Things that bug me!

Lets just jump right to the main point of this blog!

reasons to sail off into the sunset

#46 phones that ring when you sit down to eat with your family

#47 barking dogs , That are not mine. Heck I'm not sure who they belong to.

#48 because it's to dam hot to do anything else

So my little man went back to school yesterday. Without a fight and with some enthusiasm. Go figure! I have decided to work at the locals schools as a substitute teacher. With some enthusiasm and without a fight. I hope that this will be fun and let me be flexible with my time and be able to do the things I want and need to do without always feeling guilty about taking time off from work. I need a job where they don't depend on me. I'm not saying that I'm not dependable. I just don't want to be IT. So when we decide to go sailing I can just go. Doesn't that sound idea:) Who knows it might even work.

The phone rang twice during dinner. Neither caller was anyone I wanted to talk to. It's like they can see you cooking and wait until you sit down. Then they call.

I was upstairs folding clothes when I here what sounds like something being killed. I look out the window and there are 2 beagles running around the yard yipping and baying and generally making an extreme amount of noise. I HATE IT. You heard me Audrey! HATE IT! People who can't keep up with their pets should be put on leashes. Come to find out that the people who live behind and down a couple had people over or family or something who owned these dogs. When I had first looked out the upstairs window and saw them those people were outside and I know they heard it if I did , I was inside and I heard it. By the time I was sick of hearing it and went out to investigate they were down the other way ,even farther, from where they belonged barking. And what do they do when they finally realize their dogs are gone. They send the very small 5 year old to get them. Who I might add is not even familiar with these dogs. My son had to help him get the animals home. In the midst of this here comes the boys 2 or 3 year old sister around the corner ALONE. So I think they all might need a new leash!!!

And it was almost 100 degrees today and to hot to do much.

We should all go sailing.

This is our baby Scooby who almost never runs around annoying the neighbors.

Summer Time Blues

Well here I am. Still in the same place. Not going anywhere fast. A lot is happening around here and yet I'm not accomplishing much. As you know my niece from West Virginia has been visiting. But she has gone home now. My little guy has had his 7th Birthday and time marches on. I have to confess that I am a list maker. Precise and exact. Do item one check it off 2 check it off. Not that it ever happens that way. Well maybe up to about number 2. Then jahsdfsdfas where is the D#@$M list. I haven't a clue. You know what they say about the best laid plans. Oreneta blogged once about if you want to know where you won't be in life in 5, 10 years make a plan of where you want to be in life write it down. This is where I want to be in x amount of years and one thing for sure. You won't be there! Well I think the route of my problem is that I recently lost my job. This job was great at first. Then it started not being so perfect. And most recently it has truly sucked. So I shouldn't miss it. But I do. After the first few days of sulking I started making mental lists of all the projects around my house and at the Womens Club that I would finally have time to complete. After I get these things done then I would look for work. At the rate I'm going I will be able to collect social security first. I think I actually got more done when I was working. We are fixing up a mobile home that we have owned a long time so that we can rent it out. And were really making progress. Slowly. I need to do some serious cleaning and organizing around my house. Now that I'm here more often it's getting on my nerves. Its way to cluttered. I have curtains to make. My truck needs a really good detailing and the weeds have control of the flower boxes. Well the first step is knowing what needs to be done. So with that said I must be headed in the right direction!
Reasons to go sailing???? I'm really struggling for one today. How about
#44 Because I want to.
#45 The boys say they NEED to

This is the pancake that my big 7 year old had for breakfast on his birthday. Yep those are chocolate chips.

This is his birthday cake I made him. Always a pirate at heart.

And this is a water lilly in my little fish pond.

Sorry I have not been here as often as I should be. Now that I'm a lady of leisure you would think I would try harder. Well, I will put it at the top of the list.

By for now

T and the boys

Awesome pictures

Well were home. Again.


The wedding was nice. I saw people that I miss bunches. And we had a great visit. But a 6 hour ride after jumping off the boat was a bit much. We got home Sunday at about 10ish pm. Fell into bed and worked the next morning. The first day back at work after vacation always sucks. And it did. SUCKED. A bunch. I think I need a vacation. Day 2 wasn't to bad. Day 3 was bearable. But I can't wait for the weekend to get here.


