We all met in Lynchburg to watch the grandaughters play soccer – the next day we went for a hike. This park was real close to where we stayed in the Airbnb.
There were many hiking trails off of the park paved path.
I did not have the shoes to hike in so we stayed on the path.
The trail is not long but requires some climbing up and down steep inclines.
It goes through the dense woods and above the James River and looks like it has access to the river.
While this was closed for the season – a locomotive and caboose – as the rails run all through this area for transportation along with the river in it’s early years of forming Lynchburg Va. There also are FOUR colleges here –
Liberty University – Sweet Briar College – Randolph College and the University of Lynchburg.
Sarah checking out the warning sign as some of the area is fenced off near steep inclines.
The incline here is close to a couple hundred feet almost straight down.
The trail does make its way down with a narrow zig zag path.
Not for anyone who has a fear of heights like me!
Debby Papa Sarah
Sherry climbed the steps up to a beginning of a trail and said it led to a very dark dense forest!
This platform was some 25 feet above us!
A view of the train trestle across the James river.
It was a nice way to spend a few hours in the afternoon.
Later we picked up Ella so she could spend the night with us –
Maddy had practice and a lot of school work to do.
Thank you for reading Papa’s World – MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
It all started many years ago – youth travel teams – Maddy two years older –
They played together until Maddy left the travel team in Winchester –
to compete in the Ludoun soccer program 65 miles away!
She made this choice on her own as soon as she could drive.
It was soccer hot bed right outside Washington DC.
Ella remained as she was too young to travel that far.
She also suffered a broken bone in each foot different years that had her not playing.
Maddy secured a spot in the try outs and maintained a above 4.0 GPA all through HS.
Maddy selected University of Lynchburg to continue her soccer playing.
Today they are ranked nationally in the top 25 in Division III and at this date – 11 – 1.
Ella number 10 – was recruited by two colleges and selected Randolph College
She now plays for the Wildcats which are situated across town in Lynchburg Va.
Ten minutes from Maddy and the campus of the University of Lynchburg.
As a Freshman – she has started every game and played all the minutes except two per game!
Maddy number 13 – played 13 games as a Freshman and has started as a Sophomore and a Junior.
Here – Ella is about to get the ball and Maddy number 13 is guarding her.
In all these years this game is the first time they have ever competed against one another.
Here they are in the middle at the top – it was a very good game – tough – no one scored in the first half.
Each half is 45 minutes – and ended up 0 to 0 at the half.
Ella – number 10 – tallest in the starting line up – the difference was the bench – Lynchburg kept throwing fresh players into the game.
Because of the Pandemic and covid –
the coach could not travel to recruit – Ella was recruited before the pandemic!
She plays midfield defense – the coach wants her to shoot – five times a game instead of always passing.
She is young and it will come – she plays so effortlessly.
As soon as he can he puts her back in after she rests for two minutes.
So proud of Maddy number 13 who drove herslf 65 miles each way to practice – so she would get noticed – and now plays on a team that is ranked in the top 25 in the nation at Division III.
She is fast – quick and plays attacker both left and right and midfielder in the front.
You can just tell she has the skills – the coach tells the team –
with Maddy do the 1 – 2 – do not worry – she is fast enough she can break for the goal – just get her the ball – this is where she passes back to the middle and breaks for the front!
SISTERS – Ella – number 10 Maddy – number 13
Proud parents – Mike and Debby
Ella made the shirts representing both schools and their mascots and colors – she is such a artist!
Ella and Maddy – Randolph and Lynchburg – sisters going head to head.
Lynchburg gutted out a 2 to 0 win –
scoring both goals late in the second half –
they just had a stronger bench.
Sarah – sister – freshmen in H.S.
Sarah – will turn 15 later this month – she could of played soccer – but had no interest and will run track.
She already is just above six and one half minute miler.
She played soccer when younger and also was fast and good.
We knew when we moved to the South – just 8 miles to the border of S.C. in Ocean Isle Beach N.C.
That we would encounter some animals – reptiles that we had never had before!
The spiders – I just do not like – having had as a child some really scary sightings!
I later found out this was somewhat harmless – but it still gave me goose bumps!
This I think was a form of wolf spider – the second one I encountered – the first was inside the lanai!
Spiders as far as I am concerned belong outside!
The one inside was very large – and when I tried to sweep it away – the thing exploded and a hundred little spiders came out!
I managed to kill them all – but it was a Twilight Zone feeling!
I do not want those type of things inside!
If you look back at the picture of the front porch – and looking straight at it and raise your right arm and point – these next two pictures were taken less than 200 feet up the street and on the corner!
This gator I would say is about four feet long – maybe a little longer!
The man who took the picture said it continued up the hill to another pond!
There are two ponds near us – one about 10 houses down the street –
and one maybe a 1/3 mile behind our house in a undevolped site that they are working on.
We have seen a gator in both of them but never in the pond up the hill!
From where this picture is taken to the pond up the hill is like 200 or 300 yards!
Now – how it got to where this picture was taken – it had to come from behind our house-
either to the right or left!
Sherry looking through the trees to her left – that is our house.
This drainage ditch runs behind our house and turns left and follows the treeline.
