This is a fun site. Time took the Social Security data base and created a program to tell you, based on your name and the year you were born, if you were born today - what would your name be?
So my name was the 16th most popular name the year I was born.
If born today I would be Avery.
You can find your name for each decade.
http://time.com/3856405/baby-name-popularity/
Thursday, April 12, 2018
Tuesday, April 10, 2018
Quiet by Susan Cain
I just finished reading Quiet by Susan Cain for our Book Club. I was excited to read it because I was hoping for some insight into my own personality. I was extremely shy as a child. I never raised my hand in school. I know I hid behind my mother when introduced to others. I didn't like new situations. Yet, at home I was quite boisterous.
When I graduated from high school I made a vow to myself that I would overcome the shyness that had labeled and plagued me my entire school years. When you grow up in a small town and go to school with the same kids year after year, labeling happens rather quickly and permanently.
So my freshman year of college I said hello to everyone I passed on campus. The cute boys, the nerd boys, the cheerleader girls, the goth girls. I said hello to them all. what I was really practicing was rejection. When the other person did not say hello I worked on handling that rejection. It may appear to be nothing, but to a shy individual it was a big deal.
I overcame that shyness and those who have known me as an adult would never believe my past. And in Cain's book I discovered why.
We are genetically predisposed to being introvert or extrovert and our personalities are like rubber bands and can expand to specific situations. However they can only expand so far and when they reach that breaking point they do crack.
For example an introvert can be a salesperson or work with people all day long, but when she comes home she wants quiet and space and not have to carry on or lead a conversation with a spouse or neighbor.
So I had learned to expand my personality. And even though I may appear social I do like and crave my quiet time.
The book was 270 pages and probably could have been summarized in about 50. But basically I learned that we need to recognize the importance of introverts. Society seems to value the extrovert personality, but possibly our best and most creative ideas come from the introverts. (Bill Gates, Steve Wozniak)
As parents, as teachers, as spouses, as friends, we need to acknowledge and value that someone may be an introvert and not push for an extrovert behavior. Colleagues may need alone time vs team building brainstorming. A child may not want to be involved in an activity every night. The spouse may need alone time. A student may choose to work alone.
I can't say that anything Cain related was profound, she did have a great deal of research to back her writing, but most importantly it was comforting. We need to recognize who we are and create that space for our personality type.
When I graduated from high school I made a vow to myself that I would overcome the shyness that had labeled and plagued me my entire school years. When you grow up in a small town and go to school with the same kids year after year, labeling happens rather quickly and permanently.
So my freshman year of college I said hello to everyone I passed on campus. The cute boys, the nerd boys, the cheerleader girls, the goth girls. I said hello to them all. what I was really practicing was rejection. When the other person did not say hello I worked on handling that rejection. It may appear to be nothing, but to a shy individual it was a big deal.
I overcame that shyness and those who have known me as an adult would never believe my past. And in Cain's book I discovered why.
We are genetically predisposed to being introvert or extrovert and our personalities are like rubber bands and can expand to specific situations. However they can only expand so far and when they reach that breaking point they do crack.
For example an introvert can be a salesperson or work with people all day long, but when she comes home she wants quiet and space and not have to carry on or lead a conversation with a spouse or neighbor.
So I had learned to expand my personality. And even though I may appear social I do like and crave my quiet time.
The book was 270 pages and probably could have been summarized in about 50. But basically I learned that we need to recognize the importance of introverts. Society seems to value the extrovert personality, but possibly our best and most creative ideas come from the introverts. (Bill Gates, Steve Wozniak)
As parents, as teachers, as spouses, as friends, we need to acknowledge and value that someone may be an introvert and not push for an extrovert behavior. Colleagues may need alone time vs team building brainstorming. A child may not want to be involved in an activity every night. The spouse may need alone time. A student may choose to work alone.
I can't say that anything Cain related was profound, she did have a great deal of research to back her writing, but most importantly it was comforting. We need to recognize who we are and create that space for our personality type.
