2018: By The Numbers

I have to admit, at the end of the past few months I have been really glad to see the months end and hope for a better month to come.  On 2/28/18, I feel that way even more than usual.  The 59th day of 2018 is the last day of a difficult month.  Glad to put that in the rearview mirror, and remember the good times only (I mean, it DID start with the Eagles winning the Superbowl and end with the Colls HS Girls Basketball Team winning a home playoff game).  Happy that I am still standing, after all these 28 days.....looking forward to the happy days to come.  (AND SPRING and Baseball!)  Number is 28 for the days we completed in Feb., and Elton can sign us home! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ai8mhPpOUWA

Something happened on the 58th day of 2018 that had not happened in a long, long time.  First, on 2/27/18, the Collingswood Girls Basketball Team hosted a playoff game in the Irvine Gymnasium in Colls HS.  Then......THEY WON!  It was a close game the whole time and I think I chewed my nails to the cuticles.... but Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!  So, we will play the score as the number of the day 2520 (for 25-20) and play a fun ABBA song about Winners. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92cwKCU8Z5c

It was the 57th day of 2018 and it was a Monday.  And I started the week off on 2/26/18 by standing in line at the DMV to (belatedly) renew the van registration.  And then to the Dry Cleaner and then to the office for a day filled with meetings and tasks.  Then to Band and then home....and I am exhausted.  2018 has 53 Mondays (sigh), but I plan to use some PTO to take out the sting.  The number for today will be 44 - that's how many Monday's are left - and, like the Bangles, I wish it was Sunday....that's my fun day....my I don't have to run day! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsmVgoXDq2w

So today was the 56th day of 2018.  And, as most Sundays do, 2/25/18 started off at Church.  I like Pastor Michael's Lenten Sermon theme.....Covenant.  And, today, we heard the verses in Genesis describing God's promises to Abraham:                                    "And I will make my covenant between me and you,                                          and will make you exceedingly numerous." And we are challenged to think about what God's promises to us might be and how we can see them in our lives.  This is what I will be considering all week.  Thank you, Michael!  For tonight, the number of the day will be 172 (for the verse above, Genesis 17:2) and this When in Rome song is one of my 80's favorites! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HI_xFQWiYU

2/24/18 was the 55th day of 2018.  Like most palindromic days, it was filled with a lot of joy.  I mean I had to get my windshield replaced, but I also got to announce the last boy's basketball home game of the season AND see the Penn Glee Club Show (Good Job Fellas!)  Driving around and listening to Beatles Radio on XM, I realized it is the birthday weekend of George Harrison.  George would have been 75 tomorrow, so 75 will be our number of the day.  And, for the song, I will pick one of my favorites from his solo career - totally pop (and not a lot of words, I realize), but catchy, and fun! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZGYYDvZnpg

The 54th day of 2018 ended nicely as we all attended Anna's ChildrenSong concert.  And, on 2/23/18, I got to be the EmCee!  One of the comments I made during the interludes was that, after a week of craziness and work, it was a pleasure to see these students and realize that the future is bright (if we adults allow them to get to the future!)  So, for tonight, we will reprise 21 as the number (there were 21 songs in tonight's concert) and we will enjoy this Sesame Street classic song as we the song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhbsb_tkGL0

2/22/18, the 53rd day of 2018, is National California Day.  As most of you know, most of my family of origin is currently living in CA.  Hearing that this is their states National day made me think of them.  Family was strong this day, as we all got to eat dinner together, at a PTA Dine and Donate, after Alexa's Basketball Game (WIN!)  As I praised friends yesterday, I praise, even moreso, family today.  The number is 94523 (my parents' zip code) and the song, a family classic from Sister Sledge. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBpYgpF1bqQ

So last night, Anna and I watched the finale of Friends (the TV series, yes).  Anna loves this show, whose last season was before she was even born.  On the morning of the 52nd day, I drove to work and was thinking about the show, and friends, and then, on 2/21/18, I saw a FB post (yes, from a friend) thanking HIS friends for his success.  Yes, friends, Friends was a great show, but friends (on FB and off) are what is really important.  So, I TOO thank my friends, making today's number 4,354 (the number of friends I have on FB, honestly some of whom are just folks I know.... but....) and the song is the theme from Friends.  THANK YOU FRIENDS! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-9kPks0IfE

