Or something like that! So, life has been pretty hectic but pleased to report some major developments:
1-Sail class has started – yep, it is only a matter of time, now!
2-I helped a friend move to Naples, FL…in two days….whew am I glad that is over!
3-I graduated college – after 21 years of chasing a moving target, it is finally complete (despite everyone and everything that tried to hold me back)
4- I moved onto the boat – yes, you read that correct! It is much sooner than I expected but life created some unique circumstances and, well, there is no time like the present, right?!?!?
I packed up the remainder of my possessions and they are in a 5x8 storage room – how crazy is that?!?! Now you might be freaking out a little at the situation but I assure you it is way more comforting than it sounds! I cannot wait for the day where everything I own fits in my boat (comfortably). Still have some things to list on Craigslist to empty the storage contents but for now, first things first!
While I was looking for another boat slip to live in I saw an ad for a “royal blue” bimini for a steal. The seller needed money for Christmas gifts and had reduced it several times. I needed to get the bimini shade to drape over the boom in port, and eventually figure out a hardware configuration for use underway. Regardless, this was a new shade, in a matching color, for HALF of what I would have to purchase the fabric for – let’s make a deal!
So I contacted the seller and set up a time to pick up my new shade fabric. Imagine my surprise when it was the fabric, frame, hardware and all. Now, I LOVE a good deal and this was one of epic proportions but in my head all I could think was DANG IT where am I going to put this?!?! That decision will have to be left for a later day thanks to the rainy weather that has moved into town. Incidentally, my second thought was this is NAVY blue not ROYAL – and then I remembered the hilarious tirade a doctor I worked with once went into over the number of “colors in a man’s crayon box” (presumably spurned after a disagreement with his significant other at home) and opted to ignore this color matching issue for the time being.
Did I mention the rainy weather? Do you have any idea the level of fun it brings to moving? I had a brief break in the weather, long enough to put the load of “must go on the boat” stuff into the cockpit, and then down below. This was haphazard and not according to my well thought out storage chart thanks to the ill timing of the rain. It was during this that another sailor, staying in the marina to fix a steering issue, approached me about the boat. It turns out this was the model he learned to sail on many years ago and offered to take me out on it for a fun trip. Unfortunately, weather and circumstances did not allow this to happen but it isn’t completely off the table just yet.
1-Sail class has started – yep, it is only a matter of time, now!
2-I helped a friend move to Naples, FL…in two days….whew am I glad that is over!
3-I graduated college – after 21 years of chasing a moving target, it is finally complete (despite everyone and everything that tried to hold me back)
4- I moved onto the boat – yes, you read that correct! It is much sooner than I expected but life created some unique circumstances and, well, there is no time like the present, right?!?!?
I packed up the remainder of my possessions and they are in a 5x8 storage room – how crazy is that?!?! Now you might be freaking out a little at the situation but I assure you it is way more comforting than it sounds! I cannot wait for the day where everything I own fits in my boat (comfortably). Still have some things to list on Craigslist to empty the storage contents but for now, first things first!
While I was looking for another boat slip to live in I saw an ad for a “royal blue” bimini for a steal. The seller needed money for Christmas gifts and had reduced it several times. I needed to get the bimini shade to drape over the boom in port, and eventually figure out a hardware configuration for use underway. Regardless, this was a new shade, in a matching color, for HALF of what I would have to purchase the fabric for – let’s make a deal!
So I contacted the seller and set up a time to pick up my new shade fabric. Imagine my surprise when it was the fabric, frame, hardware and all. Now, I LOVE a good deal and this was one of epic proportions but in my head all I could think was DANG IT where am I going to put this?!?! That decision will have to be left for a later day thanks to the rainy weather that has moved into town. Incidentally, my second thought was this is NAVY blue not ROYAL – and then I remembered the hilarious tirade a doctor I worked with once went into over the number of “colors in a man’s crayon box” (presumably spurned after a disagreement with his significant other at home) and opted to ignore this color matching issue for the time being.
Did I mention the rainy weather? Do you have any idea the level of fun it brings to moving? I had a brief break in the weather, long enough to put the load of “must go on the boat” stuff into the cockpit, and then down below. This was haphazard and not according to my well thought out storage chart thanks to the ill timing of the rain. It was during this that another sailor, staying in the marina to fix a steering issue, approached me about the boat. It turns out this was the model he learned to sail on many years ago and offered to take me out on it for a fun trip. Unfortunately, weather and circumstances did not allow this to happen but it isn’t completely off the table just yet.
I was pleasantly surprised that the storage compartment I set aside for the pantry holds an incredible amount of food! Things are still cramped right now with boxes, laundry baskets, and the like perched in every nook and cranny but I am optimistic that slowly but surely I will get everything put away in its new home. Working from the boat has been fun except the gentle rocking does not do much for staying awake. Luckily I have a rather large collection of caffeinated beverages!
