MORMOR – Swedish for MOTHERS-MOTHER – that has become her name for the three little ones!
Sherry has introduced crafts to all the grand kids –
and to this day – the three older ones still do crafts!
Taylor Bode Cassidy 10 6 10 years old.
All you have to do is say craft and the go right to the table – no fuss!
Busy once again – crafting – she teaches them and now Cassidy helps the other two. She is the one who texts – calls or zooms her MORMOR every day!
Cassidy – who can do any craft by herself – and often sets by herself with her IPAD – listening to instructions and creates pictures and drawings that are much larger than what she sees on the IPAD – drawing freestyle!
The older ones have that same talent – Ella has won awards for her creations.
Taylor – whom loves her alone time – building farms – houses – horses out of LEGO’S!
Bode -the one who is hard to slow down – always on the move – loves his craft time with MORMOR!
She teaches them – one at a time – not only crafts – but life itself!
Here they are after creating their make a shell wish – and MorMor helping to hang those wishes!
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Our young grandson – five granddaughters and then Bode!
From the very moment they pulled in – he asked that question –
PAPA – CAN WE GO ON YOUR HIKE?
To him – a hike is like back home – rocks – hills forest – streams!
I tried to explain to him it is different here –
But PAPA – That is not a hike – we have to go to the mountains!
Bode – entering the forest for our hike – along the ICW and the marsh land – no gators – at least we saw none!
“FOLLOW ME GUYS”!
He is a leader – and always out in front!
This is him to a tee – always staying ahead of the game – his own mind.
We walked a good mile and one half through the woods –
although he was out in front of me or alongside of me –
he never sought to run off –
staying close to me!
There were many intersections going in different directions – which way do we go PAPA he would ask – I had a map so I could tell him – he always listened to what I would say!
The twins – Taylor and Cassidy stayed close to their MORMOR ( Sherry)
We spent the better part of a hour walking the marsh and the woods
I want to come back here in the Summer so we can see more wild life!
Cassidy MORMOR Taylor Tammy Bode
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The day we went on our hike –
Bode now understands a hike can be different
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At the end of the hike – snacks and a swing – life is good and feeling blessed!
Come back to PAPA’S WORLD! livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
The first thing they wanted to do was walk the beach!
Now – wouldn’t you know it that it got cold and windy the day they arrived!
It was so warm the day before people were sitting on the beach and wading in the water!
So we pressed on and walked down and onto the beach.
The wind was the culprit – making it very cold.
Even Bode has enough even though he had no shoes on!
Cassidy Taylor Bode after he put his shoes back on!
We walked to the next beach entrance and exited!
MorMor Bode Cassidy Taylor Tammy
It was a very short walk – but they got to see just how close we are!
Tammy said the kids were great – she had told them she would not stop and she didn’t making the seven hour drive in a little over six hours and they never complained!
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And that night after the kids went to bed – we relaxed and watched a playoff game
We are all from Western New York
and were huge fans when Buffalo Bills made their four straight Super Bowls!
One of my favorite beers from back in Western New York!
It is with in mind – I record our lives one day at a time –
hence my blog: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
In a little over one year – thanks to my wife Sherry –
I now have a following of 362 plus followers!
Of which I only know four of them!
The rest are from all over the USA and the WORLD!
Screen shot on a normal day – I never though this would happen – but I guess projecting good thoughts – happy family life and adventures of two 70 plus year old’s must appeal to people!
Sherry and Papa – (Tom) living our life one day at a time. Each day I am alive is a blessing! I do not take it for granted.
Sherry is the driving force behind my blog –
” YOU HAVE TO WRITE AND PUT IT SOMEWHERE – A PLACE WE CAN FIND – WHEN YOU ARE GONE”
That is the reality and I am okay with it!
I write for family – I write to record for future generations so they know who I was!
Each day I open the site – answer the comments and push on!
I include lots of pictures – they all tell a story.
Each day I start out not knowing what I will write about
I see a picture I have taken – a event we did – or where a day has taken us.
