A very cold winter

We've made it through most of February with very cold temperatures for the PNW.  There were quite a few days in the teens and twenties.  Our highest heating bill to date has been 130. dollars, not bad considering we've been blasting the heaters and using heated blankets.  That amount wouldn't have scratched the surface for utilities if we were on land - the bill would have been triple that amount, so we're happy.  This cold makes the boat feel damp and cooking doesn't make it any better. Just running the coffee pot steams up the windows in no time.

 Ice in the aisles of the marina.

Solid ice nearer the shore

About two months ago, way too late in the cold game, we covered the inside windows with thick visqueen.  Although it looks way too ghetto for my taste, it made a huge difference with drafts.  Because the windows come in different geometric shapes, hanging the visqueen wasn't easy.  Mike will take the stuff we have hanging now and shape it better so it fits the windows well.  Next year we will start earlier, seal the plastic more thoroughly and also cover the outside of the boat.   I'd love to be able to afford a product made for this application, but I'm sure it's very expensive to do so and saving money is what we are all about!

On January 7th we lost Sen.  I still have to hesitate when I say that to choke back tears.  She only made it 8 months on the boat and I have to say, they were not happy months.  She got used to the boat; getting on and off and the constant motion, but she never loved it.  About 2 days before she died we noticed a strange change in her behavior.  She got very clumsy and started tripping.  She didn't want to leave our side, even when we took her up to see her boyfriend in Bham, instead of running around with him, she spent the day laying on the bed.  We got her home, I went to work and when I got home Mike and I took her for a short walk.  Halfway through the parking lot she fell, cut her tongue and had blood dripping out of her mouth.  I can't describe the way she looked at me...her eyes were dull, like Sen was already gone.  Mike and I started crying and got her back to the boat knowing that this was the end.  We made the call to the vet and were told to bring her in in a few hours.  We got her over to the vet, after stopping by McDonald's to buy her a cheeseburger, and as soon as Dr. A saw her he said, "oh guys, she looks like she's had a stroke".  When she was lifted onto the exam table, she didn't fuss as she normally would have done.  Instead she just rested her head on her leg and was very calm.  Mike and I were a mess, tears everywhere.  Sen was our dear lady and the thought of losing her was so very painful, but we knew we were making the right decision.  The whole procedure went very smoothly and Sen just rested her head on the table and was gone.

Now I'm not a religious person.  I was raised fundamentalist and broke away from that craziness in my early 20's, but going through the trauma of putting your dog to sleep conjures up all your old teachings.  As the vet was helping Sen (and us) I could only picture Dog Heaven...a huge green flowery meadow (Sen used to love running in tall grass) with our old dog, Becky, waiting eagerly to welcome her old friend into paradise.  As the medicine was going into her vein, I told Sen, "Becky's waiting!  Tell her I said hello and that I love her".  It was odd, but strangely comforting.

Days go by and I still feel raw with missing her...

Our first X-mas aboard

Call me a Grinch, but I've always hated christmas.  The season has always been full of stress and unrealistic expectations - I always let it get to me.  Knowing that our tiny living situation limits the amount of decorating and "festivities" we can participate in is a much needed relief.  I didn't want to do absolutely nothing, so we picked up this little tree

It's tiny, it's fake and it's perfect for our little boat.  The only regret I have is the lack of space to set out my collection of nut crackers.  Every year, for 18 years, I've gotten one for my birthday.  They're all very special to me and I've always enjoyed unwrapping them and setting them out.  This year, sigh, they'll stay wrapped up.

Marley made actual physical contact with a seal last night!  We let her off the leash to run back to the boat and then decided to go a bit further down the pier to look at a neighbors decorated boat.  It was dark and Marley saw the seal before we did.  She rushed up to it, bumped her chest against it's side and just stood there.  The seal must have been fast asleep because it gave a loud snort and jumped into the water.  I always assumed that they were very alert when they were on land and would run away from any perceived predator, not so with this seal.  Marley was shaking with excitement and we were shaking with fear - fear that she may have hurt a seal and fear that the seal might have grabbed a hold of her and pulled her into the briny deep!  We always tease her and tell her to not approach the seals 'cause they'll, "kick her ass".  Not so with this sleepy one.  Suffice to say, she won't be off leash again.  Later in the night we heard a seal snort and looked out the window to see a seal on one finger pier over.  We imagined it was glaring at Marley as she glared at it!  

We've gone through a very cold couple weeks here in Anacortes.  The temperature has gotten down into the low 20's and posed a problem with our heating arrangement.  The boat has a very intense heater - the original heater for the boat - in the salon.  It warms the salon very quickly but is forced air, you can practically hear the electrical meter spinning when it's on.  To solve this problem, we bought two oil filled radiators.  They take awhile to warm up, but are working really well.  Figuring this out has been a major hurdle for being a live aboard.  We were told by a friend that many of the liveaboards in this marina rent an apartment during this time of year, we didn't want to do that, but didn't want to freeze or pay a huge electric bill either.  