When you get to the end of the drainage ditch and turn right across the lawns –
you come to the street where this picture was taken.
We saw tracks in this ditch – not sure just what they were – but they had small claws on the tips!
Last but not least is the rather large COPPERHEAD!
We have not seen any of these – but we have seen a four or five foot BLACK SNAKE!
Those are okay because they kill these bad boys.
This one was near where the Gator picture was taken.
Several neighbors have seen dead ones on the road after being run over.
There are also COTTONMOUTHS around although no one has seen them.
I am more leary of these as they are hard to spot even though I constantly am on the lookout for them.
Yes – we knew in moving to the South we would experience all of this!
But – we made our choice and are so happy we did – close to golfing and close to the beach as well
as close to all these critters! SPIDERS SNAKES and GATORS! OH YEAH!!!!
Our granddaughter – number 13 – she deked this player out and went right past her!
She is now a Junior at the Unversiy of Lynchburg in Va. Starting the last two years – and only one loss this season – currently sole possession of first place in their conference.
Papa – Maddy Myers – Sherry
This young lady not only starts and plays most of the entire games – but is a ALL ACADEMIC –
Into hiking – sunrises – and her major is Enviromental Engineering.
And coming down the soccer pipe line – is the youngest and only boy – BODE!
Will soon turn eight and already golfs with his dad – is all boy – bikes – running –
always looks at trucks – barefooted while outside – cold weather and all.
Loves and adores his older cousin Ella who as a Freshmen at Randolph College –
starts at midfield and plays most of the whole games.
I believe Bode will be the same!
FAMILY
Beyond those protected trees is our backyard and our home!
This drainage ditch is at the end of the cul de sac –
and allows the runoff to make its way to a very large second pond in the development.
We have seen a gator in each pond!
And we found some unknown tracks in this ditch going back and forth.
I told Sherry not to get too close to the high grass as we also have snakes around here.
Just down the street – two houses – two pictures were taken in the road –
A small gator was on its way to a third pond up the road and a large copperhead was also there.
Not at the same time – but N.C, has them both where we live.
I have also seen a very large black snake – which are good as they kill the copperheads!
All part of living in the South near the marsh and beaches!
Cassidy and Marley on football game day!
At least three times a week – she either calls her MorMor or zooms!
Sherry is MorMor – Swedish for Mothers- Mother!
She is very close to her and is the one who does not want us to leave
or asks when we are coming again.
She is sweet – but also very determined and head strong.
Marley is the new puppy – a GoldenDoodle –
who judging by her legs and feet – is going to be very large!
She is loving – likes to run and pull her leash – Taylor – Cassidy’s sister –
is the one who handles her the best.
She nips and chases both Bode and Cassidy!
Our front porch in October – Low 80’s to high 70’s in the daytime
low 70’s at night – beautiful weather – slight warm breezes – why we moved here!
Front porch sitting early morning with my coffee on this glider!
Protected from the sun and rain when it blows the other way.
I told Sherry – we had to have a front porch and this is one of the models
along with a office room – that was available!
The office was her wish list!
Thank you for reading Papa’s World – livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY – FAMILY MEETS THE FRIENDS! email: fitztdf@aol.com
On our walk through – Sherry found the corner had broken off and they had glued it back on!
It had come as far as we could tell – from the vendor shop like that!
It had plastic wrap on it and she could feel the glue on the top.
You can see the crack line and then the amount they were cutting off.
The warranty said they had the right to fix it – either in place or they take it off and back to the shop!
If they took it off – we would be one week before they would come back!
But – there was the problem of dust and chips!
We did not want the house full of all the dust!
When they showed up – I talked to the crew and they assured us they could control the dust and chips.
They were suppose to take it off and do it off site.
All they needed was plastic which they put down – then they discovered they had no more plastic.
Wait a second Sherry says – I have king sized sheets!
“So who you goona call – GHOSTBUSTERS”
I got some bag clips – and they clipped the two sheets together – and the three of them went under the sheets – with a huge vacuum – and they began cutting and grinding!
It worked – king sized sheets – plastic down on the floor – hardly any dust or chips!
They had to cut both corners so they would match.
The crack has been cut off and grinded smooth and polished!
The opposite corner cut – grinded and polished to match!
If we were not happy -we could of made them switch out the counter top –
but all our counters match including the sinks in the bathrooms.
This was a quick fix – ten minutes on each corner!
The cracked corner is gone – we thought it looked great – and hardly any clean up!
So – we once again had great sevice on the repairs we have made a list of.
We avoided all the work of taking the counter top off and risking more damage.
So – “WHO YOU GONNA CALL – GHOSTBUSTERS”!
Thank you for reading Papa’s World – my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog my email: fitztdf@aol.com
After golf at Lockwood Folly golf course – we made our way to this bar and grill –
we had never eaten here and did not know what to expect ( it was really good)
We placed our order while standing in line – and there is a very large cooler right there.
You simple take out the beer or soft drink you select – there is a bottle opener on the side-
and then you walk away and wait on the deck until your party is called –
and then you are seated!
No one keeps track of the number of drinks you take out of there –
IT ALL IS A HONOR SYSTEM and there is a hole in the wall to deposit empty bottles!
