The In-Betweeners

What's it mean to be in between?

 I sure feel stuck in the middle. 

How about you?

photo cred

Society puts a label on everything and everyone. We all want to know where we stand. What is our place? It used to be so simple. I was a sailor, a cruiser, a live- aboard, a traveler. Now, I'm not so sure this round peg can fit into such a square hole. Could I be having an.... Oh, look, another label - identity crisis?

Sailor? Nope, our only sheets are the ones I sleep in.

Live aboard? No. I don't live in our boat.

Cruiser? I'm not traveling and have no date in mind as to when we may begin.

Traveler? Only in my mind.

When I became a mother I was instantly "in the club." Similarly, when I became a cruiser I was able to associate myself with that group, after sailing some major passages I felt I earned the "street cred." (GR had the street cred from day one!) Now I feel as if all that doesn't matter, how ABSURD!? Discrediting our accomplishments is just another bad habit holding good people back! During times of growth I need to give credit for all that we have done.  Although, we aren't set to cross any oceans we are covering new ground. With the past behind us, we will meet people along our future path with whom we can relate and hopefully our past experiences can help those newbies on their journey.

Living in the age of the internet has made having a social life that much easier; most of our friends live scattered all over the world! At the moment, ironically SO many of my fellow blogging friends in the cruising community are in the middle of some big transitions. I'm happy to have these friends to commune with. It's as if we are currently in the pupa stage, together yet separately. Like the life cycle of a butterfly we are preparing ourselves for something. During butterfly development the adult structures of the insect are formed while the larval structures are broken down. Essentially, we are disconnecting with our larval structures, the portion of ourselves that we for so long, used to identify who we are.

Neil Gaiman said,  “You're always you, and that don't change, and you're always changing, and there's nothing you can do about it.” - The Graveyard Book

Many of my gypsy friends are experiencing some loss. The loss of the familiar. This post is for them and me. Some are selling their boats and moving on to some other amazing dream yet to be fulfilled. Another is expanding their family unit in leaps and bounds. And yet another is doing the shuffle from up north to back down south before winter's crippling cold creeps in. The one thing we all have in common is our understanding that life as we once knew it is gone.

Recognize that the only constant is change. A change of hands, a change of heart, a change of pace.

Where do we fit in? What are we doing to adjust? What can we do?

Whether we are in between jobs, homes or just at a crossroads; moving forward is the only way to cross over. Move forward with life as you know it. Try a little pampering. Remember that there is a reason for all this, you may not see it yet. Meditate, read to absorb knowledge, get prepared and keep a journal or write it out on your blog! Help us learn from what works for you!

For the most part....
“Smile, breathe and go slowly.” - Thich Nhat Hanh

Namaste friends.
Jessica  - I, me 
GR & Gia - Us, we

Kitty Love

Our cats, Provo & Caico have taught us that we are their people and we are to act accordingly. We try to make sure they are comfortable, that they are getting enough exercise, eating properly and enjoying plenty of naps. These cats are so much a part of the family that Gia considers them her sisters. She would love nothing more than to dress them up and tote them around town but instead she takes photos of them. Here are a few montage's she has created. Gia has an insatiable desire to help the animal kingdom, I think she may even turn into a cat lady someday.

Gia's montage of Provo & Caico

Provo is so photogenic!

Brown Bagging It!

Our furry friends are now 7 years old. They have traveled with us in 3 boats, numerous plane rides and just a few car trips. As hard as it is having pets aboard (vaccinations, documentation etc) we wouldn't change a thing.

Playing with Our Toys!

Two Kayaks, a Kneeboard & Two Livingston

It's taken me a week to even post this! We had great weather and friends visit from Daytona Beach during Spring Break and we took FULL advantage!! It seems like we have just been hunting and gathering all the toys, and not really using them so getting over to Lake Sylvia with the kids and towing them around was a BIG step in the direction of fun.

The Year for Yamaha!

Yamaha EF2000iS

Meet our "Get By" generator (today) and our "Back Up" (later)! This was yet another impulse buy made by the Captain while he was "escorting" our friend Sandy to purchase her new 6hp "Yammy"! He just couldn't help himself! Bob Hewes Boats, in North Miami, has been incredible to deal with. Their sales and personnel have answered all our questions and their prices are better than competitors! After seeing them online and comparing them to the more popular HondaEU 2000i  he decided, since he's been on a Yamaha kick lately, why not give 'er a go!