In this pic, you can see a thin coat of ice on the surface of the water

Part of being a liveaboard is managing "stuff".  There's a necessity built into this lifestyle that demands the assessment of what goes aboard and what stays off.  I find myself wanting less and less - experiences, not stuff!  Mikey understands this need so for my 50th birthday this month, he bought me concert tickets to see Pearl Jam!  The concert was epic and it was the perfect gift!  No wrapping paper, nothing to store, just wonderful memories!  

Our Maiden voyage and a beautiful trip to La Conner

Yesterday was our 2 month anniversary of living onboard.  We met an older couple a couple days ago that were very intrigued with our living situation and asked, "What's the best and worst part of how you're now living".  Imagine my surprise and delight in hearing Mike tell her that the best part was, "Purging...getting rid of all the stuff you never really need or want.  And the bad part (here he hesitates and grins at me) nothing really!  We haven't found anything yet that would make us change our minds about the boat".

The Moonspinner, patiently awaiting our return.

We have been in a little bit of a "hibernation" mode.  Maybe we just needed to be alone and sort out this new life for awhile on our own, there has been a lot of adjustment.  A big part of it has been getting the dogs adjusted - that's done now and we're confident that they, at least like, their new life (Marley LOVES it).  Two weeks ago we were able to break out of that sleepy phase of moving and have some friends over.  My friend Beth and her husband Daryl came over for drinks and appetizers and were our 1st visitors.  It's funny to see the expression people have when they see our Chris.  When they come face to face with her, there's an understanding that, no, we're not living on a "little" boat that doesn't have any accommodations that make life comfortable.  In fact, as Beth was leaving she gave me a hug and said, "I'm so relieved.  After seeing your boat I realize that you're NOT crazy".  HA!  That was a good laugh.  After the visit with Beth and Darly, we invited Felisa and Steve to come visit, and again, they were happy to see that we were living on something pretty remarkable.  Good friends worry about you and want to make sure that your basic comforts are met...they also worry that you may have lost grip with reality!  It's nice to assure them that, yes!  We're doing okay!

After our little cocktail parties it was time for a cruise.  Candace is an ex girlfriend of my son who has remained close to us.  She's just like a 2nd daughter and we wanted to have her be a part of our maiden voyage.  This was a very simple trip to Saddlebag island and up the Guemes channel.  We had some drinks and snacks and just hung out on the bow while Mike drove us around.  The weather wasn't all that great - our very hot day turned windy and stormy while we were out - but it was still wonderful. We did have some trouble parking the boat back in the slip...Mike's patience was truly tried because of the wind and current, but of course, he did it just fine! Candace decided to stay and be our first guest to try out the V-berth.  She woke feeling just fine and let us know that it was perfectly comfortable!  

Mike, Candace and Marley on our Maiden voyage

Our second trip was with another ex!  Yes, my son has very good taste in women!  They are all wonderful people.  Janelle came up on another perfect day and this time the weather held.  We headed out through the Swinomish channel to La Conner.  We had read varying opinions regarding the wisdom of navigating the channel, apparently there are hazards with depth and current, but decided that if everyone else was doing it, we could too!  We decided to go slow and just enjoy the day.  Traveling the channel was wonderful, we saw lots of seals and herons and got a different perspective of an area that we see every day.    Parking on the channel was a piece of cake and Mike was very pleased that we had no trouble.  Janelle, Mike and I spent a couple hours wandering around the town and then we headed back.  This is where the trouble began!  Mike wanted to cast off the bow line and keep the stern attached until he had gotten the bow off the dock.  A good plan, but what he didn't realize was that his rudder was turned all the way opposite of how it should have been.  I was standing on the swim step, ready to remove the stern line from its cleat, when the boat started to back up into the dock.  Our boat is loud and communication is still progressing between Mike and me and, couple that with the rudder issue, this became a problem.  No matter what he did, until he realized his mistake, the boats swim step kept bashing into the dock.  A woman ran out of her boat to help push us off the dock right at about the same time Mike realized the problem.    With shaking legs I ran out to the bow to push off the bowsprit  of the boat ahead of us that was coming perilously close to our boat, Mike gave the boat gas, and we were safe in the channel.  Whew - minimal damage to the swim step and a great lesson learned.  One small hitch in an otherwise wonderful day. 

Marley loved this trip!

Another adopted daughter, Janelle, enjoying the sun and view

Next on our agenda is anchoring!  We plan to ask one of our very nice dock mates to head out with us to a relatively shallow area to practice.  We know that this is the most economical way to head out for longer than just the day and we're itching to go further!   

