As The World Continues To Turn
Ahoy! We hope y’all are happy and doing well.
Jim and I are good. We’ve had a nice quiet few weeks, yet, are happy to report we are staying busy. Jim has had to do a few things to get his paperwork in order to send to the Coast Guard to obtain his Captains License. A trip to Palmetto to get a TWIC card.
Transportation Worker Identification Credential -The program's goals are: Positively identify authorized individuals who require unescorted access to secure areas of the nation's maritime transportation system; Determine the eligibility of an individual to be authorized unescorted access to secure areas of the maritime transportation system. This is a government requirement, not unlike getting TSA clearance for air travel. We happen to think it’s just another way for them to make eighty dollars, but nonetheless, they want to make sure Jim is not a terrorist, a drug or child trafficker, or a pedophile. He also spent a day getting a first aid and CPR card. A trip to the doctor and a drug test, deemed him in good enough health ( and drug free) to get that piece of the puzzle signed off. All things he needed to complete for the application. He will also send in this very cool copy of his diploma.
Jim has been busy driving for Uber/Lyft. Someone has to work around here! I have been holding down the fort and really enjoying my new bike.
Our Looper friends, Marshall and Judy stopped in at our marina. We went to the John and Mable Ringling Museum in Sarasota, Florida. It was a very rainy day, which made walking around the grounds a great big drag. We spent several hours at the museum and enjoyed our time there very much. It saddened me that The Ringling Brothers & Barnum and Bailey Circus is gone forever! What a legacy they have left. Jim and I took my oldest Grandson to the circus when he was about 4 years old. It is a great memory of mine. I wish the other grandkids could have experienced this spectacular circus.
Everyday should be a circus day!
We also got to celebrate Judy’s birthday with her. Nothing better than coffee cake with candles!
Judy and Marshall, as I've told you before, are still on their Loop. They are headed to the Florida Keys, the Bahamas, and then will head up the east coast where they will cross their wake in Greenville, South Carolina. Their plan was just to stay here in Osprey for 2 days. Unfortunately, Marshall’s brother passed away quite unexpectedly. This quickly altered their plans, and they needed to get home for his service. They rented a car and drove home, leaving their boat here. This changed their plans drastically. They had a slip reserved in the Keys for the whole month of February. Slips in the Keys are at a premium during the winter season and very hard to come by. Reservations are made a year in advance. So, our friends are having to cut their trip short. Alas, as we all know, things happen that are out of our control. I’m sure they never planned on a death in their family or having to stay in Osprey for 2 weeks. They are back as of today, and plan on leaving on their Bahama Adventure tomorrow. We are sorry for your loss, and we are also glad we got to spend some extra time with y’all. Fair winds and following seas!
Jim and I are still entertaining the idea of a RV. We again, went and checked a few rigs out. We talked about what our future looks like, and what we would like to do. When we had this conversation back on the Chesapeake Bay, and we decided to press on and complete our Great Loop Adventure, the future was clear. We had a plan. We executed the plan, and completed the plan. I’m still feeling a bit discombobulated. I’m not quite sure whether I’m coming or going. Living on our boat is not a vacation. It’s our home. It’s where we start and finish our day. We are stationary right now. We are tied to a dock, and we have not been out on the water since we returned back on December 13th. Home. There are so many questions. If we buy a RV, we have to make a plan. Do we keep the boat in this marina? Do we move it somewhere less expensive? If yes, where do we store a motorhome? Our car? Where do we go in our RV?, and for how long? Is that trip a vacation? We would both like to drive to Alaska. We would like to pick up the grandkids in Los Angeles and take them to the beach for a week. We’d like to see more of the United States. But, then I start thinking again, which in most cases is a bad idea. I get scared. Leaving the Happy Destiny for months on end scares me. It’s not the kind of scared I had when I sold most everything I owned and left California. That was excitingly scary! That was a dream coming true. Maybe, for, me, the thought of my home, floating in the water, without us, is what scares me. Weather and hurricanes and us not being close by to protect her. I have a lot of “what if’s” going on!
One thing I know for sure, in my heart, I do not regret one minute of this whole “quit your job, sell your stuff, live on a boat” deal. Life after the Loop is challenging, but I do know, one day at a time, my God will reveal the next right move. And it will be just what it’s supposed to be. Guess I can stop worrying now.
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A special party took place here at the marina this past weekend and I was able to be of service. Melanie is Dave the dockmasters wife. When we moved here last March she had just been diagnosed with a very serious case of breast cancer. Her treatment was just beginning and this whole past year she has been kicking her Cancer’s ass! She was very, very sick. She fought like a warrior and today, is finally feeling much better. They hosted a celebration for her which also was a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. Having a daughter who has survived breast cancer gave me even more reason to support this celebration! I thought of how lucky and blessed my girl is. She fought a good battle too!
I was able to help with all the food preparation! About 100 people were expected. Cooking food for that many people is quite the undertaking. Dave, spared no expense. First there was a 100 pound pig to be roasted in a big box! Cuban style! We made pulled pork, jambalaya, peppers, onions and sausage, a Lo-Boil, with beautiful shrimp, corn, potatoes, and sausage. BBQ chicken, hot wings, salads, empanadas, ribs, Melanie’s famous Aligator Stew. I’ve never seen so much food! It was just beautiful!
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I could just kick myself for not taking any pictures. I was so busy helping that I just didn’t find the time. That’s a pretty lame excuse, but their daughter was taking pictures and she had promised to send my some. As of yet, she hasn’t, but rest assured, it was an amazing party, for an amazing lady which raised an amazing amount of money for the Cancer Society.
Jim took me on a date Sunday afternoon. We went to Sarasota to the Players Auditorium, where we saw a community theater production of Hairspray. It was fabulous. I love when Jim surprises me with a day out. I like putting on a pretty dress, and this day I even put on high heels!
👗👠👗👠👗👠👗👠👗👠👗
Today is February 6, 2018. Jim is out driving, Judy made me a nice breakfast. We are going to the beach tonight and watch the sunset. Judy and Marshall will leave in the morning.
God has given me a project. True story- Jim was out driving a few weeks ago. He picked up a young lady from a facility and was to drive her to the place she is a resident at. Being in recovery, Jim knew the place he was taking her was a recovery program. The two of them obviously struck up a conversation and ultimately Jim gave her my phone number. She actually called me! I have since met her, been to a meeting with her, visited her at her facility, and will take her to an outside meeting on Friday evening. She asked me to sponsor her, and I am more than happy to fill that role. She is helping me more than she knows. I’m so grateful that God saw fit to put her in Jim’s car. I’m so proud of her for having the courage to pick up the phone and ask for help. I’m pleased that I am staying connected to my recovery here in Florida. I’m getting to meetings and putting myself out there. I have found that people don’t just congregate towards me. I have to put my hand out and get involved. My sponsor has taught me this. My recovery and program feels very strong today. I’m so blessed!
I keep writing because it’s good for me. Life after the Loop is happening. All of my insecurities just are. We are staying busy and we are happy. Life is unfolding just the way it is supposed to, and we are right where we are supposed to be. We are having fun and we are doing really cool things. I am still one of the luckiest girls I know. I wish you a good day and a sunset!
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