tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5593468356703982572024-03-05T00:59:59.444-05:00life as lennySuzy Leonardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11547572950115694507noreply@blogger.comBlogger95125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-559346835670398257.post-16626936833016577702011-09-01T11:41:00.000-04:002011-09-01T11:41:32.005-04:00the frog, the penguin, the piglet<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">the frog</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">the penguin</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I hadn't picked up my crochet hooks for more than 10 minutes all summer long. Partially because when I sat in front of the tv I wanted to do nothing more than sit! And partially because its hot in the summer! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last month I scored big on craigslist--4 kitchen size garbage bags FULL of yarn for $20. Half of it I ended up donating to Bradford Woods for kids crafts. I wouldn't have had anywhere to put all of it anyway...as it is yarn seems to be in almost every room of the house. A couple weeks ago I sat down one night and finished a scarf I'd started months ago. Then I got excited again and started trying to making a pig hat. This is not a new idea- people make animal shaped hats all the time. Once I finished the basic hat I found a really simple pattern online to make the ears and nose, then it turned into a pig! I think my favorite part is the tails from the ear flaps. The pig got me excited about animals so I made the penguin and the frog. Since I'm not one for following patterns it took a little while to figure out just how to create the features. But now I know and they should be much easier to replicate. Hopefully I'll have a whole bunch of different animals for upcoming craft fairs!</span></div>
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Suzy Leonardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11547572950115694507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-559346835670398257.post-27373409000393722452011-03-03T08:52:00.001-05:002011-03-03T08:58:52.326-05:00NAWGJ USAG JudgeWhen I was a little girl my dad practically had to drag me out to the car after gymnastics class. I'd beg my teacher-- "please, just one more?...I want to show my dad" :) Of course showing my dad was just a ploy to let me continue to play. I competed for 5 years when I was in middle school and high school. High school gymnastics was great cause I was still working out at the gym I grew up in--thank you Genie:) I was never amazing but I loved it--so much so that I was chosing to do two-a-day practices sometimes alone. I missed gymnastics when I was in college! Coaching/Teaching at summer camp was not always awesome in the moment but I loved it and then coaching at the Y in Ligonier was amazing! I remember my head coach there talking about becoming a judge but I didn't think it was something I would ever be qualified to do. My head coach in Martinsville is also a judge and there's a high demand for judges these days so she encouraged me along :) Lots of studying, lots of hoops to jump through and here I go... Saturday will be my first meet to judge. Am I nervous? You bet I am--I don't want lots of inquiries my first meet and I don't want to be way off but there's no wading into this field--you gots to jump right in to the deep end and hope your brain is filled with enough to keep you afloat.Suzy Leonardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11547572950115694507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-559346835670398257.post-60948278106695121182010-10-21T10:51:00.000-04:002010-10-21T10:51:06.333-04:00big picture galIn the last fifteen minutes I realized something about myself...I am a big picture gal! I like to have a decent understanding of something before I dive in. I like to put a lot into something the first time around so that instead of recreating the wheel every year I can just tweak things. As a teacher I was ok not having all the answers. I'd just flat out tell my students I didn't know and to make sure they let me know when they found the answer. And to some degree I am ok not having all the answers but I like to know my resources to help me find the answers. Resources oh resources, where for art thou resources? <br />
