2019 and An Attitude of Gratitude

7/31/19 was not only the last day of July and the third day of our family vacation, it was also day 212 of 2019 and that makes it a palindromic day.  And a great day it was.... a visit with friends from the Penn Band (another met in the Band couple!), a good lunch, a trip to the Winchester Mystery House (ooooooo), rich ice cream, and then a trip to In and Out Burger (for the first time for the Sherrs!)  But the best part of the day, was after dinner, when we played board games as a family.  I love sitting around, playing board games, and laughing hysterically.  It helps heal the sting when I make a strategic error and end up losing horribly (but still finishing ahead of my kids!) :-D  My gratitude tonight is for family board game nights.   We should have more of them.  Anna wants us to try to not just have them on vacation, I think she is right.

On the 211th day of 2019, I made my first trip to the campus of Stanford University.  I had seen a lot of pictures, but had never actually been on campus.  It is a beautiful campus and, as we walked around on 7/230/19, I marveled at the art, the landscaping, the fountains.... really picturesque.  But another thing I noticed is that, although I was walking a lot more than usual, it was not bothering me as much.  I realized it's the change in air quality out here on the West Coast.  I am not even talking about pollution (although I think CA has some really strict air quality rules, comparatively to other states), I am talking about a dry, crisp day with a cool breeze and, although it was hot in the sun, if you sat on a bench in the shade it was glorious.  As I said to my family, if it weren't for the long commute to Penn and my pathological fear of earthquakes, CA would be an attractive living destination.  But I love my current community and I will retu...

On the 210th day of 2019, we flew to the West Coast.  7/29/19 is the start of our annual Sherr Family Vacation.  We had a 2+ hour flight and then a 6+ hour flight.  But it was not that bad because I got the SWA WiFi (I usually do) and I was able to keep up with my advisees (schedules came out tonight) and even spend some time on FB.  Meanwhile Sarah was able to watch Free TV (she loves her some HGTV) and the flights seemed shorter than they actually were.  Thank goodness for In-flight WiFi - that is where my gratitude stems from tonight.  And now it is very late and we all need to go to sleep.   GOODNIGHT!

It is very late on the 209th day of 2019.  A busy day getting things done that need to be done before we leave for vacation on the West Coast.  So, as 7/28 has come to a close, I am grateful (on National Parent's Day) that I am seeing my parents soon!

We have been waiting for the 208th day of 2019 for months.  Because 7/27/19 was the Annual GuptaFest!  I love events where Band Alumni and friends get all together: Homecoming, Alumni Day, Band Camp, and GuptaFest.  Good Food, Good Friends, Good Fun, Good Times.  Tonight my gratitude flows freely for GuptaFest and the hosts, Koosh and Meryl.  THANK YOU, GUPTAS (and great to see you all, friends!)

The 207th day of 2019 is my Uncle Ron's 77th birthday!  77 - a Palindrome!  Everyone in Oaklyn knows him as "DJ Rockin' Ron" and he has been a large part of the events in my town and in my kids' schools.  Always makes it a good time.  As 7/26/19 comes to an end, I expound upon my gratitude for DJ Rockin' Ron.  An uncle so cool people think he is MY brother instead of my Dad's brother!  ROCK ON, RON!

On the 206th day of 2019, I have had the opportunity to see the benefits of today's technology.  From Wifi at work making working anywhere in our office suite possible, to doing work on a project that is trying to improve technology for students, staff, faculty, and alumni at Penn, to the simple joy of listening to satellite radio via USB in Sarah's car (where it is not activated).  There are so many good uses of technology and on 7/25/19, I am grateful for technology, while also being aware of the troubling bad uses, that we need to control.  Goodnight all, let's all pledge to use our technology well.

I did not originally plan to attend, but I did go see the Collingswood Youth Theater's production of the Wizard of Oz (Young Performer Edition) on 7/24/19.  I am always impressed by the quality of the productions that are performed by 3rd to 8th graders and, on the 205th day of 2019, this did not change.  So, my gratitude today is for Youth Theater.  I performed as a child (loved my UCAL Children's Theater Days), watched my kids in the shows, and now I get to watch other people's kids do so as well.  The arts are so necessary and I love that I am in a community that values them.

