Living your Call

I love a good church day!  And my friends this was a good church weekend so I'm in a good place! We started with a beautiful service at St. Pauls' for our niece's 1st Communion.  This was our first time in their new sanctuary and it was lovely.  We were also included in communion.  The We being others that believe in Jesus Christ.  For this service special permission was acquired.  There was lovely commentary about the hope to connect us closer.  The act truly made me feel welcomed and closer to my catholic family than ever before- that is a good day.  Caroline was so sweet and happy. The whole group of children were a beautiful sight.  It always feels good to worship as a family and we enjoyed the time with Joe's parents- it had been too long.

Today's church experience in Granville included the session meeting to vote on new members.  This is more of formality of the Presbyterian governance and creates a nice get-to know opportunity.  It was wonderful to see and know many of the new members. Wonderful to see our church family growing in happy ways.  I have so enjoyed my time as the sponsoring elder to Morgan Baldwin who joined today as well- her confirmation process complete!  I also enjoyed meeting new neighbors in the group and having the opportunity to welcome this group in this way.  The service itself was rich with the new members and also a baptism (new neighbor)- darling family and sweet baby.  Having opportunity to accept additional baptism promises and having others to help with our children's guidance and faith development  was a bonus of the morning.  Clare, Peter and Sally joined their choir in a divine anthem for mother's day.  This choir is a joy of our faith experience for many reasons- many are the voices and faces that so reverent and joyously unite to connect us to God, bring the Spirit and lead us in worship.  I enjoyed participating in worship as the liturgist this morning. The scripture was Ephesians 6 1-4 a lovely section about call and service and living our lives.  I enjoy the opportunity to prepare and Rev. Karen helped me with discussion about this passage during a Nominating Committee meeting on Friday.  Living our call is something Joe and I try to honor.  It isn't easy at times and takes work, companionship, support and the church.  Life on Newark-Granville Road has many calls we're trying hard to live them well.  Clare, Peter and Sally allow me to work on the call of mother. Today is a day I'm grateful for my mother and mother in law that lived and lives their call to nurture, grow and support me and my siblings and her grandchildren.  Happy Mothers Day from Newark-Granville Road.

Something silly....

So I'm on a silly theme- does two posts talking about smiling, laughing, silly things make a theme?  I was lucky enough to laugh until I cried again last night.  Oh the beauty of friends and stories and being willing to share and be vulnerable...I'm so blessed.  I woke up to the news today that a Denison Classmate- Tiffany Schaefer Schroeder '90- has passed away.  I'm weepy about it for many reasons that I'm not going to elaborate on now. Instead to cope with this crazy life I'm going back to silly.

See the picture to the right- Saltines are now available round....I bought the box because it made me smile. I LOVE SALTINES- love. They are my prefer ed choice for my scalloped oysters and a simple treat. They are the go-to for pregnancy and stomach bug recovery. And now they are available round. Part of me thinks this is just silly.   I love to set a pretty table and present food well and round crackers do look better.  I know a tiny bit about marketing/sales in this world and no doubt this is an opportunity to create more shelf space for this brand. And yes it is the brand I prefer- there are lots of saltines out there.  I do like the heartier forms out there- a bit more upscale- but for the old stand by this one works.  However in the end I think that my blogging about round saltines is silly too.  My life on Newark-Granville Road is filled with so many wonderful things- happy and sad and I'm ready to keep this special day moving forward.  Today we celebrate Caroline Leithauser's 1st Communion and I can't wait!  No doubt some more happy tears will be shed on Newark-Granville Road today.

When Was the Last Time You Laughed Until You Cried?

For me it was a few hours ago....and oh did it feel good!  When was the last time that happened for you? After gaining composure from snorting, shaking and leaking due to a conversation with a dear co-worker about a scheduling subject that struck me silly I remembered fondly a time in the 9th grade I laughed in this way. It was in Mr. Surken's English Class at Mercersburg we were working on anagrams.  I ended up with "sea snot runs" and he was  "U R Nasal Puke" and it put me into a fit of laughter- wonderful cleansing laughter. Laughter with tears feels good, it is a release.

How appropriate during teacher appreciation week I had this glimpse back in time.  -Mr. Surken was indeed a beloved teacher for so many reasons.  Great conversations, respect, friendship and love of a beautiful place of learning and growth  Mr. Surken set a high bar.  There were a number of other teachers - not all in the classroom- Mrs. Porterfield our choir director is another that I'm grateful for the influence they had in my life.  I also believe I need to thank Paul Surken for my love of discussing books!  Book Club today connects in my mind tonight with those classes in PA so long ago...English Classes at AAHC and even at Denison- history classes discussing Rabbit Run....all go back to the place where we laughed, learned, loved, read and talked with wonderful leadership and teaching.

I'm doing the same thing today in my life on Newark-Granville Road.  At Work, at CVL, in church, at the dinner table and in many other ways...we're reading, learning, laughing and loving and even laughing at times so hard we cry and it feels good.

Blogs and Book Club....

http://maryhelenfernandezstewart.blogspot.com

Ask and ye shall receive....thank you for sharing Derby photos and recaps with me. I had so much fun on Saturday but try as I might I can't be everywhere at that party.  The photos transport me around the event and I'm grateful!! Mary Helen took it a step further with wonderful commentary on her blog...see above...and Mary Helen thanks for being such a loyal reader too!  Nice to see you today.  I love  to watch connections- part of the photos seeing who was meeting and talking with whom!  The next exhibit in the Central Gallery will be very special and today Mary Helen helped with hospitality!!

