Write to my Health

It's been awhile since I've been here and I can tell I need to spend more time in my life writing.  Writing is one of those things that makes me healthy, like exercise.  It is my release after a long day or week, the friend who will always listen and not talk back, only allowing me to see my thoughts and feelings in a row so I can learn from them.  That's my plan for today.  I'm going to whip up a pot of tea and sit and write.  Write to my health.

You  might see some of it here :)

The Refills

I didn’t realize that going to the TX Roadhouse would be such a cultural experience for Fabian.  I forgot that there are no free refills on drinks in Austria… and no ice in most drinks.  We each ordered a Coke and they came in large cups half full of ice.  We slurped at them while we ate our deliciously huge steaks.  It was a good reward for all of the driving we'd done that day (correction: driving he'd done that day).  As our drinks emptied, our waitress came back and asked if we wanted refills.  I just nodded like we both would, forgetting about the culture difference.  She came back with two big glasses of Coke again.  Fabi's jaw was on the ground.  You mean, we get a whole nother one? for free?  I can't drink this!... I assured him that it was okay if we didn't finish them, they were free.  Oh, this was not okay!  He wasn't about to waste it. He attempted.  He gave it the ol' college try.... and he totally lost.  Even while the ice deceived us as to the actual amount of pop in the glass, neither of us could finish.  The dejected look on Fabi's face made me wish we'd just gotten one refill.  Dang it.  And, it needs to be said, mostly because it was the only thing I ever beat him legitimately at, I drank more of my refill than he did!

The Coke he couldn't finish...

Home.

I’ve been contemplating lately what home means.  My new place hasn’t felt like home.  I’ve put up familiar pictures of recent memories.  I’ve spent time there, cooked there, cleaned there, slept there and yet, it hasn’t felt like home… until this week, until today. What makes home home?

Today topped off a week of letting my dearest friends into this space that I inhabit.  I had tea with them, played Scrabble with them, talked with them on the phone, emailed them, and most recently, chatted with them over an ocean.  They say that “Home is where the heart is” and I’ve never really understood what that even means… I say, “Home is where your heart is not alone anymore.”   I was with them…  I was with the people who have held my hand and hugged me through dank and dismal times.  And now I’m at home, in my new home.

Moved.

So, I’ve recently moved into a place of my own (well, with a new roommate!) and I kinda feel like I’m reinventing myself. How’s that for new-age? Maybe it’s the cooler weather and the kiddos heading back off to school (or something complete else different), but I just feel an energy about life lately. I’m lovin’ that! There have been a few words that have driven this reinvention of Jaime… Courage. It’s inserted itself into my life in several uncanny ways (really, only God could have done this – ask me about it sometime!), but it’s encouraged (see, there it is again) me to have courage in life… to be who God wants me to be, even if it looks a little different than everyone else… to write whether anyone ever reads it or likes it… to live a life of intention. That is the other word… Intention. As I think about what will go into my “new life” as an apartment renter, I ask questions like, how can I honor God with my time? What should I spend time studying? Who should I spend time investing in? What should I have for dinner? I know, this all sounds overwhelming, doesn’t it? I have this inexplicable peace that it will all happen in its time as I trust the Lord. Yep, the cave of my now is definitely brighter, more hopeful and faith-filled.

What words are defining your fall/life season?

Lambeau Field.

My favorite Cody got tickets to the Packer game last Thursday and decided to take me.  (All ladies may direct applications for getting to know Cody to me.)  I had never been to Lambeau Field (inside the stadium) before… So, you could say I was excited! 

As we walked toward the stadium in a sea of green jerseys, I felt… privileged.  I guess that is the best way to describe it.  It was like, I was a part of something bigger, I had a ticket to the party, like we all knew a secret and were going to be let in.  A smile was smeared across my face the whole time.  The stadium, inside, was… life-size.  It was giant and full and majestic.  The guys on the field were visible – not like you see on TV – just normally sized.  It was… wordless.

The night was warm and humid – I could not imagine being there in the dead of winter without hand warmers and a good pair of wool socks!  Cody and I had so much fun on this little adventure together.

I would recommend Lambeau to anyone.  The fly-over after the national anthem... totally awe-inspiring!  It left me breathless!  Oh, and we won!  But what else would you expect from the reigning world-champion Green Bay Packers! ?

Thanks for taking me Cody!  I love you bro!

Jesus was at Devil's Lake with us...

