A rainy Sunday is a good day to knock on doors.  Why were we knocking on doors today? We were asking for support for the Granville Schools on the November 6th ballot. What do you learn when you knock on neighbor's doors and ask a political question?  Here are my take aways:

1. We don't know enough of our neighbors.  So I'm calling the folks in the cup-du-sac-ish area our neighbors- we could walk there. Everyone says we know everyone in Granville. I think we knew three people that answered the door and maybe recognized only a few more names.
2. It was really nice to talk to people in our neighborhood.  We met some fantastic people.  It was good to say hello to those we do know.  We liked saying thank you to those with signs for the school levy in their yard.
3.  I miss having a dog, Joe isn't there yet. It was nice to pet a few today!
4. I appreciate those that took the time to answer the door.  We were quick with our message- "we're here today asking for your support."  We heard opposition and listened, we understand- we don't like to pay more taxes either.  There were a fair amount on those streets with early voters. Most people told us they had voted for us- we're not sure that is true or not, maybe they were being nice. I'd rather hear the "why not yes".
5. I'm really proud and appreciate Joe's passion and commitment to our schools and this effort.
I hope you saw "our" letter in the Granville Sentinel.https://www.newarkadvocate.com/story/news/local/2018/10/19/readers-give-their-views-upcoming-election/1651503002/  Joe wrote it.  I provided minor edits.  I did point him a direction to get information.  The reality is I needed his perspective, his math and look at the numbers and I was glad he could attend the meeting to learn more. School funding isn't simple.  He came away more convinced we needed the last levy and as a result of that not passing, now this levy.  I listened to him defend his point of view today- our schools need this funding, cuts will be required, our property values are connected to our strong schools.  Want to learn more about the Granville School Levy on the ballot and why we need it, why our schools are #worthit visit this site:  https://www.granvilleaces.org   or reach out- Joe and I will be happy to talk about it, answer questions.
6.  Rainy Sundays are good day to knock on doors- lots of football on the TV.
7. I always like to walk with Joe.
8. I just may be more interested in opening the door when people knock and I know they're there to talk politics.  I've now walked their shoes and will listen. I appreciated the thanks we received today.
9. I'm ready for Halloween and trick-or-treat...the memories came flooding back...and I was a tiny bit thirsty!
10. I really like where we live. And not just because...great people live here and we are close to town, able to walk and ride bikes, get the kids to and from activities, to work for me and to fabulous Denison activities easily.  I like the schools.  We know our kids will be prepared for college. Clare in her selection process sat in on classes and feels ready. We have partners with the teachers.  They're safe and cared for by awesome teachers.  Is it perfect - no, do I have some ideas and thoughts- yes, but it is worth every tax dollar we pay, every check we write for beyond and we're willing to pay more- not just for our kids but for the communities.  Extra thank you to those that don't have kids in the school that feel the same way. Thank you for being here and adding perspective and being in relationship with us and being directly or indirectly in my life on Newark-Granville Road.

Saturday Reflection on 50th Birthday Wrap-Up

Rainy, gray day- matches the mood for a memorial service.  It is still hard to believe Mary Jane McDonald is no longer just down the street....Broadway.  She always lived there in my life on NG Road.  I met MJ when I went to work at Denison in 1999, just before she retired. Timing is everything and time was on my side.  It was an honor and incredible opportunity to witness first hand this special leader in action.  No doubt about it MJ's commitment and example connect to my pride in my own work and the impact of our alma mater.

I was also lucky to call her my friend.  She served our community so well. We shared love of good things: cooking, Ina Garten receipes, SCOTCH, books, entertaining and community involvement. Today's memorial service had wonderful sentiment shared by her family and dear friends- they said it best. She was remarkable and I'm lucky to have been coached and mentored by her and I was not alone.  Just reading her obituary is inspiring, she leaves a beautiful legacy in so many ways.
https://www.mcpeekhoekstra.com/notices/MaryJane-JaggerMcDonald?fbclid=IwAR1wBdJEkvXAITvOWRRt3uKDhk_YHt-_MdO4H4ooah6P5io8jIPU7-qR4VI  I love that she voted in this election, despite the end being near.


Last week we were in Kentucky.  It was a very special long-weekend that started in Louisville with wonderful learning experiences- hands-on and tasty!  I toured my first bourbon distillery and was quite impressed- history, science and art.  Touring the KY Derby museum was a treat and something I've always wanted to do as every winter I place my party order from there!  In 1997 I attended the Derby, what a treat to return to Churchhill Downs on a less crowded day.  The purpose of the trip was taking a hat making class with Derby Millner, Jenny Gerst Pfanenstiel- check her and her incredible hats out at: https://www.facebook.com/formemillinery/?eid=ARDjykkzWctb8gzCOAWBdQtaocsvYU4uk_ZnVkSJJDl7XRdHrI1colJZF3zDngXmhDQgiKPhZvRbWB5h&timeline_context_item_type=intro_card_work&timeline_context_item_source=685196116&fref=tag  It was a cherished day of creativity and friendship.  Louisville's restaurants and lounges were quite the treat! Lots of happy toasting in my life off of NG Road!  Three cheers for the last official birthday get-away!  The cheering continued as we met families at Keeneland in Lexington, making it an overnight trip. A favorite fall destination was a treat to share with our Granville group.

