CheriasChatter.com

Rick and I celetrated our 8th Anniversary by taking a short trip to Boone, NC.  We were surprised to find this statue of Doc Watson and decided to take each other’s picture sitting with him.  As you can see, the wind was blowing my hair all over the place and Rick’s most favorite thing to do is play with ears, so he took the opportuinity to play with Doc’s.  At least Doc didn’t push his hand away, as I usually do.  We had a great time eventho the weather wasn’t the best, but it didn’t snow until we got back home.  Happy Anniversary Rick…love you lots.

On Saturday, October 15, 2011, Rick and I attended my class reunion (46th, yes telling my age) and thankfully it was a casual affair, so we didn’t have to worry about being all fancy.  Olivia took this picture for us and it turned out pretty good.  Thanks to TK and Wes Waters for hosting this special event, which was enjoyed by all.

Most of us had changed just a bit in appearance, so it was fun trying to figure out who everyone was, but name tags were worn, so they helped a lot.  We talked about having another one for our 50th and I’m sure that we will change again in only 4 years.

Madison has been excited about going to school for a long time now and she finally was accepted and enrolled at Hayter Gap Headstart.  This morning she was all smiles as the bus arrived, but the rest of us, Mommy, Daddy, big sis Olivia, GranGran Cheria and Papaw Rick were a bit teary eyed as she climbed the steps for the first time onto that bus.  We were thankful that she stayed excited, because if she had not wanted to get on the bus it would have been really hard to walk away.  Have a good day on your first day of school, Madison !!!

Abingdon High School students dressed up as Nerds today and this is Olivia’s version…cute.

A visit to South Holston Lake always gets me in the mood to take lots of pictures and this past Sunday afternoon was no different.  Olivia and Madison had a good time posing for me, which is not normal, because since Olivia has become a ‘teen’, she is not as happy being the object of my picture taking.  Madison, however is still enjoying the attention.

As usual on Sunday after church we stop at Aunt Eleanor’s and have dinner (lunch for you city folk).  Last Sunday after our delicious meal, Rick, Madison and I took a walk out back and I pulled out the cell phone and took several pictures.  These were taken where there once was a garden, but for the past few years Aunt Eleanor has left it unplanted and it has turned into  beautiful scenery for taking pictures.  I certainly have some fond memories of that spot as a child growing up there with Granny and Granddad and the rest of the Cook gang.

I spent the past 5 days visiting with Amy and Gene in Rock Hill, SC and it was a fantastic visit as always.  Amy had to work Thursday and Friday, but she works from home, so I had to remain quiet so as not to disturb her many conference calls.  We took a walk each morning before work and that girl can move on…she says I’m a slow mover.  I told her that she has long legs, I have short ones and I’m a bit older than her and she just laughed.  After work hours we made the usual trips to go shopping (I looked and she shopped).  Thanks Amy for the meals and clothing.

On Saturday we cleaned house, then took in a local fair in York, SC.  It certainly was hot (90′s).  Had a great meal at Olive Garden and then to a movie “The Help”, which was a very good story line.  It was one of those laughing one minute and crying the next type movie.

A visit to Amy and Gene would not be complete without going to the Drop Zone in Chester, SC.  I have no idea how many tandem jumps Gene did, but Amy jumped 9 times on Sunday.  I am so proud of her because she is one brave girl (her Mom sure ain’t).  Several folks asked if I was ready to jump and my response was the same each time “no thanks…my feet stay on the ground)”.

The first picture shows Amy ready to get on the plane and me being a ‘chicken’.  The second picture is Amy with her team KABOOM…Connor, Amy and Paul.  Connor takes pictures and does video while Amy and Paul do their routines.  They are both great guys and I wish KABOOM the best and safety during practice and their competition in November when they travel to Arizona for ‘US Nationals’.

Thanks Amy for a great visit and hope to do it again real soon.

Everyone who visits this site knows Houdini well…probably about as well as you know our granddaughters, Olivia and Madison.  Houdini is getting up in years…senior citizen in fact…and he was overdue for a new haircut.  Last time our friend Sharon in SC helped us out, but this time we decided to try our locale groomer in Glade Spring, Va.  They did a fantastic job, as you can see.  The first picture was taken a few days ago, and the second, just a few minutes ago.  He is so gentle to be such a big dog and I am sure he will feel better and my house will stay hair-free much longer.

Thanks folks at Glade Spring Pet Groomer and Rick, Houdini and I recommend your services to all our friends.  Good looking fellow you are Houdini and we love you lots.

We were visiting Nanny Rouse (Rick’s Mom) last night and she had gathered some tomatoes from her garden.  Along with several ‘normal’ ones, this odd shaped tomato was her favorite and she wanted us to have it.  Of course I found this to be a great photo opportunity…I call this the ‘rabbit-ear’ tomato.  I’m thinking it will be mighty tasty also.

We have been needing some extra storage for some of Madison’s toys and during a visit to Aunt Mary’s I noticed some beautiful storage/benches in her dining room.  I’m not a bit shy about asking where things come from and after finding out that her son-in-law had built them, it didn’t take me long to ask if he would be willing to build me one.  I didn’t want exactly the same thing, but after describing what I needed, this is the result and I am very pleased.  He also used scraps to build the stool/bench for Madison…she will be climbing up onto more now.

Love you cousin and thanks so much for these beautiful pieces.  God certainly gave you a great gift to be able to make such great things.