Overwhelmed.

I have been "virtually" absent.

Overwhelmed.

We are in a great place.  Our family is happy.  We LOVE this lifestyle.

HOWEVER - there is a laundry list of things that I am trying to work on and I find that I get overwhelmed quickly.  Researching products and options - all while trying to make sure we are getting the best possible deals on the best reviewed/rated products.

We DO have a travel timeline and list of goals and tasks that we need to complete.  Our to-do list isn't that long... but, due to our tight budget, we have to meticulously research all of our options.

We are in the process of replacing all three of our halyards (two of them broke... but that is a side story), replacing our coated lifelines with uncoated stainless steal lifelines, ordering and installing lifeline netting, figuring out what first aid equipment we want aboard (whether we will order a pre made kit or build our own), preparing a "ditch" bag, and much much more.  I am also trying to find a wild land (or even cruising/marine) related first aid class to take.

I find myself spinning in circles and stressing about little (and big) things.  I am starting to accept the reality that we are going to be spending a lot of money to get the boat ready for travels.  Our main concern with the kids aboard is their safety - turns out that safety gear and accessories are expensive!

Additionally, we are trying coordinate the gifts that we receive this holiday season to be related to things on our to-do list.  For example, T is very excited to receive a new membrane for our watermaker.

Anyhow.  I am around.  Just a bit overwhelmed and spinning my wheels.

Creature Comforts Aboard

So much of our (my) daily life consists of making sure that our kids are safe, healthy, and thriving emotionally and intellectually.

In July, when we spent a week at the Henry Island Seattle Yacht Club Outstation, I realized that we (adults) needed a little lifestyle treat.

ENO Doublenest Parachute Hammock

After a little research and (online) shopping, I ordered the ENO (Eagle's Nest Outfitters) Doublenest Parachute Hammock for $50.  This hammock is large (although not really comfortable when sharing with another person... but that may be personal preference) and has a 400 lb capacity.  It is also very compact, packing into a small (5" X 4") stuff bag when not in use.  Additionally, the entire hammock weighs 1lb 6 oz. 

Manufacturer Photo

I was able to spend a few precious hours in the hammock this summer.  Reading... daydreaming about the future. 

The weather was warm (perfect) when we spent the weekend in Bedwell Harbor (BC, Canada).  While the kids were asleep, I rested in the hammock and thought about all of the amazing and beautiful things that we are going to see from it in the future.  I thought about seeing glaciers, harsh mountain landscapes, and wildlife.  I thought about warm breezes and tropical air.  All from our new hammock. 

We are going to make it happen. 

No Excuses - Things are GOOD.

I have no excuse for my lack of posting.

Except for this:

We are thoroughly enjoying this Summer.  We go out on the boat EVERY chance we get.

When we have "down time" we are crabbing, polishing, waxing, and equiping Ma'alahi for the future.

We just purchased a used 9hp 2 stroke Yamaha outboard to replace our existing 4hp motor.  We are actively looking for a used watermaker (with the expectation that it will need a new membrane).

Things are good.  Life is awesome.

Stay tuned...   

Cruising "Essentials"

Because the weather has kept us at the dock for that last MONTH... I have taken it upon myself to daydream about cruising and keep my eyes open for good deals on things that we consider "essential" for cruising.

I saw a Garage Sale sign posted on one of the Port bulletin boards last week.  Garage Sales are very common in our little community and I, as a general rule, avoid them (for obvious lifestyle reasons).  Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted "Offshore/Cruising Gear" - SCORE.

I got to the garage sale right when it opened and I am very excited with the results! 

• Charts from the northeast end of Vancouver Island - counter clockwise around the island to the Strait of Juan de Fuca.  19 CHARTS total - that is a retail value of $380 - I got them for a $1/each = $19.

Organizing the charts during nap time.

• Foul Weather Gear:  (For ME!) - I got a full GILL Foul Weather Gear set (bibs/jacket) for $30.  These set retail upwards of $400. 

