Preperation for what is to come…...

and that means traditions and family fun for NYE this year and New Year's food preparation.  For tonight we have our taco/burrito family dinner with the Westerville Leithausers.  Lucky us- Leithauser Christmas was lovely this year and we'll gather again to enjoy oneanother's company- making memories.  We come and go from our family on that we're fortunate to count as friends too. We've traveled, shared close birthdays, pregnancies and summer fun- memories are rich and deep with the Leithausers.  Tomorrow we're ready with our black-eyed pea dip, brats and sauerkraut will be the pork and sauerkraut and the pickled herring (Joe's favorite) has been procured.  Note last year I got the sandwich cut and it was way wrong!  We eat these things for luck.  It has worked for years and years because indeed I'm lucky…..here is a fun quote about luck that ties to my blog's purpose and the title today….

I've found that luck is quite predictable. If you want more luck, take more chances. Be more active. Show up more often.
Brian Tracy 
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/luck.html#YVojoSgbJVwbdjXP.99

So here is to all the luck of last year and the luck that will come in 2014 on Newark-Granville Road.

back in town….life off of Newark-Granville Road

It is soooo good to go away! Vacations and trips can be difficult to carve out but it is so important! It is important to take a break from blog posts, driving kids to and from, our work places, even keeping the house clean and meals on the table.  As long as I've been a mom and had full life on Newark-Granville Road (and Mulford) I've escaped to my parents house in Maryland.  It had been way too long since we made a Maryland visit.  On the drive on the 26th we figured it was our Africa/Easter/Spring break trip in March.

While in Maryland we enjoyed our Stoner Christmas celebration- so great to be with Sarah, Greg and Louisa- Bohdie their dog is a beloved member of the family too. She is always with them- even our vacation trips or with us when they visit here.  We missed Matt and his family, however having had Easter with them and Thanksgiving here we were ok.  Mom and Dad's house gets a bit cramped so Joe and I enjoy hotel time- tv in bed, clothes in our own space and opportunity to get a drink at a favorite watering hole- The Colonial.

We enjoyed an activity I enjoyed growing up- hiking! To prepare for Joe, Clare and Peter's overnight hike on the Appalachian Trail in March we scouted out where they'll pitch their tent and enjoy dinner on the trail.   My Dad engaged with maps, deep knowledge of the area and escorted us to make sure we found our way.  Time together is so valuable. My Dad's MSD (being treated) Sarah's cancer- 5 years cancer free and the watching friends mourn their parents loss makes time off the road all the more important.  We're lucky our kids know their grandparents- both sets so well- we don't take our life on Newark-Granville for granted and we count our blessing and savor the time.

Checking in from Holiday Time!

To the tune of "My Favorite Things" 

Crab Cakes and oysters at FHCC

Cocktails at 5 complete with brie

Sunday hikes into the mountains

these are a few of my favorite things!

Bowling and outlet shopping to pass the time

Visits to Mercersburg and hearing the chimes

Time to relax and just be together

these are a few of my favorite things!

Drinks at the Colonial and Nana cakes for breakfast

Cousins and sibling together at long last

Maggie and Bodie make it complete

These are a few of my favorite things!

When we say goodbye, 

Are far away

When I'm missing them all

I simply remember these times together 

And then I don't feel so bad….

Photo at Mercersburg Academy, M'burg PA 2013 This is where Joe and I were married in February 1999!

Christmas Greetings! Christmas Card Blog Entry!

I enjoy sharing the behind the scenes about cards we send.  This year we were able to get Christmas Cards finished and mailed (last year did Valentines cards)….although most cards will arrive on the 3rd, 5th even 6th day of Christmas. Some may say we then should of send "New Years Cards"….however following family tradition we celebrate until Epiphany- January 6th. The tree won't come down until then…and it may be later this year as we put the tree up late- we'll see- not doubt a future blog topic!  My grandmother's birthday (Clara Schnebly Price- my mom's mom) was January 6th.  Lucky us- Sarah Landis Leithauser (our Sally) was born January 6th as well!

Cards this year were not processed via excel or list- and I know we're missing people- hopefully you've found your way here and we can say- MERRY CHRISTMAS!  HAPPY NEW YEAR…may you find love, happiness, hope, joy and adventure in 2014!  Also the back of our card says JOIN us for our annual Derby Party on May 3rd!  We won't do invitations for Derby but you're invited!!

I need to give a shout out to Leader Printing in Granville/ Newark- on 16 at Cherry Valley intersection- they're wonderful to work with.  I send them my photos, ideas, text and they produced our cards- I'm soooo grateful.  I had ideas to do something about following in footsteps with all 3 kids playing basketball- Joe played and now coaches….Clare went to and is going to the camp where I went, Peter is playing Joe's trumpet, choir memories for the kids take me back to my choir days…..so much happiness and joy- maybe next year!   Africa was too good not to share photos- Sally's spirit was the highlight of our trip to Senegal- visiting the orphanage, delivering toys collected on Christmas eve last year and Sally's 8th birthday….of course this all happened thanks to the Michael's our dear friends- they were amazing hosts.