We are seated on the right at a table – and the walls and ceilings are covered with car plates –
and dollar bills! Most have names on them – hundreds and hundreds of them – and the plates have dates. Some newer and some older!
After our name was called – we were seated at this table – if you need another drink – just go back to the cooler – or go to the bar inside and order – just give your name at the bar and when you go to pay the bill-
YOU Tell them what you had to DRINK! ALL ON THE HONOR SYSTEM!
Cindy and Buck – Steve and Sherry – Elaine behind the post!
The waitress seats everyone and another comes out with your orders and calls out a Name!
You just acknowledge and they serve you!
This was a first for me and THE HONOR SYSTEM works – even at the bar!
All good things must be done!
We finished up and were ready to pay – counted the drinks – and well – hey – HONOR SYSTEM WORKS!
A good day of golfing – friends relaxing and sharing a meal!
Thank you for reading Papa’s World
WHERE FRIENDS MEET OUR FAMILY
FAMILY MEETS OUR FRIENDS!
Provision Company – Holden Beach , N.C. view from the deck.
SUNSET from the parking lot of the PROVISION COMPANY – Holden Beach , N.C.
A large piece of driftwood sits on a sand dune just above the mailbox – dedicated to the man who put it there some four and one half decades ago – along with another hippie female friend.
We had read about this famous mailbox – several books have been written about it –
It is a 1.4 mile walk South on what is called Bird Island – an nature preserve –
located on the Southern half of Sunset Beach in N.C.
I am not sure if this is the other half – the lady friend of Frank – but this is one of two benches next to the mailbox – a place to sit and think and write your thoughts in the journal provided in the mailbox.
The large piece of driftwood with the plaque – overlooking the nature preserve – there are trails back in there to explore – walk in silence with only the breeze – the calling of the birds and the surf .
Papa – at the entrance to the benches and mailbox – waiting as another guest takes her picture.
I can not even imagine how all those years ago – they managed to carry everything here to install the mailbox!
The KINDRED SPIRIT mailbox and benches – this is maintained by persons unknown – has been all these years – and replaced many times as the old ones have slowly eroded away.It is a lonely spot – yet so many people walk here everyday and leave there writings and thoughts –
throught the years – those journals have been preserved and are considered historical writings –
and are preserved in a museum! I do not know which one but I plan to find out.
The view behind the mailbox at the top of the sand dune – the nature preserve and in the distance –
NORTH MYRTLE BEACH – when on Sunset Beach – go South and I think at 40th. street – the end –
just find a place to park alongside the road – be sure your tires are completly off the pavement – and if a bike path off that also.
Then find the beach access and come to a sign at the beach – it tells you the distance to the mailbox and further down the beach – the jetty and the mouth of the river – where the Casino boats from Little River enter the ocean – going out to the International border line to gamble.
THE KINDRED SPIRIT MAILBOX
Thank you for reading Papa’s World –
my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog my email: fitztdf@aol.com
A view from inside to outside from our newly built house – our covered and closed in Lanai. Our Tower Garden – in less than five weeks – lush green with tomatoes and cucumbers coming – fresh lettuce’s and herbs – no pesticides and all grown here in dirtless – weedless enviorment with nutrients and natural minerals from the earth developed into a tonic. Just add water and tonic.
We sold our home in Va. when the stock market took a huge dive.
Our 401K went down – but two things also happened –
Her on line business stayed the same – providing income along with SS and the 401K and pensions –
and the home values shot up in our neighborhood – it was time to SELL!
In just 19 days we sold – completly moved out and had enough to finace this new house in N.C.
We came South after almost three months living with our daughters and their families.
For nine months in searching – and then committing – we built our new home.
Now – I must say – we took a big hit on the 401K ( it since has almost come all the way back)
But – our partime on-line business continued – and we just moved it from Va. to SC to NC –
never missing a beat – and in the process – when we sold the house – we also sold 98% of the furnishings!
WE WERE STARTING A NEW LIFE ALL TOGETHER IN THE SOUTH!
eWe left behind families – but these three – instead of a camp – both parents work – thir parents bought them plane tickets – Sherry flew up and came back with them for a week with us!
We have three older granddaughters – two now in college and both starting on their college soccer teams.
The third is a freshman in HS –
we want to get them and their parents down for a visit –
but schedules have to be cordinated.
Our daughter of this family – also is a CERTIFIED HEALTH COACH
and has surpassed her mother in the same on line business from her home .
Achieving QMD in the company – working together with her mother.
Next month – 8 or 9 team members will travel to the Smokey Mountains to a cabin in the mountains –
for a retreat to once again reconnect –
which has the pandemic keeping them apart.
Although everything is on line -they miss being social and miss seing one another.
Keeping in touch – zoom meetings – calls – life goes on – friends – partners – phones – voxes – business as usual.
We do have friends here in N.C. and have for the last 35 years.
We have been visiting them for 25 years after they left our neighborhood in NYS!
We came to really like the area and made it a place to look –
but then along came NMB –
and then Ocean Isle Beach –
so we choose to settle there.
We still are 40 to 45 minutes away – but they play golf in our area –
and have for years and years.
