The Kids Are Killing Us

April 3 - 8, 2013

Jennifer asked us to come to St Louis to help them settle into their new home a week after they moved in.  Since we fly standby we had to get up at 2:30 AM to catch a 6:00 flight out of Tampa.  (Ok, we were tired before we got there.)  Jen and JAC met us at the airport and we were off to see their new home.  They live in Webster Groves, an older section of St Louis.  It is so beautiful.  Mature trees, rhododendron, dogwood and azalias are in every yard.  The flowers were at peak color.  Their home is 103 years old.  It is spectacular with deep base boards, hardwood floors and cove moldings that are among the most intricate I have seen.  They already had the entire interior repainted, the floors refinished and most of the lights replaced before we got there.  The furniture was in place, but boxes were everywhere.  The boxes contained all of their art work, family pictures, nicknacks and various household items.  By the time we left, five days later... all of the art was hung, all of the boxes emptied, lots of cleaning completed, an innumerable number of trips to Lowes, Home Depot, Bed, Bath & Beyond were made and we were exhausted.  Actually, we were beyond exhausted.  We haven't been this tired since we moved out of our own house last May.  Besides getting them settled, we had time to see Christopher's new school, go to his karate class, celebrate Easter and JAC's 3rd birthday, read stories, take nature walks and play.  On Easter we caught a 4:00 PM flight to Miami.  After a two hour layover, we flew to Tampa.  An hour and a half drive to Longboat and it was 1:30 AM when we arrived home. We slept until noon on Monday....Home sweet home!  Doing anything with your kids -- even working until you think you will drop -- is about the best time you can have.  It's all about building those memories, sharing the laughs and time to talk.
Gotta smile -- we're lovin the ride!

Wish made, candles blown out,
lick the icing off the candle.

Hello Kitty lamp for her new bedroom.

Look fierce!

"GoMa, lets go grocery shopping."

Easter morning chaos.

Taking a break from the egg hunt to hug Grandpa.

Wet T Shirts -- No Contest

March 31, 2011

John and Gail stopped in Longboat for one night to see why we are so happy here.  We visited them at their rental on Sanibel and now they are on their way home to Minnesota.  John with and without Gail has spent nine weeks on board Gotta Smile and our former boat, Finally.  They have been on board when we stayed in some pretty strange places.  This definitely looks like paradise.  After a quick look at what  changes have been made since they got off south of St Louis, Gail and I made a run to St Armands.  When we got as far away from our car as possible, it started raining.  It was what my Dad called "a gully washer".  Since it looked like it wasn't going to blow over, we made a run for it.  By the time we got back to the car, it was sitting in a puddle with water almost up to the rocker panels.  We looked like drowned rats.  So even though we were running around wearing wet t shirts, no one was asking us to join them for drinks.  Before we got the engine running, the rain stopped and the sun broke through.  Too late to continue the shopping.  Doug and Mary are coming for cocktails and snacks at 5:00.  Just enough time to dry off, repair ourselves and get some goodies put together.     


From 1992 until 2004 we were very active in the Porsche Club's driving events.  Most of these took place at Brainard International Raceway.  Four couples would meet at Steve and Jan's cabin and have some of the best times of our lives.  We all drove on the track, helped cook meals and playfully critiqued one another.  John, Doug, and Mary were part of that group.  It was fun to get 2/3's of us together again.  It's been too long.

Gotta Smile -- we're lovin the ride!

Caution -- Items May Appear Larger......

March 29, 2012

Words of wisdom --- Never stand next to a very thin person for a picture!!!  Doing so may make you appear chubby. I know that must be what happened in this case. It probably had something to do with the camera and perspective. New diet starts today! 

 We spent the afternoon with Bob and Sara, who were our neighbors when we moved from California to Minnetonka, Minnesota. Now, our kids are older than we were when we were neighbors...34 years ago.  They just remodeled a house on the beach of Casey Key (about 20 miles from our boat). It's a great place with the beach right outside their back door and huge gulf views. (Word is -- Steven King takes a daily stroll through the neighborhood around 4:00.) 

To make the visit even better their daughter, Christine, was there and her nine month old daughter, Lucy.  Now, I know cute grandchildren. My four are exceptionally cute, but Lucy is a traffic stopper. She came into the world with red hair and beautiful light blue eyes. Her disposition is as sweet as her face. She's definitely a keeper!

Reconnecting with friends and finding out that we still have so much in common is one of the greatest bonuses of this voyage.  We'll definitely be back on this side of Florida again next winter.

Gotta smile -- we're lovin the ride!

Living At Break Neck Speed

March 19 - 25, 2012

We have been living on board for 10 months.  It seems impossible that it has been that long -- Wow almost a year!!!  We are still simplifying. Brian and I both went through our clothes and each of us took a stack of things to Goodwill. The longer we are on board the more we realize how little we really need.  While talking to friends this week, they asked 'what do you do all day'. We do what everyone else does that has a home: grocery shopping, laundry, meals, cleaning, repairs, upkeep.  (This isn't a cruise ship with maids and pursers.)  We visit with friends here, at their place and meet for lunches and dinners. We do lots of emailing with family and friends. We play Words with Friends (Brian lots more than me). We take walks, go to the beach, visit with neighbors.  Brian has started riding his bike 10+ miles per day. We're beginning to plan our trip that will start again in April.  Most of our other activities have been covered on past blogs.  Does all of this sound familiar?  It should -- our lives are like everyone else's, except for the fact that our home is a boat.  So, yes, our lives are moving at break neck speed....just like every one's.   We're doing everything we can to make sure every day is well used.

