valuing the travel and the return home.

Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not.
Ralph Waldo Emerson 

I look forward to sharing so much of our beautiful and even the little bit of the not so beautiful travel adventure to Senegal.  We're so fortunate to have friends like Kristine, Simon and Maggie who hosted us and shared us with this most amazing opportunity.  It was all we hoped for an so much more! For now it is good to be home.  Our transition back via Hagerstown and family Easter was lovely, ideal really.  On this last day of vacation I'm touched by sermon at the service today.  The minister talked about the stones in our lives and what has to be moved away to keep us faithful and connect us to the important things in life.  Vacations and travel give us perspectives and rest that need to be applied upon return.  I'm fortunate to return with a rich appreciation for what I have in my life on Newark-Granville road and will intentionally be working to apply these as we spring in to all that keeps us connected and moving to you and our beautiful communities.

And now it is time to rest....
No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow.
Lin Yutang 

Senegal Time

Cue the music...."Ha-in-nahhhhh" at Work when the subject of my trip is discussed often the Lion King-esque (ha-in-nahh) music is recited with energy and smiles so that is in my head as I type tonight....I have to admit the Go-Gos VACATION is there too- after all I write this from my parents house and it is always a vacation when I come home!!

I changed my facebook page photos to reflect the trip we are embarking on....the Lilly P Lion (taken from my notebook that I'll be taking on the trip to journal and capture, catalog as well as a photo of the clock on my desk set to Dakar, Senegal time.  Kristine gave the clock when she left- it was in her house on Prospect street and she brought it over the day she gave me a hug and said she'd see me soon.  At that point our trip wasn't planned.  It has been great to show the kids what time it is across the Atlantic.  It has been nice to look at it to think about our friends abroad and consider if it is good time to log on to facebook or skype and attempt contact.   It seems hard to believe that is indeed time for our trip off of Newark-Granville Road, an adventure we've planned, contemplated and prepared for knowing it will affect our lives on Newark-Granville road in exciting ways and take us to Africa!!  We'll keep you posted as best we can - facebook should be a good option!  https://www.facebook.com/susan.leithauser

Good things happen when we Laugh and Learn!

Maybe I should commit to every other day of blogging...will be interesting to see how and if I can blog from Senegal...I should be able to do some facebook posting.....I thought I'd jump into Africa travel topics but then Monday talks inspired and delighted me and I have to share!!

Monday Talks- what is it?  "reportedly it is the second oldest women's club in Ohio." It is a group of women that gather on Monday afternoons in the fall and spring to learn, hear talks or performances. I'm so pleased to be part of this effort as it supports things I love- life long learning, women being together, we meet in a beautiful old church.  If you'd like to learn more email me- I'd love to have you join me as a guest.

So today was the Spring Luncheon- I enjoyed the opportunity to meet some new friends and work on this project and exercise my right brain.  The talk part title was: "laugh until the milk comes out of your nose"by Nancy Weil...interesting...the luncheon committee embraced it with cookies as favors, white, cream, yellow, blue flowers, glass milk jugs and daisies and pansies to decorate!  The speaker arrived while we were setting up and you couldn't help but be drawn to her positive energy.  While she set-up and prepared she shared some stories and built our anticipation for her presentation.  She also talked about how she would be selling clown noses for $2 and would like to donate the funds to a local charity.  It was suggested that the Janet Gregory effort be the benefactor and voila- it happened.

Nancy Weil delighted us. She had us laugh, explained the scientific reasons behind her perspective on the necessity of smiling and laughter.  She was inspiring in her talk.  I encourage you to learn more about Nancy by visiting her website.  http://thelaughacademy.com/home/?page_id=20  One of the big take aways for the group was the use of the red foam nose- the clown nose.  How it can reduce and dissipate stress- she showed us.  She gave us many reasons to use this fun smile creator. She also talked about what we focus on is what we bring in to our lives and how we need to keep it positive, dream big- that resonated with me!! And then the event wrapped up with the opportunity to talk to Nancy, have her sign her book and we collected the donations for the noses! Monday Talk woman supported the efforts and $205 was collected! Wahoo! Sally and I went to Park National Bank and put $100 in the building fund to help with renovations and $105 for the fund to support Janet's direct needs.  What an honor and delight to help make these connections- good things happen when we laugh and learn on Newark-Granville Road

blogging about two events to make up for missed post day!