Monday, April 9, 2018
Iowa
I am heading back to Iowa to see my dad. It's been a few months and I feel a little guilty about not getting there sooner, but only two airlines fly direct from Denver to IA. And one of them is three times the cost of the other. Yikes, that's a huge difference. And the cheaper airline does not fly to IA Jan-March, which is understandable considering the weather, but I know there would be occupancy. However who checks with me?
So I always head back in April when the flights open up again. I hope the weather is good. It's the 60s and 70s here.
So I always head back in April when the flights open up again. I hope the weather is good. It's the 60s and 70s here.
Sunday, April 8, 2018
Saturday, April 7, 2018
A Night Out
We went out for dinner one night, managed to get the girls away from the pool, and after dinner we walked to a small ice cream place.
Right next door was a hotel that you have some respite on their lounge chairs and watch a movie. Even though we didn't stay long, the ice cream was melting faster than tongues could lick, we did enjoy the ambiance.
Right next door was a hotel that you have some respite on their lounge chairs and watch a movie. Even though we didn't stay long, the ice cream was melting faster than tongues could lick, we did enjoy the ambiance.
Friday, April 6, 2018
How Often
in life do you get to spend time with your adult children and their children for one solid week?
Not often I'd say. Or for those families who live apart you recognize the importance and joy of such a week. For those who have the luxury of seeing each other frequently, it may be harder to understand the resounding pleasure this week brings.
Surprisingly we all meshed quite well to three different households becoming one. Our son-in-law is a fantastic chef and he bore the brunt of that skill. Many others filled in on KP duty. Grandpa did a lot of running to the store.
The five year olds played together and were often trying to isolate themselves from The "Littles". However the majority of the time when you are three you really don't care what someone else is doing, only what YOU can do. So the Littles often found their own play time.
The house had a tv in every room and that was the big thrill. None of the grandchildren have tv in their rooms nor that much access to tv, so this was a big highlight, right after the pool.
We all seemed to find joy in our stay in different ways. The moms got an opportunity to read in quiet by the pool (for a few minutes) and quite ironically they both brought the same book to read.
The ladies all had a spa day. The men a golf day. And the young adults had a dinner night out as well as the grandparents. A week was just right to fit it all in.
Not often I'd say. Or for those families who live apart you recognize the importance and joy of such a week. For those who have the luxury of seeing each other frequently, it may be harder to understand the resounding pleasure this week brings.
Surprisingly we all meshed quite well to three different households becoming one. Our son-in-law is a fantastic chef and he bore the brunt of that skill. Many others filled in on KP duty. Grandpa did a lot of running to the store.
The five year olds played together and were often trying to isolate themselves from The "Littles". However the majority of the time when you are three you really don't care what someone else is doing, only what YOU can do. So the Littles often found their own play time.
The house had a tv in every room and that was the big thrill. None of the grandchildren have tv in their rooms nor that much access to tv, so this was a big highlight, right after the pool.
We all seemed to find joy in our stay in different ways. The moms got an opportunity to read in quiet by the pool (for a few minutes) and quite ironically they both brought the same book to read.
The ladies all had a spa day. The men a golf day. And the young adults had a dinner night out as well as the grandparents. A week was just right to fit it all in.
Thursday, April 5, 2018
The House
As I indicated the house we rented was valued at 1.5 million. A tad more than I would want to spend for a second home, but oh so sweet to spend time in for a week and pretend...
 |
| The view of the back of the house from the deck chairs. |
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| Who needs a spa when this is in your Master Bath? |
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| The kitchen had plenty of room for several cooks. |
Wednesday, April 4, 2018
Little Moments
Our trip was not all about large moments. I often caught myself savoring those little tiny snapshots captured in just one second.