We try to see and play golf once a week –
and we all are fans of the Bills ( we also like Washington)
There are many theaters and concerts we attend together –
FRIENDS –
A new life with old friends – and making other friends along the way.
There is a rainbow for us after relocating!
While it is hard to say goodbyes –
it also is so rewarding to hug and say hello when they visit!
We have been fortunate – a passive income –
a family that understands –
and friends for years.
Moving South has been a new adventure –
and thank you for reading this.
Papa’s World is a continuation of my life seen through my own eyes daily.
My motto remains the same –
“WHERE FRIENDS MEET OUR FAMILY & FAMILY MEETS OUR FRIENDS”!
The twins turned eleven years old – Cassidy and Taylor birthday!
Yes – they are twins – and they had to be taken out early because Taylor was taking all the nourishment!
Today – Cassidy is normal for her age but Taylor is going to be real tall – like her MORMOR –
Swedish for MOTHERSMOTHER!
Sherry is 5′ 9″ and she will be taller than that.
Bode – who turns eight is also going to be tall and here is cousin Sarah – who at soon to be 15 – is gaining on Sherry!
We went back to NVA to watch the little ones and the puppy Marley – and Sarah came for overnight!
MARLEY at six months old – a puppy who likes to play keep away and run and run.
She is adorable and is a Goldendoodle – judging by her feet – she will be very large! She is so friendly and loving.
But – you must make sure to keep things out of reach as she tends to chew – thus she stood up and grabbed the hat of our son in law and that became history! LOL
And at night – after all day with MARLEY and the little ones – sleep was welcomed! LOLA very proud grandmother – Sherry with all four – missing the two oldest who are in college – best birthday among
the cousins celebrating by a road trip with Debby and Sarah into Washington D.C. to the city ZOO!
Before the Pandemic hit – we were flying to Phoenix for a health conference – then it was canceled –
So we have had all this money tied up in two vouchers!
Fast forward – “Why not use part of them for flying back to NVA – instead of driving – to watch over the kids!”
Their parents had a out of state ( Vermont) family wedding – no children – adults only – and we said yes –
we would come up for the long weekend – and stay with them and the new puppy – MARLEY!
MASKS ARE REQUIRED IN THE AIRPORT AND PLANE THE ENTIRE TIME – I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THAT!
We had to arrive early at North Myrtle Beach International airport – and there in was a problem.
The week before we had taken our drivers test ( stressed out for two months) for N.C.
Hint for drivers test – study all the signs and know what they are for even if they are blank!
There are special shapes!
And we passed – new drivers license ( paper form) and real ID to come in the mail.
We put our VA. license away ( mistake number one) and our new paper ID in our wallets.
(mistake number two) Keep both of them until in the mail you get the hard real ID!
Even though we had TSA clearence – we had to go thru as if we were fakes and maybe
causing a problem – which meant everything had to be searched( I had no problem with this)
and mistake number three ( take your passports when flying)!
All of that could of been avoided – it was our own fault – but we made it only to worry ( STRESS)
the return from NVA through a much bigger ( DULLES) and more stringent examination due to the fact
that the agent was training a new agent! ( NO PROBLEM WITH THAT!)
And yes it was stressful but we made it!
Waiting at MYRTLE BEACH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT FOR OUR FLIGHT ON AMERICAN AIRLINES!
It all worked out and now I can laugh at it!
Just a senior moment – we knew better but hey – we are old and sometimes not as organized as we used to be!
But – we arrived – our daughter picked us up and we were on our way to their house – the grandkids and MARLEY!
MARLEY and CASSIDY – the new puppy and one of the twin girls – fraternal twins!
This was the beginning of a six day stay – two days with the parents – leaving and coming back –
and four days with grandkids and the puppy – a GOLDENDOODLE – who is going to be very large!
But – in our senior wisdom – we had plans to keep them busy and with these three –
it is when you get done “PAPA – when are we going to do the next thing”?
They are busy all the time except when on IPAD’S or BODE asking for my phone!
Then it is complete silence – except MARLEY who as a puppy gets into everything!
All has to be put up out of reach but she is really good – goes to the door when she wants out –
and plays run and hide and stay out of reach when you try to catch her to bring her in –
towel off her extra big feet – I found holding dog food and saying treat she would come! LOL
Taylor – who is on her way to being six feet tall – 11 years old – Bode – who never stays still except on my phone – Marley who is only six months old and is going to be huge – and Cassidy – who although shorter – is right on spot being a 11 year old!
Taylor is the quiet one of the three – always doing what told – and is the one who tkaes full care of Marley.
She is a sweetheart – sometimes you do not even know she is around!
BODE is in motion all the time – all boy and in the dead of winter – no socks and no shoes and outside!
Soccer – riding bike – golfing with his father – smart and outgoing – but can be a handful!
Cassidy – sweet – does crafts all the time – loves her MORMOR( Sherry) and calls and zooms all the time.
She takes after Sherry and is by her side all the time.
It broke my heart when it was time to leave – she came out for the third time to say goodbye –
hugs and asking when we will see her again –
then as we are pulling out to go to the airport – inside the garage standing on the step –
peeking out to us so she could see us leave – so lonely – and not wanting us to leave!