So now what? I know this about myself. What do I do with it...I'm not sure...Suzy Leonardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11547572950115694507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-559346835670398257.post-37273544928103876662010-09-19T16:33:00.000-04:002010-09-19T16:33:03.771-04:00mysuzyhat<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Since I started crochetting people have been saying "you should sell that stuff!" I have always said it would take the joy out of making things. I am officially launching 'mysuzyhat' on etsy.com in the next few weeks. I turned a couple of my housemates into crochetting monsters and they have started selling at craft fairs. I made just a few things and helped out for one morning. See our booth...and one of my hats:) I actually sold a couple! Yeah for mysuzyhat!!! </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYV12UJrR50GVvbt6a_W23qnHbLKUIjsusExMvuJJDgzME5YMyPdJBf8M8-_b_hNiSvjhIPxVe-UIcB83Z6BPYS1ehZWJ2fnBuxn-QLuQObcsb1yNpYrvTOHHFtbt0zREvQOjwMt5Ampcm/s1600/IMG_1014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYV12UJrR50GVvbt6a_W23qnHbLKUIjsusExMvuJJDgzME5YMyPdJBf8M8-_b_hNiSvjhIPxVe-UIcB83Z6BPYS1ehZWJ2fnBuxn-QLuQObcsb1yNpYrvTOHHFtbt0zREvQOjwMt5Ampcm/s320/IMG_1014.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf-S2ZxzYwSigJukn643KBWghu9gBYQhp-rGDw8wkfG2tVBlIZGYfJsqorupJym0ZSR9ip0nb2Wfir9Y9cuNFi8eKxnhXfaueBvh7epNILdj7Z3rszYvod0kebreKI8hgnUYOyPbMth_-K/s1600/IMG_1016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf-S2ZxzYwSigJukn643KBWghu9gBYQhp-rGDw8wkfG2tVBlIZGYfJsqorupJym0ZSR9ip0nb2Wfir9Y9cuNFi8eKxnhXfaueBvh7epNILdj7Z3rszYvod0kebreKI8hgnUYOyPbMth_-K/s320/IMG_1016.JPG" /></a></div>Suzy Leonardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11547572950115694507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-559346835670398257.post-34893790013369147832010-09-14T17:19:00.000-04:002010-09-14T17:19:44.567-04:00isaac and noah<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">What good am I if I don't post at least a couple pics of my favorite twin baby boys? Meet Isaac and Noah. One day I might be able to tell them apart:) </span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9b8SmWg_sB4dnpDxwOnLGgl88qksSqKwTQQoSkTAbLfCws-e_dCs5bMDFVlINJPTS3yA6y6CWT7ECUskoivsP-J4DKCafRR2sjeU9MXNM0K5aikJZgKjLtJL-wd-GbhzVQRYinLDjJeJA/s1600/0902101621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9b8SmWg_sB4dnpDxwOnLGgl88qksSqKwTQQoSkTAbLfCws-e_dCs5bMDFVlINJPTS3yA6y6CWT7ECUskoivsP-J4DKCafRR2sjeU9MXNM0K5aikJZgKjLtJL-wd-GbhzVQRYinLDjJeJA/s320/0902101621.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Noah found his thumb while he was getting a bath!</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzuIglJo0M02hV9aJb7LjAME54brRtpz0yPFQ5aPXTbeqMtTKdmT-DocWUUcn1Cr8_dBiKxiu675Qk_98VvTM8elCuKiul6CjIXL8QSIUfoM6jZWzbnER_NW4bmlPkMJoiBU8LgFtcRq6-/s1600/0906101724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzuIglJo0M02hV9aJb7LjAME54brRtpz0yPFQ5aPXTbeqMtTKdmT-DocWUUcn1Cr8_dBiKxiu675Qk_98VvTM8elCuKiul6CjIXL8QSIUfoM6jZWzbnER_NW4bmlPkMJoiBU8LgFtcRq6-/s320/0906101724.jpg" /></a></div>Suzy Leonardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11547572950115694507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-559346835670398257.post-15770289133848042832010-09-14T17:08:00.000-04:002010-09-14T17:08:22.138-04:00Bebo Norman's 'Borrow Mine'Bebo Norman=smile on my face. <br />
I don't listened to Bebo nearly as much as I used too, although I still heart him and have a great appreciation for his music...especially <strong>LIVE</strong> when Gabe Scott is playing the dulcimer...AMAZING! Anywho, I was just looking for some ring tones and stumbled across Bebo's song "Borrow Mine". Today I am thinking about it in a different way. <br />
The chorus is: <br />
<em>You can borrow mine</em><br />
<em>When your hope is gone</em><br />
<em>Borrow mine</em><br />
<em>When you can't go on</em><br />
<em>'Cause the world will not defeat you</em><br />
<em>When we're side by side</em><br />
<em>When your faith is hard to find</em><br />
<em>You can borrow mine</em><br />
<br />
Maybe I am simply going through a pre-30's crisis? Whatever it is, I am grateful for those around me who continue to encourage and let me borrow their faith whether they know it or not. I have locked all the verses Emily has texted me. I hear Maureen in my head saying "God is sovereign." Patrick talking about Ebenezer. Sandy's perfect cups of coffee. Quint talking about seeds. Jim singing From the Depths of Woe. Zan's blog! Sarah's caring and listening ears. Dawson family 'squeezers'. Melanie's affirmation. Jo-Jo puppy dog kisses to wipe away tears. Plus sooooo many more. Amen and Amen.<br />
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Follow the link if you want to see the rest of the words to the song.<br />