Then – I start – so far I have scheduled a month ahead in stories –
That way – is we are going someplace – all I have to do is share it to face book!
On here – it is automatically scheduled!
My hope and desire is to bring inner peace to those that read this – and to see – when adversity hits home – when death knocks on your door – there is a life beyond and each day is a blessing – one that had it gone the other way – well – I am happy it didn’t – and that is going to be my legacy – living life doing it my way – blog!
Here we are – in our early ’70’s – homeless – living with daughters –
until we pack up and head South
to North Myrtle Beach S.C.
First thing we do as vagabonds – is play some golf!
We made it a point – have fun – play golf – and enjoy the warm weather while we can!
Here we played one of our favorite courses in NVA!
Deer are everywhere – and are so tame – even when you hit toward them
they do not move!
You have to be pretty good to hit them and we are not good! LOL
Our view from youngest daughter and husbands home!
We would have almost three months to wait before we left –
pack up and go –
to a place we had never been and found by accident
OCEAN KEYES – North Myrtle Beach
every day a 1/2 mile walk to the sand and water of the beach.
First – we had to downsize – made dozen of trips to the Salvation Army – sold almost 95% of our household furniture with the house ! And got ourselves a storage unit – one big enough to walk in and through all our “STUFF”!
I thought I would MISS STUFF but I don’t!
I have moved on – just as we were about to do!
But first saying our goodbyes – these are what I will miss – FAMILY!
You never get use to that – WHEN YOU THROW IT AWAY – REMEMBER THERE IS NO AWAY!
That is why we are back home for the Christmas time – for three weeks!
And we will come back again in late Feb. and early March.
They will come down to visit –
And our life will go on!
We will walk once again with them – we will share laughs – and in Jan. hope will bring them to us!We will meet up once again with old friends – laughing – exploring –And true to form – PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING! LOL!
ICE CREAM and a SMILE!
This one texts or calls everyday her MORMOR & PAPA!
FAMILY – fun times and memories made –
FUN TIMES and memories to be made!
NEW ADVENTURES AWAIT FOR THESE TWO – as we a\have traveled the World together and now they live only 40 miles from us!
Our friends of many years – Buck and Cindy – have lived down in N.C. for years
and now – we golf every week together.
Family is back home – friends are here!
Yes – the Sun set of a family home – the night before we left – rain shower cleaning the roadway – vagabonds!
We are blessed to have these places to stay –
and now – we have begun our new home build
and once again – it will become a FAMILY HOME!
Once again in the South – we will be together – family – as always – you never throw that away!
Alligator laying in the backyard of someones house! Across the water from the putting green!
Our friends – Jim – Dottie – Buck and Cindy – came for a visit!
And we planned to golf two different days!
The last day was at Oyster Bay – not very far from Calabash
The Seafood capital of the world
and home to many – many “GATORS” on the course!
BIG GATORS!
Jim & Buck
We had a gals vs guys match
and off we went –
I had listened to other players who had finished
talking to the starter about the “GATORS”
and how big they were!
Just laying there almost seemed it was dead until it moved its head!
We saw them a lot – esp. on the middle holes!
The ladies putting behind us – we were able to tell them where the “GATORS” were.
One par three – surrounded by water – except a small walking path
lined with flowers and tall bushes
kind of sketchy walking through there
had a drop zone right next to the green.
And a large sand trap.
Well – right next to the drop zone lay a six foot gator!
Dottie actually hit her ball and it landed on the green and rolled into the drop zone!
Where she left it for some future golfer to find as it ws too close
to that six foot gator!
We had a good time regardless –
you just did not look for golf balls as I think snakes are also here!
Me taking a picture of Jimmy taking a picture of two gators – one to his left and one to his right – the one on the left was very big!Cindy about to hit from the fairway – they are always in the middle which makes it so hard to beat them!Sherry lining up her putt – they also are always putting for either birdie or par!Jimmy hitting his Tee shot. Look close in the middle just between the fairway and trees – his ball going down the middle!Dottie playing her approach shot two strokes from there for par.The “GATOR” laying next to the sand trap and drop zone!They pared this hole!Beautiful but a lot of “GATORS” in there!People live here despite the “GATORS”!