So little heads up- the ticks have arrived.  I love what I learn at book club and when you have a wonderful vet in your group you learn things like- last Wed was the day.  So check your kids, your pets and your self please- in particular children playing under the big pine tree.....I'm scratching my head as I type.....Griffey is just fine- I rubbed his belly, scratched his back and then he didn't mind my ear inspection that came with some nuzzling.  Life on Newark-Granville road is well documented on the blog above and with the photos you've shared- thank you.

In the Winner's Circle!

Boy did we get a win with yesterday's weather, friend and family support and being tiny part of the incredible effort to "BRING JANET HOME"!!  Shout out to Lindsey, Jack, Robin and Steve for providing live music- it sets such a tone and you all are sooooo good! Kiwanis's tent service another difference maker for this event we love to host.  But of course what makes it works is all the generations of friends and family that come over and join us for taking a break from being busy to catch-up, celebrate and relax!!  The food was outstanding and some gorgeous presentations- thank you!!!  My Dad is so good to coordinate the wagers and we appreciate the Doug and Amanda partnering with him so he could take in Peter's bball game and then our auditors- Scott and Ann for helping make sure cash was correct- lots of happy winners- love the repeaters- Thomas!  Bartenders/Kid Advisers- huge help too!!Angela, Jay and Ross- Granville Brewing wonderful addition- thanks for hands on approach. Guy, Darren and Craig- I love your for helping Joe and understanding my noon stress....My Mom cleaned like crazy and gets bonus gift next Sunday!  Thanks to Diane, Beth and Anastasia for sharing the success with fundraising for Janet. Yes you can still give- Park National Bank has an account.  I was happy the party helped collect a few day end dollars- yay Amy!   I could go on and on- send me pics, post them facebook- I LOVE to see them!!  If you missed the party this year- we're so so sorry- it was a good one....we hope you can attend next year.  My sister Sarah says she'll be here- woo hoo!  You never know what the year will bring- who would of thought we'd be setting Derby '13 tables with Bright Colored Fabric from Senegal....yay Clare for making sure it stayed on the table.  Life on Newark-Granville Road puts us in the winner's circle that is for sure!

So the wrap up in our house today included:

1. Seven bags/boxes of recyclables.  More wine than ever- we're aging and our taste show this?
2. Loading up the keg to be returned- just one this year- love how green we've grown with all this recycling.
3. Friends stopping by and checking in - love this....tell me your favorite parts of the event, who was happy to see whom...
4 It is a Sunday so we had 3 kids in 3 different cities playing their sports- THANK YOU to the proactive offer of rides- so helpful!!
5. Julep cups washed and packed up for next year...
6. Tent down- sad to see it go....
7.Paper products, Derby props boxed up....
8. Cars retrieved
9.Finding the things we hid at the last minute- most are in a laundry basket in our room....
10. Getting a great night's sleep.....

Why Derby.....

Earlier I explained the Derby party history, tonight I share they why do we have this party.    If we followed the logic this year that we did a few years ago - Susan went to China, so we gave Derby party a rest- we'd not be setting up the tent and procuring the quantities we are.  This year we went to Cuba and Africa yet we're still hosting Derby.  And with the full week of work (Explorer - our database/pos training) and 3 kids activities there are times we do pause and say- why?

So here are the answers:
1. We love the preparation.  It feels great to get the yard ready, to pull out the traditions- I 've talked about this before.  When driving the car tonight I was giddy and deeply happy.  It is the same feeling I had years ago driving a friends truck to pick up tables...that happy feeling is addictive and deserves to be repeated.
2. The kids love it and friends value and enjoy it to- we know this because you tell us- thank you.
3. We want to thank this community.  We're busy engaged people and we need the rides, the extra eyes, voices and love this community gives to each of us- not just the kids.  Tomorrow will be a day of amazing giving and as much as we wish we could actively be engaging with the fundraising efforts in town for Janet Greggory- we will be happy to greet you with - well done, lets toast your effort and success!  You make our lives on Newark-Granville Road what it is and we like to offer you hospitality for just that.

Are we Ready?

The question is a fun one....the answer is finally- yes...we're getting ready for Derby.  We love the party not only because we see friends and watch the connections and bring out tradition....but it gets things done!  The living room ceiling no longer has a hole but a fan- wahoo.....we're grateful to folks that make it their tradition to help us- the tent arrived and only required one adjustment due to my late arrival....thank you Granville Kiwanis!!  New friends are joining in on the fun too- a lovely banner to set the tone arrived today- what a treat!  The reality is we've never been so not ready at this point- but it will be what it will be....Rotary sang "Que Sera Seara" for a reason recently....it is my mantra this month....So here are the updates as we prepare on Newark-Granville Road for the Running of the Roses....I get excited just typing it!!

1. One of the hosts will be delayed in his arrival- sorry friends of Peter....time with him is best found on the baseball field- his team needs him, duty calls to a make up game.....he'll be hosting the 2nd half of the party- the post race, sun setting time.....I hope we'll see lots of his teammates and their families too!

2. Live Band- thank you Lindsey, Jack, Robin, Steve....for playing this year- new to the LONGR Stage!! They will play 4 to 6ish....

3. Yuengling wil be on tap and we'll be pouring some of Granville Brewing's finest!!  Thanks Jay and Ross for the help there.

4. Africa pictures will be on display in living room....

4. And I think that covers the 2013 updates....little lower key- parking always a challenge, friends and family welcome, often it makes sense to bring an extra soccer ball or lax stick or ?? Dish to share if you can- something easy to eat or festive for the theme!!  And hats always appreciated!! $2 per wager...my Dad is helping out again in that area!!

Take care and we look forward to seeing you- the first Saturday in May is a special on Newark-Granville Road!