While we were hiking up the East Bluff along the south face at Devil’s Lake State Park, we passed a troop of Boy Scouts from the Chicago area.  We had seen them at a couple of different points and they had admired (mostly with their cameras) Fabi’s rock climbing skills, I mean, “bouldering skills.”  Anyway, Fabi was barefoot while we wandered and pretty scruffy looking on the face.  A chunky little Boy Scout who passed us took one look at Fabi and grinned sheepishly, saying “Hi Jesus.”  Oh, how we laughed for days and days.  We still do.

That day at Devil’s Lake was one of the most epic of the whole month.  I absolutely LOVED being there enjoying something that Fabian enjoys so much!  It was sunny and I read while he climbed… the lunch spot… oh, the lunch spot was designed specifically by God, just for us!

The Craft Mobile!

Being with Amber always means adventure, and most of the time, epic adventure.  Epic is Amber's middle name.  She can make microwaving a burrito epic. It’s just the way she sees things.  It’s one of the many reasons I crave spending time with her.  This weekend, we decided to hold the first tri-annual (or quarterly – we aren’t sure yet) “crafting weekend”… it’s still up for debate whether we will actually craft at every one of them, but we thought we’d start it off with a bang… a trip to JoAnn Fabrics.  We almost didn’t make it out actually.  We almost spent our whole weekend in the store, standing over our cart, admiring fabric and dreaming about what it could become with the right amount of stitching and patience.  We pulled ourselves away after several pep talks.

We had two main projects: A make-up bag and some placemats.  We sewed for about 10 hours, with a short break for pizza dinner.  Have a look…

We used a pattern from a German woman.

This is Amber's bag because it has chutzpah.

We now have matching AWESOME place mats!

 

We came, we saw, we crafted!

Our other goal was to eat food out of Amber's beautiful garden that Fabi and I helped plant this past May... and, well, we failed miserably.... but we had great burgers at the Big Star Drive In... and pizza delivered by Papa Johns (yummy garlic butter sauce!)  Here are the before and after pictures from her garden...

Before in May

After in August

 Impressed?  I was.  Amber grows a garden in an epic  way!

Magnificent May... The First of Many Memories

When Fabi left in the end of May, the summer was before me and I just knew that I would not have sufficient time to write well about our time together.  So, I began vomiting all over my computer, making lists of experiences to flesh out one at a time as I had time.  I forced myself to write some each day no matter how tired I happened to be at the end of it.  It has been a rejuvenating process of reflection so far!  Over the next few weeks and months, you’ll find little snippets of this ever-growing document.   I’ll share funny stories, serious stories, pictures & thoughts about the trip of my recent lifetime with Fabi…

Overlooking the Bright Angel Trail

We watched our first sunset in that perfectly secluded spot overlooking the Bright Angel Trail from the Hermit’s Rest Rim Trail.  We had our Grand Canyon brewed beer while watching the canyon, having opened our beer with the canyon rim!  It was beyond words to see that beauty.  I was reading in Isaiah (2:10-17).  It’s the section that talks about the lofty/proud being brought low.  Some of the examples included nature – like the cedars of Lebanon.  I guess they were some famous and magnificent Cedars in Lebanon.  It made me think of the power of God to crush the Grand Canyon flat in but a moment, a word.  God gives us amazing beauty here to enjoy here on earth, but to read that God will destroy it for one purpose – showing His glorious wrath and making all men look to Him alone.  Wow.  Anyway, it was a precious time for me to spend that sunset with God and Fabian. 

Looking north at the Colorado River from Desert Views

On our way back to the car, we talked about our Bright Angel hike scheduled for the next day.  Would we go all the way to the river or turn back part way?  In a moment of sheer stupid and awesome brilliance, Fabi asked me if I would yell my debit card pin number to him as I was falling over the edge of the canyon if I ever did.  How thoughtful of him! (geez!) So, I yelled seven-two-fiiiiive-niiiiiiiiinnnnnnne… and we laughed hysterically (Mind you, I told him the correct pin, not this stand in for public use.).   He scrambled for paper when I told him that I had actually just then and there told him my correct pin number. Thanks for thinking of what little money I had in my bank account over and above my life! 

SFOOG: 2011 -- We're Back and Better than Ever!

Sunday was the 3rd mostly annual SFOOG (Sherf Family Outdoor Olympic Games).  I say "mostly annual" because last summer's weekends got eaten up by planning a wedding!!  :)  The events of SFOOG are Jaime originals, at least the twists are.  We pair up and compete in the activities I create and then we dress up in the medal outfits for a picture based on our finishes.  Enjoy the picture and blurb recap of highlights!