I don't include a Christmas Letter anymore- I let the blog do that work!  As you know from reading past entries  Joe and I love our jobs, we have wonderful help to shuttle kids and keep the house in order and kids are doing great in school and activities.  The house is getting a tap into the sewer for Xmas- ho ho ho….Our community, church, friends, family (all here for Tgiving) lift us up so it is a very very Merry Christmas for us.  We know it isn't the case for everyone and we hope the Spirit will help make it merrier if this is the case.   Oh yes Griffey- the 1 1/2 year old dog is growing up but loving that tree and it's ornaments of perceived buffet play toys!!

Thank you for reading and sharing my wonderful life on Newark-Granville Road with me!  May you find the joys of the season all around- they are there, they really are and we're grateful to share ours!

Waiting until the last minute…...

Last year it was "Gloria" Gloria…..calling the wrong Walmart….this year well I can't go into details but the desired item has been obtained… Santa has assured me it is in the sled and will be delivered- woo hoo!

Tonight Joe and I took advantage of an hour and half to wrap up some key items- Nostrums was an absolute delight! The service was amazing! Selection and price ranges all pleased and delighted me..I even found 15 minutes and a sales associate at my side to try on dresses and secure the red sweater I've been keeping my eye out for quite some time.

Joe and I enjoyed dinner at The Pearl. I've heard about it since they opened and had yet to find time to enjoy.  It didn't disappoint- yummy fresh oysters on the half shell, delicious fish dinner all in the company of dear friends we just don't see enough.  Joe and Matt put it all together and they get gold stars for the effort.

The day started early with church and a great sermon, kids choir over brunch- I was able to enjoy a bloody mary in a place where I relax immediately upon entry.  Nice to be with good friends and share a meal.  MCC is very special to me and a lovely holiday week kick-off! I'm in a good place in my life on Newark-Granville Road. Not that there isn't tons still to do….but the last minute success is working it's magic and giving me energy.  We're getting ready- Christmas and the joy, hope and love it brings will be here soon!

standing in one place…..

Today gave me time to focus…focus on this wonderful community, my wonderful family, my wonderful job.  Today we rang the Salvation Army Bell via Newark Rotary.  What a great start to the day.  The kids were far from perfect, but they did it.  Today I spend a good chunk of time at my desk addressing deadlines and getting ready for a break and saying thanks. Tonight I stayed home and worked on Xmas cards and enjoyed just being with Joe and the girls.

There is so much going on in this world, with our family and friends. It felt so good to stand this morning and ring the bell- in an easy way ask for support of those in need, ask for support of an organization that cares and shares warmth and love.  I drove the kids to the Salvation Army after we did our shift- we appreciate our vantage point a bit better today.  I wore the Rotary vest and Sally asked about "service above self" and we talked about how good it feels to serve, give, care.  It was good to be in Newark at the Kroger- observe the comings and goings. Feel the giving, the warmth, the smiles and anticipation of the seasons. Good to talk with a fellow Rotarian and my kids for an hour- a whole hour.

My job is full of amazing events and activities.  It is hard to stop and report on what has been happening. Reflect to soak in the good work, the lessons to improve and throw things away and delete and clean up too.  Good to say thanks and plan for what surely will be another year of growth, service, learning and fun for our community with The Works.

This holiday season has us sending Christmas Cards again- I love mail and love reaching out to friends far and near.  I love to open cards and connect with friends near and far. I love how the kids stand with me at the kitchen counter and open and review, inquire and remark. I'm grateful for 2013's gatherings and get togethers that prompt the kids to say- oh yeah I remember them….I'm inspired to plan some trips- Michigan friends get ready…Peter loves Michigan he needs to see it and you!  I've watched two movies with my family this weekend while working on the cards. They won't arrive by Xmas but Christmas is 12 days and they will go out and they say Happy New Year too!

I hope you're able to pause and take it in the beauty of this season. Winter has arrived in an odd way (60 with rain) our beautiful snow is gone. There is lots of ugly and worry with flooding- we try to focus on the good in our lives on Newark-Granville Road as it is there and it felt so good to take it in today.

updates!

Simple post tonight- here are some updates.  The boring under the road was successful- wahoo!  I received many texts and comments- love how our town notices.  I love the fact that Sally had an dr. appointment so I was driving by during the boring- fun to see the implement that makes this possible.
Still a lot of work to do- connection from pump to tap, interior plumbing, filling the septic system in back.

Great art exhibit at The Works tonight- Andrew, our AIR, has been fantastic and is so talented.  Thanks to those that attended- it means a lot to us all.  Busy time of year- you can still see his work this weekend and tomorrow.  He'll also join us on Feb 1st for Cocktails by the Fire.  We'll meet the new AIR at this time too. Tonight past AIR were with us- that meant a lot too!  The AIR Case looks really beautiful in the glass studio- neat to see the various styles and approaches to this ancient art form.

Welcome United Way of Licking County to The Works complex!  Our 6 acre, 11 building facility has wonderful new tenants, and tonight was their Open House/ Ribbon Cutting.  What a treat to represent The Works and share a few remarks.  The Works Board is wise to figure out this partnership and Howard LeFevre's legacy lives on in many ways as downtown supports, celebrates, teaches its own.

Clare's basketball team- GMS 7th Grade Girls- won! Woo Hoo! They are undefeated.  I was sorry to miss the game, but love text updates!

I think that will cover it for now….Christmas is coming…..ready or not…makign progress on Newark-Granville Road.