North Carolina

Papa’s World – Being a senior!

/ Tom / Leave a comment

My dream since I was in my twenties!

I would kid to my wife –

“I WANT TO SELL HOT DOGS ON THE BEACH”!

We would take yearly vacations –

To a beach.

I found myself counting down the days as soon as we got there.

I formed an idea in my head-

“Someday” – I will be able to spend every day at the beach if I choose to.

I would be the one sitting on the sand and watching those folks –

Packing up after a week and leaving to go back home!

Our SENIOR years are now just like that.

We live maybe four or five miles from the beach.

No traffic and in ten minutes we are standing on the sand.

My dream has come true in my senior years!

We still travel back to NVA for the holidays.

And they all travel down to spend time with us.

Our plan for moving South-

Was to be within a six to eight-hour drive –

For us to go home-

Or family to come down to us.

As we advance in our senior years –

We might have to curtail the traveling!

But for now,

We are still able to do the trips back and forth.

Home is where our hearts are.

Blue skies- white clouds –

Sunshine- warm weather-

Hardly any snow or ice.

Yes- it can and is cold during periods of time.

But with a jacket, gloves, and scarf-

I can manage-

Taking them off as the day warms up!

Being a senior-

It seems that the cold affects me more and more each year!

My two sons –

Troy on the left and Shawn on the right-

Still live back in NWPA where they grew up!

Both have been down once or twice.

And both will come for more visits.

Love them always.

That is why our beach chairs sit high rather than low to the sand! LOL

Being a SENIOR –

And for the past TWENTY YEARS-

We have taken this supplement –

To obtain healthy nutrition in our senior years.

For more INFO-

https://sfitzsimmons.juiceplus.com

The sand – surf – call us.

What was a dream for all those years-

Is today a reality!

Closer to 80 than 70!

Dreams do come true –

Living life to the plus in our senior years.

Thanks for reading-

PAPA’S WORLD –

My site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

HAVE A GREAT DAY!

Papa’s World – Living – IN THE SOUTH!

/ Tom / Leave a comment

The beach – the ocean – warmer climate- hardly any snow or ice-

Golfing in the winter months –

Walking in sunshine with a coat and scarf-

Getting too warm and taking them off!

Blue skies – white fluffy clouds-

Watching thunderstorms rolling in!

Shows – music – entertainment-

Friends nearby.

These are just a few of the many things I associate with living in the South!

We wanted to be within a day’s drive from family in NVA!

The deep south was too far.

Being close to beaches was a plus.

Shopping – doctors and medical facilities.

Cities we could travel to if we wanted.

We chose the border of N.C. and S.C.

It can be hot in mid-summer –

But that is offset by being comfortable in mid-winter.

Our decades-old friends are 35 minutes to 3.5 hours away.

We still manage to get together several times a year.

The closer ones are about once a month.

We have made many new friends –

And other close friends from NVA have moved nearby!

We have downsized to one level –

With enough room for family!

In a community that is both quiet and has protected wetlands.

You see here behind the house,

Trees that are protected!

We feel we made the right choice!

We are happy here.

Friends and family visit.

The weather is to our liking-

Neither one of us likes the cold.

Andrea and Troy – my oldest son!

They will visit once again in the future!

Sunsets – this is our life in the South!

Our senior years are now here.

As the days begin and end

We are truly living in the South.

Thanks for reading –

PAPA’S WORLD-

my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

PAPA’S WORLD – LIVING IN THE SOUTH-

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Papa’s World – Living life in the South!

/ Tom / Leave a comment

After we moved to NVA in 1999-

Around 2010-

We purchased our first Tower Garden-

A growing system that uses water, air, and nutrients –

NO SOIL!

IN the late spring – summer and early fall –

This worked well with the temperatures!

But during the winter –

As you see in the above picture-

We moved it inside the garage-

With grow lights and an aquarium heater.

That also worked.

In 2021, we moved into our new home in Cameron Woods Community!

Above this is the back patio.

It is here that we set up the Tower Garden in 2021.

It has been producing ever since.

Every four to six months-

We tear it apart –

Clean it up –

And then start all over again.

In reality –

It now produces twelve months a year, and we are now four and one-half years later.

Sherry – Dottie and Cindy.

We all now live in the state of N.C.

Having moved South from Pa. and NYS.

Friends and neighbors for decades and decades!

We try to get together every so often or go on trips!

Friendships – laughter and close buddies for all these years, and now living in the South!

The skies of the South in the West are close to the Atlantic Ocean in our community!

Because of the curvature of the coast from Charleston, S.C. –

To Wilmington, N.C.-

The back of our home faces almost due South!

This is looking to the West from the road in front of our home.

It is rare to live on the East Coast and yet have the back of your house face South!

LIVING LIFE IN THE SOUTH!

Our choice of a nutrient and healthy supplement for twenty years.

For information – email and phone number-

GO TO: https://sfitzsimmons.juiceplus.com

Living here in our community-

We have open-air concerts from mid-May to mid-September.

The weather is why we have concerts –

Very few in the five years we have been here have been canceled only to be rescheduled at a future date.

LIVING IN THE SOUTH!

This will be our last move –

Having moved seven times –

Built three homes –

Lived in a condo for a short while.

Coming from WNY and growing up in NWPA!

LIFE IN THE SOUTH suits us!

Thanks for reading –

PAPA’S WORLD –

my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa’s World – Some more good times in pictures!

/ Tom / Leave a comment

This picture not only shows Cassidy – Sarah and Taylor

when they were younger –

But was taken in Sherry’s mother’s backyard.

Every spring time this bush bloomed with purple flowers.

Looking out the breakfast room window off the kitchen –

You could see this huge bush-like tree.

Back in NWPA in the Swedish settlement of Mount Jewett –

a place we would return to often after moving to NVA!

This town was settled by immigrants from Sweden in the 1800s.

Her mother lived in this house after Sherry’s father passed away.

The house was right behind the Lutheran church

and Barb would walk out of her side door

and fifty feet at the side entrance to the church.

It is a small town –

today –

most all the store Fronts are vacant.

But – we have so many good memories of the town –

the house and her mother’s presence there.

MORE GOOD MEMORIES!

Sherry hits the golf ball –

you can see the flight it takes –

look at two o’clock from her head-

As the flight takes it to the center of the fairway.

What makes this a good memory for us –

Is this in OHAU –

on a course in the mountains?

Part of this course is in the rainforest –

it actually was raining on that part-

the other part not raining.

Those mountains were quite high

and the cliffs

were where tribal battles were fought among the different islands.

The tribe from OHAU was forced to retreat there

and eventually forced over the cliff

to their deaths.

We saw wild pigs –

mongooses – exotic birds.

Many of the holes –

I just took a stroke and went to the other side of the ravine-

It was a 200-plus-yard carry over the ravine!

You can see how lush the course is.

We can now say we played golf

in the middle of the ocean on OHAU!

ANOTHER GOOD MEMORY!

Back in Olean at DAL-TILE –

formerly American Olean Tile Co.-

We worked with artist Eric Jones

who was in the design department –

which made ceramic murals

out of the small tiles we manufactured –

You can submit a picture

and he would make it real with the tiles.

Today he runs his own business back in WNY –

Every winter he does snow sculptures –

The Buffalo Bills come to mind!

Here is one he did that portrays the mascot-

of the SAINT BONAVENTURE BASKETBALL TEAM!

His snow sculptures are in demand

from corporations and he also has been on TV-

Where he carved pumpkins and won the challenge.

A very gifted artist who also does caricatures.

This is another GOOD MEMORY!

Our life together spans some 43-plus years –

a second marriage for both of us –

two sets of children –

her two girls and my two sons.

Our journey together-

has taken us through six different houses –

and one condo.

Three of the houses we had built.

We span four states –

five if you count the state we were raised in.

We have many friends –

some closer than others.

We worked a combined 79 1/2 years for the same company

and retired from that company.

We worked in NYS and NVA.

Today we are in OIB – N.C.

near the border of S.C.

We enjoy exploring – entertainment in NMB –

and Wilmington.

We travel back and forth to NVA

where most of the family and grandkids are.

We golf – go to the beach

and volunteer for the Protection of Sea Turtles –

Coastal living for seniors –

helping out at the store and library.

And through our church –

the Brunswick County Food Pantry.

Living a Meaningful Senior Life –

provides MORE GOOD MEMORIES!

On OHAU – traveling together

and making GOOD MEMORIES!

Thanks for reading –

PAPA’S WORLD –

my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa’s World – Thoughts in pictures!

/ Tom / Leave a comment

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.

Thanks for reading –

PAPA’S WORLD –

my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa’s World – A look back and around!

/ Tom / Leave a comment

It was only by chance that we found the entrance to what would be our third home,

which we had built together.

We lived in a top-floor condo at Ocean Keyes in North Myrtle Beach.

We really liked it there.

We had a wonderful view of a lake with fountains in it.

Swans – geese – ducks – a lot of big fish we could look down at from our Lanai which was screened in.

We had three bedrooms and two full bathrooms.

A dining area and a kitchen – washer and dryer –

The living room had huge glass sliding doors as did the Master Bedroom –

All went out to an enclosed-screened Lanai that went the full width of the condo.

We were on the top floor – the fourth floor with two elevators right outside of our front door.

We would walk the streets inside the gate – along the lake –

past six swimming pools – a large tennis court-

A community workout area.

750 condos were here and most were second homes for out-of-state owners.

Very few people lived there full-time.

This was the Pandemic in 2020 and we almost had it all to ourselves.

The downside was we had no garage and storage.

After we went out the back gate – two blocks and we were standing on the sand of the beach.

The same for the town – we would be on the main street – all the bars – grills and shopping were there.

There were times in the nine months we were there –

That we could hear live music from that street –

Slowly the Pandemic was loosening its grip.

We pondered living here – there were units available for sale –

The HOA fee was very high – $470.00 a month.

Security was excellent.

The location was great – but we were so close to the beach and storms.

We started searching!

So – we ventured across the border into N.C. –

Where over 30 golf courses were available.

We purchased the First Tee Card – and we could play at reduced rates on these courses.

It was then we hired a realtor and told her we liked that area –

“What could she show us”?

One after another we visited – some were okay –

most needed upgrades – they were dated.

We were not having any luck –

The last one we looked at was a Condo and a house in Sea Trails.

The condo was first floor – on a fairway – a nice big Lanai –

but the pictures of the rooms were deceiving!

They were small – 12 by 12 living room and even smaller kitchen

It was cut up into small rooms.