Yamaha Zuma

 Our first Yamaha purchase started off with this little baby! She'll fit perfectly on our top deck, next to our tender (dinghy & outboard setup) and gets 132 miles to the gallon allowing for us to scoot around town for parts and groceries!

Yamaha 20hp 4Stroke

AND last but certainly not least our *water wheels*! We've certainly got many, many more hours to put on this motor perhaps towing Gia & friends on a tube or knee board!? Can you say...Yamahappiness?!

Felicity & her crew are certainly happier with all this new gear. For years, we have heard cruisers sing Yamaha's praise for the outboard. We are going to go ahead and test them for the scooter and the generator while we are at it! It certainly is panning out to be The Year for Yamaha!


*We were not compensated by Bob Hewes Boats or Yamaha in anyway for this post.

Kids4Sail - Where Cruising Kids Come First!

Site is actually now, Kids4Sail.ning.com

Raising kids on a boat is something I had absolutely no idea about until I had to do it! Even now, that I have done it, I consider myself no expert!
Plenty of people email and ask me questions like:

How did I plan?
What was it like homeschooling?
How did the kids respond to cruising?

My answer is this; with all the rum punches in between the whirlwind of cruising over 13 different countries, 3 different boats, 2 adopted cats and 4 school grades I don't know how it went but she turned out awesome so... I'd say it went pretty dang well!! My blogging has morphed quite a bit since we began this journey and unfortunately I have no old blogs to refer to our child rearing experiences aboard; only my memory holds the little tricks I learned along the way.

BUT if you are planning to raise your kids aboard someday have I got the website for YOU!! Kids4Sail is an incredible way to meet other cruising families. The website is a host for blogs, read their blog, photos, videos and even has a forum for kid related topics such as homeschooling and activities aboard! I "met" Erika Lelievre, the administrator/organizer of this site online through a mutual friend, a cruising mom, and joined the site as a way to keep in touch with the many children we've met while cruising. The best tool we've found is the "Member Map", it's been great for planning to arrive in an anchorage with some kids and scheduling play dates or home school dates! For you, it can be a veritable gold mine of information to help push you into (or out of) a pending decision.

Our little site has grown in leaps and bounds and we are hoping to gain at least 100 MORE cruising kids to our list so please, please, PLEASE JOIN or PASS the website onto a cruising family you know! Be sure to check out their Facebook page too!

**Seriously, though if you have specific questions about raising kids aboard or any topics for that matter, feel free to ask. I'll do my best to dust off the cobwebs from my memory!;)

Traditionally - Nontraditional

Yup, it's *REAL* and it smells soo good!

This year things are a bit different around here but then again every year has been kinda different. I mean that each year we have celebrated the holiday we have been in a unique location generally in the midst of gearing up our boat to head off cruising. We haven't really kept too many "traditions" of our own aside from the usual - wake up Christmas morning with presents from the Big Man and then eating an incredible breakfast. This year GR and I sitting back admiring our super-cozy, floating home all light up and sparkling and said to each other, " So what will we do for Christmas Eve this year?" I was literally speechless. Here in "the real world" we don't have an anchorage full of close friends planning a list of activities for us. We're going to have to come up with something on our own. (scoff) *Also, although we are in Florida, we are still about 4 hours from our "old hometown" full of  family and friends. (We may get the chance to sneak up there at some point but not Christmas week, driving and Christmas just don't sound fun.) So, this year, like many others will be traditionally nontraditional. We picked up a *real* tree, a real BIG, Douglas Fir at that (with the car). She's about 5' tall and smells heavenly. Gia picked the color scheme of our ornaments; silver, blue & white. Reminiscing about where we've been over the years was fun, here's a list of our crazy, mixed up Christmas's as liveaboard boaters.