There is no question that, in many aspects of my life, I am blessed.  Thanks to Chris Carter and Breakfast with the Beatles, I discovered that the 204th day of 2019 is Gorgeous Grandma Day.  So, of course on 7/23/19, I thought about how lucky I have been to have so many amazing grandmas in my life.  First I thought about the fact that my interesting family tree provided four grandmas for my sister and me and how amazing it was that we saw three of them regularly.  And now, for my kids, we have two amazing grandmas in my and Sarah's moms!  And then we cannot forget the amazing GG Weaver (Sarah's grandma) and her amazing egg hunts and wonderful valentines.  Gratitude thus flows freely for grandmas.  Aren't they awesome?

Wow did it storm on the 203rd day of 2019.  I was so lucky that, on 7/22/19, I made it to the garage before the rain started.  I drove home in some wicked rain and wind and it was harrowing at times.  But, tomorrow the high will only be 75 degrees.  Yes, it will be humid, but that is _25_ degrees cooler than Saturday and Sunday.  So, I will take it, and be grateful for the end of this heat wave.  Let's hope it's at least a few more days until the next one hits us (looks to be in the 90s next week, but we are going to Cali, baby!)

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream.  And the 202nd day of 2019 being National Ice Cream Day I want some ice cream.  But, on 7/21/19, we had a nice dinner (thanks, Sarah), so I am full tonight.  SO, although I will not eat any ice cream tonight, I will place my gratitude towards ice cream.  It may need to be consumed in moderation (as with most things), but it is worthy of my thanks and praise.

Man oh man it was hot again on the 201st day of 2019.  And so, after a few errands, I needed to go somewhere where I could exercise AND be cool.  So I went to the pool!  Later we went to the movies, staying cool as a family, and now, on 7/20/19, I head to bed grateful for my gym's pool.  It was needed today.

It was a scorcher on the 200th day of 2019 (and the next 2-3 days may even be worse!)  And, on 7/19/19, there was a lot of traffic on my usual route home, because of an accident, and I had to figure out how to get out of traffic as soon as I could (hot weather and traffic make people angry!)  So I tapped into my knowledge of the streets of Philadelphia and found a new route home.  And, I made it home not much later than usual.  And I stayed in for all of the evening, staying out of the heat, and am heading to bed grateful for alternate routes home!

I left work early on the 199th day of 2019.  Why?  Because on 7/18/19, Alexa's Class Trip to Peru returned home.  We are so happy to have her back with us and I hope she is just as happy to be home.  Woke up early this morning (maybe I was excited she was coming home), so going to bed early, grateful for the fact that Alexa's Home!  I guess I am also grateful for Alexa's Home (where we are living with AC these days, thank goodness).  Goodnight!

I already wrote on my FB feed how I felt on the 198th day of 2019.  7/17/19 is my 20th wedding anniversary and I appreciate all of the best wishes that have been penned in reply to posts on my and Sarah's FB feeds.  I am heading to bed, grateful for my marriage.  And I do not think I need to explain any more than I have :-).

Twenty years ago, the 197th day of the year was an amazing day.  The US landed a Man on the Moon.  A lot being celebrated around this today.  But, the most amazing thing that happened that day was that my Sister-In-Law to be, Jackie Walters, was born!  And on the 197th day of 2019, we celebrated the 50 years of her (and the Summer of Jackie!)  And on 7/16/2019, I am grateful for 7/16//99.  What a great day!

We decided that the 196th day of 2019 would be a Family Movie Night.  On 7/15/19, we went to see Toy Story 4.  Another fantastic creation of the amazing minds at Pixar.  I am so grateful for Pixar, starting with Toy Story and taking us now all the way to TS4!  Fantastic movies....my only complaint is that there was not a classic Pixar Short at the start of the movie....anyone know why?  Time for bed!