My house is a wreck and my laundry isn't done. I finally bought a few groceries we were out of everything. I mowed the lawn today as it was knee deep. I didn't want to loose the dog in it. It will probably take me a few weeks to get back in a routine. I don't think I had this much trouble after I had been gone a month last year. 2 weeks and I'm A mess. So this is proof that a vacation doesn't work unless it is at least a month long.


So here we go. Reasons to go sailing.


#41 no messy house to come home to

#42 laundry can't pile up there's simply no room for it

#43 My honey says " because work sucks"


now for the pics










This is actually a sunrise. No I wasn't up but Waddy was.






The water was so calm that it looked like glass. The people on the beach our 21 cuban refugees that came ashore over night. They were found the same morning we landed. The next night there was 25 on Garden Key. 141 in 30 days were found in the Dry Tortugas. I can't even start to imagine a life so bad that you would give up everything and cross the gulf stream in an open raft that has so many people in it that it is just barely floating. I also think that if all the Cubans that have come to America bound together and went home that they could take their country over.

Fort Jefferson is an awesome sight.
This is the light house on top of Fort Jefferson.

The shark is at Loggerhead Reef. The water is amazingly clear you can see EVERTHING.

More pictures next time. They get better. Thanks Waddy.

Were Home

Reason # 38 Sunrises
Chris I did see some great ones I haven't sorted out pics yet
#39 You appreciate pizza more when you get home\

Well this is just a quick check in to let everyone know that we made it home all heads accounted for even my niece who I was tempted to leave on a deserted island at least once.
Now were off to a wedding upstate we will be home Sunday and I will post the most amazing pics you have ever seen

# 40 Awesome pics of awesome places

Where are we ? or Who cares!

Well we have made it as far as Little Torch Key. I think they call this spot New Found Harbor. It is beautiful here. We leave early in the morning for the big crossing to Fort Jefferson. We will be able to spend a couple of days there before heading home. We are all looking forward to fireworks at the fort. My little guy has a stash of his own. He can hardly wait to set them off. Little boys love to blow things up. Well I guess that's all boys love to blow thing up. The big boys also have a stash of fireworks that little guy does not know about. He will be so stoked.Waddy has been taking a ton of pictures. I have read a bunch of useless trash. And enjoyed every minute of it. We had some so so sailing today. Hoping for better tomorrow. The niece is probably bored but i think she knows its better than being home. Sailing is a good lesson in patients and amusing your self.
Reason # 37 to go sailing Sunsets and as soon as I'm where the internet is cooperating I will post some awesome pictures.
T and the boys

schedules

reason number 35# no work

We only made it as far as Ft Myers when my father in law got a phone call from a customer with a problem only he could fix. So he had to jump ship for the day and go fix it. When he gets back we will head out. So here we sit. Waiting. But he's worth it.

#36 no schedules

schedules suck

these pictures were taken at the Ft Myers Yacht Basin a few minutes ago.

My niece caught her first fish but it got off the hook so no picture.

We just finished dinner and were watching an awesome sun set.

By for now

T and M the Boys

Woo Hooooo

Were going sailing!!!!!
We leave at first light according to captain Rob. The locks that we must go through to get out of the river only open at noon. Then off we go.
1. Shark River
2. Marathon
3. Bahia Honda
4. Key west maybe
5 The Dry Tortugas
6. Home by the 6th
captain has a wedding to be at on the 7th. So there is our sail plan. Sounds great doesn't it. We will be taking my teenage niece for her first boat ride and first trip out of sight of land. And she is flying in on her first plane ride. How coool.
Wish us fun. I meant luck. Really.
Talk to you all when we get back. Sooner if I can get on line. I'll have some great pictures.
Oh yah reasons to go sailing
#32 no traffic
#33 no cell phones Hell no phones I do miss the internet though
#34 because we can :)
by for now
Terrie

Parenting and Stuff

Parenting is no fun!! I repeat not fun. I had this whole philosophical vent planned about parenting but let me just simplify the issue. Its hard and it doesn't get easier as they get older. The next kid does not teach you how to deal with the younger kid. The younger kid and older kid our as different as night and day. You may be a little less shocked by said younger child but you our never completely prepared for the things they do. Monday afternoon I am in the pediatricians office with the younger child, he's seven now and was there for a check up. I was told he is practically perfect in every way. A little tall. A little distractable. But that was it. As I was leaving the doctors office I get a voice mail from my older son that says "hey mom its me Ronnie I wrecked a motorcycle but don't worry the ambulance is on it's way. By." WTF kind of message is that. He is taken on A body board to the emergency room and x-rayed from head to toe. Five hours later. Verifying that there is still little brain activity, just like before the accident, and other than having a lot of road rash and being very sore he is going to be fine.

