So Long, Farewell

Here we are, the last, 366th, day of 2016.  Bonus day because of Leap Year and 12/31/2016 ends out a very up and down year.  So many great things happened in our family this year, but we had some scary moments too.  Some great things happened in Sports (CONGRATS CUBS!), but then we have Philly Sports (sigh).  And far too much sadness in the World and let's not even start to talk about politics..... so 2016 is done.  DONE!  But, I am going to try to stay positive in 2017 - we have to. Positive and vigilant and keeping our eyes on what is important.  As the Oaklyn Baptist Church's sign has stated for the past week or so, "Doing the Right Thing means Having No Regrets."  Here's to doing the right thing in 2017 and having no regrets.  May your New Year be filled with love and happiness!  And, to 2016 - SO LONG, FAREWELL!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qy9_lfjQopU

Final Countdown

So we have made it all the way to Day #365 of 2016.  12/30/2016 is the 6th day of Christmas and, even though the Radio (darn it XM) no longer is playing Christmas songs, they are still on my mind. On the Sixth Day of Christmas, My True Love gave me Six Swans (a Swimming)....so I thought I would pick a swan song tonight.  Not a lot of good songs about swans, so I am taking the swan song meaning as one's final performance.  So, to celebrate the year's final performance, I will pick one of my favorite finality songs (even before the Penn Band made it a standard).  Looking forward to counting down and seeing the end of 2016 tomorrow.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jK-NcRmVcw

It Came Upon A Midnight Clear

I am really enjoying the relaxing vibe of the last few days of 2016.  Day #364 started with basketball again (this time a loss, but it was fun watching Alexa get three quarters of playing time!)  And then we capped off 12/29/16 with Moana.  Then, while letting the dog out for the last time this evening, I looked up and saw a bevy of stars (a rarity in this light pollution kinda world)!  Since it is still Christmas time, I will use this song about a midnight clear for my song of the day.....and, with Moana's girl-empowered message, the Celtic Women are a perfect group to sing it tonight.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYDa4Kht6Eo

Call Me

We have reached the last palindromic day of 2016 - 12/28/2016 was Day #363 of 2016.  And, like many (most?) of the palindromic days of 2016, it was a great day.  Morning was basketball (WIN for Colls Girls Varsity in the Christmas Tournament!).  Then we had a trip to the mall (I spent the time in the Apple Store finally getting a phone with more space, thanks to my friends in CA!), an amazing family dinner (using gift cards), and then an family evening at home.  A great way to spend the 4th day of Christmas.  And my true loves did not give me calling birds....BUT, Blondie sings a song about calling!  Night All!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6QBaZHltJw

Michelle

12/27/16 was the third day of Christmas.  Day #362 of 2016, and, as I said to my kids - it's FRENCH HEN DAY!  Ok, that is not true, I made it up.  A day of relaxation and movies (one in the theater and one from the DVR) and not much else to speak about.  Given the Frenchness of the hens, I present to you the song I think of when I think of French.....a Beatles classic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AWhTCIQdk4

I Wish Every Day Could Be Like Christmas

The Day After Christmas, 12/26/2016, another great family day.  Day #361 of 2016 and Day TWO of Christmas.  I like to remind people, around this time of year, that Christmas has TWELVE days!  So, on this day of two turtles doves (and a partridge in a pear tree!), I present this Bon Jovi song about Christmas spirit being present every day of the year.  Because, for sure, we ALL need to keep the Christmas spirit going, especially into 2017.  Enjoy and Good Night!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZXDei3vQ5c

Faith

Christmas Day - day #360 of 2016.  Am awesome day with family again, both in NJ and in PA!  We visited Sarah's grandmother in her room in rehab - she is doing well!!  And we had our York, PA Christmas traditions.  We had some difficulties today (with the car and with the schedule, all minor) but everything worked out fine!  We should have Faith!  And, in honor and in memory of George Michael, here is his classic.  Merry Christmas all!!

https://youtu.be/lu3VTngm1F0

Silent Night

Christmas 2016 was the 359th day of 2016.  Only a week to go and 12/24/2016 was a great day.  I love the part of the Christmas Service where we pass the light, with candles, with very little other light available.  We sing Silent Night in English and in the original German as well (OFR IS a German Reformed Church after all.....).  And tonight we did our prayers in the candlelight as well.  Great idea, Pastor Michael!  I love this version of Silent Night by Stevie Nicks, and I offer it tonight to you all and wish you a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXXQOoSLOTg

Winter Wonderland

Day #358 was a shorter than usual day at work (which included cookie day in the office AND an awesome lunch with two former colleagues).  Then an amazing dinner with friends and then to the movies.  And, after the movie, even though it was late, we drove through town and saw light displays!  Oaklyn truly is a Winter Wonderland these days, especially on 12/23/16....Christmas is almost here!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5daQbThsDU

Angels We Have Heard On High

12/22/2016, only three days until Christmas, and on Day #357, I do not really need an excuse to just start using my favorite carols as Songs of the Day!  So, in Choir practice today at Church we were singing gloria, and it made me think of Angels we Have Heard on High.  One of my faves.  So here it is and this version is just amazing in multi-lingual form!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlhdKTYwdsY

