Side by side – over 40 years – making memories together.
The time has rushed by – youth to middle age to now autumn years – together as one.
Here we are today – but we were there 40 years ago – starting a journey – bound by love – together in spirit.
Spending time with family in those early years – continues today – although they are gone – memories still exist of the good times – the fun times and the love of each other. Sherry’s mother and father – Bill and Barb.
Today we have become what her parents were to our children and now us to their children.
All of the grandchildren – Christmas at our home in Brambleton, Va.
Past memories – past family gatherings – looking to the present and future of family times to come.
The present – doing what we love – golfing together.
Just the two of us during the week – afternoons – we are right in the middle of 20 plus golf courses.
The present also brings us to a small bar 1 1/2 miles from the house – watching the BILLS with friends.
A step outside of this small bar – to observe the sunset next to the small airport of OIB.
We are here now in OIB – making new friends – members of a church – exploring the area –
doctors are here now – life is going on – making new memories – but never forgetting the past ones.
We have managed to be 6 to 8 hours away from the family – but we have room for all of them.
Beaches – golfing – hiking – entertainments – venues – shopping – we are excited to share all of that.
Inviting fire on a chilly night
Thanks for reading Papa’s World: MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog MY CONTACT: fitztdf@aol.com
I have always been a history buff – ancient history – but also family history.
My sister and brother were fifteen and ten years older than me.
So when I came along I had missed the family fishing trips to Canada each year.
And my sister became the family photo taker and camera buff.
All the family history was passed down to my sister’s daughter and then suddenly she passed away.
Unknown to me – a friend of their family cleaned out everything and threw it away.
Everything was gone except the few pictures I had and my brother had.
I decided that what happened there would not happen for me and my family.
So – by being encouraged by my wife Sherry – we set up this blog – where all the family history and pictures can be in one place for all to see and read.
Sherry and Papa ( Tom)
She has encouraged me to write it down along with pictures for future generations to look back on.
Our family before Bode
I have two sons from a previous marriage – Troy and Shawn who still live back in NWPA.
Shawn runs an energy company contracting out to the state and large power companies.
Running state audits and working through state grants to insulate senior citizens’ homes from the harsh winters.
He covers the entire western part of Pa.
Troy – built homes from the ground up – anything you wanted he could do.
After years of doing this ( he was in high demand) Shawn talked him into coming to work for him –
His business has grown to almost seven days a week.
Troy runs the insulation and energy side while Shawn concentrates on the Audit side.
Troy is learning that side and taking tests and courses to also step in and help.
I am very proud of both these boys and trying to talk them into taking a break and coming down for a visit.
Shawn and Trisha ( our daughter-in-law)
Winterizing homes in Eastern USA for the elderly has become big business – conserving energy
on the power grid for major corporations in order to provide heat and electricity –
He has tapped into a business that for him is seven days a week.
He constantly is looking to hire people and train as auditors.
Troy started working for him a couple years ago.
If anyone is looking for a career out there – contact me – fitztdf@aol.com and I will put you in contact with him – he travels the whole western part of Pa. North to South.
Shawn ( young one ) and Troy – my sons back in NWPA!
For them I write – post pictures and give them memories that I still have in my head.
Ryan – our oldest grandson
Ryan lives in Tenn. and we have stayed in touch with him – he manages a hotel
and recently opened a bar – restaurant business with two other partners.
We attended his wedding a few years ago in Nashville, Tenn.
He has visited us once a few years ago – he served his country
and is like his father(Shawn) making his own way in the business world.
Dylan Shawns youngest son
He just spent four years in the service and is now out – living with his mother or in that area.
He reminds me so much of Shawn.
While we do not often get to see either one – both are in our memories and hearts.
Hoping they can come and stay with us in the future.
Bode – the youngest grandchild from Tammy – is the only boy with five granddaughters.
He is all boy – cars – trucks – bikes – and always without shoes and socks – even in winter! LOL
Bode’s parents and sisters and their puppy Marley.
Debby and Mike and their three daughters – Ella – Sarah and Maddy
This is my “WHY” for writing this blog – my memories put forth in words and pictures for all these grandkids and our children to read in the future.
Life in pictures in words – memories – past – present and future to come.
I want to thank my wife who is the driving force behind this blog.
SMILES – LAUGHTER – PEACE – HARMONY and POSITIVE THOUGHTS!
That is WHAT PAPA’S WORLD is all about.
THANKS FOR READING and being member of PAPA’S WORLD: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
While we differ on many issues – the one thing that brings us together is being friends – the other is love and finally understanding and respect – admiration and equality!
1981 – was our first date – 16 months later – we married.
June 25th. 1982
FRIENDS – then and still today – my best friend.
LOVE – forty years later – still love each other.
UNDERSTANDING AND RESPECT – she smiles – often – she laughs often –
She understands me – guides me – I get lost! lol
I respect her – guide when I am able –
She in turn respects my thoughts – cares and understandings.
Debby Papa Sherry
ADMIRATION AND EQUALITY – two aspects that I have based my life on.
Both of these two are leaders – mother and daughter – SSC and QMND – The Juice Plus Company.
Home based business done over the internet – no inventory – just take a order – submit – everything
else is done by the company – they even collect the payment – 26 years in business- 21 countries. SOLID!
Today we have started building a new home – in Ocean Isle Beach – N.C.
We – one year ago – had no thoughts of doing this – both are in our early ’70’s.
