We are blessed to have friends we have known for almost our entire marriage.
Friends whom we still to this day get together – laugh – sing – golf and tour the world with.
Here are some of those friendships in Papa’s World.
We try to get together 3 or 4 times a year at each other’s homes!
Our friends – our times together – priceless!
They all hold a special place in our hearts – blessed – years and years.
Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD MY BLOG: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
Along the way – we have friends – who after social distancing – come to visit!
And – we walk the gated community – through he gate –
and onto the beach!
Our friendships go back years and years.
We all lived by one another – then we all moved away
but that friendship has endured time and distance.
Always from afar – but close when we make plans to get together.
We plan golf – card games and word games!
We drink a little beer – sing a few songs – do a shot – and laugh!
We would set up a get together every 4 to 6 months –
We lived near DC – Jim and Dottie Va. Beach and Cindy and Buck – Wilmington N.C.
Now we have moved further South
about 50 miles from Buck and Cindy.
It is easy for us to get together and golf every weekend.
Jim and Dottie are now the Northerners!
This last time – we got together at our condo – played two days of golf –
and Pickleball has now become another game we shall play!
She has her own website and for 15 years has been the one who encourages all of us!
http://www.sf.juiceplus.com HEALTH AND NUTRITION AT IT’S BEST!
Distance may separate us – but friendship is but a zoom call away.
Thank you for reading Papa’s World – Ever changing life – Ocean Keyes – North Myrtle Beach – friendships!
WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY
FAMILY MEETS FRIENDS!
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She had hoped they would choose to come with us!
The oldest – Maddy – decided to stay home and work.
She starts her second year of college
at the University of Lynchburg in August.
They have been a main part of our lives since they were born.
Maddy will soon turn twenty –
Ella just turned 17 and Sarah will be 14.
Sherry is tall at 5′ 9″ and Ella has nearly caught her!
Ella now stands at 5′ 8 1/2 ”
and I do not know if she is done growing
it seems in the last year she has gained 4 inches!
Now Sarah is growing fast – she already has reached her Mother’s height.
At 5′ 6 ” she I think will be as tall or taller than Ella!
Which means they both are almost Sherry’s Height!
And then there is Taylor – one of the twin girls
for our other daughter Tammy.
Taylor looks to me that she will end up taller than all of them!
She loves horses and horse back riding and at 9 years old
Is already almost 5′ tall!
But for now – it is Sherry and Ella.
Thank you for reading Papa’s World
WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY!
MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
In our early years – our families would vacation together
mostly at the Outer Banks.
Then – we all got busy – did not really go to the beach for a while
Families grew up and moved out – married –
But we still maintained that friendship
Doing the friends get togther every 4 to 6 months.
Now there are grand kids –
and it seems that it will start all over again
only we vacation with the grand kids!
Life gets busy – for children – grand kids and grand parents.
We have found in the last 4 or 5 years
It is fun to take one at a time or maybe two.
You get more quality time.
Our oldest – Maddy – leaves Saturday for her second year of college!
WHERE DID THAT TIME GO!
We are staying back and forth between Tammy and Debby’s houses.
Soon – at the end of September – we will head South for the Winter.
We have rented a furnished condo – top floor –
Three bedroom – two bath rooms – room for vistors –
Friends and family –
In North Myrtle Beach – 2 or 3 blocks to the beach.
Today – we are enjoying our new life as free from owning a home.
We are making plans to visit friends –
We already went back home
and spent time with my sons and daughter in law.
Yesterday we met up with Mike and Debby –
who had Ella and Maddy with them –
they had just finished a hike and we wanted to say goodbye to Maddy
before she left Saturday for University of Lynchburg Va.
To continue her college 3.85 GPA and her playing soccer!
The time has gone by all too quickly
From playing softball and volleyball together
to now hitting the golf links
Still friends – one retired the other close in a few years.
Toes in the sand – drink in the hand – oh but life is grand!
Thank you for reading Papa’s World
WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY!
MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
I have known Jim & Dottie since before they were married.
We played softball together and grew up in the same town.
Although I am older – we got along – and now after all these years
when ever we get together – we like to play golf!
I guess this goes back some 40 plus years – maybe even 45 years!
We were young then – he came to work at the same place I worked.
We got to know one another when we ended up on the same softball team.
When Sherry and I were married – they were there –
that was 38 years ago!
So – through all those years – we vacationed together
watched as their children grew up –
married and moved on.
They in turn watched ours do the same.
