A person who is "right-brained", or "starboard-brained" as sailors might say, is often said to be more intuitive, thoughtful and subjective. On this page, Carla will provide the human interest side of our story.
My first ever "shout out" has been received from one of my oldest friends, Jill, in Texas. Jill is actively involved with a program called Warrior Canine Connection. A little bit about the program is below, from the website of Warrior Canine Connection (WCC). You can read more about them at www.warriorcanineconnection.org. A very worthwhile program that helps our veterans, and I encourage you to take a look. Besides there is a "puppy cam". You can watch around the clock the puppy cam and see the new puppies as they grow. Jill recently flew from Texas to Maryland to spend a few days interacting with the new liter of puppies. Since the puppy cam doesn't have sound, she took a piece of paper and did a "shout out" to us on C-Time. See below. Thanks Jill, love you girl!
January 21, 2014
This is the Queen Elizabeth, in port as we came in to the Fort Lauderdale inlet today. Pretty neat to see.
I took this after we left our anchorage this morning. The pink was so pretty - even made the water pink!
As I sit in the somewhat warm cockpit of our sailboat, traveling from town to town, it gives me time to think and to share. I've "been on vacation" now for going on 2 weeks and it has taken me that long to get used to this slowed down lifestyle. I'm used to hurry up and get this out to a client, scan this document to someone or be aggravated at a co-worker who is taking too long at the copier. From get a courier to hand carry a package somewhere as quickly as possible, to answering an e-mail as quickly as possible to getting the work product out quickly and efficiently to short (to sometimes no) lunch breaks, to working late, to getting frustrated with the co-worker who acts like a jerk because they think their task is more important than mine.
Well, after 2 weeks on C-Time and seeing how the "outside" world, the "cruising world" is, I must say, I really like it. We met one boating couple on the VHF radio as they passed us. We slowed down 30 minutes later to check on some "strange noise" we heard and they came on the VHF radio to "check on us" (we see you've slowed down some, is everything okay?). How nice was that? From the speed boat that comes up on our stern and calls us on the VHF radio and asks permission to pass us slowly on our starboard side, so he doesn't cause us concern as he passes us - to the locals in the small towns we come to that are more than happy to welcome us to their community and give us directions and advice. There is a "no hurry" up attitude, except maybe to see the dolphins up ahead or a bald eagle in a nest. It's a much slower lifestyle. One where common courtesy is the norm and caring and concern are expressed in numerous ways in different ways, every day.
As I said, we are only 2 weeks into this cruising lifestyle but I must say, I like it!
January 18, 2014
My favorite picture of the day. Daniel had driven the boat most of the day and finally took a moment to enjoy the view from the bow of the boat...Happy Captain, happy First Mate.
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January 15, 2014 pictures from yesterday:
January 13, 2014 - pictures from today:
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Ferry from Daufuskie Island, SC
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It's been a couple of weeks since I've had time for a post. It has been CRAZY trying to get everything ready. I have come up with 3 trunk loads of clothes and kitchen supplies to give away to charity. How does someone have 43 shirts in their possession to give away and still have a closet full of shirts? It's just CRAZY.
This is our "living room" now that all the future is out. For the next month, we are living like we lived in college - without much stuff.
I'm glad I've had this stuff to get together as it doesn't give me much time to concentrate on other things...like saying goodbye to our "puppy" of 8 years. I'm glad the guy that is buying our hangar home is going to adopt Shula and he doesn't have to leave his "home" - but I'm going to miss that puppy something awful. Also, I can't hardly type this part without crying, spending my first Christmas without our children around the tree and all together. I knew it would happen one day, but I'm just not handling it very well.
Now, add on top of all of that, the fact that I have to say "good bye" to my best friends and everyone I work with, that I have worked with for over 20+ years. They have all been such a huge part of my every day life. I'm one of those weird people who actually LOVE their job. I like what I do, I like where I do it and I like who I work with - a lot. Change is hard, good-byes are awful - but I'm doing it with a smile on my face. I'm very excited about what our unknown future holds, and a lot nervous.
I woke up this morning and as I was standing in the galley fixing a cup of coffee, I look outside and on the dock is my captain waving his arms like a crazy man. Every now and then I could hear "shoo you stupid birds" "Get outta here". Nothing like starting the day with a good laugh. We'll to be honest, I started the day with a scowl. Daniel so very quietly got out of bed just as the sun was coming up...I just rolled over and started to snore again when I heard the quiet footsteps of my captain as he was going up the steps from below to the outside for a morning walk ... I just snuggled under my covers more when all of a sudden WOOOP....WOOOOP....WOOOP the burglar alarm of the boat went off when my captain stepped into the cockpit. He immediately turned around and came barreling down the steps and turned it off. Good morning residents of Cooper River Marina!