She misses us more than the other two!
Thank you for reading Papa’s World – WHERE FRIENDS MEET OUR FAMILY – FAMILY MEETS OUR FRIENDS!
MY BLOG SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog my email: fitztdf@aol.com
When we sold our house back in June 2020 – we had three of these – two regular units and one indoors one.
They looked just like these – The TOWER GARDENS – a self contained unit to grow veggies with out dirt!
And they grow with just water and tonic – two different tonics made up of minerals and nutrients of the Earth.
A pump is in the tank and a timer is set to pump up the wtaer at 15 minute intervals ( you can adjust the times)
You start from just seeds which are provoded and put them in spun lava rock
place them in the pods and start the timer!
That is it! And then – it produces veggies almost 1/3 the time faster than normal growing!
After 13 months – we are moved in and this is ours set up on the open patio.
What you see here took less than three weeks starting from seeds!
This picture shows the seeds sprouting in the spun lava which you place into the pods for the Tower Garden!
These are the spun lava rock with seeds already inserted into the pods on the Tower Garden – where water and tonic minerals from the bottom tank are pumped up the middle of the tower and drip down the the tower over where the roots from the seeds have formed.
oYou water them at different intervals – example water on for 15 minutes – off for 30 or 45 minutes!
All from a timer you can adjust as you grow!
The Towr Garden we have is a indoor – outdoor one that when outdoors – you just take the grow lights off!
Indoors you put them back on and they are controlled by a timer – everything you need from seeds to tonic –
to grow lights – pump – timer – lava rock and instructions for one growing season is there when you order it.
Seed sprouting out of the spun lava rock after placed in the pod and watert and tonic constantly going 24 / 7!
It costs just pennies a day to run – you just make sure water is in the tank and by instructions when to add more tonic minerals. EASY as that – almost effortless and no WEEDING!
They are like children – they become a labor of love!
Comparrisons – this is THREE WEEKS from seed to plants thriving!
We went away for one week – and this was left unattended – and you can see the growth in week FOUR!
At three weeks – from seeds to this and we are eating off it!
Four weeks and after we had been away – the timer and water pump continued – the sun did the rest!
The only thing I did was to fill the tank with water – as the plants grow and start to bear veggies – they as a normal
need water – it becomes necessary every thee days to put water in.
There is a float in the tank that tells you when to add water!
Every 2 to 4 tank fulls if refilling – you put in one cup of nutrients of the two tonic minerals!
Between weeks THREE and FOUR – we are eating lettuce for salads every night for dinner! We know there are no pesticides and is all natural – you need at least four hours of sun light – and just sit back and watch it grow. You can grow anything that is not grown on a tree or has to be in the ground.
Melons – cucumbers – radish – celery – peppers – tomatoe’s – everything! You do not have to have a GREEN THUMB – just keep the water in the tank and every week or two – reach into the tank and pull roots out so they do not shut the pump down, and that is really easy to to do and they smell so good!
For additional information on this growing system ( we have been growing almost ten years)
Contact us at
SSHERRYLYNN49@aol.com
or FITZTDF@aol.com
We both are part of The Juice Plus Company which has develped this for the open market.
Maddy – our oldest granddaughter – entering her third year at the UNIVERSITY of LYNCHBURG!
She has like it seems played soccer all her life – since she was old enough to put on a uniform.
Always the smallest on the field – at first the ball was almost bigger than her!
But – in her Junior HS year she had a grwoth spurt – and ended up being 5′ 6″ tall and a star soccer player.
She went to Lynchburg and as a Freshman played in 13 games and starting last year as a starter.
This past weekend – in their first game – lost a hard fought game to a team from Florida – a very good non division team – 2 to 1 – but the write up was about how she played and the skill set she brings – almost several times bringing them back for a tie.
She has excelled and is one of the best players on a very young team – starting 7 Freshman.
The Freshman are all big – 5′ 11″ to 6.0 ‘ tall and all really good.
They won their second game 6 to 0 over a team from NY city.
Ella Myers – # 10 – a 5′ 9″ freshman at Randolph College in Lynchburg Va. just ten minutes away from her sister Maddy.
She was recruited by two schools and in a preseason interview – her now coach said –
“Ella Myers – will play and get a lot of minutes at midfielder”!
She has started all the preseason games – and both regular season games – and played almost the entire games!
They have won both games and in the second game – a 0 to 0 tie going into minute 64 of the second half –
she scored her first college goal in what would be the winning goal – ( one was added later) as a Freshmen.
She had a very hard journey to get here –
breaking a bone in each foot at different years –
losing a couple years of playing plus not having a couch that believed in her playing!
Yet – TWO COLLEGE coaches saw the potential and recruited her.
Her HS team came within one goal of a state championship!
She just missed by inches of scoring that goal!
HER MOTTO I have given her –
” I AM A SKILLED PLAYER – and NOW HERE I AM”!
Both of them overcame the odds – from being the smallest with huge skills – from overcoming broken bones and a coach who did not believe in her – to both of them starting on their respective COLLEGE SOCCER TEAMS!
And YES – they will play against each other come Ocrober 6th.
and we plan on being there to see it!