Dottie decided a couple years ago to take up golf.
Sherry has been golfing with me for the last 30 years.
We played organized volleyball in a league for years
until our early forty’s
We decided before we hurt ourselves – to switch to golf.
She has the perfect posture and swing for golf.
She is tall and straight – right extension on her arms
and most of the time right down the middle.
Dottie has come a long ways in the last year!
Jim has encouraged her and helped her.
They now play in a couples league
but found out after they started
it was mostly men!
GOOD FOR DOTTIE!
After a fine day of golf – the first time this year for us –
It was back to the beach house and relax by the pool!
Sherry did well for her first time this year – a 52!
My first time this year was a 49!
But – I must tell you – she can and does beat me!
Wouldn’t have it any other way after over 39 years together!
Thank you for reading Papa’s World
WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY!
MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
I have always like the mornings – the dark becoming light!
Sipping my coffee – usually after I have checked emails
written my blog –
I watch for the breaking of dawn –
The birds chirping
Sunrise – the beginning of a new day!
On cloudy days such as this one – it still is warm –
and ahead for us that day – was a day of golf!
Perfect in that the sun is not beating down on you!
On the beach – the sky is turning a light blue!
It was going to be a grand day!
As we departed a hour or so after the sunrise
All I could think of was just how much I enjoy life!
I guess I am a little bit sentimental
A little bit on the warm and fuzzy side.
But every time I see the breaking of a new day
I know in my heart that this is me –
always looking forward
always with a idea and plan in my mind.
Seeing the day – living the life – doing it my way.
For that is the only way I know how to live.
MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
Thank you for reading Papa’s World
WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY!
We were on the bottom floor – no climbing stairs with bags!
Our floor was so that we could walk right out to the pool or beach.
We also were a five minute slow walk to the stores
and places to eat!
There were hardly any people at where we were at.
The local beach was sevral blocks North of us-
And even there – people set up 15 to 20 feet from each other.
I saw a few masks but the breeze and open air
we were and felt safe.
This for the time being – will be our vacation life
as we continue into the pandemic.
Selecting spots that are quiet – social distance
and friends and family who also took safe measures before coming.
Toes in the sand – drink in hand – life is grand!
Thank you for reading Papa’s World
WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY!
MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
Our first full beach day was on a Monday!
The whole week would end up warm – hot – a few showers
and fantastic lightening and thunder shows over the ocean
and behind the house!
We were just South of the public beach access –
and when I walked up there – groups and families were spread out.
As it was where we set up – everyone seemed to have marked
off their own space 15 to 25 feet from anyone else.
We walked both ways – and people respected your space.
No need as far as we were concerned to wear masks on the beach.
It was wide open – we were not near anyone
and the wind was always blowing.
Besides – everyone in our house had quarantined before coming.
Everyone worked from home or had tests.
As you can see – not that many people around.
Unless you were by the water – you needed foot wear for the sand
which was very hot!
It was in the low to high 90’s all week.
With one day over 100 and heat index of 104!
It would sprinkle a little then go away
at night we would have lightening shows out over the ocean!
There was a problem of Jelly Fish
but from what I have read
it is all the way up and down the Carolina’s and Va. coasts
Ella did get stung twice as did Sarah.
I went to the lifeguard and they sent a EMT over.
He applied a heat pack and told us to get her to a hot shower
or a hot tub which we did.
That seemed to cure it.
Several other people also got stung!
Sherry is 5′ 9″ and the girls have or are catching up!
All in all – the beginning of the vacation week –
was more or less worry free.
We had met those we did not know
All had social distanced
and we were confident going forward we had made the right choice.
Thank you for reading Papa’s World
WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY!
Th adventure of the homeless vagabonds continue.
MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
We had some apprehension – we were social distancing.
But – we also knew everyone else was also.
We were going to the beach with our life long friends
and their family.
What had started out long before the Covid 19
was a vacation planned by cousins
then the travel restrictions and pandemic.
But our friends daughter had put down a big deposit
and they were not letting her back out unless they rented it!
Word went out to close friends – can we help her out by renting a room?
Everyone was a friend of a friend –
and had been social distancing –
that was the start and we decided to go and take our two grand daughters
who had been wanting to go to the beach!
Across the street from the beach – we had arrived.
We knew a lot of the people – some we did not know.
But – what was a hard thought process
turned into a wonderful week.
We settled in – and a agenda had been thought up ahead of time.
We knew exactly when it would be our turn for dinner.