2/20/18 is the 74th birthday of my dad.  So I thought of my dad during the entirety of the 51st day of 2018.  And, as I was preparing for this post, I went searching for a good Father/Son song, and I landed on this one from Phil Collins.  I like it's theme that he is singing to his son, he will always be there, he will be there to carry him, when needed.  Well, my dad may be across the country from me, but I still believe he carries me when I am down and when I need him.  I consider myself lucky and blessed to have grown up in a family with so much love (from dad AND mom) and the father I try to be is modeled after the father I had myself.  So, happy birthday dad, we honor the number 1944 today, and I hope you like this Phil Collins Song.  LOVE YOU! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDX41GcA1PA

I was off of work for the 50th day of 2018.  Got to watch Alexa play basketball and take her to her evening softball hitting coach on 2/19/18.  Day #50, so we will honor the number 50.  And as it is President's Day, we have a presidential song for the song of the day as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1wXEEQBHeQ

It has been 98 days since I last got to see John Oliver on Last Week Tonight.  And, on day 49 of 2018 (half of 98, by the way), we will finally be watching him later tonight.  Been looking forward to this all day on 2/18/18.  So 98 will be the number of the day and I found a British Band March for the song of the day for Oliver's UK heritage.  Posting early so I can watch him uninterrupted.  Enjoy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXPs6cnd8AM

A friend of mine made a challenge on the 48th day of 2018.  More baseball and less politics.  After this crazy week, I was, on 2/17/18, willing to comply.  I got Ryan Howard for my player image to post.  And I really like him.  He wore #6, and so did Penn Grad Doug Glanville and so did Bo Diaz.  some of my favorite Phillies and the baseball season on the horizon gives me hope..... so a hopeful #6 for the number of the day and my favorite baseball song to accompany it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04KQydlJ-qc

There was a Quinceanera party tonight that our daughter attended.  After a very long and emotional week, I want to, on 2/16/18, focus on this happy event. On the 47th day of 2018, let's take this time to have the number of the day be 15 and the classic song by the Vengaboys be the song.  Because, of course, we like to party! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Zbi0XmGtMw

I was shaken most of the 46th day of 2018.  On 2/15/18, I could not stop thinking about the latest tragic school shooting in this country.  School shootings, mass shootings, even single shootings, it is really overwhelming and sad.  Although I feel, deep inside, that, as usual, not much will change, people keep telling me that the winds of change are blowing, I hope these people are correct.  Tonight, I want to focus on the song of the day, John Lennon's Give Peace a Chance and we will use the year of its release (1969) as the number of the day.  Pray of Peace, but also be committed to the winds of change! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yU0JuE1jTk

The 45th day of 2018 is the 24th Valentine's Day that Sarah and I celebrated together.  SO, even though 24 has already been the number of the day, it will be the number for 2/14/18 as well.  With some really disturbing news on the TV and radio, I am glad I can focus on love and family this evening.  Supplementing the number 24 will be this classic Paul McCartney and Wings song.  And, no, I am not tired of Silly Love Songs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wh15LOppcWQ

The palindromic 44th day of 2018 was also Mardi Gras, Donut Day, Fat Tuesday.  2/13/18 was a pretty good day of meetings at work and I rushed back to Colls to see Alexa's team beat rival Haddon Heights in a close one (22-20).  Mardi Gras makes me think of NOLA and parades and Jazz music.  And this all makes me smile.  So the number of the day will be 1837 (the date of the first Mardi Gras Parade) and the song will be a classic jazz tune made even better by Louis Armstrong.  Hope your day was sweet and jazzy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyLjbMBpGDA

The 43rd day pf 2018 marked the anniversary of the birth of a very important person.  And Abraham Lincoln too!  But 2/12/18 would have been the 102nd birthday of Nettie Soskin, my Bubbe.  She was one of the most amazing women I have ever met and she is one of my role models.  And she could cook too!!  <3  So, to honor her, we have the number of the day as 102 and this Stevie Wonder classic as our song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inS9gAgSENE

Being that the 42nd Day of 2018 was Transfiguration Sunday, Mark 9:2-9 was ready today at Church.  On 2/11/18 (and the weeks preceding), we have been dealing with a lot of changes in our lives.  But, as Michael stated, changes are not transfiguring, a transfiguration requires an  experiencing of God.  Well, I have not yet experienced God in my changes, but I am praying and hoping that my transfigurational moment will come soon.  In the meantime, I reflect on the words of Mark 9: verses 2-9, as 929 becomes the number of today and I listen to some classic Bowie. Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, o...

