening day to show our appreciation for the extra treats!
2. Ice Skating- we LOVE that our friends The Prophaters and their friends now ours too- The Jumps- host such a fun energy extracting/ Santa distracting activity in Dublin, Ohio!  The kids adore the opportunity and we do too! Great group gathers and the exercise is a treat!!   The tradition has been declared to include Max and Erma's for lunch and include dear friend Charlotte!
3.  Looking at the lights on Christmas Eve - instead of being in PJS- this year we had a full night of friends and festivity- so the fun included snow ball fights in gorgeous downtown Granville and a quick drive up Bryn Du before falling into bed for sweet dreams.
4. Charm bracelets are beloved in my family and so they've become a standard gift. Sally lost hers at some point and asked Santa to make sure she had one this year!  The picture to the right shows that he delighted her on Christmas morning!  Clare had a new horseshoe charm in her stocking too!
5. Beef Fondue- many times this has been on the Christmas Eve menu- on Newark-Granville Road and Ridge Avenue, Forrest Drive.....childhood homes!  This year it was Christmas Dinner in Hagerstown Maryland.  Not one pot- but three were needed including the children's table having its own!!

I hope you've had your fun with your traditions and they've made your holidays bright!!

Vacation.....

Ahhhhh- vacation has started!  You all know how much I love my job and December has been an amazing month for my role.  I've appreciated each and every gift that has made its way to The Works, fun to see what comes in this month!!  I've loved the chance to say thank you and celebrate all the amazing efforts that allow The Works to achieve its mission in 2012.  Reality is I didn't get to everyone and I'm sorry about that- but I was able to connect with many many and it was a gift in itself. As full and crazy as December is- I LOVE IT! (Please know it isn't too late to make a gift the Works and it is a wonderful cause.  www.attheworks.org- support- mail a check by December 31st to get your tax credit and help us achieve our AF goal or call Jenna next week and she'll take a credit card or stop by- The Works is open next Wed, Thur, Fri and Saturday!)

So today I put on the "out of office" message!  I worked late last night to file and leave the desk tidy and ready for when I return next year- 2013! And tonight I did a few deliveries to bring closure to a good year.  And now I'm on vacation!!!  It is December so there is still a fair amount to do tomorrow but we're close, really close! I made a fun trip to a special store (kids might be reading so I won't say any more) Tomorrow we'll enjoy a morning church service and I'll do a bit more shopping and then some wrapping and holiday party fun.  I just love people's festive hospitality at this time of year.

I also had the chance to connect in my home with friends - sharing our holiday decoration and enjoying some catch-up time.  As much as I love to give fun gifts- I love receiving them too! Some great thigns are coming in and we're having fun with creative presentation of kids school pics!  The kids are LOVING the snow and I feel the same happy spirit they do with the white shimmery scenery!!  Vacation on Newark- Granville Road is a good things and I appreciate your sharing it with me.  I hope you get to relax and enjoy the spirit of the season too!

is in motion!

I wrote this Sunday night to post Monday morning, but just didn't get to it.

Here we go....the last week of the working year.  What could and should be a simple week of tasks to wrap up is feeling very full.  But why am I surprised- the whole year has been like this.  It isn't about simple tasks- it is about being in the moment, recognizing what is important and what needs to be done now and achieves the real goal.  It has been an amazing year and it is paying off. It is real, genuine, hard, beautiful, messy and is what it is. I'm fired up- I'm ready- the journey is a beautiful thing and we're well into it and today it starts again, it continues and it ends- all at once.  Join me in seeing the beauty and thank you for helping me jump right in and embrace this life on Newark-Granville Road.

Now it is Tuesday night and it has been a full day.  The service for Lisa couldn't of been more beautiful. The love was there and her light was indeed shining.  The kids are happy and filled with anticipation and excitement and ready for their break.  As much as basketball preparation stressed me out I'm happy to have them all doing the same sport and there is much to be said for their caring coaches, skill building, active bodies and minds in scheduled indoor places with games that last one hour!! And the bottom line- they're happy.  We hired our new nanny this week too- thanks to the community for helping us with this one and helping us build our team!  The big package to Florida was shipped, wrapping for others is filling the evenings.  The tears flow pretty steadily when I think of CT but I'm able to find my heaven here on earth and count my blessings and hug those I hold dear in person and with cyber hugs from Newark-Granville road.

