As another sailing season comes to an end, and this usually coincides with the Annapolis Sailboat Show,( unless you are venturing south for the Winter by boat) it finds me sad. . . .almost to the throws of depression. The boat show is always a successful venture for us, Ava gets a new piece of jewelry, I usually get some kind of outwear, today being no exception. . . plus a hat with Adventuress monogrammed on it. Papa leaves with some tool to make Winterizing the boat easier and many business cards that will never leave the expo bags we are given at the gate.

Many are surprised at my Love for a sailboat, when did this happen and where did it come from. . .not sure exactly. . .my days of being held prisoner in Catholic school comes to mind or the fact that my grand mother said I was going to be an Adventurer. What matters is, I am surprised myself as to how my entire mind set changes when I am around the water and a sailboat, a slow mode of transportation. . . amazing.

What I never thought about was how difficult it would be to change from land living to water living. High tides,Low tides, small spaces(which don't really bother me), low lighting, Boat Cooking! How many of you see a sailboat on the water and think of the living space below, I can honestly say I never did. I thought of the feeling you must get sliding through the water. Having a sailboat as your home is quite an adjustment.

The boat is our Home, although we live in a very nice apartment(condo) so that Ava is able to attend school and play sports, Adventuress is our Home. The Winter will bring a slower pace life for us, even though we did not get to spend as much time on the boat this Summer as we would have liked due to the battery issue. Come Spring we will have the chore of stripping the paint and repainting the bottom of the boat, staining and varnishing the wood trim and updating various extras.

Come April we will be moving to the quaint little town of Rock Hall, 5 1/2 hrs closer to Annapolis than we are here on the Sassafras River. Adventuress resided in Rock Hall at the same marina we are going to for 18 yrs. , we will be in her same slip and the strange coincidence  is the previous and only owner of our boat has her new boat 10 slips down named Adventuress also. We are taking Adventuress home!

I will update this blog with progress on the various changes we do on the  boat and of our trip to the Chesapeake Bay.  I am sure it is going to be filled with my usual antics. . . .Until then. . .I pray for Snow this Winter!

Work is taking longer than we expected on Adventuress, the 1 yr mark is coming close before Papa retires and our adventures on Adventuress begin. We knew when we bought the boat it had years on her and updating was going to be an every day thing, we did not expect all 3 batteries and starter to go at one time(in Oct. 1 yr after purchasing her). I learned that buying batteries for a boat were not the same as batteries for a car or flash light, these need to run for days with out a generator to charge and not corrode. The search for the right batteries started in Jan. 2012 as I started my search for curtains and updating the main cabin,quarter berths and head. The galley is the galley and there is not much you can do there. While Papa was searching battery options he looked at 2 other Bayfields being updated in the Annapolis area and got an idea of what needed to be done to Adventuress. He had already fixed the water tank problem we had the entire yr. we lived on board so we thought we were ahead already. The work began to build a battery box and make an opening in Ava's cabin to easily access the cockpit locker when we discovered a battery box had been built, but was covered due to the previous owner buying to large of batteries to fit. Me, not knowing anything about the workings of a boat,could not understand what was taking so long. We knew the cost was going to be around $2,000.00 or more for the batteries we needed for our planned lifestyle, Papa being the sole supporter in this venture searched every nook and cranny for a better deal. The deal was 2 miles from where we are now residing. The work began on installing the batteries, with a side job of de nesting while putting up the Main sail. I can say, 1 month and 2 nights mixed with a lot of aggravation on my part, we should hear Adventuress purring by Friday night. In the meantime, we had a wicked storm 2 weeks ago that has done minor damage to the wood and fiberglass on the exterior of the boat. When the storm came up it sucked the water out of the river ad had the boats laying on there Starboard sides, as the water returned many of the boats hit the dock being right sided ours being one of them. I plan on stripping all the wood on her withing the next month so this has given me a head start. As for the fiberglass and chipped paint she will be pulled at the end of the summer for cleaning and new paint. Our plans for travels on Adventuress were cut short this Season with maybe a couple day sails planned but our outlook for the future has not. In closing, I can't blame storms or previous work for our delay. . . .the blame falls on us not realizing the upkeep on a boat is an every day project. . .we got to comfortable living on land again. Thank You Captain Kevin for your Diligence, your Patience and Your Love. . .We May Not Have it All Together, But.. Together We Have it All!