It would not do and the single-story house we looked at –

The floor was spongy – the woodwork was all marked up.

Too much work needed to be done.

That is when we told her – to give us some options back toward Leland and Magnolia Greens.

This would be where our longtime friends lived.

After she left – I said to Sherry – I had seen a billboard advertisement –

Brand New to build homes in Cameron Woods Community by Real Star.

This was a little bit higher than what we planned on spending but would be considered our high price range.

And we had options – we could get what we wanted –

Be in the area of 30 golf courses – and ten minutes to two beaches.

And it was five minutes from Sea Trails where we were looking.

We were well into our senior years of life –

We wanted a warm climate – no snow – no ice and the ability to walk the beach as long as we could.

We turned right out of Sea Trails drove five minutes and were at Cameron Woods Community.

They were less than two years into building this community.

We went through the gate and into the parking lot of the model.
Not knowing anything about RealStar – Sherry immediately loved the model and how it was built!

The realtor told us that morning a customer had withdrawn their downpayment and a lot was available-

That would be built on soon!

We went to see it and soon saw that the Sun traveled east To West over it –

The house would face North and the rear would face South toward the ocean.

This Beach area is unique in that it faces the Ocean toward the South –

Because of the way the coast curves from Charleston to Wilmington!

That means the front porch would be shaded most of the day.

I wanted a front porch to sit on and Sherry wanted an office.

We both got that in the model we chose.

We would be 40 miles from our long-time friends –

Buck and Cindy McBride at Magnolia Greens.

That would mean golfing – dinner and shows as they liked our area to golf in –

And there are dinner theaters and shows in the NMB area as well as in Wilmington!

We decided then and there to put the money down – contacted our realtor and told her –

We still required her services and told the RealStar agent that.

In a little over nine months from moving into the condo –

We were in our third house that we had built-

1910 SF. Exactly the upgrades we wanted (that changed when RealStar sold out to Lennar)

Papa on the front porch he wanted to be able to sit on in the sun.

Our senior retirement home in Cameron Woods Community –

Today the major portion is all built out and resales happening,

Out front on Old Georgetown road – two-story townhomes with garages are being built and sold.

This phase is almost complete –

However another sister community is being built next to ours called-

Cameron Woods Pines.

All the trees have been harvested –

learned out – an emergency access road is being installed with a gate just behind the dog park-

and pond at Cameron Woods Community.

A walking trail will give access to both communities for walking.

Looking at the setting sun from our home in OIB- Cameron Woods Community.

We are home.

PAPA’S WORLD –

my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa’s World – Life to the Plus!

/ Tom / Leave a comment

We decided to move further South – all the way down to the border of N.C. and S.C. – OIB!

We are eight miles to the border – and in the other direction – 8 miles to big box shopping!

And – we hear in that area – a Costco is coming!

We are close to two beaches – OIB and Sunset Beach and several others.

North Myrtle Beach is thirty minutes away – and Wilmington is forty-five minutes!

A view from the pier at Sunset Beach and in the distance the tall building is Ocean Isle Beach.

In ten minutes we are on OIB and fifteen minutes Sunset Beach.

We are in the middle of 30 golf courses and with our FIRST TEE card we can play most of them at a big discounted rate.

Neither one of us likes the cold – ice and snow and down here we get very little of any of it!

It does get cold with windchill – but when the sun is out – it feels warm.

We own no snow shovels!

We grow our Tower Garden all twelve months – and now are growing Cucumbers and Lettuce.

Allowing us to eat our own pest-free produce!

This flower has just completed its second year of growing – and we will continue through the winter months – covering it when necessary.

We are from WNY and NVA and follow the Bills and the Commanders.

I love sports and I still am a big Saint Bonaventure Basketball fan and follow them year to year.

LIVING LIFE TO THE PLUS one day at a time – PAPA’S WORLD – my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa’s World – Our lifestyle in N.C.!

/ Tom / Leave a comment

Diane and Sherry – it is indeed a small world!

Diane and her husband Steve are from WNY –

close to where we raised our family.

They still maintain a cottage on Rushford Lake.

They visit all the sites we did living there.

And – when we moved in –

They were there to greet us –

living but three houses from our new home!

Thus – our life in N.C. became a bit friendlier-

Having them as new friends!

Today we have another couple as friends that lived near us in NVA!

Ginger and Jason have built a house in Brunswick Forest –

Across the street from Magnolia Greens ( where our long time friends the McBrides have lived for years)

They are here during the winter months and in warm weather go North to Maine –

where they have a summer cottage.

Friends from back home!

Our life has changed from our first “RETIREMENT” home in NVA-

to our new “RETIREMENT” home in N.C.

Mainly because of the Pandemic and the partial recession that followed

Our 401K took a hard hit-

while our “RETIREMENT” home gained a large increase in value –

So we sold and sought out a warmer climate.

That is how we ended up in our new home close to the border of S.C. and N.C.

After all these years – over four decades –

We still have our close friends whom we get together every four months!

And now our oldest friends and us all live in the state of N.C.

Making it even more possible to plan get-togethers!

We are now all mostly retired-

All living our dreams –

Retirement in the warm South.

And the area is growing by leaps and bounds!

Making a housing shortage while property values increase-

making our new “RETIREMENT” home more valuable!

But – we are staying put and enjoying our lives to the plus every day!

Thank you for reading –

Papa’s World –

my site: livinglifedoingitmyway. blog

PAPA’S WORLD – OUR LIFESTYLE IN NORTH CAROLINA!

Papa’s World – A look at life in the Carolinas!

/ Tom / Leave a comment

It is Christmas season – blue skies – white fluffy clouds – warm sunshine –

It’s where we wanted to be –

No snow – a little chilly until the sun is noon high –

No ice and a slight breeze.

We can also walk the beaches –

Robins are in the yards –

A lot of birds at the feeders.

Best of all –

I GAVE MY SNOW SHOVEL AWAY TO THE MOVERS FROM NVA!

Walking the beach with friends –

Long sleeves but shorts on –

A light jacket but sandals!

Later that day – GOLFING!

This is living in THE CAROLINAS!

When friends visit in October –

You walk the paths –

You see the colors of fall –

But – a lot of this GREEN is year-round!

Warm days are much like cool summer days back North.

We choose to live here near the border of N.C. and S.C.

Beaches – golf courses and shopping!

We can go to entertainment venues in Myrtle Beach or Wilmington!

LIVING IN THE CAROLINAS!

Our community is full of retirees-

Mostly from the North.

Some still work remotely from their homes.

We volunteer in many different ways.

From May to October –

You can find us at the beach –

THE PROTECTION OF SEA TURTLES!

Other times it is the FOOD PANTRY.

The Coastal Living for the Elderly.

We gathered donations for WNC and the hurricane that devastated that area.

Living here has offered us many different ways to live in retirement.

This is some of the “WHY” we moved to the Carolinas.

A Christmas present from a close friend and neighbor Daine and Steve.

They actually still have a cottage on Rushford Lake in WNY-

Close to where we lived and raised the kids.

Now – they are here in the late fall and into late spring –

Then back to WNY –

They know all the places that we frequented when we lived there!

A small world as they live but three houses from us now.

We now live in the present –

Cherish each day as it passes and look forward to the coming day.

Our calendar is full – We like it that way.

Living as healthy as we can –

Aging healthy –

Living life one day at a time-

and Living LIFE to the plus each and every day!

A salute to you that read my blogs!

Writing positively –

Good vibes –

Life experience-

And for the family and future generations to come.

Thank you for reading PAPA’S WORLD –

my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa’s World – Living life one day at a time!

/ Tom / 3 Comments

We have what I consider many friends!

Some are closer than others –

but all are welcome to our home!

So – we choose to spend our time with those friends –

while also making new friends!

FAMILY is important to us also!

We built our last three homes with that in mind!

We have bedrooms and baths to accommodate those Families and friends!

And – in the over three years we have been in this home –

it has been filled up many times with those family and friends!

To us – that is LIVING ONE DAY AT A TIME –

with Family and Friends!

Our family – friends

-friendly home in OIB!

We choose this model for a couple reasons.

It had three bedrooms ( but only two baths)

It has an enclosed office-

where we can put a blow-up mattress!

We have what is called a Sunroom –

with a pull-out Queen-sized bed!

We have another pull-out single couch mattress –

in our bedroom!

With all of those,

we can sleep ELEVEN –

and could use the couch for one more!

We also have an enclosed three-season room-

where a single blowup mattress could serve as a bed!

And important to me was the covered front porch-

that had shade most of the day!

The only downside –

was we could only get the two bathrooms with this model!

Thus our planning for building our home is LIVING LIFE ONE DAY AT A TIME!

Sherry and I volunteer our time and services.

The Protection for Sea Turtles –

From mid-May to October –

We are at the beach –

either walking to report TURTLE CRAWLS and Nests –

To sit on the beach from 7pm. to 11pm.-

for those nests to hatch –

and making sure the little Sea Turtles make it to the ocean!

We also volunteer for Coastal Living –

A facility that has assisted living for the elderly!

Sherry helps with the monthly store for residents –

where they use their earned credits –

to purchase all types of items donated and clothing!

This gives them the feeling of shopping –

even though they are with walkers and wheelchairs.

I go in once a month –

and organize the Library –

making it easier to select books-

by saying mystery – western – romance, etc.

I also arrange the puzzles –

according to how many pieces there are –

most like the 300 as they are bigger pieces!

After Hurricane Helena hit WNC in the mountains –

We started donations –

and bought supplies

to be taken by locals by truck into the WNC mountains –

And then we hooked up with friends-

from Hickory, N.C. –

Who would purchase supplies –

Take them to the airport –

where small helicopters flew them into areas that could not be reached.

They also found ways to drive themselves-

into areas that needed assistance!

Together – we would send them donations to purchase supplies –

And we raised almost $4000.00!

This I call LIVING ONE DAY AT A TIME!

View to the East from our front driveway!

I want to thank each and every one of you –

for following my BLOGS!

Some 648 of you Worldwide!

I am blessed –

to be able to once a day-

bring POSITIVE WRITINGS INTO BOTH MY WORLD –

AND YOUR WORLD ACROSS THE GLOBE!

Thank you –

Papa’s World –

my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa’s World – it came – it went – and then it came back

/ Tom / Leave a comment

It was in the ’80’s – I believe ’83 or ’84 – we gathered a group of us – my sister and her husband Bill – My brother – my friend Jim and wife Dorothy. And – John Murphy and a few more.

