volunteering

Papa’s World – Pictures in a lifetime.

/ Tom / Leave a comment

To us, being retired, there are no Mondays!

Every day has a sunrise and sunset – beach included.

The days run together –

Senior living spent doing what we want to do!

MONDAY – MONDAY – hello and goodbye-

But you are always there.

OCEAN ISLE BEACH –

Where we decided to plant our feet in N.C.

Close to the border of S.C.

A new house – one we had built.

Much cheaper than buying and renovating!

We got to select what we wanted!

Close to shopping –

Entertainment –

Beaches and golfing.

Warm weather and almost no snow or ice.

Within a day’s drive back to NVA,

And the same for the deeper South.

We have made new friends here,

And old friends have either moved here or were already nearby!

Welcome to our world.

There is a place on Sunset Beach – Bird Island with a mailbox.

Sitting atop a large dune –

Two benches to sit on and read the journal in the mailbox.

A large piece of driftwood sits silently behind it!

A plaque tells the story of the two people responsible decades ago-

Of placing a mailbox here.

You are invited to read the journal and write down your thoughts.

The journals are collected and preserved.

It is about a mile and a half walk down the deserted beach.

No houses – only beach, sand, surf,

And large dunes-

With marshes and sand on the other side.

View of Little River – Cherry Grove and North Myrtle Beach in the distance.

A quiet place to think and watch the birds and the surf roll in.

On the water, ships

And boats are coming up and down the coast.

THE KINDRED SPIRIT MAILBOX-

A bucket list of things to see in our area!

We tend to live by this motto.

We volunteer –

The church food pantry is once a month for Brunswick County.

Once a month, we volunteer at Coastal Living for the elderly.

Sherry helps set up the store so residents can shop at different times with a sense of shopping.

I clean up and organize the library for the residents.

We also volunteer for the Protection of Sea Turtles on Ocean Isle Beach.

Living our lives while we are able in the service of others.

We also collect food from the community left at the community clubhouse –

To drop off at the food pantry!

Marking my ball –

For my golfing friends! LOL!

OUR GOAL IN LIFE

It is to age as healthily as we can.

http://www.sfitzsimmons.juiceplus.com

Thanks for reading –

PAPA’S WORLD-

My site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

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Papa’s World – Moments in time with pictures!

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Debby – Papa – Sarah and Sherry!

She has since graduated from H.S.

And now enrolled in college.

Here – we visited her at her school when she was young!

That smile and her cheerful disposition-

Makes this a –

A MOMENT IN TIME WITH PICTURES!

On Sherry’s bucket list of places to visit-

EPCOT for the FLOWER FESTIVAL!

We finally made it in the Spring and were not disappointed.

The many brilliant flowers were just as we imagined!

THIS IS A MOMENT IN TIME WITH A PICTURE!

My youngest son won first place in a pool tournament.

One of dozens, if not hundreds, of times winning.

He is a ranked pool player who has often played in Las Vegas.

Proud of this young man!

A MOMENT IN TIME WITH PICTURES!

Sherry and I are in our third year of volunteering for the Protection of Sea Turtles –

At Ocean Isle Beach!

Here is one of many nests we have helped on to make sure after hatching –

The baby Sea Turtles make it safely to the Ocean surf and water.

Being retired –

Volunteering –

gives us meaningful activities as we get older.

A MOMENT IN TIME WITH PICTURES!

http://www.sfitzsimmons.juiceplus.com

Thanks for reading –

PAPA’S WORLD-

My site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa’s World – Memories – pictures and good times.

/ Tom / Leave a comment

Found this little gem on Facebook!

It is very informative,

and I wish I had seen it long ago.

If you do not play golf –

Most likely, you won’t be impressed.

But – being one who hits a good shot-

and then falls back into the abyss-

This shows me what I may be doing wrong!

Of course,

I printed it off and will use it the next time I golf!

MEMORIES – PICTURES and GOOD TIMES!

This is our friend Jim –

Whom we met as volunteers for the Protection for Sea Turtles –

On Ocean Isle Beach.

He lost his wife a few years ago –

And we get together every so often at Pelicans Perch-

A local bar and restaurant on OIB.

He also drinks Pabst Blue Ribbon –

as I did in WNY! LOL

This is his yard on OIB next to the canals.

A true friend and a good guy all around.

MEMORIES – PICTURES and GOOD TIMES!

A blanket and gift –

from our dear friends –

Claudia and Jim Martin.

They were our friends back in NVA-

They moved down near us a year ago –

after selling their home in Reston.