Okay- I skipped blogging yesterday- to make up for it to events with more details beyond being on "the list of event to join me"....I'll give you some "why" they are on the list!


On Sunday April 7th- 5Knobel Run- and walk!!  There will be something for everyone- it is to honor Dale and Tina Knobel who've been incredible community members and will be dearly missed.  The event raises money for great causes including a fund that honor's their daughter Allison's memory and will directly benefit Granville teen Janet Gregory injured in a sledding accident.  You know this is going to be a community event that will feel great and we'll exercise and feel even better! All Leithausers are excited for this fun run!! Register now!
http://www.denisoneverywhere.com/s/1336/index.aspx?sid=1336&gid=1&pgid=1085&crid=0&calpgid=13&calcid=664

Same weekend- Saturday- the 6th Kiwanis Pancake Day!!! 7 am to 2 pm Woo Hoo- we always try to get to this one- love it! Love the locally harvested and made maple syrup, the community philanthropy and again benefiting an incredible cause- the Janet Greggory Fun!!  9 to 2- so you can even make it lunch at St. Eds!!  http://www.granvillekiwanisclub.org/public/pub_page.aspx?PageID=15568

Thanks to everyone work on these events right now!! You're making my life on Newark-Granville Road and so many others better!

in the morning

So here is the fun of my life on Newark-Granville road in the morning!  Many of you have seen my check-ins at the YMCA.  When I can get up I LOVE THESE- best way to start the day and give my body what it craves and needs.  Often I'm there thanks to a good friend picking me up- I'm so grateful. Or a friend has texted and I do my best to meet them.  However often bed and sleep prevail or the need to get going early in the morning.  Another thing I like to do when I exercise is come home give the puppy his quick first walk, get the coffee going and grab a protein shake for me.  This week has included prepping grapefruit for S and P and me today!!

The kids usually struggle to get up - each in their own ways.  We can track which days are harder- today was late but now I hear singing in the kitchen.  Sally came down and said...do I smell waffles...no waffles- just toasted good bread?!!  Joe is the good guy and often gets the coffee going, dog walked, lunches packed- although Clare is good about doing her own now that we've added "juice boxes" the challenges of healthy eating (beyond her 3-4 apples a day) continues!!  Today he headed out early and I'll cover bus- tomorrow we switch.

Time to rally for the bus, and work, dropping Griffey at doggy day care today- thanks for sharing a bit of the start of my day.  I hope yours is wonderful.

is blessed.

I love when people think for me, OK that doesn't sound so good.  I love when people know me well enough and are in relationship with me and can act on my behalf.  That happened today with the kids and our dear friend, first nanny who has matured and grown along with our kids.  She is a blessing not only to our family but to our community.  It has been a good day for many reasons, most connected to the relationships I have and the support I receive because of those connections and I'm grateful and blessed.  I will sleep well on Newark-Granville Road tonight.

values family time!

So on the flip side of at times wishing I lived closer to my Stoner family, I have to value the wonderful relationship we have with the Leithauser family.  And sure enough when I didn't even know I needed it and needed it most- our Leithauser gathering on Sunday happened!!  Yay for Ann for gathering us together.

We're very lucky to have Scott's family- Joe's older brother- in Westerville- they are the Westerville Leithausers to our Granville Leithausers.  Ann and Scott were on my first date with Joe and the friendship started then...I have Ann to thank for some great coaching including not to propose at a ball park. (That was a Mike and Mike question recently I think.)  The friendship has developed into a special bond and I feel so fortunate to have another sister in my life- I truly think of both of my sister in laws as sisters at this point.  Ann and my relationship is different than my relationship with Dawn- Dawn loves my brother and I will love her forever for that.  Ann and I are married to brothers and have our own unique and special connection.  We've had some great years (15 plus) to develop the bond- visits, vacations, pregnancies and babies (our oldest kids are 6 months apart  (Happy Birthday Will by the way- today is your day), our middles our 10 days- due 3 days) and our youngest are 6 months, New Years Eves, Dinner Parties and Sunday holiday gatherings that are wonderful traditions and low key comfort! That is exactly what Sunday was and what we all needed.....

I'm so glad that life on Newark-Granville includes family time and we have days like Sunday.