Christmas over the Years 

2007 - Warderick Wells, Exuma, Bahamas -  Anchored out, dinghied into the park headquarters for a "Proper" potluck (Turkey, Ham, Potatoes, Pies all free) hosted by the park ranger. We had a construction paper tree taped to the bulkhead. Santa called us on the VHF and dropped Gia's Christmas presents on the deck of the boat from his sleigh. (Pearson 424, San San)

2008 - Ponce Inlet, Florida -  We moved back into our house in preparation for the final liquidation of our property. We bought a 12' tree from a guy on Craigslist and didn't have enough ornament to make it look quite right! We invited many family and friends over to celebrate with us while we had the "big" house one last year. Gia got a boombox for her room. (Recently boat-less and in the market)

2009 - Marathon, Florida, Boot Key Harbor -  On a mooring surrounded by totally cool liveaboards our cockpit donned LED, multi-colored lights and handmade decorations. Several friends got together on various boats for different gatherings, that community was the best, lots of kids around! We picked up a tiny, table-top tree and made most of our ornaments by hand. It was a cold, cold winter that year and we actually had to buy a heater! YES, in Florida! (36' Ericson, San San)

2010 -  Miami, Florida - On a mooring at Dinner Key Marina, we still had our table-top tree and our cockpit decorations with lights. This time, I worked ALOT and so did GR. We were so focused and had Guatemala on our minds! (36' Ericson, San San)

2011 - Miami, Florida - New boat for us, the start up with this one was hard since we sold everything we owned (yet, again) with San San . Thankfully pulled into the slip a few days before and grabbed a Rosemary tree from local market in between trips to and from work. New boat, new $kitty$! (50' Hatteras, Felicity)

2012 - Fort Lauderdale, Florida -  Docked, covered in lights, nice tree and working but not TOO much! All three of us are home together and will consider this one of many years that we are super blessed. Gia will make the cookies for Santa all by herself this year. (50' Hatteras, Felicity) 

It's fun to think back on all the places we have been and where we "think" we are heading but the truth of the matter is all that counts is where you are right now and loving every minute of it! Happy Holidays to you wherever you may be, from all of us on Felicity.

Home for the Holidays.....Or Not.

Happy Holidays!!

When was the last time YOU were home for the holidays? Cruisers, yachties and many others such as ourselves are often subject to spending the Thanksgiving, Christmas, and even New Years in unique locations surrounded by *new* faces. It can be fun and exciting to dine "potluck" style and to be introduced to new traditions but it can also be hard for families to cope without their loved ones.
 
Being in the yachting industry (or any service industry for that matter), holidays and weekends just aren't the same. Typically, we ("yachties") work every weekend and every holiday; it's just expected. It just comes with the territory. We work for people who work hard and want to play hard with their families aboard their *awesome* yachts, can you blame them?! Thankfully, owners' are using their boats. keeping us working and keeping us in the green. A recent study by The Triton, a local yacht crew publication shows crew perspective regarding working through this time of year. Some don't mind, some hate it but either way there's no getting around it.

Through the years we have found ways of getting around the separation.
You could celebrate at another time of the year when time off is more acceptable.
You could celebrate in unique ways like by using modern technology to be a part of your family party via Skype or Facetime.
Or you could just quit your job and go home! (At your own risk, of course)

Seriously, this year we are super thankful to both have great gigs that allow us more freedom during the holidays, meaning we will both be home on the "big" days. All three of us will go to sleep on Christmas Eve and wake up together to open presents, eat an incredible breakfast and spend the day playing with our new things and just plain enjoying ourselves. This year we are doing it right!

"Time is Love" - Josh Turner

Since we LOVE Country music, I'm sharing my latest fav with you! I think it's pretty relevant to all of us. Our "American" way of life is all about hurrying from point A to point B to accomplish whatever it is at the time that is sooo stinking important. I notice the stress on everyone else's face more so now than when I, too was a "hurry worry-er". Ever since we learned to "chill out" (a big lesson taught by the cruising lifestyle; try being underway for 12 days straight at a snails pace) I am completely comfortable letting people go in front of me at the grocery store, at the coffee shop even at (gasp) the post office. SERIOUSLY, I just don't mind. My favorite saying is, " I'm in no rush to die." That often gets their attention. I hope it shocks them out of their rush induced spastic state into a state of realization that time is more than just $money$! Time is LOVE! And that is exactly what Josh Turner is singing about here. Enjoy, I hope this song touches you as it has me.

