Water and wifi

   I have to admit, the biggest issues of boat living that are getting to me, are not having instant access to Internet and the fact that it's a miracle to get a hot shower that lasts more than 3 minutes. I know in the big scope of things, that those are minor issues, but as a entitled, spoiled American, I've become accustomed to certain luxuries. Unlimited wifi and hot running water, are currently at the top of my most wanted list. 

    Apparently, water pumps and flash water heaters are very finicky and work only when the stars align just perfectly! So, if you see me with unshaved legs, don't judge me! Lol

   All of these issues will be addressed, if we can ever close escrow on our house, but for now they remain luxury items we can do without. You'd be surprised what you can live without. 

   I'm not complaining, really. There are benefits to not having constant wifi flowing to all of our electronic devices. My daughter and I go to the library, where she is learning to love to read, instead of it being a punishment or assignment. We talk, play games, and interact a whole lot more than we did before. We are exploring our new neighborhood and just being on the ocean, we see so many new things. 

    We are also interacting with new people, who come into the harbor, from all over the world, and also with the small community of live aboard folks, in our immediate area. There are about 10-15 boats with full timers on them, each with their own stories to tell and learn from. Just this weekend, we entertained an 85 year old gentleman who lives in a small sailboat a row over from us. He is a Korean War Navy veteran, who has traveled the world. He had many stories to tell, which we enjoyed immensely. We also met a young man, who is a bush pilot down from Alaska, that sails the world in his off time. There is also an older couple, that we chat with over on the dock, that I would ready like to connect with. It's a small community, and very few of them are women, so it would be nice to have a female friend to chat with. There's a new family coming to the mooring field close to us soon, with 4 children near my daughters age, so I'm looking forward to that. 

   Christmas was kind of quiet this year. One of our girls came for Christmas Eve with her hubby, which was nice. The other 2 girls came the day after Christmas with all of the grandkids. They had a blast, I think, and I thoroughly enjoyed taking all the kids on a harbor cruise, showed them a seal sunning up close, and sharing my new world with them. I can't wait to have them back for a longer visit. 

    We are still struggling with space issues and really need to get down to the nitty gritty on what we actually need on this boat. I have a cabin filled with things that I'm rapidly suspecting we will never use here.

     Time to sort, again, I believe. 

   

Grand Adventure

   I was thinking this morning, what a grand adventure this is! Even with all the troubles, uncertainties, and plumbing issues, just being here is worth every second of it. 

   Even today, in the middle of a rain storm, as I came to the realization that I was woefully unprepared to get my 10yr old to shore and school, in a semi-dry fashion. She made it, on time, too. With a dry set of clothes in her backpack, just in case. I'm currently waiting for a break in the rain, to attempt to get my laundry to shore.... Getting it all back onto the boat, dry, may be a whole different story! 

   Even as the only working toilet stopped working the day before Thanksgiving, and we spent the holiday weekend getting baptized by unmentionable fluids. We now have 2 working toilets - forward progress, I tell you!  

   Boat life is certainly not for the weak hearted, and it is very hard work. There are many things we've had to give up. Simple things, like microwaves, hair dryers, and wifi. I don't cook big elaborate meals, anymore, and we make do with a whole lot less than we used to - and that's ok for me, right now. Less really is more 😊.

    One day, when I'm a really old lady, if I make it that far, I'll look back and say to someone, "Did you I know I lived on a boat once? It was one of the best times of my life!" As I was taking my husband to shore at 4am yesterday, when all is quiet in the harbor except for the pounding waves, the moon is up, and the small fish jump out of the way of our boat, he said to me, "I wish we'd thought of moving to a boat sooner." Someday, we may feel differently, and then it'll be time for the next chapter of our lives, although I can't imagine that. 

   For now, I'm having the time of my life.