We enjoyed this course despite the “GATORS”
being a fun course to play.
Lots of fairways and marsh – small lakes – water everywhere!
Again right down the middle!My co – pilot – Buck!
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Sherry and Cindy – Dottie walked to her ball
And yes – on the course called OYSTER BAY!
With all the “GATORS”!
It came down to the last hole – number 18 !
We had a boggy – long par 5 – missed putt and they pared!
GALS ONE UP AFTER 18
35 to 36!
70 to 71 !!!!!
I told you Jimmy – they are too good!
MY SITE for more adventures: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
Sherry Dottie Jim Buck Cindy Papa – at Wild Wings in Barefoot Landing – to watch the Buffalo Bills football game – they put on special for us TWO TV’S!
It was a long – long time ago that Sherry and I were Bill’s fans!
Back in the late ’80’s to late ’90’s!
But then we moved and for three years we hung on –
But – to watch them we had to travel some 30 miles –
In D.C. traffic to find a sports bar that would show the games!
Sherry and Dottie
‘We eventually adopred the Washington DC team as EVERYTHING
was all about them – newspapers – radio – TV – and people!
Yes – we became fans – but our hearts where still BILL’S fans.
We would cheer for them from a distance.
However – our very close friends are still and have been
BUFFALO BILL’S fans – watching them every Sunday!
Barefoot Landing North Myrtle Beach S.C.
We searched out the area – and found several sports bars
a couple were Bill’s Bars – but I found out they would be packed
and they were small venues –
NO SOCIAL DISTANCING there even if we tried!
Speak no evil – see no evil & hear no evil!
Sherry and I had checked out Wild Wings the week before
and come to find out – THREE of their employees
had graduated in 2016 from the very H.S.
in the place we raised our families –
The McBrides and us –
PORTVILLE N.Y. !
Sherry Dottie Cindy
That was a omen for us and we went with it !
Plus – it was very large inside –
plenty of places to sit and they put two TV’s on with the Bill’s Game!
We did our morning walk on the beach –
then drove the less than twenty minute ride
and arrived about 1/2 hour before game time!
Cindy and Buck
We gave our orders to start out with and settled in!
Papa Jim Buck
We watched the game – the whole game from there!
22 oz. drafts and all!
It never got crowded – for this is a Brown’s bar –
we knew that ahead of time –
but they had a bye week!
Success – the BILL’S MAKE YOU WANT TO SHOUT! OH MY!!!!!
All the grand kids and their parents with Sherry and myself.
When this picture was taken – the only thing we had planned
was for her 16th. birthday – we would take Ella to Florida with us for a week.
She would go to Hollywood studios to see Star Wars!
When each grand child turns 16 – we do something special with them.
Maddy wanted to swim with the Manatee’s and we did that!
Growing up in the ’60’s – we never imagined taking trips with grandparents – mine were all gone by the time I was 16!
As the year progressed – plans were made and soon – we would leave for one month in Florida.
But first – quality time with the young ones.
I will for the rest of life see this as MORMOR and Taylor – walking hand in hand to church!
Although now she is only ten years old – she comes up to just under Sherry’s chin.
She is going to be very tall and loves horse back riding!
2019 was also the year we had friends from AZ. come to visit – and accomplished crossing off everything on their bucket list to see in DC. This is a reflection of Sherry among the ghosts of the Korean War.
Many friends visited over the 21 years we lived outside D.C.
We acted as tour guides – and in the year past – we toured almost every facility
there was to visit including the Capital Building which was a first for us!
The year in review – blessings will continue in the next blog!
We also venture to outside Raleigh – N.C. to visit her sister.
Here – we went to a farm that had what are called BELTED COWS – GOATS & CHICKENS!
They are white with a black belt around the middle!
Never heard of this and never saw this before!
Standing outside the pen with the goats – chickens and cows at the BELTED FARM!
