Last December I was physically and mentally exhausted, not from Christmas, but from life and I needed a break.  I deemed 2024 to be the “Year of Sheree” (YOS).  It sounds quite narcissistic, I know, but truly it wasn’t.

I think I can trace the beginning of my fatigue to 2008. Most of us have had crazy years and we just pull up our big girl (boy) pants and get on with it.  But this was different, it was a never-ending roller coaster.

The loss of our main income. The need for us to live in separate states so the kids could finish in “their” high school.  An unexpected tumor called Boomer.  Preparing, selling the house, packing for another move to another state.  House living to apartment living to condo living.  A new ACL called Doug.  Back to apartment living while building a house. Living apart again for nearly a year, while managing the build. Add in a few side jobs and a wedding or two. I also helped out with our precious granddaughter. I was riding this roller coaster for years while hoping not to alienate my family and friends throughout the whole process. You know, life stuff… But,

2024 the Year of Sheree

was to be about sitting still, meditating, digging out those paints, slow breathing, and reading.

It started out great.  Well, the words of the idea sounded great! A friend even made me a sign to remind me of this momentous occasion. A whole year dedicated just to me.

Life continued on, ignoring the declaration of my year when a sister needed help, I popped out to Chicago to lend a hand.  A friend’s son was tying the knot, so I helped plan their wedding.  Our beautiful daughter had her wedding coming up, so there were a few trips to Denver. (There was reading on those trips so check that off the list.)

Months flew by and the wedding was celebrated with family and friends and was spectacular! It was also the end of July.  Where had seven months gone?

Ok, I had to get to work on “making” the YOS happen.  I decided to take a trip, that was it!  Not to Asia or Europe, but rather to visit all those friends who had taken the time to come and visit me throughout the years.  Yep, that would be relaxing! 

The trip started mid-September – 16 Days, 5 states, 7 flights, four sets of friends, two sets of family members – and the YOS had begun!! 

Though it sounded exhausting, it was actually the most delightful trip.  Not only did it help me, but I’m hoping I was able to offer a little assistance to each of my friends, if not only to be their comic relief.

I returned home in October to our granddaughter’s 2nd birthday and then started planning/shopping for Christmas installs.  November, we began glittering client’s homes with sparkles and ribbon and December brought us a wonderful new addition to the family, a beautiful new granddaughter.  

Fast forward to mid-December 2024.

In retrospect there wasn’t too much meditating, slow breathing, painting or sitting on my own in the YOS. I did get the biggest hugs from friends whom I hadn’t seen in a while, I made new friends and had old friends who had never seen our home, visit us in Payson. 

I learned a little more about myself. A year to yourself doesn’t mean you’re going to get everything you want or be “by” yourself doing only “your” stuff and not helping others with “their” stuff.

It allowed me to look at my life differently by realizing that all the things I do ARE the Year of Sheree.  The meditating I wanted might be waiting in the line at the grocery, and that breathing is slow breathing if you’re not walking up a mountain.  Reading Curious George to a two-year old is reading and I do sit still when I’m driving or flying to visit those I love.  Painting, well that’s a little harder… when I can make someone smile, I believe I’ve really created a masterpiece, haven’t I?

So, the year of Sheree WAS a success.   Maybe not on paper but in my heart.  I came to the realization that perhaps saying the words out loud “year of…” made me aware that I’m the only one who can make me sit still, meditate, breath slowly, read and paint. I’m the only one standing in my way…

Please make next year the…

Year of “insert your name here.”

 It won’t be as you expect.  It will be so much better.

Merry Christmas my friends,

Grateful for you,

Sheree

p.s.  Since my year really didn’t get started until like September, I’m rolling mine over into 2025.  Hey, I’m making up the rules as I go!

2020 did honey, 2020 did… 

I tried to take it in stride like everyone else. I posted pics each day with funny notes to lift people’s spirits.  But with fear being aired 24/7, I just knew something wasn’t right…

Trust in the government, medical fields, friends and family, CDC, FDA, FBI, CIA, WHO, WEF and NIH.