Christmas Letter

12/21/2016, Day #356 of 2016, and the day was filled with end of semester tasks, the Division Christmas Party, and then, once home, working on the distribution of the Sherr Family Christmas Letter and Cards.  I have to admit that Sarah does most of the work, she is very organized and gets the tasks all completed.  We write the letter together, however, and we enjoy sharing our joys (and, at times, concerns) with our family and friends.  SO, thanks to Sarah - they are all in the mail WHEW - and I found a song about Christmas letters that really resonates with me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7phxP00Gc1M

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

On the 355th day of 2016, Christmas was in the air.  Had a Christmas Lunch with colleagues at work, the Registrar's Suite is all decked out, a colleague visited us in a reindeer outfit, driving around town the lights are amazing.  It's 12/20/216 and only five more days until Christmas.  No wonder it's beginning to look a lot like it.  Right, Johnny?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8g_at4YiHHU

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

After a good day at work (had my emails under 200 all day!), on 12/19/16 was happy to get home at a pretty good time.  And, on the 354th day of 2016, we watched Elf AND Christmas Vacation on TV! Great holiday family night.  I love the end of Elf, when they sing about Santa coming and fill the sled with believer power.  I still believe in Santa, I do.  I think the spirit of Santa is in us as we are more friendly, more charitable, nicer during the holiday.  Hope this feeling can spread to those who need it this holiday!  Have Hope!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZCCBaoRLrI

The First Noel

I knew 12/18/16 would be a great day.  It is day #353 in 2016, and 353 is a palindromic day - the second to last one of the year!  Children's Pageant at Church and Tuba Christmas plus more family holiday traditions, and the day went as about as well as I could have hoped.  A great day to end the week, and to prepare me for the last work week of the calendar year.  The Hymn of the Week is an easy one to pick for today.  I love this hymn/carol, and I share it with you as the Song of the Day.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DxQNBGKsX0

Christmas is Coming

It was a very busy day on 12/17/16.  We spent the 352nd day of 2016 going from event to event and getting things done.  Prepararations for Christmas in many of these cases.  It's only a week until Christmas, and the impending events are exciting, but also tiring as well.  Trying to get back on the Christmas song horse, I present to you the Muppets!  I love this song, it reminds us of the need to be charitable, even when presented with impending opulence of an approaching holiday.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TW7NiFZlhI

Do You Want to Build a Snowman?

Since I messed up and interrupted the string of Christmas songs yesterday, I will continue the interruption on Day #351 of 2016.  12/16/16 was Alexa and Anna's Snowball Dance at School.  And, while there was not snow tonight, I hear it may come while we are sleeping.  SO, for Emily, here is a Frozen Song about snow, since it is so cold!  Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPv1J9otAM4

Ice Ice Baby

The 350th day of 2016 was COLD in this part of the country.  12/15/16 had temps in the teens and, after the OPS winter concert, I was in the parking lot fascinated by the puddle that had iced over.  50s a few days ago and now ice, ice, baby!  Brrrrrrrr

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rog8ou-ZepE

Santa Bring my Baby Back to Me

Sarah left very early on the morning of the 349th day of 2016 and she drove to Lebanon, PA to be with her grandmother on her 96th birthday (and while she was having hip surgery).  It was strange to be away from Sarah during 12/14/16, a mid-week day, and I was worried about her and her grandmother for much of the day.  And, the happiest I was today was when Sarah got home and I could give her a hug and be glad that all went well today.  So, I would say that I got my Christmas Gift, 11 days early, when Sarah was returned back to us!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWTGgCiVEv0

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

Spent Day #348 of 2016 in a holiday mood.  Started 12/13/16 at Christmas Carol with my project workteam, and then ended the workday by helping at the President's Christmas Party.  Now trying furiously to catch up on emails, which seems impossible at the moment. (sigh).  BUT, a highlight of today was the play, I love the transformation of Ebenezer Scrooge into a person who cares about others and changes his life.  Hoping for that transformation in the real world as well.  At the end of the play, Scrooge is a merry gentleman....and I love this BNL version of this song!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGVNzgUxE-g

What Child is This?

On the 347th day of 2016, I thought a lot about my kids.  Having to be at work early today, I was not able to drop them off (THANKS, DAD, for doing so!)  And I noticed that one change in my AM routine really made me miss them all day.  Then I made up for that, on 12/12/16, by watching Alexa play in her basketball game and score her first points of the season.  Then we attended a community meeting together and I was proud of her contributions there as well.  Back home, we got to watch Anna's recording of the Lion King with my parents and I am so proud of her work in that show and then we had a slight mishap as she cut her hand (oops!)  12 stitches later, all will (eventually) be well. My children are such a large part of my life, and this is the Christmas Carol I think of when I think of the word "child."  So it is perfect for the song of the day.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWwj5Jatc9Y

