cheeks hurt from smiling…..

One of those very special days…quick recap:
1. Licking County Chamber Commerce Ground Hog Breakfast- they get better and better! This one was amazing. Thank you Chamber staff and volunteers, Velvet Ice Cream- woo hop- 100 years and Donato's- CEO and local franchise owners, plus Steve Lehman a great Ground Hog!  Inspiring, healthy, happy stories, messages and perspectives- awesome start to the day, wrap up to the M-F week.
2. Work- Cocktails by the Fire prep with incredible colleagues and volunteers, in person check delivery and opportunity to showcase how AEP's money is invested in the community via The Works, play with a beautiful young man- 1 year old, almost walking- I helped a friend to the Works with childcare for less than an hour. Yes I stopped what I was doing to play in the museum, interact with a sitter with two young girls- took me back to babysitting days.
3. Pirates of Penzance!!!!  I LOVE GILBERT AND SULLIVAN!  I knew this was being performed at Denison tomorrow night.  (OK- if you are not attending Cocktails by the Fire the only other place you should be is watching PofP!!) Bonus was learning I could catch it tonight.  I only attended the 1st half- I'm tired (left house at 5:25am) but I smiled so hard my checks hurt. I was delighted and impressed and can't wait for my parents to take our kids. I came by this love of operetta from my parents and know they'll enjoy the treat tomorrow night.  8 pm Burke Hall- get there early for a seat.
4. Happy kids came home a bit after me- 2nd time this week- so happy to see me, talking all at once, a mile a minute, delighted with their activities and days engaged at school, with the HS Basketball game and being out and about in our community.
All of our lives are rich and fulfilling on Newark-Granville Road.

we get by with a little help from our Friends!

I know you all are so interested in how Peter spent his no school day- did we send him with Clare, leave him at Denison, leave him home alone or did we have a "helper" again at work?  None of the above- the answer Peter loved best of all- friend time!  A dear friend heard the call for help and came to the rescue and the bonus is the friend of mine who helped me, has a son who is a friend to Peter too.  So Peter went to Math Counts- woo hoo! Then had some alone time, then joined his buddy for lunch at Subway, Xbox game time with some homework/ on-line home work in the mix. It was a great day for Peter.  I still feel for his teachers getting him back into routine.

Great day for Joe and me too- we were both productive at Work with big projects/ events.  Cocktails by the Fire is really coming together.  The Works staff meeting was inspiring and exciting.   Friends with preschoolers visited today and I really really enjoyed the time together. It took me back to our Mom and Me preschool/co-op playgroup days often spent at The Works too! A very productive and generous meeting at LMH about HATSOFF!  A rescheduled meeting with a school administrator who understood and apologized for the challenges the week presented.  Errands crossed off, Clare's game at Newark Catholic (really St. Francis- cool gym), dinner Day y Noche- LOVE the cucumber margaritas- and a call saying- all schools are open tomorrow-life is good on Newark-Granville Road and I have friends to thank for it!

what to do with Peter….

Okay- seriously another day off from school- really? As usual I start out annoyed and after extroverting enough I deal with it.  Actually I was even laughing and so I'll share the chuckles for preservation sake on the blog and because you may laugh with us.

Seriously- the past two days with no school- two days of juggling occupying the kids time while we work.  We're on the 7th snow/cold day this season.  They had a long holiday break and then had two snow days on top of their break, and lots of delays too. They've been out more than they've been in school. And then the call comes - no school for Peter. His school- the intermediate school - has a water main break. Here are our honest thoughts about what to do with Peter tomorrow:

1st- why can't the school find a place for these kids.  Why not put them in the HS theater and have them watch documentaries.  I'll even do a Works Science Show- come on parents- we could help.  Come on school district- get creative.  Can't they meet in one part of the school? The school is in pods- are all 3 pods inhabitable?  The gym- Peter could live at the gym all day.

2nd- speaking of gyms- we'll drop him off at Denison.  He can blend in, look like a Doogie Houser. He could spend all day at Mitchell- swim, shoot hoops, climb the hill for lunch, back down….If my Dad could spend a weekend at camp by himself Peter can survive a day at Denison.

3rd- send him to school with Clare.  We're back to the point that he needs to be in school. We've rolled with this, we've taken our turn- back to our tax paying rights- our children in school 8 to 3:55- that is what we plan for- really- we have jobs. He could just go to her classes, sit in a seat near her- it would be good for him- early orientation!  What do you think the school would do. What if they called me- Mrs. Leithauser- please come get your son he doesnt' go to this school.  What if I said- not my problem- yours?

