The Florida Promise

 

Image here.

It must be the blinding sunshine. Maybe it's the sensational beaches with endless bikini clad bodies emitting the scent of tanning oil. Could it be the laid back lifestyle or the lure of fishing just a few minutes offshore? Whatever IT is...IT SUCKS!

IT, is the Florida Promise and it's been happening for a LONG time. It began when droves of Northerners began the exodus from the chilly weather to the incredible, natural "Disneyland" the is the Sunshine State. Basically, contractors (local or not) make you a promise by saying they will show up and then never do! OR when they do they are either drunk, hungover or have a wicked tan from their day out surfing instead of working for you!

I've changed the names to protect the innocent or not-so-innocent in one such scenario we've experienced. Let's say, "Tom", the painter tells you he will show up Tuesday to look at the boat and give you a price. Well, he never shows up and he doesn't even call. Being the good communicator you are, you call him and say, "Hey Tom, Don't worry about coming by today, it's a bit late now. Thank you". "Tom" replies with some excuse about how busy he was and he will come by tomorrow. BUT he never comes!!

This seems to continue until you've called about 6 different people until you finally get a "good" one. Someone who shows up when they say the will, performs the job with little to no errors, charges on or below the estimated amount and gives the results you were after. Unfortunately, that's just the way it is. There are an amazing amount of boats (mega-yachts mostly) here and these contractors know how in-demand they are. It's as if they don't really give a sh*t about their name or reputation. WHY? Because they know they can charge insane amounts of money and people will pay it(not us but some people don't know about the "working man's price") -  and they know that there will always be those folks that are in a rush to get cruising that just want the job done and pay because they can't wait any longer.

My advice to you:

• Don't Be in a Rush  - Contractors can smell your fear and your money. If you are pushy, hurried and riding them they will charge you for it!

• Be Proactive/Handy - Doing the work yourself not only helps you understand systems better it allows you the freedom of knowing how to fix things when your "out there" where it can be exponentially expensive! If you really can't do the work yourself it's not the end of the world but it may cost you more in time and money. Two things we rarely have at the same time. So if you have time - SAVE MONEY & Vice Versa!

• Get Several Quotes - Get as many contractor names & company's as you can, ask everyone you know, use forum and prepare yourself to be confused. You will get opinions and ideas from different ends of the spectrum by stick with what you know and keep it simple!

I'm sure several yachting and boating town's have similar issues with handymen and such but here in Florida we refer to the issue as "The Florida Promise." The best weapon is awareness! I hope you found these tips useful. Best of Luck!

Namaste!

Two Yachtie Tips You Can Use!

Those "mega" yachts sure are pretty and man, do they spend a lot of money to play with them! BUT I will say this, they still keep to the" basics" when it comes to cleaning! I work on a classic Burger here in Fort Lauderdale and find I use these two products more than any other cleaning supply. They are cheap and safe to use for anyone, anywhere!

There are a number of reasons why using natural cleaning products in your home (floating or not) is a great idea! We could start with the fact that these chemicals are absorbed by your body, end up in our waterways AND can cause lasting damaging effects on both human and animal life! Just because your turning over a "green" leaf doesn't mean you'll need to spend a bunch of "green" either, let's just consider going back to the basics!

1. Vinegar -A simple mix of white vinegar and water will work wonders on windows, ports, hatches and any other clear or glass surface! No more blue dyes or streaks baby, this is it! Designate a small spray bottle for this use specifically and keep it full and handy wherever you will use it most. Don't like the "salad dressing" smell? Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil like calming lavender!
2. Alcohol - Yup! Straight up rubbing alcohol. Just put it in a spray bottle and use it on just about any hard surface. It's not a deep cleaner but it will cut your workload in half when you use it everyday to clean lightly. Showers, stainless, mirrors, toilets even floors can benefit from the germ killing powers in plain, old, inexpensive rubbing alcohol!

Now, I'm off to work, Happy Friday!!

Recycled Blog Posts! 10 Things You Can't Have Too Many Of...

In no real orderly fashion I have come up with 10 things I know I am happy I have plenty of!

 1. Chapstick with SPF - Don't let your lips get fried! I still have at least 10 of these on board since we left 6 months ago. It's a good idea to have them stowed in different drawers or compartments so that you are reminded to wear it. Protect your kisser!

2. Sunblock, spray and lotion - There are times when I want to just dig a tunnel to hide from the sun. We wear long sleeve white t's and stay protected best we can but we always slather on plenty of sun screen. The spray works best for kids that run away or don't want the white lotion to show. Also good for on the go re-application! Again stowing in many area of the boat including the head and cockpit help to keep you reminded!