In 2012 I was given the gift of GRATITUDE; Boomer was a large tumor, but not cancerous.  I was gifted a new view on life and how precious it is. 

Eight years later, ‘Rona gave me a new gift, that of INSIGHT.

It all started with the notorious California lockdowns early in 2020, then the George Floyd riots.  It continued with the silencing of physicians that were finding success in treating patients using safe, effective well-known drugs, but they were silenced because of an Emergency Use Authorization. 

What is an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) you ask? 

“…Under an EUA, FDA may allow the use of unapproved medical products, or unapproved uses of approved medical products in an emergency to diagnose, treat, or prevent serious or life-threatening diseases or conditions when certain statutory criteria have been met, including that there are NO ADEQUATE, APPROVED, AND AVAILABLE ALTERNATIVES.”

WHICH THERE WERE…

But if you have an alternative medicine that works, you cannot release a vaccine.

That’s when the door came slamming shut, my dear daughter.  It wasn’t a solid door though; it was one with windows where I observed the madness that many believed was planned…

I had friends, that I loved, question if I were a racist for not believing in the organized and destructive riots in 2020.  I was questioned how many black friends I had and who were the black writers/speakers I followed to see if they were the “right” kind of black person. 

I tried to understand their point of view, but I still questioned – why were the riots hurting the black communities instead of supporting them? It all seemed so planned.

Being taught to be “color blind,” I was told, was not correct. Accepting people for their character NOW needed to be replaced with, accepting them for their skin color.  That was not how I was raised or how we raised you.

I had friends that I loved, who were very vocal on how the unvaccinated should be treated.  I pray they never have to endure what we did…

I tried to rationalize their feelings as they had only been fed fear and body counts on the daily news.  We had been told so many lies and kept the doctors who knew – silenced.  The yearly flu had all but disappeared and no one questioned it.  Now, after the damage is done, we are learning what the vaxes are doing to thousands and thousands.

I learned how pharmaceutical companies were protected against lawsuits regarding vaccines, medicines and treatments.  Many of the drugs and vaxes had never been studied long term or how they interacted with each other.  I felt stupid that I never knew that, then I became angry…

We saw prices go sky high, why?  Why were thousands of container ships stranded off the coast of California?  No really, why?  People were willing to work, but the government wouldn’t allow it. If the government was there to help us, why didn’t they fix it?  Many of us were really affected, like building in 2021 and having our house costs go up 75%. It all seemed deliberate.

Bitter?  Yes, yes I am.  Sort of life changing, as a matter of fact.

I was silenced and belittled for my covid opinions, my political beliefs. I questioned the government’s handling of the homeless, vaccine requirements, and the increasing national debt. Why were we so dependent on other countries for our energy needs? In California we were asked to electrify our lives, while they enforced rolling brownouts because of the lack of electricity.

I saw how the government didn’t really protect the American people at all.  Yet we were the ones paying their salaries. They were the ones sending our billions to foreign countries for “research” and “humanitarian aid.”  They were approving garbage to be added to our food sources and injecting us for the “good” of the country and grandma.

I witnessed an invasion, not a humanitarian crisis – let’s be honest – crossing our southern border. 

If you’re going to war, you come alone.

If you’re running from war or poverty, you take your family.

Too many “alone” individuals have come. 

This invasion now burdens the resources of cities who never budgeted for the influx. Cities whose own citizens struggle, as the government gives immigrants free housing, food, healthcare, clothing and money. Who wouldn’t come, and why does the government allow it?

I observed the immense divide in this country grow deeper. It was fed by the vaxed/non-vaxed, race, politics, the border, inflation and sadly, abortion.