Namaste.

What's in a name?? 2012 Hurricane Season...

Hurricane season is upon us and with two storms prior to the actual start date we have a hunch that this year might be a little busy. We spent last year in Rio Dulce, Guatemala a good spot to wait out the season. Although, we will pray and keep our dock lines and fingers crossed that it's as peaceful a year as ever, we got a giggle out of the names on this list!! Check it out!!


Alberto (used) Gone(used) - Gone but not forgotten.
 Beryl (used) Gone but not forgotten
Chris (unused) - Short for Christine or Christopher, remember that movie? Christine, eek!?
Debby (unused) - Does Dallas? Who knows...
 Ernesto (unused) - A Latin spin on a German name, spicy!
 Florence (unused) - My Grandmother's name, She doesn't take any stuff!
 Gordon (unused) - Captain, My Captain, I think Gordon will be the one!!
 Helene (unused)
 Isaac (unused)
 Joyce (unused)
 Kirk (unused)
 Leslie (unused)
 Michael (unused) - My Dad, and if this storm is anything like him, he'll give us hell!
 Nadine (unused)
 Oscar (unused) - The Grouch, need I say more??
 Patty (unused)
 Rafael (unused)
 Sandy (unused) - Sandy Seagull one of our dearest friends, and she's a tough cookie!
 Tony (unused) - Good Strong Italian Name, Hope he bark is worse than his bite.
 Valerie (unused)
 William (unused) - A good, strong name.

Since this is our lifestyle we will be paying particular attention to this topic until November.Do any of these names have any significance in  your life?? Help us fill in the blanks!

*Giving credit where credit is due, our friends on SV Papillion posted the list of names on their blog first, check it out here.

Wine Theater

Being  a natural born BIG MOUTH, I love to support my friends in the endeavors and shout their praises from the fly bridge!. Today, I am promoting Chip. He's a great friend, comic genius and a fellow sailor aboard, SV Cara Mia a 38' Island Packet! We first met Chip & Tammy in Black Point, Exumas, Bahamas at The Scorpio Bar during happy hour. Chip came over to our table where each of us (Gia, GR, myself & my sister)  had a computer in front of our face. We were donning the tell-tale Skype headphones. He commented that we were in fact the future of cruising families! He made us laugh, we were instantly friends. He understood as all cruisers do that while we strive to "get away from it all" but then we still want to be connected to those we love back home. Funny, funny guy!

Fast forward 3 or so years where we bump into them in Coconut Grove. We spent some time chatting over Ribs and craft beer at Flanigan's and even had Tammy over during our Easter Egg dyeing session. Having said all this backstory, we love these guys. Now on with the news. When we found out that Chip & Tammy were moving to Fort Lauderdale about the same time as us we were thrilled! Chip is entering the yachting industry with his "Wine Theater" a unique wine class that takes the snobbery out of wine. Chip is a joke-ster and his presentation will both educate and entertain you all the while helping you become a better host or server!

We will be hosting a Home Show this Saturday May 19th at 4pm, please contact us at MVFelicity(at)gmail.com for more information and directions.
Or to book your own party or class visit Chip's website here.

Recipe: Cheesy Beef Pie

Thanks to a very special blog follower for this recipe. I made it Wednesday night for the family and they loved it! There was talk of substituting the mushroom but I just omitted them altogether. This is a delicious dinner and one slice of pie with a light salad or in our case a side of fresh green beans, will certainly fill you up.

Want to try it out for your self? Here's the recipe, please let me know what you think!

Cheesy Beef Pie

1 lb ground beef
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 - 8 oz can tomato sauce
1/4 cup snipped parsley
1 - 3 oz can chopped or sliced mushrooms drained (about 1/2 cup)
1/4 tsp dried oregano crushed
2 pkgs refrigerated crescent rolls (8 in each)
3 eggs
6 slices sharp American Cheese

Pre-heat oven at 350 degrees.

First, saute up some onions until translucent and add the ground beef. Drain the icky fat. Add tomato sauce, parsley and oregano (mushrooms if you like). Set aside.