Well the dinghy made it, finally. D-Time (Daniel time - yes, I thought it only fair to name the boat after Daniel because if he makes me mad while we're off sailing, he will be spending his time in D-Time (just kidding, Memaw)) made it to the marina. This is a picture just prior to putting it in the water. I must say, after my slip and fall accident in February, me and D-Time are not on the best of terms. I guess the good thing is that I am extremely careful anytime I am around D-Time. After we put D-Time and Daniel in the dinghy at the boat ramp, he rode it a short 10 minutes to our sailboat at Cooper River Marina. When I arrived back at the marina Daniel was all set to take D-Time out for a "spin". So, new life jackets on, we boarded (I slipped stepping into D-Time, which was my own fault because I sprayed some protectant on it before we launched it and some overspray was on the floor but I think it was D-Time's way of telling me that it was still in charge, and not me) and off we went. We scooted down the Cooper River about 5 miles, by the old Navy Shipyard, and then came back. D-Time handled like a dream. I think we are going to come to understand each other.
This week was "maintenance" week. I went to my general doctor, Dr. Hicks, for a checkup and I explained our plans to her. She was more than happy to give me advice on how to do sutures in case someone gets hurt and we are too far from medical help. Also, she was more than happy to start a series of shots for me. I left there with 3 holes in my arms! I get to go back in a couple of weeks and get another round. Well as everyone knows, misery loves company, so I made an appointment for Daniel before I left. He gets to start his shot series soon. Hey, I love the guy - he needs "maintenance" too.
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HELLO FROM SOUTH AMERICA!
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My first ever "shout out" has been received from one of my oldest friends, Jill, in Texas. Jill is actively involved with a program called Warrior Canine Connection. A little bit about the program is below, from the website of Warrior Canine Connection (WCC). You can read more about them at www.warriorcanineconnection.org. A very worthwhile program that helps our veterans, and I encourage you to take a look. Besides there is a "puppy cam". You can watch around the clock the puppy cam and see the new puppies as they grow. Jill recently flew from Texas to Maryland to spend a few days interacting with the new liter of puppies. Since the puppy cam doesn't have sound, she took a piece of paper and did a "shout out" to us on C-Time. See below. Thanks Jill, love you girl!
WCC’s Service Dog Training Program
Training a service dog for a fellow Veteran provides a valuable opportunity for a Warrior suffering from psychological injuries to reintegrate into civilian life. As part of his or her training, Warriors have the responsibility to teach the dogs that the world is a safe place. Through that process, they must convince themselves of the same.
Warrior trainers are taught to praise and provide treats to their dogs when they experience a startling event, such as hearing a car backfire. Rather than turning inward to focus on their past trauma, the trainers must get outside of their own heads to focus on the dogs and their mission to help another Veteran. Additionally, dogs offer opportunities for Warrior trainers – who often isolate themselves from society – to experience positive interactions with members of the community. Their training requires emotionally numb Warriors to demonstrative positive emotion in order to successfully teach their dogs.
Warriors participating in the program have reported that using these positive emotions to praise their dogs has significantly improved their family dynamics, as their children are able to experience and respond to this positive parenting strategy.
Warrior trainers are taught to praise and provide treats to their dogs when they experience a startling event, such as hearing a car backfire. Rather than turning inward to focus on their past trauma, the trainers must get outside of their own heads to focus on the dogs and their mission to help another Veteran. Additionally, dogs offer opportunities for Warrior trainers – who often isolate themselves from society – to experience positive interactions with members of the community. Their training requires emotionally numb Warriors to demonstrative positive emotion in order to successfully teach their dogs.
Warriors participating in the program have reported that using these positive emotions to praise their dogs has significantly improved their family dynamics, as their children are able to experience and respond to this positive parenting strategy.
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April 23, 2014
Happy 30th Birthday, Justin!
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April 23, 2014
Happy 30th Birthday, Justin!
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February 19, 2014
As we travel around we get to
hear a lot of conversations on the VHF radio and before you can begin a
conversation you usually say something like “Gone Fishing” (name of the boat), “Gone
Fishing”, “Gone Fishing”, this is C-Time.