And what we were going to fix –
Jim and Dottie were our partners for dinner on Thursday!
But our first night there with a late check in was Sunday!
PIZZA order was on the menu for the first night
and less than 2 blocks away was a pizza shop!
The road you see here is the pathway to and from the beach.
No sidewalks on this beach road and the entrance to the beach
two houses in either direction!
So – everyone walked – ran – biked or drove this road.
Sometimes on both sides!
When driving this road – you would go slow and stop
giving the people the right of way ! LOVED IT!!!
There were nine bedrooms with Seven masters!
Ten bathrooms and three levels and a in ground pool.
The beach is very wide here and almost all of this is residential!
The sand was hot during the day – because we had a very hot week!
One day was over 100 with heat index of 104!
There were kids – little ones – mid size ones
& our grand daughters 14 and 17 being the oldest!
So they pretty much did what they wanted with our permission
always asking – polite – and everyone loved them.
I have been and always am a early riser!
I am up before the sun !
But – sitting here waiting with a cup of coffee
and capturing my first sunrise –
Was well worth the rise and shine of the day!
Maddy – who leaves again for college this weekend
choose to work but Sarah and Ella – choose to come along
and I am so happy they did.
The first day of our vagabond vacation with the grand daughters.
Thank you for reading Papa’ World
The week continues in the next blog!
MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
A surprise birthday party for our good friend DOTTIE !
We have been friends with DOTTIE for 37 years !
Along with Dottie –
Sherry is also friends with Cindy !
Almost the same number of years !
This picture was taken just before we went on a wine tasting tour –
Now – I do not have the picture of the “RESULTS “
Of that said wine tasting –
But all three ended
up in the back row seat of the SUV !
LOL
So – they decided to recreate that picture at the birthday party –
which was held on the beach at Sandbridge – Va.Beach .
Of course they did not drink as much wine –
Too many family and friends around –
But – they still managed a great time.
And of course we also got into the act –
There were over 75 people from five different states !
And it was a complete surprise –
All put together by her daughter Katie
and Dottie’s husband Jim –
Katie devoted days and days to this !
A house on the beach – all those people –
Places to stay –
Food – wine – beer – water – games – she did it all !
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DOTTIE – family – friends – co workers –
Just another day in our life with friends –
Buck and Cindy had dropped in at our house for a couple days –
and then we drove down for the party.
Thank you for reading Papa’s World –
where I blog about our lives –
family – friends –
one day at a time.
For more reading just type in the following
livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
for my email
fitztdf@aol.com
For HEALTH & NUTRITION
Sherry email
ssherrylynn49@aol.com
Thankyou for reading Papa’s World
We played softball together in the mid ’70’s
and continued until I turned 40.
Then I played volleyball –
sometimes we played together
when I turned 48 –
I was getting too old – I turned to golf
and today – we still get together
drink a few beers and swing away
me more often than him! LOL
I am 9 years older – but we first met on the softball field
I went to his wedding
and we have been friends ever since.
We worked together before we moved
and along the way he introduced me to his friend Buck!
We ended up living right across the street from Buck and Cindy.
And we all would meet up-
and to this day some 35 plus years later – we still do!
Every 4 to 6 months we try to do this –
going from one house to the other
Buck and Cindy live just South of Wilmington N.C. now.
Jim and Dottie now live in Va. Beach area.
And of course we live SW of DC.
Our journey from back home – NWPA and SWNY has evolved
But we still stay in touch!
These three together laugh and laugh –
and they sneak the fireball!
Esp. when we golf – it almost always is guys vs. the gals.
And let me tell you – NO STROKES !
Jim wants to give strokes -and they will whip us!
We have played for years and years even up
and most often it comes down to one stroke difference!
We all were Bills fans – we kind of adopted the Redskins
only because when we moved -no one carried the Bills.
We tried for three years – there were two Sports bars
but it took a long time to get to them in DC traffic.
So – we still followed the Bills and watched the skins.
But Cindy and Buck – Dottie and Jim have remained die hard Bills Fans!
We got together this season in Wilmington
and all went to a Sports bar called the Lazy Pirate –
where we watched the Bills win!
On our trip to Northern California – at a Sports bar –
in old town Sacramento!
We have been trying to get Jim and Dottie to come along
with us on one of our trips.
Maybe this year they will!
It will happen one of these times
Maybe Nashville – or Gatlinburg or Oregon!
Who know where it will be next!
Thank you for reading Papa’s World
WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY
We are blessed to have friends such as these
I 