Almost there

It is hard to believe it is mid-April already, next weekend Papa becomes a Captain after many hours of hard work. I never really knew what it took to become a 100 ton captain but it is evident it is something I will never achieve. Some ask, Do you really want to? YES . However, I am lacking the attention span to accomplish this, so I am content now to be Second Mate to Ava's First. Ava is actually a better sailor than I am, kids have no fear. I am assigned to the Galley when we take off, I wear my sailing gloves per chance I am needed on deck( hasn't happened but I am ready). Once the batteries arrive(4 in all, weighing over 650 lbs) we can move the berth cushions and new bedding on, sails are cleaned , mended and ready to pick up. We will more than likely commission Adventuress in early June after the holiday weekend. Clothes and Shoes are also a big part of the move in process, then food, funny how that pecking order works. Our chores will then be to strip,sand and repair the teak around the boat. We will also be pulling her out of the water for 2 weeks to clean and paint the Hull , which is long overdue. This Summer will bring new adventures as well as 2 weddings and our daughter coming home for a brief visit from LA.(not a fan of the boat). We are also moving into a new condo mid May. The boat will be home June through Oct, freeing the Condo for family visits. For many who have followed my Blog know our Winter in the current apt. was a disaster. In all fairness this bldg. is 42 yrs old with NO updates. When it was cold we had no heat and had to use the equally dis funtioning oven , but never at night or when we were away. From Jan. on we have had Internet for 3 hrs a day, even though we pay for it 24/7. Hot water was and still is hit or miss, having to cancel many Dr's appointments due to unsanitary conditions. Mold worms live in our bathroom walls and make an appearance daily, a broken washing machine on our floor was a missing convenience. I can honestly say, Living on Adventuress during the Winter months were a pleasure compared to this. Ava will attend a private school come August which is between the boat and here so overnight stays on the boat are a happening thing during beautiful fall nights. Public school did not work out, Bullying was the main issue and I am shocked at how rampant it is in the schools starting at young ages. This new school will prepare Ava for Boat Schooling come Jan. 2014 when we plan on making our first voyage south. It is definitely an exciting time!

"We all carry bags. At times your bags will be lighter than mine. Or mine will be lighter than yours. What's in your bag may be similar to what's in my bag or very different, however, all our bags are uniquely ours. While some may argue that your bags are lighter than theirs, they have no idea how heavy your bags are for it is not their bags. What's important is how we carry our bags. Whether we drag them with us in despair and frustration or we lift them as we climb, happy to be on the trip, is key to how we travel through our journey. No matter how many bags you or I carry, in this world, no one is bagless." ~ Chizoma Cluff

As the Sun sets each day it brings us closer to the goal we had set 38 yrs ago. Papa will be commissioning the boat in the next couple of weeks to begin a new sailing season, to only be slowed down a bit when we haul the boat out of the water to clean and paint the bottom. We are planning this to be a 2 week process at the most. We decided to do this during early Summer when most boats are in the water, to give us more room to work. Ava will be going back to private school next August, this will complete her formal school years for a while. She will be entering 2nd grade at Red Lion Christian Academy in Delaware, 3rd grade we will start the process of Boat schooling. Her grades are out standing however she requires a disiplined setting in the classroom, boat schooling is quite different. Her subjects are set according to the course of our travels and less disipline required. Papa will be semi-retired as of next August, staying with the company he is with now on a schedule that suits our sailing schedule and the economy. I will be going back to work in the Fall(yes after a 7 yr. hiatus)to acquire people skills. . .not sure what I will be doing but it will only be temporary. After 9 days of no hot water in this Winter apt. we will be moving to a new Condo in May. We found out it was a nicer living on the boat in the winter, we were never with out heat or hot water. Many exciting things happening this Spring and Summer starting with papa's graduation from Captains school in May, 2 weddings this Summer, many sailing trips and a visit from Sheana(our daughter who lives in LA)in August. Daily trips to the boat are on my agenda now getting her prepared for our return. .. . Happy Spring!

Ava's new job a Photo Journalist for American Doll Rooms

Ava will begin a photo journal today for the American Doll Co, she entered a contest on her own and won. Her first photo shoot will begin after school with a doll and the room on the deck of Adventuress. She picked the outfit for her doll Samantha, which was done as she was dressing for school also. I have explained to her the importance of this responsibility and where it could take her, she is overly excited and should be. Her girlfriend at the Marina next to us is also into American Dolls, between the two of them we should get some great water photos. I am plugging away at the Boating Safety course that is mandatory now in Maryland and Va. I have successfully finished and passed 4 units out of 7. . 2 1/2 hrs for each unit with a test at the end of each unit. . . The exam is at the end of course, I will set aside my day on Friday to take this with a bottle of wine waiting when I pass. Not only should I have this(Papa is taking this through his Captains course. . his big exam is April 28th) should something happen and I am responsible to get the boat back in safely but you get a discount on boat ins. I thought it was going to be easy but I am finding out that is not so. We will be moving back onto the boat in just a few weeks and everything is shaping up nicely, can't wait. . .Spring is 12 days away, Thank You Mother Nature for this beautiful Day

simpleliving-3: Ready for a New Sailing Season

simpleliving-3: Ready for a New Sailing Season: After spending 3 weeks scrubbing mildew,polishing teak and redecorating the entire main cabin of our sailboat I am finished. When we bought ...

