Hello, Blog...Long Time No See!

 UPDATE:  After posting this for some reason I cannot now reply to my readers' comments which I usually like to do.  It keeps telling me to sign in to my Google Account but I am signed in!!!!  Oh the frustration!  If anyone knows how to fix this please leave a comment.  I would greatly appreciate it.

My poor, poor blog…it has been SO very neglected.  I love writing so I don’t know why I keep shutting my blog down for months and months at a time.  Oh, wait a minute…yes, I do know……..it takes LOTS of time and work plus BLOGGER can be so aggravating at times!!!  I am RETIRED though so you’d think I’d have lots of time.  I do stay rather busy, but I really do have time so I need to see if I can get myself back into the habit!!!  If nothing else, it will give me memories to look back on!

 

So what have I been up to since I last wrote in September, 2022????  Well, the MRI I had showed nothing…I was both glad and somewhat disappointed.  I had hoped they would find a tiny little something causing my problem so we would know what all the hurting was about.  HOWEVER, as of now (knock on wood), I am not hurting.  Hopefully whatever it was is long gone never to return.

My college boy (grandson) made Dean’s List his first semester and also was initiated into his dad’s and Papa’s fraternity…Kappa Sigma.  I don’t know which of the 3 was the proudest!  The boy is absolutely loving college life!

 

My beautiful granddaughter still has her boyfriend which has definitely cut into my “girl time” with her, and she is still using her God-given talent to paint.  She has also been bitten by the acting bug since taking theater in school this year.  She will have one of the leading roles in an upcoming play…her grand debut!!!

My Valley Girls along with husbands and MANY other high school and college friends recently attended another reunion with our high school “boy band” giving us a chance to once again “shake a tail feather”….even though the average age of the band players is 75😊  We had a fabulous weekend.  Our Class of ’67 had a mini-reunion the night before.  Little compares to going back in time with your old friends, some I hadn’t seen in more years than I can count.  A wonderful time was had by all.

 I am still tutoring 3 kiddos every Tuesday morning and teaching my Girls in Action group at church on Wednesdays.  Also teach an adult Sunday School class every 4 weeks.  I try to get in my walking as many days a week as possible.  My life is soooo exciting (cough, cough!)

Hopefully my next post will be more exciting than this one and that I will come up with ideas for future posts!!!  Happy 2023 to everyone…hope it will be a blessed one for all of us.

To My Blogger Friends

Wishing all of you….

But let’s not forget….

See you in the New Year!

Who is CHERI? Re-Introducing Myself

I decided to try something new for this blog post.  I’m linking up with the Blended Blog girls and they’ve asked everyone doing so to REINTRODUCE THEMSELVES.  I thought since I am re-beginning my blog that this might be a way to reach new friends & readers.  So here goes!!!

I am a 68-year-old retired teacher (after 31 ½ years in the classroom plus 9 more years of mentoring and supervising student teachers), and I live in the deep South with my wonderful husband of almost 48 years.  We have a son who lives with his family only two blocks over and a daughter waiting for us in Heaven.  My son and DIL gifted us with two amazing grandkids…grandson R is 15 and granddaughter M is almost 12.  Those two make all our worlds go round😊

We live in a small, rural southern town. There is very little to do here and we have to go at least 70 miles in one direction to get any real shopping done, but it's a sweet little town with lots of history.  We have lived here since our son was almost two, and we still live in the small farm-style house we built when he was 6.  Sometimes I’ve wanted a bigger, more modern house but I’ve just never been able to leave our little homeplace.  My husband (and I) love our big yard, our big porch, and the small pond behind the house; so we’ll probably be here until we are toted out in a pine box…or too feeble to walk up the stairs!

Although there are things about retirement that I really enjoy (like not having to hear a morning alarm clock…and sleeping late), I do miss my teaching and the educators that I worked with.  I never thought about being a teacher when I was in high school or college, but God closed some doors and shoved me through the window and put me in the classroom where He wanted me….and where I believe I truly belonged.  Teaching & education (next to my family) are my passions!

                               My last class...loved those kids!!

Some things that I enjoy are:  reading, writing, shopping (especially for shoes), going “junquing” (looking for junk), scrapbooking, a little gardening, dancing (when given the chance), surfing the internet for interesting reads & projects, organizing (everything in sight), activities with my grandkids, and going on girlfriend trips with my 8 high school best friends. 

I started my blog Cheri’s Chatter in 2010 and I was definitely out of my comfort zone.  In other words, I had NO idea what I was doing.  I really enjoyed writing my blog for awhile, although I never had a huge following; but then “life” just got in the way, plus I got somewhat disheartened and did not write for about 3 years.  Recently I decided I wanted to renew my blog writing and plan to use it more like a journal….and if anyone reads (and comments) that will be icing on the cake😊  I’ve always loved to write and I needed a new project.  (My childhood name was Cheri & that’s what my grandkids and their friends call me…and I love to chatter with anyone willing to strike up a conversation.)  

