Tough choice – made easier by the drop back in 2020 for our 401K –
but also the increase in the value of the housing market!
We decided to sell – our daughter and family had moved – not far away – about thirty minutes on a good day of traffic!
But – before they were a mile away – we would pick up the little ones from school and have the youngest sometimes also.
It was an easy walk to their home and we spent a lot of time with them.
But it was the 401K – losing 30 plus % – yet the house gained more than that!
Another door had opened – an adventure awaited – we disclosed our plans – and we said we would be within an easy days drive
6 to 8 hours – but someplace warm and near a beach!
We also wanted to golf – for far less expensive than it was in NVA!
After a couple months of searching – we found our beaches – Ocean Isle Beach and Sunset Beach – one four miles and the other six miles away – we wanted to stay on the mainland – and not in a flood zone – we found Cameron Woods Community.
We built our home – six to eight hours from our NVA families – they have come to visit numerous times and we have been back the same.
We live right across the street from four 18-hole golf courses and are within 30 minutes of another twenty-five!
We have new friends and neighbors – and are close to dear friends we have had for 35 years.
Our life had changed – we went through that door – it was not easy –
now we are in the twilight of our years – but every day brings new adventures and experiences.
A new day begins – another day to explore and live the Carolina life – thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD – OUR LIFE!
PAPA’S WORLD my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog fitztdf@aol.com OUR CAROLINA LIFE!
Our daughter Debby is a QMND for the Juice Plus Company
For almost fifteen years she has lived a healthy lifestyle – and guided her family to eat healthily.
Her mission is to help families and their children eat healthily.
With two daughters in college and both playing soccer – making sure they get the Fruits – Veggies and Berries their young bodies need to maintain that active life they lead in college.
Debby with Maddy ( University of Lynchburg – Ella ( Randolph College) and husband – Mike.
Feed your plants – feed your children – health – nutrition – care – love and gratitude.
The effect of whole food nutrition – nutrients in capsule form – Debby – QMND – The Juice Plus Company.
If you would like more info from Debby – use my email – fitztdf@aol.com and I will relay it to her.
Debby – QMND – The Juice Plus Company
Thanks for reading Papa’s World – my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog email: fitztdf@aol.com
Sarah Maddy Ella – raised taking Juice Plus – Healthy Lifestyle – with Debby – QMND – The Juice Plus Company
What seems like only yesterday – has been 22 years in the making!
Early family picture before Bode and the twins not walking yet.
The three oldest are on the left with their parents – Maddy – Ella and Sarah – on the right – Taylor and Cassidy- the twins.
Maddy – now 22 – Sarah – now 16 and Ella – now 19
I remember all three – on Christmas day – early – sitting at the top of the stairs – giggling – waiting for their parents to wake up and go down for their stockings!
This picture would have been about that time!
Now today – Ella – Maddy, and Sarah.
Ella and Sarah are tall like their grandma – Sherry who is 5’9″ – both Ella and Sarah are as tall or taller.
Maddy is 5’6″ – like her mom.
Maddy is a senior in college – Ella a Sophomore in College and Sarah is a Sophomore in H.S.
The time has gone by so quick – the little ones are all grown up and now are SISTERS!
By that, I mean confining with one another – all there for each other –
although years separate them – bonding keeps them close.
Sarah Maddy Ella SISTERS
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The reason why for the granddaughters – Sherry – grandmother.
From LITTLE ones to YOUNG LADIES – OUR GRANDDAUGHTERS – now grown up!
Randolph College – the University of Lynchburg – one a sophomore – the other a senior.
Both colleges are in Lynchburg, Va. Ella is a sophomore, Randolph – and Maddy is a senior.- Lynchburg.
Both start on their teams – Maddy a wing and Ella midfielder.
Sad this most likely will be the last game they play against each other – but as a family – MEMORIES!
Captains meeting midfield – Ella middle on left in white – Maddy on the right – middle in black.
Shaking hands
And then THE HANDSHAKE AMONG SISTERS! MEMORY!
And then the procession out onto the pitch – Number 10 white – Ella and number 13 black – Maddy.
For us as grandparents and as mother and father – there is no winner and no loser !
For the granddaughters – bittersweet as for the second time – Maddy’s team has won.
Ella never came out of the game – and she has now started and played every game as a freshman
and now as a sophomore – the only freshman to accomplish that.
She will be a very good player when it is all said and done.
Maddy is ending her career for a third straight year as a starter.
Lynchburg has gone to the NCAA tournament for 16 straight and won a national title in 2016.
Wearing the same numbers all the way through – youth – travel and HS teams.
Since they both could walk with their father working with them on ball handling and passing – shooting and footwork – they both take the corner kicks for their teams.
Today Ella has grown so tall – almost 5’10”
Maddy will graduate in Engineering Science with now a 3.85 GPA!