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A YEAR IN REVIEW WITH BLESSINGS WILL CONTINUE IN THE NEXT BLOG!
Good morning Of course – part two of why we are all together Guys vs. Gals GOLF
That is what we do – and this has been on going for years !
This time we only played nine holes –
On Sunday morning – as we also had to hurry home-
change and rush to a PIRATE BAR to watch the “BILLS ” !
That is my next blog – but today – we gave strokes !
As much as I did not want to – we did ! LOL
Buck Dottie Jim Sherry discussing the course before we had to be there at 8:00 AM.Sherry putting green at Magnolia Greens golf course Buck and Cindy have lived here for I guess 15 years or more !Cindy Dottie Jim Buck greens were fast even with dew on them !While every one else was putting Sherry was chasing ducks ! LOL
The match was nine holes –
We had to give them THREE STROKES !
And two replays ( do not know about that )
Jim made that deal !
Me – after all these years
know better
they will kick your butt !
Plus – we had to use everyone’s drive at least once
Ended up using Bucks four times – mine three times and Jim’s twice.
They started us on the back nine of 27 holes The Azalea course which the 24 th. fairway runs right behind their house ! View of the 24 th. fairway behind Cindy and Buck’s house in Magnolia Greens
The gals went out first –
and we could tell if they were playing good
The antics on the green we could see and hear !
The three of us that are retired keep telling the youngsters that this is what you have to do ! YEAH RIGHT !!!!
The course was in really great shape –
and we never saw anyone until the 24 th. hole
a two some playing behind us !
Cindy Sherry Dottie selfie before they started off
The gals played well – we could tell that this was going to be tough !
We watched them tee off – all three right down the middle-
That is their game
US – it is right or left !
They took a picture on one of their drives
all three balls were right beside each other
in the middle of the fairway !
Buck Tom Jim The three amigo’s friends Jim and I go back to playing softball in the late 70’s early 80’s Buck and I 39 years We watched as all three hit this island green par three – with water on three sides they were putting for birdie!
We were sailing right along – one under par after six holes!
We were getting ready lots of chatter
We were playing good – actually making putts !
One putted first three holes !
Jim checking score That is when we started to sweat
Those THREE STROKES were going to be big in the end !
DON’T GIVE STROKES they will kill you they never lose balls and are always in middle and on the green most times in regulation ! Sherry Dottie Cindy
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Jimmy – on 24th. fairway with Buck and Cindy’s house in back ground across the pond !
We had boggy’s on the last three holes
and they were watching and waiting for us on the last hole.
Giving them the three strokes
we ended up winning by ONE STROKE
and if we had not one putted those first three holes
well – as always – luck plays a role !
Sherry CERTIFIED HEALTH COACH for health and nutrition http://www.sf.juiceplus.com for business ssherrylynn49@aol.comThank you Papa’s World where friends meet familyThe 24 th.fairway life is good friends are forever livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
Next blog – ” SHOUT – the Bills make you want to SHOUT “
At first they played it on the cement pad around the pool
which got really hot!
Then they found some “NOODLES”
that had been thrown away by the previous guests in the garbage
and rigged it up to float!
That was a game saver!
Everyone took their turn – if you won – you played on!
Hours and hours in the shallow end
just dip down in the water to cool off!
You kept one hand on the floating game board to keep it steady
and there were ten open cups
When you put a ball in the open cup
you placed a red dish in it –
when you filled all ten red cups
you won the game!
Mash Ball on one end – then the deep part – and then shallow againAfter Mash Ball was over then nap time was over and the little ones came out to playLittle ones with parents and grand parentsKathy and KatieSherry with Sarah and Ella
Pool time became more and more as it got really hot on the beach.
Dottie & Jim and I go way back – I was there when they got married.
Jim & I worked together and played softball together in the mid 70’s.
We met Buck and Cindy through them and ended up moving
into their neighborhood next to them and Mike & Carol.
Everyone smile – Cindy – down – smile – Cindy down – look this way!