And then they answer back, C-Time, this is “Gone Fishing” do you want to
switch to channel 17 (a non-hailing channel you can chat on). Well, as we’ve been listening, we have
started to write down some of the boat names that have been used – and just wanted
to share them. They make us chuckle:
Leap of Faith
Hot Chocolate
Crazy Lady (a lady comes on and
says this is Crazy Lady…I don’t know, something about this just doesn’t seem
right – and she is on the radio ALL the time)
Aloha Friday
Lucky 7
Tau taug
Southern Belle
Southern Flight
Cat sass
Rachael
Attitudes
Latitudes
Cerulean
Jem
Barefoot
Balvenie (this is our friends
Mark and Amanda’s boat)
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January 23, 2014
Since starting out on our sailing adventure I have found that I have a whole new set of muscles. I ache from my toes to my head. I'm not doing anything too strenuous, just using new muscles. As I moaned and groaned this morning, I started thinking about what I have done since I got up this morning, that I typically didn't do when I was sitting behind a desk. When I was going to work I would grab a yogurt, drive my car, take a couple flights of stairs, take an elevator and sit behind my desk. Get up at lunch time and go downstairs, meet my "work out" buddies and "work out".
Well, my typical day today included, getting up, cooking breakfast and then it's time for a fuel stop so I have to throw out lines and place fenders out, then I put out the trash to the deckhand, I filled our 50 gallon water tanks, stowed the dock lines and fenders, do the breakfast dishes and steered the boat all before 9 a.m. (This is just what I'm doing, Daniel isn't in bed, he has a whole list of his own but since we're talking about MY muscles, you get my list of "to do".) Granted it slows down once we get under way, I now have time to read my book or write in the blog or just "sightsee". So many options.
Well, my typical day today included, getting up, cooking breakfast and then it's time for a fuel stop so I have to throw out lines and place fenders out, then I put out the trash to the deckhand, I filled our 50 gallon water tanks, stowed the dock lines and fenders, do the breakfast dishes and steered the boat all before 9 a.m. (This is just what I'm doing, Daniel isn't in bed, he has a whole list of his own but since we're talking about MY muscles, you get my list of "to do".) Granted it slows down once we get under way, I now have time to read my book or write in the blog or just "sightsee". So many options.
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January 21, 2014
This is the Queen Elizabeth, in port as we came in to the Fort Lauderdale inlet today. Pretty neat to see.
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| Honey, does this boat make our boat look little? |
I took this after we left our anchorage this morning. The pink was so pretty - even made the water pink!
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| Every day is beautiful! |
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As I sit in the somewhat warm cockpit of our sailboat, traveling from town to town, it gives me time to think and to share. I've "been on vacation" now for going on 2 weeks and it has taken me that long to get used to this slowed down lifestyle. I'm used to hurry up and get this out to a client, scan this document to someone or be aggravated at a co-worker who is taking too long at the copier. From get a courier to hand carry a package somewhere as quickly as possible, to answering an e-mail as quickly as possible to getting the work product out quickly and efficiently to short (to sometimes no) lunch breaks, to working late, to getting frustrated with the co-worker who acts like a jerk because they think their task is more important than mine.
Well, after 2 weeks on C-Time and seeing how the "outside" world, the "cruising world" is, I must say, I really like it. We met one boating couple on the VHF radio as they passed us. We slowed down 30 minutes later to check on some "strange noise" we heard and they came on the VHF radio to "check on us" (we see you've slowed down some, is everything okay?). How nice was that? From the speed boat that comes up on our stern and calls us on the VHF radio and asks permission to pass us slowly on our starboard side, so he doesn't cause us concern as he passes us - to the locals in the small towns we come to that are more than happy to welcome us to their community and give us directions and advice. There is a "no hurry" up attitude, except maybe to see the dolphins up ahead or a bald eagle in a nest. It's a much slower lifestyle. One where common courtesy is the norm and caring and concern are expressed in numerous ways in different ways, every day.
As I said, we are only 2 weeks into this cruising lifestyle but I must say, I like it!
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January 18, 2014
My favorite picture of the day. Daniel had driven the boat most of the day and finally took a moment to enjoy the view from the bow of the boat...Happy Captain, happy First Mate.
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January 15, 2014 pictures from yesterday:
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| Lighthouse on Hilton Head Island, SC |
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| Moving day?? This barge went by us twice with this moving truck on it. Early in the morning and then late in the afternoon. We're thinking someone on Daufuskie Island was moving in. |
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January 13, 2014 - pictures from today:
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| Our first bridge opening on the trip - Beaufort, SC |
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Ferry from Daufuskie Island, SC
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It's been a couple of weeks since I've had time for a post. It has been CRAZY trying to get everything ready. I have come up with 3 trunk loads of clothes and kitchen supplies to give away to charity. How does someone have 43 shirts in their possession to give away and still have a closet full of shirts? It's just CRAZY.