Cheering both of them on – a win for us no matter the outcome.
Sarah who is fifthteen – could of been just as good had she continued – Maddy – oldest and still the smallest of the three girls and Ella – proud of all three – you go Sarah and reach for the stars in your own dreams!
It will be a grand time watching this match and who knows – if the teams continue winning meeting in a playoff.
SISTERS
So proud of you Ella for showing them what they had and how they overlooked you!
” I AM A SKILLED PLAYER – AND NOW HERE I AM”
Thank you for reading Papa’s World – my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog email: fitztdf@fitztdf
My first thing every morning – fix my cup of coffee!
And then it is onto writing my blog – livinglifedoingitmyway.blog !
All this is early – and depends on when I wake up – mostly bathroom! LOL
Once up – it is hard for me to fall back asleep – so I just get up and fix that cup of coffee!
Pushing the garbage can outside before 6 am. which is the time they want it out there!
Sunrises here are really something – the ocean is but four miles away!
This street for construction is almost done – two houses left – right across the street –
and one down two lots from us.
All the rest are down where the corner is and then around the cul-de-sac.
Passwords – I write them down!
Everything today needs a password – and I just can not remember them all – so I have a special place
I keep them safe – where I am the one who knows where to look ( Sherry knows also) !
The entrance to our development – Cameron Woods – Ocean Isle Beach – mainland side.
It is a quiet place except for the on going construction – which by years end should be done where we live.
The new phase is now having the infrastrucure put in and is away from us.
Ocean Isle Beach and our grandaughters – only four miles away.
We choose this area because we are on the mainland side – then the ICW – then the houses and business
of Ocean Isle Beach and the beach itself!
We also are close to Sunset beach – another three miles!
We are near the border of S.C and a lot of golf courses!
All the towns and communities have free open air concerts – running from mid May to mid September!And of course Calabash – the Seafood capital of the world! Only seven miles away – a place we take company!
This area is full of places to visit and dine – all with views!
And another major reason we moved here – golfing – we try to golf once a week – and we have 20 plus courses right where we live to choose from!
Thank you for reading Papa’s World – my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog email : fitztdf@fitztdf
Sherry found a better way to get nutrition & nutrients
from fruits and vegetables with research to back it up!
Three generations
They started by naming their mother – daughters team
“TEAM GENERATIONS”
From GIGI ( grandmother )
– to Sherry ( mother) to daughters
Tammy and Debby and their children.
Four generations – all on the road to better health.
Ella and SarahBode Taylor Cassidy
The fourth generation – and when they have children – the fifth generation
All because Sherry said “YES” at NBC for your health
at the Washington DC convention center!
The TEAM GENERATIONS TEAM
It continues to grow – families seeking nutrition
better health
feeling great and less doctor visits
More energy
It has spread across the country
and now they communicate with ZOOM calls
and those that live near each other – gather in exercising
There are monthly exercise programs – group fastings
Challenges – and social group gatherings.
Mother and daughter bonding
It has become a FAMILY trip to health.
The oldest in college – practicing health
sending her care packages of healthy foods!
Trips to conferences on the East Coast and West Coast and Middle America twice a yearTeam generations continues to grow one family at a timeLeadership in numbersBefore the pandemic – social gatheringsMaking life fun with healthTeam Generations began with a mother and daughtersToday it has grown into this – leaders from across the country
What started out as a way to eat healthy
and have our kids and grand kids eating better
has turned into a group of dedicated individuals
who share their experience of health and nutrition.
The OLD WAY HAS BEEN REPLACEDTo a whole new life styleDebby Papa Sherry on the way to THE ELTON’S a celebration of recognizing individuals
On Wednesday – it marked the first day of school for fifth grade for Taylor and Cassidy and first grade for Bode.
It also was the first day for Marley – the new goldendoodle – to walk to the bus stop!
I think she has become Tayor’s to walk as she takes her all the time.
Taylor – Marley – Bode in the back and Cassidy!
At first Marley would not walk just plopping down in the middle of the sidewalk – where Taylor would pick her up and carry her – but I think she has gotten over the puppy stage now – and Taylor seems to be the one who controls her!
The three plus the dog walk a couple blocks down the street to where the school bus stops and picks them up.
We are headed there and by the time you read this will already been and came back home again.
The parents are going out of state to a wedding and we will fly home( using a few vouchers we had)
to stay with the kids and Marley.
It will be a extended weekend – and looking forward to seeing everyone including Deb – Mike and Sarah.
The other two oldest are now in college.
To think one year ago – we did the same thing – only we had sold our home and stayed there for two months until we moved to S.C. – going back and forth to Winmchester and Leesburg.
We helped out with the home schooling due to the pandemic.
The kids did well but need to structure of school and friends and classmates.
Taylor in the lead with Marley and then Cassidy followed by Bode – walking to the bus stop.
Thank you for reading Papa’s World – MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
We are so fortunate – not only do we get beautiful sun rises – but the sunsets at night are just as beautiful!
Because we are on a major curve to the ocean – if you look at a global map – from below Myrtle Beach up to Wilmington N.C. – we are constanlty getting clouds and winds from the ocean – coming in from the sunrises and then at night coming in from the sunsets.