We need a little Christmas.....

Yesterday for me was a good day.  Sometimes being in a bubble (what we called life in Gville while at Denison) is a good thing.  It was a productive fun friday at work, it was Friday and the kids were feeling much better (influenza A made its way to us...future blog material no doubt!)  I didn't access any sort of news so I had no idea of the tragic events in Connecticut going on until I checked email and WHAM there it was- in my own life.  I'm so sorry for all those directly involved, for our nation but for my own friends who had a close friend killed yesterday.  And on top of that Granville is mourning the loss of a mother, friend, wife, artist who was glowing in new energy (I shook her hand the day before she was at The Works preparing for an upcoming exhibit.)  There is certainly too much sadness all around.  And just what we needed here on Newark-Granville road- Christmas!

Today is Leithauser Christmas which means last night was Leithauser Christmas Eve!  We put lights on the tree, wrapped gifts, ate as a family, cooked for the family feast, sang some carols (thank you  Lawre for emailing this link http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=Vnt7euRF5Pg&vq=medium

The kids all went to bed again at good time- worn out- and Joe and I watched Chevy Chase's Christmas  Vacation. I haven't seen it in years and it was just the kind of silly humor I needed! The dog moving his portable yard to the top of the stairs - so smart- he was planning to escape under with the cage hanging over the steps- had me laughing so hard I almost peed my pants.  We had to run to Walmart for the range of mouse traps to final gifts to lights for the tree (NOT my favorite place) we left Peter in the car to rest.  I went to get him and set the car alarm off- we had locked him in.  His expressions, my annoyance broken by the silly situation was a lovely relief.   Christmas is exactly that a beautiful relief and reminder and we need to embrace it and the preparation for it and this wonderful time of year.

Hug your family- I can't wait for our special day to be united and together. We'll watch our niece and god daughter in the Nutcracker and the beautiful dream.  Life  on Newark-Granville Road is ready for Christmas!

shopping local.....

If I can't buy it here, I'm buying it local somewhere else...or better said- I'm supporting small business this Christmas!  Many of what I will give is from The Works- the glass and wood produced is unique, one of a kind, beautiful and supporting a great cause!! (yes there are still a few things for sale from show art exhibit by Wib Mock!!) The toys in the museum are awesome too- free gift wrap- and are all about fun learning!!

Other gifts are being tracked down in the stores where my family has seen them and shared the interest in an item- instead of buying it on line easily I'm contacting the store directly- it has been fun talking to store owners where my siblings live.

I started this draft earlier in December....we'll see if I can keep up the action as far as reaching out to buy local in other states!! What has been done has been fun.  Regardless I'm enjoying the local shops here- we're lucky to have these creative hardworking folks.

is beginning to look a little bit like Christmas, and we're mixing it up

Ahhhh- putting things in motion is good for my soul!  We've got the Nanny interviews started- thank you Joe!  We've got more than a wreath on the door going- we're changing things up this year! I hadn't thought about how the yellow walls would impact my/our Christmas decorating!!  The new furniture lay outs and such don't just affect where the tree goes but how it all gets displayed.  I'm not a holiday decorator really. I admire and appreciate others that make it all match and look so beautiful.  Our trees growing up were always "toy" trees and it has spilled over to influence the way I don the home.  Tonight I started to reflect on the journey and why things are out that are out....I'll describe for now and you can look for things I share now in future pictures.

I remember pretty well decorating in my first apartment- I used apples cored with plaid bows pinned to the front for candle holders and went from there.  The 2nd year I was able to use lovely Santas that were given to me my the Federal Mogul Omaha Distribution Center on 61st Street team- Gary and Stan- or better yet Colleen- Gary's wife I suspect- helped the guys give me a lovely present.  Please know those Santas still have a special place in the living room!  When we moved to this house we got a bit more involved with actual decorating and brought the fun of a candy theme to the dining room area- I LOVED IT!  I also loved the Nutcrackers that were introduced with a bit more influence when Clare joined the COYB production.  I found a Scottish one and a baker one that fit so well and were used in a variety of places throughout out the years- yes the one in plaid often ended up at the bar!!  Dear friends and Sally's godfamily- godfather and darling family give Sally a snow globe each year  (sally is our snow angel arriving in the ice storm) and pulling them out this year they called to be together in a collection- that is what is on the mantle at this point- nutcrackers and snow globes that are really the childrens' not ours- I'm thrilled they want them this year in family space and not in their rooms! sally went running to her room to bring the nutcracker she was given when attending this year's performance with a friend!!

