Last weekend we were invited to Bibber’s 70th birthday party.
Bibber is one of the dearest, sweetest women in our church and we were thrilled to get to celebrate this occasion with her
Her family, knowing her great love of fishing, came up with a fabulous fishing-themed party that absolutely amazed me. My creativity comes to a screeching halt whenever decorating for a party needs to be done so I was extra impressed and fascinated with everything there was to see.
There were jellyfish . . .
and unspecified other fish hanging from the top of the tent.
A colorful backdrop made a lovely setting for the food table.
A tackle box was filled with all manner of yummy goods.
And how cute is this? This is something even I could do!
The small picture at the bottom shows Bibber with her largest catch.
Yum.
Is this not funny? If you can’t see it clearly, it’s a crock pot of meatballs. The tag reads, “Weather Forecast: Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs.”
Balloon puffer fish? Yep.
Small fishing rods and, um, red and white round thingies. (I never claimed to be a fisherwoman!)
An oyster in a shell.
A watermelon fish.
Gummy string fishing lines!
Delicious seaweed dip.
The punch was called salt water and the iced tea was called brackish water. I loved that!
There was even a Bait and Tackle Photo Booth set up, which we immediately put to good use.
And then, in the midst of all the fishing-esque celebration, this Mysterious Wacky Fisherman showed up. We took a vote and decided to let him stay.
Sarah and I even condescended to take a picture or two with him. 
After we had eaten and posed and hung out with the other fisherparty guests, we sat down with Bibber for a few minutes of recollections. It turns out that she and her husband were both born in the same little birthing center in downtown Manteo just a few months apart from each other and they have lived on this island their whole lives.
I recently read that only 8% of the people who currently live on Roanoke Island were born here and since there are no longer any birthing facilities, that number will continue to drop. In light of that fact, it was an extra special privilege to get to celebrate a birthday with a true Roanoke Island native–a woman born, raised, and married here. And after seven decades of life, she is continuing to live joyfully and generously and pass on the heritage of this wonderful piece of paradise to those who are coming behind.
And she might even do a little fishing along the way . . .
What about you? Have you lived all (or most) of your life in the same area where you were born? If so, do you wish you would have moved around more, or are you happy you stayed where you were?
I moved from PA to FL when I was 3 months old and have lived on the same side of town since then (I will be 59 on the 3rd). My 91 yo mom has lived in the same house the entire time (I’ve been living with her for 5 years). My 2 kids and 3 grandkids live in the same city. I couldn’t imagine anyone moving away!
Monika,
That is so cool to have that kind of heritage and those kinds of roots. I can only imagine how much it means to your mom to have all of her family nearby. Love it!
Looks like fun! Your photos and ddescriptions of the party makes me feel almost like I was there too! I’m always impressed by creative decorations and ideas.
I’ve lived in the same large prairie city , edmonton, all my life other than 17 months in a similar city 4 hours away, Calgary. But oh…my dream is to live by the ocean! A little seaside town like Manteo would be my absolute dream. ! One day, God willing.that is what I hope to do. Right now I’d move in a heart beat but I have been given the gift of timw with a very special 100 year old grandmother who is in this city and as long as she is here, so am I. Also we’ve set down roots here, and for my daughter who had a lot of moves and families to live with her first 10 years, stability and not moving is a priority for the remainder of her growing up years. But….one day. For now I decorate my house in beachy style with photos of the ocean all over and I devour the beautiful ocean photos on Smithellaneous.
Love the party decorations! What a clever bunch!
I was born in our nation’s capital, and have lived in northern Virginia, western Louisiana (two towns – three residences), northeast Arkansas (two towns – seven residences), Germany, and Missouri (one town – two residences). I love LOVE to travel – and have always said “If travel didn’t cost anything, you’d never see me again.”
My dream is to retire with enough money that Mike and I can go wherever/whenever. I don’t even want or need a home-base. I’d be happy living in temporary lodgings the rest of my life. Now that I’ve Kon-Mari’d my whole house and am in the process of doing it again, I’ve realized that I truly don’t want the vast majority of the “stuff” in my house.