<a href="http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Borrow-Mine-lyrics-Bebo-Norman/2D912BF65D679B9D48256FAD0005FC85">http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Borrow-Mine-lyrics-Bebo-Norman/2D912BF65D679B9D48256FAD0005FC85</a>Suzy Leonardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11547572950115694507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-559346835670398257.post-61702204087009119792010-09-08T12:43:00.000-04:002010-09-08T12:43:38.408-04:00NY ThruwayThis last weekend I headed up to Lake Ontario with my parents and one of my brothers. We've been making this trip my whole life though this time it looked a little different! I drove, Dave sat in the front, mom and dad sat in the back---weird! Part of this journey is stopping at the Rest Area that is in between the Thruway. You walk over the Thruway on an enclosed bridge to get to the restrooms and food. <br />
As we walked across the bridge late Friday night I heard a little boy say "woah!" I turned to look and sure enough he was standing at the window next to his dad facing down and a semi truck had just driven under the bridge. It's so silly and exciting. As the trucks drive under the bridge you feel like you are right on top of it. Hence the "woah!" from the little boy. If you have never experienced this sensation you must add it to your bucket list:)Suzy Leonardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11547572950115694507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-559346835670398257.post-38111806358392134672010-08-26T15:21:00.000-04:002010-08-26T15:21:16.717-04:00elephant<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">That elephant appears to be growing...and my spoon is not big enough. I am a very tired woman and its so much more than not getting enough sleep. My heart needs a vacation from caring too much. There has to be a <strike>better</strike> different way.</span>Suzy Leonardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11547572950115694507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-559346835670398257.post-17877281251975322392010-07-22T09:38:00.003-04:002010-07-22T09:56:05.125-04:00ode to the little thingsIt is often the little things that make me smile the most... like when I hear/see an "ah-ha moment" happen or people leave "Black-eyed Suzy's" on my desk. It's also the little things that really wear on me and weigh me down. The last 7 days have been fully loaded from before dawn to well after dusk. Lots of little unexpecteds...I got to use a weed trimmer the other day for long enough that my hands were numb when I finally ran out of gas. I have been advised to not let the little things get to me because they pile up. The piling has certainly been happening and I am eager for a little break. There is light and its not just at the end of the tunnel it is all along the tunnel...some days it just burns brighter than others. God doesn't give us more than we can handle, right?<br /><br />The other night I was reminded of a great nugget of metphorical wisdom....here it is:<br /><br /><em>What's the only way to eat an elephant? </em><br /><em>--One spoonful at a time.</em>Suzy Leonardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11547572950115694507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-559346835670398257.post-44674325438835291152010-07-14T00:32:00.003-04:002010-07-14T00:52:52.311-04:00team building?Probably the most challenging group of people to facilitate adventure education experiences for are facilitators themselves. Though I haven't done this recently its on the forefront of my mind. I often wish that I could be on the receiving end of facilitation. There are so many things that I see in myself that I know I should be better at. I have been facilitating for almost 13 years now and I most certainly do not have it all worked out. With every new group of people comes its own joys and well, not so much joys. My goal is always to take care of people and there are days that I fail miserably... sometimes because I am stuck, sometimes because I simply just miss, and quite honestly sometimes on purpose. Lately I have felt the weight of the world on my shoulders. Like it is always my fault and that I am always the person that needs to adjust to those around me. Today, actually yesterday since its almost 1am, that weight has been even heavier. I feel like I can do no right and that is hard to swallow because I know it's not true. Ugh. Defeat.Suzy Leonardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11547572950115694507noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-559346835670398257.post-61212313309062662352010-04-11T18:57:00.003-04:002010-04-11T19:31:43.410-04:00Vision...round two"Be Thou My Vision O Lord of my heart"<br />Due to a series of corporate groups I have recently been helping to facilitate the concept of vision and personal mission has been fresh on my mind. I have never succeeded at writing a personal mission statement. It's something that just seems impossible to put into words. And quite frankly its something I want to share...to do together with someone...but that's not happening anytime soon.