Just because...

Just because we are "resting", as in not traveling,  doesn't mean we are done with cruising. Since we have purchased Felicity we have been working our butts off to get her ready to cruise along with saving money for our kitty. We've come to find no shortage of jobs and we feel like we have got to *strike* while the iron is hot! So we whistle while we work and come home to a pretty cool boat!

Seriously, it feels good to be hanging out, putting down some roots, not in a constant state of motion. We have been "cruising" for the past 7 years and cruising oftentimes means, sitting, working, sailing, traveling, learning, repairing and even sometimes "resting".  So albiet that we aren't exactly going somewhere; we are getting "there". Ya dig?

Just like our readers who are dreaming and planning their escapes from the norm we are all in a constant state of attaining our goals. Each and every person out there has goals that are special in their own right. As long as we have our own affairs in order we should be encouraging one another to be happy whatever that may be. Take it easier on yourselves as well. Generally speaking we are our own worst enemies. We can engage in negative self talk and doubts about our strengths and that just ends up defeating us instead of lifting us up. Every step is part of your journey.

Our reasons for getting a bigger boat work for us and we try to remember that in the end we are the ones that will be living "this dream". So we are going for what makes us happy, what works for you? Some people ask, "How do you know what works for you?" My answer is experience. Just do as much research as you can and then get out there and DO SOMETHING! Whatever it is, it's a step in the right direction. The more you go, the more you will learn what works for you. That's what has worked for us.

Currently, we are under construction in more ways than one. Where will the future lead, we don't know but we are happy with where we are right now! ;) We'd like to thank our faithful readers for hanging around and welcome the new ones. We look forward to sharing more of our progress with Project Motor Boat in good time!

As Dreamers, We are Vessels.

I have always been a poet, a fan of words; a whimsical, romantic sap. What can I say? Country music pulls on my heart strings and this song came on the radio the other day while I was driving (yes, driving a vehicle) and I literally had to pull over. I was overcome with emotion as I listened to the words of one of my most favorite songs.

It got me thinking that our dreams really are ever changing and like water flows we must fill in the gaps. We flow into our next phases of life following these new desires and goals without judgement. Living aboard can make life so unpredictable, never knowing where we'd be sometimes made me upset that I couldn't make plans. But at the same time it made me take each moment for what it was, the present. We've learned to not put off until tomorrow what could be done or should be said today. Below are the words to "The River" by Garth Brooks. Enjoy.

You know a dream is like a river,

Ever changing as it flows,

and the dreamer is just a vessel,

that must follow where it goes.

Trying to learn from whats behind you,

and never knowing whats in store.

Makes each day a constant battle,

just to stay between the shores.

And I will sail my vessel,

till the river runs dry.

Like a bird upon the wind,

these waters are my sky.

I'll never reach my destination

If I never try,

So I will sail my vessel,

till the river runs dry!

Too many times we stand aside,

and let the water slip away.

And what we put off till tomorrow,

has now become today.

So don't you sit upon the shore line,

and say you're satisfied.

Choose the chance to rapids,

and dare to dance the tides.

There is bound to be rough waters,

and I know I'll take some falls,

with the good lord as my Captain,

I can make it through them all!

Namaste.

Gear we are drooling over now....

We love to talk about the products we are google-ing in our spare time. Lots of people wonder what we are doing when we aren't doing boat projects. Well, wonder no more! We are doing "research", of course! One of the most exciting things about buying Felicity was the fact that many of the projects we wanted to do would not "require" marine products. Meaning we could just as easily ride our bikes down to the nearest hardware store and purchase any number of things to do the job! Recently, we have been doing more research than anything else, check out what we have found!

• Splendide

Wouldn't it be nice to do a load a day? Wouldn't it be nice to quit lugging laundry around? Tired of guessing at what kind of machine your going to get? Or having your favorite things stolen? If you said yes to any of these questions; I'm on your side. This Washer/Dryer combo saves time and headaches. For anyone with kids, guests, pets or enough room to have one of these babies on board this unit will be a lifesaver!;)

• SharkBite Plumbing Fittings

These are a little pricey but they are cool because you can put the plumbing together and take it apart, in case you change your plumbing needs. There is no need to glue them together anymore!

