includes dog turing on stove and catching pizza slicer on fire....

Yes that is exactly what happened on Newark-Granville Road tonight.  I wasn't very pleased to see the dog eating pizza in the dining room.  We left two slices on the pizza stone on the cook top so Griffey helped himself.  When I walked into the kitchen the pizza slicer had a lovely blue yellow flame that was  emitting a sharp odor that at least cancelled out the spilled nail polish scent.  He must have hit the burner turning on the gas igniting the cutter. Luckily I'm calm in these circumstances and applied baking soda to extinguish the fire.  I turned on the fan and kept us all out of the kitchen.  Next step was library, Whit's and a pick-up from practice.....home again home again jiggidy jig.  I think I'll call it a night and tomorrow we'll wake up and it will be Friday and time for the weekend!  Joe is off to NY for fantasty baseball draft!  Peter gets to celebrate a birthday with a friend and the girls and I will take in an art exhibit and some shopping!!  Bring on Friday!

is looking to summer.....

Hard to believe but the time has come to get serious about camps!  We're thrilled Clare will get her camp experience- the first session did fill up and that is the one that works in our schedule.  The Works camp schedule is out and starting to fill up....this year's camp experiences truly are better than ever!  Camp Invention- different week and different curriculum that what is offered in Granville. So if you LOVE camp invention- your child can go twice! If you're like us- the week it is offered in Granville doesn't work for you- your child has a new opportunity.  Too bad for us- it is our vacation week.
Robotic Robot camp, glass and art camp with an inspiring tried and true artist- Jim Arder! You don't want to miss out- sign up now:  details and on-line registration:  www.attheworks.org
We're making decisions about some sports camps and thinking about Sally. We're looking ahead to swim team at MCC and how we keep academics front and center too! Some great brain storming today about science fair support! Life on Newark-Granville road moves fast- too fast and summer will be here before we know it.  In the mean time we need to be in the moment and enjoy spring as we "spring"forward this weekend!!

relies on the professionals!

So after loosing another Nanny, we've gone back to the professionals.  We're thrilled to be back at SACC- school after care- at the elementary school.  The only reason we left was due to the driving around whirlwind that stressed me out last year.  We had hoped a nanny in the house would give relief, find us time, give us some assistance and it did- however not being able to maintain a relationship took its toll.  Ruth Ann Parsley is a wonderful person and true professional. She offers an amazing service and great care.  Her team is a great one to have our youngest daughter with on a regular basis.

And today Griffey benefited from professional service!  Doggy Daycare.  I never thought I'd do it, but with a puppy in the house that is so much better behaved when he has his exercise...hmmm lesson for all of us....we're thrilled to have this option. McNally's is close and has been a good partner with boarding, obedience training, products and now day time care.

We're still working on building the team of care providers for the kids, dog and house- drivers, laundry, odd jobs and errands.  My lesson learned is to go with people we know or come with a strong recommendation from people we know. Life on Newark-Granville Road runs best with assistance and we're happy to be with the pros!

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!!