<br />This morning I went to yet another new church. I was so encouraged to sing Come Thou Fount and Be Thou My Vision mostly cause they are like a "blankie" to me:) Singing those words this morning was a gentle reminder of my vision and my purpose for life. My passion is people and challenging people of all ages to want to grow. My vision and my purpose has already been written... Matt 28:18-20. <br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Suzy Leonardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11547572950115694507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-559346835670398257.post-68021145437529034482010-04-03T09:08:00.003-04:002010-04-03T09:20:55.477-04:00Choosing by Alli Rogers<em>I guess I need to chose</em><br /><em>but today I am confused</em><br /><em>and losing ground</em><br /><em>Is this some part of plan</em><br /><em>The rise and fall of man</em><br /><em>I can't be sure</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>When I am away from my source of peace</em><br /><em>something fills that space in me</em><br /><em>And it feels like I don't need you</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>It's easy to get by </em><br /><em>when I don't even try to</em><br /><em>find the truth</em><br /><em>Today I learned that faith</em><br /><em>is not to be obtained like a place I can go</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>It's more of a choice than a feeling</em><br /><em>And more a wound than healing</em><br /><em>The act of believing in you</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>And I guess I need to choose</em><br /><em>but today I am confused and losing ground</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>But maybe this is where I grow</em><br /><em>When I admit that I don't know</em><br /><em>When belief becomes the only way to you</em><br /><br />I just heard this song on pandora and wow! What really hit me is the statement about peace. Holy cow, have I experienced that lately. I have been away. Wow, have I been away and allowing that space to be filled by something else. Today I am choosing not to be filled with something else but to allow that peace to come from the only one who can really give it.Suzy Leonardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11547572950115694507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-559346835670398257.post-44584056918709163422010-03-28T18:43:00.002-04:002010-03-28T18:50:12.613-04:00singles groupI am still in shock of what I experienced this afternoon. Recently I have been thinking about how I really need to make some friends outside of work. No offense to those that I work with...it's just time my life didn't revolve around BW. Last Sunday we'd noticed that there would be a singles potluck this afternoon. I had gone back and forth in my head about going but when one of my housemates volunteered to go with me I had a rekindled desire to take the plunge and go to the singles potluck. It was NOT what either of us expected and I am soooooo glad I didn't go it alone. It wasn't weird or creepy or anything we just happened to be probably 20 years younger than every other person who attended. No offense but this was not what I was hoping for... so my small attempts to find a social network outside of BW and closer than Ohio must continue. This makes me miss college...ugh. How are people suposed to meet each other anymore???Suzy Leonardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11547572950115694507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-559346835670398257.post-80458831517011680162010-03-27T12:22:00.003-04:002010-03-27T13:12:49.408-04:00where do I stand on war?Yesterday I went to visit a <em>fairly</em> local milatiary base.There are many groups that come from this base that I assist in facilitating and we wanted to gain a better understanding of what these people do so that we can provide a better experience for them at the Woods. It was super interesting but somewhat hard to swallow. Way back in my college days(I know that was oh so long ago:) there were a lot of let's say debatable issues that were kind of in my face. One of those issues was war vs. peace. I took a confident pacifist stance... now I am there but not quite as confidently. One of the first things I saw on base were some high powered guns...ugh. Interesting to see but that threw my brain into a tizzy for the rest of the day. As I listened to these men and women share about what they do on a daily basis to enable the US to defend and fight my stomach was unsettled. I was forced to contemplate my assistance in empowering these people to essentially be more effective at sending people off to war.