Things happen and change – roll with the flow – relocate – but still only a day away from family.
Our first purchases for our new home.
We have been busy – planning – buying furniture to be delivered – as we had sold all of ours!
We will miss this view – but – we have enjoyed it for nine months! MEMORIES!
Today we continue our journey – in a couple months we will celebrate 39 years of marriage.
Thank you for reading Papa’s World
I will continue the story in the next blog.
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My thought in life – think young – smile – be involved with your grand kids – and look for the positives and let the negatives roll off your back !
Every day in my life – I look for what is funny and positive – keeping a open mind – I avoid News Channels – seeking information on my own.
I have come to maintain my healthy living style with my wife – Sherry – who is a certified Health Coach – thank goodness for that.
This June will be our 37 th. anniversary – seems like only yesterday – and next week I turn 70 and in two months she also turns 70.
In marriage as in life – compromise is a must – as is laughter – and in our case travel and family – most important to us is family. We have a close group of a few friends – trying to get together every four or five months.Since we are scattered about over a 400 mile range – sometimes that can be a little daunting.
Our family where we live consists of Five grand daughters and the newest – and only Boy ! As you can guess – he has all our hearts. Both mother’s and their mother – whom is called MORMOR ( Swede for Mother’s Mother) promote healthy living and eating. ALL are on the product called Juice Plus – as well as the Omega’s – from Algae – not fish oil – and try to be gluten free.
The oldest does not eat meat – and has signed a letter of intent to play soccer at the University of Lynchburg in Va. We have two more soccer players – a gymnastic – who all the time is doing gymnastic moves – a Equestrian – and a Ballet and Modern dancer.
They are very important to us and I can honestly say – their youth keeps us young in body and mind.
June 25 th. 1982
The years have flown by – we are now watching our grand children going off to college. But – the legacy that we brought forth almost 13 years ago – has been instilled in each and every one of them as well as their parents.
Today – we are living life to the plus one day at a time – walking 3 plus miles a day – doing shreds ( getting rid of toxins ) going dairy free and gluten as much as we can.
And – for me – sharing good thoughts – smiles and interesting family – friends and my life blogs.
My motto through life :
” Do all the small things well and they in turn will take care of the larger things ” ! Hope you enjoyed the read – HGD !!!!
Me – 1967 – second shift – American Olean Tile Co.
WOW – 52 years ago – over one half century – and in a few days – 70 becomes the new norm and new start of a decade. So much has changed – so much has come and gone.
I started and ended my career with the same company 47 1/2 years later !
And it is were I met and married my second wife – we celebrate 37 years next month.
On our wedding day June 25, 1982.
Sherry and I started dating in April of 1981 – we had found out in passing that we both were going through a divorce by accident. I worked in Shipping and she in payroll – as I was passing her desk – one of the other ladies said to me – “I hear you are getting a divorce” !
I answered ‘ YES” and then went my way – she quietly observed this and when she brought my shipping orders out – she told me ” I overheard . I am also getting a divorce” – to which I relied ” Then we should go and have a drink and talk about it ” !
Oahu – 2 years ago – North Shore
That began a 15 month process of dating – engagement the following December at Christmas time – and marriage in June the following year. All the while juggling two divorces and inter mixing four children into one family. My two sons and her two daughters. WE DID IT ! Not easy – but the results have been fantastic. My two sons still live back in NWPA & her two daughters both followed us South to NVA. My son runs a energy company with state contracts for the elderly and my other son has joined him. One can build a entire house from the ground up – he did not get that from me – and the other is a ranked pool player in his spare time who travels the entire country winning his way to Vegas a half dozen times.
Our two daughters are also very successful – the eldest followed her mother into the health and nutrition field and most likely will attain National Marketing Director for the Juice Plus Company at the conference in Austin Texas in October. Our other daughter also followed their mother – but she – one year ago -opened up a franchise https://www.facebook.com/529KidsConsignLoudoun/ near where we live. She maintains both the Health & Nutrition business and her new
store which is coming up up the one year anniversary. In our very busy lives – we have managed to change our lifestyle in eating – giving up a lot of what I had eaten for 35 years or more.
About to turn 70
Sherry is my rock and has been all these years – by accident we learned of one another’s dilemma – we ventured forward on a whim – and soon became friends – she is my best friend – we combined a family – and 13 years ago – she changed our lifestyle to a healthy one. She is the guiding force and well respected as a Certified Health Coach – she is a pillar to her TEAM -known and loved by all as “MAMA BEAR ” !
Just a part of her nationwide Juice Plus Company team known as TEAM GENERATIONS
In a short while on 5 -7 -49 I will turn 70 years old – and another WE WERE MET TO BE TOGETHER ” sign – she will turn 70 on 7 – 5 – 49 !!
We eat healthy – we love healthy and we promote health. Our family in NVA has followed us not only here – but also on the pathway of HEALTH & NUTRITION ! Soon – in October – the oldest will attain the highest level in the Juice Plus Company -living life to the plus as I call it.
We attended Debby Taylor Myers promotion for the Juice Plus Company to QNMD – our oldest daughter
This is my story – this is my life – well – part of it – many other chapters to tell
My sincere thank you to my wife and our family – a new lifestyle 13 years ago and a new life 37 years ago. I am the most lucky man in the World or so I believe – and I am WINNING OFF THE FIELD ! Thank you – enjoy & HGD !
If you would like to be a part of her team – Sherry Fitzsimmons
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