This is our "living room" now that all the future is out. For the next month, we are living like we lived in college - without much stuff.
I'm glad I've had this stuff to get together as it doesn't give me much time to concentrate on other things...like saying goodbye to our "puppy" of 8 years. I'm glad the guy that is buying our hangar home is going to adopt Shula and he doesn't have to leave his "home" - but I'm going to miss that puppy something awful. Also, I can't hardly type this part without crying, spending my first Christmas without our children around the tree and all together. I knew it would happen one day, but I'm just not handling it very well.
Now, add on top of all of that, the fact that I have to say "good bye" to my best friends and everyone I work with, that I have worked with for over 20+ years. They have all been such a huge part of my every day life. I'm one of those weird people who actually LOVE their job. I like what I do, I like where I do it and I like who I work with - a lot. Change is hard, good-byes are awful - but I'm doing it with a smile on my face. I'm very excited about what our unknown future holds, and a lot nervous.
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I woke up this morning and as I was standing in the galley fixing a cup of coffee, I look outside and on the dock is my captain waving his arms like a crazy man. Every now and then I could hear "shoo you stupid birds" "Get outta here". Nothing like starting the day with a good laugh. We'll to be honest, I started the day with a scowl. Daniel so very quietly got out of bed just as the sun was coming up...I just rolled over and started to snore again when I heard the quiet footsteps of my captain as he was going up the steps from below to the outside for a morning walk ... I just snuggled under my covers more when all of a sudden WOOOP....WOOOOP....WOOOP the burglar alarm of the boat went off when my captain stepped into the cockpit. He immediately turned around and came barreling down the steps and turned it off. Good morning residents of Cooper River Marina!
Well the dinghy made it, finally. D-Time (Daniel time - yes, I thought it only fair to name the boat after Daniel because if he makes me mad while we're off sailing, he will be spending his time in D-Time (just kidding, Memaw)) made it to the marina. This is a picture just prior to putting it in the water. I must say, after my slip and fall accident in February, me and D-Time are not on the best of terms. I guess the good thing is that I am extremely careful anytime I am around D-Time. After we put D-Time and Daniel in the dinghy at the boat ramp, he rode it a short 10 minutes to our sailboat at Cooper River Marina. When I arrived back at the marina Daniel was all set to take D-Time out for a "spin". So, new life jackets on, we boarded (I slipped stepping into D-Time, which was my own fault because I sprayed some protectant on it before we launched it and some overspray was on the floor but I think it was D-Time's way of telling me that it was still in charge, and not me) and off we went. We scooted down the Cooper River about 5 miles, by the old Navy Shipyard, and then came back. D-Time handled like a dream. I think we are going to come to understand each other.
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| D-Time |
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2 weekends ago we were at the sailboat show in Annapolis. We had a fun time but boy is there still a lot to learn. I felt like a fish out of water (no pun intended). Everyone had the “lingo” down pat and I’m still calling things ropes and the kitchen, a kitchen (not galley). I’m hoping as time goes on, I’ll pick up on the terminology.
We had plenty of time to visit new boats, top of the line boats. After I got on board and saw all of the plastic and fake wood, I was again, so thankful for my boat. Even though I have to apply teak oil every now and again, it’s worth it. Our boat has character. Our boat has heart. Our boat is, home.
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The closer it gets to time to leave, the harder it is to explain to people (family) why we want to do this. They still keep asking “are you really going to do that”? My response is a resounding “yes”. We have an offer on our house, so now, everything is really falling into place. Our only “hold up” right now is our newest grandbaby, Joshua Daniel. He is due to arrive January 4, 2014. I missed the first grandbaby birth and I don’t intend on missing this one. Also, my job. I can’t leave until after the end of the year. The end of the year in commercial real estate is a crazy time. Everyone wants to buy or sell their properties before the end of the year and everyone waits until the last minute to do so. I have been in the office on New Year’s Eve before, one of the only ones left, closing the purchase of a building.
I have worked at my law firm for 23+ years and to leave them before the end of the year, just is not an option. They have been so good to me over the years. My boss in particular. He has always said “family comes first” and has always had my back. He has encouraged me and given me confidence to do my job. He trusts my decisions and ideas, and that means the world to me. His caring and support over these past years, well, I’m crying now as I type this. He isn’t the only one - I will miss everyone very much, they have become an extended family to me. They have celebrated and cried with me, they’ve encouraged and they’ve cared, really cared. It has been the best place to work.
