Stating the obvious...

Denison has soooo much to offer!  Because Joe and I are Denison alums we know not to miss a Vail concert, or to visit the Denison website (www.denison.edu) to see what lectures are coming and figure out what sporting events we can make work with our schedule.  I'd like to encourage you to do the same thing and if you need some help with identifying buildings, parking, or anything else- like how early to go so you get a good seat- let me know!

We're very excited about our interaction with Denison tomorrow- Clare's 3rd-4th grade basketball team will get to play another 3rd-4th grade girls team during the Denison Women's 2 pm game! What a fun opportunity for the girls, Joe and the coaches and the spectators.... and it gets to Livingston Gym to see great athletic scholars playing basketball!  A few weeks ago some of the women on the DU team came to Clare's practice.  Good things happen when our inner communities connect- town and gown - go both ways and the playing field is a fun place to see this working well.

Another great opportunity reflecting what our community values- education, life long learning- is being offered by Welsh Hills Montessori School (welsh-hills.org)  A lecture series on Feb 11, March 25, April 22, May 13th all at 7 pm- wonderful topics with fabulous speakers- check out the website or look for the posters around town with more details!

Thank you to both of these academic institutions that make our community all the stronger by offering fabulous opportunities for learning and fun.


**Perfect timing- I just received an email encouraging me to bring friends to wonderful MLKing events on campus- check it out:http://www.denison.edu/offices/multicultural/events.html  An event to note is:


Martin Luther King, Jr. worship service on Sunday, January 24, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. in Swasey Chapel on the Denison University campus.  Our guest preacher for the occasion is the Rev. Dr. Gary Simpson, Denison class of 1984, a native of Columbus, Ohio and, since 1990, the Senior Pastor of the Concord Baptist Church of Christ in Brooklyn, N.Y.  His sermon title will be "Martin King and Our Lasting Imperative.

The New Year is off and running.....

Yes 2010 is here and I've had a great time in these first 10 days! Sally is officially 5 years old and celebrating that was wonderful.    My favorite comment was- oh yes today is my day (Jan 6-ephiphany) and the kings are coming to celebrate with me.  We celebrated at the Works - check out all the great things happening there in the near future! I hope you'll join me at some of these- let me know if you have questions, need more information.  You can visit the website at http://www.attheworks.org/ for more information too!

It has been a busy holiday season for an additional reason. I serve on the Granville Public Library Board and we're addressing the challenge of the state funding reductions. I've shared that I'm careful to focus my volunteer work on organizations that benefit my kids, the community kids but I've realized it goes a step further- I value and work for places that bring multiple ages together to strengthen a community- the library is indeed one of those places.  So it won't surprise you to learn I'm chairing the levy committee - (or maybe it will- a levy??) On May 4, 2010-please go vote!!  and learn more to help you vote at  http://www.granvillelevy.com/ 

I'm learning so much about so many things-levy, government, libraries, Granville history, board dynamics and so much more!  It will be fun to post about this journey.  Some other commitments are being rearranged so I have the time for this extra work.  But I'll keep posting the basics- I'm sorry I'm a bit late in getting some of these fun January events!  Newark-Granville Road is in a great community and I look forward to seeing you soon.

Christmas Card Letter

Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays and Here's to a wonderful 2010!!

If I (we) had done a Christmas letter is what I may have included...

I always like to share the behind the scenes info about what goes into getting the Christmas card produced.

Of course this was the year I had multiple pictures I could of used for our Christmas card but the decision for our card was made at the end of the school year.   I was looking through Clare's artwork that came home on the last day of school- and there it was!  My parents used artwork to produce the Stoner family cards so I'm proving history does repeat itself!  Clare's image of three sleeping kids dreaming of baseball does a great job of depicting life on Newark-Granville Road!  Leader Printing does a great job making it a reality!  But of course there is much more than baseball in our lives and here are a few thoughts you might enjoy knowing...

1. Family! We're very blessed this year- everyone is in good health! Sarah is doing very well- the great news is I rarely have to update the blog that shares that information- http://updateforsarah.blogspot.com/   We can't wait to see the new house and more fun in 2010!!  Having both families here at Thanksgiving was AMAZING!! Stoners first, then Leithausers- the cousin time made everyone very happy!  Busy time for Scott and Ann, Matthew and Dawn and Sarah and Greg as all were in the midst of moves within their communities.