Work took me to the west coast- Tuesday to Friday was about Denison with some me-time that included reading two books, one by Denison alumnus, James Clear- see earlier post.  Innovation- Rothy's and nature's beauty- ocean and trees, crashing waves, woodsy scent- senses sensations. The highlight is the people- Denisonians are special all over the world.  My flight was on time to get me home for execution of the last birthday gift.  Joe bought me tickets at the Midland to see Dan Tyminski.  What a fantastic way to be welcomed home- dinner and a show, night cap and juke box sing along at The Draft House.

Fun times in KY- PLEASE! THANKYOU!

Thank you all for the incredible care to make turing 50 so very special- starting way back in May! It is Saturday and I'm in love with my life on NG Road

Pictures tell the story....

Clare is 18 - place your bets!

Yes, last race- Sally won!

Final product! Creative Caps!

how we started! Hats made at Forme!

class in session

breakfast at the Brown Hotel! Cheers.

Connect with Denison's International Students!

Life on Newark-Granville Road is all the better with our Denison International Student.  I always smile when friends share how they connect with Denison students!  Want to do this too? Here is more info and who to contact, you will sent an application.  Maybe you've reached out and wanted to do this in the past. I'm happy to say this department now has more staff. Now is the time, thank you for learning more!

From Denison International Student Services:

We are reaching out to individuals and families to ask if you may be interested in connecting with our students from abroad. Our program offers students the opportunity to learn about everyday life in the U.S. by getting to know residents in the area. In turn, our community members expand their own horizons through friendship with a student from another country. We ask that community members/hosts commit to building a relationship during the student’s first year. After the first year, students and hosts can decide whether to continue the relationship. While there are different levels of involvement that are agreed upon between student and host, a large time commitment is not necessary.  

Our International Friendship Program has a long history at Denison and many wonderful relationships have blossomed over the years. For more information about the International Friendship Program, please email Chad Buckwalter (buckwalterc@denison.edu) or Dorota Kendrick (kendrickd@denison.edu). 

Of course, I'm happy to tell you about our relationship with Sanaya!  As I said- our lives on NG Road are all the better with her.  The kids have enjoyed getting to know her, we've enjoyed her cooking and appreciated the perspective she shares with us about her home country of India and life on the "hill".  Thanks for considering a formal connection, it helps Denison and connects you to the college in a special way.

Good luck James and Kristy- Book Launch!

Quick post today- congratulations to James Clear '08 (Denison) on the release of his book:  Atomic Habits! https://jamesclear.com/about  Visit his website to learn more, order the book- 40% off- tomorrow is launch date- woo hoo! I work very closely with his partner, wife, spouse- Kristy Barngrover Clear '10.

I'm looking forward to this read- the full title is:  

Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones

I could go on and on about why I think I need to read this book.  I've broken a bad habit- nail biting, or have I?   Sally loves to help me remove my hands from my mouth.  I was able to change my behavior for the outcome of more attractive hands, a more professional presentation.  I've read James' blog and seen his interviews and I appreciate the "why" in his approach.  What are the behaviors tied to our activities?  James' shares his journey, approach and own behaviors.  It should be a good read.

Book club talks with authors has taught me one thing- it isn't easy. The publication world is not what we think it is, or maybe not what it once was. I know how focused and dedicated James has have to have been for this day to have arrived. All the best to you both.  Woo Hoo to you and Congratultations. Enjoy it.

Thanks to Coach Deegan- today's blogt http://www.coachmikedeegan.com/it-takes-a-team/  reminded me of the launch and my desire to pre-order the book.  Made it- done!  I really appreciate Mike's perspective today about the extended team, the team behind us, not directly on the field.  

To be continued....a dear friend, colleague, mentor..often signed off this way and I love to use it too.  In my life on Newark-Granville Road this topic will be continued...I'll share more opportunities to engage with James, thoughts on the book once I read it, etc, etc...

Friendships

I feel very lucky to have the friends I have in my life on NG Road I've always said adult friendships are hard. Adulting is hard primarily because of the need to prioritize so much- family, work, exercise, time for yourself.  Dig deep into each of these topics and the days fill up fast.  I could work 24 7 if I wanted to and some days I want to. I'm fortunate to love my job.  Joe and I have a good marriage and we enjoy time together, balancing us time and kid/family time is something that takes work.  Our kids- we love them and their activities- the math never adds up, we can't get to every game but enjoy the ones we do attend.  These two things alone limit friend time so no wonder this article hits home.