We are taking the first steps toward selling our 2,000sf house, and I keep eyeing a few 600-800sf places that would suit us just fine. I could also easily live in a motor home or fifth-wheel. I am just “over” owning STUFF. “Stuff” makes me crazy. lol
Stefanie,
As you probably already know, our family lived in 400 sq. feet (and less) for 15 years. There truly is a great freedom in learning to get along with less; we honestly do not need most of what fills our homes.
I think your plans for retirement are fabulous. Scale way down and in that unencumbered state, go and do and and be–whatever or WHEREVER.
I read a quote that says to live and not travel is like reading just one page of a book. It sounds like you have read MANY pages over these past decades and have many more to read. Godspeed!
Kudos to the birthday lady’s family for the wonderful job they did coming up with the food and decorations for the party. I’m sure it took a lot of thinking for them to come up with the ideas, but they did an outstanding job!!!
I was born in Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, North Carolina where Sarah was treated. It was a MUCH smaller facility then. I have lived in WS all of my life except two semesters when I went away to college.
I have always loved to travel, but since I am retired now, I don’t have the finances for it, but enjoy the memories from my past travels. I do have family at the North Carolina coast south of Morehead City and go to visit them once or twice a year and absolutely love that area.
Congratulations to Sarah on her new computer!!!!! I’m sure she will enjoy many hours of time spent on it.
Lib,
So nice to see your name pop up here since you usually email me your comments. 🙂
I’m sure you’ve seen an amazing amount of change in Winston Salem in the years you’ve lived there. It’s such a great city; I know you’ve loved being there.
I’m glad you get to go to the beach a couple of times a year. Everyone needs a little beach in their lives!
I was born in Nevada, MO, lived about 8 months outside of Schell City, MO (population maybe 200). When I was around 8 months old we moved to the big town of El Dorado Springs, MO (population 3,800). Lived there until I graduated high school. I went to college for one year in Columbia, MO (MU), then transferred to what was then SMSU (Springfield, MO). After college, I moved back to El Do and lived almost 4 years. I then moved to KC and lived there 12+ years. In 1993, I moved to Bolivar, MO (another small town although home to Southwest Baptist University). I lived there until late 1996 when I moved to Springfield and worked at the AG Headquarters. In May of 1998, i moved to Louisville, KY and began my career with Humana. In September of 2001, I moved to Tampa, FL and was there until June of 2014 when I moved back to the KC area; however, I live on the KS side this time in Overland Park, KS. I can’t imagine ever moving back to my hometown. Too small after living so many years in bigger cities. My thought now is I will probably retire from Humana, been with them 18 years, and stay in the KC area. I love where I live and have found a church I really like.
Moving around the way I have has forced me to be very independent as I didn’t have family in either KY or FL. Since moving back to KC, I have been able to reconnect with a friend I worked with when here before. We had always kept in contact over the years. It’s been over 30 years since we met each other.
Congratulations on Sarah’s hearing aids. They are expensive! Both my parents wear them.
Phyllis,
I guess you could say you’ve “been there, done that” with all those moves to cities large and small–not to mention the different jobs you worked.
I appreciated what you said about learning to be independent since you didn’t always have family nearby.There is nothing that makes you learn to stand on your own two feet any quicker than being on your own in a new city. Steve and I have never lived in the same town as any family members except the first couple months of our marriage. It taught us to truly rely on each other–a good lesson. I know you know it well.
I am glad you have “landed” somewhere you like, and especially happy that you found an old friend and also a church to love. Sounds like the road of your life has led you to a good place.
not that Bibber’s party-givers are fishin’ for compliments, but I’m not “line-ing” when I say all was quite clever!
am 100% St. Louis in all categories.
Mrs. Pam,
“100% St Louis in all categories” is a very good thing, indeed.
And I enjoyed your pun-ny comment!
Oh how I wish I had an imagination to be able to put together parties like that. 🙁 Some people just have the knack and I guess that is why they are meant to be party planners.
I moved 1.5 hours away from where I was originally from when I was 13, leaving 5 of my “life long” friends behind. Just this past year as we were all turning 50 we “found” each other on facebook and got together. Turns out that most of of us live within a 1/2 hour radius of each other!! My husband comes from Northern Ontario and moved south by himself when he was 16. Distance wise, if you drove from where I was born to where he was born, you are looking at 400 miles difference. I am glad I moved. 🙂
Mel,
That is amazing that almost 4 decades later, you and most of your childhood friends still lived so close to each other! I’m sure that was quite the reunion with many memories and a bunch of laughter being shared. You’re blessed to have relationships in your life that go back so far.
