School in the Summer….

We're back to school!  It was a good week on Newark-Granville Road!  Wednesday had everyone up on time ready to go! Joe made the corned beef breakfast send off so they went to school with protein in their tummy's.  Pictures were snapped- no one protesting too much- take a look below.  Clare walked to the neighbors to ride with a friend- such the high school girl now!  The bus was on time, kids looked good- all outfits happily executed.  A quick scrub of Peter's shorts- he sat on pasta- they dried in the drier.

By Thursday we were back to last year's routine- Clare up on her own- responsible child and a hurried breakfast for the other two.  It is now Friday and we're happy it is Friday.  A full week for all. Happily the weather changed- the hot sticky humid day gave way to clear sharp cooler days- a good thing as we await the new furnace/air conditioner.  Always something….Documenting this for the record books- big kids going to school! Peter seeming to have changed the most!

Summer dips in the pool, summer activities all mixed in with the back to school routine!  Happy to see friends and learn about all the fun fall will hold in our lives on Newark-Granville Road this year.

Summer Fun- I went to the Fair…..

Summer- I'm hearing it is ending because school is starting.  I can't accept that- I love summer!  I have not blogged enough about the wonderful summer things that happen. I made it to the Harford Fair this week but didn't even post it on Facebook!  We made it for an hour but it was a worthy hour- the drive up there is gorgeous- country roads of Licking County- I have a goal to drive them all in my life time.  Seeing a bit of the hard working kids and family that show- this year it was the sheep.  If a child can control, maneuver prepare a sheep  (insert cow, pig, etc) for show- that child can do anything!  I hope they know that and take that confidence all over and everywhere and into everything they do.  I love the barn with the ducks and foul- but this year there were no feathers. I was given a heads up so not to be disappointed and a great board explaining the health of the animals, health of farms was explained.  Instead they had these amazing pieces of art- I wasn't expecting this and was very impressed!  The fair is also for people watching, eating $2 ice cream with creative flavors- elephant ear this year.  I love a burger from the Cattleman's booth but you can support the booster groups of community schools- I hear great things about the Trojan burger.  If you didn't go to the Hartford Fair this year- it is over- put it on the list.  If you were there, part of making it happen- thank you and congratulations.  I'm missing many other awesome components- the band, the political offerings, the other barns showcasing great work.  We don't do the midway but I'm sure it is fun.  Sometimes we do the mini-golf, jumpy thing and one year Peter did a mechanical bull.  

I'm wearing Lily today- it has some red in it- always try to have a bit of red when I'm interacting in an official Denison way.  But I want to keep the bright cheery color of summer as we face the wind-down of summer, school start up this week in our lives on Newark-Granville Road.  I'll share more soon- time to get this day started- summer Sundays- ahhhhhh!

transition time…..please help…..

It is the time of year where I recognize I need help.  Keeping track of where I'm suppose to be has its challenges.  It doesn't matter my professional situation/work load/ responsibilities- school start up is tricky.  Even when I didn't work I struggled to stay on top of what orientation was when, open house start times, yada- yada.

This week Clare is my hero.  She said to me one evening- Mom, are you or Dad going my HS orientation.  It stopped me in my tracks- HS Orienation- when?  I missed that email.  She quickly found the announcement on my phone- clear as day on the HS Web Site- Parent Orienation 7 pm.  I altered our plans (quicker trip to the amazing Hartford Fair) and made it to the school to understand better the expectations for our oldest.  I'm glad I went.  I'm glad Clare was on top of things like this at this time of transition in our lives on Newark-Granville Road.

So if you think you might see me at an event- will you text me or email and help remind me?  Please!  I sent an email to a friend moving to the Middle School about next week's orientation - felt good to return the favor I appreciate, value, need.

The mornings are darker for yoga, the cool evening and the back to school supplies (thanks to my mother in law- woo hoo) on the table declare it is that time.  Time to transition from summer love- carefree days, pool time, golf time, frequent updates to who goes who when where how- to the arrival of the school bus and a shorter coordination demands of who goes where when how….It is the one shot meetings, sign-ups, evaluations that keep us on our toes and we appreciate the assistance and help during this time of transition.

updating the appliances.....real life to dos....

Appliance update and a plug for Mr. Appliance.  Often I’ll see a face book post asking for a recommendation for appliance repair- I now have the answer.  I have interacted with the owners of Mr. Appliance for some time. They are members of the Pataskala chamber of commerce and my gut told me they were good folks. 

So when I finally realized the way to fix the water dripping into basement from under the washer was to call the appliance repair folks- Mr. Appliance of Central Ohio is who I called and it worked.  Two visits by the plumber, review by contractors- we finally made the smart move.  The repair person wasn’t there five minutes and he knew what needed to happen.  Now in our defense- the washer- drier are stacked, heavy and in a closet. The location is great for laundry productivity.  The idea of pulling it out to investigate, repair made us all pause.