Believe it or not – this picture was not easy to get –
They all were doing something other than looking! Lol
Now tradition demands a little Fireball –
And Cindy and Sherry are in charge of that –
Calling the “SHOTS” so to speak!
Jimmy is the organizer –
placing them the perfect way! Lol
Now – a couple of us – Cindy – Mike and I –
like to cut it with Rum Chata !
I am not much for wine or the hard stuff
but I can do the shots this way!
Now Captain Mike told his son –
“THESE GUYS CAN DRINK” !
BUT – we were on the boat for a total of 8 hours –
and I could not even sip my beer –
The boat would make you chip your tooth!
Cindy Sherry Me Carol
We really did not have that much!
A lot of water –
some beer
and everyone laughing!
Sherry & Cindy
The boat was beautiful – powerful and lots of room.
A 300 HP. V8!
You would have to get it up to 15 MPH just to have it plane out!
Mike said the fastest he had ever gone
was somewhere South of 50!
I think at one time Jimmy got it up to 35 MPH!
And that my friends was as fast as I wanted to go!
Thank you Carol and Mike for the weekendThank you to our friends for being our friendsA lot of years here – friends!“The Johns – Lake Chautauqua – established 2019 “What friends meanDottie Cindy Sherry Carol “TURN THE MUSIC UP”!Captain and first mate!
It seems only yesterday – Florida – family vacations –
and WHEN THEY WERE YOUNG!
After 40 days – your mind tends to wander a bit.
You put puzzles together
for me under 500 pieces and must be
RAVEN BURGER!
You walk around the house a lot
and you look at pictures on the walls
Your wife digs out the old photo books
and you stop each time you pass the bedroom
where they sit piled neatly stacked on the bed.
All those years ago Debby and Tammy
The memories come flooding back
the trips to church for youth group
the after school pickups for cheerleading
and basketball and soccer.
The stops at the cider mill for doughnuts and apple cider
the ice cream store
A little town and a neighborhood of close friends
Still to this day we keep in touch!
Upper right Jim and Dottie friends since we played softball I attended their wedding some 40 years ago Lower left Mike and Carol neighbors for 12 1/2 years playing jokes on each other Lower right Buck and Cindy neighbors and friends for almost 40 years traveling the world together
Now – the girls are grown with families of their own
The three oldest grand daughters now 19 – 16 and 13 soon to be 20 – 17 & 14! Maddy – Ella & Sarah
You wander the house – looking at pictures while sheltering in place
You need a repairman for the fridge – the ice still works
but no water for cups – barely two years old.
It is time for the maint. on the air conditioners
you have a contract plan
the dryer is squeaking
all part of being a home owner.
Before the virus the three little ones 9 – 9 & 5 soon they will be 10 – 10 & 6 Cassidy – Bode and Taylor
40 days and counting – you watch the news – read the paper
your 401 K is way down
yet – you go on –
memories of times gone by
What was abnormal now is the norm
But through all of this – one constant remains
Sunday mornings – you sit at your kitchen table
and at 10 am. the live stream begins
Church is still there
God – if you are a believer
is still there – you pray and give thanks
you donate through the app
you still see the help we provide for those less fortunate
40 days Sheltering
Yes – it has been a long time –
a time to reflect – a time to think –
and a time to know your inner strength comes from
FAMILY – CHURCH – FRIENDS & PRAYERS
Sheltering in place social distancing Sherry & Tom
One of our adventures- Sherry Fitzsimmons – Cindy North McBride – William McBride and Tom Fitzsimmons on the inter coastal water way off North Carolina.
For the last 12 years – we have taken trips together – every other year in most cases.
We have been to Spain – Gibraltar – Morocco – we have toured N.H. – Mass. and Maine. We have been to the Niagara Falls , Ontario Canada wine region – tasting wine and brews !
We have revisited our roots back in NWPA and SWNY – playing a week of golf on the courses we played years and years ago. You see – we were neighbors and friends 37 years ago ! Then they moved South to N.C. and later we transferred South to NVA – all the while staying in close contact – visiting on vacations.
