So here is the fun of my life on Newark-Granville road in the morning! Many of you have seen my check-ins at the YMCA. When I can get up I LOVE THESE- best way to start the day and give my body what it craves and needs. Often I'm there thanks to a good friend picking me up- I'm so grateful. Or a friend has texted and I do my best to meet them. However often bed and sleep prevail or the need to get going early in the morning. Another thing I like to do when I exercise is come home give the puppy his quick first walk, get the coffee going and grab a protein shake for me. This week has included prepping grapefruit for S and P and me today!!
The kids usually struggle to get up - each in their own ways. We can track which days are harder- today was late but now I hear singing in the kitchen. Sally came down and said...do I smell waffles...no waffles- just toasted good bread?!! Joe is the good guy and often gets the coffee going, dog walked, lunches packed- although Clare is good about doing her own now that we've added "juice boxes" the challenges of healthy eating (beyond her 3-4 apples a day) continues!! Today he headed out early and I'll cover bus- tomorrow we switch.
Time to rally for the bus, and work, dropping Griffey at doggy day care today- thanks for sharing a bit of the start of my day. I hope yours is wonderful.
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
is blessed.
I love when people think for me, OK that doesn't sound so good. I love when people know me well enough and are in relationship with me and can act on my behalf. That happened today with the kids and our dear friend, first nanny who has matured and grown along with our kids. She is a blessing not only to our family but to our community. It has been a good day for many reasons, most connected to the relationships I have and the support I receive because of those connections and I'm grateful and blessed. I will sleep well on Newark-Granville Road tonight.
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
values family time!
So on the flip side of at times wishing I lived closer to my Stoner family, I have to value the wonderful relationship we have with the Leithauser family. And sure enough when I didn't even know I needed it and needed it most- our Leithauser gathering on Sunday happened!! Yay for Ann for gathering us together.
We're very lucky to have Scott's family- Joe's older brother- in Westerville- they are the Westerville Leithausers to our Granville Leithausers. Ann and Scott were on my first date with Joe and the friendship started then...I have Ann to thank for some great coaching including not to propose at a ball park. (That was a Mike and Mike question recently I think.) The friendship has developed into a special bond and I feel so fortunate to have another sister in my life- I truly think of both of my sister in laws as sisters at this point. Ann and my relationship is different than my relationship with Dawn- Dawn loves my brother and I will love her forever for that. Ann and I are married to brothers and have our own unique and special connection. We've had some great years (15 plus) to develop the bond- visits, vacations, pregnancies and babies (our oldest kids are 6 months apart (Happy Birthday Will by the way- today is your day), our middles our 10 days- due 3 days) and our youngest are 6 months, New Years Eves, Dinner Parties and Sunday holiday gatherings that are wonderful traditions and low key comfort! That is exactly what Sunday was and what we all needed.....
I'm so glad that life on Newark-Granville includes family time and we have days like Sunday.
We're very lucky to have Scott's family- Joe's older brother- in Westerville- they are the Westerville Leithausers to our Granville Leithausers. Ann and Scott were on my first date with Joe and the friendship started then...I have Ann to thank for some great coaching including not to propose at a ball park. (That was a Mike and Mike question recently I think.) The friendship has developed into a special bond and I feel so fortunate to have another sister in my life- I truly think of both of my sister in laws as sisters at this point. Ann and my relationship is different than my relationship with Dawn- Dawn loves my brother and I will love her forever for that. Ann and I are married to brothers and have our own unique and special connection. We've had some great years (15 plus) to develop the bond- visits, vacations, pregnancies and babies (our oldest kids are 6 months apart (Happy Birthday Will by the way- today is your day), our middles our 10 days- due 3 days) and our youngest are 6 months, New Years Eves, Dinner Parties and Sunday holiday gatherings that are wonderful traditions and low key comfort! That is exactly what Sunday was and what we all needed.....
I'm so glad that life on Newark-Granville includes family time and we have days like Sunday.
Monday, March 11, 2013
is spent outside, as much as possible!
Making up for no blog yesterday- two today!!
