I Keep Saying I'm Back....but then I'm not.

 I keep saying I'm going to start blogging again, and then I don't.

This brain tumor sure made things difficult. I keep thinking that I'm doing well enough to start back to my previous hobbies and chores and then I just plum can't.

So here I am, starting again. Here's to never giving up!

Send out the search party...Sheri is missing!

No, I have not fallen off the side of the Grand Canyon or floated away on the Colorado River.  It seems I have gotten lost in the solitude of the forest.  With poor internet signal, some hard times, and 20 lbs to lose, I have gone into seclusion. 

My time on the "mountain side" has been so good for me.  My spirit is refreshed and my soul uplifted.  I am ready to reenter into society and continue my families quest for helping others as well as many other goals that have not been met but are in process.

Does this mean the hard times are gone, the weight off, and we have great internet?  No, although I am down 10 lbs and we have worked through the garbage other people have tried to throw on our lives - the internet signal is still wretched.  Time does heal and as me taking some time for myself has made all the difference.  I haven't done it in years.  I knew that with the extra weight on my body I was not helping my family or myself.  I am no good to them or God if I die of heart disease, diabetes, or a host of diseases and conditions that would have been a result of my extra weight.  After six kids it just seemed to creap on a little at a time until the 10 lbs extra after each of the last four totalled to 40 lbs.  The steroids the doc put me on during the last pregnancy didn't help either. 

But taking my writing time to exercise isn't the only reason I have fallen off of the internet planet.  After coming to Missouri, it seemed that I was bombarded with problems.  Places that were so dear to us have become places I dislike enormously.  People we have been friends with for years stepped over their boundaries in our life and hurt me enormously.  Add on the stress of constantly cleaning up condensation and mold from the cold air outside and I thought I was going to lose it!

So, we left all the garbage behind and went into the woods.  And, here I have been since.  I wake up to the sound of the birds instead of the nagging of well meaning people.  I walk in the peace of the ever swaying trees instead of the noise of the city and the busyness of pointless days of nothingness.

I've never considered myself a "tree-hugger" but I sure want to hug one.  God's beautiful creation has a way of ministering to me in a way that no other place can.  To sit and look at the dogwoods blooming and listen the unique bird calls as they say hello to eachother.

I went to a wedding shower the other day.  It was my first social gathering in months.  I felt like I was a pioneer from long ago coming into a big city for the first time.  I didn't feel like I belonged.  I was out of place and unhappy.  I don't think my time in the woods is completely over although I am ready to start back to my online life and business. 

I am speaking at a home school convention next month.  Much of my free time is spent on our new website and my speeches.  It is exciting to think of this opportunity to help other people remember the little things in life that are so special.  That the city, errands, and activities are not the only thing in life, there is so much more if we just take the time to experience it.

Ants in My Pants ...Ready to Move On!

Cody has had a wonderful time working with the men building the new church.  This is HL.  He is a wonderful man that does drywall with Cody.  HL is 77 years old and still working hard.  They all do it for free, for the Lord.

He also enjoyed riding through the huge puddles made by the big storms that came through last week.  We went into the building during the worst of it.  I don't like being in a camper in a tornado watch.

We love to ride bikes in puddles.  Running through the cold water makes me feel like a kids again.  Josie was soaked!  We also danced in the rain with our umbrellas.  It is fun to just be silly!

Hanna had a great time acting in Heaven's Gates and Hell's Flames.  It is a powerful play.

We made the trip to the US Airways Phoenix Suns Stadium for the Disney on Ice Show.  It was great.  The kids loved it.  It was quite an adventure driving down town.  I don't know how many people got aggravated with my slow driving.  They were probably saying, "Go back to Missouri, you hick!" 

I'm not a city girl, but we sure enjoyed the show.