What a lovely party celebration. Such imagination. Of which I lack, so I am always of the admiring persuasion when presented with such innovativeness. (Ha! I think I made up a couple phrases there).
Anyway, I was born in Philadelphia and we moved when I was 2. Never been back. My dad was there attending Drexel Institute, so there was no emotional attachment to the area. When he finished, we moved to Milton, MA. And that is where my life began, as I remember it. 🙂
Leslie,
.
I join you in being of the admiring persuasion. I also join you in occasionally making up words. 🙂
I had to look up Drexel Institute to see what it was all about. I know your dad is a retired doctor (surgeon?) so I know he has plenty of schooling in his background. I’m sure you’re grateful that the family’s steps led you all to Massachusetts. What a gorgeous state!
Yes, he is a retired cardio-thoracic surgeon. His best friend wrote the book MASH. Then it was made into the movie. This friend was Hawkeye and dad was Trapper John. The government sent him to MIT at the age of 40, where he got straight A’s. He eventually became an Assistant Surgeon General of the USA under Dr. Koop. He is retired to Provincetown and still consults daily on National Security issues, health related. For example, Zika right now. He is brilliant.
Lesley,
MASH, an Assistant Surgeon General and consults daily on National Security health issues? Amazing!!
It is amazing and none of us inherited that brain, LOL
Wow!
Moved here when I was a year old and have been here most of my life. Went away to college 4 years, lived in Quam three months, and at the lake 11 months after getting married. We moved back here and have lived in this house 30 years. Never really wanted to live anywhere else except maybe the beach now that we are retired. Enjoyed the pictures.
Ann,
Thirty years in the same house! Wow, I can’t even imagine that. I’m sure you’re thankful to have lived so many years free of packing boxes and moving companies. 🙂
I know you and Jim take occasional trips to the beach; hopefully, that’s enough to “scratch the itch.”
Much happiness and productivity on the new computer, Sarah!
I’ve been to theme parties, but none of them were themed to the extent that this one was! I love the attention to detail: Shells for pasta! Brackish water to drink! Cucumber fins on the fish! Watermelon and puffer fish! And on and on and one. Even that goofy looking guy who shows up at so many of your events. 🙂
Sometimes I wish I’d always lived in the same place, yet here I am on the west coast, having lived the first 6/7 of my life on the east coast. My east coast son and his family are in the process of trying to rent a house 6 miles from where I lived through my childhood. That should allow me some extra fun when I visit them. (As if two active grandsons won’t be enough fun!!!
Forgot to mention, the red and white things are bobbers (as I’m sure you’ve already been told). But if you’re going to take up fishing, get pencil bobbers. They’re long and thin with a very small ball-shaped center, the line attached to one end. When a fish bites, one end goes down, but the other goes up, notifying the novice fisherperson that there’s a fish to be caught. Pencil bobbers changed me from feeding fish to catching fish!
Jan,
Nope, nobody else filled me in on the bobber terminology so I’m grateful you did!
And it seems to me that someone should have invented that pencil bobber a long time ago. It is wonderfully logical and, as you said, makes the life of a novice fisherperson so much easier!
Jan,
Yeah, that goofy guy does have a strange habit in showing up at many of the same functions that I attend.
The East coat to the West Coast is a big jump! But having an East Coast son (and grandsons) give you plenty of reason to make that journey back. Isn’t it amazing the magnetic pull that grandchildren exert on their poor, unsuspecting grandparents? 🙂
Hi Becky –
I’m so jealous you get to live on the Outer Banks! My mother’s whole family is from Hampton Roads / Currituck County. My Uncle Burr actually grew up in Hatteras. I miss that area a lot. I grew up in Blacksburg, Va (Va Tech). I’ve since lived all over. I lived in Atlanta and then Athens, Ga while I got 2 college degrees, Eugene, Ore., Logan, UT where I got my final (PhD) degree. I spent 4 months living in Amman, Jordan and I’d like to go back there (even though I don’t speak Arabic). Most recently I lived in Indiana for almost 2 years but couldn’t take the flat without the ocean so I was lucky enougy to get to come back to Corvallis, Ore. Out of all the places I’ve lived Oregon is probably the place I feel most at home, though, as I’ve recently started to say, I’m flighty.. I may end up moving yet again, but I have no plans to do so anytime soon. In my 43 years I’ve finally started to realize I need a place where there aren’t a lot of people and where I can get outside into beautiful nature pretty easily. Corvallis, Ore. is pretty wonderful with both of those things.