Have there been problems? You bet!

Mike and his first mate.

First, about the dogs!  Marley is a true salty dog.  She's loving the boat and everything boat related.  We tried out our new dinghy the other day and she launched herself into it then proceeded to roam all over its tiny 9 foot expanse in order to make it her own.  There won't be any problem with her and the dinghy!  Senna is a different dog too.  Although far from being termed salty, she has turned a corner and is her old self again...sigh of relief!   Mike and I were truly worried that her time had come and we weren't ready to say goodbye.  Life is pretty sweet when both dogs are happy!

And problems...we've had a few!

The poop tank...let's just say it was getting full way too fast.  We were hardly using the heads, preferring to go up to land to use the very nice facilities at the marina, yet the tank was showing 3/4 then full after just a couple days of midnight use.  Unfortunately, we had a tank sensor malfunction that needed to be fixed.  This fix involves opening the tank...imagine that!  I'm glad I was at work when that problem was tackled!  But fixed it is, and we continue to use it only at night without it filling too quickly.  

and the heads...the forward head needed to be rebuilt.  Not a fun job, but way better than fixing the sensor rods on the poop tank!  Mike made short work out of that and we now have a fully functioning forward head.  Stateroom head - leaking water!  This one was fixed by adjusting/tightening some hoses and is now dry, except the damage was done to the linoleum flooring.  No worries though, we wanted to replace that flooring, in fact all the flooring in the boat, so the stateroom head will just come first!  

But let's talk about the good things!

Waking up just as the sun rises and having coffee in the helm, which is just like an atrium.  I start my day with caffeine and sunshine all around and couldn't think of a better way to wake up!  

The sea life is amazing.  I'm enjoying watching seals, herons, gulls, tiny fish and all manner of dock-hanger-ons that live by gluing themselves to our walkways.  

Falling asleep to the creaking and rocking of this old boat, indescribable!  After a long hard day, I can't think of a better resting place.

And finally, figuring stuff out.  This one's harder to categorize...it's more like a feel that the learning curve is getting less steep!  Nice!  

Pros and Cons of the first week

What have I found I like and don't like in this first week?
CONS
1.  Bilge rats...Just joking!
2.  The poop tank gets filled really fast!  We have it pumped out 1x/week and it's not enough.  I really think there's something wrong with it because we hardly ever use it.  We find we go on land to use the marina facilities...gotta check that out!
3.  Someone dumped their poop tank in the shower!  Can you believe it?  The security/maintenance guy said it must have been someone with a sailboat because they're removable.  What a terrible person to leave such a huge mess!
4.  We have a very modest boat, but we're surrounded by mega (dollar) yachts.  There's a culture here at the marina that subscribes to the "hire someone to do all the work and I'll be there when it's ready" frame of mind.  In a way this is good because it supports an industry, but Mikey does it all (and enjoys it) and it just seems strange to have someone roam all over your boat for two days to get it "ready" for you...but I suppose if you have the money...I don't!!  :-)
5.  The marina security lights are really bright at night.  We'll have to fix that with some better blinds - add that to the ever growing list.
PROS
1.  The dogs are finally settled.  Sen has decided that it's better to just get onto the boat instead of fuss and life is so much sweeter when she's ok with the boat.  Marley totally digs it!  She's a real Salty Dog.
2.  The sounds.  Can't even describe the unique sounds that have entered my life since we moved aboard.  Everything from the hum of equipment (because there's always someone working on their boat) to the creak of the lines and the cry of the seagulls.  I love all the new noises.  The other night I heard something scary.  Can't describe it, but it sounded like an animal being molested.  Kinda gave me a shiver.  There's a huge old blood (?) spot on the finger pier next to us and I'm wondering if the molester has anything to do with that carnage?
3.  My husband is (and will be even more so when we're done with all the fooling around of moving) so happy...enough said!
4.  The animals (except for the one mentioned in #2).  This morning I was up very early and saw an otter swimming around "A" dock.  He was just cruising and at one point found something of interest so he pulled a third of his body out of the water to take a better look - just so cool!  I feel like I need to carry the camera always.  There's also a fresh batch of baby fish hanging around every slip.  They make little ripples on the water and I can't help but stop and watch them - so cute.
5.  NO TV!!  Wow!  This has been a life changer!  I've wanted it for so long and it's better than I thought it would be.  We've been watching Netflix and have seen some things we normally wouldn't be interested in.  We've really gotten into a Netflix series with Kevin Spacey called House of Cards.  Really good series about Washington (the other Washington) politics.  Robin Wright is in it too and I just love her.

Finally all aboard!

               This has been a day of firsts.  First day/night on the boat, first morning cup of coffee and breakfast on the boat, Mike’s first shower at the marina…little things to be sure, but all these little things set us up of living the life we crave. 