My oldest child has been trying to drive me slap insane for the majority of his life. I think he may have finally succeeded. My husband says it is not a very far drive. He doesn't go to school, he doesn't have a job, no driver license, lousy friends and a sorry outlook on life. He thinks he has it so bad. I have always thought that we should take him to a small third world country "on the boat of course" and show him how bad some people really do have it and yet they still seem to be quite content and happy for the most part. I am trying hard to keep my youngest child from getting wrapped up in material possessions and keep in mind what is important. But it's hard. Actually it's almost impossible. We better move onto the boat soon and get out of here:)

The picture is of course the lovely Wahine taken by my amazing father in-law Waddy.

So here comes the best part more reasons to go sailing...

#29 no flat tires

#30 no seasonal allergy attacks

#31 unexpected house guests

#32 naked days (thats for you honey)

Insanity or my trip to West Virginia

So West Virginia is approximately 16 hours from my house. That is an awful long time to talk. But that is what my mother attempted. And I think she came real close. At one point I timed her talking 45 minutes without me speaking one word. Just when I didn't think I could take any more she would dose off. And low and behold she talked in her sleep. I am not joking.

Luckily on the way home she was mad at me and she didn't talk near as much.

I really do love to drive. Radio blaring. Singing along. Great scenery. But this was the trip from HELL! Did I mention the nice Deputy in Virginia. I'm still not sure how much that ticket is going to cost.

But my niece graduated. And I saw my sister who I haven't seen in almost 2 years. Since I last saw her she has lost like 165 pounds. It was so weird I just kept staring at her. She had her tummy done bypassed I think they call it. She is doing great and I am proud of her. She is amazing and never gives up. The top picture is she and I.

We went to the "Barn Rocks" which is a swimming hole near my sisters house that is part of a river that flows out of the mountains. The water is a little cold but it was beautiful. These are some pictures from my trip. Of course one of my shoe. And my little guy trying to climb the Barn Rocks. Wild flowers . The hill in my sisters backyard. Pretty Huh.

We went to the boat yesterday and hauled are little sail boat and the dingy back to the house to repair and paint. It wont be long now before we will be going sailing. Just for 2 weeks this summer not nearly enough but better than not at all. The boat is a mess. Covered in dead love bugs and bird poop. So I will need to spend a bunch of time cleaning and stocking the boat for our trip. We will just be off shore in the Tortugas. But there are no stores or marinas so you must take everything you need with you. Two weeks isn't hard to plan for and it's amazing how quick you get over not having something you forgot when you know that there is nothing you can do about it. Can't run to the Wal-mart. There's not one. You remember how to be self sufficient.

Here we go......

#26 No speeding tickets

#27 Always new scenery to take in.

#28 Not having to drive my mother ANYWHERE/ Priceless

Road Trip

This is Wahine at her home dock yesterday. She looks like she really wants to go somewhere doesn't she? Picture by Waddy.

Well I've had an eventful day.


My niece called me this morning and gave me the news that she was definitely going to graduate this year. On Friday to be more precise. In West Virginia. We have not been shore the last few months if she was gonna make it on time. In fact I had resigned myself to the fact that it wasn't gonna happen. And she pulled it off at the last moment with a mear 2 points to spare. She will be the first of 10 grandchildren to graduate from high school. Just 8 more to go. The first one ,my son, didn't see that school was important. Well seeing that this should a momentous event my mother and I have decided to take a road trip. We are going to West Virginia for the ceremony. Yeh road trip with my mom. Boo Hiss.


My mom and I are not best friends were not even buddies. Hell I don't know what possessed me to offer. Brief moment of insanity I think. She tells me I'm A bad driver yet then wants me to take her somewhere. Go figure. She also criticizes my hair, clothes ,weight, and friends.





Speaking of graduations we attended the end of the year program at my sons school this evening. They handed out a bunch of perfect attendance, A honor awards, promotion to the next grade certificates, and Yada Yada Yada. Blah Blah Blah. Have a nice summer. Yet the kids still have 3 days of school left. Why is it that they feel they have to have a ceremony for everything. We didn't have these when I was in school. Kinder garden and high school that was it. Who knows?


