new build

Papa’s World – Memorable moments in pictures!

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Here is Sherry with her oldest daughter – Debby – celebrating her birthday –

at the beach in the summer of 2024.

And this is Tammy – Sherry’s younger daughter – on the beach –

celebrating her birthday in the summer of 2024.

We had the whole family – grandkids and all –

to help celebrate her and my birthdays that summer on the beach.

This was the first beach vacation since the 2020 pandemic, and we were able to be together.

So many times in the past before the Pandemic –

We had gone to beaches for family vacations.

The shirts were designed and made by Ella – our granddaughter.

Hopefully we can do this again in our senior years.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS IN PICTURES!

Wow – years ago – family vacation when the twins were not even walking yet!

This picture also shows GIGI –

Sherry’s mother who after her husband passed away –

Spent winters and family vacations with us.

She sold her home and bought another next to her church –

In Mount Jewett, Pa.

Because it was so cold up there in the wintertime-

We would travel back there and bring her back with us.

She loved the beach vacations with her extended family.

And little Cassidy – being held by Marcus –

As soon as she was able to walk –

would grab GIGI’s hand and walk with her.

Another MEMORABLE MOMENT IN PICTURES!

Christmas decorations of our home in Cameron Woods Community.

When we bought our plans for the house and started building-

We wanted a porch we could sit on during the hot sunny weather-

and it to be shaded.

Also – we did not want stairs to climb up and down in our senior years.

We also needed room for the family to come and stay –

All of them at the same time.

Sherry wanted an office with doors.

We had a one-story home with all of the above in a neighborhood –

Situated close to the beaches – shopping – entertainment –

and golf available –

A home that had the atmosphere of being country – Trees – green lawn –

And neighbors you see walking every day.

Being able to put up lights while being a senior –

This is our home today!

Another MEMORABLE MOMENT IN PICTURES!

In a ten to fifteen minutes drive – we can access two beaches-

Ocean Isle Beach and Sunset Beach.

Both are barrier islands and both have large causeway bridges over the ICW!

We spend many days walking the beaches –

sand – surf and music are available in summer.

We never tire of this – “Hey – do you want to drive over to the beach”?

This has been a dream for years with us.

To be retired and have this is a dream come true.

This is but one example of our life which has created-

ANOTHER MEMORABLE PICTURE!

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Papa’s World – Thoughts in pictures!

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Our living life to the plus is not for everyone – but it suits us!

We left family twice – once in 1999 when we transferred to NVA –

Leaving all family behind – then Sherry’s two daughters followed us to NVA.

Everyone else stayed in Pa.

Soon – other family members from Sherry’s side moved into NVA –

We had many get-togethers while also traveling back to Pa. to see family.

Time moves on – things happen –

2020 the pandemic and recession hit.

Parents pass away – and then a recession hits –

401K takes a dive and the housing market expands.

Time to sell – and tell family we are heading to a warmer climate.

This time they all stay except her sister – who had moved before us to N.C.

Her children had already moved out from NVA.

Our families stayed in NVA and of course,

the Pa. families still lived there.

We knew going in that in order for us to see the families –

we would have to travel.

And hoping the families would come and see us.

So – we decided to make it a seven to eight-hour drive from NVA –

To where we would choose to live.

We had friends who had moved to the Wilmington, N.C. area –

and we visited and loved the whole N.C. and S.C. border region.

By fate,

I found a condo to rent that had a direct view of a long lake –

situated in North Myrtle Beach and a half mile from the beach.

It would give us time to house hunt –

so we made the move.

We had found our area but the housing market did not have anything that didn’t require a remodel.

So – we switched thoughts –

We would check out a billboard –

A new community had what we wanted in a new build for the same price we would buy –

Except we did not have to update.

We could extend our lease month to month –

And get everything we wanted

in a new home

and an area we would be happy with.

In the long run – it worked out better than we could have imagined.

We have a nice house – close to beaches and golfing.

We have made new friends

and have now other old friends living nearby.

Our families from both NVA and Pa. have visited often.

We make trips back to NVA – to see the youngest in the many endeavors they do.

The older ones have come to visit us.

We live our lives – we believe in what we did.

Our senior years are the best we imagined we could have.