<br />What IS my role? Am I indirectly supporting war? And should I stop? Or is war a fact of humanity and by helping these people do their jobs more effectively am I indirectly helping protect those who fight every day? Though I am answerless, my convictions are not strong enough to stop doing what I am doing... but I wonder if they should be? What do <strong>you</strong> think?<br />On another note I did get to ride in a hummer AND sit in the driver's seat...pretty sweet when I don't think about why hummers exist in the first place...see pics...<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453358650114689890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirJeO7dvbpeonNf2ro3NChUaxtZMdt0q9C4-r8ZbWt4MNWcTO7565qnVZSKGQonO0yrQ8LLpn_XdKw7yuRpqYsifafULOkKoJZk9WioLmrAiwGKlfmFHtjAjaNQeW9kUNvQRjC-U3PgX0C/s200/IMG00022-20100326-1304.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453358645066037138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGdwKYP_miQSPg0jcoVLvJHcdRueDkB61v6L_nIEnqmJWV5yz42Gf3EErzTxMOUkJlVj-ZZSmCZZAHXPK_j7z7cHbe70tiuOymx4xl1TEBNm040t72S0AA8ruINBcU0aK8xYZ1Gvvg_Y18/s200/IMG00016-20100326-1257.jpg" /><br /><div><br /><br /><div> </div></div>Suzy Leonardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11547572950115694507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-559346835670398257.post-73963132466756095672010-02-11T19:58:00.004-05:002010-02-11T20:29:05.150-05:00on coaching...Those who can't (anymore), teach? That's what people say, right? I was a gymnast for 11 years, competing for 5 of them. At the ripe old age of 17 I retired. Eleven years later gymnastics is still a rewarding part of my life though it's had many faces. I have taught at summer camp, taught after school programs, coached competitive gymnastics in PA for 3 years, and now coach recreational classes as well as girls who compete in Indiana.<br />I LOVE gymnastics. I love that I can still do a round-off back handspring(much to the dismay of all my girls...and my boss:) and that I can still climb up on a balance beam to do my old high school routine. And though I'd love to be physically capable of doing all the things I could do so many years ago gymnastics bringing a different satisfaction than it used it. There are days when my girls drive me up a wall...but there are nights like tonight that things just click.<br />I went to practice tonight frustrated about life and wishing I could unhurt people I have hurt. I listened to the song Brand New Day on repeat all the way to the gym and I decided when I walked in the door that it would be a great night. IT WAS! Though the girls were not angels by any means, they allowed me to focus my energy on helping them get better. I am trying so hard to praise the good they do and gentlly explain how to get better. One of the girls inparticular takes correction pretty hard. In our last 5 minutes we worked through a bar skill she's been struggling with. I cannot express how proud of her I still am. She got something she felt so defeated by and really all it took was a lot of praise and encouragment. She left the gym with a huge grin on her face tonight...and so did I.<br />I have said many times before that my passion is helping people grow...my girls are so small and young but they are growing...and the reward I feel for being part of that growth far exceeds the reward of do a backhandspring!Suzy Leonardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11547572950115694507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-559346835670398257.post-9024540276278818512010-02-11T09:14:00.003-05:002010-02-11T09:25:03.614-05:00Brand New Day by Joshua RadinI kind of stumbled on this song. A friend had given me all her CDs to listen to on my christmas baby tour and I had left this one in my cd visor accidently. Apparently it wasn't hers...another friend had left it at our house and it ended up in the stash I got at christmas.<br />Anyway...I am a music girl...the words that other people write are often the words I can't formulate. I have been listening to this song over and over for the last few days still trying to let them sink in. It's so simple, so true and so often hard for me to remember. In the midst of pain there is so much good and it's how I handle my time, my words, and my thoughts that will determine the outcome of each brand new day.