Second, open 1 package of rolls. Place the sections of dough together to form a rectangle. Pinch the sections together so as to create a whole bottom pie crust, lay it down in your pan. I smashed the dough down in the pan and rounded out the edges as needed. this part made me feel like a big goof!

Now, take you eggs and beat them scrambled. Then brush the yolky goodness over the dough. Spoon the meat mix into the pie shell. Add slices of cheese on top. Spread the more egg mixture over the cheese. Roll out the second package of dough same as before only place it on top of and leave some escape hatches to let out the steam! Brush top layer of crusts with yolk that remains.

Bake at 350 degrees for 55 minutes. 10 minutes into the 55 minute total add tin foil over your pie so it doesn't get too dark!

Bon Appetit!

Makes 6 servings. (We ate it for 2 days!)

Last Day in The Grove

Today being our last day in the Grove(for now), I feel completely satisfied knowing that we have lived it up Grove-Style for the past 6 months. Prior to January 2011, we lived, worked and schooled in the Grove so we were no stranger to the coolest spots to eat out. (Some of our fav's -  Flanigan's, Roma Pizza, LoKal Burgers & Beer, The Bookstore in The Grove, Coral Bagels, The Last Carrot and others!) We have managed to live here without a car and never wanted for one. With Miami's incredible public transit system we have traveled as far south as Key West and as far north as West Palm Beach for under $15 per person. Shell Lumber the most amazing more-than-just-a-hardware-store, THREE, yes three grocery stores within bicycle riding distance and plenty of parks abound. All these things (&more) help make the Grove a great place for cruisers to come and live for a while.

But we will miss our friends the most. The people that have become part of our everyday activity, dock friends, work friends, school friends. Alas, the life of a cruiser is that of a rolling stone. We move so often yet, when & if we manage to bump into these same friends again in other ports the reunion is always that much more special! To me, the friends you make boating are the friends you keep for a lifetime. You can pick up right where you left off with them, and never miss a beat.

Today we will be bittersweet and full of hugs. Thank you to all our favorite chill spots, and see you soon to all of our friends. We will see you when you come visit us just up the road in Ft. Lauderdale.

Wishing you your own felicity,
Jessica, GR & Gia

My "other" job - Sale Rack

My momma always told me, "Idol hands are the Devil's workshop." Hence the fact that I can't stand to be without a project! When my friend Ali, owner of Sale Rack, an awesome Buy*Sell*Trade Recycled Clothing Boutique in Coconut Grove(my 'hood) told me she had an opening I jumped at the chance to work alongside her. The "Rack" is a collection of unique pieces including clothing, shoes, hats, bags, & other accessories that run the gamut from vintage threads to designer duds.

I find that when I am passionate about something I will go above and beyond in order to make my cause known. Since I first became a customer I have been telling everyone about this place! Working with Sale Rack has not only given me a better wardrobe but it has given me some real fashion knowledge. When we sold San San in Guatemala I gave up almost all of my clothes. Living in Miami, if you are working in the "real" world you have got to keep up the pace. Sale Rack has been key in helping me stick to me budget while still sticking to my style, "hobo boater chic."

 GO THERE & TELL THEM Jessica SENT YOU!!

Not only that I have made some true friends, I love the girls I work with! I'm going to miss them sooo much! I decided to write this blog to give them an opportunity to shine on this platform because I know a few of my girlfriends that live on boats still love to shop for clothes and occasionally have to part with some as well. If this is the case, stop by and make an appointment to meet with Ali. She will inspect the clean, gently used clothing you have and give you cold hard cash or store credit for them! Sounds too good to be true right? Well it's not! Sale Rack has become a go to store for unique patterns, colors and trends for women of all ages!

Sale Rack

3444 Main Hwy., Suite 20
Coconut Grove, Florida 33133
(305) 537-6078

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

Good Times

Doing a little catch-up on the blog. Here are some photos from Friday night. It was sort of a send off for our friends, Shawn & Curtis on SV Papillon. After hanging with these guys for three months we had to say goodbye. They are going to head north nice and slow taking time to smell the salt air along the way to St. Augustine. Follow along on their blog.

Shawn & Curtis

 

 

GR & Me

By the way, Did you know we have been living aboard for 5 months!? We can't believe how fast the time has gone!