It’s strange to live in a place you plan to leave, when you’ve got one foot in the door and one foot out. I am sitting in a friend’s apartment, in front of my travel easel and make-shift supply stand (several plastic bins stacked atop one another) wondering where I will be finishing up this new painting I’ve started? And what will I do with it when I am done? Every week for the past two months I’ve asked myself this same question. Where will I be this time next week?
The whole experience seems to be unfolding in the only way that it could: we will leave when the boat is ready. And when the boat is ready, we will be ready. We should be truly prepared to tackle most of the potential problems that we could face during the trip. Sometimes you don’t need to travel in order to find yourself in a different place.
It’s certainly made for an interesting year of transitions: from living in a house, to living on the boat, then living on a project boat that was more like a work shed, and finally staying in a friend’s apartment and making the 45 minute drive to work on it at the boatyard everyday. If you’ve let Brian or I relax on your couch, watch TV at your house, do laundry in your washer/dryer, cook dinner in your kitchen, craft in your living room, sleep in your guest room, sleep on your couch, store things in your garage, store things in your back yard, or listened while Brian and I poured out our woes and frustrations over the past year, then please accept this virtual thank-you for helping us retain our sanity throughout the process.
If there is one thing I have learned from this experience, past travels, and living abroad, it’s that happiness relies on sharing experiences with other people; it doesn’t matter where you are. I haven’t been able to participate in many of the movie-going, music concerts, and going-out activities over the past year because of my tight budget, but our living situation has given me the opportunity to spend some quality time with friends while doing the most mundane of tasks. Believe me, no matter the location, there is nothing like sharing a good meal and conversation with others (and it fits into my budget nicely).
love the picture
“there is nothing like sharing a good meal and conversation with others (and it fits into my budget nicely).”
agreed!
Amen! Well said. I know what you mean… it’s weird (and kind of sad) to live in a place you know you are leaving soon. But glad that you are making the most of your last days there!!!
Your art is very beautiful. I enjoyed looking at “Laura Neece Art” webpage. Where are you currently located?
On this, I disagree completely:
“we will leave when the boat is ready. And when the boat is ready, we will be ready. We should be truly prepared to tackle most of the potential problems that we could face during the trip.”
Your boat is probably more ready than you think. What projects can be done underway? My boat, and every cruiser’s boat, is a constant work in progress. I’ve lived aboard for two years and still need to install a proper head, build the dinghy, and make the storm-tri…amongst many other things on my neverending “To-Do” list.
Leave when you are ready emotionally, and that will happen when you can think of nothing else all day long. Save the details for the journey. And by the way, no sailor can truly prepare for anything Poseidon can cast your way. Thats impossible. You are lucky to have a sailing mate. Just having that prepares you even more.
I can’t wait to read about your sailing adventures.
Love the blog!
Teresa
Teresa -
The boat yard has been a great learning experience. I’ve enjoyed reading about your sailing life, as well. It’s great to read about other women sailors. Link away (you can see I’ve already linked to yours).
Thank you for the compliments. I am hoping to keep a sketchbook during our travels and post them occasionally. As far as Illusion is concerned, we are putting the mast back in tomorrow and hopefully putting the engine (it runs!) back in on Friday morning. Then it will feel more like a sailboat! Brian still has some plumbing and bilge work to take care of before we can put her back in the water though. And we will still be leaving with plenty of other half-finished projects.
P.S. I hope you don’t mind, but I’m going to put a link to your blog on my FB page.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sailing-Simplicity-and-the-Pursuit-of-Happiness/202267980195
Teresa
I’ve bookmarked your blog and will try to keep reading. But, please do tell me when you depart. You and I may cross paths soon. Yes, let Brian do the plumbing and bilge work. Its usually pretty gross. Save the interesting projects for your “To Do” list! Its nice when you can share the work.
I almost decided to winter in Charleston, but continued south instead. I left my folding bike in the bottom of the river, though. If you see it, let me know!
Teresa
Are you currently in Florida? It would be great to cross paths on our way down the coast.