Full Fun Day....all under one roof, around the table.....

A lovely lovely day- woke up rested and ready to go on my own...the alarm didn't go off.  Why?  I set my 6:30 wake up time for Saturday....today is Thursday! Funny thing- Joe did the same thing.  The quiet prep time was lovely- I pulled the turkey out of the cold brine, made the stuffing and had him in the oven by 8 am.  We cooked a bunch of bacon so we could have bacon sandwiches after the turkey trot to tide folks over during bloody mary time.

The race was a great morning activity for all of us.

  What fun to share this community event with our family.  Stoners are enjoying being at The Granville Inn being in the heart of the village. And village certainly shows its heart for Turkey Trot. The cool temps didn't bother us for long- great group out running. Loved the GIS team gathering and opportunity to run together.  I loved seeing my healthy sister running this year, my brother gets bonus points for moving along at a fun pace in his jeans.  The hula hoop was a fun way to engage with folks for me and share information about tomorrow's gathering at The Works (11-3!!)  I always enjoying seeing friends and introducing/re-connecting my family with friends- lots of that along the route!  I snuck in to baste the turkey thinking I'd stay put but the course called and I jumped back in to get some more exercise and time with friends!  It wrapped up in happy way back at the house with bevies, catch-up time and breakfast!!

Clare was the perfect hostess and equipped everyone in sledding attire and away they went....first time for the Sunshine Stoners- my brothers family from Oviedo Florida.  Louisa- our 5 year old niece hadn't gone sledding either - watching from the dining room window was a moment I'll never forget. Happy engaged kids that had just run/walked 3 miles charging the hill over and over again- THANK YOU Pfau family for your hill hospitality!  Figure eight moment- use to watch Clare sled with Pfau kids that took she and Peter over while Sally was newborn.

Showers and regrouping while dinner finished was nice transition to the focus point of the day.  It all worked so well- we have hours and hours of experience with Mom in the kitchen and tried and true preparation of favorites- Turkey, stuffing simple bread, celery, sage and onion, scalloped oysters, peas, sauerkraut, country ham- bonus little touch, veggie plate, cranberry, mashed potatoes and gravy.  It was a good meal and all engaged and enjoyed.  All of us under one roof, around one table, toasting, laughing enjoying family favorites- indeed filled with gratitude.  The gratitude tree was a new addition and a special touch.  The cousins unite to make their own fun- something new this gathering- fashion shows from my closet.  Kids asked for themes after dinner and came down 4 times with various outfits- we figured out their favorite high heels that remained constant with costume changes.

Mom's pies this year were particularly good.  often we'll take a walk between dinner and dessert- not this year the walking/ running at the trot in the morning did the trick.  We worked on the kitchen and enjoyed time at the table again.  Joe's fire this year particularly good- prefect backdrop to the day and where I sit now typing.  Watching Peter sit watching football eating peas, the Stoners enjoying turkey sandwiches and the kids plan their evening here while parents and grandparents return to hotel rooms- life on Newark-Granville Road has me indeed giving thanks.

Thanksgiving Eve.......

So the figure eights yesterday also included the fun of family arriving for Thanksgiving!  The blog's title evokes the need to report on true activities within the home on Newark-Granville Road and I'm happy to oblige this morning!  Yesterday's bad weather inspired my Maryland family to make their journey a day early- hooray! They arrived safely in the afternoon having stayed ahead of the storms for the most part.  Sarah and Greg arrived early enough to have Louisa visit Clare's school to surprise her and pick her up early from Math Counts- Clare was thrilled for many many reasons.  Nana and Pap had great timing as well- Pap was able to nap at The Inn and Nana met the kids off the bus- lucky me watched from the porch- Sally and Peter's faces were priceless as it computed who this was waiting for them with outstretched hands.  Louisa beams with love and happiness with abudnent energy when surrounded by cousins.  She may bubble over when the next set arrives!  Joe joined in with Turkey prep- making sure Friday errand completed, enough scotch was on hand and the turkey in the ready- plus a hair cut!!

It really worked well to have the crew settle in...Bodie the dog and Griffey figured one another out, relaxing time at the Inn- rooms across the hall, all girl delivery of Sally to the Nutcracker rehearsal to see her dressing room spot, a leisurely dinner at Brews and real conversations we've needed to have in person- Sarah and I figuring out medical genealogy steps in regard to cancer. The meal had everyone happy with their order and kids even topped it off with Whits.  Louisa stayed with us cuddling with Clare....Life on Newark-Granville Road is pretty full and special.  I count my blessings - I know this these days don't last forever and there are others missing family and loved ones.  I admire those helping others.