Living life to the plus and living life one day at a time as healthy aging as we can.

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PAPA’S WORLD –

my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa’s World – We built our first home – Ridgetop!

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It was 2002 or 2003 – NVA – Fairfax, Va. –

We listed the townhouse and sold it!

We had built our first new home –

A three-story brick fronted Townhouse –

with huge arched windows on the front!

Ridgetop Commons was just one block from Fountain Side Lane –

In a brand-new neighborhood,

we had ridden bike paths through the woods!

We took a giant step forward –

selling our townhouse –

And buying this one for more than we sold the first one for!

But – it was an upgrade –

in a growing neighborhood –

And a brand new town center was being built –

Dozens of stores and restaurants –

walking distance away –

and the ground had been broken for the –

FIRST WEGMANS GROCERY store in Va.!

I would walk and sit on a park bench –

and watch the construction of both the town center and the Wegmans.

The new townhouse was 2500 SF.

On three levels – a two-car garage –

a huge deck off the second level –

and an enclosed patio under the deck.

The windows in the living room were huge arched –

and went almost from floor to ceiling!

On that level was the living room – dining room –

kitchen and a step down to a half bath.

Downstairs was a second living-family room with a fireplace-

and a door out to the patio.

This is also where we had our office.

Upstairs on the third level –

were three bedrooms and two baths.

The master bedroom was huge!

Looking out the windows from the living room –

Was the only fenced-in playground in the community.

A great place for Maddy and Ella to play when they came to visit.

The community pool was a short walk away.

It was here that after living most of our lives in WNY and NWPA –

That we experienced the worst snowfall in our lives!

Twenty-seven inches in 48 hours!

We had company –

Jim and Dottie Brown –

We shoveled for hours –

until we had no more space to put it!

Then it was just sit back and watch it come down.

A huge grader came down the road –

But we still could not get out

We were stranded –

until the county and development came to dig us out!

That was my first time ever with that much snow and it was in Va.!

After that we would go to Florida to visit my brother on vacation-

I had enough of snow- ice and cold weather even in NVA!

We spent almost four years in the first house we had built –

In Ridgetop Commons –

But it was very busy and we looked toward the West –

To Loudoun County and a brand new area being built-

Churches – Banks – Stores – Movie theaters and restaurants in the middle of pastures!

On the back side of the Dulles airport –

BRAMBLETON!

A very large planned community –

But once there – almost no traffic!

Our end was in sight of living in Fairfax, Va. for seven years!

But – I will remember Ridgetop Commons with fondness –

THE VERY FIRST HOUSE WE BUILT TOGETHER.

June 25th. 1982 – the day we were married.

We would leave here and move to the SECOND HOUSE WE WOULD BUILD TOGETHER!

BRAMBLETON, VA. coming soon in a blog!

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Papa’s World – Life at Fountain Side Lane.

/ Tom / Leave a comment

In June of 1999 –

Sherry and I transferred within the company –

To Northern Va. – to the Alexandria section –

just outside Washington, D.C.

We had two months of company-paid living –

in a block of condos.

We used this time for our new jobs –

hers in Dulles next to the airport –

and mine in Springfield at our Alexandria SSC.

We came from the country to city life!

In our spare time, we hired a realtor –

and started our search for a home.

We wanted a place that was halfway to work for both of us.

FAIRFAX, VA.!

What we found was a townhome in the Fountain Side Lane –

Three miles to George Mason University –

two miles to the NRA – building!

STICKER SHOCK – this town home was about 1600 SF.

On three levels – three bedrooms –

and two and one-half baths.

But was centrally located to both our jobs.

It would take me one-half hour to get to work –

and she is about twenty minutes!

It was a nice neighborhood –

walkable to a large town square with stores –

shopping and restaurants.

During our time there-

we rode our bikes on trails in a forest behind the house.

This whole area would become a planned TOWN CENTER –

With dozens of stores and bars and grills-

even a Ruth’s Chris Steak House!

We watched it being built –

and eventually the first WEGMENS in the NVA. area.

It was during this time her sister Debbie –

seen here in the middle-

Relocated from Wisconsin –

and stayed with us for a short time-

until she found a place in the Manassas area.

Her other sister Bonnie remains in NWPA in Mount Jewett.

