the most wonderful time of the year…...

Central Ohio is alive with the most amazing energy right now- Denison Reunion, Graduations, the last days of school, the Memorial Tournament (Joe and Susan's first date in 1997!) And usually we're busting from one gathering to another soaking it in and celebrating the joy!! Not to mention beautiful weather for baseball and lacrosse and the pool and tennis courts call to us!

Last night with Joe's help I was able to hop to Denison for a Reunion Weekend reception with volunteers and donors and then attend the beautiful Alumni Convocation.  It was wonderful for so many reasons and was indeed a big night out for me.  I had every hope of making an appearance tonight to hear the band and connect with the good folks in from all over. I'm lucky to have friends in all classes from my own volunteering days, working days and my own 4 years on the hill.  I'm sad and feeling a tiny bit sorry for myself- those that know me know I don't stay home and mend well.  But I do listen to my body and I do only what I can.  Tonight I rest and let recovery win. No graduation parties, or birthday parties, or Denison alums (other than Joe)….you all know I would be with you if I could and I so value the invitations and sharing of the fun.

Thank you for all the help and support to let me take in what I can with my injury.  Thank you for the prayers for my dear friend away from home and healing and still in need of care, prayers and medical attention.  Life on Newark-Granville Road loves this time of year and acknowledges how special it is for so many, not just me. Keep me posted on the fun and special times- I love a good story!!

ready or not here it comes…..

Last day of school…..the kids are ready, I'm ready with the schedule for next week and plans to have kids well cared for and engaged. I love summer and love that my kids love summer.  I wasn't ready to break my ankle to slow down the end of school thank yous for teachers and staff.  My trip on the tennis courts is tripping up my transition time.  Sally admitted today that she will miss school and her friends- she and I are in the same camp- at least someone is!! I love school as it keeps my children safe, engaged with trained caring teachers. I'm a social person, an extrovert- school provides that energy and outlet- my gut says Sally is too!

Progress- Joe and I are very proud of our kids and the progress they've made.  We don't want to be boastful but we want our children to know we're proud of them. They've all made huge strides this year in many areas- academic, athletic, and most importantly their own growth and maturity. We've had fun, we've had frustration and lots and lots of learning and celebrating.  We wrap up 3rd, 6th and 7th grade in a pleasing way.  Transitions- no more Elementary school, Peter to Middle School with Clare. I love growing up with my kids, I love my growing up children. I loved my babies but I love this new phase and it is an important one! One that doesn't happen alone and we're grateful to the communities and support systems we have here.

Ready or not life comes…this broken ankle, my dear friend's surprise illness and so much more….but we're rolling with it.  Life indeed is three steps forward, two back, step ball change and sometimes a spill- we get back up, lets friends help and make the progress we can together on Newark-Granville Road.

what we see…..

Putting it into writing- last night's honor night for the Middle School was wonderful. However….not enough girls honored for Math…..I work at The Works- we know this is an issue, we're working on it, my life on Newark- Granville Road will work harder on this……I'm not discounting the wonderful boys work, or the wonderful work by mostly girls with Power of the Pen. Math is Money, Math is beautiful- we love Math on Newark-Granville Road!!

fixing the break…..

Thanks for the positive vibes- all is good!! Today Joe will take me to LMH for a procedure to stabilize the ankle area.  My xray shows a slight shift between the two pieces of fibula the fracture created.  Joe and I agree to secure the stability and remove the doubt of how it will mend.  I know I'm in good hands and care and your thoughts and prayers mean the world to me- thank you.

Reinforcement on the home-front is on the way- Nana/ Mom/ Jeanne arrives this afternoon.  She's been looking for an excuse to get out here to see Peter play baseball and be with her girls- perfect timing with end of school fun! She also really is a great cook!!  Please know we all appreciate all the support and ways you show how much you care and are able to help!! We're counting our blessings.

In our house we add to our prayers- God, please pray for those that are need of your love and comfort. Our family knows of too many in this situation, those very close to us- please join us in praying for others in need far greater than ours.  We all are blessed to have one another to comfort, care, celebrate together.

We'll update soon- it is outpatient care and I'll be home this afternoon!!

And if anyone is interested- what does one wear to surgery?  Lilly P of course- I needed something freshly laundered and it called to me!! Just a bright Tshirt!!

Also being really honest- I over did it yesterday and am sore…yes I admit it. But the boot felt so good, figuring out I could drive…life is for the living and I do live it to the fullest.  I will rest and recover and I know my life filled with friends and family on Newark-Granville Road will allow me to do so! Thank you.

with a break…..

Yes I broke a bone in my ankle.  I was playing tennis with Joe…here is the scoop:

1. Friday night- Awesome date night with Joe- tennis at MCC and soft shell crabs for dinner.  The bummer was the trip to Licking Memorial @ Cherry Valley Urgent Care in-between to determine that the fall I took on the courts (was so close to winning a game off Joe- it was the deuce point that did it) was a break.  

2. The Dr said it is a break in the fibula near the ankle- looks good that tendons and muscle not affected so at this point no surgery required.

3. We'll know more when I get into the Orthopedic Dr on Tuesday- I'll call 1st thing.

4.Now I'm home with a temp cast with orders not to put weight on it, keep it up. I have a walker thanks to the Mattimoes which is helpful.