Bring Sally Up, Bring Sally Down

  We all got down on our stomachs for some good ol' fashioned push-ups.  As we listened to Moby's Flower, we came up and went down with the lyrics for Sally.  The person who lasted the longest in the song without stopping got to pick his/her partner for the day.  Cody won!  Congrats bud!

Gold Medal winning Ice Escape performance

 The first event was Ice Escape, formed in my mind while we were ice fishing this winter on the Lake of the Woods.  As we were in my dad's car, we contemplated the best possible way of escape if we were to break through the ice.... the sun roof!  One member from each team had to start in the driver's seat and be timed as they projected him or herself out of the car and onto the pavement.   Winning time?  5.72 seconds.

Winner?  ME!  That's right, Jaime Sherf beat out 2 of her 3 brothers for the title of quickest escape out of an Impala sunroof!

 Event #2: Roofball - the family fav!  Technical rules (which only Cody and I really know since we made them up).  It's a hoot!   A pregnant woman and her husband took the gold in this event.  By the way, the "gold" medal was an Aaron Rodgers' jersey, a tiara and a superman cape :)

Event # 3: Fru-Bik-alad

The names are just as fun to come up with as the actual rules of the game!  One team member headed out via bike around the block.  Once one lap was completed, his or her teammate proceeded to eat a bowl of fruit salad.  After the consumption of the salad, the first teammate would set out for another block of biking.  The first team to make it back to the mailbox won gold.

The Bikers of Fru-Bik-alad

The 2^nd place finishers got to don a straw hat, a maraca and a Ghanaian head wrap.   The third place team really was worse than getting 4^th because you had to show up in a picture wearing the pitiful jersey of GB#4.  There was also a Marilyn Monroe style wig and some Viking colored beads.

The winners of Fru-Bik-alad!

Bonding over a cold soak!

 Event #4: Cold Feet

The kiddie pool scares my family.  It might have been from the time I made us all stick our heads underwater at hold our breath in a competition of lung capacity.  In any event, it’s always fun to spice it up a bit.  I filled our pool with a few layers of ice and then freezing water.  Then, we stuck our feet in.  We shared moments of intense pain while we strengthened our wills to be the last foot in.  40 minutes.  Not bad.  It all came down to a quiet conversation between my brother, Jeremy and me… and then I took my foot out, securing second place.

Medals for Cold Feet

Event #5 Bean Bag Toss

Nothing new or insane about this, which I think my family was thankful for… because their feet were still tingly.   By this point, Jeremy and Nicole have completely run away with the day… winning all by one gold medal.

 

Event #6 Nut Stack

We had a four way, head to head, team nut stack.  Oodles of fun.  The goal was to stack 7 nuts (three different sizes), alternating team members, using a shish kabob skewer. 

Nut Stack Results

 All in all, it was the best way to spend a Sunday afternoon with my dear family… making memories!

What memories did you make this last weekend?

Summer Days

The days don't get much better than this weekend!  It's treating myself to a cold Starbucks drink, opening the sunroof on my dad's car and listening to my new summery music loudly as I drive through town, the wind swirling about me.  You couldn't wipe the smile off of my face! 

Today was a treat, just how summer, and the 4th of July should be.   I met Amber in town for what promised to be an adventure of epic proportions, no matter what we actually decided to do!  Amber can make microwaving a burrito into an epic adventure!  So, just before we set off on a somewhat lengthy bike trip around Point, with various stops along the way, we decide to give Olson one last chance to hang out with the most delightful women around.  He picks up his phone finally!  Belt's.  Now, you all know that I am a pretty religious ice cream eater... and most of you probably know that I don't consider soft serve actual ice cream... but I go to Belt's on special occasions, when those I am with are not so enlightened. Today was one of those days.  

The three of us caught up quickly and easily, as we always do.  Are you ever with people who you've known forever and even though you feel like you've changed somewhat, they still know exactly what you'll think or say about something?  Those are these friends.... special and deep friends.  Friends I thank God daily for.   

We headed for the river in hopes of finding some great trees for slacklining (Wiki it if you wanna know more.) and fields for frisbee.  The perfect temperature.  The perfect amount of breeze.  The perfect absence in the ability to text (Thanks Element Mobile!).  The perfect company.  Oh, this was a glorious day!  We talked and laughed and I did a pretty good digger as the line flung me off of it. Hilarious.  We missed our NYC contingent for sure!  We left some holes in our pictures for you two!