They had a new home built about four miles away –

And we get together –

Friendships are PRICELESS!

MEMORIES – PICTURES and GOOD TIMES!

The team from the Sea Turtle Protection –

We sat on this nest until it hatched,

and we made sure-

They all made it to the water.

This involves going to the nest by 7pm each night-

Until 11 pm. or later.

Most hatching occurs-

in that time frame.

On day 50 to 55 –

Those are the days after the nest is discovered by the group-

Who patrol the beach.

Then a team comes in and verifies –

and either moves it to protect from high tides –

Or leaves it where it is –

and erects the screens and fencing.

The nest is then given the number in which it was found.

Our job is to talk and interact with vacationers –

and people who live here.

We explain what we are doing –

and how we maintain the nests.

The nests are subject to be destroyed by people who

do not know or wild animals.

When they hatch –

We instruct people to stay behind the ropes and no lights-

As that distracts the little turtles and causes them to become blind.

Two days are spent after the nest hatches to see if any more are in there-

Then, an inventory is taken –

to see if it matches the number that made it to the water.

All eggs are counted,

and any that did not make it-

out of the nest.

This information is given to the governing body for wildlife

and is compiled yearly.

It shows the impact that we-

as volunteers make –

in protecting an endangered species.

This is done all up and down the East Coast.

We all then go onto other formed teams-

to the next available nest.

This continues to about mid-October –

And begins sometime in early July.

Most of the nests are laid early May to Mid June.

MEMORIES – PICTURES and GOOD TIMES!

Sherry and myself as OIBSTPO volunteers.

Welcome to my blog.

PAPA’S WORLD- My site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

MEMORIES – PICTURES and GOOD TIMES!

Papa’s World – VIBES – thinking positive!

/ Tom / Leave a comment

I have always led my life with –

“Do the small things in life – mostly – it will take care of the bigger things”!

When talking about the volunteer work we do for the food pantry –

I was asked – “Can they work”?

Now – the people who came and waited for food –

Most were elderly – on fixed incomes.

A few were homeless –

Others – you could tell had emotional problems.

A few were living in their cars.

Different diseases you can not tell by just looking through a window.
I did not know these folks –

And I thought – why would you ask that question?

We were there to help –

And that question – well –

I hope that they never are in that position-

of the people –

who came for food –

Giving – helping – caring –

The little things in life that make the difference!

Near dusk from our driveway –

We caught a glimpse of a space rocket launch –

Going across the sky!

Sherry had been watching the news and it was announced the direction of the flight-

was taking in the night sky!

The wonders of space – rockets – exploring the outer limits –

A good vibe was shared from the driveway.

Routine – for me – going to bed when I am tired – fall asleep –

And without an alarm clock –

wake up between 5 and 6 am. every morning.

Then a half hour of preparing for the day to come-

Getting dressed –

And making my one and only cup of coffee for the day.

Sipping it as I read the paper online.

Skipping the absurd from either the left or the right.

World events – looking for the positive to start my day.

Following sports and checking my emails and notifications.

Then writing my daily blog.

ROUTINES that I enjoy.

Let the new day begin!

Today is a blog on good vibes –

A blog that gently leads you into a day of your life.

I want to thank everyone who reads this.

You can SUBSCRIBE to get it daily.

IT’S FREE!

PAPA’S WORLD –

my site: livinglifedoingitmyway. blog

Papa’s World – Good times in pictures!

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We have two NFL teams we follow –

The Washington Commanders and the Buffalo Bills!

Before we moved to NVA –

we lived in WNY – BILLS COUNTRY.

We were there for all four Super Bowls.

When we moved to NVA –

It was all Redskins –

To watch the Bills –

We had to travel to Alexandria to a bar above a pizza joint!

That trip because of traffic –

took an hour and a half.

That lasted one season for me

as it became a Sunday trip lasting about eight hours.

So – we slowly began to watch the Redskins

and on our final move to another house-

We lived about five miles from their headquarters

and practice fields and facilities!

Many times I would take a half-day vacation and go and watch them.

Soon – we both had two teams to cheer on – when we could watch the Bills.

Today – we live on the border of N.C. and S.C.

And we have two flags we fly during NFL season.

The Commanders and the Bills.

I lean a little more toward the Commanders

and Sherry toward the Bills!

This year as of this writing –

They both gained the AFL and the NFL championship games.

This has provided us GOOD TIMES IN PICTURES!

One of the places we volunteer is Coastal Point Living-

A senior living facility that also has a memory care unit and assisted living.

My work is in the library – where I go in and organize it once a month.