We experienced two traumatic life-changing events-

while living here.

First was 911 – this happened while we worked in the area –

The plane that hit the Pentagon –

flew right over the parking lot where I worked –

And Sherry was right next to the Dulles airport

One plane took off from there,

and all these large tanks were holding fuel right next to her store.

For days the sound of silence ensued.

No planes –

we traveled to see the Pentagon –

and have a picture of the destruction.

This went on for days –

as no planes –

but the high military jets leaving their presence known-

in the trail of white contrails in the sky!

The next event was the DC. SNIPERS!

We were exactly in the middle of all the killings!

It was all around us –

and not knowing from moment to moment who would be next!

We lived in TERROR!

Always be watchful at the beginning-

of a WHITE VAN!

Rumors – going to work at 5am.

Stopping to get gas –

and crouching down behind the car door –

in the light from the overhead lights.

Here is Maddy –

about five years old –

and just a baby when we moved to the area.

I carried her in my arms –

while walking the streets during the quiet period after 911!

Looking at the jet planes so high in the sky.

Our home here –

we lived in it for three and one-half years.

Tammy moved in with us as she came from Rochester to be near us.

Later Debby and Mike moved down from the Syracuse area with Maddy!

It was here that both sets of parents came to visit –

before they passed away.

We have many fond memories of this first home in Fairfax, Va.

Soon – more family members made their way to this area of NVA.

While here –

we watched a new development –

just behind our house going up –

We liked the new townhomes made out of brick.

S o – we decided to sell –

and buy our first new to-be-built home – a block away!

RIDGETOP COMMONS – a 2500 SF. Town Home!

We would be moving up the hill!

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Coming in another blog – RIDGETOP COMMONS!

Papa’s World – We built on Ridgetop Commons!

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We were going to sell our Fountainside Lane Town house – which we first bought in 1999 –

and build a new townhouse in a new development called Ridgemont Commons!

This was a 2400 SF. – three-story brick townhouse –

and we were to pick the upgrades we wanted.

It was to have a two-car garage and a deck off the second floor with a fenced-in courtyard below it!

This would be the first of three homes we built – and three floors – I would never do that again.

Three floors are a lot of stairs to navigate – but it also was our first and only all-brick home!

This was a brand new neighborhood in the forest behind our first townhouse.

We used to ride the trails through the woods on our bikes!

It was a beautiful home and off the garage – under the staircase was a hidden storage space.

I hired a contractor to cut a hole and install a door so we could access it!

It was about 15 feet long and made a hard right to end up behind the fireplace on the first floor –

We stored a lot down there.

I knew it was there from visiting the construction site –

throughout the process.

This home had three bedrooms – two and one-half baths –

Very large gothic windows on the second floor –

Cherry wood cabinets and granite tops.

We also were within walking distance of a brand new WEGMANS –

and a newly built town center called Fairfax Corners.

We really liked this neighborhood as we could walk to stores – theaters – and places to eat.

But – it was city life – traffic was busy – George Mason University was a couple miles away –

The NRA building was also –

It was just too busy!

We lived here almost four years – we had experienced the DC SNIPER and 9-11 terror here.

It was time to look elsewhere – and there was a brand new development in the countryside-

called “BRAMBLETON, VA.”

They were building an entire small city there –

Once again we put the house up for sale – and put in an offer on what we thought –

“OUR FOREVER HOME TO BE BUILT IN BRAMBLETON, VA.”

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Soon to come – BRAMBLETON, VA. OUR FOREVER HOME – SO WE THOUGHT!

Papa’s World – After all those years – dreams – the good life!

/ Tom / Leave a comment

Oh – okay – it is not that bad! LOL! But a little humor is needed in day-by-day life!

In raising our family – to us, vacation meant “BEACH” – Sun – Sand and Ocean!

I always said while at the beach – “I WANT TO RETIRE AND SELL HOTDOGS ON THE BEACH”!

Well – we retired – all be it in NVA – and that was going to be it – UNTIL ——

Our lifeline was slipping away after the 401K took a hit – over 30% DOWN.

The UPSIDE – the housing market took off – real estate was booming –

IT WAS TIME TO LIST AND SELL OUR DREAM RETIREMENT HOUSE –

and move out of the costly NVA-Loundon County area.

