filled with Color!

Okay- new look to the Blog....inspired by a visit to this great Blog:  http://melanieknopke.com/get-hoopla-delivered-to-your-door/   Please take a look not only as it gives you the scoop on how to buy fantastic nail polish from Hoopla( polish is green, innovative, supports local-local to KC and a Denisonian), entrepreneur, friend) but because it really is a great blog too!  Who knows what style you'll bring to your life...for me it was changing the layout (not color too much) on the blog in my life on Newark-Granville Road!

The time is right - we'll see if I can get this polish for my toes for this weekend's Daffodil Party!  I posted the details on my events to join me for....where is that now on the blog- it use to be right...This event is a carry over from dear friends event in Columbus.  I'm so glad she leads the effort and a few of my pals help her execute it here.  It is simple- we gather at a great dive bar- last one and this one is at The Jacktown Pub- Rt 40 and 13 southwest corner. Great food- Peter loves the chili! They make a great bloody mary too - my afternoon choice.  We welcome spring with girlfriends first then have the guys/ families join us.  We'll bring the daffodils- bring your friends and join us.  And what color will you paint your toes??  I'm still thinking about my choice!! Orange, coral, pretty indigo....getting me ready for Africa!!

Proud

Today I'm pretty proud of my life on Newark-Granville Road. I feel fortunate to work at a place that pulls off what we pulled off- I take no credit, I simply supported as I could. The Works Science Fair happens due to the leadership and hard work of Sandy Doty and those she connects with to make happen- no doubt her family and for sure Rori Preston- my coworker!  Or course there are many others to thank and we did so today and will continue to- participants, parents, judges, volunteers and the mission of The Works aligns to partner with the important effort.   I do say it is fun to have a job that required me to eat not one but two chocolate chip cookies.  Olivia- thank you for an outstanding science fair project- you made my life and job all the sweeter.

I have to say I'm also proud of Clare and Peter.  I signed them up for Science Fair for many reasons- one simply being because I work at the Works and want to support the efforts.  I like to be able to empathize with our members. I like to engage from the same perspective.  It also helps to have skin in the game- literally. Plus it helps me walk my talk.  Joe and I are trying hard to keep an academic balance in our house and choose activities that engage the brain, not just the body.  Clare and Peter embraced their projects and learned so much.  It wasn't a pretty site last night. (see my real life post from yesterday- by 9 I wasn't loving it.) The kids really did this as much on their own as they could and due to schedules and utilizing human subjects (advice for the future- pick a project that can be done on your own time, you don't need to schedule others) and our busy schedules they did most of the work at the very end.   This did affect their scores, however they gained what we were after- wonderful lessons about scientific inquiry, process and the benefits of presenting and being assessed! We learned some things about our approaches, expectations, stress situations and family support too.  We also enjoyed being with wonderful families valuing this program/process too.

Peter at The Works Science Fair

real life on Newark-Granville Road....

Okay- day 2 of daily blogging in March.....my inspiration from last night is to give you the real scoop about life here today:

-I've been hearing about "Duck Dynasty" since December and I was intrigued but kind of poo-pooed it.  Do know I love ducks- always have.  Well last night I came home from a late fun night at work exhausted.  All I could do was sit on the couch with feet up and sip scotch. I did rally and put Sally to bed and returned to the kitchen.  I ended up in front of the TV with pizza and beer and the remote.  Curiosity got the cat and I tuned into "Duck Dynasty"- I LOVED IT! I LAUGHED AND LAUGHTED- out loud pure real deep laughs.....thank you A and E and this real life family/business.  I look forward to exploring more and hearing your opinions dear reader!!http://www.aetv.com/duck-dynasty/


-Science Fair- the house is a mess and I LOVE IT!  Hip Hip Hooray for Sandy Doty and family, Joe Leithauser, the Works, me, my kids- we're all into it!! Tomorrow is the big day- we're not ready yet and I hate the last minute approach but it is our lives and reality. I love that our Saturday night and Friday night will be all about the kids' learning- learning about things they care about. Clare's project is Balance Bands- friends in the study and Peter's is basketball backspin, arch.....There are other things I'd like to do- I hate to miss the Java and Jazz for the Mental Health Association- however this is where I need to be and it feels good!  Sally's project is on the brain but she won't be presenting tomorrow- somehting had to give....

-The Dog- picked up poop in the living room, he ate 3 waffles today, we had a great cuddle- he's been getting so much better, growing up, not quite all the time puppy- but he still is and we slept in and.....just giving you the real life scoop about my life on Newark-Granville Road.....

-Spring Sports kick off today for real...Peter is at his Baseball assessment now, Clare and Sally will do LAX Clinic at Denison!!

-We'll help Boy Scout food drive- a tradition we love- food is being collected today- bags in Granville were placed last week on front porches- if you are missed- bring food to Ross Granville Market- truck collecting until 4 pm!!!  Thanks to the LoRaso's for their leadership!!

That is it for now....all sorts more that I can save for future blog...yummy organic milk I'm enjoying today and using for future project...rye bread....local eggs.....the snow it is beautiful today Brett and we should live a life that pauses to take it in!! Hope not to blog about much more snow- it is March now!!...

Thanks for sharing the fun and realness of life on Newark-Granville Road today.

Rabbit Rabbitt Finding the Luck....

Did you ever say Rabbit Rabbit as the first thing that you said in the morning on the first day of a new month?  I never embraced that one....but hey it is the first day of the new month- welcome March and Easter and Spring Break, spring training baseball already started- yay!!  It is also the kick-off of  The Works Membership Drive!! Woo Hoo!!! You all know work is more than work to me, I believe in The Works so very much and membership is an amazing way to stay connected, support a key downtown licking county facility....this week's efforts with PEAK/ Call to College inspire my efforts and I invite you to be part of the impact!