No one lost here – proud parents Debby and Mike – the tradition of the family – love of soccer and life.
Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD and WHEN SISTERS MEET ON THE SOCCER PITCH!
We play scrambles with other couples – friends – guys vs. gals!
You take the total of your 18-hole score – then you get deducted one stroke for every par the other team made – and two strokes for a birdie and so forth.
Surprising – most scores then come down to one or two strokes – or even.
Buck Dottie Cindy Jim Papa Sherry – all these years friends.
We have tried other ways – giving and taking strokes – handicaps, etc.
And it all is in fun – but I will tell you – we tied the first nine and the guys won the second nine by one stroke while carding a 35!
THEY ARE THAT GOOD!
OH YEAH – I KNOW THE LAST ONE SO WELL!
DOTTIE
CINDY
SHERRY
Friends are priceless – all these years – song on 40-plus years.
We later went on the ICW on a pontoon boat – cruising up and down – a few drinks –
a lot of laughs and some singing.
Papa and Cindy – on the ICW – OIB to Holden Beach back to Sunset Beach and then OIB!
Thanks for reading – PAPA’S WORLD – livinglifedoingitmyway.blog fitztdf@aol.com
Stepping out the front door of our house in Cameron Woods to the morning sunrise!
We choose this lot because of the sunrise and sunset from our driveway!
You look right to the East and left to the West!
Looking out the front door to the West!
We have been here going on fifteen months – and have had numerous sunrise and sunset skies
that is absolutely beautiful!
This is us! No snow or ice!
View of the front and looking SW toward the ocean some 2 to 4 miles away!
We are in OIB but on the mainland side – six miles to Sunset Beach and four miles to OIB.
The sunrise from the backyard – all the tree line to the right is protected!
Our backyard borders a protected area – it can not be developed or cut down – the second reason we chose this lot to build our new home!
Looking out at the backyard and treeline.
As we progress into the future – we have carefully had the landscape done – replacing pine straw with stones and mulch – eventually going to all stones and borders.
We also wanted an open patio and a firepit – along with a place to grow our own organic veggies – which we have done now year round!
This is now our third harvest since early spring – and are going on our second harvest of cucumbers!
She finally talked me into purchasing a grill and we often grill out here – we have no gas and the house is all electric – and electric stove tops we have found are hard to keep clean – thus I grill! LOL
Our little flower garden next to the treeline – now if we can keep the deer from munching the leaves! LOL
Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD and SUNRISE FROM THE FRONT DRIVEWAY!
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A call came on Wednesday – can you make 4:30 pm. if I make tee times on Friday?
Of course, we can – make them and we will be there – and so we did.
Sherry and I left early as we wanted to do some things in Wilmington, N.C.
Unless we go for a certain thing or event – we do not get there all that often.
We were golfing at Magnolia Greens located some eleven miles from the city.
Our friends live there and I think it to be one of the better courses down here.
Twenty-seven holes – and we were playing just nine this late afternoon.
Now it looks like we are looking for balls in the water – but we were in a huge sand trap on a par three – Cindy was raking the sand and Buck and I were picking up my ball and going to play his on the grass.
LOL story of my life!
We once again played a scramble against the ladies and once again we lost!
We had a couple bad holes – but we also played well – here we are on in two – par four hole and a putt for a birdie – which we did not make and ended up with a par.
You can see where Bucks putt went and I had still had to putt – did not make it and we settled for a par.
I love golf on TV!
It turned out to be a great day – beautiful weather – no humidity – 80 degrees!
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Papa’s World – Magnolia Greens – golfing with friends on a late Friday afternoon.
Our family from WPA came to visit – driving some 16 hours – a very long trip!
First time for my two sons and their families to make the trip South.
Troy the eldest – Papa and Shawn the youngest.
We tried to work as much into the seven days as we could –
sometimes letting them go off on their own as we had other commitments
but we did sunrises and sunsets all together – beach time and places to eat out together.
Visiting the area and nature walks along with mini golf!
Andrea and Troy – selfie!
Our time together was priceless and I encouraged them to fly next time to be able to spend
more time on vacation and less time driving!
When we moved south to NVA in 1999 – they stayed in WPA for their families and jobs.
Relaxing on the mainland side of Sunset Beach in the park.
Our garage became a favorite place to meet and talk during rain and hot sunshine while at the house.
Shawn and Troy
Shawn runs his own Energy Auditing business contracting with major energy companies for the states of Pa. and firms from NYS. Troy works for and runs the insulation side of the business for Shawn and government and state programs for the elderly.
In the morning they left to drive back to WPA – not saying goodbye but until we meet again.
Thank you for reading PAPA’S WORLD – livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
Buck – Cindy Sherry – our first time golfing on the island.
We had seen this course when we vacationed here about ten years ago –
and we both said “SOMEDAY”!