• Raritan Atlantes Freedom with Vortex-Vac

Originally, we want the Tecma Silence Plus but they do not support a 32 volt system. So, we moved on...This head is like the same thing we have only quieter, more compact and aesthetically pleasing; no hoses exposed etc. The biggest thing for us is that they make it in 32 volts. There are NOT many heads that are made with a 32 volt motor.

• OutBack Inverter

Again the big thing is 32 volts. Almost all the Hatteras owners on the forum boast about this make of inverter. AND they support a 32 volt system, BONUS!

• InSinkErator Evolution Excel  - (Garbage Disposal)

Basically, two things draw us to this model the quiet and the fact that it has three chopping sequences to grind even the toughest island fruit rinds!;) BUT mainly the quiet.

Now, we are back to work so we can keep affording this crazy, fun, expensive habit!

If it's meant to be...

One week has past and the dust has settled down allowing us acclimate to our new surroundings. 

As I reflect back on the events of the week, I see how all my anxieties about the move have been wiped away. I am flabbergasted at the complete happiness we are feeling right now. We go through this life (cruising) with so many uncertainties, but today we are content. We worry about the future sometimes and forget to be present. We have to learn to take life as it comes, take the good with the bad and be happy while it all happens! While we plan for the unexpected we need to remember this little mantra.

If it is meant to be, it will be.

New Guest Testimonial!

If you haven't checked out our Past Guests page, please check it out! It's where our friends and guests say a little something about their experience with us. Last year in Guatemala Franki & Adam came to stay with us in between their circumnavigation of the country! She had this to say about our trip. I love her so much and am so happy that we have these memories to cherish forever! By the way, we'd love to have YOU as a guest! Shoot us an email and let's plan something! Or just keep in touch and when we end up where YOU want to be, come on down we'd be thrilled to have visitors!

Too much fun? I think NOT!

"We were cruising down the serene Rio Dulce in Guatemala. The sun was setting, the calm waters looked like sheets of blue ice and lush mountain ranges towered over us. Jessica and I were sitting arm-in-arm on the bow. In a moment of pure bliss we looked at each other and Jessica said, “This is what office people see on their screen savers”. We relished the moment. We were living the screen saver, a reality.

I consider Jessica, Gordon and Gia to be a rare breed of very special friends. Their sense of hospitality is unrivaled. If you’re after adventure, they’ve got it. If you’re into really interesting conversations about life, yoga, music, literature, cultures, they’ve got it. If you’re into wonderfully organic food and incredibly cool music, they’ve got it. What else can I say, it’s a blast being with them and it will stay with you forever."

                           *Franki

Escaping to Jamaica

Yea, last Monday was pretty tough for me. I'm not totally sure why it bothered me so much to have to be at work. I think it might have had something to do with the fact that it was absolutely gorgeous outside topping out at a smooth 80 degrees with a breeze rustling through the palm trees of Coconut Grove. All I could do from walking out that door and spending the rest of the day ashing the boat in my bikini was throw on a little Bob Marley!

When Gia got to The Bookstore after school I could see she too was feeling the "Monday Blues" she said, "Mommy, we should do something crazy! We should go get ice cream right now!" I didn't need too much cajoling so we skipped on over to the Ice Cream Shop. After being soothed by Bob all day I was willing to top of my Jamaican dream with "I-Scream!" In Jamaica they say "I" in front of a lot of words. We reminisced about patties and yoga on the beach, about swimming in the blue lagoon and the crazy delicious jerk chicken!

Everyone needs a little encouragement along the way. Everyone needs a little escape. Staying focused for us means not spending money on things we don't absolutely need. Going to work everyday, even when we don't feel like it. The biggest motivation of all is that someday, someday soon, we WILL be cruising again. Then we will be living the life we were meant to live at that moment. For now, we are learning and growing and dreaming while Bob plays in the background!