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!

Halloween- lots of opportunity for fun!

Silly giddy- that is how I  am describing my kids on Halloween week.  God bless all those that teach and lead our children this week.  It hit all three of my kids last night- Halloween- is really going to happen.  They could do nothing but talk about what they're wearing, trick or treat strategies, the parties at school, etc....Don't get me wrong- I love the fun this holiday brings too but wow it takes energy.  Coming home last night to our lit jack-o-lanterns (all named by the kids) made me smile. I could go on and on about the neat things that happen around this time like how much easier those little saws and scoopers make it to produce jack-o-lanterns!

The real reason I'm blogging about Halloween now is to call attention to the candy collection happening on MONDAY- Nov 2 at our dentist's office.  Ben Jump's practice is continuing the fun of this holiday and my kids can't wait!  For every pound of candy you bring in, you receive a dollar and a raffle ticket.  The raffle's prizes are motivating my kids to say "I'm not going to give all my candy to the troops".  Yes the candy collected will be shipped to US troops in Afghanistan. The Works will be on hand with their letter writing station so notes can go with the candy.  It is going to be a fun night that benefits many- most of all me in two weeks with an empty candy jar.  Please help us spread the word.

A bridge In the right direction....

I'm a big supporter of the Granville Rotary's effort to build a pedestrian bridge to Raccoon Valley Park from the bike path.  That effort connected me to serving in a limited way on the Granville Pathways Committee- recommendations will be presented at Village Council next week.  I'm all for our community expanding and improving pedestrian and bike access in all areas and that is what these efforts will do.  So I say the new bridge on south main street- is a bridge in the right direction.  It will get kids to Lake Hudson and hopefully eventually be a part of a loop to River Road's shops and activities and Raccoon Valley.  The Rotary's bridge is still a key part of that loop. The effort alone is getting good people together and putting focus on good things- more walking and bike riding in our community.  It is our job to help build these bridges and keep things moving in the right direction.

Change of Car

We send change of address notices, but why don't we send change of car notices?  There are days I feel I spend as much time in my car as I do my house.  I've done just about everything in my car that I've done in a house- even frosted a cake for an employee's birthday in my younger years.  Or maybe it should be more of a birth announcement- we actually do name our cars. Or maybe something of an obituary- Sally did cry when we sold the old car?  Anyway- here are some thoughts to share our news:

-Susan Leithauser can now been seen driving a Toyota Sequoia, gold lettering and Denison sticker in rear window.

-Announcing our new addition- Martha- a 2002 Toyota Sequoia, seating 8 passengers and license plate starting with O.

-We regret to say, Lucille- the black Volvo- is no longer with us. She was a devoted car-the transmission failed on a trip to Easton.  She served the family and LOGOS car pool very well.  She is survived by the blue Volvo wagon, Babsie and the green Saab convertible, Sebastian.

So to answer the question- yes that was me at the parent drop off line in the pjs and robe that didn't match that had to get out of the car to help the kids??  Come track me down in IGA/RGM when you see Martha waiting for me in the lot and of course- wave hello when I pass you on Newark-Granville Rd.

Signs of Fall

Thank you to those that have told me how beautiful the tree in front of our house looks.  I truly hadn't noticed- but it does.  The orange/yellow color is fabulous on this tall tree that moving west commences a
gorgeous canopy that makes Newark-Granville Road so pretty.

And with the changing of leaves in the trees and in the yards- so pop campaign signs!  It is fall- November's election will be here before we know it!  First- thank you to anyone who runs for election- I appreciate the timeless effort this requires.  Community service is near and dear to my heart and those that will help govern our communities deserve a big thank you.  Second- don't be shy about asking us-
why is that sign in your yard?  Joe and I don't say yes to a sign without a willingness to say why.
We want our friends, neighbors and aquaintances to engage in conversations- we may not all agree but
that is the beauty of life in America- not just Granville!  When we talk, we learn and that is what it is
all about- so thanks for reading and I welcome your comments and questions.

We just put a sign in for Mason/Jenks for Township Trustee. Bill Mason has always impressed me in his service at Denison.  I've enjoyed working with Paul Jenks on the Pathways commitee for Granville. I hear amazing things about his work with GRD and the township.   Joe and I met with Paul and we were both impressed with his passion, depth of knowledge in current issues in the village and township and his sense of business.  We hope you'll help us introduce Paul Jenks and Bill Mason to others in our community so they may determine for themselves that a vote for Mason/Jenks will benefit where we live now and into the future.

We also talked with Paul Jenks about the Granville Rec Levy- please visit the website to learn more and vote yes for this levy that will benefit all generations of community members.   granvillerecreation.org