There is, of course, a lot of other things that we need to get.  I have followed a lot of the advice provided by the S/V Totem Family Blog (link is to their blog posts tagged "Cruising Prep").

Purchases, such as these, make me feel like our family's cruising dream WILL become a reality. 

Heading North

I have definitely caught the cruising bug.  The cruising season has started.  Neighbors are leaving for central British Columbia and we are starting to see a lot of well equipped boats pass through the port.  I can only guess that most of them are heading toward Alaska for the summer.  Jealous. 

Not us. :(

Sell Sell Sell!

We just survived Garage Sale/Flea Market #4!  Here is a picture of the storage unit before the sale:

On the way to the sale: (gorgeous sunrise)

The set up:

We choose to participate in the local flea market/craft fair (at the fairgrounds) instead of doing a personal garage sale (at the storage unit).  For a nominal fee of $30, we are provided with a booth, table, and free advertising (no need to worry about people showing up!).  We were able to sell approximately half of the things we had on display.  I proceeded to donate about 25% of the remaining things to the local thrift store.

I have found that, no matter how popular and current books are, people do not buy them (I dropped the books off at a local used books store so that we can earn store credit on future book purchases).  I have given up on selling the remote control sailboat and am going to be consigning it at a local store (they will take 50% of the sales price).

In terms of material possession that we are prepared to part with, we are only truly left with some well loved used furniture.  

Our hope is to get out of our HUGE storage unit (see post) and into a smaller unit with heat. 

We will be participating in one more flea market right before Christmas... from there, I think we will be done for a while.

It has been a little over a year since we started donating and selling things.  The downsizing process has become much easier over time.  I find that the longer things are in storage, the easier it is to part with them.  In college, I read a small book on living simply that suggested the following exercise:

1. Fill up a box (or boxes) with things that you are on the fence about getting rid of
2. Put the box in storage for a few months
3. Return to the box, do not open it
4. Write down everything that you remember storing inside
5. Empty the contents of the box
6. Get rid of (donate/sell) everything that did not get on your list

You will be amazed at what you do not remember.  If you can't remember something after just a few weeks... is there really any value in having it in your life?  (maybe.... but probably not)

Wish you were here?

I received this, in the mail, the other day:

I love the idea behind this add.  T and I are diligently putting funds away in a "dream" fund, a little bit at a time, in hopes that we will be able to do some extended cruising. 

In the back of my mind, I am constantly brainstorming and keeping my eyes open for remote work opportunities that could produce small (I will take large too!) amounts of income.  Contract work for a business, writing, digital personal assistant, etc.  If T or I found a way to earn a modest income while traveling, it is possible that we could sustain cruising on a long term basis.  That is my dream.  IF we fall in love with cruising, the only thing that will truly limit our traveling possibilities will be lack of funds. 

So - to answer your question GoToMyPC - YES, I wish I was there! Although I will request that my boat be equipped with a forestay, anchor, and chain.  And, if it is necessary that I "lounge" on the foredeck... must I really lay on top of the hatch? 

 

Sorry... I couldn't help but find this amusing.  

Sarcasm aside, I have tested GoToMyPC and it is a great program that I hope to use in the future! 

Weekend on the Coast

A few weeks ago, I took the kiddos out to the coast for a good friend's baby shower.  I spent a lot of time in Westport when I was little.  My father operated a 50' Delta Hull charter boat out of Westport until he was diagnosed with terminal cancer when I was eight.  My family has deep roots in Westport and we do not get down there nearly as often as we should (it had been five years since my last visit).  

Westport is a small fishing town on the Washington coast.  Usually the weather is mediocre (think depressing misty fog).  The weather while we were visiting was gorgeous!

 

I kept telling T (on the phone) that I we should be sailing down the Washington coastline in this weather.  I did a lot of daydreaming about cruising while we walked the beach and watched Kate play in the tide pools. 

Someday ((deep longing sigh)) ... I hope we will be out there on Ma'alahi ( Ma'alahi II... or something??).

What a gift.