So Thanksgiving Eve....I LOVE Thanksgiving and the focus of family, food and friends- I'm off to work, duty calls but then some shopping and shuttling to wrap up the day with food my Mom brought and the arrival of my brother and his family!  The Stoner arrival is figure eight on Newark-Granville Road as my siblings are Denison alums and our family has been like figure eighting from Granville since 1985 when we stayed at the Buxton and explored the fair college on the hill.  It is a magical place and I loved hearing Sarah tell Louisa she'd give her a tour.  The snow this year is early but beautiful our village glistens and delights.  Take care and thanks for reading and sharing my life on Newark-Granville Road. I'm off to embrace the preperation process of Thanksgiving Eve.

Figure Eights over and over......

I admit the week has had its stress and as much as I wish I could roll with it, ride the wave, sit loosely people know when I'm dealing with stress. There is a lot to do at work, at home- all good, all important but just a lot at once.  And then I'm given a wonderful reminder of the good work that is being done and I soak it all in and I am able to roll with it again.....THANK YOU OSUN, Campus Compact and the Pay It Forward Program!  What a treat it was to visit the geography class today and learn about students hands-on learning about philanthropy, industry in our community, heritage of glass and so much more!

Students were given opportunities to volunteer at The Works, The Heisey Museum and with Licking County Recycling.  Then these organizations applied for Grant funds and the students determined financial awards.  Today we received our rewards- not only financial but the lessons they've learned and relationship appreciation- it was amazing to experience first hand.

So why do I consider the time in the classroom figure eight material?  First as I explained to the students- Howard LeFevre.  This OSU alumnus was no doubt smiling on us today.  He created the works and OSU-N/COTC because of his high regard for education and life long learning.  He and Marcia created a thriving hands-on learning experience.  So for the two to meet today, for hands-on experiential learning about industry to happen as part of an OSU-N class @ The works- what could be more figure eight than that!  The other fun for me was I'm working on a grant report.  A report that is to showcase deep learning.  There is no doubt about it- deep learning is happening with the students today. Deep appreciation and understanding of philanthropy, community pride, innovation, natural resource value and many other concepts from the classroom I valued learning about today!

And finally anthropology!  I'm so pleased to share we received an amazing check (pretend for now) signed by each student to support The Works Anthropology Camp and Programming coming soon!!  We've had a great experience with a dig at the canal's lock no 9 site and Allison was with us as a counselor.  Now she is back and bringing her passion and field of study with her- Anthropology returns!  And these students and this program made it happen- with great team work of our education and development team- woo hoo! Figure eights all over the place..making Life on Newark-Granville Road an in-motion joy of learning, connecting, giving and receiving!

innovation and change.....

I love innovation.  My father would sit around the dinner table with us and talk about inventions.  It is no wonder I work at a museum built around innovation and invention.  But reality I don't always embrace the change innovation demands, but it makes its way in to my life and I embrace it.

Silly thing- the grapefruit knife.  I was shopping at the church mission fundraiser Holiday Harvest event- the Grandma's Attic boutique is a favorite.  When buying silver knifes, grapefruit spoons!!! and ultimately the full length mink that keeps me super warm today..I also went with the $1 grapefruit knife when given the chance.  I had seen it but thought- who needs that- innovation- a serrated knife works just fine.  Reality is the regular old teaspoons work too but the silver antique is kind of a thing I love....going back in time and a utensil for everything, knowing their purposes- very cool. But the modern knife to do a task- nah. However in the name of mission and the low price of $1- I brought it home.  I used it today- wow! How cool- one end has two blades parallel to sever the flesh perfectly- so one movement replaces two- reduction of footsteps/handsteps!!  Then on the flip side of the tool is a curved blade to easily and quickly make the next movement.  Reality is I probably saved all of 10 seconds but it was fun to hold innovation in my hand.

IOS7.....I've been avoiding it on my i-phone. But I cracked my screen yesterday- ARGH- and it just drove me nuts to have it like that...Joe agreed I could take the time and funds to replace it.  Clare used an old one of mine that was broken/cracked as an itouch for years- drove me nuts. I don't think of myself as OCD and I live with not so perfect things everywhere...but not on the phone.  The service at the apple store started a bit shakey but it was in part to my being in a hurry and the not wanting to pay the ridiculous price for a new screen.  Turns out they don't even replace the screen- the replace the whole phone.  Lets hear it for automatic backup with the "cloud"...who knew I was even doing that...the cloud totally baffles me and was what was keeping me from going to IOS7 as I have all these photos on my phone that were on my computer and I thought were taking up space that wouldn't allow me to easily go to the IOS7....well the new phone came with the IOS7 on it so when my phone downloaded my back-up from my cloud (is this a fairy tale) there it was...we'll see how it goes...innovation galore at that Apple store- wow!