Weeding out books to make room for new ones –

Keeping puzzle boxes in like stacks –

Putting books away where they are cataloged.

Sherry helps out with the store that the residents get about once a month.

They earn vouchers during the month and spend them at the store.

They set it up as much as they can to simulate shopping in a store.

The residents come in wheelchairs – walkers – canes or walk if they can.

They love to be able once again to spend their vouchers and the feel of shopping!

THIS HAS PROVIDED A GOOD TIME IN MEMORIES!

We cherish our life together –

and our lives with family and friends!

Living in the South –

near the beach

and shopping and entertainment in our golden years.

The opportunity to live this life –

is a blessing and we are so grateful

LIVING LIFE ONE DAY AT A TIME CREATES GOOD TIMES IN MEMORIES!

The dawn of another day in our neighborhood!

We chose this place to live

as it is central to what we want to do.

Beach – shopping – entertainment – friends and golf.

CREATING GOOD TIMES IN MEMORIES!

As we look forward –

2025 is ahead –

hoping all these above are a major part of this year.

Family – church – friends and health are our main goals.

CREATING GOOD TIMES IN MEMORIES!

Thanks for reading my blog: PAPA’S WORLD

my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

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Papa’s World – My reference – desktop calender!

/ Tom / Leave a comment

How do you keep track of your commitments and daily activities as a senior?

Above picture – Sherry and I volunteer at Coastal Living –

An assisted care unit and memory for seniors living here in the South.

We go maybe once a month or as needed.

This visit was for the “Store” for the seniors who get vouchers and go shopping!

Most items are donated and put on racks and tables-

just like a store would be.

It gives them the sense of still being able to function –

even thou they are wheelchair bound-

or with walkers.

But for us –

we have each calenders on our office desks.

Entered are appointments – trips or visits by family and friends.

My memory is good but not so good that I can remember all that need to be remembered!

That is why I blog every day – to keep my writing skills good and also my memory.

Writing down what is upcoming every month –

and then comparing both of our calendars –

allows us to schedule a month out!

Planning ahead – doctor appointments –

I drive us most of the time.

I also write little notes to remind me of upcoming events –

meetings and social gatherings.

Being a senior – I find this to be a way to organize time –

And a way to keep track of days and dates!

Yes – being a senior –

you no longer know what day it is unless you have a place to look! LOL

I know Wednesday is garbage pick-up day –

and that I go around the house on Tuesday and empty

all the little garbage cans and that main one in the kitchen.

That is my job as the laundry is hers –

Simply because I may not do it right! LOL

When we meet up with friends or neighbors –

I get asked,

“What have you been up to or what did you do today”?

My answer –

“I DON’T KNOW BUT IT TOOK ME ALL DAY TO DO IT”! LOL

We are in our SENIOR YEARS –

living life one day at a time & living life to the plus!

Calendars are a big part of daily life!

Thanks for reading –

PAPA’S WORLD –

my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa’s World – Our life – volunteering!

/ Tom / Leave a comment

Today we are in our “SENIOR” years.

Moving to a warm climate- almost no snow or ice.

Is it “HOT” in the summer? “YES”!

But I would rather live in that than the cold of “WINTER”!

So – you might ask – “What do you do being retired”?

Many things – when asked that question –

I sometimes reply ” I DON’T KNOW – BUT IT TOOK ME ALL DAY TO DO IT”!

In my case – keeping track of what day it is –

I know when the garbage day is – Wednesday – so there for on Tuesday late afternoon –

I put the garbage can to the curb!

Other days I look at my watch and then my calendar on my desk!

Isn’t that wonderful?

I know when Sunday is because it is “GO TO CHURCH DAY”!

Speaking of church – we recently have volunteered for the county FOOD PANTRY!

The second Saturday of every month is when our church volunteers to operate the FOOD PANTRY!

Everything is so well organized –

You know ahead of time what your assignment is.

Sherry is a “SHOPPER”!

I have been “TRAFFIC CONTROL” and “LOADER”!

She gets a form and a cart and inside the building – she goes from station to station-

And shops for what is on the list – much like you see in food stores with employees with a cart!

She then takes the cart out to the front and here is where cars are waiting –

They have a number that corresponds with the “SHOPPERS” cart.

Here is a loader – they ask the person in the car where their number is –

And compare it to the SHOPPERS paperwork.

The loader then asks where to load the food.

The person in the car does not have to get out.

As soon as they are loaded – they can pull out and leave and the next three cars are then

told to move up.

When the cars first come in – they are given a number to be put on the dash.

Then you ask them if they can walk to the table.