For the past week, my daughters have been away.  Alexa in Peru since Monday and Anna was on Penn's campus since last Sunday (she came home last night and was with us on 7/14/19).  But, through this whole week, we still had information about their activities and we knew they were OK.  The Peru Trip Leader has a WhatsApp group and we get pictures and videos and updates.  Alexa has also been messaging us whenever she gets Wifi.  For Anna, well, she did not text us much, but the Band Camp had YouTube and Facebook posts and we got to see her playing music and having a lot of fun.  And, for me, on the 195th day of 2019, I was connected with a long-ago friend from a FB post from another long-term friend.  So, tonight I head to bed with gratitude for Social Media Used Well.  I see it not being used well on a daily basis (even a few times today), but, for now, I am focused on the good uses and am grateful for when they occur.  I do wonder, tonight, ho...

Well..... the Phillies lost again on the 194th day of 2019.  Once again, I was sad about that on 7/13/19, but after the game, the sorrow was tempered.  This evening, we were in our usual vantage point in Citizen's Bank Park and we did not have to move a muscle to see the great show.  So, tonight, my gratitude is for Fireworks.  Honestly, I do not like them all that much for my own enjoyment, but I love how much they bring happiness to others!  SO, tonight, all the sadness the fans felt melted away with a great show.  Thank you, Phillies Phireworks!

The Phillies lost to the Nationals on the 193rd day of 2019.  But, my sadness was tempered by the happiness I had from the National Anthem.  On 7/12/19, the Penn Band Camp (reminder, Anna is participating) played The Star Spangled Banner before the Phillies Game.  Maybe I am biased (well I KNOW I am), but I thought they sounded really good AND I thought the crowd applause was pretty loud.  NICE JOB, BAND CAMP!  So tonight, I go to be with a smile on my face grateful for the Band Camp Anthem.  Fun night with Band Alumni as well (many with kids in the Camp).  GO PHILLIES (there's always tomorrow!)

I got a haircut after work on 7/11/19, so I could not work late.  Not an issue, I thought,on the 192nd day of 2019, Sarah had a meeting so I would get home early and have time to knock out my email from home.  Whelp, the power went out at 7:09PM.  And, as the ETA for restoration moved from 10:15PM to 5:15AM and then 7:30AM, I have to admit I was getting anxious!  But, WHEW, at 10:39PM the power came back on.  And now I can make my posts, knock out my emails, and get to bed!  I head to bed filled with gratitude for power.  We take electricity for granted a lot of the time.  Tonight, I realized how much I need it, and I am grateful to have it back.

It was a fairly nice day on the 191st day of 2019. Warm, but that is to be expected in the Summer, and not TOO humid. So I was not upset, on 7/10/19, when I had to walk a bit on campus (Penn's campus is so nice in the Summer - well the parts not under construction) to a meeting. And the meeting ended a little after 12, so I walked to Cosi to grab a quick lunch. And I walked through the weekly Farmers Market that is outside the Bookstore, I got peaches (yum) and raw, local honey (good for winter throat issues!) I am grateful for Farmers Markets and that I work on a campus that hosts one. And for peaches and honey! YUM!

I am pretty tired as the 190th day of 2019 comes to an end.  So, even though the MLB All-Star Game is not over and is only a one run game, I am heading to bed on 7/9/2019.  Watching the game tonight did bring back memories of the parties that George and I used to have in our apartment by the Art Museum.  Right on the heels of our July 4 BBQ, we would have the All-Star Game BBQ and there were fantasy baseball trades, spherical burgers, and a lot of laughs.  And a great game.  So I am smiling as I head off to bed, and grateful for the All-Star Game.

The 189th day of 2019 started off with a rainy drop-off at the Philadelphia International Airport.  Alexa and her classmates are heading off to Peru for a cultural/service trip as part of her HS Spanish class.  So, as 7/8/19 came to an end, I was sitting at home and it was just me and Sarah (Anna is still at Band Camp) and I started to think of all of the adventures on the horizon for my daughters.  Some with us, but many without.  And I remembered my own trip to Peru (with the Penn Glee Club after Freshman year of College).  It made me grateful for Peruvian Adventures.  Those that I had 32 years ago and those that Alexa and her classmates are about to experience.  Praying for their safety and hoping that they have an amazing time.