          *Cheri'sChatter*

Speaking of projects….I always need to have something to do!!!  I’ve begun to wonder if I am ADHD!  I have a really difficult time sitting and doing nothing.  I usually multi-task such as watching a TV program and surfing the internet at the same time.  I have found retirement to be somewhat boring so I’m forever looking for something to do or create.  I describe myself as a young-at-heart grandmother  and I am fighting the aging process as hard as I can go!!!  I don’t wear granny-panties and prefer “not your mama’s jeans”!  And I plan to continue to dance the night away any chance I get (and maybe wearing my red cowboy boots).

So that’s ME….nothing fancy, y’all…just a southern girl who loves her sweet tea, grits, and Jesus…and who is hoping you will drop by CHERI'S CHATTER and sit for a spell.

Be sure to stop by The Blended Blog and meet some other great bloggers.

        http://www.theblendedblog.com/2018/04/blogger-introduction.html 

I'M BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow!  It's hard to believe that I haven't written my blog for over 3 years!  Where has the time gone?  I really enjoyed writing here....enjoyed it quite a lot....but life just got in the way, plus I think I just got burned out and discouraged.  BUT...now I think I'm going to try again. 

My blog never did really catch on with others in the blogging world, and that bothered me at one time.  However, I've decided I am going to just write this for myself to journal and document life-happenings around here and to write about things that interest me, including decorating & gardening ideas, crafts, recipes, and anything else that catches my fancy.  Of course, there will be many posts about the grandkids and small-town life.  AND...if any readers want to stop in and see what I have to say, then that will just be icing on the cake. 

                                                             

So…feel free to come along with me in this old/new adventure and maybe you'll find some food for thought.

My Bucket List for 2018

I’ve always been a maker of LISTS; it brings joy to my heart when I can check off things & see what all I have accomplished.  Plus it helps me NOT TO FORGET to do things I need to do😊  So here is a list of goals I really hope to accomplish this year:

1.     Write my blog…no particular schedule; just when I want to😊

2.     Start (and stick to) a fauxbonichi journal….if you want to know what that is go here….www. http://fauxbonichiwa.blogspot.com/p/intro-to-hobonichi.html .  There is even a wonderful facebook page you can join here www.facebook.com/groups/FauxbonichiJournalers/ .

3.    Plan out weekly menus and (definitely) try some new recipes!  Hubby has now

retired, will be home more often, & guess that means more cooking for me.

                                                                

4.  Complete some long overdue home & DIY projects…I’ll try to remember to take pictures & share!

5.  Maybe??? try Junk Journaling &/or Pocket Letters again.  (I like being creative.)

     6.  Find more joy, more gratitude, more peace, and more fun!  Life is too short😊

And….for visiting me on CHERI’S CHATTER today how about a gift of two of our favorite dishes for these last few days of cooler spring weather.     So glad you dropped by and hope will come again as often as you can.  Love & hugs!

DUMP  SOUP

Ingredients:

   1-1 ½ lbs. ground beef or venison (we are hunters!) (browned & drained)

   2 cans cream style corn

   1 can condensed tomato soup (undiluted)

   1 can Veg-All (undrained)

   1 can butterbeans (undrained) (I keep leftovers of our fresh beans in the freezer)

   1 can okra (undrained)

   1 or 2 cans petite diced tomatoes (undrained)

   about ¼ cup dry white rice (just to add some body & thickness to the soup)

   a little bit of water if soup gets too thick

   salt & pepper to taste

Brown the meat in large Dutch oven or pan.  Drain.  Then just “dump” everything else in!  Yep, just that easy😊  Cook on simmer about 1 1/2-2 hrs. (make sure rice is cooked).    It’s delicious and will warm up your bones on cold nights.  (You can actually dump in anything of your choice!)

MY  MAMA’S  CHEESE  MUFFINS

*Goes great with any Southern meal or your favorite bowl of hot soup!

*Mix together:

          1 cup self-rising flour                             3/4 grated cheddar cheese (I use mild)

          3/4 cup corn meal                                   1/4 cup sugar

          1/2 cup vegetable oil                              1 egg

          1 cup milk

*Bake in greased muffin tins at 425 degrees for about 15-20 minutes.

They melt in your mouth!

And here is my granddaughter cooking the soup for her Papa’s dinner!  (She no longer wears glasses so probably won’t want me sharing this picture😊)  She is wearing her great-great grandmother’s handmade apron.  Love that she loves to cook with me!   You can read more about this day here:

http://cherischatter.blogspot.com/2015/01/soup-memories.html

                                                                              

Where Does Time Go?

Has it really been over two years since I posted on my blog????  Time really does fly.  I have missed CHERI'S CHATTER but I was just burned out...I tend to take on too much at times:)  I hope to get back into my writing and sharing and one of my "goals" (I don't believe in resolutions) for 2015 is to post more as well as get back into reading my favorite blogs.  I'm sure I've lost the small audience I had gathered, but hopefully I can regain some of my old friends and make even more new ones.