3. Bug Spray with Deet - Lord knows they love me! I have 100% on board that I hope I never have to use, and mostly 40%. Here in Guatemala they are big, they are mostly on shore, once you get to your boat you are usually bug free. But nothing worse than a calm night anchored out and no sleep because of the little bzzz in your ear.

4. Hair Ties - Clips, pins, headbands. - I have got some serious hair, and it needs to be contained. The salt water environment is hard on those elastic things! After a recent trip to the States I bought a whole slew of new bands. I still have plenty of headbands, scarfs, hats and pins in the drawers, much to the Cap.'s dismay.

5. Bathing Suits - Ladies and Gentlemen, you will live in your swim suit, or in the nude! (and hey, that's your deal) Part of what I hate about being back in the "real" world is all the damn clothes you have to wear. When it's Florida hot I just wanna wear my bikini! Once again the environment is hard on suits, buy extras at the thrift store, and who cares if they don't match, that's the style anyhow!

6. Peanut Butter - Peanut Butter is the all purpose life sustaining spread. You can smear it on anything and use it make cookies, or spicy peanut sauce! I still have 3 jars from a recent provision in Roatan. Prices in the States are far better for Peanut Butter that here in countries where they haven't discovered it's greatness.

7. Animal Supplies - Food, litter, catnip, toys. - If you have pets on board you have got to know that food in the islands is iffy at best. You've seen those poor little starving dogs and cats lurking at the back of Tiendas and Shops along the way. An easy way to provision is to measure your pet's portions for a month or so before you set out. 1 cup per day etc then do the math to figure in how much you'll need for your cruise. I am still working off a Sam's Club bag of Cat food. We ran out of Litter once we got here to the Rio. Litter is about $15 per container, the same ones that were only $7 in the US. Makes me want to potty train 'em!

8. Incense - I like incense for two reasons. Sandalwood and Lemongrass act as a natural bug repellent. They make the boat smell great and they also come in handy before a yoga practice in or off the boat. :) Just remember to keep them in a zip-loc baggy so they stay dry.

9. Liquor - Need I say more. Rum is cheap in Bahamas so stock up there. But if you are more into Sour Mash like we are, Burboun Whiskey is expensive in other coutries. Unless you can find a Duty-Free shop like the one in St. Kitts. We once bought a case of Jim Beam there at the tune of $7 a bottle!

10. Fishing Lures - These little numbers can cost you a small fortune. So stock up buy online or from a local place and get the ones with shiny parts and flashy colors they work best for the Mahi's. Trust me!

What are some of the things you carry plenty of? Now, I'm back to my shopping list!

Cruisers Laundry Etiquette 101

Laundry has always been one of the necessary evils of cruising. I don't know about you but I have found that the best way to do laundry is to go to the laundry room on a Thursday night with an *alcoholic beverage* of choice; load the machine and plop down with a good gossip mag! But, as we all know sometime life gets in the way and it just doesn't happen like that. WARNING: This may not be pretty and I may make some  people mad but, "Hey, the truth hurts sometimes." Also, while we should all really know this already; we could all use a kind reminder. I have come to the conclusion that there are two kinds of people in the laundry room. Inconsiderate *or* Considerate. Here is a list of things that will help keep you in the good graces of the laundering Gods (and your neighbors). 

1. Handling Other People's Stuff - While I am one who will absolutely NOT touch other people's laundry there comes a time when you need the machine that someone has long forgotten about and you just have to move it. If you have waited a reasonable amount of time, at least 10 or more (use your own parameters) minutes since the machine stopped, it's time to decide your plan of action. When removing people's laundry remember this - SH*T happens and sometimes people get hung up, the timer doesn't go off, kids get sick, whatever the reason people do not intentionally leave their laundry to piss you off, so be courteous. Put the laundry in a basket if it's dry or the dryer if it is wet. But DO NOT start the dryer. You are not doing them any favors as some people like to line dry. If you are there when the person arrives be nice, smile, introduce yourself and mention that you are sorry you touched their stuff and you hope they don't mind but you needed the next machine. Generally speaking, that person (if it is you, listen up!) will be thankful and remorseful. The most important thing to remember here is to "treat others as you would like to be treated!" 

2. Don't Be That Guy! - Okay so as you read above, no one wants to touch your stuff, so please be timely about your laundering. Set a timer, bring a book, join the club, we have other things to do too! If you don't want people touching your skivvies then get your butt back to the laundry room on time, or don't even leave. Focus solely on the task at hand and GET 'er DONE! 