5. I slept on the couch with only one hour of discomfort and slept realy well in my bed the 2^nd night.

6. I have a bell that Sally brought me and everyone is helping.

It really is OK- it is hard- I’m using muscles I haven’t used in ages to go up the stairs- on my bum. Standing up again from the floor with one foot/leg is hard.  I really appreciate others that have to do this for longer than I will and friends that have had surgery and limited mobility.  That said I’m enjoyng the chance to rest and read and observe.  I sat at the pool Saturday- my leg up, in the shade. I had a wonderful lunch. I enjoyed the conversations and connections but most of all just sitting and listening to the fun everyone was having.  I enjoyed Apple Valley and soooo grateful for Scott and Ann's hospitality for years and our supportive comfortable relationship.  The pain isn’t too bad- Dr said I’d be OK with acetaminophen and ibrphroan and I am.  800 mg- I can tell when it wears off. I do have to move, get tired of sitting in one positon and finding a good position with leg up is tricky but I make it work. 

I have a full life, I’ll recover I’ll be back on the tennis courts, I’ll be back in the pool this is a break (ha ha) that is good for me.  I’m so grateful it didn’t happen Labor Day weekend-  3 weeks from HATSOFF would not have been good.  I have wonderful help and support- we’ll wrap up school and transition to summer vacation at a different pace and all is fine.

chasing the bus…..

I'd love to get some favorite ideas for bus driver gifts.  One out of five days I probably do one of my favorite morning activities- go get the bus!  A call will come from an unknown cell phone, one of the kids will borrow a friend's cell phone to call me to say…I forgot…..Today it was- I forgot my sunglasses Mom. Those in the elementary school know today was ABC countdown S day- S for sunglasses!  Now Sally had sunglasses on her head when she went to the bus stop.  So deductive me headed out the bus stop and sure enough there were the sunglasses on the step. So what did I do- hurry up and pack up for the day and get in the car and ….go chase the bus.  I was toward the end of the window of time for the bus to still be in Bryn Du. I pulled up behind, called out to the last child on the bus and knew the hand off to Sally would happen!

I'm a big fan of- if I can I do. If I can (don't have meeting I have to get to or haven't left) I chase the bus.  I can say no but I like to say no with a yes.  I also not to have to deliver the forgotten item to school- especially the Intermediate school- traffic, walking in the door, getting buzzed in if the school is even open yet…. I like to chase the bus- saves me time!  I love the kids that know me and deliver items on the bus so I can avoid meeting up with the bus. Ella, Casey, Cade, Cheney family, Henry, Lilly and all the others- thank you for smiling and saying sure Mrs. Leithauser so I can get on with my day. Thank you to the friends that loan cell phones so Peter and Sally don't have to bother teachers and deal with this 45 minutes later at school and delay my day.

I take great pride when I recognize a forgotten item and chase the bus proactively- the phone call coming while I'm en route and I can say- where are you and strategically meet the bus to save time. Or lately the kids are proactive and give me advice on what to do- always saying PLEASE….the last was please take the trumpet to Casey's house…and there was Casey sweet as can be to greet me with a smile- walking to my car to get said trumpet!

So if you're in Bryn Du and you see my car in the morning- yep you know what I'm up to- chasing the bus- a favorite activity in my life on Newark-Granville Road.  I'm supporting my kids and engaging with the neighbors.  And enjoying the thank yous that come when my kids kiss me goodnight- like Sally did this evening.

making it work……seeing it work…doing it together!

I'm a planner. If I don't get to plan and organize I get a little …hmmm what is the right word: stressy, anxious, bi(&$….you get the picture.  I try hard to "sit loosely" and roll with things but it isn't easy.  Those that know me well share and support this side of me.  Last night I was up at 3 am worrying about the transition to no school and full time childcare/drive care we need. We have wonderful care providers- wonderful.  There was a short time during a school year care wasn't stellar but that was bound to happen in 9 years of being a working mom.  The reality is we've been very blessed with great care and helpers in our lives and this year and summer is no exception.

My stress comes from the planning needing to be done- I got a great start tonight! The stress comes from getting through the transition and accepting we can't avoid it, can't slow time down, can't speed it up- just embrace it.  Extorverting and typing helps me get through it.  Tonight I realized it is 9 weeks.  I LOVE summer and 11 weeks of no school is manageable. 2 of which have kids at beach with my family and 1 week in Maryland with my parents/sister!  Clare is gone 6 1/2 weeks of the 11.  What I embrace and know to enjoy the summer I love is  that all friends, family and community members help- we love how our community partners and makes it all work.

I saw Clare today riding while reading her phone- I about stopped traffic on Newark-Granville Road yelling at her.  Geeze!  If anyone sees any of our kids doing this- let us know please. Or other safety concerns.  Thank you- this is that topic line of doing it together.  I'm here to help you with your kids too- rides, coaching, communication- anything I can do I will- just ask.  I'm also asking that you help me - remind me of all class events and meetings- we missed two this year for Sally.  I can't keep up with 3 schools, 3 kids with many comings and goings.  I loved the email about school physicals that came from a baseball/basketball mom- she was making sure we all had the info we needed- best email of the day.  As we transition from intermediate to middle school there will be bumps.  One would think we'd know what we're doing with the elementary school and Sally- 3rd child.  I forgive myself and roll with the errors- part of the game of parenthood!  We're playing it, we're engaged and making progress, learning and laughing and that is what matters.

Tonight was a night I'll cherish forever- a beautiful day for the GIS Running Club 2 mile run- we started with the end in mind and a good breakfast this morning.  Great to see the kids and parents- big thanks to organizers and volunteers that made this happen!! Joe and I both in town to make baseball and Gville lax clinic work.  It was extra special last one of the season with Clare and 7th grader lax players helping out as coaches and refs- seeing Clare in action on the field was parent delight. I made two stops at baseball watching Peter and community kids in action- two Granville vs Granville 12U teams playing at Raccoon- pretty sweet.  Young Tball happening at the same  time and just lots of happy coming and going with families and fans of all ages.

Life on Newark-Granville road takes planning, sitting loosely and playing ball to make nights like this happen but most of all great partnership! Thanks to all involved and thanks for reading!