Speaking of that- it would be nice to have the schools acknowledge this inconvenience- I'm sorry goes a long way. I know they are our children and I love them but…..I'm not thinking there are many snow or sand days in India. I actually am feeling sorry for the teachers- how are you going to pick up, get back into any routine….

4th- He goes back to work with me, he goes to work with Joe, he gets left at home…..tune into tomorrow to "As Newark-Granville Road Goes By" to see what happens in my life…and Peter's.

I'm in!

Not just because my job is all about connecting people with The Works in philanthropic ways….but because my parents modeled the way, it feels like part of my make up and it feels good.  Because I like to give, I like to receive.  Another thing that probably connects me to my job at The Works and really to volunteer- I usually volunteer where I give and therefore receive over and over….

So lately I've had the chance to sign up on Facebook to receive supportive efforts from FB friends. I'm intrigued and I feel the need to join this fun! I'm going to add a twist- I'm going to connect my effort to the blog….so if you are reading this blog please let me know.  I don't have access to view who reads my blog.  I want to thank you personally.  I'm not sure how you'll be thanked yet but you'll hear from me.  You can notify me in writing- email (ssleithauser@gmail.com) or on Facebook. Or if you have my cell text me or call me and leave a message- or who knows maybe I'll answer- and of course you can tell me in person.  Many of you do this and I will try to remember who you are- tell me again please!

We survived the snow day on life on Newark-Granville Road today…..my colleagues were patient with my kids at the museum today.  I loved the creative imaginative outlet they had in Create It Lab - thanks Allison!  I didn't like the disrespect for my office- the coats on the floor, the gum wrappers- it is their home away from home- sigh….I loved taking Peter to Rotary.  All 3 kids now know more about Service about Self and where I spend my Tuesday lunches.  They engaged in great ways with me while we were there- I will treasure the opportunity for one on one time with my loves.  I was somewhat productive at Work- lots to do still- Cocktails by the Fire is really picking up steam- THANK YOU to many of you have bought tickets and helping with this event to support The Works- can't wait to see you on Saturday!!

So life on Newark-Granville road has me "in" into snow days and kids, work for the good and supporting one another and the organizations doing good- lots of good out there!

a happy moment in Granville.

Life on Newark-Granville Road often includes a stop at the IGA.  Recently we were recalling the various forms, designs, lay-out and components of the now Ross Granville Market.  When Joe and I were at Denison it had a beer drive through, a drive up beer window.  When I returned to Granville to work at Denison often it was a lunch destination for take out vegetable soup.  When Clare was 1 I happily purchased her first Halloween costume there and I remember quite fondly being able to purchase cocktail hour Scotch from the relatively new liquor store. I remember parking myself and my cart in a corner to talk to my sister about her cancer diagnosis- never again will I judge someone on a cell phone. I had to take that call exactly where I was and let time stand still.  Joe will tell you five wonderful times in his life- our wedding day, the birth of our three children and the day he found Cardu (single malt Scotch we loved in Scotland) on the IGA shelves.    A wise friend told me a beloved parenting technique - you instruct your child that the punishment will be twice as harsh if "you hear about it (your inappropriate behavior) at the IGA".   I'm a visual person so when I heard this approach I go right to the scene- we're in the produce section picking out salad items and a friend will approach me to say…..hasn't happened yet!!  Yes our IGA is a special community treasure for many reasons.

I witnessed this happy community feel tonight.  It was one of those moments I count my blessings not to have been too much in a hurry or preoccupied.  I was able recognize the beauty the moment contained and savor it and so now I share it.  The call came to one woman in the pasta aisle. I heard the voice from her phone and I knew but didn't immediately place it. But she looked up and said- there it is and I knew- school was cancelled.  I made my back to the check out counter- Peter was unloading our cart and I shared the good news with him.  Big smile from Peter, fist bump in the air and a woo-hoo.  The young clerk took notice and looked at me- really- school's cancelled?  I confirmed. She then told the next young coworker.  While we made our way closer to the register, groceries on the belt I could hear the happy buzz and chatter.  Then the text from Clare at basketball game and only then did I get my own call from the school district with - the news.  I'm not pleased- I'll be working tomorrow, Joe will be working. However how can you not appreciate the joy a "snow/cold day" brings not only your own children but the community's youth.  So often I only experience that happiness on Facebook- and more from my parent peers.  Lucky for me my life on Newark-Granville road gave me first hand opportunity at the IGA to be part of this happy reaction in person.

escape to the slopes…..