3. Clean the Lint Trap - Nothing worse than checking the lint trap and finding animal hair, pieces of crumpled up paper and who knows what in the screen. The unwritten rule is clean it immediately after you remove your dry clothing. While I don't mind finding $money$ in the machine I do mind that fact that I have to touch (eww) whatever it is that you wanted to wash OUT of your stuff. Thanks, but no thanks.

4. NO SMOKING. Seriously, I was in shock when I saw people crowded around the door of the washroom puffing away on those things! While I'm trying to make things smell clean they are right at the doorway stinking it up again. Geesh! Besides, my health I am interested in keeping my clean laundry smelling like the Tide I walked in here with, thanks.

5. Be Organized -Nothing worse than waiting for a machine with a person standing in front of it sorting the whites from the colors. Get your laundry in order. Get your quarters or tokens in advance. Have all the supplies you need before you occupy the machine. You may have walked into an empty room but don't take that as your que to spread out and call it home.

 6. Remember You Are a Guest - This is not your washing machine. This is not your boat or your house and you will have to "share" this space. Be kind, be courteous and be clean. Thankfully, this space was here so you could go have clean clothes. Treat this space as you would better than your own. Wipe down any spills immediately, put garbage in proper location and remember to check and re-check that you have all of your materials and clothing before you leave.

Laundry can be a very touchy subject and hopefully, I haven't offended anyone but this does need to be said. I am no angel I have been "that guy" - believe me. That being said, I totally had a good reason for showing up late and thankfully the person who waited patiently for me to return to my work was super nice. Hence, my affinity for treating people the way you wish to be treated. In any case, I think you will find that you'll have a great laundry experience if you remember this advice. Happy Washing!!!

Wishing you your own felicity.

Recycled Blog Posts! For the girls...

So I got to thinking (trouble, right?!) with this whole "Green" revolution going on that maybe I should "do my  part!" Only instead of recycling plastics, I'm recycling blog posts. Since this is a "new" blog,  many of our readers haven't read some of our stories from S/V San San, our last boat. AND since I'm short on time this saves me, yet keeps you all entertained!;) BONUS!

The cool thing is that even though this post originated from our sailboat days, it still applies to any boat/home and has even been enhanced a bit...

Thanks to Pinterest, I have been able to categorize all my favorite ideas in one place, like a virtual cork board! Therefore, whenever I want to show my handyman an idea I have for storage or in the galley, I just log on a VOILA! Check out my profile and see if there's anything you like, and if you would like to have a Pinterest account of your own, email me and I'll send you an invite. Oh yea, it's like that!;)

My girl friend came to visit and was totally impressed with this idea. It’s a great space saver! I bought this canvas shoe rack from Bed, Bath & Beyond, way back when. I wish I could claim this idea as my own but I gathered it from The Best Tips From Women Aboard. The book is packed with tons of helpful ideas for living aboard and I refer to it often!

Inside the canvas pockets I keep all kinds of girlie goodies, like lotions and creams. There are pumice stones, hair oils, patchouli, lavender, and almond oils, a sleep mask, ear plugs, tweezers, toe nail clippers, combs, hair clips and bands, aloe, nail polish, cotton balls and q-tips. Just because we come out here and live in swamp country or sandy land, does NOT mean we have to give up the once and a good while treats like a facial, polish, scrub or rub down.

There is plenty of time to apply and remove polish, plenty of time to pluck those stray hairs and plenty of time to twist your hair into a braid. One of the things I express to my friends that are new to cruising is the ability to still let yourself feel feminine. This is a tough environment, you will be sun burned, scratched, bitten and contorted in all kinds of ways while working and living on your boat.  So take time to make yourself feel pretty once in a while. And if your like me with a daughter, this makes for good Mommy/Daughter bonding time.

 You have worked hard to get to this dream of cruising and although the nuts and bolts are important, keep some things for yourself. Enjoy it because after all, Girls Rule and Boys WILL Drool! What things to you have on board to pamper yourself with?

Check out these other cool ways to store stuff onboard.

This would work well on a wall in the head.

Got a hanging locker? Maximize space like this!

Last one, I promise...

Reuse those egg cartons for delicate items like Holiday ornaments! GREEN!!!

Wishing you your own felicity.

Donations Sent to The Casa!!

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world.  Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.  ~Margaret Meade

For those of you who have been following along for a while you know that we are all about Guatemala! And at every chance we get, we talk about our favorite non profit, Casa Guatemala! Our karma yoga is to promote and support them in any way we can. For those of you who'd lie more information, check out these posts; Casa Guatemala & Hotel Backpackers.

