Papa’s World – The day the SNOW came!

It started off like many other days in NVA-

Brambleton, Va. –

We were a couple miles away from the backside of the DULLES AIRPORT –

For Washington, D.C. in Loudoun County.

Be prepared –

a winter storm watch has been announced.

This was the view from the steps of our front porch home –

of the intersection.

We were prepared –

after all, we had spent the first 50 years of our lives –

living and coping with winter snowbelt storms in WNY and NWPA!

But – all of that did not compare to what was to come.

Our patio – is enclosed by the house on three sides –

and a fence on the outer side toward the street.

Many family times spent here –

Back in WNY – I had a van – with wide tires.

I would take the van –

and ride back and forth on the driveway –

Packing down the snow instead of paying someone to plow it!

Here it was different-

only the driveway was about two car lengths long!

I had my shovel and a large pushbroom.

Then it started to snow –

light at first –

Then it started to stick to the paved sidewalks and road.

It continued all day and into the night –

We took turns trying to keep ahead of it.

Here Sherry attempts to clear a path on the front sidewalk!

You can see ahead of her where I had managed a path to the road.

Early morning of the next day –

less than 24 hours after the start.

It had turned into a major snowstorm in NVA! and the East Coast.

It continued the next morning !

They were trying to plow –

and keep the roads open the next day-

but it continued to come down.

The open door is out to the back patio next to the garage and driveway.

The garage door – over 36 inches and still snowing!

Me digging outside by the back patio.

The weather alerts kept coming –

the storm was not over!

It was piling up – soon the snow banks would be taller than me!

The entrance to the patio from the kitchen –

Over waist deep –

Not going out there-

and we had an all-nighter coming up!

That night after 24 hours of snow –

A look at the patio,

That fence I could look over on my tip toes!

If you go back to the picture of looking outside at the patio before the storm from inside this window-

This is looking from the outside into the front living room!

We had over 48 inches of snow in less than a day and a half.

In all the years of living in the snow belts up North –

We had never experienced –

this amount in such a short period.

The official measurements came from the DULLES AIRPOT just a few miles away!

We sold that home in 2020 and moved to the border area of OIB- SUNSET BEACH-

Our winters here are much different – even though in early Feb. we experienced snow-

This is a rare event here.

But we did get three to five inches with a hard crust.

Everything lasted maybe 5 to 7 days!

And then a few days later after it was gone –

We had 80-plus degrees.

There is a saying down here –

“IF YOU DON’T LIKE THE WEATHER – WAIT FIVE MINUTES AND IT WILL CHANGE”!

LOL – BUT FOR ONE DAY IT SNOWED AND SNOWED –

give me that beach chair any day-

and I will try to get up – better-

than shoveling snow!!! LOL

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Papa’s World – MERRY CHRISTMAS!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Today we share thoughts –

laughs – kindness – gifts –

and cheer with family and friends!

The past memories come flooding back –

watching grandkids sitting on the stairs –

eyes wide and giggling.

Waiting for parents to get up out of bed –

And eyeing the stockings-

hanging from the stairwell.

Oh – how I cherish those memories of times gone past.

The innocence of youth.

The tree is all lit up –

presents are stacked neatly underneath it!

They giggle –

excitement in the air –

then the bedroom door opens-

and silence as they wait for their parents-

CHRISTMAS DAY HAS ARRIVED –

let the enjoyment begin!

Outside it is a “WHITE CHRISTMAS DAY”!

The wind is blowing –

and the trees shake their branches.

Inside the fireplace is on –

the stockings are on the floor-

between their legs.

The voices ring with excitement –

AFTER ALL – IT IS CHRISTMAS DAY!

To all of you – MERRY CHRISTMAS –

and hope for a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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PAPA’S WORLD – MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Papa’s World – “MERRY CHRISTMAS” !!!

Today is Christmas day – celebrated worldwide – and once again we are with family.

The joy of family-giving – comforts of home – warmth and yuletide greetings!

Today I wish all of you JOY – thank you for being a part of my life in the BLOG WORLD!

Today I give thanks to family – both near and far – thoughts – words and memories –

always cherishing – always thinking and always praying for memories to be made.

Today we partake in a meal – today we laugh – today we smile and today we make yet another memory!

From the both of us – to all of you – HAVE A JOYOUS MERRY CHRISTMAS – BLESSED ARE WE TO HAVE YOU!

PAPA’S WORLD – “MERRY CHRISTMAS” my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa,s World – Brook Green – Night of 1000 candles – near Pawley’s Island-S.C.

The night before we came back home to N.VA. – we drove 45 minutes South

Near Pawley’s Island S.C

to “BROOK GREEN”!

( and we will go back in warmer weather – to see it again in daylight!)

Huge Oak trees – with hanging lights – almost from the top!
Reflections in the water of lights!

The whole place – hundreds of acres – is dressed up in colored themes –

and over 1000 candles lit by hand!

Bronze statues are everywhere!