<br /><br /><strong>Brand New Day<br /></strong>by:Joshua Radin<br /><br />Some kind of magic<br />Happens late at night<br />When the moon smiles down at me<br />And bathes me in its light<br /><br />I fell asleep beneath you<br />In the tall blades of grass<br />When I woke the world was new<br />I never had to ask<br /><br /><em>It's a brand new day</em><br /><em>The sun is shining</em><br /><em>It's a brand new day</em><br /><em>For the first time in such a long long time</em><br /><em>I know, I'll be ok</em><br /><br />Most kind of stories<br />Save the best part for last<br />And most stories have a hero who finds<br />You make your past your past<br />Yeah you make your past your past<br /><em></em><br /><em>It's a brand new day</em><br /><em>The sun is shining</em><br /><em>It's a brand new day</em><br /><em>For the first time in such a long long time</em><br /><em>I know, I'll be ok</em><br /><br />This cycle never ends<br />You gotta fall in order to mend<br /><br /><em>It's a brand new day</em><br /><em>It's a brand new day</em><br /><em>For the first time in such a long long time</em><br /><em>I know, I'll be ok</em>Suzy Leonardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11547572950115694507noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-559346835670398257.post-36091277401669007942009-12-15T00:14:00.002-05:002009-12-15T01:14:59.320-05:00sara grovesIf you have never listened to Sara Groves before, now would be a good time to start! Emily, my bff, has loved Sara Groves for probably as long as I have loved Bebo Norman. Whenever I visit Em I know Sara Groves is going to be in at least one CD player. Last night a group of us went to a concert and it was AMAZING. Her music and style are really good but its her lyrics that get ya. It's as if she has made sense of all the things I cannot seem to express.<br />As of last of last night my favorite song is Maybe There's a Loving God. Check out the lyrics here: <a href="http://saragroves.com/lyrics/allrighthere/maybetheresalovinggod">http://saragroves.com/lyrics/allrighthere/maybetheresalovinggod</a><br />Another joy of the concert was being introduced to Melody Olson. She's been singing back up vocals for Sara and just this month released a CD of her own. I listened to the last song on the disc on repeat for a good long while on my way back to Indiana. Here it is...<br /><em><strong>Remember the Way You Love</strong> </em><br /><em>Melody Olson</em><br /><em>like a girl in a crowd, lookin around, strangers eyes in the middle of the night, you've got the truth and lies swimmin in my mind, and i am wondering whose got a skeleton to hide</em><br /><em>keep me close, keep me calm, cloak my soul with magnificent hope, I'll remember the way you love</em><br /><em>see the girl in the crowd, and the light pours down, and the summer breaks through the darkest cloud, the orphan and widow cry, and you say that I, can look for you there and I'll find you every time</em><br /><em>keep me close to your heart and i will soar on the wings of the dawn, I'll remember the way you love, </em><br /><em>you gave your only son to be the one the saving one, you gave your only son to be the one, the saving one, keep me close to your heart and I will soar on the wings of the dawn, I'll remember the way you love, I'll remember the way you love, I'll remember, I'll remember</em>Suzy Leonardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11547572950115694507noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-559346835670398257.post-44766380843846950842009-10-18T16:13:00.003-04:002009-10-18T16:30:11.991-04:00Meet Mac<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_URcDvaoGiUYqHXqgxpbk_YJv3jKYStYWTp-LPb9i1cI2HAGMFdqqgBW0Kh-aKlDFvVl9zH9qDkoAAMSnaGqXFZGVvL5rjDDcpXrmrf-TPhWfK3O5Q1mMtjGYHft_oNnneAzXfhsihPL/s1600-h/IMG_0531.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394036269316481458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_URcDvaoGiUYqHXqgxpbk_YJv3jKYStYWTp-LPb9i1cI2HAGMFdqqgBW0Kh-aKlDFvVl9zH9qDkoAAMSnaGqXFZGVvL5rjDDcpXrmrf-TPhWfK3O5Q1mMtjGYHft_oNnneAzXfhsihPL/s200/IMG_0531.jpg" /></a> So getting Oreo was pretty stinkin exciting for me...but this is AMAZINGLY WONDERFUL!!!! Bebo(my old chevy) served me well for the last seven years. He needed to retire a long time ago but I just couldn't get something new until I had a little stability. With some temporary help from mis padres I was able to score a 2009 CRV yesterday. Crazy, right? I have been coming up with every excuse possible to drive him in the last 24 hours. I feel like I have waited forever for such a nice vehicle though in the grand scheme of things I haven't hardly waited at all. Regardless, I am so excited that for a good while I won't be wondering if I am actually going to make it to my destination when I get in the car. Not only will Mac make it but it will be a comfortable journey along the way. YEAH!!!!! Oh, and yes HE has a name...which is Mac. This one didn't fall out of my mouth like Bebo and Norman but I think it suits him and corny as it may sound Grma Brough's maiden name was MacDougal. She'd like it too:)Suzy Leonardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11547572950115694507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-559346835670398257.post-15451811637991661662009-10-11T23:31:00.002-04:002009-10-11T23:54:05.954-04:00fall