I opted for an induction hot plate for the boat because I had heard some great things about them. If we are being honest, it also came with a pretty neat pot (remember, I like a good deal). It boils my tea kettle of water in under a minute! Now, this should have made me double think my next course of action. SHOULD.
On land, I perfected stovetop popcorn using this tried and true method. First, scoop out some coconut oil into the pan. Add in 4 corn kernels. Place on stovetop on high. When the first kernel pops, add 1/3 cup of kernels to the pan, swish the oil all around and keep off the eye 30 seconds. Then return to the eye and keep pan moving while the deliciousness pops. Simple, right? This is not how it happened on the induction plate. Since it cooks fast, I opted for medium and placed a dollop of oil in the pan. I tossed in three kernels and they immediately popped. I thought “Oh wow, it is ready” so I tossed in the 1/3 cup of kernels. What happened next was just short of criminal. They popped at once and promptly singed to the pan. Do you know what scorched popcorn smells like – an entire large pot? The acrid smell was now in every nook and cranny of the airtight boat interior. There was not one single kernel that could be salvaged. The pan did not come completely clean, either. It definitely qualified as disaster. I have since learned with this hot plate to put the oil and all the kernels in the pan and put it on as low as it will go and keep it moving. Once half of them have popped, I turn off the eye and let the remainder pop. I am pleased to report this has worked well twice so far so I may have a winner! Who knew you could boil water and cook popcorn in less time than it takes in a microwave!?!?
As if this week wasn’t eventful enough, we had our first crew overboard situation. Since I got the boat, I have trained the dogs to wait until they are released to enter or exit the house and as well for boarding or disembarking the boat. It was working well but I have one precious little girl (it is always the girls!) that likes to push boundaries. So this particular morning, in the damp rain and 37 degree weather while I had my head turned untangling her brother she went for a swim. I didn’t hear her fall in but I heard her paddling next to the boat. I brought her up, was promptly showered with marina water she shook off and proceeded on our walk. I would have liked to have bathed her off, or at least rinsed her but the water to the docks was turned off due to freezing weather earlier in the week. So she got toweled off and snuggled into some warm blankets once we were back inside. I am pleased to report no lingering effects, other than her newfound respect for the “wait” command. Her brother has decided his duty is to keep my face and neck warm. He is soft and warm so I haven’t really minded much (until he steps on my hair)
I opted for an induction hot plate for the boat because I had heard some great things about them. If we are being honest, it also came with a pretty neat pot (remember, I like a good deal). It boils my tea kettle of water in under a minute! Now, this should have made me double think my next course of action. SHOULD.
On land, I perfected stovetop popcorn using this tried and true method. First, scoop out some coconut oil into the pan. Add in 4 corn kernels. Place on stovetop on high. When the first kernel pops, add 1/3 cup of kernels to the pan, swish the oil all around and keep off the eye 30 seconds. Then return to the eye and keep pan moving while the deliciousness pops. Simple, right? This is not how it happened on the induction plate. Since it cooks fast, I opted for medium and placed a dollop of oil in the pan. I tossed in three kernels and they immediately popped. I thought “Oh wow, it is ready” so I tossed in the 1/3 cup of kernels. What happened next was just short of criminal. They popped at once and promptly singed to the pan. Do you know what scorched popcorn smells like – an entire large pot? The acrid smell was now in every nook and cranny of the airtight boat interior. There was not one single kernel that could be salvaged. The pan did not come completely clean, either. It definitely qualified as disaster. I have since learned with this hot plate to put the oil and all the kernels in the pan and put it on as low as it will go and keep it moving. Once half of them have popped, I turn off the eye and let the remainder pop. I am pleased to report this has worked well twice so far so I may have a winner! Who knew you could boil water and cook popcorn in less time than it takes in a microwave!?!?
As if this week wasn’t eventful enough, we had our first crew overboard situation. Since I got the boat, I have trained the dogs to wait until they are released to enter or exit the house and as well for boarding or disembarking the boat. It was working well but I have one precious little girl (it is always the girls!) that likes to push boundaries. So this particular morning, in the damp rain and 37 degree weather while I had my head turned untangling her brother she went for a swim. I didn’t hear her fall in but I heard her paddling next to the boat. I brought her up, was promptly showered with marina water she shook off and proceeded on our walk. I would have liked to have bathed her off, or at least rinsed her but the water to the docks was turned off due to freezing weather earlier in the week. So she got toweled off and snuggled into some warm blankets once we were back inside. I am pleased to report no lingering effects, other than her newfound respect for the “wait” command. Her brother has decided his duty is to keep my face and neck warm. He is soft and warm so I haven’t really minded much (until he steps on my hair)