OKay- back to superstitions...love to hear what yours are- I don't say Rabbit Rabbit but I do not walk under ladders, I do go out the same door I go in, when I enter a house for the first time, I do knock on wood....I do put the salt down before passing it to someone else- never hand hand to hand, I will toss that salt over my left shoulder if I spill some to ward off a fight.... he he....However as much as I do these things I also believe this quote:

“I'm a greater believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it” 
― Thomas Jefferson

Wishing you a lucky and happy March- our lives on Newark-Granville Road are embracing this special new month!  Science Fair fun on Sunday- join us!!

Must see.......Sweet Victory!!

Okay- so I'm an extrovert- by writing, typing, talking, sharing about subjects I better understand them myself, my life on Newark-Granville Road is richer, more productive and fun- so thanks for reading and being my friend, coworker, etc... Two blog entries in one morning- wahoo!  I didnt' want to wait with this one.  Our kids, Joe and I did indeed win by simply participating in a great season of bball- we love what the Granville Rec aspires to be- all kids playing, equal playing field- learning to love the game and all it provides.  It was the same for STEMfest and all we do every day @ The Works- life long learning with ART, History and TEchnology/ Science- STEMfest was just a part of it!!

And now to make sure I share this winning opportunity!  A college Friends brother is doing amazing things in the arts in California. A film was created to highlight some of that amazing work and guess what- it WON an Oscar last night!!! PLEASE take the time to see this movie- 40  minutes- you can download it and you will see another amazing winning situation. Positive energy, support, hard work- it all pays off in all kinds of arenas- arenas that really really matter!!  Congrats to Matt and everyone at A Reason to Survive (ARTS)
https://www.facebook.com/AReasonToSurvive

Inocente- short film- about what art and support can do for people who need that help!
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2123210/


http://www.peoplestylewatch.com/people/stylewatch/package/article/0,,20658247_20676227,00.html

The Thrill of Victory, The Agony of Defeat....

I'm all about life lessons but they certainly can smart- even for us parents/ grown-ups!  The lesson we learn quickly as parents- be careful that when you punish your kids you don't punish yourself.  I wasn't thinking it would tie so closely for the kids' wins and losses.   Saturday's basketball losses (yes both Clare and Peter lost in their semi-final end of season Granville Rec tournament games.)  were hard for me too.  Even though the games were amazing- close, thrilling and with valiant gritty efforts by both kids it was agonizing to see their hurt and disappointment. Even though I was happy for the other team's success- some dear friends and kids I've watched grow up and see their growth and happiness is good I'm human and competitive and want to win.  It is also hard for me to say farewell to the season I've really enjoyed selfishly and as a mother watching the growth and friendships and lessons that have prevailed.  The good news is we are all pretty resilient over here on Newark-Granville Road and we're bouncing back, embracing the success and positive effects of an awesome season and opportunity.  We're moving on to the next and exciting learning opportunity and Sunday gave us exactly that with STEMfest....and the same lessons continued there.

GREAT article in today's Advocate about STEMfest- great article Saturday too!!   http://www.newarkadvocate.com/article/20130224/NEWS01/302240029

I did speak to this reporter and he did a wonderful job what The Works is all about....he didn't have the results to share in this article but I can tell you....the brother sister high school team with the pontoon design for the polymer problem- went on to win. They deserved it- they were articulate, poised, prepared.  However the other teams were too and I knew one of the other students and wanted him to win...not that I didn't want this dynamic duo from Johnstown not to win.  Same went for Works volunteers and friends- one's presentation board was amazing but his bridge just didn't hold the weight and meet the other criteria as well.  I honestly felt that same pang of agony and disappointment for some of these kids as I did on Saturday in that gym!!! I hope these kids were able to embrace the positive and take pride in their preparation, participation and good efforts.  Not everyone can win- there was lots of great sportsmanship and I loved seeing it in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math field!! BIG thanks to the teachers, parents, industry leaders that made something like STEMfest happen and allowed our community to feel the thrill of victory.

Life on Newark-Granville Road has its fair share of wins and losses and we're grateful for the lessons they teach us all.  Thanks for reading.

STEMfest- SUNDAY 12-4 Don't miss!!!

STEMfest at the Works is.....Clare's favorite event of the year @ The Works!
Lead Sponsor this year is TIME WARNER- come just to see how they engage our kids- DO THE MATH - at Media day they had kids hooking up cables- very cool! 28 other companies and groups will  show our kids the value of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math in fun and creative ways.  We've got robotics groups too- the Dublin Incredibots are joining the Pirates of Lego Storm!  Puzzles- sooo much fun and learning- financial lessons too!!  This is an event like no other!! We also get the chance to cheer and observe the smart, creative, bright teams from all over the county and beyond competing in 3 awesome challenges: home energy, tooth pick bridges and the polymer recycled material boats!!!

This event is for ALL AGES!!! Come for 30 minutes, Come for 4 hours- you won't regret the time you invest in exercising your brain, your families' brains and planting seeds that will will enhance their futures!!  hmmm- I'm all about figure eights and I can see one day a friend's child telling me how participating in LMH's surgery scope exercise or packaging engineer after building the cool corrugated object PCA will bring- what will it be this year- always a highlight...or learning about the material that is in every plane flying in the US- thank you Kaiser Aluminum for doing excursions

Life on Newark-Granville Road is rich because we seize the day, we embrace what is provided and sooo much is provided and Sunday is one of those days we hope you will share with us!!