We have been near Phoenix Arizona for over 2 months now.  We haven't done a lot of sight seeing.  I call it homesteading.  Every now and then we need a break from traveling and sight seeing.  We came here and did our dental, doctor, paperwork, mail, and rest.  Usually two months of this and we are ready to go.  I'm not sure where we will head next.  Grand Canyon is too cold, San Diego would be great.  Or, do we head toward New Mexico?  Shae looked at his drivers license and saw it expires in March.  We called Missouri DMV and they said he can get a six month temporary extension to give us time to get back there to renew it.  We are in no hurry.  It is time to get a new vision.  It is time for me to hear God's voice about where to go and what to see.  I need to have some fun.  I want to get a little wild and just go see some great places, go kayaking, four wheeling, and hiking.  The seriousness of life is trying to get back on me and I know that I need to give those things back to God and enjoy the life He has given me.  I know there are people out there that need help and to hear the truth.  We have a few weeks left here.  I'm going to start having way too much fun.  I think fun is a choice.  I think a good attitude is a choice.  I still have sick kids, I still have debt, I still have a to do list that is ridiculous.  I have to get taxes ready, I still haven't applied for my VA benefits, I am working on writing books, I need to do more school with the kids, Cody needs to finish making his knives, my laundry is always there.  Tytus is awake, and it is way to late in the night for that.  I know there will always be things to do, but I will find time for the preciousness of life, each day, for the days are short and each one is special.  Gotta run,

Tytus is holding on to my leg wanting up.

sheri

How to get your laptop to smell delicious!

I am so sorry that I have not had an entry lately.  I had a major computer problem and just got it resolved, so I AM BACK!

I have so much to write about I am not sure where to start.  I guess I will go with my yummy laptop.

I have a strict rule "NO DRINKS OR FOOD BY THE COMPUTER"

So, the other day I was in a real hurry.  I set my coffee next to the laptop and started looking for something on Amazon.  I reached for the mouse and 

WHAM! 

 I spilled my coffee all over the laptop.  Yes, it was me, not the kids, that spilled the coffee.  Yes, it was me, not the kids, that put the coffee there in the first place.  I couldn't believe it.  I reached up and tried to pat my laptop dry with my pajamas.  I sopped up as much as I could.  Shae came out later and tipped the laptop on its side.  A bunch more coffee poured out.  We tried to turn it on later, it worked, but not the keypad.  Well, to make a long story short, I bought an external keyboard for $12 and hooked to the usb port and, here I am.

Shae came down the other day, he lifted my laptop and said,

"Man, this smells goooooood!"

I like to put stevia and creamer in my coffee.  Now, my laptop smells soooo sweeeet!

End of story for now.  Have a great night.

Sheri

I've never been so hairy!

Now, this is my first and last blog entry on this subject.  I am going to start a new blog, just for women.  It is going to be a blog that we can talk about being a woman, for real.  I want to be able to laugh and cry about things that only a woman can understand and not make my male readers have to read it.  But, since I don't have that blog started yet, I am going to make a quick note on my wonderful experience today. 

I decided to go to the bath house for a shower.  I usually shower in our camper.  People have offered for me to use their home for a shower, when we stay with them, but I tell them very politely, no thank you.  I don't expect them to pack up their shower stuff and take one in my camper!  My camper is my home.  I shower in my home just like you do yours.  But, I just decided I wanted harder water pressure and thought I would head for the shower house.

Well, the water pressure wasn't much better.  I kind of got grossed out when I saw hair on the floor, and it wasn't mine.  I decided I am going to clean the shower house this week.  But anyways, I am so excited!  I not only washed my hair, but my body too!  Then, I shaved not only under my arms but my legs, too.  Now, not only around my ankles, but all the way up.....yes, past my knees even.....up to the top!  Hold on now, I even washed my body with soap. 

I know, you are jealous.  To not only wash my hair and body, but to even shave my underarms and legs all in one shower!  I am so lucky!  (Actually, I don't believe in luck.) 

Those of you who have babies can totally relate.  Those of you who have lots of kids can identify with what I am saying.  Those of you who have a baby, and lots of kids, and live in a camper, are looking at your legs right now thinking how you wish you could do what I did today!

I don't think my family even recognized me!

Wow, the wonders of soap, water, and a razor.  I feel like a new woman.  Oh, by the way, I didn't use a man razor.  I used one made for women!  That was a treat.  Although, I think my husband used it on his neck recently.  I'll not dwell on that!

I am going to go climb in my bed now and feel the soft sheets on my not so hairy legs.

Good night!
Sheri
This is me doing some voluteer work at a church.  Tytus and I were mopping the floor.  The Romanian Church was getting ready to come use the facilities.

(For my male readers, don't worry, these entries will only be on my woman's blog from now on.  I don't want to bore you.)