Jeremy left to begin his actual epic adventure of a year of clinicals in this 3rd year of med school. Fun!  Amber and I biked over and dropped in on Ann and Lee, who just happened to be sitting down to dinner, which they had cooked extra of, which was providential.... score for Amber and me! :)   Their porch is perfect for evening sun, laughter, good food and more special friends.  Could you ask for anything more?

Arriving back at the Perri-base after biking through Point as it said goodbye to the mid-summer holiday weekend, we found ourselves being offered more food and fellowship-y fun.  You just can't beat the cook outs and parties of summer, can you?

It was the perfect day.   And I am perfectly exhausted after this weekend.

Next post will include all of the highlights of SFOOG 2011: We're Back and Better than Ever!  (Our 3rd annual Sherf Family Outdoor Olympic Games.)  Pictures too!

KC: The Opening

This place is such an event in our family. Summer is surely now here for good because King Cone opens today!!!  Absolute excitement.  We endure winter for this day.  It's gonna be a good day! 

Some of you local readers (ha, people read this!?!) may be wondering, will the Sherf family go to the *new* location in Plover?  Yes, of course we will.  There are many similarities between them, beyond simply the name.  The ice cream is the same delicious Cedar Crest (I was saddened to find out that Cedar Crest, of Manitowoc, WI does not offer plant tours!  What a bummer!) ice cream, but this year, with 8 new flavors MADE LOCALLY AT KING CONE!  There is also the lovely view of a King Lube oil change building across from both locations.  It's a little eerie folks!  Same great manager, who works hard to make sure that the Sherf favs are always in the freezers.  Yes, expansion is good.

And with the opening of King Cone, I have a new season goal.  My goal is to introduce 10 new people to the delights of KC this summer.  Already got one.  Two more are planned.  Last year I tried to eat my way through the menu, but Zanibar Chocolate with After Dinner Mint is just such a comfort to me... I didn't make it to everything!  If you've never been, let me know and we'll plan an outing.  It's really just what everyone needs - always.  It's that simple.

Oh, and I also hope to write more on this thing... My now is full of stuff (like most of yours' are too!).  May will bring one of my best friends for a month-long visit, so I will be writing about the Grand Canyon, the Apostle Islands and general shenanigans with Fabian!  

What are your spring highlights?  What events mark the beginning of summer for you and your family?

The Season

I realized something yesterday as I traveled back from Wausau East after the boys were eliminated on their way to the State tournament.  I realized how much I have always enjoyed the competitiveness of an Amherst basketball game.  Not only that, but I realized the necessity of it for me during the long and dark winter months in Wisconsin.  It has been my joy to watch these men play since November.  They have grown as players and as men.  I am so thankful that their teacher and coach, Gregg,  invests so much of his time and talent into their lives.  Every year, there is a new batch of guys to mentor.  He is not aptly paid for the impact he has on their lives.  It is a pleasure to watch him coach and take advantage of the teachable moments.

It was quite emotional to watch the season slip away.  In the waning minutes, I began to understand that I would never see those plays executed quite as beautifully as those five did it.  They communicated and complimented each other so well.  You could tell they were friends off the court too.  I can still see the passion they have to play in their eyes.  They want it so bad, but it's just not in the cards.  Hugs, back pats and tears were shared between our guys, dazedly dejected by the defeat.  They begin to understand the finality of these moments.

I look back on the season and I, for one, am so thankful to the players, coaches and school for putting on such a great program!  It makes me proud to be from Amherst, a community that comes together in a high school gymnasium to enjoy a great bit of playing and camaraderie. Thank you Will, Jordan, Ben, Eric, Jared, JB, Steve and Ezra for being a ray of joy for me this winter!

Euchre in the Ice Box

A couple weekends ago, I had the sweet opportunity to spend the weekend in the bitter cold "ice fishing" with some of the men in my family (and Aryn, but we didn't just come to cook!).  I say "ice fishing" because I don't actually fish... I sit in the ice house and play euchre and sometimes pinochle or hearts.  Here's how it works...  

We get out to the fish house at about 8:30am, after waking up with icicles in our noses from sleeping in negative temps.  (Seriously, -20F is a WARM morning!)  In the fish house, I snag a spot by the heater while everyone puts down a line or two.  They check the depth and set the bobber while I make conversation and "consult" on lure choice.  This year, my fun uncle brought two of his three children.  And my older brother, Jeremy, joined Cody, Dad and me... we just had a ball!  Once everyone's lines went down, the table comes out and everyone gets into a position where they can see and attend to at least 2 holes.  We don't fish with tip-ups. So, the dealing begins. Euchre is a quick-handed game so that's nice.  Every time I mix and deal, I call for an ice-house-wide jig and/or bait check.  This year, my uncle began dancing every time I called for a jig.  Hilarious.  We didn't catch much fish, but we did laugh a lot.