We chose 1142 Newark-Granville Road because it gave us great access to the outdoors! We loved not just one bike path but two! When we were looking at the house we met the neighbor she pointed out the one at the end of the road that went to Johnstown and into Newark. We started our lives on Newark-Granville Road pushing Clare in a stroller. I remember the day Joe called me to tell me she had walked home, almost all the way from town- she was just about there and laid down on the side walk and said....me tired. Then we moved to scooters, bikes, roller blades and now the kids will do runs on their own. We choose well. We almost bought a house further away, not near a bike path but we held out knowing access to town was a priority for our family and way of life. We're proud of Clare's desire to ride her bike to lacrosse practise. We appreciate our friends about town keeping an eye out and sharing reports and sightings- we want our children to have these experiences with and without us. Lately their time outside is at the basketball court, walking the dog, throwing baseballs or with lax sticks.
So today nothing made me happier than to hear a respected leader, Boeing's Rick Stephens talk about the value the future workforce will gain by spending time outside. How important it is to take the electronics out of our children's hands and let them engage with one another in hands-on learning, and problem solving. I'm grateful for the position I have and the work I get to do to help others who also believe this make it a reality for our community. The Works membership drive is happening now and I want to call each current members and say- well done, way to go- your doing a great thing for yourself, your family by coming to a hands-on learning center for history, art and technology. Our STEM efforts have been led by Rick Platt, and there are many sponsors, granters and volunteers to thank. Marcia Downes talked about STEM well before I knew what it really was or the impact it would have on my own family. This was back when I was happy to walk to town and happy for the Tyke Lab fun @ The Works. I read recently the child of today only has a 300 foot radius of outdoor play, kids when I was young had 3 miles!!
Check out what the Heath-Newark Licking County Port Authority's coverage from today's talk http://hnlcpa.com/ we're grateful to Boeing and the Port Authority for reminding us what is important and needed. The encouragement, affirmation and perspective to keep striving, keep working and developing these hands-on learning opportunities for all life long learners.
We chose 1142 Newark-Granville Road because it gave us great access to the outdoors! We loved not just one bike path but two! When we were looking at the house we met the neighbor she pointed out the one at the end of the road that went to Johnstown and into Newark. We started our lives on Newark-Granville Road pushing Clare in a stroller. I remember the day Joe called me to tell me she had walked home, almost all the way from town- she was just about there and laid down on the side walk and said....me tired. Then we moved to scooters, bikes, roller blades and now the kids will do runs on their own. We choose well. We almost bought a house further away, not near a bike path but we held out knowing access to town was a priority for our family and way of life. We're proud of Clare's desire to ride her bike to lacrosse practise. We appreciate our friends about town keeping an eye out and sharing reports and sightings- we want our children to have these experiences with and without us. Lately their time outside is at the basketball court, walking the dog, throwing baseballs or with lax sticks.
So today nothing made me happier than to hear a respected leader, Boeing's Rick Stephens talk about the value the future workforce will gain by spending time outside. How important it is to take the electronics out of our children's hands and let them engage with one another in hands-on learning, and problem solving. I'm grateful for the position I have and the work I get to do to help others who also believe this make it a reality for our community. The Works membership drive is happening now and I want to call each current members and say- well done, way to go- your doing a great thing for yourself, your family by coming to a hands-on learning center for history, art and technology. Our STEM efforts have been led by Rick Platt, and there are many sponsors, granters and volunteers to thank. Marcia Downes talked about STEM well before I knew what it really was or the impact it would have on my own family. This was back when I was happy to walk to town and happy for the Tyke Lab fun @ The Works. I read recently the child of today only has a 300 foot radius of outdoor play, kids when I was young had 3 miles!!
Check out what the Heath-Newark Licking County Port Authority's coverage from today's talk http://hnlcpa.com/ we're grateful to Boeing and the Port Authority for reminding us what is important and needed. The encouragement, affirmation and perspective to keep striving, keep working and developing these hands-on learning opportunities for all life long learners.
life on another road....
What if this blog was Life on Fountainhead Road? There are days like today where I have momements of wishing I was living in my home town of Hagerstown, Maryland. Today my parents, childhood friends and my parents friends whom I consider my friends laid to rest a wonderful woman. Jody and David's mom, Mrs. Hawbecker. I wish I could of attended her funeral. Life is just too busy to hop in the car and head to Maryland...I use to do that- when the kids were younger and I wasn't working. We'll visit soon and going this close together just didn't make sense. And work was important today and being with my kids and their testing week is important. But the time in Hagerstown was important too- funerals are important. I felt the same way for their Dad's funeral too, and Mr. Boyd's.....