Things like -
the way my grandson twists his hand in demonstration
the infectious laughter of granddaughter #3
the joy of the Big Girls playing together as good girl friends
Things like -
the way my grandson twists his hand in demonstration
the infectious laughter of granddaughter #3
the joy of the Big Girls playing together as good girl friends
Tuesday, April 3, 2018
The pool
The pool at the house was the highlight for the Big Girls. They wanted to start swimming after breakfast and then continued to bug us all day for each and every moment to be in the water.
Our first few days it was a cool 75 degrees, making the water a little cold, even though it was heated. that didn't seem to deter the girls. Our last four days it was 85, 90, 92, 94. Just the perfect weather for being in the pool.
Our first few days it was a cool 75 degrees, making the water a little cold, even though it was heated. that didn't seem to deter the girls. Our last four days it was 85, 90, 92, 94. Just the perfect weather for being in the pool.
Monday, April 2, 2018
Sunday, April 1, 2018
Spring Break
We just returned from our 2018 Spring Break in Palm Springs. For the first time, and maybe ONLY time, the CO and CA girls had the same break.
We had a wonderful time together.
Here's the gang on our last day -
We had a wonderful time together.
Here's the gang on our last day -
And goodbye to our house. On sale for 1.5 million. Any takers?
Friday, March 16, 2018
Little House
Wednesday I picked up my granddaughters from their respective schools. I just love picking them up. They are so excited to see me and we just play. No errands to run, nothing to rush to, just play.
Once we got home they wanted to change their clothes. Naturally I agreed. Their mother may have disagreed, but I am the grandmother - totally different thinking.
They came downstairs in their long dresses, that they LOVE. (I found out later that they had dug into their laundry baskets to get them out as they had worn them the previous day)
So we went to the park on their scooters and they wanted to run in the park. Everything is so dry here, the grasses and grass looking like wheat that when they were running in their long dresses I just felt transported back to Laura Ingalls Wilder...
Little House Girls in Stapleton -
Wednesday, March 14, 2018
A Night of Theater
A week ago we had a great Saturday. We have Broadway Theater season tickets and it was our day to see Hamilton.
Oh my goodness. That is the BEST musical. I am in awe of Lin-Manual Miranda's talent. How he took that really boring (in my opinion) biography of Hamilton and turned it into a very contemporary and stimulating musical I will never understand. The depth of his words, the rhythm of his music, the timing of the actors - overwhelming. We loved every minute of it. I could have watched it for another round.
Then we walked to a new restaurant to us and after that we walked to another theater (within two blocks) to see Trevor Noah, head of The Daily Show on Comedy Central. Our son and daughter in law gave us these tickets for Christmas.
I am the fan of Trevor Noah, not necessarily my husband, but we both laughed uproariously. Trevor was a little political and mostly commented on the difference between the US and his native South Africa.
What was most fun was that because Trevor Noah is in his 30s I thought we, as Senior Citizens, would be outnumbered. Not so. Sitting next to us was a couple our age (until they discovered they were in the wrong row) with numbers of gray hairs all around us. We struck up a conversation with the couple behind us and discovered we were on the same page politically, we watched the same comedy/political shows and had so many common viewpoints. It passed the time away until the show started and gave us hope that there are others, just like us, out there.
Then we left after being downtown Denver for about nine hours. We felt so urban.
And I told my husband it was one of the most relaxing and fulfilling days I have had in ages. And why? Well, I had my tickets. No pushing, shoving, fighting for those. I didn't have to appease anyone, we had our schedule - show - dinner - show. No decisions to make, that was all complete. And each venue was so artistically fulfilling. I was charmed, delighted, inspired and happy with each performance. It was the best day.
Oh my goodness. That is the BEST musical. I am in awe of Lin-Manual Miranda's talent. How he took that really boring (in my opinion) biography of Hamilton and turned it into a very contemporary and stimulating musical I will never understand. The depth of his words, the rhythm of his music, the timing of the actors - overwhelming. We loved every minute of it. I could have watched it for another round.