The 41st day of 2018 is the 63rd birthday of the Magic Man, Greer Cheeseman.  Of course, Greer spent 2/10/18 with the Penn Band on a back-to-back Ivy Road Trip.  Greer is truly one of my role models in life and at Penn.  To honor him today, the number of the day is 63 and the song is one of my favorite from the Cars. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0Kv6vxZwL8

According to Merriam Webster, the word weekend was first used in 1638.  On the 40th day of 2018, I am so happy the weekend is here.  It's been quite the week and, on 2/9/18, it was nice to have a relaxing after-work dinner with friends and colleagues and then to come home and have nice family time.  And tomorrow is Saturday, the best day of the week!  So we will have 1638 as the number and since I was working for the weekend this week, Loverboy seems appropriate! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahvSgFHzJIc

2/8/18 was a banner day for the Sherr Family.  We finally decided to replace our 17-year old Camry (mainly because it struggled to get up the BFB yesterday and now requires expensive repairs) and Sarah now has a new car!  But the biggest thing on the 39th day of 2018 was that Alexa experienced the Eagles Victory Parade in the first person (with friends from school and, yes, a few of their parents).  While she had a different experience than Sarah, Anna, and I (who watched from the comfort of our own home), she (in her words) "never has to do THAT again!"  But the parade, in my opinion, was an expression of celebratory love for the football team we have all loved to follow.  It was fun to watch and I enjoyed it.  And I am glad I was not there.  So the number for today is 58.  The last NFL Championship for the Eagles was in 1960.  Now, 58 years later, they are champs again.  And we will also link up with my favorite song about parades! h...

On the 38th day of 2018, we interrupt the seriousness of daily life and world news with the random.  That's right, 2/7/18 is National Periodic Table Day!  So, we will honor the number 118 (elemental, huh?) and use this extended version of this Thomas Dolby classic song.  SCIENCE! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZOW5GdgCGw

The 37th day of 2018 was spacey.  On 2/6/18, space kept creeping into my day.  Maybe it's because I wore my planetary tie.  I later learned that SpaceX had a major rocket launch today, and the PTA Reading Experience event, this Friday, is space related.  Space is cool!  And, to honor space (the Final Frontier, right?), today's number is 925,000 (the weight of the International Space Station, in pounds).  And this 80s classic song is my space related song of the day.  4....3....2....1..... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTseSi0Qgow

On the 36th day of 2018, we are all still riding high from the euphoric win last night.  I got home from work on 2/5/18 and turned on the TV and saw the Nick Foles Disney World ad.  I smiled and actually got goosebumps.  For so many people, their dreams DID come true last night.  So, tonight, we will celebrate #9 and 9 will be the number of the day (hey, 4 of them is 36 and today is the 36th day).  And this Disney Classic makes us all think of wishes, dreams, and them coming true! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oyxywZJsIs

Well folks, they did it!  On the 35th day of 2018, the Eagles won their FIRST SUPERBOWL!!  What a great day 2/4/18 was and will be in our memories!  LII (52) is our number of the day and this Queen classic is our song.  I am without any other words.  Goodnight! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04854XqcfCY

The 34th day of 2018 was also Superbowl Eve!  And, on 2/3/18, Brian Dawkins was elected to the Hall of Fame.  I send only good vibes to #20 and our Eagles.  And so we will honor 20 as the number of the day and a likely theme song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SosmpnWET4

Well, 2/2/2018 was Groundhog Day.  I have to admit, I think this is one of the more worthless, stupid holidays on the calendar, but I DO like the movie.  And, since in the movie, the day happened over and over again, We will, on Day #33 (a palindrome and the margin of victory for the Penn Women's Basketball Team) use the date (2/2) and honor (again and again) the number 22.  And speaking of doing it again.... Hi Britney! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CduA0TULnow

It had been a long 24 hours.  I had a hard time sleeping last night.  My nose was stuffed up and that makes the CPAP less effective.  So, on the 32nd day of 2018, I have been battling exhaustion.  But, at the end of the 24-hours, I was in the Colls Gym watching THREE Collingswood victories.  Even when tired, the wins were uplifting on 2/1/2018.  So, the number of the day is 24 for the hours in a day, and this song about being tired is from the Beatles. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVFx13745L8