Where registration is.

If not –

they are given a colored sticker and someone will come to their car and talk to them and they can sign in.

They are told where to park and to back in.

They must register to receive food from the food bank.

Other people are food stockers –

making sure each station is stocked and the bags with food in them are there.

People at the table outside record all the information on how many families are served-

How many individuals or seniors are served.

In 2022 – 4142 Families and 13701 Individuals were served from just this food pantry.

In 2023 – 5160 Families & 17100 Individuals were served.

In 2024 – 6819 Families & 23,477 Individuals were served.

Total volunteer hours – 8121 – or 203 40-hour work weeks!

You can see the need to feed people is increasing yearly!

It is something we intend to commit to as long as we can do it.

Inside the pantry are volunteers who record everything and enter it into a database.

People are in charge at the table in front to weigh all donations –

People are in charge of buying food from a huge wholesale food bank in Wilmington.

Other people go to local grocery stores to pick up donations.

It is well run and our church – Saint Luke Lutheran Church has the second Saturday of each month.

We also volunteer at Coastal Living for seniors.

I maintain the library while Sherry helps with the monthly “SHOPPING” for residents.

These are shopping set up by donations for residents to spend their vouchers

and give them the feeling of once again some control in their daily living.

Life as a senior – while we still can help others less fortunate than ourselves.

Thank you for reading my daily blog PAPA’S WORLD!

my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

PAPA’S WORLD – OUR LIFE – VOLUNTEERING!

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 – New Year’s Eve!

/ Tom / Leave a comment

As the last day of 2024 – draws near –

looking back on the past 12 months!

Sherry and I explore as much as we can.

We also volunteer –

and try to walk every day.

The outdoors is our world –

Our home is our dream.

Volunteering for the Protection of Sea Turtles –

N.C. Wildlife Resources – Permit ST2402.

Celebrating both our 75th. birthdays!

We see long-time friends-

and 2024 was no different.

Friends – both here and now and a long time.

Friends and family – 2024 – a year to remember.

It has been a blessed 2024 –

Family – celebrated our life together.

Finally – we all got together for a beach vacation-

cut short by the pandemic.

As we come to the end of 2024 –

it is time to reflect on the many blessings we share.

Our life here in the South has changed –

We golf –

walk the beach –

hop and look for entertainment.

We are tour guides-

for family and friends.

May we bring a positive outlook into the New Year.

Blessings – hope and kindness.

Love – peace and sharing.

Saying goodbye to the old –

and looking to the New Year –

From Sherry and myself – thanks for the memories –

Looking forward to a new year –

and new adventures.

Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD –

my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

PAPA’S WORLD – A YEAR IN REVIEW – celebrating another year and New Year’s Eve!

Papa’s World – Walking the beach looking for Turtle Crawls!

/ Tom / Leave a comment

We volunteer to try and save baby Sea Turtles –

on OIB, N.C.!

This entails early morning WALKING –

like at 5:45 am.!

We must be on the beach that early –

and walk the East end of OIB –

to see if there were any Sea Turtle Crawls overnight!

If you find such a crawl –

you immediately call the person in charge of the response team –

Who will come to the spot and find where the nest is.

They will determine at that time if the nest is okay to be left there –

or in danger of being flooded with “KING TIDES”!

These are exceptionally high tides –

and destroy the nests.

Then – our job is to continue the walk –

and see if any more TURTLE CRAWLS

have happened!

Looking in front of us to the far East end of OIB!

The Sun is rising and we walk toward it!

On this particular morning –

The forecast was calling for rain – thunder and lightning!

This is the view behind us from the West and the storm was approaching.

Sherry took this picture of me –

walking the dune line while she was closer to the surf.

We walk a wide area –

picking up trash as well as looking for crawls.

The storm was on its way –

and we wanted to be off the beach before it was upon us!

It took nearly one hour to walk –

and we made it back in time with our bags of garbage!

Papa and Sherry near the end of their walk –

two bags of garbage –

while it is seldom Sea Turtles come in on this section of beach –

It has happened.

Cleaning up the beach –

and walking almost two miles –

That was our mission that day –

and YES –

we did beat the storm as it opened up just as I started the car –

and headed home!

Turning 75 years old for both of us –

this type of volunteer work keeps us active!

Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD –

my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

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

/ Tom / Leave a comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Giving what we can – not expecting anything in return –

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

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

Ocean Isle Beach, N.C.

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

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

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

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

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

We could purchase what is called FIRST TEE CARDS –

Which give reduce rates on over 50 courses –

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

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

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

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