On the 188th day of 2019, we moved Anna into Harrison College House (High Rise South).  Not for college (too soon, too soon), but for a week long camp with the Penn Band.  She is resident for the first time.  And on 7/7/19, as we sat in the Parent Orientation meeting and we heard all of the amazing extra sessions that will be provided to the students this week, I was really impressed.  I am so glad that Anna is willing to stay on campus and that she will get amazing opportunities this week as well as learning and performing some great music.  My gratitude tonight, therefore, is for Band Camp.  I never attended one myself, but I am glad Anna is.

After cooking and serving Saturday Morning Breakfast at our Church on the 187th day of 2019, we rushed down I95 to the Birthday Party of AJ (my Godson) and Charlie.  7/6/19 is their 2nd birthday and it was such a nice event and they are such cute kids.  They are twins and it made me think of all of the twins in MY family: Pat and Pam, Stacey and Stephanie, Nathan and Kyle, and now, by Godparentness AJ and Charlie.  Tonight I am grateful for twins in my life.  Twice the enjoyment and twice the love!

The best blessings are the ones that you do not expect to receive.  The 186th day of 2019 was, basically, a one-day work week.  And I got to work from home.  The nice part about that was, on 7/5/19, I saw a lot of my kids who are in between Summer activities and were around as well. But the best part was just a few moments ago when, without prompting, I got a huge hug as I sat on the couch reading.  I am grateful for hugs, and especially grateful for ones that surprise me.

The 185th day of 2019 is Independence Day.  So what does that mean?  It means that 7/4/19, like most July 4ths started with the Oaklyn Town July 4th Parade.  I love this parade, it is pure small town happiness.  Bands, Fire Trucks, Floats (many from Oaklyn Little League), candy thrown to kids waving to the parade, and it ends at the School with a short presentation and hot dogs, chips, and a drink for all!  Then we had, for as many years in a row as I can remember, the July 4th BBQ.  Used to be the Sherr/Schafer BBQ by the Art Museum in Philadelphia (where we could see the fireworks from our roof deck) and now we have the Sherr BBQ hosted here in Oaklyn (where we can see the fireworks from our lawn).  It was another great time, friends from all spheres of our lives, good food, lawn games, fireworks, glow bracelets, and even sparklers and colored smoke this year.  I am grateful for July 4th, and all of the fun traditions that come along with it....

When I got to my umpiring assignment on the 184th day of 2019, it was humid, but not raining.  The Plate Ump asked me what I thought about the weather.  I looked at the radar on my phone and told him it looked like we were good until 8:45PM.  Game was scheduled to start at 7PM.  So, of course, on 7/3/19, it started pouring (at least in Haddonfield) at 6:45PM.  I felt bad for the people who had worked hard to restore the field after the afternoon torrential downpours.  So we moved to the Haddon Township LL Field and we started with only a 50 minute delay.  BUT, being that it was 7/3, and that we were in Haddon Township, at about 9:45PM, a fireworks show started right behind the plate.  The game went on, but it was fun to watch the boys (this was the All-Star 8, 9, 10 District Tourney) watch in awe as they also reveled in playing baseball.  My gratitude tonight is for boyhood wonder.  I long for the days when life was simpler and smaller t...

An unexpected thing happened on the 183rd day of 2019.  On 7/2/19, the Home RNs, owner of one regular season win this season (it's a rebuilding year), had a Playoff Game (PennREC decided all teams who did not forfeit made the Playoffs!)  And they won!  How exciting.  I could not make the game but I can make it to the game next week so, for now, I am grateful for a softball playoff win for our Penn Summer League team and we live to play another day.  GO RNs!

During the 182nd day of 2019, I kept getting great texts.  Anna was texting us pictures of places she was going in NO and ChildrenSong was posting pics of the choir in NO.  I enjoyed, on 7/1/19, seeing where Anna was and hearing what she has been doing.  My gratitude is for Anna's CS Tour and the opportunities that ChildrenSong has provided for her!