They say because of that curve – hurricanes usually by pass this area and head for the tip of Wilmington and then onto the outer banks!
Now – if there is a high pressure off shore -then that will direct the storm into the mainland – but that does not happen often.
Beautiful sky from the west.
And the lightening storms mostly come from over the ocean some three miles away! Thunder and rain!
Never tried this but think it to be funny!!! Might be my go to in the store next time! LOL!
With the sunset behind us – the ocean clouds in front of us!
The ocean clouds to the East – our neighbors house who has not closed – and the last foundation close to us.
Thank you for reading Papa’s World – from Cameron Woods Community – Ocean Isle Beach – N.C.
WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY PAPA’S WORLD livininglifedoingitmyway.blog FAMILY MEETS FRIENDS!
SHERRY CERTIFIED HEALTH COACH http://www.sf.juiceplus.com ssherrylynn49@fitztdf GOODNIGHT FROM OUR HOME AT NIGHT!
OH MY! Here Sarah is first day of H.S. and Ella first day of college and soccer!
Now – Maddy is also in college – her third year of classes and also playing soccer!
Life is changing – Deb and Mike – from three girls at home – to now just Sarah.
The twin girls – soon to be 11 years old and Bode – soon to be 8 years old.
Are also growing up so fast – and so we live on through them!
Sarah growing up – almost as tall as Ella who is taller than Sherry at 5′ 9″ !
She is now in her first year of H.S. following in the footsteps of the other two. She also could of been a really good soccer player – but has chosen the arts as her focus – dance – acting – and writing!
She looks to me just like her mother Debby!
Full of life – independent – caring – and gives her dad a run for his money! LOL
Fashion – make up – leader in trends – this is Sarah!
Full of life – she wanted grandma to take her to NYC – now I think it is Paris!
She will walk her own path in life – always looking forward.
All three of these girls – are like this – never asking just giving – helping and caring for others.
Ella from her dorm room on campus of Randolph College in Lynchburg Va.
Her picture is her first day of classes and her first day of soccer practice.
She will compete against her sister Maddy in the same cofference – and Maddy is at
The University of Lynchburg – right across town from Ella!
Maddy played in 15 games as a Freshman and was a starter her Sophomore year.
Our calender is marked for when they play each other.
We hope to plan a long weekend to see them both.
Ella is so excited – on her own – no pressures from peers – just being Ella and playing soccer and taking classes.
As you can see in the picture – smiling – gentle – caring – “TINY” as we called her – all grown up!
And then there is Papa – Thomas David Fitzsimmons – graduating in May – 1967 – all those years ago.
My best H.S. friend – bottom right hand corner – Bobby – who we have reconnected the last ten years –
who in October will come for a visit – with his wife Pam – and we will play golf – beach it –
and just be talking of old times past!
Thank you for reading Papa’s World
WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY – FAMILY MEETS FRIENDS!
The trees behind the house are alive with the sounds of nature – frogs- cicadas – birds and the gentle breeze of the wind – the leaves – the pine needles –
I am a morning person – waking before sunrise – my favorite part of the day – seeing the breaking of the dawn.
Here – you can still see the lights on the garage – they come on at dusk and off after the Sun shines on them.
Across the street – just peaking through – the pink sky – the sun is about to shine. A new day set to begin.
Think about this sign – live life to the fullest – one day at a time.
Captured a neighborhood about to come alive.
Thank you for reading Papa’s World
MY BLOG SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog fitztdf@aol.com
One thing we wanted to do when moving farther South – was golf together – and we selected this area
because it was right in the middle of all the golf courses that we want to play.
Back in NVA where we moved from – we did like golfing there but it could be expensive!We have always golfed – even back in WNY where we belonged to Saint Bonaventure golf course.
But when we moved to NVA – we found it was just too much money and not enough time!
Our friends – the McBrides – live about forty minutes from us – but they do most of their golfing within 5 miles of our new home.
We usually do a scramble for 18 holes – guys vs. the gals.
And – as usual – they always beat us by one or two strokes!
No shame there – they are putting in regulation and we can not putt! LOL
Sherry hits a straight ball – almost everytime – down the middle – I never know where I am going!
Here she is and she got a hold of this one!
The result of the previous picture drive – the green is like less than one hundred yards away!
And this was on a 320 yard hole!
Good second shot and she was putting for birdie.
Golfing with my wife SHERRY!
We try to get out once a week – sometimes we do and other times we do not.
But golfing is being outside – green grass and trees.
Year number two – being invited to the house on the lake.
We were all neighbors back in the old hood in Portville N.Y.
Sherry and I moved there in ’86 and stayed until 1999.
Buck and Cidy lived there prior to that and moved South in 1996.
Mike and Carol – well they never left – being some of the orginal people on Pleasant Acres Drive.
WE HAVE ALL STAYED FRIENDS ALL THESE YEARS!
The view of Lake Chautauqua – WNY – from the deck of the lake house.
Mike and Carol made a dream come true – they bought a house on a lake – a 30 mile long lake.
They still live back in the hood – and they own a national – pipeline painting company – going all over the counrty
for natural gas and oil lines among other construction projects!