Well – that day came and we met our friends Buck and Cindy there –
however – we could look out to the ocean and see a storm – thunder and lightning and
we had some sprinkles!
So we decided to go into the bar & grill – have a drink and wait it out!
Which after some 35 minutes – it looked like it had passed and we began.
I had already hit from the tees father back – and this is number one – this course I like because it is open!
MY GENERATION!
My phone takes a picture and if you hold your finger on it – it actually goes through the swing – I wish you could hear the sound on this tee off by Sherry – SMACK – she connected straight down the fairway.
This one is also her second shot off the fairway – “SEE THE SOUND” as I have been told!
YEP – ME! LOL
It was a good day golfing – the rain did come back on the last two holes but was just a sprinkle –
It was a good first time golfing here and we both want to go back.
Thanks for reading Papa’s World – livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
OUR DREAM GOLFING – THIS TIME OAK ISLAND, N.C. WITH FRIENDS!
I wanted color back here – the builder planted white Crepe Myrtles out front – these are WATERMELLON!
We also replaced all the Pine Straw and moved it to the tree line where we had three Oleanders put in!
They are young plants and hoping they will take hold – watering them everyday – but next year they should bloom
a bright RED againest the back drop of the protected tree line.
The second Crepe Myrtle – all trees in the yard now have stone and brick or edging depending where they are. The ones next to the house are mulched in black and serve as a contrast to the light gray siding.
A quiet neighborhood – but already a man rang the doorbell trying to sell home securtiy!
We are slowly putting in flowers that will come back year to year – hoping to make this area wild but colorful!
This will be a on going work in progress – adding a little bit here and there!
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Our family from back home in NWPA drove almost fifteen hours to stay with us for a week!
Andrea – Troy – Papa – Shawn – Trisha and Autumn
We decided other than beach time we would take them exploring nature – and the best way for that for us was Vareen Gardens – just across the border in S.C.
You walk the boardwalk across the marsh and come to this area on the ICW – where you can gather shells – make a wish – sign them and hang them from a tree or bush.
There was what is called a KING TIDE and water came up the steps!
Andrea and my oldest son Troy. BEACH LIFE!
We explored the coast – ICW views and the trail then continues across the marsh and into the woods.
My youngest son Shawn
Shawn is a ranked pool player in both Canada and the USA – here taking a selfie!
Troy can build a house from the ground up!
Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD and my family and Vareen Gardens. livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
PAPA’S WORLD – Vareen Gardens with FAMILY – Priceless!
Folkart – sold to every state in the Union and all over the world.
Windows painted from the back to the front!
Mary has a unique style – painting from the back of the glass panes to the front so that it looks as if it were painted on the front of the glass pane!
The quilt work look-alike painting!
Room after room after room after room!
Every bit of space is used to display the Folkart!
House after house – was built with bottle walls!
I think someday this all will be very valuable FOLKART!
Thanks for reading MARYS GONE WILD – CHAPTER FOUR!
Mary Paulsen and Sherry with one of two pieces we purchased – knowing it will go to feeding hungry children!
PAPA’S WORLD: my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
Mary has made her life mission to feed hungry children!
Just one of the many rooms that Mary built to hold her Folkart!
The walls – ceilings and floors are all painted with Folkart and anything she can paint on!
But her interest is in glass – window frames – painted from the back mirror image to the front side – what you see here is painted on the back of the glass.
All are bright colors in the Folkart tradition.
Painted like stained glass to be hung so the light shines through them if you want!
Most are titled and signed and dated by Mary Paulsen.
She cuts out the glass – she has no training and says she was inspired by a vision from God.
Thank you for reading – next Chapter Three of Mary Gone Wild
Known for her Folkart – Mary has her art in every state of the union and worldwide.
She has donated money from her art to feed tens of thousands of children.
Papa’s World – Mary’s gone wild – Chapter two – next chapter three.
The experience of a lifetime – travel – helps kids and play soccer.
Maddy traveled to Costa Rico – part of her education at college – and with her soccer team.
She raised money for the trip with donations from many people and also knew she would be working
with the underprivileged children of this country.
At the first school children went to – the toilets would not flush and no toilet paper.
Yet the children loved having them as mentors in games and contests.
Maddy as captain – far right outside of the line of players.
They played matches against semi-pros of the country and won two of three matches –
losing 3 to 2 on a put-in from their own team!
This trip will shape her future for years to come.
Along with working with the children – they also had downtime to white water raft –
zip lines and hiking – working out and running on beaches
seeing a volcano and the rainforest.
Maddy is in the back row – fourth in white from the right – team picture of their own team and a mixture of semi-pro and college players from Costa Rico.
LESSONS OF LIFE!
Maddy – on the right holding the American Flag!