Gail and John, who were on board the first 2 1/2 weeks of our trip, have rented a home on Sanibel Island for the month of March.  Their house is on a bayou.  I wasn't sure what a bayou is -- I remember learning the term along with isthmus and peninsula when I was in elementary school, but the gray matter failed me again.  A bayou is typically found in a flat low-lying area.  It's usually slow moving and can be brackish.  This one is a great habitat for reptiles and birds.  While on a bike ride, Brian and John came across an alligator sunning himself in the shallows along the road.  We requested a couple of relaxing days.  It was great to swim in their pool, bike, walk the beach, shop and eat in some very good restaurants.  We've spent so much time together in the past couple of years that we're almost related.      

Today was an exciting day for Brian.  We went to the  Honda Grand Prix of St Petersburg.  The race was fun and we enjoyed looking at some fabulous yachts (up to 90 feet) that were in the bay.  The yacht owners had a great view of the race from their cockpits.  But, the best part happened as we were leaving.  We ran into our friend, Doug, and his son, Tim.  As we were chatting, Chip Ganassi walked up and Doug introduced us to him.  This alone would have been a thrill for Brian, but Doug went on to tell Chip that Brian enters turn one at Brainard International Raceway at 160 mph.  Chip responded with a bit of awe -- which was enough to make Brian's shirt buttons pop.  We're expecting a call any minute to ask Brian to join one of Chip's racing teams.  Chip (Did you notice that we're now on a first name basis?) and his partners own teams competing in IndyCar, Grand Am and NASCAR Sprint Cup.  He is "Mr Racing".  Every time you see the Target logo on a race car -- it is a Ganassi car!  I think Brian will be levitating all night.....  Oh, by the way, no one mentioned that I also raced Porsches at Brainard and what my race times were.     

Gotta smile -- we're lovin the ride!      

Voom, voom, voom - Ganassi car came in 2nd.

I actually got him to turn away from the track for
15 seconds.



Mega yachts lined up to watch the race.
We'd look mighty small next to these beauties!

    

Seven Glorious Days

March 10 - 17, 2012

It doesn't get much better than this!!!  Steve, Erin, Niko and Addison spent the last week on board.  Every 80 degree, blue sky day was filled with adventures.  We saw dolphins, manatees, pelicans gulping down fish, peacocks, ibis, cranes, egrets and a huge hermit crab.  We jumped in waves, rolled in the sand, had picnics, went on a dingy ride, swam in the pool, put feet in the hot tub, took adventure walks, read about pirates, visited a drum circle as the sun set, and had a day trip on the boat.  It doesn't take a lot to make four year olds deliriously happy!  Six people on a 48 foot boat for seven days could spell disaster, but not this time....everyone relaxed, enjoyed one another and had fun!  We were thrilled to be with our family and have them experience our new life.   They quickly saw why we love this part of the world and our simple lifestyle.  Most important, they want to come again....        

Gotta smile -- we're lovin the ride!

They are finally here!

A daily activity - swimming in the pool. 

Another daily activity!

Siesta Key drum circle.

With belly dancers!



Great Grandma Fran gets a surprise visit.



Grandpa is awakened from his nap with
 a salty sandy kiss.

Steve and Erin begin every day with a run
or tennis match -- over achievers!

Looking for critters in the bay.

Niko trying to master the frisbee.

Done with lunch.  Time to hop in the dingy and
head for home.

Mr. Perpetual Motion

Addison helps Grandpa drive the boat.

Another picnic -- biggest challenge is keeping
the sand out of the sandwiches....



Say it isn't so ----- the week is over. 

This Is Why We Don't Plan Ahead

March 4 & 5, 2012

The gimpy girls

About six weeks ago we made plans to take Kristi and Dick (our friends from Pass-a-Grille) out on the water for an overnight trip.  We have only had four rainy days since we arrived in mid-December.  Make that five!  We did get rain, but the bigger problem was 40 mile per hour winds which contributed to 13 foot waves.  That did not sound inviting to any of us.  Instead we had an overnight right here in the marina.  Except for a walk to look at some of the other boats late Sunday afternoon, we stayed on board for the 26 hours they were here.  No problem -- lots to discuss:  boats, boat equipment, past lives, cars, travels, children, husbands, friends, food, decorating.....  The disappointment of not anchoring out was quickly overcome with lots of laughter and great conversation.



Front or.....

Back -- they are good guys!

Gotta Smile -- We're lovin the ride!        

I'll Take Luck Over Brains Any Day

March 2, 2012

We took off this afternoon to run errands.  It was another glorious day.  We were zipping along with the top down, sun on our faces and the wind in our hair!   As we pulled up to a stop light, yikes ----- the linkage for the transmission snapped.  We were in first gear and that's all we had.  Now comes the lucky part.   We were in the right lane (slower traffic) and only a couple of miles from the Porsche dealer.  We knew we could limp that far.  When we arrived, there was no one waiting for service. The service manager ushered us in like we were long lost friends -- offering diet cokes and stories about his life as a factory crew chief for Porsche racing.  Brian and Michael chatted about life at the track and fast modified Porsches.  The service department didn't have the part that we needed, but....   Here is the second lucky thing.  They had one loaner left that he gave us -- a Porsche Boxster!  So, even with all of the stories and conversation we were on our way to complete our errands in about an hour. Once again the top was down, the sun on our faces and the wind was in our hair --- again it was a glorious day!  Our car should have the repairs completed by Tuesday.   Even though we have a repair bill ahead of us, things could have been so much worse. Yep, we are definitely lucky!!!

Gotta smile -- we're lovin the ride!