Ready for a New Sailing Season

After spending 3 weeks scrubbing mildew,polishing teak and redecorating the entire main cabin of our sailboat I am finished. When we bought Adventuress I thought she was the most beautiful boat I had ever seen, the decorating was fantastic,(so I thought)the color choices we just what I would have picked. After living on her for 10 months I found out I could not live with many of the choices the previous owner had chosen. The decor was 28 yrs old and needed a new face. . .I checked many home & boat decorating sights but ran into many problems, home sights are geared for just that a home with different dimensions, most boating sights are for Yachts and Power boats. I did not want to change the image of a sailboat even though it is our home bottom line is it's a boat! I added grain sack curtains in a light and dark sand tone, throw rugs are brown with shells and a light sand/ brown mixture. The side by side quarter cabins are also neutral and will be kept that way to look more spacious. Thanks to the Boat Galley I was able to update the galley area which should make cooking and clean up an easier chore. Our children gave us a fantastic boat grill for Christmas which we are excited to try out this Summer. I still find it hard to believe we moved on to a sailboat with a child with what little knowledge we had for such a life.The positive side to all of this is we got to know our boat/home by trial and error and would do the same thing all over again.It's not for everyone and I find this out each time someone new comes aboard and says," I could never live on here, it's beautiful but I could not do it". My reply is: "When it's not your Dream you can't picture this life" I named this Blog Simpleliving-3 mainly because it is just that. . .3 people learning together the simple life of boat living. 3 new batteries will be installed next week along with other things that I won't even pretend I know, but are needed to enjoy a season of sailing. The next process will be pulling the boat this Sumer for 2 weeks to clean and paint the bottom, then strip the teak around the deck and make her look just as beautiful out side. Next year will be new ports, hatches and flooring in the main cabin. . much like a home there is always something new to upgrade. Adventuress will be our home for many years to come with many changes along the way. . .One thing I do know for sure is we are Living our Dream not just Dreaming it, no matter where we sail or don't. . .we own a sailboat after 36 years of ups and downs. . . My next learning step is posting pictures . . .

Winter Work

The Winter has come and leaving quicker than we expected, with so much work to still be done on Adventuress Spring will be here before we know it. I am tending to the main cabin while Papa works on moving the batteries and other men things. My job was to strip the boat, and that meant everything off and stored in this storage unit we call an apt. I have scoured every inch of the boat and thrown so much away due to mildew. I did not realise there was so much work tending to a sailboat. .I thought I had said Goodbye to deep cleaning. Adventuress is a Live Aboard boat, there are so many hidden cubbies that I did not know about until cushions were removed, these will be good for long cruises where provisions need to be stored. There is not only a full pantry and linen closet on board but 2 spice cabinets along with a full bar(very important). Under the kids berth there is fantastic storage for toys, as I have learned a necessity when traveling with kids. Living on Adventuress was one way for us to learn what made her tick, the various noises and problems that were facing us. . .and we did. We moved on cold turkey and survived . . .as I have said, "When it is your dream you don't mind discomfort". The dilemma I am facing now is cleaning cushions, new curtains on the ports, runners or short rugs, bedding. . .etc. . .. The first year I used what the previous and one time owner had left, now it's time for me to make it ours and show our personality. Keeping in mind when Papa retires next year we will start taking off to sunnier places always making Maryland/Delaware our summer home. Ava will be Boat Schooled, (Papa is a part time teacher) along with anyone of our other grand children that come along. Thanks to so many boating sites, The Boat Galley, Living Like a Pirate. . .etc. I have gained much needed knowledge on boat life. Papa is taking the course to get his Captains License now, life will change for us once he graduates on May 5th. We look forward to moving back on Adventuress in May, along with moving to a new Winter apt. at the same time. My message here is. . .material things that used to be so important to me have taken a side seat( not back because I still like clothes and shoes) to what God has given us in Nature . . . Life is Not a Dress Rehearsal. . .Live it Now!

Time to work on the boat and my body

Moving on to a 30 yr old sailboat was easy. . .updating a 30 yr old sailboat is about as easy as transforming your land body into a boat body.There is only so much you can do with what you are given to work with. My job on the boat is the interior, it needs to be a cozy home and functional, my body needs to functional also. . . I am tired of a different body muscle hurting each week. You don't realise the smaller spaces and small stairways take a toll on your muscles. I am going to be starting with a bare boat as far as cushions, everything except boating needs are off the boat and in this little apt. for the Winter. I will be searching every site I can for decorating tips and merchandise. My goal by June is to have a new interior on the boat as well as a body free of aches and pains. . .