She has grown up before our eyes – soon to be a senior and one of the captains of her college soccer team.
3.85 GPA – Environmental Science – Engineering
One last year of college and one last year of playing college soccer.
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Sarah MADDY Ella granddaughters
GRANDDAUGHTER IN COSTA RICO – WORKING WITH CHILDREN – PLAYING SOCCER – LIFETIME EXPERIENCE!
Bode – Cassidy – Taylor and their MorMor – on the waterfront at Oyster Rock.
TWELVE DAYS of non-stop activity – crossing off all that was on the list plus whatever we added!
Ferry rides – Fort Fisher – aquarium – scavenger hunt – arts and crafts at the park – Wonder Works in Boardwalk on the Beach – Lulu’s and playground at Barefoot Landing – Plus Bullys for lunch –
Then there were go-carts – mini golf – beach time – tidal pool – fireworks – golf cart parade – walking and riding bikes – crafts at home – IPAD time –
There was more – twelve days worth – and yes we were exhausted – but even now we miss them.
Marcus – Taylor – Cassidy – Tammy and Bode – were happy to see them.
The parents came for overnight and then headed to Topsail Beach for vacation with Marcus’s family.
The kids were excited as they would see their cousins and grandparents.
Taylor and her MorMor( Sherry) yes – she is tall – eleven years old – and we have two more who are taller than Sherry – her cousins Ella and Sarah!
It was a full twelve days of non-stop going – playing – creating – laughing – and they were so good!
Taylor – Bode – Cassidy – so long – until next summer – but we will see them often in the next 12 months!
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We had lists of things to see and do while they were here for twelve days!
The downtime was also on those lists and arts and crafts for each of them.
Keeping three kids on the go – with rest times.
Bode and the crafts he made – along with his stuffed shark.
While he did the crafts by himself – we had to read a lot of the instructions to him so he would understand them. He will be in second grade in the fall.
He did very well and made the contraption to pick up items from the floor.
Taylor with her crafts – the picture frames they all picked out the colors.
She would much more like to ride a horse but she was game and made the things you see here
even stitching the leather notepad holder.
She is our reader – books and books – always reading.
This is Cassidy’s element – she loves her arts and crafts!
She is so talented – making things – she made the cards – painted the switch plate covers –
painted rocks and copied the American flag that President Bush painted – exactly like he did.
Cassidy’s drawing with a pencil.
Cassidy’s other little girl drawing.
The list was long – but downtime was important and it showed in the arts and crafts.
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Front row seats – 284 decorated golf carts – thousands of people.
We were front row with our chairs and the grandkids were so excited!
Here you see Bode – Taylor – Cassidy and Sherry.
It was a joyous celebration of our nations birthday!
There were also other participates in the parade!
Sherry ( MORMOR) Taylor Cassidy and Bode watching as the parade begins.
As the parade continued – dark clouds were rolling in – thunder in the distance!
The clouds rolled in and the thunder got loud – soon we saw lightening and we headed across the street beneath the wine – beer and coffee shop!
Just before we crossed the street – this man saw me take this picture and his comment was – THIS IS WHAT YOU WILL REMEMBER THE MOST ABOUT THIS PARADE – THUNDER- LIGHTENING- AND POUR DOWN RAIN FROM THESE CLOUDS and he was right – we made it just in time and two houses on the beach were struck by lightening – MOTHER NATURE PREVAILED!
Later that day – sunset – the storm cleared out – we made it back from OIB and all was well!
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OIB – JULY 4th. GOLF CART PARADE – and then the RAIN CAME!
Sherry – Cassidy – Taylor and Bode trying to solve the MAZE on the beach on the 12th. street beach access!
Almost every day weather permitting – for the last 8 to 10 years – a man ( I do not know his name)
appears on the beach with just a shovel and draws these amazing MAZES!
There have been numerous newspaper articles – Facebook and other social pages and stories
of his unique style of PUZZLES on the beach at low tide.
Sherry is about to enter the MAZE and right below to the left is a diagram on how to SOLVE the MAZE!
The diagram also has instructions on how to TURN at each intersection –
you can not just walk straight through – you must turn in any direction.
The instructions are written in the sand – all done by freehand – and with just a shovel!
The articles I have read – he does this as a hobby and for years for his wife until she passed away.
He decided to continue in her memory each day – she would accompany him and test out the MAZE!
I would like to meet him and talk to him!
While we were there for 45 minutes – at least a hundred people stopped and tried to solve the MAZE!
If you are ever on SUNSET BEACH – go to the 12th. street beach access – either drive or walk the beach- and you most likely will come across a lot of people walking THE MAZE – and it is different each day. He says he starts in the middle and just works his way to the outside and they come in straight lines – curves and other forms of drawings!
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PAPA’S WORLD ” THE AMAZING MAZE ON SUNSET BEACH, N.C.”
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