It didn’t matter what facts you had or documents that were published and reviewed by scholars. If those who opposed you didn’t believe the facts, then you were a bigot, racist, homophobic, or whatever the current euphemism was.  It was common to be shouted at so loudly, that you and your voice became invisible, and that is what they wanted.  Us to be silent. 

I do remember reading about something similar in a country called Germany circa 1933.

I believed the FDA was there to protect us, but they allowed chemicals to be added to our foods. The FDA working hand-in-hand with pharmaceutical companies; they create the illness, and pharma creates a pill to treat the illness and so on and so on.

I’ve watched healthy happy children turn into zombies by social media and fed a non-stop flow of rubbish about their sexuality and how they can pick whatever gender they like.  Gender dysphoria is no longer a disease, rather it’s a trend. We need to “accept” instead of treat.  It’s an excuse to mutilate our youth to avoid the growing pains of puberty.  An entire generation disfigured and on drugs for the rest of their lives, as we sit back and watch, afraid to be called out as “unaccepting.”  We would never have left a generation of anorexics or bulimics destroy their bodies by allowing them to purge until they died….

We’re asked to believe what is reported by “every” MSM outlet, yet days, weeks and even years later they say, “oops we made a mistake.”  “Sorry you used our “opinions” to change the course of the world, yeah it was wrong, our bad. You’re too busy to research anything so we’ll tell you how to think.”

Some of the questions I’ve asked of my “changed” self…

1. Why was benzene used in sunscreens which is known to cause cancer?

2. Why are there antibiotics, antifungals (Natamycin) and wood fibers (cellulose) used in our food? Why do food products made for the European market have basic ingredients and no additives, but in America the FDA approves the additives for the SAME DAMN FOOD.

3. Why are they still using Chlormequat and Glyphosate on crops knowing the damage it does to humans.  Luckily, many states and countries have banned their use.

4. Why is the world trying to reduce our CO² when many scientists say this is a bad idea which will reduce plant life, animals and oh, humans?  Yep, humans…

5. Why are dishwashing pods and clothes soap encased in “plastics?” “While the plastic components of these pods may dissolve to an extent, plastic waste remains a global concern, with long-lasting harmful effects on our environment.”  Besides they gunk up the piping.

Don’t even get me started on PFAS – polyfluoroalkyl substances. They’re in EVERYTHING!

6. Why did childhood vaccines go from 5 doses in 1962 to 72 doses in 2019 (most of which are given before the age of 6). This list doesn’t even include the infamous Rona vaxes. To be honest, the chart from the CDC is so overwhelming, it even includes a Dengue Fever shot, which I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t give my child anyway.  Someday the truth will come out regarding vaccines, hopefully soon. 

7. Why must we seed the clouds?  States are banning flyovers to stop poisoning the water, dirt and air.  Quit trying to control Mother Nature. 

Arizona, if you don’t want the temps to keep climbing, stop replacing fields and trees with buildings and roads.  Hard surfaces absorb the heat and create their own weather pattern!

9.  Why are the youth today so uninformed?  Why do they hate America? Why are they so angry and confused?  Why are they so depressed and full of anxiety?  Have they been given everything and not worked for anything? Has living in a world without the fear of losing their lives or homes due to war warped their sense of reality?  Has social media created jealousy, self-centeredness, and poor impulse control?  Have the parents failed these children?

Yes, yes they have…

“Hard times create strong men. Strong men create good times. Good times create weak men. Weak men create hard times.” ― G. Michael Hopf

10.  Why is our country quickly becoming a socialistic society?  I don’t believe in the idea of socialism which IS a precursor to communism.  So many died to keep communism from taking over America. Do we just disregard their ultimate sacrifices to protect us? 

I do believe in equality and the freedoms given to us by God and our Constitutional Republic.  Equality does not equal equity, never has, never will.  Do a little research on equity and socialism…

“Equality means equal treatment, unbiased competition and impartially judged outcomes. Equity means equal outcomes, achieved if necessary by unequal treatment, biased competition and preferential judging.”