               This morning we went out to walk the dogs and talked a little about how life has changed so radically in such a short time.  We talked about the things we wanted when we first got married – American dream stuff, white picket fence, two car garage, 2.5 children and a stable life.  All that’s gone now and what has replaced it, we decided, was more like the life our children lead.  How funny is that?  Most parents (I know mine did) want a life for their children that is better, yet still the same, for their kids.  But Mike and I have always encouraged the kids to live the life less ordinary.  We wanted them to follow their passions and travel, meet new people and discover the world in a way that was not mundane.  And they did!  Hales is fueled by her disease, for sure, but one positive aspect of her illness is that she has seen much of the United States…I wish it could have been under better circumstances, but this is a small positive aspect in a life gone so haywire.  Ian is a world traveler!  Recently we spoke of his need to list all the places outside our country he’s visited for an application into the Navy.  He realized, after seeing the list in black and white, that he’s seen a great deal of our little blue globe.  When we talked about this fact I was struck at how proud I felt of the way he’s led his life.  Proud and, quite honestly, jealous! 

               So, if most parents want for their children, what they wanted…maybe that means that we've wanted this life all along?  I feel blessed to be here.

               And the pups!  They are doing very well.  Marley has taken to the boat as if she’s always been on one.  She may be a little bit discombobulated, but I'm sure that will end soon.  She jumped up on the step that leads to the Starboard door this morning and I thought, “We’ll be ok with her.  She already knows where to go when she needs to go!”  Sennah is doing well with the help of Dramamine.  We dosed her in the late morning, took her for a long walk and then tried to board the boat.  With the calming effect of the Dramamine, she did just fine, not perfect, but a huge improvement!  She got another dose this morning and we will keep her drugged until she feels secure. 

               We are dealing with leaks.  I'm ok with it!  Funny, I thought I'd be freaked out, but I realize she’s an old boat…she’s gonna leak!  And, I’m living with Mr. Fix it.  Lucky me!  

Dogs and boats

I'd like to think that my two dogs would be happy to be aboard our (their) boat...not so.  This pains me greatly because the girls are such a source of joy in my life and when they're unhappy, I'm unhappy.
Sennah is our oldest.  At 13 (or so) she is not ready, willing or able to have any big changes in her life.  If I'm honest, I didn't consider her and her age when we decided on the Moonspinner.  If I had thought it through and considered her, I would have gotten a boat that had a much easier way of entry.  The Moonspinner has two ways to board.  Starboard side, up a set of fairly steep steps or a ladder from the swim step into the helm - a definite no go for Sen.  So we resort to picking her up, trying to be as gentle as possible, but what we end up with is a quivering mess that doesn't calm down for many minutes.  Our next step is to try drugs...something that doesn't make me very happy!  But whatever works because, very shortly, she won't have an option and neither will we - the Moonspinner's home!

Sennah doesn't like campfires either.  After they're lit, she spends the rest of the night in the tent.

Marley is another story.  Marles is a strange mix of loving and sweet and aloof and...well...downright mean.  I have a nasty scar on my forearm to prove her nastiness and so do several other dogs.  But she also has her good points...let me think...what are they?  LOL  Honestly, she's a pretty good dog.  Marley didn't have much of a problem getting on and off the boat.  She's around 7 and in pretty good health, but tonight things were different.  She was fine at first but as the night wore on she got more and more quiet.  At one point she jumped up on the couch next to me and pressed her side up against my arm until I was pushed off to one side - very unlike Marles to want any physical contact.  I'm not sure if the little bit of motion we experience tied up to the dock affects her, or if she just picked up on Sennah's nervousness?  Either way, she was not her usual self.  I must admit that I do like her more when she's cuddly!  

This is Marley, scanning the backyard for squirrels with her pet lamb.  

We spent the weekend in Virginia and Maryland and thought we'd come home and pack.  Mikey and I are both sick to death of this back and forth.  We really want to leave this house behind and be on the water for good!  But I realized that I have an exam on Friday, along with having all my clinical paperwork and a care map due, so we've put off the big move until this Sunday...I think?  There's really no rush, except for an emotional one.  We are both looking forward to being in one place.

I learned a few things tonight.  The microwave has GOT to go!  It takes up way too much space and I REALLY need all the counter space I can get.  And I need a new sink faucet.  The one we have (for our tiny little sink) doesn't come up high enough to be practical.  I want a faucet that has a high arch to it, so I can get larger items under the flow of water.  I also realized we need a clothes drying rack.  I use a dryer as little as possible for my clothes and the boat doesn't have much room to hang wet clothes to dry.  Not only lack of drying space, but I don't think we need the added moisture of drying clothes!  So a new faucet and drying rack are added to the growing list of "Needs, wants and desires".