Some of the 1000 candles lit by hand!
Candles and lights – everywhere we went – a different theme – and colorful lights!
There were food trucks and a tent set up with drinks – hot chocolate – coffee and tea as well as water – soft drinks and beer!
So many different areas lit up – hard to capture them all!
You had to stay on the paths – and after dark – you could easily get lost in the maze of light!
Hanging moss lit up!
Paper lanterns lit in red and white colors!
Like fire flies in the sunset!
Sculptures with light reflecting on the water!

There must be a lot of volunteers to do all of this!

And – we only saw part of the park –

there also is a zoo here but was closed!

Thank you for reading Papa’s World

WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY

FAMILY MEETS FRIENDS!

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WISHING YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!


Papa’s World – out of pop tarts – ginger bread houses – baking cookies!

Tis the season! We are back home in NVA!

And Sherry and the little ones are baking cookies!

Bode – Taylor – Cassidy – made these Ginger – Bread houses out of POP TARTS!

They followed Sherry’s instructions –

Then it was time to bake cookies!

Bode – Taylor – Cassidy – followed MORMOR’S instructions – and each decorated their own.

They each rolled out the cookie dough –

and each one cut out the cookies.

They then decorated the ones they made!

They love baking with their MorMor – in Swedish – mother’s mother!

And – as she does every year and their favorite

CHEX MIX!

All the grand kids love this when she makes it!
TIS THE SEASON

We are spending three weeks back and forth between the two daughters houses.

And as with the young grand children

She also baked cookies with the older ones!

Have a Merry Christmas everyone!

From our hearts to yours!

OUT OF POP TARTS – GINGERBREAD HOUSES – BAKING COOKIES!

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Papas World – A guest Christmas Story

Merry Christmas
from Tom & Sherry

December 25th. 2019

Today I post a story – a story written not by me – but by a friend.

A special friend and a special story for all.

Wishing you a blessed Christmas
and a Happy New Year

The story takes place years ago –

in the memory of a little girl

Her mother – and siblings

” A CHRISTMAS STORY”

Tiffany Ford 

One of my favorite Childhood Memories of Christmas was the year we couldn’t afford a tree. I don’t recall who had the idea, but it was decided that we would put nails in the wall in the shape of a tree & string lights on them and that would be our tree that year.

We lived in an apartment at the time, and our neighbors were very confused about all the banging! To my childhood self, that tree was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.

I grew up very poor. After my dad moved to another state with his new family, it was just me, Mom & my brothers.

Mom worked hard, often at multiple jobs, and we cleaned offices as a family in the evenings to make ends meet. In spite of this we still sometimes needed housing assistance & church pantry meals to get through.

We lived on generic everything, Dry Milk, Ramen & loads of pasta & potatoes. I am honestly so grateful for all of it. I never look back on my childhood Christmases & think “I wish we had more”.

Because even in the years when there was enough money for gifts, I couldn’t tell you what I received. What I do remember is the look on my mom & my brother’s faces putting up nails for the tree on the wall and the faith that our family would have Christmas no matter what.

We were the freakin’ Who’s down in Whoville. If all we did was play board-games & color & eat spaghetti it would still be Christmas, and it would probably be more memorable.

Maybe that’s why I’m not super traditional about Christmas, making do with what you can find forces a person to be flexible.

🎄I remember the blue stuffed dog I got from Toys 4 Tots he was my favorite for a really long time
🎄I remember the 4 of us lying on our bellies coloring in the living room waiting up to see if Santa would come.
🎄I remember the years we were each allowed to pick out our favorite cereal, even if it had Sugar in the first 5 ingredients
🎄I remember the mornings that we found a box on the porch with a turkey breast & a bag of potatoes so we could have a real dinner. 
🎄I remember my brother and I removing the labels from the tuna cans & rolling them across the floor to each other
🎄I remember Mom was not amused the year the “Santa box” had both tuna & cat food cans ðŸ¤£

The year we had the wall tree, some friends from our church showed up a few days before Christmas with a real tree & a stand for us. They helped us set it up & decorate & we cried happy grateful tears.

If you ask me though, the real tree was never as beautiful as the lights on our “tree” on that wall.

I guess what I’m trying to say is if you’re struggling financially this year, know that your kids will be ok. Real magic never comes from things. The real magic in life comes from the unlikeliest of places.

The places where we struggle, stumble, fall on our faces, learn which friends will help us to rise, and discover the person we have become as we climb back to our feet. 

Happy Holidays my friends, whatever holidays you choose to celebrate may this season fill your heart with real magic

#holidaymagic
#realsappy

In this day of the celebration of the Christ child

Let us pray and if we can – help those in need.

A pair of mittens – a warm scarf or a “box” of food.

A helping hand – a can of tuna –

You never know just how much that means.

Thank you Tiffany for sharing – giving from the heart.

Open the door and your hearts

Tiffany was honored when we asked to share this story

NO TIFFANY – it is our honor.

God bless

I am also going to post this to her unknowing

Tiffany Ford

Real Estate Consultant

at EXP REALTY

Phone # 703-946-0191

She did not ask of me – but maybe someone out there

is looking for a great agent

in the NVA area!

Thank you for reading Papas World

my site

livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Where friends meet the family