SO WE SOLD – moved in with family for four months –

And then loaded up and went South – to S.C.

To be exact – North Myrtle Beach – and started a search just where we wanted to settle down!

But – the big BUT – in our price range we could not find anything that did not require updating!

In giving – unexpected returns come back – by chance – we stumbled into a new development –

We have always shared what we have – volunteering our services –

Giving what we can – not expecting anything in return –

But – this opportunity came to us – a woman that day had asked for a return of her deposit –

on a lot eight miles from the border of N.C. and S.C. – in Cameron Woods Community –

Ocean Isle Beach, N.C.

As soon as Sherry walked into the model – she loved it – and as soon as we visited the lot –

We put a deposit on it – we had found our new home to be built –

And it was going to cost us less than if we were to buy one already built!

We now had that dream I had of beach living without the hotdogs – being close to two beaches –

and our other dream was to be able to golf – at reasonable prices!

We could purchase what is called FIRST TEE CARDS –

Which give reduce rates on over 50 courses –

a majority of them within 15 to 30 minutes of where we were to build!

This is our story on how we got here – call it luck – good fortune – I call it BLESSED!

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PAPA’s WORLD – AFTER ALL THOSEYEARS – DREAMS – THE GOOD LIFE!

Papa’s World – building a dream near Edenton – golf course and bay.

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Our friends of years and years – bought this lot just outside Edenton, N.C. – at the far end is a canal and access to the bay.

On the far side of the bay – is the Outer Banks. The canal is 800 feet straight back.

Looking across the bay to the Outer Banks – this view is less than a half mile to their lot.

A dream coming true in a little over 1 1/2 years when Dottie retires and construction begins on their dream home.

Right across from their lot sits the number two hole – a par three! I see lots of sitting on the front porch watching the golfers trying to hit the green!

View back up the road to their building lot from the yard at the clubhouse – golfing with a view and boat access to the bay!

Dottie gazing out over the bay to the Outer Banks – her dream coming true – I envision walks here with chairs in the early evening!

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PAPA’S WORLD – BUILDING A DREAM NEAR EDENTON – GOLF COURSE – AND BAY – OUR FRIENDS – THE BROWNS.

Papa’s World – new trails -roads – paths – new neighborhood – new chapter for walking health.

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Our new neighborhood – Cameron Woods – Ocean Isle Beach – mainland side – North Carolina

We decided to walk the new trail at the end of our road before the culdesac.

This winds around the pond and through the woods and back to the pond again.

Leaving our new home and walking down the street to the entrance to the trail – path.
The entrance to the trail head with the pond on the right and headed to the woods.
These lots were our first choice had they been available – but they were all purchased – in fact – someone backed out on our wooded lot and we grabbed it right away as we wanted a private back yard.
This is the smaller of two ponds and maybe a third they are developing – the other larger one is in the new construction area and am hoping this trail will eventually be tied into that one!

The new construction area is just over that treeline which is considered a wetland and is protected and will remain that way.

Into the woods – the path winds through the wooded area and in the shade – a lot cooler on a hot 90 plus day!
Sherry walking the path – birds were everywhere! There were areas where it looked like other paths would be planned and paths expanded.

The walk was about 15 minutes long – not quite a mile – but this is only one place to walk –

the other places all together add up to another 3 or 4 miles!

Here we come out of the woods to the opposite end of the pond from the start.
Now we are walking into the culdesac which is behind the tree line in our back yard.

We also could of chosen a lot back in here – but these houses would of been a later closing date.

Walking back up the street toward our new home which is just beyond the last house you see here along that tree line – that house would be our neighbors house.
The street leading back to the house.
SHERRY CERTIFIED HEALTH COACH almost home – just beyond that white truck.

http://www.sf.juiceplus.com ssherrylynn49@aol.com The Juice Plus Company home based business

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Papa’s World – the trim work is done – the grading complete – doors hung – almost there!