Then we walked to a new restaurant to us and after that we walked to another theater (within two blocks) to see Trevor Noah, head of The Daily Show on Comedy Central. Our son and daughter in law gave us these tickets for Christmas.
I am the fan of Trevor Noah, not necessarily my husband, but we both laughed uproariously. Trevor was a little political and mostly commented on the difference between the US and his native South Africa.
What was most fun was that because Trevor Noah is in his 30s I thought we, as Senior Citizens, would be outnumbered. Not so. Sitting next to us was a couple our age (until they discovered they were in the wrong row) with numbers of gray hairs all around us. We struck up a conversation with the couple behind us and discovered we were on the same page politically, we watched the same comedy/political shows and had so many common viewpoints. It passed the time away until the show started and gave us hope that there are others, just like us, out there.
Then we left after being downtown Denver for about nine hours. We felt so urban.
And I told my husband it was one of the most relaxing and fulfilling days I have had in ages. And why? Well, I had my tickets. No pushing, shoving, fighting for those. I didn't have to appease anyone, we had our schedule - show - dinner - show. No decisions to make, that was all complete. And each venue was so artistically fulfilling. I was charmed, delighted, inspired and happy with each performance. It was the best day.
Monday, March 12, 2018
Beaming
Last week we attended the music concert of our granddaughter. She beamed the entire time and was a teacher's dream. She knew the words, she knew the actions, she was focused on the teacher. It was a sight to behold.
Her school is three sections of each K-5. When I walked into the gym area I thought, they hardly have any chairs/bleachers set up. Then I realized why. The program started at 6:00 with Kindergarten going first. After they sang, the children walked to the parents and all were expected to leave. Then first grade would start.
So smart and efficient. Unless of course you have more than one child in the school, but for now it was perfect.
 |
| This is her with her arms to her chest. |
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| We were able to be in the front row and she loved the eye contact with us. |
So smart and efficient. Unless of course you have more than one child in the school, but for now it was perfect.
Saturday, March 10, 2018
Sleep
My grandchildren sleep in the same room. It seems to work out really well, but when Gg is visiting they like to bend the rules a little.
So the first night they told me that Mom and Dad said they could sleep together. I disagreed and insisted they go to their separate beds.
When Daddy came home and looked in their room thesis what he found -
So the first night they told me that Mom and Dad said they could sleep together. I disagreed and insisted they go to their separate beds.
When Daddy came home and looked in their room thesis what he found -
Then on the second night they asked again and this time I said yes, since they were going to climb in together anyway. But I warned them that Daddy would remove one from the bed. They agreed.
On the third night they didn't ask. As I closed the door I heard N say - "Hey B, what do you want to do now?"
He replied, "You can come to my bed and we can snuggle together."
I walked away assuming that was what they would do, but that night they stayed in their own beds.
You just never know with kids.
Friday, March 9, 2018
Conversation at the Airport
As I got through TSA at LAX I stopped at a bench to put my things in order and a gentleman sitting on the bench near me, said something and then commented, "Well, we should all get to know each other because this is like a community dressing room."
I laughed and then it was the beginning of a short conversation to our gates.
He was a former Marine and worked in the security business for a while. Because we had been talking about TSA he shared this information and the fact that he felt TSA were not really trained well. He said when you carry a gun you have to practice every other day. I commented about teachers carrying guns and he laughed. He said students will be killed and not because any teacher intends to shoot them, but just due to lack of training.
I shared my reasoning for teacher not having guns.
Then he told me his oldest daughter is an elementary teacher in Virginia and she loves her job, but he had to admit he was disappointed when she told him. He felt that anyone with a college education should be making six figures.
I laughed. Of course I agreed, but I was like, get with the REAL world, man. I NEVER made six figures. (He appeared to be a very wealthy individual. Not sure he could relate.)