Angels We Have Heard on High

Music was a very important part of day #346 of 2016.  And it all started at Church.  And I knew 12/11/16 would be a good day (it was a GREAT day) when I heard the harpist during the Prelude. There is something angelic about the way a harp sounds!  Speaking of angels, I love this Christmas Carol that I present to you as the Song of the Day / Hymn of the Week.  I hope you all feel the angels in your life during this season!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdqYtDRS62w

Born in a Manger

In my Advent post for 12/10/16, I spoke about how I got to attend the Midwifery Completion Ceremony on the 345th day of 2016.  I thought about how these students are with mothers when their babies come in to the world.  I thought about the care they deliver and how they provide strength and, driving home, it made me think about the Christmas story.  Who was Mary's midwife?  Did she have one?  I'd bet she did.  I am going to guess it was the Innkeeper's wife....or daughter maybe.  But, in any case, it made me think of Christmas songs about birth.  And here is one, sung by Patti LaBelle.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8ygLvlX3no

Linus and Lucy

It's been a long week, I am tired, and, honestly, do not have much to say tonight, on the 344th day of 2016.  So, for 12/9/2016, I will celebrate the 51st anniversary of a Charlie Brown Christmas with this nice instrumental.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6zypc_LhnM

Mary, Did You Know?

Day #343 of 2016 is here.  Only two more palindromic days of the year remain, let's make the best of them.  Had a long day at work on 12/8/2016, but some good meetings occurred.  And, exhausted, Sarah and I made it to Choir rehearsal.  No matter how tired, Choir always rejeuvenates me!  Especially when preparing Advent Anthems and music for Christmas Eve.  Tonight, for the song of the day, I leave you with this one.  I love this song and loved singing it tonight in rehearsal.  And then a different version came on the radio on the way home (just extra practice, I guess, because we sang along!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQM2rszMAfY

Mele Kalikimaka

12/7/2016 and it was a strange day for me, on the 342nd day of 2016, since I actually took a PTO day from work.  I had Pearl Harbor on my mind all day today, however, remembering that fateful day, 75 years ago, and hoping that history does not repeat itself in the 21st Century.  Since I am having fun with Christmas tunes these days, and to honor Hawaii on Pearl Harbor Day, I give you this Bing Crosby classing (featuring the Andrews Sisters).  ALOHA!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEvGKUXW0iI

Jolly Old St. Nicholas

12/6/16 is St. Nicholas Day.  So, on the 341st day of 2016, it does not matter what happened or how I am feeling tonight (tired, BTW).  This song HAD to be the song of the night.  So, the Ray Conniff Singers can take it away!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Qd69yuOc6c

I'm Gettin' Nuttin' For Christmas

12/5/2016, another long day at work and the 340th day of 2016 took me to post-work meetings as well.  Then I arrived at home and my family.  Thank Goodness.  Tonight the girls were asking me what I want for Christmas.  Frankly, I have almost everything I need, so I am struggling to get them a list.  I do worry, however, if I do not come up with something good, I might end up like Ricky Zahnd (who?  Yeah, I had to look it up, sorry!).  :-D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vK06SgtXin0

Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus

Great day on 12/4/2016.  The 339th day of 2016 found us welcoming new members and experiencing Communtion at Old First this morning.  I always appreciate the scriptures of John the Baptist Sunday and the expectation of the arrival that is foretold.  I love, love, love Advent Hymns, and this one for the hymn of the week, song of the day, is one of my favorites.  A Celtic version makes it even more nice to listen to.  Energizes for the coming week, month, season.  Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GspGM7Pfizo

Mamasita Donde Esta Santa Claus

It's day #338 and the Christmas season continues.  12/3/2016 was our excursion to get a Christmas Tree and, while I was at a meeting, the girls and Sarah put the tree up.  I am definitely getting in the seasonal mood.  I was waiting to use this song until I was sure Emily and Chris would see it.  So, I am, hoping on the weekend, they have time to see this .... memories!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YsIzUkiirI

Feliz Navidad

12/2/2016 was the end of a very long week.  The 337th day of 2016 was also the evenng to Dine and Donate for Alexa's 9th grade class at a local Mexian Restaurant.  So, tired after a long week, I will make a short post.  And give you, as the song of the day, one of my favorite Christmas Songs!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwRIBpw7EwU

Do They Know It's Christmas

It's day #336 of 2016.  And 12/1/2016 is World AIDS Day.  At Sarah's work, the Health Education Office had shirts commemorating the Day by stating "Be Positive."  Some people on campus were upset by that slogan, but Sarah and I liked it.  Of course, I am always trying to be positive.  When we think about epidemics and other issues that are faced in other countries in this world, it is sometimes hard to see how we can be positive, but I posit that progress comes from hope and hope comes from positivity.  So I will continue to try.  As for the song of the day, staying in the Christmas Music theme, here is another song about issues across the ocean.  It was poverty, not AIDS, that Band-Aid was trying to address, but I do like this song very much.  And the video from VH-1 Pop Up Video has some interesting facts (and some jokes) as well.  Enjoy and BE POSITIVE!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMA85uhQntE