festivalsThere is one thing that I never did while I lived in Ligonier. Anyone familiar with Fort Days may gasp at this...I never went to the Fort Days parade. I was always working at camp(and honestly I didn't mind). I know it was/is a big deal and I know it would have been fun with all the kids and all the staff who came back for reuinions but eh. My favorite part about it was the lawn chairs literally lining the street the day before so people could lay claim to their spots. I wish I had a picture. This statement is on the Chamber of Commerce website "<strong>PLEASE</strong>, for safety reasons, do not place any chairs along the parade route before 6pm on Friday." Mind you the parade does not start until 11am on Saturday.<br />This weekend in Martinsville was the Fall Foliage Festival. I knew there would be a parade this afternoon because my girls from gymnastics were walking in it. Ironically I was working so I couldn't be in it with them or go. But this morning as I drove to church I noticed lawn chairs along the road in various places. Now, it wasn't quite as dramatic as good ole' Liggy, but it certainly took me back to my favorite little town. One of these years I will make it to a fall parade. We'll just have to wait and see what state that happens in!Suzy Leonardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11547572950115694507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-559346835670398257.post-44700070536621653682009-10-08T22:41:00.002-04:002009-10-09T00:17:56.373-04:00"life giving"I had an interview today...as the interview-er for a change:) It was a good interview. I hope she ends up coming. Something she said really left an imprint on me though I honestly don't even remember the context of exactly why she said it. It was the phrase "life-giving." Which probably doesn't sound revolutionary in itself but man it really hit me.<br />A friend/co-worker and I often talk about vision and how stress and politics muddy the once clear waters of why we do what we do. Listening to this young woman talk kind of cleared the waters for me again. She shared about being very interpersonal and how exciting it is to hear/watch participants have those 'ah-ha' moments. As I listened, I distinctly remembered writing my cover letter for the Woods. I wrote about my desire and passion to be a part of growth in others whether that be through adventure education, coaching gymnastics, teaching, a/o mentoring. Today I have been remembering how being a part of that growth in others is life-giving to me and how I need to look wide-eyed so I can recognize when it's happening no matter how small.<br />I have to admit it was a rough night at gymnastics, LOADS of energy spilling out everywhere BUT they actually trust me now. Three months ago they didn't want me to spot them, now they are nervous without me close by. Honestly it does my heart good to feel needed and well, wanted. The best part of the whole thing is this great cycle of giving life. In enabling/challenging others to grow, I am encouraged, rejuvenated, and also given the opportunitiy to grow. What goes around certainly comes around!<br /><br />So what is it that is 'life-giving' to you?Suzy Leonardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11547572950115694507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-559346835670398257.post-58282249143179988872009-09-26T15:07:00.002-04:002009-09-26T15:28:58.065-04:00Oreo<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385855500776577234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS9bXW6n9nmeKmbj6IOaXnmXRSOp3Y8e3V2mZSheSKs2PoS434nUWq2drg7WhC8aa2eUDmWeHxJaguZ_Mxn0E0fxdykQLQhasovdO6FUJ2_kQhbPsfvTx6B-Kl5x6n07Rl8hdkUz5Z0df5/s200/IMG_0508.jpg" />Meet Oreo...the bunny formerly known as Jadzia. For some reason I finally got motivated to get a rabbit. I had done some research about rescuing a rabbit a while back but it seemed complicated. Last weekend I decided it was time for a little more digging. I found an animal shelter online about half an hour away with a couple rabbits. When I called Tuesday evening they still had the one I wanted and there was just enough time for me to get there and fill out the paperwork. But by the time I arrived he had been adopted! Booooo! The lady at the shelter let me play with the 4 other rabbits in need of a home and a short 30 minutes later I was walking out the door with Oreo! She's a Giant Lop, so she doesn't quite fit in the cage the way Izzy did. I tried to give her a small area to be free in but she doesn't really like to be barricaded so now she's just free in my room. She's pretty spunky and docile at the same time. She runs around the room, jumps up on anything she can, and then takes a load off behind my futton. She's not exactly a cuddler but she'll get there:)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh210PGTFfG5qWRieVHoZPLKUu5Hj5bpP1jmsLNejByO6eOZPGX1GeTZdKLvjxUpKwG5COi2yG4mHsmoht7u5UAGMWfc3FQyLaaNXcvHWGLYfeYhW0IVRwt54QXj2NickkRrpmrQp-3gGkY/s1600-h/IMG_0517.