So there is a sneak peak at my life on Newark-Granville Road...innovation and change for me. I'll keep you posted on how it goes....but know if you're going to replace the screen- it isnt' cheap and will take longer than you anticipate.

singing out loud......

tonight is a night to cherish!  Clare and I hurried up and did our work so we could go see "Catching Fire"- movie.  How nice that my teenager...13!!...Okay with going to a movie with me.  We both read the books. Joe and I took her to the first one- hard subject/topic-the 2nd one is more collaborative and has a better feel.

Then we met the family at MCC for dinner.  It started a bit rough with goofy behavior. A delicious meal was had and enjoyed. Nice group in there and when it was down the the last three parties- all people we really enjoy- the kids were themselves- singing in quiet with earphones in making us all smile.  By the very end- headphones out and pure sing-along dance party in the MCC dining room.....life on Newark-Granville is filled with laughter, music and love.

the cocktail napkins say it all.....

We did a fair amount of cleaning up tonight....company is coming...and they'll be all over the house! The basement got a fair amount of attention- more just put-away, declutter and pitch- all over due!  I broke a beloved wedding gift- sniff sniff.....my fault completely...I rebounded pretty well.  I will miss it. I used it a fair amount and might even have a photo of it somewhere.  I found all 3 children's baby books and that made me smile- I can't wait to share them- they'll love it!  They found their art boxes and it was hard not to let them dig in- but we had work to do!

I also put my table cloth on the table....a gift from my Mom's cousin/my god-mother Judy.  My father brought her a linen table cloth from his time in the Navy and she had stopped using it.  When she moved back to Maryland she realized this- lucky me!  It looks beautiful on my table and will be a nice addition for Thanksgiving this year.

While doing that I went into organizing mode- the linen and silver drawers got my attention.  With this came the cocktail napkins....there it was - the mantra I needed and mentioned in the last blog.  "Keep Calm and and Gobble On"....life goes on during this amazing holiday- we just gobble gobble and keep on going.  We're making our lists and crossing things off...making progress..making progress!  The other napkin I love is just a big old roasted turkey on top of car- so perfect for Granville! I'm going to make that my profile pic on Facebook for this week- just to help keep me centered and focused!  There were some other great napkins in the drawer- come on over for a cocktail and I'll share them with you! Life on Newark-Granville Road loves company and cocktail time and Thanksgiving has both!

next two weeks.......

On Monday I had one of those....how are we going to get through the next two weeks....and not because I dread them- I love them. I LOVE Thanksgiving. I love that I'm hosting my families this year, I love that Sally is dancing in the Nutcracker. I LOVE the theme for Holiday Homecoming and this amazing event.  It just all that has to be done with that, along with, the regular work and extra things we're juggling like interviewing Grant writers that adds up.  You all know what I mean- you feel it too. I truly don't need to hear how many days until Christmas as that will put me over the edge as Tgiving is late and Xmas will come early.....but I can't go there- I have to stay in the Thanksgiving place.  The place about being grateful and appreciating and gathering family and friends.

I can only do this with extroverting about it- hence this blog post. Extroverting with Joe about it as we lay in bed in the morning- he's on his phone and I've got my eyes shut hoping to get a tiny big more peaceful nothing in...other than brain time juggling concern....but with a hug and a kiss we say- we'll get through it.  I need to find a new phrase- getting it through it isn't what I want- I don't want to miss it. So much joy and happiness comes from it...I just need to coach myself and accept and roll with it....oh yes....Sit Loosely in the Saddle...Ride the Wave....embrace the day....embrace the busy....I'll get there....maybe we'll talk about it at dinner- the kids can help me with a mantra!! Maybe we'll find something basketball oriented....be in the zone?  We're in transition mode- I haven't figured out who goes where how with all 3 playing basketball- we'll get there- coaches are communicating- woo hoo! I'm grateful for parent partners who give rides and figure it out with me.  I'm grateful for parent coaches leading and giving our kids these opportunities. I'm grateful for all that is happening with Sally's Nutcracker experience- I hope you've purchased your tickets- call the Midland- so many great efforts- the youth and their leaders put on an amazing show- Tgiving weekend Fri 8 pm, Sat matinee and evening 7:30 and Sunday Matinee.  I'm grateful for all Stoners and Leithausers making their way to Granville for our assigned celebrations and support of Sally. I'm grateful for the coworkers and colleagues, volunteers and donors- doing such good things for The Works.  I'm grateful for the friends that join me in sitting loosely on Newark-Granville Road.