2. Faith- Faith in God, Faith in Learning and Faith in Play- all things that matter and make us who we are!!  We're working and involved at church in many rewarding ways- Joe heads up Finance Committee, Sally and Peter sing in the choirs and we're all at FPC on Wednesdays for LOGOS- check out the LOGOS blog at www.granpres.org!  Volunteering and spending time at THE WORKS, the Granville Public Library and school keeps our calendars full! The kids are having a great year in 3rd, 2nd and PreK- all three go just down the street.  And yes we do love to play- running (Clare and Peter ran their first official 5K this year and have enjoyed others), dancing, soccer, basketball, baseball and swim team in the summer.  I often feel like the herding dog Jax- not knowing which child to follow- we're all going in so many directions.

3. Friends- We're lucky to share our rewarding, busy and fun lives with you! Thanks for keeping up with us- the times we're together in person and via emails/phone calls ground and energize us and we're grateful.  Please let us know what you're up to in more details- email us at ssleithauser@roadrunner.com or leithauser22@aol.com.  We have a shuttefly blog- happy to add you to that if you're interested in lots of Leithausers photos that show the fun of vacations, family and friend time, etc.....

Merry Christmas to each of you.  We do hope to see you in 2010- Derby is Saturday, May 1st!!

Looking Forward

Ahhhh- mornings like this are indeed a nice place to be. Granville Fitness provided a great start to my day- spinning followed by yoga.  I decided that in December I was giving myself the gift of yoga- it was hard to make it work in November and I missed it. I need that reminder to live in the moment and the stretching and strengthening my body and focus feels great!  With November's Thanksgiving touch points to ground me (it was an amazing weekend (and month) with family and friends this year  I can't help but look forward to the great things happening in our community and lives this month!  

The spirit of believing is something I hold close- believing in people, communities, bodies, God, attitude and most of all love.  December is all about that and it makes it easy.  Actually I should be saying - the next month is all about that I keep decorations and Christmas fun going until epiphany- January 6, Sally's birthday.  I started this because my mother did it-, as it was my grandmother's birthday- I continue it, as it feels great.  Anyway I'm in a happy place and I wanted to share the why I'm in a happy place and the fun things I'm looking forward to doing...

-decorating- yes I think it is time to take down the orange wreath and find the silver bells! This includes:

-finding our tree- always a very special event as we do this with Joe's brother's family and often (like this year) we combine with celebrating my sister in law's birthday!

-shopping- I save much of mine until this month, as it is fun to shop with Christmas music playing and getting out to see the decorations.  Please shop locals- Columbus friends come to Granville- great stuff here!!  Check out Friday's event at the Pi Phi house- see my list to the right! AND the GES Jingle Bell shop Friday and Saturday- Ryan Reding's key chains are going to be there!

-gatherings- I'm one to love a special get togethers- parties, lunches out (THE GRANVILLE INN is open this month for lunch- hooray!!!), GNO, date night with Joe!! The holidays add a few more and that is something to look forward to...

-Kid fun- the letters to Santa are in progress...hmmmm maybe I'll post mine here, preparation for performance is making everyone smile and sing a lot around here and keeping everyone focused is a bit easier!! The best news is the kids get giving and it is fun to share that with them.

- More family time- the more you have something, the more you want something- I'm looking forward to getting in the car and taking some trips and planning the fun of gatherings in 2010!!!

Yes there is much to look forward to- each day is a gift and there is much to enjoy as we wrap up 2009 and look forward.

Being Grateful

Having a blog is good for me- I enjoy sharing thoughts and ideas, events and perspectives.  It was certainly therapeutic to work on this blog: http://updateforsarah.blogspot.com/  It sure felt good to make last week's post there about my sister's great progress!

Sarah is coming to town tomorrow!!  I so wish I could host a big old party to thank everyone for all the support they gave us over the past 13 months, to celebrate Sarah's success with you who have helped in your way make it happen- prayers, cards, meals, rides, thoughts, ears, shoulders, minds..I could go on and on about how grateful I am for all that happens in this community on a personal and big picture level.

No party for us, BUT if you see us PLEASE come talk to us- let me reintroduce you to Sarah and introduce you to LOUISA!!  If you're in the neighborhood- stop by, come on in- it will be chaos no matter what. We'll have six kids from 1 to 9 happy to be together.  We'll have Stoner siblings and in laws catching up and chasing kids AND we'll have parents very happy to have all of us under one roof and something to truly celebrate at cocktail hour- we'd love to see you.  On Tuesday Sarah is excited to see what the Villa has become so dinner at Delmar!! Wednesday is enjoy time in Granville and prepare for the rest of the family arrival.  We'll be out and about at the Turkey Trot and then be enjoying traditional turkey (with oysters) around 4 pm.  Friday is who knows what day- with a simple pasta dinner to get us to Clare's Nutcracker Debut at 8 pm!   Then the group leaves Saturday and we start over with Leithauser fun!!!  Again much to appreciate on that side of the family too!!!