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385855507825955650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh210PGTFfG5qWRieVHoZPLKUu5Hj5bpP1jmsLNejByO6eOZPGX1GeTZdKLvjxUpKwG5COi2yG4mHsmoht7u5UAGMWfc3FQyLaaNXcvHWGLYfeYhW0IVRwt54QXj2NickkRrpmrQp-3gGkY/s200/IMG_0517.jpg" /></a> Here she decided to burrow in some yarn. At one point all I could see was her rump sticking out:)<br /><div><br /><br /><div></div></div>Suzy Leonardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11547572950115694507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-559346835670398257.post-45030130794771318882009-09-09T17:27:00.002-04:002009-09-09T17:53:29.564-04:00in one momentI spend a lot of time thinking. I think about where I am and where I want to be, who I am and who I want to be. My thoughts often end in defeat--either by falling asleep or the conclusion that I have no idea what I need to do to get where I want to be geographically and on the inside. Last night I was catching up with a friend and we got into that very conversation. In one fleeting moment she said she didn't want to do youth ministry again it's time for something else. In that moment I realized, <em>neither do I</em>. Whoa! Did I really think that? I am still a little bit in shock of this realization.<br />Since I graduated from high school (ten whopping years ago), until I moved to Indiana, I have been doing youth ministry. And up until last night I had every intention of getting involved with the youth ministry in my church here. I heart teenageers, there's no question about that, but I am weary. Weary and defeated because more of the time than not I feel the weight of the world on my shoulders. And so as a step in the right direction I am going to find something for me to do...for me. I don't know what it's going to be, let's hope it's something good.Suzy Leonardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11547572950115694507noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-559346835670398257.post-85987210858096885482009-08-23T22:53:00.004-04:002009-09-02T20:48:18.836-04:00it can be doneOver the last few weeks, I have spent a lot of time working. It's almost been like working at summer camp again because the days run into each other and I never seem to get out of the stack I am under. Maybe it's purely because I'm female...but there have been many ups and downs...really downs that cause the ups. I am continuing to learn about the people I work with and well frankly how we can be a team under pressure. We had a REALLY big program last week, big in numbers and big in significance. This program caused a lot of anxiety and frankly conflict. I have been overjoyed to know that all our hard work paid off. Rumor has it we "hit it out of the ball park".Suzy Leonardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11547572950115694507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-559346835670398257.post-52402325063928890252009-07-18T20:45:00.002-04:002009-07-18T21:04:11.209-04:00contentment and brokennessIn the recent weeks I came to a realization...I am more content in my job than I have ever been before. Granted I haven't been in my position very long but it's still an exciting realization. This all came to mind because I work with people who are discontent and my heart has been so broken for them that I almost feel guilty about being content. Ironic, right?<br />My heart also breaks because I know they don't share my freedom in Christ...and that's where it starts. Don't get me wrong I have been a christian and very discontent...but I have never been alone. I simply just don't know how it is that people make it through each day without that. Hmph.Suzy Leonardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11547572950115694507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-559346835670398257.post-6644883480363503392009-06-16T19:05:00.002-04:002009-06-16T19:15:17.782-04:00balance<span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Life really is about finding some kind of balance, right? Balance between work and play, giving and receiving, moving and stopping. Its not easy. Since my "promotion" I have stayed late in the office more nights than not...though I have been told to go home. I just want to get settled in my space as well as with people. When I go home I just want to sleep or just sit and look at my freshly painted walls. One of these days I'll get settled...eventually I'll find a rythmn. </span>Suzy Leonardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11547572950115694507noreply@blogger.com0