We rented this house at the Outer Banks of N.C. Now – Sherry and I had gone in ’82 – with a whole load of my brother’s friends. And we went back to the same house as it was right across the road from the beach.

Cindy – ( Not there) Jim ( there) Sherry ( there) Dorothy ( there)

We had no children with us – just adults – and a few brews ! The week was friends and family – and it started off with a volleyball game in the sand at the rear of the house. Then – on the second day – we got the news flash – a storm was coming – a big storm – could be a HURRICANE !

Winter in Pa.

Now – we all are from the North – Penna. – N.W. – in the snow belt – where if you mention storm – it most likely is SNOW and or BLIZZARD ! We very seldom get the HURRICANE effect except in ’72 – Agnes !

In NWPA – you live with snow every day – and this was all new to us. We went to the fire department – got a chart – yes – we were going to chart it – when it got close we would leave !

GRAB A BEER – head to the beach – Sun – warm breeze – surf – what else could you want !

As the week went on – the notice got worse – voluntary evacuation – you have to understand –

we had been planning this for a year – it was our vacation – a time where you only got two weeks vacation a year !

RED SKY IN THE MORNING – SAILOR TAKE WARNING

Our chart was up to date – we had the radio on tuned to a station 24 hours a day – the TV also – it was kind of fun plotting the course – seeing the path as it came up from the Gulf.

But we were some 800 miles away from it ! And the weather was beautiful – never mind that NONE of us had unpacked – we were living day to day out of our suitcases !

Then – it changed – to the good – it had turned and was going out to sea – we were saved – no worries – celebrate – it was Tuesday – had the next four days – Sun – brews- unpack – head to the beach.

We turned the radio off – packed the chart up – and got up Wednesday morning to a beautiful RED SKY !

Something was up – turned radio back on – it had turned and was heading right off the coast to where we were. The wind picked up – the roads closed and we were stuck. We could not get out !

There it sat 150 miles due East -the waves were getting bigger – the wind – well some shutters blew off – yes it was scary –

but we hunkered down and then it was over. The beach across the road – part of it was gone with a good five foot drop off.

LESSON LEARNED – DON’T DRINK AND CHART A HURRICANE

Well – it was over – we still had a couple days left – we learned that these things can and are dangerous – we thought we were all right – but they change in a instant.

That was my first and last time with a HURRICANE – today – we still go to the beach – but we always check the weather – and if it seems to be coming – we do not go.

Some have passed on – the rest – we are still friends from all those years ago. We still get together every 4 to 6 months – and last September we were at the beach.

I would much rather go through a blizzard than a Hurricane and or major storm on the beach !

Just another story in the course of my life –

Papa’s World – it came – it left – and it came back !

#homeagain #HGD #JP #just #livinglifetotheplus

Papa’s World – Supplies for Helena!

/ Tom / Leave a comment

The weather turned cooler – here in OIB –

it was 55 degrees before the Sun came up!

It is the mountains of WNC –

It was colder –

and many sheltered in tents!

Our friends in Hickory, N.C. –

selected coats – sweaters – anything to warm those in need!

They purchased from Goodwill – took donations –

and delivered them in their vehicles to counties –

The operation at the airport had slowed down –

due to the facilities being stocked.

The need for warm clothing –

And a way to get it there –

Fell to Linda and Pat –

to deliver what they could to five counties!

Our own OIB-Sunset Beach area also slowed down.

Where we were sending the donations –

had become stocked.

The devastation remained –

Our mission was coming to a close!

One final push –

One final drive into the mountains –

by Linda and Pat!

Bringing needed supplies-

We have done what we could,-

and now it is wait and see!

But at least –

There will be warm clothes for some.

Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD-

my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa’s World – HELENA DONATIONS!

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As the DONATIONS came in – the PURCHASES went out!

As this writing –

DONATIONS: $3600.00

PURCHASES: $3139.22

BALANCE: $460.40

To think we were able to reach out on Social Media and this was the response!

The response came from 10 states and one from a person from Japan!

31 families responded!

Dozens of trips made to the Hickory, N.C. airport –

By Sherry’s school in Smethport, Pa. friends.

They – Linda and Pat – now live in Hickory, N.C.

The airport is near them and was the staging ground for the Helicopters –

that were coordinated to fly into hard-to-reach areas!

They would purchase supplies –

send us a photo of the receipt –

and we would mail a check to them to cover the expense.

This became a direct lifeline to the areas –

Our own areas had dwindled –

This will allow us to continue as long as the donations come in!

Our thanks go out to these two-

Who have helped to deliver supplies-

DONATIONS FOR HELENA VICTIMS!

Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD:

my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa’s World – Helena – Continueing Donations.

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Sherry’s friends from back in Mount Jewett, Pa.

– who lives in Hickory, N.C. –

Continue to purchase supplies –

and deliver them to the airport five miles from their home.

Here – Helicopters proceed to areas hard to access,

which is a coordinated effort.

We provide the funding for them –

through the donations given to us!

Linda and Pat have made multiple trips to the airport –

and many – many trips-

to stores to buy the items.

They inquire about what is needed –

and then buy the items!

We are blessed to have this link –

and still are receiving donations.

We have also received clothing –

and we have passed it on to our neighbor Kathy-

Who has a couple connections to see it get out to WNC.

We will continue as long as we can.

Humanity coming together –

We have received donations from TEN STATES –

and one from JAPAN!

I will continue in the following blog –

on the donations!

Thanks for reading and as always HGD!

PAPA’S WORLD-

my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa’s World – Hurrican Helene – collecting at Sunset Beach Pier!

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Sherry and I made our first trip to the Sunset Beach Pier as the owners requested donations.

The first load was what we purchased ourselves plus two neighbors dropped off items!

The pier owners are from the WNC mountains and know how to get into ravished towns.

There were two vehicles – a UHAUL truck and A Trailor used for hauling a motorcycle –

1600 lbs. weight limit!

This is when we decided to put out a call and see if we could gather donations –

and start purchasing needed items.

People who donated stayed to help separate the items!

Sherry upper middle and neighbor Patrisha –

Friend Donna – middle bending over and her husband Pete!

The trailer had a 1600 lb. weight limit!

The UHAUL TRUCK – the heavy water was transferred from the trailer to the truck

Within minutes of posting for donations – they started coming in!

Papa and Sherry – after helping to separate the items – we had to leave for a doctor’s appointment!

But – we would start shopping again and see how much and what was needed to make our second return!

I will continue in the next blog with what became a tremendous response from family –

Long ago friends –

and neighborhood neighbors!

WE ARE BLESSED!

PAPA’S WORLD – my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa’s World – Collecting food for WNC – flood victims.

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Sherry and I started collecting money through posts –

we had to buy items and take them to a

spot on the Sunset Pier in trucks and trailers –

This was in response to a post made by the owners of the Pier –

Who happened to be from the area in WNC MOUNTAINS –

And wanted to help the region –

Collecting water – food – health items clothes and blankets!

We spent over 100.00 dollars of our own money –

But – then after our posts –

other donations started coming in.

Close to $1000.00 and still coming!

Folks who donated staying –

and separating items to be packed onto the trailer and UHAUL!

Sherry is in the top middle!

Our neighbors Patrisha Donna and Pete are friends.

We ran into other friends and neighbors who also donated.

Soon – neighbors were dropping off boxes and bags for us to take over.

These were the first of FOUR TRUCKS and TRAILERS –

They collected for less than Two Days –

and filled them up!

On Wednesday of that week –

arrangements were made by the owners of the pier –

To park a friend’s Semi-tractor trailer-

to park across the street –

and the donations to continue!

Slowly the people came –

and then more and more –

Two more trucks were added –

in less than 48 hours – all four were filled.

A second site was announced –

this one at OIB – a parking lot near the park and museum.

This trailer had a weight limit of 1600 lbs.

The water was transferred to the UHAUL –

The owner of this trailer was a man named Danny –

A retired police officer who lives in Calabash and rides a motorcycle!

Papa and Sherry – we made four trips to the stores –

With the money donated –

we were able to go to the Food Lion twice –

the Dollar Tree once –

Plus neighbors dropping off supplies to our home.

We went to the home of a couple-

who had just purchased it in July –

They had spent this weekend of the storm there-

They were going back to the mountains-

and needed water –

and food to help their neighbors.

We dropped off three cases of water and a large box of food.

On this day –

after we made our fourth delivery –

We went back home with $25.00 left.

I posted the results –

and vowed to continue if donations came in.

That night we went to bed with $375.oo in the account!

The next day –

we will continue –

and go forward –

As long as the donations continue –

we will deliver –

and continue donating ourselves.

PAPA’S WORLD –

my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa’s World – Our life in the Carolinas!

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In 2020 –

we moved from NVA to the border of N.C. and S.C.-

Although we live on the N.C. side.

We can be in North Myrtle Beach –

and all the tourist attractions in thirty minutes!

We wanted that avenue to choose if we decided to see –

the shows – attractions yet be near the beach.

It was not as expensive 16 miles away in N.C.

We could build a new home for what it costs without renovations in the NMB area!

This is the house we had built in Camero Woods Community –

in Ocean Isle Beach.

1910 SF. One level – three bedrooms – two baths –

an office with French doors.

A dining area and a kitchen –

living room – a sunroom – a laundry –

An enclosed lanai and an outdoor patio.

And a covered-shaded front porch-

with a two-car garage and finished-off storage space above the garage!

A brand new neighborhood –

with a community center – pool and pickleball courts.

Here – we are two miles to gas –

four miles to two grocery stores and a third another two miles.

Two beaches – one four miles-

and the second six miles.

Big box store shopping – eight miles.

Scores of waterfront dining!

We have a SOLO STOVE firepit in the backyard!

We can walk the beaches – watching storms come in!

Walking the beach in the moonlight!

Our life here is far different than anywhere we have lived.

We have close friends –

within five to forty minutes.

And we can golf –

select from thirty close courses or dozens farther away.

Sherry above

we both wanted to be able to afford golf and here we are-

with the FIRST TEE GOLF CARD or just LOCAL RATES!

Living in the Carolinas –

I never thought this would become a reality –

However – 401K went down-

but the house went up –

SO WE SOLD – almost everything –

and moved to a warmer climate for our senior years.

CAROLINA FRONT PORCH LIVING!

All year –

no snow – ice –

some cooler weather which I can dress for.

This is the WHY we moved here –

Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD

my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

OUR LIFE IN THE CAROLINAS!

Papa’s World – More memories in time!

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The KINZUA via duct – constructed in the 1800s –

to ship coal –

across the valley.

