What is in a Name? Unique or Euphonious

On my morning journey to and from daycare to drop off #1 granddaughter I listen to Kid Kraddick in the Morning. I find myself laughing out loud sometimes to some of the things they talk about. It takes me back to when I used to make my hour plus commute in Los Angeles and I would listen to Mark and Brian (my LA people will remember them both).

One of today's topics talked about child naming. It made me think of an episode of  I Love Lucy. The one where they are trying to come up with a name for the arrival of Little Ricky. Lucy keeps changing her mind and says she wants a name that sounds Unique or Euphonious. Ricky comments, "Well if its a girl name it Unique and if its a boy name it Euphonious". Back in those days these names were not popular.

When we were expecting our son I just remember hearing from someone in the family (not sure who) just don't use a name that has already been used. There was no real reason for naming him Matthew other than it was a name we both agreed we liked. When it came time to name the second baby; mind you this was back in the day when you were lucky to get one ultrasound and they did not give you a copy or multiple copies as they do today. I was pretty sure I was destined for another boy so we planned Kevin Wray for a boy and Jennifer Elyse for a girl.  We didn't go the unique or uncommon route.

One of the DJs on the show commented how hard it has become when you go to buy general personalized items how names can be hard to find. I even have a hard time now finding things with my name on it much less any of my grandchildren. Both of my kids have picked very unique names for all the kids: Hadleigh, Greenlee, Greyson and soon to be Gentry.  He also stated how difficult it is sometimes they way people spell names phonetically just to throw you off.

Whatever the case unique names can be euphonious in today's world.

Just Do Something-2015

Well as figured this year didn't start off as hoped. But do they ever? No resolutions, too difficult to keep. Everyone has a new spin on how to live life, improve your outlook, and just go on.

I am an avid Pinterest pinner and two things came my way recently. One was, "Do Something Different or New in 2015". I am always tired of the same old, same old so this got me seriously thinking. So far a few items pinned I have followed through on or am working on. One was to utilize the Christmas tree for other holidays throughout the year.  This might prove to be a little interesting finding articles to decorate the tree with but I have some ideas in mind. Guess those creative juices better not be frozen by the winter weather.

The other item I pinned so far was Word of the Year. It took me a while to really think this through. Finally it came to me. My word is HOPE. I can only hope things are not always what they seem and improve over time.

The other pin was "100"+ Things to Do Before You Die". Humm probably not the best title for someone over 50 was my first thought. Some call it a Bucket List. I went through the 100+ items on the list just to see what might be accomplished (some are pretty lofty and expensive. Must have  money, time and really be an exceedingly adventurous individual). Many include being able to swim (which I can't do and won't be one of the things on my list to learn at this late stage. No 

problem with using a life vest where water is involved).

I was surprised at some of the items on the list I have accomplished already:

Watched Cinderella Castle Fireworks

Made a Snow Angel

Made Own Pizza

Been to a Broadway Musical

Dog Sledding

Rode Vespa/Moped

Feed Giraffe

Finish Book in One Setting

Prepare Care Pack for Homeless

Experience Northern Lights (faintly)

Stand Under Hollywood Sign (Think that as illegal although I have been close to it several times)

Night in Teepee (thanks to Scouts)

Visit 50 States (well almost all of them 45 is pretty close)

Helicopter over Volcano (very small plane)

Many of the items call for traveling to far off lands. While picking a few on the "To Do" List. Some I think may not be as hard to possibly accomplish.

Stay in a Treehouse (Pete Nelson here we come)

Eat a Cronut

Go Lavendar Picking

Leave Your Mark in This World

Dance in Rain

Stay in Overwater Bungelow

Zipline

Go to Lock to Love Bridge Paris

Ride in Hot Air Balloon

Bathe in Milk

Jump in Pool Full of Jello

Make a Rainbow Cake

Create an Ice Cream Flavor

Celebrate 50th Anniversary (30 already accomplished)

Eat Vanilla Pudding in Mayo Jar in Public

Make Gingerbread House

Make a Rainbow Rose

Be in a TV Audience (came close several times)

Make Family Recipe Book

Pay a Strangers Restaurant Bill

Visit Chocolate Factory

Swim with Dolphins (with a life vest)

Travel Somewhere New Each Year

Name A Star

Send a Message in a Bottle

I will be knocking off one of the items tonight. Bathe in Milk sounds wonderful.  I hope many more get checked off this list over the coming year also. What ever you call it have a list of things and make an effort to put a check before it and after it.

By the way this original post on PopSugar.com was posted by someone very young and would really like to see how many of these items will be checked off the list in her lifetime. Stay tuned.