From Mike all those years ago painting solo to now employing crews that travel the counrty –
and still the same old Carol and Mike.
Carol – that sweet smile – not a bigger Bills or Bonas fan!
Mike – we always were playing tricks on each other – or lining up the lawn mowers and racing them down the street.
William “BUCK” McBride – we have known them since we were first married in 1982. My golf buddy!
Cindy – always moving – like the engerizer bunny – walking – always doing something.
Sherry – always smiling laughing – reminds me so much of her father Bill.
We stayed until Monday morning – riding in the boat – golfing Sunday morning – tubing on Saturday – waiting out the rain – listening to music – laughing – just like days of old when we were all neighbors!
TUBING CINDY and PAPA!
Waiting out the rain storm under the canopy in the boat.
Eating dinner on the boat at the Casino Bar and Grill.
Slow cruising Lake Chautauqua before sunset.
A big heart felt thank you for our second time here to Mike and Carol.
Thank you for reading Papa’s World – The Lake House – Lake Chautauqua – WNY – friends forever.
We had just made our first slow loop around the cove on the tube – Cindy and I.
The sky turned gray – and we could see the rain coming – so we got back on the boat – pulled the tube up on the rear walkway – and headed into the covered dock area.
I had tried tubing – even if it were a slow trip around – and I was ready to go back out again and speed things up!
It was a quick rain shower and we drove onto the boat lift which is covered.
There was no lightening – just a steady rain.
We talked and decided to once again go tubing – this time a little bit faster – as the first time was sort of boring!
The rain continued for about a half hour – and we could watch it from under the canopy. We had some munchies and drinks – and were dry – the boat has a really good radio so we listened to music and talked.
Cindy and I – life jackets on – the rain almost stopped – for the time being – we were dry!
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Next – after the rain – riding the tube and the waves – cross it off my bucket list.
We were on our way for a long weekend at Lake Chautauqua and stopped overnight in Lake Holiday!
We had planned this – but they had taken Maddy back to college that day and left Ella and Sarah home.
So – we arranged to have the two of them meet us in Old Town Winchester for dinner.
Our friends Buck and Cindy were with us so they got to once again vist the family.
Debby’s flowers are just beautiful – colors everywhere.
Mike made a Swedish Bear and Ella painted it and did all the artwork on it – Welcome in Swede.
Some more of her flowers.
Debby’s Mantra.
Walking around the yard – does not do it justice as the whole back yard is the same. She has a green thumb.
Buck and Cindy saying their goodbyes and thanking them for having us overnight.
Thank you for reading Papa’s World – livinglifedoingitmyway.blog fitztdf@aol.com
By the time this blog posts – Ella will have started her Freshman year at Randolph College – right across the city from Maddy at the Unversity of Lynchburg.
This picture has Debby – sitting on ground in front – Tammy – with her arm around Sherry’s fathers shoulder – Sherry’s mother second from Tammy’s left in back row – and me holding Nathan – this was taken almost 32 years ago. Cassidy looks just like her mother Tammy !
We have always been a close knit family – Barb and Bill have passed on – all the cousins have children.
Sarah – who now is almost as tall as Sherry – has always wanted to dance.The twins as babies – Taylor and Cassidy – then Sarah Maddy – Debby and Ella – who starts college and will pay soccer against Maddy.
Taylor – our grand child who loves to ride horses.
They are growing up so fast – I still call them the little ones!Bode – blond hair and a smile – who searches me out in the morning to sit on my lap!The little ones when they were samll but just a few years ago.Maddy – Ella and Sarah – grwoing up – no longer the small ones – young ladies now.
Thank you for reading Papa’s World – livinglifedoingitmyway.blog fitztdf@fitztdf
Hallway entrance to master bedroom – great grandmothers desk ( Sherry) numerical location of our prior home – lamp that was a shower present ofr her mothers wedding – a door stopper that belonged to my parents and grandmother – family picture and Mount Nebo church done by my son in law Mike. And a large family history picture of the grandkids to the right.
In the master bedroom looking back to the hall way entrance. We sold all our furniture with the old house – so everything we had to buy and shop for.
The bedroom outfit in each bedroom and all the chairs and couches and kitchen table – end tables – stand for TV and desks in office. Outdoor patio and front porch furniture.
This was given to us as a wdding present form a fellow emplyee who worked with Sherry in the front office and has hung on our bedroom wall in every home we have lived in together. This being home number six!
Our first king sized bed we have purchased – along with a couch that pulls out into a twin bed that Bode used when they were here – all three grankids had a bed to sleep in.
We were worried about beds to sleep in – and we have enough plus our office ( blow up queen mattress to sleep both families) plus we needed storage for clothes and items – by planning with extra drawers and arranging coat closets and linen closets plus the overhead storage in the garage – we have come up with ample space along with oversized night tables and storage shelves under one bed.
This was given to us on 6-25-1982 from Pastor Dan who married us that day in Portville N.Y.
And has hung on every wall of every house we have moved into.
Thank you for reading Papa’s World
WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY livinglifedoingitmyway.blog FAMILY MEETS FRIENDS!
Master bathroom – all tile and hardwood floors come from Dal Tile where we worked a combined 79 1/2 years before we both retired.
I 