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Monday, September 25, 2017

Homecoming 2017...this one is for the girls....

Homecoming 2017- Clare went with three girl friends.  Low key year. Last year we celebrated her 16th birthday on Homecoming so that required a bit more attention.  Peter skipped the activities and enjoyed an evening celebrating a friends birthday.  The pictures are beautiful and deserved the rest of the story and "why".  I use the blog to document and share our lives. I don't scrapbook any more. I do print the blog - and I want Homecoming 2017 in there when I reflect on our year.

The dress- Clare picked her dress as she has most dresses- on line.  Her mother doesn't let her wear black.  Because her mother's mother didn't let her wear black....although I do remember the black velvet dress with a scallop neckline I bought when I was a senior in high school- probably my first black dress.  I don't mind black on others, just an option and way to keep her looking beyond black.
We don't pay much for the dress.  Interesting FYI this year.  I felt it needed steamed/pressed. When I took it in on Monday....ut oh- a stain?  She tried the dress on once and some how a spot.  Three cheers for the dry cleaner. When I picked it up Friday night- stain be gone!

Shoes- Clare continues to wear the same pair of shoes she's had for three years.  Yes the first pair of high heels, first pair of formal shoes she bought.  I remember it like it was yesterday- her running in DSW to prove to me they worked.  She wears them for pictures, to get to and from places, at the actual dance- off they go, into a pile.  We find a way to make them work- even with last year's gold.

Hair and make-up....the hair is done by the fabulous hairdresser adored by many dear friends. Lucky for us a dear friend makes the appointments.  Clare likes the curls/waves- she has looked at past pictures and I love her confidence and decision.  I do her make up, nothing fancy and it is easy with her sweet face and easy attitude.  Even jewelry this year was using what we had and it all worked!

We met Clare's group at Denison for photos.  And what a lovely group- her friends are our friends, her friends' parents, our friends.  Life is good. I needed to pop by an event at 6 and the group rolled with my request.  Chapel Walk's hanging baskets and wall, the white columns of Beth Eden and steps of Swasey gave us picturesque backdrops!  How fun to powwow with her friends parents, pose for a few ourselves and toast our girlies with sparkling lemonade.  It was a hot night- this heat wave seems to be more than an Indian Summer- but the shade prevent too much melting!

Clare's small group of girl friends went out to dinner in New Albany.  She reported that they connected with a bigger group of friends at the dance and danced.  Then a post party with samores and a fire led to sleep over.  All more than we ever did, did we have Homecoming like this? Joe says it was just an after school dance in his hometown.

Another fun component of HC is photo watching for us on Facebook and Instagram- woo hoo.  I love seeing the picture locations, dress selections.  My kids don't "date" so I don't have any "creative"invites or big groups and that is just fine.  Life on Newark-Granville Road embracing Clare's approach to a fun night out with friends- what isn't to love.  It seems hard to believe we're actually well into this. Clare is a junior, turning 17 this year. I feel like she was just  toddler and I was looking for the babysitters pictures!  Life on Newark-Granville Road embracing Clare's approach to a fun night out with friends- what isn't to love.

 

 

 


Friday, September 22, 2017

Ankle Diaries...back to PT!

So I have not been blogging much about the ankle!?  The last official update was May...wow here it is late September. And yes, I'm still working on recovery and full range of motion.

Current state- not letting ankle slow me down. I'm golfing, hiking, working, traveling....but I'm not back to me.  Going down stairs is the hardest.  Once I get going I'll do pretty well and not feel much discomfort.  I'm doing it all in comfortable shoes.  I have put small heels and even once great wedges on but not for long.

At a late spring appointment with my doctor I was encouraged to try something different. He thought I should be making more process. My approved PT had ended and I wasn't contacted to keep going with the Athletico team. I took the suggestion and moved to the PT group affiliated with my doctor's office.  I liked the care and new approach to my recovery.  I made progress and enjoyed the exercises.  That PT ended, the approved time frame and I was told- insurance or Workers Comp would not approve more and I hit plateau.  "All the best, time would help, keep up the progress on my own."

Wow. Hmph I didn't feel ready.  I asked a friend with experience in this world and and found some coaching.  The advice was to keep seeking care, he agreed with my gut and the advice I'd picked up along the way- there was more hard work to be done.  He recommended additional PT and a provider in New Albany.  I talked to him about my disappointment in not taking more ownership.  I didn't know much about the healing process and let the professionals guide me.  I talked to my boss about the challenge of being my own advocate without being a specialist.  However as I think about it  I know how to set a goal and facilitate progress- why didn't I do that in this case.  I did a bit but not enough!