It stood over 300 feet from the valley floor.

Then – years ago – a Tornado ripped through the valley –

And took half the via duct down!

The state made this a state park –

with a state-of-the-art viewing center.

The half-bridge was saved –

and a platform at the end with a “WINDOW” floor –

You can look straight down over 300 feet-

to the floor of the valley.

The crumpled other half remains –

where it toppled over.

Today the bridge remains –

as a testament to days long ago!

This valley was part of the SENECA INDIAN NATIONS –

hunting grounds.

The reservation today stands some miles to the North in NYS!

A large CASINO was built on their lands and supports the Nation.

MORE MEMORIES IN TIME!

Two summers ago –

my sons with their partners –

came to visit and spend a week with us.

Shawn and Trisha have returned –

and next summer Troy and Andrea are trying to visit again!

The boys remained in NWPA-

and live there today.

Looking forward to seeing them once again.

MORE MEMORIES IN TIME!

This picture was taken in the early morning –

near the front entrance of our community!

This was what we thought to be a Coyote!

However –

it was later identified as an endangered “RED WOLF”!

We found out they are extinct in N.C. –

and the Wildlife Commission –

has released several back into the wild-

with tracking devices on them.

This one has been seen numerous times –

and we have seen it ourselves.

One person up the street –

spotted it with a black squirrel in its mouth heading into the woods.

It seems to stay away from people –

although we saw it one time from the car and it just stared at us!

MORE MEMORIES IN TIME!

LOL, I LIKE A SENSE OF HUMOR!

What has become a somewhat Thanksgiving tradition –

A stroll through the neighborhood –

by the folks who call this home.

CAMERON WOODS COMMUNITY –

this was the third year!

MORE MEMORIES IN TIME!

Sherry on a trip to ASHVILLE, N.C. –

with our friends the McBrides.

We love exploring – seeing the sights –

and we have traveled the world to do this!

MORE MEMORIES IN TIME!

Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD-

my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

MORE MEMORIES IN TIME!

Papa’s World – Remembering the past!

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My two sons have made the long trip down here from NWPA –

This was two summers ago and one came down this fall.

The other is looking for next summer.

Always excited to see them.

REMEMBERING THE PAST!

Ella – whom we called “TINY” since she was born.

Here in her youth, she was a runner.

Today, she has grown to 5’10” and is in her senior year of college.

She will graduate with two degrees and play her senior year of college soccer,.

REMEMBERING THE PAST!

Debby – on rocks at Raquet Lake in the Adirondacks.

They vacation yearly in the wilderness of lakes – forests and small towns.

REMEMBERING THE PAST!

All six grandchildren – now Bode is ten years old!

Maddy is 24 years old – Ella is 21 and Sarah is 18.

The twins are 14 years old.

REMEMBERING THE PAST!

A storm is brewing on a morning Sea Turtle walk –

here we walk in the early morning on the East end of OIB-

To see if any Sea Turtle came on shore to lay her eggs during the night!

REMEMBERING THE PAST!

LOL – this is so true – posting the past – seeing the growth of all the grandkids.

This is our “SENIOR MOMENT IN TIME”!

Realizing we are in our GOLDEN YEARS yet we are living the dream we have had all these years!

Today – our life near the beaches of N.C. and S.C.

Thanks for reading PAPA’S World – my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

REMEMBERING THE PAST!

Papa’sWorld – Golfing with friends!

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A good day at golf – friends – Priceless!

We moved here from NVA – but before that –

We lived in WNY and our neighbors were Cindy and Buck.

Then, they moved to Wilmington, N.C. for jobs.

and eventually to Leland, N.C., and Magnolia Greens!

This is a 27-hole golf course and my personal view –

One of the best courses we have played in N.C.

We try to get together once or twice a month to play.

Usually – we host dinner or they do or we just go out!

Every four or five months we get together with our other best friends –

And we play Gal vs. Guys – and a fourth couple joins us.

A lot of kidding around – bantering back and forth-

How many strokes are we giving them?

Well – we give them three strokes a side –

and sometimes they beat us by a couple strokes –

or we beat them by one stroke or a tie!

We live in the middle of about 30 golf courses and our friends –

Jim and Dorothy live on a golf course in Edenton, N.C.

About 3 1/2 hours away.

We visit each other every four months or so.

We have been friends ever since Sherry and I were married on 6-25-1982.
I played softball with Jimmy before that.

Other times Sherry and I go out by ourselves playing nine holes.

So many courses here and we get the “LOCALS RATE”!

We have 12 good months of golfing weather –

Winter it warms up by 11:00 am. and we can go.

On other days we watch for warmer weather and book tee times.

The Butterfly effect for me is –

Once during the round –

hitting that perfect shot and then it is “I WANT TO DO THIS MORE OFTEN”!

Until that next time –

“GOLFING WITH FRIENDS” a blog in PAPA’S WORLD – my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa’s World – Being warm in the Sunbelt!

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Even though the skies are gray –

storms are brewing –

windy – IT IS WARM!

I had open heart surgery ten-plus years ago –

And ever since then –

the cold has bothered me.

At night – I use an extra blanket –

When we walk in the Winter months –

I am bundled up with my jacket – scarf and gloves –

Even though everyone else isn’t.

So – I no longer want ice –

snow or cold

I will take warm – warm and warmer!

Visit NVA where we lived for over twenty years!

Yes – it was hot and muggy there –

but back on the East coast of N.C and S.C. –

with the breeze from the ocean –

IT WAS GREAT for me!

OIB from the Causeway Bridge over the ICW!

I lived for fifty-plus years in NWPA and WNY-

in the snow belts.

I shoveled my share of snow –

slipped and drove on ice –

Huddled up inside during a freezing Day-

on the end of bitter cold.

Worked outside –

navigated snow drifts –

I HAD ENOUGH OF THAT!

I do not own a snow shovel,

which is fine with me! LOL

In Fall and Winter and early Spring –

I am fine with some extra clothing –

that comes off when I get warmed up!

LIVING IN THE SUNBELT – my way of life now!

I am blessed to have been able to do this –

and my wife to share it with.

Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD –

my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa’s Wprld – Make your VOICE HEARD- VOTE!

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Today is the day to make your voice heard – VOTE!

Presidential Election 2024 in the United States of America-

And all other elections!

Cast your VOTE –

No matter what party you affiliate with!

Make a difference –

Not on SOCIAL MEDIA-

But at the Polls!

The choice is yours –

to cast your ballot –

Independent – Republican – Democrat – or other.

Young – older or senior –

The choice is yours-

Believe – make a difference –

This is your right –

Everyone –

have a safe and thoughtful voting experience.

“I AM – ME”!

Thanks for reading Papa’s World-

my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa’s World – “RETIREMENT” going really FAST!

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The home we built to retire in – Brambleton, Va. – just behind the Dulles Airport!

It has been over twelve years for Sherry ( she retired early ) and ten years for me!

We had thought that we would retire in this community in Loudoun County –

But a few things happened.

Our youngest daughter and her family who lived a mile from us – MOVED – not far –

some 16 miles away – but you have to understand – we picked up the granddaughters

every day after school – and there were days we had Bode when he did not have pre-school.

We would walk to their home and they would ride bikes with their parents to our house.

Overnight stays were common – trips to the community pools –

We were involved daily and that changed.

You might say – Well we could drive there – but when you are a senior – TRAFFIC bothers you!

And NVA has traffic – and they are just crazy!

We did not like having to drive that distance after being able to walk to their home.

I know – that is selfish of us – and we loved their new home and they loved being in a single-family home with neighbor kids and country living!

Once there – it was so nice – and to be truthful – our neighborhood was what I call a –

“GARAGE DOOR NEIGHBORHOOD”

It goes up when they leave for work – closes and opens again

when they return and closes again.
that’s it!

Outside of a couple neighbors – we had no close friends – it was always in transition.

A beautiful place – a growing community – four High Schools and only one when we moved there.

Our home was beautiful – we walked the fifteen miles of trails daily.

I would sit daily in retirement on the front porch and see dozens of people walking or biking by –

But I knew none of them!

I spent my time grooming the yard – we planted flowers that came back each year –

I hand-dug and planted three Crepe Myrtles and three green-type trees that went straight up

by the fence – I had a wild strawberry patch that the twins would sit down and eat one by one.

Cassidy would tell me how soft the grass was on her bare feet and how cool it felt in the shade.

Living here in retirement was our goal when we built it – we watched as the neighborhood

grew and grew – expanding – schools being built –

a complete town was built with a bank – markets – stores – theater – library and multiple restaurants.

A fifteen-acre park with basketball courts – tennis courts – playgrounds at different sites –

a large pond and huge boulders with waterfalls.

Three community pools were opened.

A sports complex – ball fields soccer fields and cricket fields were submitted and the over 200-acre park with all this was completed after we left!

Brambleton was and is now a destination point for people who work in D.C.

And the Metro came after we moved!

The Washington Commander’s headquarters was five miles away.

We could have driven three miles – hopped on the Metro and went into D.C. or got off at the Dulles International Airport to fly out!

After a short one-half-hour drive we were in the famous “HORSE COUNTRY” of Middleburg –

Where Jackie Kennedy rode horses and Christopher Reeves fell and became Paralyzed.

Then the second reason happened in our retirement – the bottom fell out of the stock market –

The 401K dropped like a lead balloon – it burst!

We lost and we lost big time – 33% disappeared overnight!

We still had our pensions – small as they are – our lifeline Social Security –

which after 79 1/2 years between us we paid into instead of wages and benefits – AND EARNED!

And we had Sherry’s home-based business going on 19 years –

with a monthly income – The Juice Plus Company has been very good for us!

We could survive but it was very expensive – where we lived –

the highest per income in the country!

BUT – the housing market took off and we gained what we lost in the 401K back in the house.

TIME TO SELL AND MOVE!

We would leave our families – but only be a seven-hour drive away –

and go to warmer weather!

The area we had always liked was the area of Wilmington, N.C.

and South of that!

I started to google and found a condo in Ocean Keyes , North Myrtle Beach – S.C.

That would give us time to research and find a place to live!

This was the two reasons we decided to sell and move South – leaving family and friends.

Our journey into retirement had its dreams and pitfalls – but we found our end of the rainbow-

I hope this gives inspiration to those who go into retirement and have to make changes.

Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD – my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

THE YEARS OF RETIREMENT HAVE GONE BY REALLY FAST!

PAPA’S WORLD – RETIREMENT – GOING REALLY FAST!