As I coach my girls on their friendship, I hope to be a good role model.  I try to make time for my friends and enjoy friend time.  I'm all about efficiency! When I can mix friend time and exercise- bonus!  I take girls trips and value the catch-up time in a beautiful place.  I have friends that help me so much- listen, understand the demands on my time.  This article was on Facebook and I found it full of interesting nuggets.

https://grownandflown.com/moms-need-friendship-grow-older/

I'm working on being more mindful.  Recognizing and appreciating what is in the here and now.  Last night we enjoyed being with our daughter's friends parents that are our friends too.   A dear friend hosted a beautiful event that will help me on my efforts on mindfulness.   What a treat to learn with and from a friend, to be surrounded by her friends and my friends.  I'll wrap this up with a quote:

A man's friendships are one of the best measures of his worth. Charles Darwin

Birthday Figure Eights

If you read this blog enough, you know I believe life is figure eights.  There are many circles and cycles and even squiggles that create the patterns of our lives.  Birthdays are special figure eights, birthdays as a mother all the more rewarding.  Today, Clare's 18th birthday, has had me thinking back on that amazing day and event.  Joe and I  have been retelling the story to one another reflecting on where we where in 2000 as September turned to October and we became a family of three.  When our family took on new roles: grandparents, aunts and uncles, godparents, mother, father.  Clare likes to confirm the story and I'm eager to share.

I really need an index for LONGR.  I've printed these blogs for prosperity.  What I cannot recall is what stories have been documented and how many times.  I'm all about fair and would certainly want to make sure if I'm going to tell or even retell Clare's birth day tale, I've done the same for the others. Life is not fair and is not intentionally unfair.  No doubt you know Peter's story as he arrived as a 60th birthday gift for Pap and an Easter basket item for Clare. Sally's ice storm shell game was one for the record books.  And since it is Clare's 18th I'm delighting in the reflection.

Clare's birthday story really starts with her due date of September 30th.  Ann and Scott threw a party to celebrate.  No, but their annual Octoberfest party was the day and I was pleased to attend.  I remember someone inquiring about my birth status,  Ann pointed to me very pregnant me saying- there she is.  The September 30th due date had many sharing commentary on if the baby would go to school or not- Kindergarten, yes we're a family of planners.  Clare's October 1st arrival eliminated a decision.  We were ready for our baby- what brought labor? The mulitple flights to the top floor of the Ohio Theater to see the Magic Flute?  Sauerkraut and bratwurst?  Who knows.  I remember like it was yesterday the 3 am wake up, knowing something was different. Returning to sleep only to be awoken by this unique and exciting sensation.  At 4 I called the doctor who told me I was welcome to come in or try to rest and make my way around 7.  Joe was in need of more sleep and I was happy to put some order to our nest.  I went downstairs and tidied, took care of to-dos for the next few days, then showered- waking Joe up after 6 to make our way to Riverside.  Once we were settled in, my water broken and an approximate time established I called my parents and sister.  Sarah made her way to Hagerstown and they headed west.  Labor moved quickly so Joe had to call and say- slow down- the baby will be here before you can.  Dr. Kelly thought he'd have time to go home for lunch, it was not the case.  By 1:15 Clare Catherine had joined the world.  We had three names selected for each sex, as soon as I held her I knew she was my CC, my baby girl....Joe let me name her.  Caroline and Elizabeth just did not fit our brown eyed, brown haired beauty.

Her godmother, godfather, aunts, grandmother and grandfather- named Pap and Nana (by Clare) arrived and promptly fell head over heels in love.  I enjoyed my time in the hospital - soaking up the change in pace from work and embraced our family of three.  I always have and always will love babies. Joe gave me a beautiful rolling ring of three bands intertwined, to celebrate and represent how we had become just that- I wear it daily with my wedding band and engagement ring.  Beer and pizza was day one fun, scotch and appetizers day two....we made quite the little party on the 5th floor.

I truly remember and enjoy this reflecting figure eight- over and over I like to recall this beautiful happy birth day!  Life on Newark-Granville Road has been something all these 17 years.  We celebrated Clare's 1st birthday with an Open House here- launching our social scene on NG Road.  October 1st always brings the true feeling of fall and a day worth reliving.  I love you dear Clare- you are smart, hardworking, gritty, loyal and all you. I love you,  your family loves you. You make us proud and we value all you share.  Eighteen is the start of something fabulous and new...enjoy the figure eights on and off Newark-Granville Road.

Clare at Camp Alleghany 2018- JCs in their purple.