About a month ago we received 3 boxes totaling about 42lbs from some *great people* who collected donations through their office. We had hoped to hand deliver them but instead ended up storing them until a volunteer appeared! Since they are school supplies and the best thing to do is to get them to the kids as soon as possible; we are happy to know they are well on their way! The beautiful kids of the orphanage oat Casa Guatemala will soon be receiving crayons, pencils, notebooks, markers, band-aids and tooth brushes & toothpaste! We can't think of a better way for them to start off the new school year!

So the first group of people collected the goodies, then we stored them. Then I found a volunteer heading to Guatemala to work with Casa Guatemala in Florida He went ahead and paid the extra charge to carry a whole suitcase full of stuff. Then I bummed a ride (since we don't drive or own a car) from a friend who took me and all the supplies to the nearest Fed Ex and we shipped it to the Volunteer who leaves Monday morning for Guatemala City! PHEW! I tell ya, it really does take a village. But again, thanks to just a handful of committed people we made it happen!

It makes us so happy to know that "Together Everyone Achieves More" and we worked together as a T.E.A.M. and got the supplies to the kids with very little expense and within very little time!! Want to help? Email us @ MVFelicity (@) Gmail.com .

Don't forget to support Casa Guatemala by checking out their Facebook page.

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Make a donation by clicking here.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!

Click on the monkey's fist to read others bloggers on this topic.

The Right Tools

Oil change equipment! 

Having the right tools can make all the difference.

Here is West Marine's 6.9quart capacity Oil Extractor

This weekend GR did the oil change while I took notes. Next time, I want to do it. The set up we have made the whole process less messy and simple. West Marine's oil extractor is great! Using a powerful manual pump it creates a vacuum that pulls out the old oil from the engine. It's not necessary to keep pumping, the vacuum does all the hard work! One hose end goes into the engine's dipstick tube, the other tube hooks up to the unit. Give it about 15 pumps and just watch the cylinder fill up! We then dumped the cylinder into the oil 5 gallon bucket we had from the last oil change.

Ordering online is such an awesome way to get the tools we need, considering we work without a vehicle. GR found Northen Tools online and ordered this ZEE LINE hand pump for the fresh oil we'd be depositing back into Felicity's engines! It is designed to fit right over our 5 gallon oil barrels and it sucks the fresh fuel out and deposits it into the engine using the same method as the removal pump.

I was simply amazed at the simplified way we were able to stand up in the engine room and removal oil from inside the boat, taking it to the oil depo station here in the Dinner Key Marina, clean marina facility. Now we are prepping to top off the fuel tanks which we hope to do Saturday.

In Action

Being Resourceful

Resourceful: adj.

Able to act effectively or imaginatively, especially in difficult situations.

Able to use the means at one's disposal to meet situations effectively.

Ingenious, inventive, creative, no matter what word you use to describe it there are times when you just have to think outside the box! When we moved from one boat to another we didn't have the convenience of taking our belongings by car from one marina to another. We sold our boat in Central America and moved to Eastern US by plane. With the cost of baggage these days we felt it unnecessary to pay for things twice. Books, art supplies, tools, cruising charts and games can be heavy and really add weight to your 50 pound limit. We figured we could probably just buy those things again, in good time.

Fast forward 3 months( my how time flies) and my how we are accumulating things left and right! Some friends donated a ton of paint brushes to Gia and me. We were so thankful that they also donated a huge coffee tin, bread ties and a sprouting tupperware (for growing sprouts)! When we put our needs "out there" (into the cosmic universe by prayer or meditation) I knew that the universe would provide for us.

Since we are on a budget, as many people are, I took matters into my own hands when the new year came around. I felt we really needed a calendar, what with all of Gia's school functions, my work schedule and our now various bills to pay. (ick) But instead of going out and spending almost $15 on a wall calendar I decided to be resourceful! Using one of our old shopping bags I created 4 months worth of calendars using the front and back sides of a brown paper bag.

If you have a collection of things around the house or boat, think about new ways to use them! We now save all our bread ties and use them in the school garden to help hold up those delicious tomatoes and green pepper stalks. We use binder clips and rubber bands to close cereal and chip bags. Part of what makes cruising fun is the ability to leave "land life" behind and sometimes that means there is not a Target or a Wal*Mart nearby. Learning to do without can have tons of benefits, just one of the many is being resourceful!

In what ways have you become more resourceful? We'd love to hear your comments!