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This week was "maintenance" week. I went to my general doctor, Dr. Hicks, for a checkup and I explained our plans to her. She was more than happy to give me advice on how to do sutures in case someone gets hurt and we are too far from medical help. Also, she was more than happy to start a series of shots for me. I left there with 3 holes in my arms! I get to go back in a couple of weeks and get another round. Well as everyone knows, misery loves company, so I made an appointment for Daniel before I left. He gets to start his shot series soon. Hey, I love the guy - he needs "maintenance" too.
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I'm getting nervous. We haven't sold our home yet and well, we have to sell it to leave. We have 11 weeks left until "D-day" (not departure day, day "D"aniel quits work) and we haven't had a serious person interested yet. It has worked out so far, if we sold it, we would have had to move. If we sell it now, we will simply move onto the boat until we are ready to leave. The problem though, is I'm getting nervous. I sent out flyers to our local air fields this week just hoping someone would love to live in a wonderful airpark. We had 1 call. We need to sell the hangar apartment to leave town. So if anyone knows of anyone that would like to live in an airpark, please tell them to let me know. It's a great place - just not for us. The water is calling and we need to go!
On the upside, the weather is starting to cool off. We can sit outside in the cockpit a lot more now. Daniel made bug screens for the cockpit and now we can really sit outside and enjoy it. No more "no see ums" for us!
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Lorianna turned 1 a week ago. I had an overwhelming urge to be there for her first birthday. She would never remember it - but I would. Daniel agreed to my trip and in less than a week, I packed and took a "quick flight" to Bogota, Colombia. I was greeted at the airport by 2 of our sons with big smiles on their faces (it had nothing to do with my slip hanging out the back of my dress - or so they say.). When you arrive in Colombia, you go to baggage claim and everyone that is there to pick you up stands on the other side of glass and looks at you, until you clear customs. Kind of like picking a puppy out at the pet store. I made it to the glass and gave my sons a "virtual hug" when my oldest said, Mom, your slip is showing. OH GOOD GRIEF! I just got off a 5 hour flight, made it through immigration in a foreign country (all by myself) ... he's lucky I showed up with my slip on, much less showing.
We had a fun party for Lorianna - just me, her parents, her Uncle Brian and girlfriend, Angie (and her daughter Sofi) and 50 of Lorianna's cousins, aunts/uncles, other grandmother, and great grandfather. They do up 1st birthdays BIG in Bogota.
While I sat there enjoying the party, all I could think about was the next time I would get to see her would be when we sail there on C-Time. So back home I go, and work towards getting the boat ready to travel to South America.
We had a fun party for Lorianna - just me, her parents, her Uncle Brian and girlfriend, Angie (and her daughter Sofi) and 50 of Lorianna's cousins, aunts/uncles, other grandmother, and great grandfather. They do up 1st birthdays BIG in Bogota.
While I sat there enjoying the party, all I could think about was the next time I would get to see her would be when we sail there on C-Time. So back home I go, and work towards getting the boat ready to travel to South America.
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Ok, I'm not having fun. Shopping for insurance (health/life) is not fun. We need insurance but man, it is no fun. That was one good thing about working - employers had the insurance thing all sewed up for us. We did take some time out this weekend to take the boat out. Daniel was searching for the transom leak and we were wanting to try out our scuba gear. As soon as we left the dock, I realized my scuba gear was at home, not on the boat. Okay, so Daniel will try HIS out. Works for me. We motored out past the jetties (there was no wind at 6 this morning, so we motored). We get out past the jetties and the seas are about 2 feet. Not a big deal, unless you're trying to scuba dive. Not fun. Daniel gave up on that idea and just put the mask on and went and checked the bottom of the boat out. It was in fairly good shape but by the time he got back on board, he was a little green around the gills. I was a little green, sitting and waiting on him to get back on board.
We decided to turn the boat around and head back to our favorite "swimming hole" which is some protected water by Fort Sumter. We tried out our new head sets, to hear each other talk as we are dropping the anchor, and we dropped the anchor. We looked like dorks with our head sets on, but that was the best anchor dropping we've ever done. We ended up cooking some steaks, baked potato and veggies for lunch - which we enjoyed in the cockpit with an awesome view of Fort Sumter. Nice little breeze blowing - it was wonderful.