It was such an interesting conversation. He shook my hand, gave his name and told me a lot. He smokes weed, doesn't do cigarettes. Loves bourbon and a friend goes to Cuba a lot so he gets Cuban cigars and his friends love to sit around the fire pit smoking and drinking. He hopes to retire to San Diego. He drinks green tea, his wife has to have a cup of coffee every morning.
What did I say to bring all that information out? Or is he just a braggart? He certainly was very outgoing. I had the feeling he might be a very powerful man, or so he thinks anyway.
But the entire conversation made me smile. Here's this man who lives a totally different life than I have as an elementary teacher from a small town in Iowa. I'm not saying what he does is more important, because as we are seeing nationally teachers are saving lives,, but it's fun to take a peek at the other side.
On my way to LA I sat by a couple from Michigan. Both retired teachers. If any observer would have made an assumption, it would have been that we were traveling together. We had so much in common. A totally different experience from the former Marine.
I just love my airport encounters.
I laughed and then it was the beginning of a short conversation to our gates.
He was a former Marine and worked in the security business for a while. Because we had been talking about TSA he shared this information and the fact that he felt TSA were not really trained well. He said when you carry a gun you have to practice every other day. I commented about teachers carrying guns and he laughed. He said students will be killed and not because any teacher intends to shoot them, but just due to lack of training.
I shared my reasoning for teacher not having guns.
Then he told me his oldest daughter is an elementary teacher in Virginia and she loves her job, but he had to admit he was disappointed when she told him. He felt that anyone with a college education should be making six figures.
I laughed. Of course I agreed, but I was like, get with the REAL world, man. I NEVER made six figures. (He appeared to be a very wealthy individual. Not sure he could relate.)
It was such an interesting conversation. He shook my hand, gave his name and told me a lot. He smokes weed, doesn't do cigarettes. Loves bourbon and a friend goes to Cuba a lot so he gets Cuban cigars and his friends love to sit around the fire pit smoking and drinking. He hopes to retire to San Diego. He drinks green tea, his wife has to have a cup of coffee every morning.
What did I say to bring all that information out? Or is he just a braggart? He certainly was very outgoing. I had the feeling he might be a very powerful man, or so he thinks anyway.
But the entire conversation made me smile. Here's this man who lives a totally different life than I have as an elementary teacher from a small town in Iowa. I'm not saying what he does is more important, because as we are seeing nationally teachers are saving lives,, but it's fun to take a peek at the other side.
On my way to LA I sat by a couple from Michigan. Both retired teachers. If any observer would have made an assumption, it would have been that we were traveling together. We had so much in common. A totally different experience from the former Marine.
I just love my airport encounters.
Wednesday, March 7, 2018
Rain in Southern California
My grandchildren hardly know any weather except sun and 70. So when it rains they consider this a phenomenon. So does everyone else. It is a BIG weather day when it rains, with cautions and lots of complaints.
People don't like to drive in the rain and this is not a heavy rain, it's just a little mist.
I rode in Uber to the airport and I asked my driver, Does it bother you to drive in the rain?
And he nodded yes.
However, the great thing about a rainy day is you get to wear rainbows, a raincoat and an umbrella!
People don't like to drive in the rain and this is not a heavy rain, it's just a little mist.
I rode in Uber to the airport and I asked my driver, Does it bother you to drive in the rain?
And he nodded yes.
However, the great thing about a rainy day is you get to wear rainbows, a raincoat and an umbrella!
Monday, March 5, 2018
Kindergarten
My granddaughter is in Kindergarten and two days I drove to pick her up.
Her school is about two miles away. You drive on Sunset Blvd (sound familiar from movies and tv?) It takes about ten minutes to get there, but the way home is a totally different story.
Her school is released @ 2:50 on MWF and @ 1:50 on TTh There are probably about 500-600 students at her school and the parents do pick up. Imagine the cars. It took me 40 minutes to drive home on Wednesday. Thursday it was half that.
And on Wednesday when I had the kids buckled in the car (parked about three blocks away) she says " I really have to go to the bathroom." Oh man...The entire 40 minute drive home I kept looking for places I could stop. But we made it safe and sound.