Please know I'm not saying I don't love my life in Granville. My life on Newark-Granville Road is rich and full, my job is challenging and satisfying- in fact this morning our efforts (and by our I mean the staff, board, volunteers, donors and parents and grandparents bringing their children to The Works including Joe and me as parents!!) is right on track!!
But you know just as I attended Denison loving this very house on Newark-Granville never imagining this is where I would live and raise my family, never thinking it would be the place where the Works benefactor raised his family. I also loved many houses in the Hagerstown, Maryland area. The what-if game is interesting to play- it is a way of escaping, putting my energies in another place.
So I don't live in Maryland but I value the time I have to go home and spend time with family, connect with the good people who helped shape me. Woody and Judy Hawbecker and the great group my parents connected us with did in influence me- they talked to me, listened to me, encouraged me- always- at all ages. They danced at my wedding and complimented my children and kept me up to speed. They cheered for me at swim meets and asked about what was happening at Denison when I was home from breaks. My life on Newark-Granvile Road has been touched and blessed thanks to people like Mrs. Hawbecker.
Please know I'm not saying I don't love my life in Granville. My life on Newark-Granville Road is rich and full, my job is challenging and satisfying- in fact this morning our efforts (and by our I mean the staff, board, volunteers, donors and parents and grandparents bringing their children to The Works including Joe and me as parents!!) is right on track!!
But you know just as I attended Denison loving this very house on Newark-Granville never imagining this is where I would live and raise my family, never thinking it would be the place where the Works benefactor raised his family. I also loved many houses in the Hagerstown, Maryland area. The what-if game is interesting to play- it is a way of escaping, putting my energies in another place.
So I don't live in Maryland but I value the time I have to go home and spend time with family, connect with the good people who helped shape me. Woody and Judy Hawbecker and the great group my parents connected us with did in influence me- they talked to me, listened to me, encouraged me- always- at all ages. They danced at my wedding and complimented my children and kept me up to speed. They cheered for me at swim meets and asked about what was happening at Denison when I was home from breaks. My life on Newark-Granvile Road has been touched and blessed thanks to people like Mrs. Hawbecker.
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Stop and Smell the Daffodils
Thank you to dear friend for transferring a Columbus tradition to Licking County. The March Daffodil party is a lovely break in the action with focus on good things- friends, family, flowers, a drink or two and snacks. The Jacktown Pub is a great location and we so appreciate the warm hospitality of the owner. We were nice and toasty on this sunny day on the winterized porch. Thanks to all who came out and joined the fun!! This tradition started in Licking County four years ago at the Manor House (Sniff sniff- it is closed now) and will continue in the future. I hope you'll join us!! We're talking about trying to make the "spring forward weekend" the annual occurrence. Life on Newark-Granville Road is all the more fun when we take days like today where we hang out, pause and appreciate all that daffodils give to us.
Friday, March 8, 2013
chooses happiness.
So I woke up sad today. It happens. I know people think I'm happy all the time. Usually I am- I do have a happy nature. However the kids, dog and Joe can attest this isn't the case. And occasionally I'm aware of when I just feel frustrated, or blue. Today was one of those days. I won't go into all the details but I can assure it wasn't just one thing. While we started the day there were snippets of happiness- smiling at Joe's choice of clothes for his NY Fantasy baseball draft (beer corduroys), Griffey behaving so nicely at the bus stop (for most of the time), the realization it was indeed Friday, finding my Lily bees to go with my outfit....but none of these kicked the blues. Driving to work in the bright sunshine, taking in the reflection of light on the river and color of the morning it hit me- wham- be happy today. Choose happy and that is what I did and it made all the difference. There were times I went back to sad as I reflected on some things, but talking it out with good people in my life, typing and connecting with good people quickly took me to the happy place. My evening with my girls was lovely- we had a mission and we accomplished what we set out to do. The art opening was omitted to keep things simple and allow me some good prep time at work. life on Newark-Granville Road is in a happy place today, thanks for sharing- tomorrow will be a very happy day too- it is daffodil day! I hope to see you at the Jacktown Pub!
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