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TOWELS!!! Okay, I might not can sew, change the oil, steer the boat, basically fix ANYTHING on the boat but I can make it look pretty. I just got our new towels back - a sweet friend monogrammed the new boat name on them and I think they really turned out great (thanks, Nick Crout!). So basically you know what I can't do but I CAN cook a mean meal with homemade cookies for dessert, I can clean and do laundry and basically take care of my "new home" and my fella. I think since I'm the one supplying him all the fuel to do his "jobs" and "improvements" it is basically like I'm doing it! Bottom line, I may not can do mechanical stuff, but I can hoist my fella up a mast, oil the entire boat and do just about any grunt job that needs to be done. We all have our "specialities" on a boat and I'm really glad I'm not blessed in the ability to clean the bilge (my arms aren't long enough) or other "yucky" "odor" issues (I've lost my sense of smell and so I'm no good with odors). What I'm trying to say is that everyone is important on a boat and everyone has a job. No job is too big we can't do together and none is too small that I can't do myself. I'm just really glad Daniel has long arms - and aren't the new towels pretty?
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I've been a little absent lately from my portion of the blog, but I have a good reason...Lorianna came to visit her grandparents for a week and we were thrilled to have her all to ourselves. She went to the Zoo with Grammie, shopping, walking, going to lunch with PopPop one day - it was a fun week! We even had time for a boat trip! As you can see she LOVED her time on C-Time - even the trip from the car to C-Time was fun. She got to have a fun ride in the dock cart. I think maybe we could steal her away from her parents for a long trip on C-Time in the future!
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Here's my reason for not leaving the dock permanently until late December/early January. Our "daughter-in-love" Mollie holding up the picture of our newest grand baby! (Also my reason for wanting to return often to the dock to visit Little Matt or Little Mollie.)
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One of the really good reasons for our sailing to South America is Lorianna Michelle - our 10 month old granddaughter. She and her parents live in Bogota, Colombia, but came to see us this past weekend and no visit would be complete without a sailing outing. We took Lorianna and her parents out towards the Atlantic ocean for some fun but as we got close to the end of the jetties at Charleston Harbor, the storms that came up soaked everyone and had us turning around back for the marina. The liquid "sunshine" didn't bother us too much - it was just fun being together on C-Time.
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| Lorianna |
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| Lorianna and her Mom, Sonia, and her other grandmother, Lorenza |
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| Lorianna and her Dad, Justin |
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On the upside, being married to a mechanical engineer is definitely a plus. He can just about fix anything. Actually, I can't think of anything he can't fix.
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This is our middle son, Matt and his beautiful bride, Mollie on our old sailboat last year. I wanted to share this picture because (1) it was before they got seasick on the boat and (2) they were smiling on the boat. After this shot, they pretty much lost their breakfast, lunch and dinner. I felt so bad for them. They had a blast, until we took them out of the harbor and into the ocean. I think they'll visit us "in port" wherever we go, but on long range sailings - I do not think we will see them much.
The main reason for sharing this picture is to show you the parents of our newest "to be" grand baby. They are expecting in early January - and I can't think of a better way to start the new year off than with a new grand baby. Congratulation Matt and Mollie! I can't wait to hold the newest member of the family!
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The projects continue - this weekend. I have spent this weekend sweeping, dusting, vacuuming and cleaning the stairs that go up to the extra bedroom. Then I taped them off and, again on my hands and knees, stained them to make them look pretty. I think they turned out really well. Here's the "before" and "after" pictures.
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I'm home, again. After flying to Alabama to visit family and then driving home for 5 hours, my little brain had had too much fun and I was dizzy again. The ENT doctor said to take a few more weeks off the boat and give myself time to get back to normal. So, I'm home again. By myself. The outfitting of the boat waits for no sick person, so Daniel is working steadily on continuing to fix the boat up. That leaves me at home, with lots of downtime. I've taken advantage of this time (this time where I have to cook for no one, I don't have to clean for anyone, where I basically don't have to do anything) to do stuff. I made it through years and years of old taxes, closing documents for prior house purchases and brochures on items we do not even own anymore. I also have been able to use this time to do some "fixing up" around the hangar/house to get it ready to sell
I'm not sure I've mentioned before but we live in an airplane hangar. We have an apartment built inside of the hangar. The hangar was ideal when we lived with our airplane - but we sold the airplane to pay the new boat off. So the boat is totally ours and fixing it up, is like fixing up our new home. It's not a home in the traditional sense, but it is OUR home and we love it. So now we have to fix up the hangar to get it ready to sell to finance our cruising lifestyle - so I spent last weekend washing down and cleaning the baseboards throughout the hangar. Then on my hands and knees, painted them all. It took most of the weekend but they really shine. We have a big "fly-in" in our air park that we live in, next weekend so we want to get the hangar all spruced up and put out a huge "for sale" sign for all the pilots that are coming to the fly-in to see it. Maybe a potential buyer will fly-in next weekend. This is our airplane we sold. Daniel built it, yes built it himself. See why I'm not too worried about the mechanical items on our boat. He's a wonderful mechanical engineer and the plane is just another example of it.