Are the Cops on their way?

I had to go outside, just for a minute.  I knew my patience was running thin and I just needed a quick breather.  As I walked around the side of the camper, I saw red tail lights that had just passed our camper.  I thought, please don't let it be the cops.  I turned around to see the headlights pull into a spot two campsites behind us.  I decided to just walk over and see, just in case it was the cops, I might as well get the explanations over with.  I was so relieved when I saw it was just HL and Norma, pulling into their campsite.  You see, it had been one of those crazy evenings living in a camper.

Now, you may be wondering why on earth would I be scared the cops were coming.  I love police.  I pray for them and appreciate everything they do.  And yes, I am a law abiding citizen, for the most part.  Well, let me start the explanation by taking you back to Florida City, Florida, one year ago.

I had just gotten over a really bad sickness.  I was 5 months pregnant.  My little one year old, Josie, had always nursed, and when I got sick, I had to stop nursing her.  Yes, I nursed her while I was pregnant, it is very safe as long as I am healthy, which I was not anymore.  I weaned her and she did just fine.  I snuggled with her everynight at bedtime.  I would tell her stories of princesses and princes, flowers and butterflies.  It was a wonderfully sweet time that we both enjoyed. 

This particular night she didn't want to sleep.  It was late and I needed to get up and take care of a few things.  After laying with her for an hour, I told her I was going to get up and clean.  She cried and screamed as loud as she could.  I layed with her again to try to calm her, but she had herself in a bad mood now and only something drastic, like a cartoon, would get her out of it.  So, I turned on Qubo and tried to calm her.  She screamed a while longer and then settled down.  I was so worried that the people around us would call the cops because they thought we were abusing our children!  The walls of the camper are so thin that you can hear most everything from outside.  People on the outside don't know I had just snuggled with her for the last hour.  People on the outside don't know that I give my life for my children.  People on the outside don't know how loved and cared for my children are.  All they can hear is a child screaming!  Well, I was so thankful that no one called the police. 

Well, back to the present.  We are in Arizona.  Josephine cannot stand to have her hair washed.  I have tried everything.  And believe me, I know how to do this.  I have six kids!  I don't wash her hair too often, just the minimum amount necessary to keep her clean.  So, it was time to wash her hair, no matter what.  I layed her down, gently, in the bottom of our shower.  I always put a wash rag over the drain and make it into a little bath tub for her.  She did not want to have her hair washed...no matter what.  I talked loving to her, told her what I was going to do, had a rag for her forehead, was very careful, but she just screamed and yelled!  So, I decided to try a totally different approach.  I put one of our couch cushions on the counter with a garbage bag over it.  I put a towel on her forehead after I layed her on her back on the cushion.  I used a cup to gently and slowly pour water on her head.  Cody held her legs so she wouldn't fall off.  It worked well.  She didn't cry at all.  When I finally got the conditioner washed out, I put her down, dried her off, and sent her to play.  It was then that I walked outside to take my deep breath.  Who knows what the neighbors think.  I wasn't doing anything to harm her, she just does not like to have her hair washed!  Now some would say they would never let their child do that.  Good for you.  I have had some children that don't mind having their hair washed, some that like the water running over their face, and others that just don't want to wash at all!  By the time you have six kids you have a good mixture of personalities. 

Disciplining and training in a camper is very difficult.  It is probably the one of the biggest challenges of traveling full time.  Everyone can hear everything.  Even when I am just trying to console an injured child, people could mistake that for something else.  Sometimes people make assumptions that aren't true.  I don't hurt my children in any way.  I love them dearly.  I feed them well, care for them, give them the whole United States for a back yard.  I support them in anything they feel led to do.  But all it takes is one stranger walking by our camper, hearing a 2 year old screaming, and think we are abusing her.  They don't know I just spent one hour snuggling with her, telling her stories. 

I have a couple good friends that were wrongly accused of abusing their child.  I know these people personally.  These particular friends are good people.  It breaks my heart for them.  It has been over a year and they have only seen their daughter a couple of times.  It is so awful that one hateful person can make an accusation and then children can be taken from their family.Yet, the neighbor down the road does drugs and gets to keep their kids. Crazy world isn't it. I know there are people that really do abuse their children.  They will rot in hell unless they repent and change their lives.