I hope to make my blog more interesting but will also once again use it to share my grandmother experiences as well as other goings-on with family and friends.  After all, that's the main reason I started my "chatter"...to have a record of our life.  I hope you will follow me on my journey to rekindle my passion for writing and making memories.

Until next time....

JUST BECAUSE

Has anyone ever (besides your family) given you a gift  JUST  BECAUSE?

Well, that’s what happened to me yesterday!  I got a  JUST  BECAUSE gift…and it is  FABULOUS!  This is what came in the mail….

I tore into the box lickety-split and when I saw this I knew that something good would be inside…

And I was right!  Look at this beautiful  BOX !

And then inside….look at all of this…can you BELIEVE it?

Now to see what was inside all these special little WRAPPINGS…

French-made LACE, beautiful  RIBBONS, a floral HANKIE (to add to my collection)…

I think there’re CHERRIES on this sweet lace, don’t you?

A sweet little BUTTERFLY & butterfly cards (from an old tea company)…

Look at these adorable MONOGRAMMED cards…wonder who these people were…

More sweet goodies…

And, saving the BEST for last….

I love, love, love everything but this DOORPLATE is my absolute favorite!

By now I’m sure you’re wondering who sent me this fabulous gift.  Well…..

I can’t tell you!  Sorry, but she asked me not to.  She’s such a sweet & thoughtful fellow blogger who doesn’t want any “glory” for sending this to me.  I will tell you that I have been following her blog for awhile and it is just soooo beautiful.  I have also been leaving her comments for awhile and something I said must have caught her eye because she sent me a note telling me she wanted to send me a gift  

JUST BECAUSE  

she enjoys my visits to her site.  Now, have you ever heard of anything nicer?

I enjoyed my special gift so much and it gave me some FOOD for THOUGHT!  I’d like to make someone feel just as special and happy as my blogging friend made me….so one of my followers out there can expect to receive a little gift from me sometimes soon.  A few years back Oprah had this “thing” going on…maybe you saw it…RANDOM  ACTS  of  KINDNESS.  She encouraged people to do nice little things for others for no reason other than to make the world a nicer place and to share the  MILK of  HUMAN  KINDNESS .  Wouldn’t it be a wonderful world if more folks took part in that?  And why should we???

JUST  BECAUSE!!!

Thank you so, so much…to a sweet & special blogging friend.  You made my weekJ

A NEW LOOK

After much FEAR and hours of WORK I finally have a new LOOK for my blog!  Don’t even think about asking me how I did it because I couldn’t tell you if I tried.  I spent literally hours trying to figure out how to change the header and background with no luck.  Then all of a sudden I did “something” and there it was!  I do have a slight problem, however....I somehow lost my favorite BLOG LIST on my sidebar.  I hope I can figure out how to find those of you I have been visiting regularly...maybe if you leave me a comment that will help.

I hope I like this look for awhile because I don’t have it in me to do this again…at least not for a l-o-n-g time! 

My Long-Lost Blog

Some of you may have noticed I haven't written my blog lately.  Life has been extremely busy plus I have had absolutely nothing (but work...boring) to write about!  I do hope to have a post later this week so PLEASE come back and visit again.  I've missed everyone.

THIS AND THAT

KITCHEN  SWAP
I recently took part in a PUMPKIN KITCHEN SWAP organized by my friend Cindy @ Rick-Rack & Gingham.  I was partnered with Debbie from Missouri who is an avid Raggedy Ann & Andy collector.  She doesn't have a blog but does enjoy the blogging world.  Today I received my package and it was like Christmas in September.  I especially like the cute tag she made.  And can you believe she found that can...cherries AND a Raggedy???  Thanks, Debbie, for everything.  It makes me know that FALL is on its way! 

VINTAGE  EMBROIDERY
I love vintage embroidery.  I always wonder who made it....who were they, how old were they, why was it created, etc.  I recently was fortunate enough to find these pretties.  I also got this cute pink wire basket.  I'm not a really "pink" kind of girl but this one spoke to me and told me to bring it home...and I did!

PAINTING  FUN
The grands were here recently and wanted something "new" to do so we painted rocks and shells.  They had fun and the results were quite pretty...at least to a grandmother's eyes.

SUMMER's  END
Summer is officially coming to an end in more ways than one...school here begins next week.  My son and DIL took the grands for one last bit of summer fun at BUILD  A  BEAR...or in this case, HELLO KITTY and
"CRUISER" the SOCCER DOG.

FOOT  TROUBLE
Three weeks ago I took a slight rather nasty tumble down our stairs and badly sprained my ankle.  OUCH!!!  I am still limping around.  My doctor (who is also related) basically told me I was no longer a spring chicken and wouldn't bounce back as fast.  Gee thanks!  I can also feel my butt rear end getting wider and wider due to lack of daily exercise.

My  TWO  GUYS
A friend recently took this photo of my two guys...husband & son...and me.  I am very blessed to have them both in my life.  I also think they are quite handsome!

Well, that's all folks.  Hope you all have a wonderful and relaxing Labor Day weekend.