We have a new cold water valve and a basement that is finally really drying up- good news for the new concrete floor that is curing!  We also have an ice maker that isn’t making 12 inch blocks of ice and a part on order to return our stove to almost new!  The repair person was at our house at 8:30 am on a Friday, he returned with parts at 5:15 pm- he was out by 6 with two of the three in need of assistance items working and a great plan for next week.  Life on Newark-Granville Road enjoyed the check marks on these looming projects!

thank you cancer-enders......

Begin with the end in mind- it helps keep things in focus! One Goal- end cancer.  You have to admire and love it.  As I catch-up on some work this beautiful morning I have to pause and thank the riders, supporters, volunteers, organizers for the amazing work that happens with Pelatonia.  You go- roll on- woo hoo!

I'm proud Granville plays a role and encourages, celebrates the effort and results happening with the Pelatonia ride.  I will wrap up the work soon to go add my claps, woops and dollars to the cause.  I heard a staggering statistic about ovarian cancer's survival rate this week on the radio- it made me pause.  I called my sister that day just to hear her voice.  Sarah is quickly approaching year 7 since the diagnosis and she, Louisa (7 year old!!) and Greg are a happy, healthy family. Thank God, the medical profession, research, Sarah's fight and will plus all her supporters we have her today.  I go to those missing- the names and faces and memories of those that others are riding for- they inspire- their lives matter and go on in so many amazing ways.  I think of my Ga-ga as I type.  The work I do here today, my volunteer work with The Works and my small contribution today honors her too.

Okay- time to get back to work so I can go cheer at the entrance to Granville!!  Why am at work- hours away from work with the appliance repair person yesterday- but HUGE progress - another post for another day- my life on Newark-Granville Road- making a difference.

Civilized Travel

Civilized was the word I was looking for when describing the journey to Nantucket by ferry during breakfast yesterday.  It was a lovely passage- the pace, the energy, the feel- everything from fellow passengers to the process of check-in and luggage check.  I had never followed this path but I felt like I had done it for years or I knew just what to do.  It is hard to describe- my breakfast partner agreed and said she knew what I meant, despite the fact I could not produce the word I was looking for….until I did it again.

Yesterday afternoon I returned from Nantucket by ferry and found the word and experience.  My entire twenty four hour visit to the island was wonderful- arrival, departure, my stay at the Pineapple Inn- a Summer Home property. The work event, the shopping, my morning exploration through the gorgeous streets was buoyed by contentment. Nantucket was like nothing I’ve ever experienced and at the same time a place suspended in this feeling of resemblance. It is hard to describe and put into words.  It is a very special place and I will travel there again someday and in some ways I’m already there. I will travel by ferry in a civilized way to the town with cobblestone roads, brick sidewalks, hydrangea, fresh seafood, prompt friendly service, comfortable beach attire, children’s happiness beaming, bikes with baskets, mopeds and tennis duds.  I will go beyond the village and see the moors, beaches and roads- maybe by bike or jitney. 

I am grateful for the opportunity to have visited and traveled by plane, cab, boat and car meeting new friends along the way in the Boston area this week while moving forward to strengthen a program and connections for which I care deeply.  In this life in Newark-Granville Road that can include rush-rush, not always pretty comings and goings it was a happy journey.

traveling for work…..

I am answering a number of questions about my new job.  The first is wonderful and I appreciate the support being provided- yes I'm very happy.  I love how people ask me- so are you so happy in your new job?  With the intonation being an assumption that I am- amazing how the voice lilts to share that meaning.  It really does feel nature and right.

Then the next question- are you traveling a lot with the new job?  The answer until this point has been - no, not yet!  But last week the travel started and I'm headed into a busy patch. And again I'm so happy! Last week my travel took me to Boston for a conference. I'm so fortunate to be learning about this new responsibility from folks doing similar work at amazing colleges and universities. I've had two opportunities to engage with some incredible professionals.  And while I was in Boston I was able to meet in person a outstanding volunteer. I love to meet in person, put a face to a voice, and see folks in their cities.  I also was able to prepare for next week's trip back to Boston for an event to welcome new parents and students, engage with more volunteers!  This is why I do what I do- working directly with people.

There are always bonus to this sort of work- a great meal out, quality time with colleagues, an adventure, personal and professional reading time, points…..at dinner I applied my Dad's lesson from growing up.  See something on a menu you never have had- order it!  I LOVED my beef bone marrow - anyone that has been reading "Life on NG Road" for a long time knows I love Julia Child and this had that feel- delicous!  I also had scallop ceviche-  a Mike Stoner thing- he makes great ceviche!

The water taxi to the airport across the harbor was great.  I met a fun family from Cinci, with a son going to OU- I told him to look out for the great Granville students starting there, currently there!  His Mom is good friends with my Denison classmate.  Denison stories likes these are a special part of my life on Newark-Granville. Theses interactions happen down the street, on the hill and all over the world, I look forward to sharing them with you.  And of course- let me know where you are, when you are visiting Granville and I hope our paths will cross in person soon!   Pictures tell the story….Boston trip- Parent Development Conference!!