The last time we were together was just a few weeks ago when we said farewell to Joe's grandmother- the kids Grandma Great.  She was a GREAT lady for so many reasons that we remembered and celebrated in Archbold.  It will be good to gather together and say thanks!

I wish each of you a good Thanksgiving.

Having a blog is good for me- I enjoy sharing thoughts and ideas, events and perspectives.  It was certainly theraputic to work on this blog: http://updateforsarah.blogspot.com/  It sure felt good to make last week's post there about my sister's great progress!

Sarah is coming to town tomorrow!!  I so wish I could host a big old party to thank everyone for all the support they gave us over the past 13 months, to celebrate Sarah's success with you who have helped in your way make it happen- prayers, cards, meals, rides, thoughts, ears, shoulders, minds..I could go on and on about how grateful I am for all that happens in this community on a personal and big picture level.

No party for us, BUT if you see us PLEASE come talk to us- let me reintroduce you to Sarah and introduce you to LOUISA!!  If you're in the neighborhood- stop by, come on in- it will be chaos no matter what. We'll have six kids from 1 to 9 happy to be together.  We'll have Stoner siblings and in laws catching up and chasing kids AND we'll have parents very happy to have all of us under one roof and something to truly celebrate at cocktail hour- we'd love to see you.  On Tuesday Sarah is excited to see what the Villa has become so dinner at Delmar!! Wednesday is enjoy time in Granville and prepare for the rest of the family arrival.  We'll be out and about at the Turkey Trot and then be enjoying tradtional turkey (with oysters) around 4 pm.  Friday is who knows what day- with a simple pasta dinner to get us to Clare's Nutcracker Debut at 8 pm!   Then the group leaves Saturday and we start over with Leithauser fun!!!  Again much to appreciate on that side of the family too!!!

The last time we were together was just a few weeks ago when we said farewell to Joe's grandmother- the kids Grandma Great.  She was a GREAT lady for so many reasons that we remembered and celebrated in Archbold.  It will be good to gather together and say thanks!  

Enjoy this week and all it brings to be grateful for- please know I count you in my blessings.

Warmly- Susan

Yum!

Oh to be enjoying a piece of toasted sourdough bread from "LUCKY CAT BAKERY" and my latte with SNOWVILLE CREAMERY milk on a sunny morning- life is good!

I fell in love with the sourdough from LUCKY CAT BAKERY this summer at the Granville Farmer's Market.  We now can order it and pick it up at the Wine Cashe on Fridays!!  The pick up location is good as it is nice to treat myself to a bottle of wine that matches a weekend meal. Last night it was a delicious white burgundy to accompany my cheese fondue contribution to our Columbus dinner club- oh yes YUM!

Snowville Creamery-http://www.snowvillecreamery.com/  This is what milk is suppose to taste like!!  I read about this operation in the Dispatch and a few days latter had a sample at the granville IGA (okay I know it is Ross' Market). I brought it home and I'm hooked!  Thank you Ross' for supporting this wonderful dairy and giving me easy access to some so YUMMY!  I can't wait to make angel pie at Thanksgiving with the heavy cream that comes in a big container.  I'm going to be willing to share or else be making whipped cream to go on everything...hmmm- what a treat for the cousins and their hot chocolate over Tgiving!!

Good thing we're all training for TURKEY TROT!!

Life Lessons

I'm a big fan of life lessons. Of course their discovery takes time, maturity and other things I don't intend to blog about right now.  What I do want to share is indeed one of my own life lessons- one I'd encourage you to adopt as well.  Never miss the opportunity to take in a Denison Vail Series event!   If you're fortunate to have the accesses to this incredible program that brings amazing performances to Granville- go!

And on that note  the Vail lesson led me to "From the Top" - another opportunity not to be missed.  If it is on the radio, recording in a venue near you or can be downloaded- don't miss it.  You'll have another opporutnity to hear performances that go beyond incredible music- you'll learn, love, dream, enjoy more than you thought possible! www.fromthetop.org  check it out!