Brooke,
I never thought I’d enjoy living here so much but I sure do!
After all your (much) traveling and (much) moving around, I know you’re grateful to have landed in a place you love. I know that it helps a lot to understand what you want from a place to live. In your case, it’s simple: few people, much beauty. That’s a wonderfully livable equation.
What a fun party theme and all the things they came up with. I am not creative at all, so it’s fun to see what other people come up with.
I was raised about 15 miles from where I now live. Still in the same school district too!
I will probably sell my little piece of paradise and home and move in about 10 years or so and I will move to be closer to one of my children…They are about 1 hour, 2 hours and 3 hours away, so I will have to choose where I want to go! Or maybe I wont’ have to worry about it and the Lord will come back first 🙂 Sarah looks VERY HAPPY with her new computer! I am happy for her too!
Wendy,
I love that you’ve lived all these years so close to where you were raised. And it makes it extra wonderful that your children have also stayed relatively close. You are blessed to not be traveling many hundreds (or thousands) of miles to see them. I hope you continue to enjoy your little piece of paradise!
A wonderful celebration for a wonderful lady! Wishing Bibber many more happy years on the island.
Vernie,
She truly is a wonderful lady; I don’t know if I have ever met such an unselfish, servant-hearted woman.
I love this party theme! Will remember it for a certain cousin!
I was born in Camp LeJeune, NC, but my parents were native to Norwich (Dad) and Noank (Mom) in Connecticut. My Mom was actually born in the birthing house in Noank village! When I was about 5 we moved home to Noank and I’ve spent most of my life living there or within 20 minutes of it!
The little village is no longer the village of my youth so I’m good with being outside of it. Funny how perspectives change over the years. Growing up in the village, it was considered the wrong side of the tracks and no one wanted to live on the river banks near the fishing docks – apparently it smelled like fish – duh. Then people decided that living on said banks near docks, river and Long Island Sound was THE place to be … and outside wealth flooded in and with it came fences, dog leashes, curfews and no more short cuts through yards! I can truly say I had an immensely blessed childhood in the village before all that!
Guerrina,
Isn’t it funny how time changes perspectives and changing perspectives change villages? I’m always curious when I read stories like you shared, wondering how that shift in thinking happened. How does a place go from a wrong place to live to a preferred place to live? Go figure.
The bottom line is that you got to live there when the living was more loose and free. I loved your line about being able to take shortcuts through yards. That pretty much sums it up, doesnt it? 🙂
I grew up on our family farm in North Iowa and couldn’t wait to leave. When I graduated from high school, then graduated college, moved to Florida & Tennessee. All this while had a feeling there was somewhere else I was supposed to be. Fifteen years later moved back to our family farm, which by now is a Century Farm. Bought the house my grandparents built and love all the stuff I couldn’t wait to get away from……….
Karen,
I know you are beyond happy to have come full circle and even happier to have had your eyes opened to the beauty and value of what you left behind.
I looked up Century Farm and found out it is a farm that has been continuously owned by one family for over a 100 years. That is so very cool!
There are now Heritage farms owned by one family for 150 years. As I’m the last in my family won’t happen for us………….
Karen,
Well, a 100 years is quite the milestone. How great to be a part of that heritage!
What a cute party theme! It was really well thought out. I USED to be a lot more creative…..not so much any more. 😉
I was born and raised in Denver and now live in Hastings, NE which is 400 miles east of Denver. I’ve been here since 1980. I’m glad I moved here….small town life is great! (I would never want to live in Denver again though….it’s way too big and busy for us.) However, I like routine and structure so moving around any more was never an option for me. We will only move one more time and that will be when we retire and head to Lincoln (another 100 miles east) to be near our children and grandchildren. We can’t wait!
LeeAnne,
I agree about liking small town life. Whenever we drive to a big city, I’m always looking forward to pointing the car back to Manteo.
And when the time comes for you to retire, I know you won’t mind packing all those boxes when it means living closer to your kids and grandkids. Happy day!