On Turtle Bay Oahu
We have visited Oahu together- covering the whole island in 10 days.
Playing golf in the mountains close to where they filmed Jurassic Park. We have stayed at their house in N.C. and played the courses around them.
Buck ( William ) and Tom riding the inter coastal water way.
We are planing and talking future trips – ( IRELAND ) back to our ancestors. Maybe a trip to Nashville – and my thoughts on Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg Tenn. with a log cabin in the mountains !
Buck and Cindy in Oahu .
Now – we have committed to a trip out West – the far West as in Northern California – a drive and stay trip for 7 or 8 days ! Making our list pf places to see and when we get together – piecing all the information down – getting excited !
On the beach in North Shore Oahu.
We have now been retired for 7 years ( Sherry ) 6 years me. Sherry had a sales job ( outside ) – all of NVA – for the company she worked for for 32 years. The traffic and day to day stress was more than enough – so she started a part time job through The Juice Plus Company. When it grew – she decided at which point it was large enough to retire. At age 63 – she did it !
Today – we are able to both be retired – and will be celebrating – in the next two months – our birthdays – the big 70 !!!!
Back in NWPA- Sherry’s home – the Knizua via duct – bridge.
Red woods – Napa valley – Reno – Lake Tahoe – Sequoia’s – San Francisco – Alcatraz – Yosemite – Sonoma – Berkley – Glamping –
Just some of the things on our list – we shall see and compare. Close friends through all these years – still trying to get our other close friends to take a trip with us.
At Vanish Brewery near our home in NVA – October fest !
Where ever we go – when ever we go – there are laughs – there are adventures and sometimes golf ( we give no strokes as they are too good )
Sherry and Cindy – always something with their phones!
These two will always laugh and make us laugh – that is why we get along so well. Later this Summer – another road trip – to Northern California. A trip worth waiting for – another adventure in the making.
Stay tuned – waiting – excited – and NO STROKES – they should give us strokes! LOL
FIVE HOURS LATER – we hugged and said our goodbyes!
Friends for over 40 years Tom Sherry Lynda Fred
Fred and I graduated HS together – along with another good buddy
we had a lot of very great memories
and we rehashed a lot of them!
We met up at Crabby Bill’s in St. Cloud Florida!
We got there at 10 am. and we walked around
it was beautiful sitting on a very large lake!
With a boat marina
and launch – very windy out!
Fred Sherry Lynda
The ride to and from was not on major highways
and I enjoyed that – the major routes –
well they come to a stand still with backups
every day in both directions!
We have always shared like thoughts
Standing on the break wall Lynda and Sherry watching a wind sail trying to catch a breeze and get up out of the water We shared many a laugh just like old days somethings just never get old!Strolling the path talking and just enjoying the company
We had a lot of catching up to do
for it must of been a good ten years
we had come down then and spent a few days with them
We decided to sit talk – drink tea and coffee and true to form Fred spilled his! LOLLynda and Fred on the outside deck of Crabby Bill’s in St. Cloud Fla.
It got warm enough while sitting outside to shed jackets
and we sat there for three hours –
our waiter named Murph –
was fantastic and never once urged us to leave!
We ordered small finger food and shared
soups – tenders – avocado cream cheese things
one crab cake grilled
and lots of coffee – ice water and unsweetened ice tea
and desert – two types of cheese cake
of which I ate almost none!
Proud of myself!!!!
We then got up and decided to walk around
We were full
and it was still windy – but in the mid 70’s!
And then we laughed and laughed!
A captured one of those laughs I wish I could of gotten them all old times were remembered and it was as if no time had ever come between us!
Our buddy who is wintering in Az.
suggested to me that maybe next year
we can all do the same
close to where Fred and Lynda live
which is Little Palm Bay
on the Indian river
near Melbourne!
Sherry and I thought that to be a great idea.
Lynda is going to do some checking for us on rentals
I will reach out to Bob next month
and hoping we can pull this all together!
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I 