On Thursday when I picked her up we purposely stopped in the bathroom for the ride home. Then she was skipping to the car and I said, "Gee, you have a lot of energy."
Well, you would too if you were at my school. We have to sit all day long and my teacher reads really long stories.
We did discuss she has two recesses, but for a five year old that is not enough.
Then in a prior conversation she and I had been discussing my fitbit and how I needed to get lots of steps in every day. So when we are in the car discussing her school she says, "Gg, if you were in my school you would probably only get FOUR steps all day."
LOL
Her school is about two miles away. You drive on Sunset Blvd (sound familiar from movies and tv?) It takes about ten minutes to get there, but the way home is a totally different story.
Her school is released @ 2:50 on MWF and @ 1:50 on TTh There are probably about 500-600 students at her school and the parents do pick up. Imagine the cars. It took me 40 minutes to drive home on Wednesday. Thursday it was half that.
And on Wednesday when I had the kids buckled in the car (parked about three blocks away) she says " I really have to go to the bathroom." Oh man...The entire 40 minute drive home I kept looking for places I could stop. But we made it safe and sound.
On Thursday when I picked her up we purposely stopped in the bathroom for the ride home. Then she was skipping to the car and I said, "Gee, you have a lot of energy."
Well, you would too if you were at my school. We have to sit all day long and my teacher reads really long stories.
We did discuss she has two recesses, but for a five year old that is not enough.
Then in a prior conversation she and I had been discussing my fitbit and how I needed to get lots of steps in every day. So when we are in the car discussing her school she says, "Gg, if you were in my school you would probably only get FOUR steps all day."
LOL
Sunday, March 4, 2018
Mommy and Me Class
I went to CA because my daughter in law was out of town for work and my son had to work late on a project, so I was the after school to bedtime babysitter.
On Wednesday I filled in for Mommy and went to a Mommy and Me class with Braxton.
So much fun. On the way there he asked me if I liked to sing.
Yes.
Well, I don't, and Miss Molly likes to sing songs, so when we get to school I won't be singing.
Oh no, we all should sing.
Well, I won't be. I don't have a good voice.
It doesn't make any difference. My voice isn't good and I love to sing. It's fun.
Well, I won't.
And guess what? He didn't. 😀
On Wednesday I filled in for Mommy and went to a Mommy and Me class with Braxton.
So much fun. On the way there he asked me if I liked to sing.
Yes.
Well, I don't, and Miss Molly likes to sing songs, so when we get to school I won't be singing.
Oh no, we all should sing.
Well, I won't be. I don't have a good voice.
It doesn't make any difference. My voice isn't good and I love to sing. It's fun.
Well, I won't.
And guess what? He didn't. 😀
Saturday, March 3, 2018
Castle Grey Skull
We kept a lot and I mean A LOT of our son's toys. Six large boxes to be exact and we moved them from Iowa to Colorado, but now that his children are getting older the contents are slowly traveling west.
On this trip I received a request from two little people to bring out Daddy's Castle Grey Skull. They already had the character figures, He-man, Skeletor and I have no idea about the others.
So I started to pack the castle in bubble wrap and there was no way I was going to fit it in our largest suitcase, so I put out a plea to my neighbor, a retired flight attendant, and she had an extra large suitcase.
My clothes barely covered the bottom, so I had plenty of room for surprises and the castle.
The kids were so excited and played with it every day I was visiting.
On this trip I received a request from two little people to bring out Daddy's Castle Grey Skull. They already had the character figures, He-man, Skeletor and I have no idea about the others.
So I started to pack the castle in bubble wrap and there was no way I was going to fit it in our largest suitcase, so I put out a plea to my neighbor, a retired flight attendant, and she had an extra large suitcase.
My clothes barely covered the bottom, so I had plenty of room for surprises and the castle.
The kids were so excited and played with it every day I was visiting.
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