CAMERON WOODS COMMUNITY – OCEAN ISLE BEACH – NORTH CAROLINA!

Papa’s World – Life with us in Carolina and before!

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This is our new Community center in Cameron Woods Community – OIB, North Carolina.

We now are residents of Noth Carolina – having moved here almost 3 years ago.

Coming from Northern Va. for the past 21 years and before that in WNY!

We are the product of the ’60s and 70’s growing up thru the 50’s.

Working in WNY and transferring to NVA – our lives have transformed into senior living and retirement.

Papa taking a selfie of our neighborhood walking group an Mondays and Fridays!

Our favorite pass time is beach walking -and golfing and walking with friends and neighbors.

Living life one day at a time and living life to what I call the plus!

Helping where we can – Memory Care unit – Book club – helping people out who have dogs –

Life is full of wonderful situations – positive things and getting rid of negativity.

Growing our own produce without soil and pesticides. eating as healthy as we can.

Thanks for reading – Sunrises and Sunsets – Papa’s World – my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

PAPA and SHERRY – living life to the plus one day at a time – Life in the Carolinas and before!

Papa’s World – Friends times in PICTURES!

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For years and years – these three have been best friends – DOTTIE – CINDY and SHERRY!

The many times they have had a little too much wine – LOL – have resulted in cherished memories!

Today – when we get together – GOLF is involved – they get a couple strokes –

and are hard to beat – often times one stroke separates the GALS vs. the GUYS!

A lot of laughter results in crazy antics!

Get togethers are usually three times a year – at each other’s houses-

Today we live 32 miles from Buck and Cindy –

And Dottie and Jim just built a house in Edenton, N.C.

About 3 1/2 hours from Sherry and me in OIB-N.C.

Buck and Cindy live just outside Leland, N.C.

LOL – and again I say to Jimmy – “GIVE THEM NO STROKES”!

We are all retired except Dottie who is very close – JIM AND DOTTIE grew up in Eldred. Pa.

where I also grew up!

JIM – SHERRY and I all worked for the same company and retired from that company.

Buck and Cindy were our neighbors in Portville and knew Jim and Dottie from before that!

Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD – my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

PAPA – BUCK and JIM – BEST BUDDIES FOR YEARS AND YEARS!

PAPA’S WORLD – FRIENDS TIMES IN PICTURES!

Papa’s World – FAMILY – FRIENDS – PICTURES!

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Bode – Cassidy and Taylor – hated to leave them behind when we moved to N.C. –

Now we look forward to their visits and us going back to NVA!

We had a list of reasons why we selected the border area of N.C. and S.C. –

and one of those reasons was to golf with friends –

They live 38 miles from us and getting together is easy as we live near 30 golf courses!

Golfing with lifelong friends!

We have been around the World – here we are in OHAU –

Someday I would like to go back to the BIG ISLAND!

So true for both of us – it sinks out of sight in the rough and in the trees! LOL

When friends visit – sometimes it calls for SHOTS!!!!  LOL

Cassidy hiding – on vacation years ago on Oak Island!

Cassidy found by Sarah – love these MEMORIES!

Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD – my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

PAPA’S WORLD – FAMILY – FRIENDS – PICTURES!

Papa’s World – Reflections of our life.

/ Tom / Leave a comment

Living in the South – near beaches – SUNSET BEACH and OCEAN ISLE BEACH – warm – sun and sand!

We are living our dream – and all the family has been here to visit.

SUNSET BEACH and in the distance – the tall building – OCEAN ISLE BEACH – within 20 minutes both beaches!

I had always wanted to live in the warm – sun and sand of the South.

Even in the Fall – we still have vibrant flowers and bushes – almost no ice – snow – it does get cold but within a couple days – it is back to the 50 and 60’s!

And of course when a grade-school friend comes to visit – you sit and talk – creating more memories.

Papa – sitting beneath Papa’s General Store in my blog PAPA’S WORLD – livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

FRIENDS COME TO VISIT YEARLY – MEMORIES – CELEBRATION OF OUR LIVES!

LIFE – HAPPINESS – LOVING FRIENDS OF YEARS AND YEARS – ONE OF OUR WHYS – GOLFING!

CAROLINA NIGHTS – SUNSETS – LIVING LIFE TO THE PLUS – ONE DAY AT A TIME!

Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD – livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

PAPA’S WORLD – REFLECTIONS OF OUR LIFE – WISHES DO COME TRUE – YES – FAMILY – THERE IS A SANTA CLAUSE!!!!

Papa’s World – Charlotte, N.C. – the city!

/ Tom / Leave a comment

We drove some three and one-half hours West to Charlotte, N.C. for the Juice Plus Conference.

This was my first conference since before the pandemic.

Mainly because I did not like flying – I had COVID twice – and I felt being in a plane was not such a good idea!

But – we were 191 miles – a distance that made it driveable in a car!

We stayed in an AIRBNB in the city – a little over one-half mile from the convention center!

So we walked and walked – everywhere!

Averaging 10 to 15,000 steps a day! Good exercise – and easy to find our way around.

Charlotte is a beautiful city – we walked in pairs or groups for safety – but never once did we feel uncomfortable.

The convention center welcomes us – signs – and lots of people.

The view from the balcony of our AIRBNB – all apartments or rentals!

Just across the street from the convention center – and a very nice park to walk through!

The park is across from the convention center through which we walked for breaks.

I do want to go back and hope that they will choose to hold another conference here!

The Charlotte Convention Center – entrance – thanks for reading and if ever there – WALK –

It’s go for you!

PAPA’S WORLD – my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog CHARLOTTE, NORT CAROLINA – THE CITY!

Papa’s World – Riding the streets of Charlotte in – “THE FUNNY BUS”!

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One of the off-time events we scheduled – was a group event on “THE FUNNY BUS”!

A way to “SEE” Charlotte while laughing – a few drinks and a really fun time!

As the tour begins – party hats – Juice Plus hats – raising glasses – jokes – and lots of smiles!

Sari and Levi – going to be a great time – teams bonding together.

Our tour guide – “TOM” started us off – and keeps the mood light – and shouting out to the people in the streets – bars and grills – a blast – bonding experience.

Papa with a selfie – Doctor Bruce – Linda and Sherry – we were seated in the middle of the FUNNY BUS!

The healthy “LADIES” of Juice Plus – smiles – say it all!

The Juice Plus hats were given to top performers as Partners in Juice Plus!

Papa with our daughter Debby – who has partnered with her mother for over 17 years and co-founded

“TEAM GENERATIONS” inspiring Grandmas – Mothers – Daughters and Grandkids

to eat healthy from GENERATION TO GENERATION!

Levi organized the drinks and Janet keeping the party going!

“Linda and Tom ‘ FUNNY BUS comedian – bringing laughter to the rest of us!

This was an exercise in TEAM ACTIVITY –

Thanks for reading – Papa’s World – my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

PAPA’S WORLD – RIDING THE STREETS OF CHARLOTTE IN THE FUNNY BUS! livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa’s World – Life Living in the South!

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LOL – My life is what I liked to do – how I wanted to live – making choices – as for this meme – no regrets!

I have always not liked the cold weather and I spent 50 years living in NWPA and WNY!

In the snowbelt!

ICE – COLD – SNOW – and I am glad we have very little here on the border of N.C. and S.C.

Here we live the SALT LIFE – warm – sunny – blue sky and white clouds and the beach!

This is Sunset Beach and at the top right – the tall building – starts our other beach Ocean Isle Beach!

One is four miles – OIB – and the other Sunset Beach – is six miles –

and The ICW is between us where we live and the beaches!

We are blessed with many Sunsets and Sunrises from our front lawn!

Sunrise from our front yard! Living life in the South – thanks for reading and as always HGD!

PAPA’S WORLD – my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog LIFE LIVING IN THE SOUTH!

Papa’s World – Evening trip to Sunset Beach!

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After dinner, I said to Sherry – “Want to go to Sunset Beach – get ice cream and stand on the deck”?

That is Southern Beach Living!

Living the Salt Life!

Our view of the Gazebo on Sunset Beach where we stood with our cups of small ice cream!

This is where the bathrooms – showers and free parking are!

If you turn around – you are looking at the beach – pier and ocean – we stood here and a bonus – there was live music on the pier we could listen to – that is why all the people faced the pier!

Looking West from this spot – the dunes – the pay-for parking lot – and the first row of houses – oceanfront means long walkways over the protected dunes to the beach and ocean!

Because the coastline here is on a curve – the beach faces almost South and a little bit East!

From Charleston, S.C. to Wilmington, N.C. the coast looks like a quarter-moon crescent!

Sort of like a huge coastline bay!

Most storms come up from Charleston and then make a beeline to Wilmington – Cape Fear River area and then onto the Outer Banks!

I believe the last Hurricane to cause disaster damage was in the 50s!

Sea oats on the dune – we can be here in 15 minutes – but we have the island – the ICW and the main coastline between us and the ocean.

So far we have experienced a tropical storm and a grade 1 Hurricane, a number 2 is pushing it for me – but could remain – it is the wind and the trees I fear the most!

Living the Salt life – choosing to be here – living life one day at a time!

Thanks for reading and as always HGD!

PAPA’S WORLD – EVENING TRIP TO SUNSET BEACH -ICE CREAM! My site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa’s World – Living life in our senior years!

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Our SENIOR years are here – we are close to the middle 70s. Yet we are still active – always exploring!

Here we are on the marshes of the ICW – near OIB N.C.

We moved here for the weather ( we both hate snow-ice and cold) close to beaches and golf

and our dear friends are only 40 minutes away!

Have a sense of humor – be kind and share a smile!

When family visits – the sunsets but rises to begin a new day with them!

One of our walks on the beach brings us a Turtle Nest – so we became involved – walking early mornings on Turtle Beach Patrol – looking for signs of turtles – protected by the state of N.C.

Disclaimer: The work for protected SEA TURTLES is authorized by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission – PERMIT ST020232

We now walk and nest sits – all volunteers – dedicated people – to help Sea Turtles survive.

Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD – my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

PAPA’S WORLD – LIVING LIFE IN OUR SENIOR YEARS! THANKS FOR READING AND HGD!

Papa’s World – Through the years – our life!

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June 25th. 1982 – our wedding day – Papa and Sherry

We dated a little over a year before we got engaged and then a year later married.

We both were married before – she had two daughters – I had two sons – and we had each other.

We lived way out in the country – the driveway was 1/10th of a mile long –

great in winter to sled ride.

That first year I mowed everything by hand – it took five days!