The dining room is being transformed from sweets to trees.  The beautiful Kathy Anderson painting of Ash Tree grove has its home and is the inspiration. And for the record this is Joe's Christmas gift from us!!  A number of years ago I was lucky enough to purchase an unearthed Jeny Reynolds Jesus birthday piece that I reframed and adore.  It has been in the living room adorned by other christmas trees- initiated by Rowen Sharkey's that I bought at the Festival of Trees!  It is now joined by a metal tree that holds my beloved collection of porcelain ornaments.  Beth Jenkins- my adopted Granvile Granmother from my denison and beyond days gave me exquisite cut outs by Pat Wortham.  I picked up a few in the past years and love them all but the early ones selected by Beth for me during my Denison days and early professional years mean the world to me.  Dear friend Cydmarie (who visited from Nebraska TODAY!!!) also gave me the very special Margaret Furlong shell angels each year and they compliment the PW's so very well.  I'm very happy with their new home in our cozy abode on Newark-Granville Road, with a wreath surrounding them given to me this year by a dear friend!

Another thing you'll find helping set the stage is our Christmas Socks/Stockings.  We have hand-knit ones from Judy Shideler, Tina Angel and fun ones from Rini and Megan- all were wedding gifts! Lucky for us we have two mantles and a stair case that calls for such decoration!

The best and brightest and most sincere and pure tradition comes from Clare and now Sally.  The nativity set with its "choir".  Years ago dear Aunt Ann gave our children the "little people' nativity.  We played with it for ages. Last year we gave it to Louisa who loves it equally- she also have the Nanny Sue Elmo train- I could tell Peter was missing it this year!!  We grew up and found a Schleich (thanks Kim!) set that reflects Clare, Peter and Sally's position in life.  What has remained constant is the various ornaments and little statues that have been assembled to be the choir and join the various nativity players to be present in this miracle.  Clare did it for YEARS. At first it annoyed me that this crowd was taking up space where the nativity should be.  However the innocent and pure love of this activity can't be dismissed.  And last night I came across the repeated activity and I assume Clare was back at it.  Today I found Sally reassembling, moving the choir around and asked if she had done it yesterday- she said- oh yes- it is a happy thing to do Mommy. And she is right- preparing for this blessed and amazing season is a happy thing.  It was just what I needed to do tonight!! I hope you are finding time to soak in all the joys and join me in accepting the changes that are part of this beautiful life and making it work.

all ties together......

Thanks for the feedback on yesterday's tree search called off...no doubt you are anxious to hear the rest of the story!  As promised it will continue to make for blogging material- you may get tired of tree commentary.  You have to know I love trees.  I love Christmas Trees, old trees, new trees, ornamental, classic.  Evergreen and...Okay- you get the drift.....it is no wonder I love this special family tradition.  It is no wonder I love Wib Mock's work- his show is wonderful, please come see it @ The Works!!  I have an important meeting tomorrow so I'll get to the point.

I'm going back to perfection- here I thought I came up with that notion on my own yesterday when reflecting on our tree turned kid hunt. Last week's sermon at FPC Granville was exactly what I needed to hear for so many reasons. My big take aways were engage, don't just be on the sidelines- get involved. It is OK if you aren't perfect-you're there!  Make yourself vulnerable and you'll grow, be brave! And with God all things are possible.  There was so much in the sermon that I had sort of moved the perfect part to the back of my mind- but it made its way out in the blog yesterday.  Today's Sunday School class was what I needed this week! We reflected and shared and talked about many aspects of last week's wonderful sermon (thank you Rev. Karen Chakoian)  I also want to thank my church friends for encouraging me to attend class and commented on my participation- it means a great deal and also thank you to the wonderful Sunday School teachers to get the kids there too!