11.  Why is ending a life via abortion a sticking point on electing the next president?  It’s unfathomable to me.  Many had no bodily autonomy when it came to the ‘Rona vax but ending a life that you had a part in creating, is bodily autonomy… make it make sense.

Many can’t have children naturally, so they try IVF. I think about how those parents must feel seeing how easily it is to end the life of a precious child, they can only dream of having.

I believe that the unborn are living beings, which sadly is an unpopular thing to say today, but, daughter, when I look into your eyes, I can’t imagine ending your life just because a law said I “could.”

12.  Why does something like 113 countries require an ID to vote but here in the good ‘ole USA we don’t need one? Citizens have precious rights, correct? We’ve paid our dues (taxes) correct? Or, no?

13.  Why are the rules in the Constitution and its amendments taken as “just a suggestion” rather than the rule of the land?

14.  Why do we casually accept everyone lying about everything?

15. Why do we need to genetically modify mosquito’s? And why all of a sudden are there so many cases of the rare EEE (Eastern equine encephalitis) caused from mosquito showing up? Coincidence?

Aren’t mosquitos assholes enough without being modified? FFS

Many people have had their eyes opened in the last four years.  We’re not bigots, racists, homophobes or un-accepting. If you’re not a Liberal you’re considered MAGA, quite the dirty word in many circles. Can’t we just have conservative beliefs? Why ya gotta name call?

We don’t have privilege as we’ve all worked our butts off and many of us couldn’t go to college, because we couldn’t afford the cost.  Yep, we didn’t agree to loans we knew we couldn’t pay back. A concept, I know.

There are many of us who still believe in God, marriage as a partnership, having children, working hard for what we want, helping those we can and living a happy and fulfilling life.  We have gay friends, straight friends and cowboy friends. We all sin and make mistakes, and hopefully we learn from them and ask forgiveness. 

We want to believe that the government is not trying to poison and kill us all.  I mean someone needs to pay their salaries, right?

We want to believe we matter and that we’re not disposable. To eat healthy food, drink clean water, wash with uncontaminated soap products and breathe air that is not tainted with a stream of chemicals emanating from a fly over.  We want to own a home.  We want to feel safe when we leave our homes and need to believe the hefty taxes we pay go to our protection and not that of every foreign country.

We really want secured and vetted borders.  Seriously, why is this even a talking point?  (See Title 8, Section 1325 of the U.S. Code (U.S.C.), or Section 275 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (I.N.A.) for the exact statutory language. It’s against the law…

“Borders are central to international order and peace, and they define states as part of the international system.”  – Foreign Policy Research Institute

We follow the rules set up by a civil society. Is it too much to expect the government (local and federal) to do the same by punishing those who commit crimes, so it becomes a deterrent to commit another crime? When did it become ok to do whatever you want? If I stole something or beat someone up, I’d for sure be arrested and taken to jail – FOR SURE. (Who are we kidding? I couldn’t beat anybody up!)

I’ve tried to attach as many references as I always do, so you don’t think I’m making this stuff up.  But I invite you to join me in that lovely rabbit hole and research sites, government documents, and the effects of vaxes in the VAERS data. Search out doctors who were silenced during covid, the ones who had success treating their patients so they wouldn’t die in hospitals.  Look at studies about the mutilation of youth today.  Find out what is in the foods you eat, the cleaning products you use and ask questions…

Ask questions!!!

So, my lovely daughter, these are a few of the things that changed me.  But don’t despair…

I do have hope and believe in goodness and kindness.

I do believe in freedom and nature and laughter.

I do believe people can work to make a change in their lives. 

I will try to be less of a rabbit-holey person and be a kinder person showing more love and grace, I promise.

So stay your beautiful, inquisitive self and don’t worry about me.  I share my thoughts and points in social media because I don’t want to look back one day and say…

I should have told them, warned them, helped them because, I cared about them.

Grateful for you,

Love you, Momma