And then – rest for two and start over again – we bought a riding mower!

On marriage was based on the Church on the rock-solid!

Those early years were lean years – combining two sets of kids –

running back and forth – very little extra money –

but we survived and to this day look back fondly on all those times.

We always traveled by van – all of us.

We would pack breakfast – lunch, and dinners – take adventures –

the kids loved it.

Camping – in tents – visiting friends.

Then the kids started leaving one by one.

Marriages – moving – college – our family was just the two of us.

We started to travel – the country and the world

The kids were gone – we had moved from the country and into town.

Now – the house was empty and we had the opportunity to transfer to NVA.

We went to NVA and the daughters and family followed us.

We bought and sold three houses in NVA.

My sons stayed in Pa.

But – it seemed like the extended family all moved to NVA.

Retirement came – and once again – we thought of selling and moving farther south.
We made the move in 2020 – and today we are in OIB, Cameron Woods, N.C.

The family stayed in Pa. and Va. – her sister is building a small condo near us.

The family has visited us many times – my sons are coming end of summer.

Forty years have passed since that wedding day – and we still are one and going strong.
Thanks for reading Papa’s World – through the years – livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
Papa’s World

Papa’s World – Sherry took me to dinner for my birthday!

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Sitting just inside – wind is strong – but we are celebrating my 5-7-4 9 birthday at Oyster Rock in Calabash, N.C.

Now I do not eat Oysters (raw) but decided to try them broiled! I will now have them again! These were so good!

Sherry had the fish TACO’S – which she said were very good – I recommend anyone who is in the area – to make reservations –

and Go to OYSTER ROCK to dine -it is GREAT!

Cukecumber Martini for Sherry – said it was very good – service here is out of this world!

My go to – draft beer – RED OAK – a local brewery – if they have it – I order it!!!!!!!

Oyster Rock in my opinion – is the best place to dine – love it here and the food is great and so is the service – overlooking water –

Fishing boats dock here and fresh catch everyday!

My Dinner – now this PORK CHOP was huge – so big I could not eat the french fries! A good 5 inches thick!

I will go back and have this again – biggest PORK CHOP I have ever had!

Thanks for reading – PAPA’S WORLD – my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

SHERRY TOOK ME TO DINNER FOR MY BIRTHDAY TO OYSTER ROCK, CALABASH, N.C.

Papa’s World – Friends – Family – Neighbors.

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Golfing with our friends of many years – Cindy and Buck – dinners afterward – joining them in the Carolinas!

Just a little smile for the day! LOL HGD!

Neighbors – our senior community – most are retired – living the SALT LIFE!

Neighbors get together at Local On The Water – good times with good friends we have made since moving in here!

Humor – laughs and funny smiles in Papa’s World!

My son and partner – family good times on the beach – family memories.

Thanks for reading – Papa’s World – my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

FRIENDS – FAMILY – NEIGHBORS – PAPA’S WORLD!!!!!!

Papa’s World – Happy times in North Carolina with friends.

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The six of us have been friends for about forty-plus years. Living as neighbors to Cindy and Buck and Jim and Dottie grew up in the same little town in NWPA called Eldred in the Alleghany mountains as I did.

Jim – Sherry and I all worked for Dal-Tile – (American Olean Tile) in Olean, N.Y.

And of course, being and working in WNY – we all were Buffalo Bills fans – and we watch them whenever we can by going to

Buffalo Bills sports bars in our areas.

Cindy and Buck live 30 miles from us and we get together often to play a round of golf – have dinner and just enjoy our friendships.

Papa – Dottie – Cindy – Sherry – Buck and Jim – Dottie and Jim live in Va. Beach and in the coming years will build on a piece of property in Northern North Carolina.

They will be about three-plus hours from us when they retire.

Sherry – Cindy – Dottie – Forty-plus years of being friends. When we all get together – it comes down to Gals vs. Guys in a golf scramble.

The last time we gave them two strokes – they missed a four-foot putt on the last hole for the WIN!

So we tied 37 to 37!

Sherry and Cindy – both into walking miles and miles – I try to keep up!

Thanks for reading Papa’s World – livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Playing golf at Magnolia Greens in Leland, N.C. where Buck and Cindy live. Living life one day at a time!

Sherry – Sunset Beach, N.C. PAPA’S WORLD – HAPPY TIMES in NORTH CAROLINA WITH FRIENDS!

Papa’s World – Thinking of family far away!

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The family is far away – but ever so near in our hearts – all have at one time or another come for visits – bringing us together again.

Trisha and Shawn – my youngest son – from NWPA – a long way to travel – FLY MY SON – FLY!!!

Andrea and Troy – my oldest son – also from back home in NWPA – a long way – close to our hearts.

Ella – Mike – Sarah – Debby ( Sherry’s oldest daughter) Maddy – the Myers family from NVA – not as far – but still a drive!

Marcus – Taylor – Doggy Marley – Cassidy Tammy ( Sherry’s youngest daughter) Bode – NVA – the closest to us 6 1/2 hours away.

The beach beacons to one and all – the WHY we moved here – “THINKING OF OUR FAMILY – FAR AWAY”!

PAPA’S WORLD – livinglifedoingitmyway.blog “THINKING OF FAMILY – FAR AWAY” fitztdf@aol.com

Papa’s World – Welcome to my world – OIB!

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We have now lived here for 17 months – where did that go? Our home is most likely ( hoping) our last major move.

We decided on moving here – near the borders of N.C and S.C. because it was still within 61/2 hours and 8 hours of our families in NVA.

We have close friends who live about 33 miles away and more close friends who are building in that same area.

We enjoy our location for the close access to the beaches and major shopping and golf while still having that country feel.

While we do have the threat of Hurricanes – we are not in a flood zone. Having gone through category one – we have decided on anything past an category two – we most likely will leave.

We enjoy the 30- minute drives to shopping at the outlet mall and the many offerings of shows and entertainment of Alabama Theater and Carolin Opera!

Sunrise on OIB with boats racing for a fishing tournament – warm weather – ocean breezes in summer-time

lead to what locals call down here “THE SALT LIFE”!

Thanks for reading Papa’s World – my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

PAPA’S WORLD – WELCOME TO MY WORLD – OIB – N.C.

Papa’s World – our dream is now true – living the Salt Life – near the beach!

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While not living right at the beach – we do have two beaches four and six miles away!

We moved to the Ocean Isle Beach area of North Carolina – eight miles to the border of South Carolina.

The locals call it THE SALT LIFE!

We call it living our dream.

Yes – we have already experienced a major Category One Hurricane – IAN!

And we will tell you it was scary with the trees!

Bending sideways – East to West!

We decided we will leave if it goes past a TWO and a direct hit!

We left what we thought to be our dream retirement home in NVA!

But – the stock market went down and the home values went up – time for change – time to sell and move on!

Warmer weather beckoned – we wanted out of the ice and snow.

We wanted to golf as inexpensive as we could.

We found it all right where we are – 100 golf courses – warmer weather and close beach life.

Kayaking the ICW and the marches of OIB and Sunset Beach.

Retirement – friends – family (VISITORS) have kept us busy – exploring – entertaining –

loving every minute of it!

Papa’s World now – no regrets – living the SALT LIFE!
Sherry and Papa – thanks for reading – LIVING THE SALT LIFE!

PAPA’S WORLD – my site: livinglifedoinitmyway.blog

Papa’s World – Dinner on the waterfront – Calabash – Captain Nances.

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Shawn – Trisha Autumn Sherry Troy Andrea – family from NWPA!

It was planned for Thursday evening – dinner – on the water – family night – and it did not disappoint!

View of the waterfront – Shrimp boats bring their catches here!
Boats and docks of the fishing fleet of Calabash – you can buy fresh catch – and all the bars and grills serve the fresh catch!
Family gathering – first time for all of them coming this far south to visit.

A little humor for the day!

Sherry Troy and Andrea

Thanks for reading my blog – PAPA’S WORLD: my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog fitztdf@aol.com

PAPA’S WORLD

Papa’s World – North Myrtle Beach – Barefoot Landing – Crooked Hammock – FAMILY!

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Ella – Maddy – Sarah granddaughters visiting the NMB entrance by the Arch!

Decided to go to North Myrtle Beach where we lived for nine months until our house was built!

Mike and Sarah had not been there and we wanted to do a little shopping.

Then it was onto Barefoot Landing – another place we would go to while living in this area.

On the ICW and boat marina of Barefoot Landing.
Walking along the lake at Barefoot Landing

Shopping – looking around and Mike and I went to the waterfront bar of Crooked Hammock.

Waterfront bar of Crooked Hammock in Barefoot Landing – NMB, S.C.
The brewery and restaurant of Crooked Hammock

It was a fun-filled day exploring with the family –

Sarah got to go to her store that sells crystals

Mike got to see where we lived for nine months

All the ladies are like this!

Thanks for reading my blog: PAPA’S WORLD livinglifedoingitmyway.blog fitztdf@aol.com

The ladies in Mike & Papa’s World

Papa’s World – Cameron Woods – the beauty of the coming twilight!

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Sunset Beach, N.C. from the pier.

After spending the day here at Sunset Beach – one of the top ten beaches in the country –

we drove the short ride back to our Cameron Woods Community.

Arrived home after several hours at Sunset Beach to our home.
My good thought for the day!

After dinner and having a small sprinkle of rain – I went outside in the clean fresh air – warm –

and beheld the night early evening sky!

The end of the day at Cameron Woods Community.

It was a good day – one that we spent at the beach and then back home once again.

Cameron Woods – the beauty of the coming twilight!

Thanks for reading Papa’s World – MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog fitztdf@aol.com

Papa’s World – Part two – golfing Brick Landing Golf Course!

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Sherry hitting off the fairway with the sights and sounds of the marsh in the background!
View of my tee box – senior tees – ICW and pond in front!

The course is tight with water everywhere!

Be sure to bring balls!

Papa – selfie with the ICW and docks for boats along the fairway!
Sherry teeing off from the ladies’ tees – note how narrow everything is!

The course was very fun – we lost golf balls but found some also.

It was dry and needed rain – the balls just ran and ran into water!

After we both hit our tee shots – we ended up here by the 150-yard marker!

We actually used Sherry’s ball as it was about ten yards farther –

but we still had to go over another pond and to the green!

“You have to have BALLS to golf the BRICK” Landing Golf Course!

A beautiful day and we ended up on the beach – golfing – walking on the sand and surf.