So guess what - we did indeed go back out today and get a tree!  We went to our favorite place from year's past- Messerall's.  We went after Peter's basketball game in Johnstown (1st one of the season- GREAT game), which was immediately after choir practice, after church, after ss- full morning.  Due to the packed morning were far from prepared- 2 out of 5 of us were- and the mud was thick and deep. I know you are all shocked that I was one of the Leithausers not in boots- I LOVE my rain and snow boots but forgot. Anyway....most of you know we have repainted and executed a fun new color plan for 1142 Newark-Granville Road and totally changed the furniture- which means holiday layout is new too!  We went away from our fat blue spruce last year to the Canaan Fir as felt it was a better fit. Today in the field we were drawn back to the Blue Spruces....but just didn't find one that called to us, and admittedly I was worried about tree's new space with the drapes so we made our way over to the Canaans and found a lovely tree- very tall but we figured we'd trim him down.   We had fun with everyone taking their time with the saw, we loved the tractor rides in the gorgeous country- such beautiful views.  The raining fog reminded Joe of the first time he made it to this farm- the year Peter saved Xmas as family lore refers to it!! Listening to Peter tell the story to the tractor driver was a highlight of my day. I have to say putting that tree on the car was so wonderfully satisfying- if I could drive around with tree on car all season- I would! I love my wreath on my car- that helps but there is something about the tree.  (By the way Messerall's has new barn, new pattern- change was a bit hard- kids missed the tree house big time- but the wreaths, coco, cookies and other goodies were lovely.)   Westerville Leithausers you were very missed. Kids all said it wasn't the same....I hope this will carry over and the lesson from yesterday will be remembered!

The tree is now in the house and guess what- it is far from perfect- it is a bit too petite but it is sweet. The color is gorgeous, but the scent not quite right.  (The boyscout evergreen roping around the doorways has a beautiful scent.)  The tree is here and it makes me happy.  Driving through town everything felt a bit more special and festive.  The tree fun will continue as we decorate- not sure when but we will. The Christmas preparations are moving along- lists are being made and checked twice (another connection to past blog and things that make me happy), change is being embraced and lessons are being learned.  I hope you too are at peace and in a good place, thanks for reading and sharing my life on Newark-Granville Road.

is far from perfect....

So it was one of those days- we knew we were trying to put too much into it! At least we didn't loose a child this time, although we almost did! Sister in law Ann Leithauser dubbed it well- the tree hunt turned into a child hunt instead.  Today was about family tradition and basketball and they just didn't fit together. However the reality is basketball is a family tradition and it was nice to be back in the gym with friends- Granville family- seeing the kids engaged, their progress and the good efforts and team work. And if I do say so myself- they looked really good for picture day!!  We loved our breakfast at the Galena Diner- what a delicious place for breakfast- I hope to try other meals there in the future and go back for bfast for the corned beef hash. The Molly Eggs Benedict was YUMMY! So the lost kids story....admittedly our children- 3 or ours and 2 cousins were not very well behaved during breakfast. We sent them outside to explore while we finished our meal and our dining mates could have some peace and quiet.  When we went to get them - couldn't find them.  We spend probably 10 minutes driving around Galina- a small town to begin with- the good news is they found a park, a Frisbee and were having fun- just not in sight of us.  Yes Life on Newark-Granville Road is far far from perfect but it is pretty darn good. Lets see what the evening holds and when we end up with a Christmas Tree.  It is OK- we love these stories and will remember the year we didn't get the tree.  When we do get a tree will be another blog opportunity!!

takes us down the street.

My morning started at Denison. The Annual Breakfast and Industry Meeting was as always a wonderful opportunity to get updated on life on the hill, see good folks from the community and Denison and visit a building and connect with a place I value so very much.  Today President Dale T. Knobel shared his reflections and they were wonderful. I asked a question about opportunities to partner and work together (also thanking Dale for his leadership in this regard for The Works support from DU)  Dale quickly answered the question by encouraging folks to come to campus.  Attend concerts, sporting events, engage with the students.  I'm blogging about it to encourage you to do so! We stopped by the Denison Women's basketball game one night this week and it was a great treat!

I also love to go to the library- meetings, books, projects- I always leave happy.  This week was no exception! Make sure you get the opportunity to visit The Granville Public Library's Model Railroad Exhibit.  This wonderful show keeps getting better and better. It is more creative and well presented than previous years and it has always been well done! I had the chance to go through alone- I was attending a meeting at the Library and walked through.  So many wonderful childhood memories came rushing back, it was a nice treat! I can't wait to take the kids back and spend a bit more time.  The reality is you should plan to go a few times- it is that good and there is that much to see! I don't think it can be possible to take it all in the first time.  A big thank you to the volunteers that put this on- it must take hours.  Also thanks to the sponsors- great group that also appears to be growing- it is appreciated!!