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You know, it isn't always about the boat. This past weekend is a case in point. While Daniel was working on replacing windows on the boat (maybe it IS all about the boat) I spent a long overdue weekend visiting the folks in Alabama. I had a great visit and we discussed the boat the WHOLE time, honey, I promise (wink, wink, nod, nod).
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Mother's Day - 2013
Meet the three reasons I get to celebrate Mother's Day. My fellas...Justin is on the left, Matt is in the middle (he always is) and Brian is on the right. Our adventure and love of travel and new places has spilled over to our three guys. Justin lives in Bogota, Colombia, Matt in Atlanta, Georgia and Brian in Dallas, Texas. I'm very proud of all three of them and yes, we are ALL Alabama fans! Roll Tide and Happy Mother's Day!
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I'm still a little dizzy from my boat ramp slip and fall accident and the doctor recommended I stay off the boat a while and keep my feet on dry, unmoving land, to see if I could give my inner ear time to settle down. So, I stayed home this weekend. I like to think that Daniel was able to accomplish so many amazing projects this weekend because he's just that good but reality is he didn't have me there, slowing him down. No one to ask "what's this for" or "why do we need that" I am guessing helped him move along to get a lot done. Well, I didn't not do "anything" this weekend. I did go shopping for some new boat towels (hey, somebody has to shop!) and I continued with the continuing saga of throwing away/cleaning up a lifetime worth of valuables/junk. See, I was even able to make another pile of stuff to throw away.
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As you can see from the front page, the dinghy finally got wet. We took it to the local lake ... but what I didn't say on the other page was that the local lake was home to 2 mean ducks. This one may not look it, but it just about chased me off the dock. It saw my white iPhone (I was taking pictures of Daniel in the dinghy) and I think the duck thought it was bread. It just kept coming after me. It jumped up out of the lake and onto the dock and the only thing I could do to get it to leave me alone was swing my lifejacket at it. Stupid duck!
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Stupid dinghy, stupid birthday! It was my birthday (Feb. 23) and we found a great deal on a dinghy in south Florida. We decided to combine two events into one and drive to Miami for an extended weekend. I got Friday off of work and off we went. We picked up the dinghy from the previous owner late Friday night. Saturday was my birthday so we started the day off with a wonderful breakfast and Starbuck's coffee - my favorite! We sat outside at a restaurant and enjoyed the morning. Then we decided to take the new dinghy for a ride on the south Florida intercoastal waterway. We've always wanted to get on the waterway and this was a perfect time. We headed to the hotel to change clothes, but decided to stop and have an early lunch. We stopped at Outback Steakhouse and had a feast, ending with Chocolate from Downunder! Then we headed back to the hotel, changed clothes into swimsuits and shorts (it was 80 degrees) and headed for the marina boat ramp. Daniel backed us up, there was a lot of people getting on the water that day, and I stood there holding the rope with my dinghy while he parked the car. The longer I stood there, the closer the dinghy was getting to the dock and I was afraid it would hit the dock and puncture the dinghy. We had come too far to let that happen, so I stepped a little closer. I saw the green slime, but didn't think I was THAT close. Evidently, I was wrong because I slipped and fell. Hit my head - hard. So hard it knocked me out. Next thing I remember, Daniel has me sitting up on a ledge at the ramp and he is in my face asking if I'm okay. I was seeing 2 of him and rubbing my head. Someone called the paramedics and off I go in my first ever ambulance ride. I TOLD them I was going to be sick. I told everyone that would listen I was going to be sick but no one would listen. I covered the wall of the ER with my wonderful Chocolate from Down under. It was awful. The nurses got even with me though, they cut off one of my favorite Alabama t-shirts. We spent 4 1/2 days in the Aventura Hospital. As hospitals go, it was a nice place. After the accident, I was barely able to walk a crooked line but with Daniel there with me every step of the way, I have just about recovered 100%. It has taken almost 2 months to get to this point.
I have started back to work but reading intently and being under pressure (paralegals do that all the time) still makes me nauseated - so I'm working on that. I can't hear 100% out of my left ear but the worst of it is, I can't smell and just about can't taste. Smell has worked out ok, because I can't smell stuff burning, I can't smell the minor leak on the holding tank on our "head" but I also can't smell flowers, Starbucks coffee or anything for that matter. I'm hoping it comes back over time. I'm sad about the taste thing too. I was looking forward to trying new things in the Caribbean and South America, but as of right now, I can't do that.