Thanks for reading Papa’s World –

MY BLOG: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Sherry – after a day of golf – then walking the surf of SUNSET BEACH, N.C.
From the pier at SUNSET BEACH, N.C.

Papa’s World – How to celebrate one’s birthday -Golf – Sunset and PAINT the front porch!

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The day prior we went golfing with our friends the McBrides at Carolina National Golf Course.

Cindy Sherry and Buck

Friends for a very long time – they live some 30 plus miles from us – and we play once a week when we can.

Buck teeing off

We were playing a Fred Couples signature course in Carolina National just outside Supply, N.C.

Cindy baked me chocolate chip cookies as a birthday gift.
We were almost the last group out for the afternoon and we played nice and easily enjoyed the wildlife such as this large turtle crossing the fairway.
Sherry was about to tee off and placed it right down the middle.
Sherry – victory in the guys vs gals golf scramble!

Thanks for reading Papa’s World – my next blog is the ride home – sunset and then the next day – my birthday was spent painting the floor of the front porch – and I loved it!

PAPA’S WORLD – at Carolina National – gals vs guys!

Papa’s World – the day before my birthday – at Carolina National – friends and golf.

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The day before my birthday – we celebrated with our close friends – Buck and Cindy –

She even baked chocolate chip cookies for me!

Cindy Sherry Buck – Carolina National – a Fred Couples course.
Sherry is about to tee off right down the middle.
We play a scramble – guys vs. gals – Buck hitting from where my drive ended up.
Cindy – perfect form and they whipped us pretty well!
Sherry – senses victory – they played great – us – not so good – but I got the cookies!

Carolina National – outside Supply, N.C. second time we have played here – a good course!

After we finished up at 6:30 pm. we headed into the clubhouse for dinner –

although they quite handily won the scramble – we always have fun

and will get together again to continue our years-old match of gals vs guys!

Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD – CAROLINA NATIONAL GOLF DAY

MY SITE: PAPA’S WORLD MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

MY CONTACT: fitztdf@aol.com Living life to the plus one day at a time! HGD!

Papa’s World – living our dream – beach and family and friends.

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WELCOME TO PAPA’S WORLD

We moved farther south – all the way to the border of N.C and S.C.

We wanted it to be warm in the winter – four seasons without snow and ice.

We wanted to be close enough to the beach that we could drive and spend hours there or walk.

A place family and friends would visit – one floor – but enough room to have people stay.

We found our place in the sun in CAMERON WOODS COMMUNITY

It is a quiet place – room to walk –

friendly neighbors – we all are new here.

And we found our beaches – two of them – Sunset Beach and Ocean Isle Beach

Our life has changed – we did like where we were – but times change – getting older

has a way of making those changes.

And now our families are starting to visit.

Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD

my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

PAPA’S WORLD

Papa’s World – TERMINAL GROIN – OIB – part 2!

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The Terminal Groin – part of saving the beach erosion.

When completed – this huge granite rock break wall –

will allow the sand that is dredged from the channel

and pumped out and form a new beach to the left of the wall.

The first and second streets are no longer here

have eroded away.

These houses were in danger as high tide brought the ocean right up and underneath them.

The pipelines from the dredging of the channel – blowing water and sand out to form the beach!
The beach is formed behind that granite wall barrier and is pushed around by bulldozers.
The homes – now sitting on the third street – are now oceanfront – and were nearly lost.

You can see the very large sandbags that were placed to try and save the homes.

Water would run right up to them and underneath.

The beach will continue along the shore – and the sand will build up against the wall of granite rocks.

Each rock weighs in tons – three at a time are transported by forty-foot tractor truck and trailers.

THE TERMINAL GROIN on the EAST END OF OIB.

Thanks for reading Papa’s World MY BLOG: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

PAPA and SHERRY

Papa’s World – And our neighbors got a swimming pool delivered!

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Welcome to our neighborhood!

Our neighbor across the street told us that they were going to put in an inground pool!

The only problem was no room to go between houses to put it in the backyard!

THEY HAD TO LIFT IT OVER TWO HOUSES TO PLACE IT IN THE BACKYARD!

The beginning of the lift as I stand on my front porch!

The house you see here is the one it had to be lifted up and over and placed in the backyard

of the house next door to the right!

On its way to going over the corner of the blue house to the backyard of the house to the right.
Moving toward the target and the guide rope is now between the houses.

Slowly moving to the back of the house.

Lowering the pool down to the backyard.
Going down in place!

From start to finish – 30 to 45 minutes!

And then they had all left and I got to see how they craned this very large pool into the backyard!

Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD!

MY BLOG: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

MY CONTACT: fitztdf@aol.com

PAPA’S WORLD

Papa’s World – Viewing the sunset at SUNSET BEACH – in the windy cold!

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SUNSET BEACH, N.C.

Just a little over a month later from our New Years Eve beach gathering and toast to 2021

We once again were back to see the sunset – only it was windy and cold –

far from the 65 degrees of NYE!

The approaching sunset peeking through the trees!
Papa – Diane and Sherry

We first parked and walked to the end of the street – here the last of the end of the houses –

and this then begins Bird Island – marshland protected and wide-open beach.

Our neighbor Diane

The tide was going out!

Here you see the last of the houses on the marsh and bayside – with the tide going out – This is the end of Sunset Beach and the beginning of Bird Island.
Sun setting – time to go to the beach.
This is where we gathered for NYE and drank a toast to 2021!
The pier and people walking the beach.
Sherry – braving the wind chill – it was cold.

As we looked out on the ocean – to think we can do this every night if we want to –

and there still is Ocean Isle Beach – living our dream.

One final look before we returned home – Sunset at SUNSET BEACH, N.C.

Thanks for reading Papa’s World

MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

MY CONTACT: fitztdf@aol.com

PAPA’S WORLD

Papa’s World – And it was 10 degrees below freezing -“BABY IT’S COLD OUTSIDE – NO HEAT”!

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Papa watching Saint Bonaventure basketball – the furnace quit!

It happened two days in a row and the temps were in high teens and low twenty’s –

cold for this far south – seven miles to the border of S.C.

The thermostat went blank – the furnace quit –

and we immediately dug out the two electric liquid heaters we kept from back north.

We had decided to not get rid of these when we downsized!
While they are electric – they are safe – the liquid inside ( oil ) heats up and radiates the heat – and are not hot to the touch to burn you.

We had these for heat back north and we are going to use them in the lanai when we enclose it.

That will become a four-season room – 11 x 12.

So -when this happened we plugged them in and they kept a constant 65 degrees temperature in the entire house!

We have had ICE and SNOW in the last two weeks and now it is in the ’60s!

We are still under warranty and we called in – they had someone there within three hours both times.

At first, he could not find anything – and ran diagnostics –

there was a blown fuse on the unit up over the garage –

this is what cut the low voltage current to the thermostat.

Once he replaced that – he tried to get it to burn the fuse out again – nothing!

At that time we had been having lights flicker the past two weeks –

this was because of the ice storm and the little snowstorm.

So we thought that was the problem and he suggested we contact the electric company

and have a surge protector installed.

Then the next day it happened again!

No lights had flickered!

We called it in again and he showed up again within two hours!

The company who services our heating and air.

This time while he was there – he replaced the fuse and it started – then it popped the fuse –

It was the unit outside that when it started -it had a vibration –

so he opened it up and found a wire that moved and rubbed against a spacer –

causing it to short out!

It only happened at certain times and he was there when it happened!

Cold outside!

Everything was replaced – the wire tightened – so it does not vibrate – and we are fine.

ALL COVERED UNDER WARRANTY!

Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORL – “BABY IT’S COLD OUTSIDE”

MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

MY CONTACT: fitztdf@aol.com

Papa’s World – our very first RARE winter ICE STORM – Cameron Woods – OIB – N.C.

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One-quarter inch of ICE over everything!

Moving South to the border of N.C. and S.C. – we must have brought winter weather with us!

This is a very rare event in this part of the country and we were here to experience it!

It started raining the day before and by nightfall – the temps had dropped to freezing!

By morning it had gone down to 26 degrees!

that is cold down here!

Everything is covered in a coat of ice.

We knew it was coming and were prepared not to go out on that black ice!

We had flashlights and our generator if needed – but I did not want to go that far!

We were told to be careful with the garage door being ice shut!

DON’T WORRY – BE HAPPY!

We lost the electricity three times for short periods – the news the night before showed the electric

company bringing in some 200 personnel from the midwest to help out – and they were terrific!

Ice everywhere – the trees were coated!

Our Oleander plants – three of them – were bent right over – they survived!

Thank goodness we did not have the wind – no big trees came down or branches.

We dodged a bullet and when the sun came out – the ice melting on the trees

created a drizzle of steady raindrops.

The bushes and mulch are covered in ice.

We have had a cold wave that extends all the way South deep into Florida!

We were worried about our TOWER GARDEN – so I dug out our protective look like metal covering!

We had used this back in NVA but not with ICE!

The back patio – to the right – the covered TOWER GARDEN!

Our experiment to grow twelve months of the year continues!

This protective covering kept the plants – green leafy – safe – the pump kept running on a timer –

and we continue to grow our vegetables even through mid-twenty degrees and ICE!

The covering is perforated – absorbed the sun in the daytime and protects the veggies

during the low temps at night and the freezing rain.

Any questions on the TOWER GARDEN or JUICE PLUS – email ssherrylynn49@aol.com

or visit her own personal business website: http://www.sf.juiceplus.com CERTIFIED HEALTH COACH

Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD!

Papa’s World – Memory of early family vacation!

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Cassidy Maddy Sarah Ella and Taylor

Some were big – some were small – others were barely walking and two were tall!

Oak Island – family times – family vacation.

MEMORIES as I recall – all in one location – joy for all!

Taylor and cousin Ella

The sweetness of youth – the bonding of cousins.

MEMORIES of the little ones and memories of the bigger ones!

Cassidy going to the beach

MEMORIES of innocence – laughter – funny looks!

Taylor – take the glasses off – time to eat!

MEMORIES of crawling – then unsteady steps – walking and running!

Cassidy – peeking in at Maddy.

MEMORIES of playing with the older cousins – timeless pictures – cuteness in diapers.

THANK YOU FOR READING PAPA’S WORLD – MEMORIES OF FAMILY VACATION – OAK ISLAND, N.C.

MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog MY CONTACT: fitztdf@aol.com

PAPA’S WORLD

Papa’s World – Cameron Woods Community – Cocktails in the driveway with old and new neighbors – JELLO SHOTS

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Our old company REALSTAR has now become LENNAR!