My life on Newark- Granville Road is back in PT. PT with very focused stretches, exercises and care to break down the scar tissue and build motion in the ankle.  PT that started with questions and goal setting. I am committed to the daily work that this will require.  I'm glad to be back in yoga, adding work Pilate's and my cardio and strength at Maximum Fitness.  All of this is fine but PT is still a key part of the equation for me.  Six week, six weeks and I'll tell you more. In the mean time I'm finding time for PT.

Sunday, September 17, 2017

More nights like this......

Joe and I LOVE family nights.  We LOVE family trips and dinners.  We also have always loved our time and our nights out.  So we're considering ourselves lucky to have two nights this weekend that have given us impromptu nights for ourselves.  Friday night was the driving range and dinner on the patio.  Bonus we joined a great couple and enjoyed dinner together.  This afternoon we played 9, then 10 and 18- just the of us....with a bonus....cart!  We went to the store and picked up dinner and cocktail hour supplies. The kids don't have school so they are in long weekend mode, the weekend's weather has put me in a summer feeling (it is the last weekend before Fall officially starts) so we're relaxed and happy and not feeling the usual Sunday night stressers.  Life on Newark-Granville Road tonight, just the two of us with scotch, appetizers and dinner on the stove (or in the instapot!) and we love to say....we thought there would be more nights like this.  

So where are the kids?  Sally- lucky Sally is in Chicago with great new neighbors/friends- making incredible memories.  Peter is with friends and Clare is babysitting.

Monday, September 11, 2017

Book Club 2017-18 A game


Not a game at all- serious stuff! Serious reading for what will be important and good discussion. Proud to host this wonderful group of women in my home to select our books for the year.  Read along with us, join our group. My life on Newark-Granville Road is all the better with Discussing Books at CVL in my life!

Oct- The Age of Innocence
Nov Dreamland: The True Tale of America's Opioid Epidemic
Dec-Bad Feminist: Essays
Jan- Beneath a Marbled Sky
Feb-Underground Railroad
Mar- Underground Fugue
April Rent Collector
May- Small Great Things
June- The Hate U Give
July- Dispatches from Pluto: Lost and Found in the Mississippi Delta
Aug- The Girl in Hyacinth Blue

And so many other recommended books shared.  Want the full list and details- send me a message!
Thanks to all that attended, recommended, shared great food and company tonight!!  And those that texted or reached out that could not be with us- we appreciate the effort!  Happy Reading!

Friday, September 8, 2017

Bike Rides- Past and Present

Last night I went for a bike ride.  I loved it not only for the company, exercise and adventure but the nostalgia!  Thoughts and comparisons.....

Bike Ride from Forest Drive....era 1978???
School night, weeknight after dinner that was preceded by cocktail hour.
Banana seat
Exploring the city streets and alleys

Bike Ride from Newark-Granville Road...2017
Thursday night before dinner, killing time until Sally is home from field hockey practice
Bike path to the "tree" included minor hike and exploration with Old Colony Burial Ground

Differences and similarities please me- we were outside, we were together, we were exploring and we were and are happy.   Life on NG Road remembers, finds inspiration and loves to share just that.

Saturday, September 2, 2017

Fall Sports Fun- Go Big Red and Blue Aces!

Blue hat and a red fleece, I'm sporting my teams colors!  What is happening on Newark-Granville Road- sports!  Sally and Clare are both playing field hockey.  Sally is on the Rec's middle school team (6-7-8th grade) and Clare plays for the high school team, the field is at the Intermediate school. Peter is working on his new sports of golf and tennis, participating in basketball conditioning.  He is a great fan and helps us understand the plays.

Denison sports kicked off last night with the Men's soccer game and tonight we'll cheer on Big Red Football.  What a treat to be under the lights with great parents, students, staff, family and friend and tonight we get more of the same!  I stopped by the Denison golf course to support the women golfers at the Lynn Schweizer Tournament this afternoon!  I look forward to taking in volleyball, field hockey, women's soccer, and maybe even some cross country. We love cross country- sorry to miss today's meet at Bryn Du- fun to have friends stop by and say hey!!   Join me at any of these games, company makes it so much more fun! Big Red details here:  http://denisonbigred.com/landing/index