Even though I can't smell or taste, I am thankful. The accident could have been so much worse on me. I'm thankful for all my family and friends that called and sent food and cards. I'm thankful they understood that I needed to recover, by just resting. I'm thankful for Daniel. He took amazing care of me and took care of everything. He made sure I had nothing to worry about and he made sure I rested when I was supposed to. A pretty amazing guy I've got. I think I'll keep him.
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The Christmas when our youngest son, Brian, was getting ready to graduate from high school (in preparation of my soon to be coming empty nest), Santa Claus brought me a big blonde bundle of fur and with every member of our family graduating or attend the University of Alabama it was only natural that we name the new puppy after our favorite football team. At the time Mike Shula was head coach of the Crimson Tide, thus Shula Bear, was named after Mike Shula and Paul "Bear" Bryant. (Hey, what 'Bama fan wouldn't name their dog after "Bear"?). All of this is to tell you the background on my beloved Shula Bear, because he is going to be the hardest thing to leave behind when we go cruising. He has been with us for 7 years and that big bundle of blonde fur has only grown and grown. He tops out now at a chunky 135 pounds. He is tall, so don't yell at me about him being overweight. He was the biggest in his litter and continues to be a big boy. With all of that said, he does have trouble going up and down stairs and when his paws go on the slick wooden floors of the boat, they slide out from under him and to be honest, he really doesn't like the sailboat life.
But just in case there is a remote chance he can go with us, I bought him some "covers" for his paws to help him quit sliding. We're going to practice wearing them until he gets better at it. Maybe he won't get left on the dock when we finally leave Charleston.
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C-Time
C-Time passed her survey and sea trial and we brought her home to the Cooper River Marina in Charleston, South Carolina over a 6 day period. It was a wonderful trip with promised dockings in marinas each night. This was a necessity as it was August, in the south, and if you’ve ever been to anywhere in the southern U.S. in the middle of summer you will know, the heat and humidity are awful. We stopped in a different marina each night and I very happily plugged up our shore power so the 2 unit air conditioning system was up and working. Over this wonderful 6 day trip we decided the cruising lifestyle was for us. We dream of leaving our jobs and the everyday grind of going to work (commuting almost an hour each way for the captain (Daniel)) each day. We are not “well to do” but have decided to sell everything we own, except a few items I can’t part with and sail away. Was it a hard decision, not really. We are in are early 50s and decided if we do not do it now, we’ll never do it. We’ve raised 3 wonderful sons and now it is “our time”.
It was very easy telling our children and their families about our plans. Our sons know how much we love sailing. That was the easy part. The hard part came when we told our extended families. They just didn’t understand. They have accepted it, but I will not say they’re happy.
Since the decision has been made, Daniel has been going through our treasures of 30 years and selling or throwing stuff away. I pick up little hand printed made pictures from 1st grade one of our boys made and secretly stick them in my pile of “I can’t possibly do without” things. I save all my pictures and some furniture Daniel has made me over the years. Other than that, it all goes. You can’t carry a regulation sized bicycle or your wedding dress with you on a boat – there just isn’t enough room.
Daniel has been busy “upgrading” our boat with electronics and other items we won’t be able to live without. Okay, we could live without them, but this is supposed to be fun, not a hardship. He has spent the weekend installing an SSB radio. He will be studying for his general license for the radio. I keep walking around the boat looking at storage. I can’t imagine putting enough food for 6 months or a year on the boat – but Daniel says we can. I have a bad feeling we will be eating spaghetti every night. But who cares, we’ll be eating spaghetti in the Carribbean or South America.
There are lots more plans and projects to be accomplished before we leave. Our plan is to leave Charleston Harbor heading towards the Bahamas and then through the Carribbean to South America. We have a beautiful 4 month old blue eyed granddaughter waiting on us there. I imagine that by the time we get to South America, there will be a beautiful baby in Atlanta, GA that will be calling the grandparents home. So we plan to sail. We’ll sail to South America and then back around Mexico to end up near Mobile, Alabama. That’s my plan anyway, sailing and grandchildren. Life doesn’t get any better than that!
Over the next 10 months or so, we will continue to add big items to the boat, a dinghy and davits, a water maker to name a few. I will work on a provisioning list and work on getting our “affairs” in order to leave for an extended period of time. I think it is going to take all of the 10 months to be ready.
Carla, Do you & Dan have new email addresses? I just sent out an email to all our ambassadors & your's was returned undeliverable. Can you send us a note & update contact info? Thank You! Deneen (Mantus Anchors)
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