Welcome to CAMERON WOODS COMMUNITY of OCEAN ISLE BEACH, N.C. 28469!

The GATED ENTRANCE

We are situated off Old Georgetown Road – across from Ocean Ridge Plantation – this also – parts of it – is Ocean Ridge.

Across that street is home to the BIG CATS golf courses of Ocean Ridge.

A large flock of turkeys just behind the new community center!

YES – there is wildlife here – I have seen Turkey and Deer – among the trees and houses here.

I have seen Gators in the ponds and some have seen snakes( I saw a large Blacksnake) while others have seen Copperheads.

I suppose raccoons and possums – I have seen Eagles and large hawks – a really big red-headed woodpecker.

While we are country – we are about two miles to three different grocery stores –

multiple bars and grills and many other shops.

AND – we are on the mainland side of the ICW and minutes away from Ocean Isle Beach and Sunset beach.

In other words – I think we have it all right here!

The ongoing build of our community center – pool and pickleball courts.

We all are hoping for a SPRING finish date – a place to gather – exercise and relax by the pool.

Until that is finished – we have had a few get together’s at outside sources –

The latest outside was at Rivers Edge Golf Course in Shallotte N.C.

And then we had a DRIVEWAY COCKTAIL PARTY at Diane and Steve’s house at the bottom of Waterway and Lindley.

The invites were neighborhood-wide through the Cameron Woods Community Facebook site.

About 24 neighbors gathered – on a cool night – the fires were welcome for warmth.
OH YEAH! manny naughty desserts and snack foods were present!
It was a chilly high ’50’s evening.
There were trays of JELLO-SHOTS – here are two of the four going around!
After an hour – all that was left of the JELLO-SHOTS!
We are a mixture of retirees – work from home – second homes – still working – to full-timers!

Cameron Woods is almost done with Phase Two – and an even larger Phase Three will begin under the new company LENNAR! There is guess’s that will not end there as some of the new roads in the next phase ends at the tree lines! No Cul-De-Sac – just like it will continue on!

PHASE ONE COMPLETE – PHASE TWO ALMOST DONE – ??!

Thanks for reading Papa’s World – CAMERON WOODS COMMUNITY – OLD GEORGETOWN ROAD – 28469 – N.C.

WESTERN SKY AT NIGHT LOOKING TO END OF STREET WHERE PHASE THREE IS SOON TO BEGIN
WHEN NEIGHBORS GET TOGETHER – PEDICURES ARE DISCUSSED! LOL
CAMERON WOODS COMMUNITY – looking forward to more neighbors’ meet and greets!
PAPA’S WORLD – MY BLOG: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa’s World – Sunset Beach, N.C. a day on the beach with friends – sun – sand and surf!

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Our friends – Steve and Elaine Starks – true friends who appreciate you for who you are!

We have known them since our volleyball days back in the mid to late “80’s.

We have vactioned with them and their children – shared meals and presents.

Moments in time of destress and family passings.

TRUE FRIENDS all these years and now they have come to vaction in our new home.

Coming in from cooling off in the ocean.

We planed a beach week – golfing day – eating out for seafood and now – minature golf –

as their son and daughter in law along with grandbaby – join us.

It has been a wonderful time rehashing old stories and listening to new news fom back home.

They are from Portville N.Y. as were we before moving to NVA and now N.C.

They visited us in NVA and now here.

We took a little five and half mile walk on the beach with them!

One of the things they agreed to do with us was walk to what is known as the KINDRED SPIRIT mailbox

that is installed about 1.4 miles down the Sunset Beach and known as BIRD ISLAND!

It was installed there going on five decades ago – by a peace loving hippie couple.

In that mailbox are journals to wrtie your thoughts.

These journals are considered historic essays – thoughts and from all types of people and currently are in a musuem.

SUNSET BEACH is listed as a top ten beach in the country!

It is very wide when the tide is out – and rather calm – hard packed sand for easy walking!

The water was a balmy 82 degrees in mid September!

Now – the tourist season is mostly over – kids back in school – college kids gone so business scale back.

But – the beach remains the same – we almost have it all to ourselves!

SHERRY – CERTIFIED HEALTH COACH – ON LINE INTERNET BUSINESS –
website: http://www.sf.juiceplus.com

Email address for contact: ssherrylynn49@aol.com HOME HEALTH AND NUTRITION BUSINESS

Thank you for reading PAPA’S WORLD : livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa’s World – Granddaughters – Maddy and Ella – College Soccer – same conference – different schools – game on!

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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

SHERRY CERTIFIED HEALTH COACH http://www.sf.juiceplus.com ssherrylynn49@aol.com

WHERE FRIENDS MEET OUR FAMLIES and WHERE FAMILY MEETS OUR FRIENDS!

PAPA’S WORLD

Papa’s World – I finally took pictures of the gator in our pond where we now live!

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Down at the end of this street in Cameron Woods – Ocean Isle Beach – is our pond – and home to a six foot GATOR!

I have seen it a couple times – but never all of “IT”!

We decided at near sunset – 7:30 pm. after watching the BMW golf tournament –

to take a walk down and around the pond.

Hoping we would see the GATOR!

Well – we did and it was laying on some grass and weeds about 75 feet from the edge of the pond!

The reflection of the houses on the water and right in the middle it lays!

I am guessing 5 to 7 feet long when the tail is out straight!

It never moved and in the fading light – I had to look twice to make sure!

So we walked along the path to see it at different angles! And it never moved!

I had the feeling it was watching us!

We have now seen it at different times – but never all the way out of the water.

At least I have taken a picture of it!

Thank you for reading Papa’s World – MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog fitztdf@fitztdf

SHERRY – CERTIFIED HEALTH COACH http://www.sf.juiceplus.com
PAPA’S WORLD – livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Paps’s World – Taylor – Cassidy and Bode – first day of school and Marley walking to bus stop!

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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

My email for contact : fitztdf@aol.com SHERRY EMAIL: ssherrylynn49@aol.com http://www.sf.juiceplus.com

The kids really like school – making new friends and new teachers.

First day of school and walking Marley to the bus stop!

PAPA’S WORLD

livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa’s World – Part two – inside the new house – almost done – furniture arrived!

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The guest bathroom – off the front hall but between both bedrooms.

Still thinking this one through – the rug we are trying out – she might just keep this one! LOL

Front bedroom – carring on the light gray and yellow theme. It is in here that drawings form Ella and Cassidy are hung.

This room also has the Swedish heritage items – as Sherry is Swede – her grandmother came ferom Sweden.

A drawing of a little girl in the rain with umbrella by Cassidy when she was nine.

This to me is like a HALLMARK card – so simple yet so carefully drawn of a little girl by a little girl.

This was drawn by Ella when she was 17 years old

A picture of our front porch in Brambleton where I sat everyday until the sun got too hot!

She captured it perfectly right down to the flowers and Swedish horses!

Thank you for reading Papa’s World – in the next blog I will have pictures of more of the house.

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PAPA’S WORLD livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa’s World – our morning walk in Cameron Woods – Ocean Isle Beach – Ocean Ridge!

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The entrance to Cameron Woods which is part of Ocean Ridge across the highway.

In part we choose this development because it has a place to walk! Quietly – and not much traffic!

Also close to the entrance – a retaining pond – one of many in the area.
A look from the street into Cameron Woods – Ocean Ridge.

This area was supposed to be developed much like Ocean Ridge across the street –

where the BIG CAT golf courses – four of them – are located.

When the downturn came – this section discontinued development –

somehow – Realstar became involved and is developing Cameron Woods in among all the lots that were previously

sold by the main developer.

For whatever reason – no one is building on them except maybe 8 to 10 houses.

This area is like entering a national forest!

The beginning of my walk back to the house from the gate. QUIET – hardly any cars!
At the beginning a few of the less than a dozen homes that were built here.
Then you enter the forest – there are utilities here – water – sewage and electric – berms and drains and street lights with Ocean Ridge on them.
I wonder just why no one is building in these sections with many named roads turning off the main road.
Might it be all tied up in courts or someone bad mouthed the development!

Very interesting – and we have been told – they paid a lot for these properties.

We made the right choice – our development is thriving – another and last section will soon open up.

By the end of the year – our section should be completed and all sold out!

Thank you for reading Papa’s World – livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

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Wild life is here – I have seen deer – turkeys – gators – turtles – birds of prey – not any snakes just yet!
SHERRY – CERTIFIED HEALTH COACH – site http://www.sf.juiceplus.com – contact ssherrylynn49@aol.com
PAPA amongst the beautiful trees on our walk.
HOME – the walk ends – Thank you for following!
PAPA’S WORLD livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa’s World – Sherry’s happy places!

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When ever we are on the beach – she is drawn to the water – wading – watching the surfers.

The beach draws her – to let off stress and a quiet place to walk – the sounds of the surf – the warm waters.

With friends – out and about – exploring the world with these two – every couple years we plan a break.

Buck and Cindy are our close friends – we moved into a house next to them 36 1/2 years ago –

and had known thenm before that. We get along and enjoy much of the same things.

Cindy is very active as is Sherry – always on the go. They walk together when we are around.

Now – our new home is about 40 minutes away from them.

We try to golf once aweek or go out to a show or dinner.

Family has and always will play a part in our lives. Sherry now is the oldest – and they all look up to her.

Here is Bode in front row with the five grandaughters behind him.

She reminds me so much of her father – tall – slim – smile – always on the go and a born entrepreneur

He always was looking for a way to make money and she has that also.

Not afraid to stand up in front of people and talk.

And they played golf just alike!

I became very good friends with him before he passed away – he told me many things promising I would not repeat them. All had to do with the War and I shall keep that promise I made to him.

I repsected him that much – it was a bonding moment for him and me.

Sitting on the Intercoastal waterway – just her and me – watching the boats and having dinner.

She loves our new area – back in NVA she would take dozens of visitors on tour guides into DC.

She is a leader – a natural born one at that!

And now – our new home – close to the beaches and the ICW – close to golfing and close to friends –

A place for FAMILY to visit and room to have them.

This is her happy place once again – walking – meeting new neighbors –

exploring and in a area that does not have the freezing ice and snow.

The new lanai and her putting her finishing touches on it!

These are but a few of her happy places – places she feels most comfortable in.

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WHEREVFRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY – FAMILY MEETS FRIENDS – PAPA’S WORLD – living life!

Sherry – in a happy place along the ICW – CERTIFIED HEALTH COACH – http://www.sf.juiceplus.com ssherrylynn49@aol.com
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