Search This Blog

Sunday, June 24, 2018

Seersucker, Blues and Whites/ Whites and Blues- Stoner and Camp Time in the South.

Seeing Clare in the counselor uniform made it real, our baby is growing up.  So many emotions and too many miles on the road to appropriately reflect but I wanted to capture and share the highlights from the weekend.  So many! I use the blog to share the rest of the story, pictures capture special time but what was going on..how did those in the picture end up there?  

Sunshine Stoners with Clare at CA!  
This year the Stoner reunion happened before camp as Matt and family are headed on a mission trip to Costa Rico.  Yes, a good excuse to miss the annual beach trip. We're grateful it worked to all gather at camp drop off this year.  We stated at the beautiful Homestead in Hot Springs and made great memories and simple enjoyed one another's company.  But we missed Clare!  Three cheers for Matt and family for making trek across the river to see Clare in her element and check out Louisa and Sally's home away from home for the next three weeks.  

Lucky me- Clare had time off and she spent it with me!  On Saturday I took her to lunch,  to get a walk-in pedi and just some hang-out time in beautiful Lewisburg.  I am soaking in these sharing hours.  She told me all about the counselor training and the past two weeks at camp as a JC!  I continue be truly impressed and grateful for all she is learning, how and from whom.

Meanwhile back at the Homestead quality family bonding was going on...Joe went shooting with his brother in laws and enjoyed an activity he loves in a fabulous place.  Three cheers for Greg that reached out to Joe about shotting- that was what rallied us to make our reservations.  It wasn't in the plan this year but how could we miss the Stoner get-to-gether!!  Mom was soaking in grand kid time and Peter helped Pap enjoy his father's day gift at the Spa!  Our evening gatherings for cocktails and dinner were just plain good for the soul!  Throw in fireworks and birthday cake - Saturday night was pretty amazing.  Of course dancing with Joe, Peter, Matthew, seeing everyone else on the dance floor warmed my heart.  So much more to share...I'll let some pictures tell the rest of the story. 

I took a selfie and Sally said- just take it.
Clare's tent in Junior Camp.
I watched the fireworks with the kids!


Cousin Show Bday Preso!!
LOVE!
LOVE!

swimming in the rain!
 

 




Nana and Pap smiling- all in one area!!  I hope the pictures share the happy, sweet time we had gathering in Hot Springs, VA and for camp drop off in Lewisburg, VA!  We're back to it in our lives on Newark-Granville Road. Grateful for the kids to be off enjoying summer away- Peter back with my parents in MD while girls at camp- how amazing is that!  Joe and I appreciate this time to be together, be at work, and hopefully tend to some some house projects!! I won't wish the time away to welcome them home to our lives on NG Road- adventures await us all these next three weeks!

Sunday, June 17, 2018

JUNE 2018 Time to Muse @ Summer with Commercial!

It is June 17....ahhhhhh and today we have arrived at summer mode!  Perfect timing as the summer solstice is rolling into town!  It stays late so long....now impacting my bed time not toddlers. Time flies when you are having fun.  We arrived at 3 pm for a lovely Father's Day gathering at dear friends' and 8:55 pm departure in great light felt like only an hour or two together! SUMMER!

And Happy Father's Day to all those wonderful Dads!!  Thinking of those missing their Dads and counting the blessing of Dads in my life. Joe-thanks for all you do, all you coach, all the homework, the laundry, the insta-pot meals, the adventures and fun and love. Daddy, thank you for the love of reading, exploring, working with creative approaches and philanthropy lessons.  Can't wait to toast you both and Greg and Matt next week.  Jim and Scott- thinking of you dear men too- so glad you're i our lives on NG Road.

Yesterday's summer fun included: running in puddles, delicious ice cream cone served to us by dear pal, lunch by the pool, a great float in the pool, summer dress shopping for Sally and me (next year's Derby party dress- check!), life on Newark-Granville Road highlight- gathering at the Holt's table, FARMERS MARKET with green juice thanks to sweet Amanda and an incredible dinner (way to go Danielle and Chef Rodney) for a great cause (NGSO) with amazing friends!  Yes- one of those Susan days- soaking in each and every moment, sitting at the end in pure bliss...going to bed with happiness to fill the cookie jar.  All the more reason a two event day was appreciated by Joe and me today!

Commercial Break:  Atti D's Car Detailing! "low prices, professional cleanliness!  Two of the three cars in our lives on NG Road have had the Atti D touch and we are THRILLED!  Schedule Your Appointment Today- 614 296 1683- operating hours, M-F 5-10, Sat and Sunday- Flexible.  He will have updated flier soon, check back to see it here! I highly recommend this Denison student, working in town for the summer and launching this business!

June means June Orientation for me.  If you read my blog enough or know me, you know I love my job.  The opportunity to engage with Denison families is special and I value this launch in the cycle.  I also appreciate being with the staff that execute this important component in the Denison student experience.  Life is figure eights, playing a role with the June O team again is quite rewarding.

June means camp time!  This year Clare went early, as she is a JC. What fun we had on our quick road trip to WV for drop off.  Dear Charlotte went with us and we added a college tour to keep the search process going.  Clare is delightful when happy (who isn't) and camp makes her happy.  We're in countdown mode to take Sally as we add family gathering fun. This year is all the better with Matt and family making the trek!!  Four day week, by Friday we're at the Homestead and back crossing the Greenbrier river to camp on Sunday.

Yes, June in my life on NG Road is good, very good.  And it is all the better with super clean, detailed cars by Atti D!

Wednesday, June 6, 2018

Today I Carry Kate Spade

Life on NG Road knows too many people who have been touched by mental health issues leading to death.  Kate Spade's death is tragic.  What to say?  We have to say something, we have to know where to get help and we have to support those needing help.  http://mhalc.org/  Licking County's Mental Health America website is filed with wonderful, important information. We were talking at lunch about a special artist, Glass Artist in Residence at The Works, who uses his art to educate, honor and build awareness about mental health.  And then we heard the news of Kate Spade's death.

I pulled out a favorite Kate Spade bag to carry today. I dressed to match my purse. In my life on NG Road I'm doing what I can to help.  The FB posts about this subject ask us to share that we are a house, a phone call, a walk, a friend when needed.  I am here for those in need.  My life is better when I'm talking, walking, engaging. I don't have answers but I can find people that do.  There is so much more to say but life calls and I'm grateful.