Well not the ski slopes- the tubing chutes is what they're really called.  Clare was really looking forward to church youth group outing to go snow tubing today. We found her a new jacket to keeper warmer this cold winter and were happy to have her socializing with kids she has grown up with at our church. We understood why the trip was cancelled- liability and unnecessary risk for parent drivers with a car full of 7-8th graders.

So when I realized the full day that was on the docket was wiped clean thanks to cancellations and weather I jumped at the chance to delight my children and erase Clare's disappointment.  I grew up on the east coast, I think of my childhood winters and I think of snow.  I recall all the rough weather my parents drove through to keep activities and activities moving forward.  A friend of mind (also an East coast native) embraced the idea and we loaded our car with our kids and a close family friend and headed west.  Good for us roads were not bad and actually very good on the drive home.

Kids had a great time. I too took to the chutes and enjoyed easy sledding: what isn't to love about comfortable, easy to pull tubes, magic carpet/ moving walkway to take you up the hill, staff to give you a push.  I went down with Sally a few times, Clare and even Charlotte- we smiled, laughed and inhaled crisp cool fresh air.  Leigh Ann and I chatted and caught up while I warmed up and watched the happy kids go by.  FYI- we were at Mad River Mountain.  This was a place we'd visited in the summer, I enjoyed the chance to take it in this winter.  Tubing prices were good- 3 hours $25.  I'd like to experience Snow Trails some time too. We'd like to ski but with basketball tubing is a good fit- less risk of injury- I think.

When life on Newark-Granville Road gives me the chance to escape- I take it, I particularly love it when my family and friends go with me!

Peter's turn…..and awesome "GREEN" tip to apply to my Life on NG Road with new and old friends!

Here is a picture of Peter. I realize he hasn't made the blog recently.  No reason for this but I want to correct that omission. Last night at the wonderful art exhibit opening of "Ditch to Dazzling" Peter found his favorite piece, explained why and I snapped this photo.  He and Clare both liked this very creative refrigerator done by the Licking County Health Department! They used all re-purposed materials in fun ways- I love this! We all get a science lesson in keeping food safe to consume too! Science and art together- love it!! Love this boy of mine too- he wore green to the opening of this "Green Revolution" event!!

Another awesome GREEN part of this event was from a friend I've seen 3 times this week.  Don't you love that feeling of making a new friend.  The joy that happens when you realize you share values as you support similar efforts and organizations. You also enjoy the opportunity to connect and share.  Well my new friend- a woman I respect so very much for her STEM leadership role in the community and her path to landing here.  Anyway she said when she forgets her bags in the car for the grocery store- she just has them reload her cart- no bags and wheels the food from the store out to the car.  By the way it saves time too!! Then when she gets to the car she loads it up.  I was saying I really like boxes for groceries at places like GFS- she said- use boxes in your car and use this tip!


I won't go into the details of this wonderful exhibit- the Dispatch did a nice job- link below I will tell you it was a special night for many reasons a few are:
- "Green Revolution" started with Denison- thank you Denison Museum!! and we've been on this journey to bring sustainability, recycling improved efforts to Licking County together.  The DU Museum opening art exhibit is coming up  http://denisonmuseum.org/exhibitions/upcoming/  Feb 20th and will be wonderful too.  That is what is so cool about art- interpretation, expression.  These shows give artist of all ages the creative challenge and they all do it in their own ways- really really well!!!
-Teachers and students very involved with this exhibit and program- girls from Library program really neat- fashion from recycled materials!  (by the way my life on Newark-Granville Road on Sat am includes Sponge Bob in the background and it is driving me nuts…hard to find appropriate language to describe the wonderful evening last night- you're going to need to visit it on your own and make it special for yourself please!!)  anyway-
-last night was special for sooo many reasons including meeting a new friend- an author- a friend of friends- I could of talked to her for hours! I'll share more about her book in a later blog!!
-and of course the connection to donors- so many with us last night- even if they were not there last night they helped us get to that point and they'll be with us over the course of the exhibit- many next Saturday night- Feb 1st for the grown up night at the museum- Cocktails by the Fire- Feb 1! Green Revolution theme too!!!
-and finally seeing something like this come to fruition- not always easy but we did it and the talent in the Works staff is inspiring!!

I hope you'll share with me your thoughts and your favorites!  Sally loved the bird flying over the earth! I haven't found my favorite yet- more blog fodder!!

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/life_and_entertainment/2014/01/23/for-students-others-trash-becomes-artistic-treasure.html