The playing goes on until lunch, with occasional interruptions for a bite or re-bait.  We clear the cards for lunch and get out the sandwich fixings.  We eat as if we haven't just had breakfast, second breakfast and 11sies...  It's always good.

After lunch, the perfect, yet opposite, delight occurs.  I leave the fish house... my dad or Cody take me back to the cabin, draw me some water and build a fire and then leave.  I have the whole afternoon with my tea, a blazing fire, a book and my journal.  There is no one near me.  It is bliss... the perfect antithesis to the camaraderie of the fish house.  I love this annual weekend.  Most times, I don't even mind not showering for 4 days!

My dear fishing buddies :)

The evenings are filled with more food and cards until we all venture off to rest, snuggling in under tons of blankets.

I did actually jig just once this year.  It yielded this fish :)

Thanks for a great weekend everyone!  Until next year...

A Daddy Date

I was a cheap date.  Half of a $6 gas station pizza and a $5 State Park pass.  I was eager to spend this time with my dad... & also try out my brand spankin' new snowshoes & boots.  It was even degrees - neither positive nor negative - windless and quiet, as we approached the guard shack.  The attendant took the money and gave us a map of the candlelight loop.  We strapped on our shoes as others finished the loop, beaming at the beauty of the moonlit trail.  We started out, following the luminaries down the trail groomed for cross-country skiing.  

The air was crisp and still.  We clopped.  We chatted and wondered at things as we had done on the 9 hour journey to this tundra.  I love that about my dad... he taught me to wonder well, and to ask questions.  The trail was 1.25 miles, lit intermittently by candles.  God's yard light show with pure luminescence through the trees and along our path.  At times, we'd stop and admire the moon and list to the wind fly betwixt the trees.  We rounded back toward the car.  We were breathless and radiating heat as we finished our little adventure. 

These moments with my dear daddy will always be tucked in my heart.  I know it will not always be like this... but I am so grateful for the time we do have now.  It is a happy little part of my cave of now. 

A Family Education

I wish that I knew more about my ancestors.  I don’t necessarily want to know if they were famous or did something cool.  I want to know what they were like, what their sense of humor was, how they cared for family, what occupied their thoughts.  I’ve recently uncovered a lust for history, specifically my history. 

 

The electronic age will surely mean that people will know about us for many years, if they choose.  My great great granddaughter may read this someday and that thought is astonishing.  How I wish that I could uncover a journal from my great great grandpa Charles, who lived in the 1850s.  The only information I have about him or his wife, Esther, is what limited memories my own grandfather has. 

 

These moments with grandpa and his lucid memory are so precious, though few.  Often, I have to ask similar questions a couple times during the conversation to clarify and confirm his answers.  I love a good story too and when he tells them, I try to memorize every word. I've written a lot of them down and wish that I had the energy and time someday to compile them.  The writer in me longs for so much.

Last year, when my family was helping my grandfather downsize from his house to an apartment, we came across a jewel... an old family trunk, filled with pictures and letters.  I received an amazing education that day.  I met my great great grandfather, who was the original owner of the trunk.  I met his children and their families.  I held a stack of love letters that my great great grandparents exchanged before they were married.  I felt so honored to have this peek into my past.  I hope for more days like that soon.  It made me wonder... will any of my ancestors be in Heaven?  I have so many questions for them.

Photo by Ann Ilagan

 Do you ever wonder about the people you came from?

Deutsch: A Ray of Light

One of the things that has been giving me joy lately is bringing my German New Testament to church.  It definitely helps that we are in a series on the gospel of John, but even when we are in the Old Testament, I can pull out my iPod with a split screen German-English Bible.  One particular Sunday, I found myself taking notes in German too, which was odd, considering that English is my first language.

I just pulled out a note sheet from last month with a bunch of German on it.  You wouldn't believe how encouraging it was to me.  Seeing God's Truth in German is amazing.  Er geht vor mir.  He goes before me.  Seeing that reminds me of the faithfulness of God when I moved to Austria, but also that He is the same today... same faithfulness.  I didn't know a stitch of German before going... He went before me.  Now, I am semi-(not really at all)-fluent and He goes before me.  Simple, simple truth... Profound in every language.