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The dormer siding is done – landscaping in and irrigation done – the grass is in even though I have no pictures!
Before the landscaping and irrigation – the grading – has to be smoothed out!
The irrigation in and being tested – the landscaping in – grass has now been added – as has the garage door – and gutters are on – the lanai has been screened in and painting on inside started!
The trim is done – repairs made to drywall and sanded down – painting has begun! This is the sun room.
The lanai which has since been screened in – Sherry standing where door will be to the open patio and fire pit.

We get daily updates from a neighbor – the Quartz has been delivered – I know there was a wait for the tile!

French doors to the office – this is one of the main reasons we selected this model – along with a front porch! The layout provided us a place for desks for Sherry’s Internet business and a place for me to write!
Nice size trees and one more on the other side of the driveway! I like the bushes – and we will develop the back the way we want to plant – we envision large planters of flowers also.
Sherry standing in the covered front porch which I wanted as I sit on the porch all the time- Love when it is a light rain!
Walking is our way to stay healthy – praying for World peace – loving our family – friends – neighbors!
Hall closet – pantry and kitchen with island – quartz counter tops and 12 inch subway tile for back splash!
Breakfast nook with windows out to the enclosed screened in lanai!

Thank you for reading Papa’s World – WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY – FAMILY MEETS FRIENDS!

MASTER BEDROOM – Tray ceiling – bump out – ceiling fan to be installed – there will be a total of seven ceiling fans to circulate the air when not using the AC!
The left side of the house with landscaping and third tree!

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SHERRY CERTIFIED HEALTH COACH

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Papa’s World – Memories from the last six teen months – Ocean Keyes – S.C. – new home.

/ Tom / Leave a comment
On October 1st. 2020 – this became our new home for nine months!

We had no idea we would end up in North Myrtle Neach.

My friend would ask me WHY we choose there?

Well – the best answer I can give is I came across this condo –

on a site that listed houses and condos for sale!

I expanded the search area and this picture or one like it – came into view!

I showed it to Sherry and we decided right there and then we would rent it!

First – for three months – then we extended it to five months –

all because we looked and looked and decided it was just as good to build –

as it was to buy! We could have what we wanted and not upgrade someone’s home!

So – we made our choice in Cameron Woods – across the border into N.C.

It would be a brand new build and we set about making our selections –

and at that time we extended our lease until the end of June!

Which would be a total of nine months!

We tried very hard to stay in this area – but cost and being too close to the Ocean

played a big part in where we ended up!

We are with in four miles to a beach and six miles to another beach!

We can drive one half hour back here to North Myrtle Beach.

We are in a new development – and right in the middle of a dozen golf courses!

We are in the country but a mile and one half to a gas station and a couple miles to a Publix!

In November we signed our contract and made all our selections.

We are on schedule for a early June closing!

We will walk a beach everyday – which has been our dream – we have a community of neighbors we have already met.
Our new home – roof done – siding almost done – stacked stone done – doors and windows – done – plumbing done – electrical done – insulation done – dry wall to start and by the time this is published – will be done – as will most of the inside – outside trim – almost done – utilities – connected – we are almost there!

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Papa’s World – visit to the new build – roof is done – siding half done – insulation this week!

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Every Sunday we go to Cameron Woods where our new home is being built – no one is working on Sunday so we can look it over outside and inside – and our builder calls us each Monday to give us a update. That way we can ask questions if we see something and get answers without meeting in person.

Here is the front – siding in entrance way is done – roof shingles done – back and side siding half done.

The right side of the house – back to front – breakfast nook – kitchen – window laundry room and then the garage.

At the rear will be the covered – screened in lanai.

The covered – screened in Lanai with the back door and then the open patio. To the right is the breakfast nook and kitchen – all windows.
To the right – covered Lanai – open Patio and windows of the sun room – then the master bedroom.
The rear – Master bedroom and going to the front – master bath – bedroom 2 and then bath two and then bedroom 1.

They have told us we still are looking at early June for closing!

Keeping fingers crossed!

We are in the condo until end of June – we have a storage unit 3 miles from the new build.

If needed – friends have offered us a place to stay.

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WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY

FAMILY MEETS FRIENDS!

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Sherry – CERTIFIED HEALTH COACH SSC for THE JUICE PLUS COMPANY

HEALTH ans NUTRITION AGING HEALTHY

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SHERRY’S CONTACT EMAIL FOR BUSINESS: ssherrylynn49@aol.com