Another good things about visiting the library- getting the scoop on an upcoming event.  Dec 21 2:30- Arthur Christmas will be shown- bring a pillow to watch!!  Dec 20th- Tween Teen- Grades 4-8 2:30 Hugo the Movie! What a smart time to plan something like this- no school, holiday to-dos- well done!  Life on Newark-Granville road is so much nicer with the GPL and Denison just down the street providing so many wonderful resources for us! Hopefully I'll see you there!

Sneak Peak: Library Train Theme- Grinch!!

cheers!!

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Making Lists....

I always feel better when I make a list.  It is just who I am.  I know this is my "J" in the Myers-Briggs side of things.  In the Strength Indicator I'm not as articulate but I know it is in there......Today's list includes:
-Goodwill Drop
-Post Office, must mail mom's birthday gift
-Make Sally's Dr Apt- schedule extra time for Africa conversation
-Notes
-Calls
-Then of course there is a huge work list and the executing home stuff....

It will be a full day and I'm ready to get started.  Reality is my "J" is a weak J.  I'm somewhat organized and utilize lists and I do like closure, but when multi-tasking like I do I may not get it all done and the lists just grow on Newark-Granville Road. For instance another reason I need to go to the post office is to mail my brother's birthday gift (Nov 15th- eek1) when I mail my mothers.

I wish you all well with your lists- I'll let you know how I do with mine!!

Help Wanted...enjoy the fun of life on Newark-Granville Road

We're looking for a nanny! Our OSU student's transportation costs from Franklin County have her time with us ending at the end of the semester.  This type of childcare has worked very well this year and we ask for your assistance in finding someone that would like to help us stay happy, learning and tidy on Newark-Granville Road!  Here is the description- PLEASE send it to others you know. Help us find a great fit for our family! Thank you!!!

The reality is we'd like to build a team of people to help out- so encourage all ages and situations to apply!! sseleithauser@gmail or look for our posting on Care.com  Right now T and R are covered but we can switch things around based on schedules and interest in hours.

 After School Nanny And House Partner

Primary responsibility is after school care for children. Greeting them when they get off the bus, providing snack, helping them start homework and get ready for activities. Additional responsibilities include arriving in afternoon to help maintain house hold needs- dog walking, laundry, light housekeeping and meal execution-start-up. We're looking for assistance with our full time jobs and active children's lives. Driving children to activities and running errands also part of the position. We are a fun family focused on learning, serving and enjoying our community!

sharing the past....

I shout out to the West Licking Historical Society's Tour today.  I only made it to two stops but I really enjoyed both opportunities to show Sally about what has come before us.  The Mead-Nedham House is beautiful with great exhibits- erector set Ferris wheel, wind-up train (30s era toys!), interesting information on Pataskala area history and then a wind-up Victrola.  Sally hear a record- her first probably- music from a needle and volume control was via opening and shutting the cabinet's doors!  It was a beautiful thing for so many reasons.  The volunteers/docents were just wonderful and it was a pleasure to spend some time with each of them. I love when I learn something and it so beautifully given and shared.  Today was filled with moments like that all in the holiday spirit as we prepare on Newark-Granville Road, the holiday spirit has arrived!

Love and Friends

I believe (x12) in love, love, love, love, love.When you can't see the forest or the trees,for all the colors of your dreams,just turn to friends their help transcends to love, love, love, love, love.I believe (x12) in love, love.I believe (x12) in love, love, love, love, love.
 ALAN MENKEN - I BELIEVE IN LOVE (MIRROR MIRROR MIX) LYRICS 

I love this song! I had completely forgotten about this song until Sally found it on my ipad.  She played it  alot today and it was the perfect back drop to a wonderful day.  I hope you have love in your life, dear friends to help you and share in this journey of life!  I'm very lucky to be surrounded in love and friendship and today was one of those full days with many touch points.  We didn't get to do it all- Newark-Granville Road is overflowing with activity today but what we did do was very rewarding.