My son is going to repeat the 1st grade. He passed by the skin of his teeth. I know teeth don't have skin. Why do we say that? Anyone know? Well anyway he just barely passed last year and I probably she have held him back then. But I didn't really like his teacher and he would have had her again. She didn't appreciate his spirit. This year he has a great teacher. They have finally come to an understanding. But he is still a little behind as he was coming into this class. So we made the decision to hold him back. Better now then when he has friends that he has had a long time and will miss. Because we know that eventually it would catch up with him.


So here we go how does this link to sailing you ask? When we sail off into the sunset I will home/boat school my son and he will have great teachers that completely understand him and will give him one on one attention. Weather he wants it or not!


Reason #22 ,I think, to sail off into the sunset.





22. No grumpy teachers





23. The wind is blowing (contributed by my guys)





24. Have I mentioned rum lately.





25. No driving my mother. ANYWHERE


O.k so were leaving Thursday and won't be home until Monday Memorial Day so if you don't here from me by Tuesday report me missing or check the news for a report of women going crazy while driving mother somewhere and come post my bail!


Thank


Terrie

Memory garden Bimini Ring Game and stuff

These are pictures of the memory garden I'm in charge of constructing at the Community Woman's Club that I am involved with. A member of our club that has been a member for ? well forever lost her husband last year. When your a member of an organization full of women you always have to enlist the help of your husbands. Without them we would not get most of the things we do done. This man was always there helping out where ever he could. We decided to build this garden to recognize his contributions to our club and community. And to have an outlet to remember people in the future. My husband and I have done A great deal of the work. Without my dear darling I would still be laying those very heavy stepping stones. But isn't it beautiful?

Have you ever seen one of those Bimini Ring Games? They are addictive!! And annoying!! They are pretty simple. A brass ring on a string and a hook. The object is to swing the ring and land it on the hook. Simple you would think but its not and I'm not a quitter so you can see where it becomes addictive. We first played with one at the End of the World Saloon in Bimini. We found one on Cabbage Key and we bought one in their gift shop and hung it on our front porch. The addiction continues. My father in law found their website on line so I placed it in my links list because I tell you what I paid a lot more at the gift shop then you will online. So check out the cool site.

I have a new enemy!

FLEAS

I hate them. My yard is infested with them. My dog, my kid, and my shoes. I have paid Truly Nolan for 3 treatments and have applied every chemical I can find and I still have fleas. They are driving me insane. So if you know of any remedies for killing fleas I would love to here them.

So here we go how does this relate to sailing off into the sunset you ask?

Reason number

21. There are no fleas on the beach.

More reasons to sail away

These pictures were taken over spring break on Cayo Costa Island which is a state park on the west coast of Florida. I had never been here and it was especially cool. The wind was awesome for sailing. We also visited Cabbage Key A private Island in the same area. It has a small restaurant and Inn. The restaurant has one dollar bills taped to every wall and ceiling in sight. The customers all sign them and get to tape them anywhere they like. They even had one from Jimmy Buffet. Cool Huh. They say that they sweep up about 10 thousand dollars a year that fall off the walls. They turn them in to the treasury department , because they have been written on, the treasury gives them a voucher back and they donate it to charity. Very cool. We left ours taped to a big fish.

See the above picture of said fish. We all had a great time. Yes even the dog. See above picture mom.

Well I had A pretty good mothers day. We visited my husbands 92 year old grandmother. And my mom as well. I think it is amazing that at 92 she still lives alone does all of the house work, cooking, lawn work. at least all that she wants to. The rest she convinces us that we really want to do it. She is so gooood at it to. You never no what hit you. We all flipped her mattress, moves a couple of nightstands, fixed a window, and the boys cleaned her gutters. Wow she had a great mothers day. She is an awesome lady. I'm lucky to have married into such a great family as they have shared their prize possession with me. And it is extra special that my young son gets to spend so much time with his great grandmother. That I think is becoming rare. So how does this connect to sailing. My husband and I call this the point of relativity game. Things sometime occur to you mid conversation and the other person may not always see the link between the two. So here is the point of relativity. Its hard to leave home for an extended time when our grandmother may not be with us much longer and we would have taken the opportunity away from our son to spend time with her. But on the other hand she could live another 10 years, she's very healthy, then it would be another loved one and another. I'm at a loss. My husband has a large family mine not so big. We could take them all with us? Naaaaa We could visit home often? Wouldn't make it far that way. Naaaaa. How bout send postcards and emails?

Now for more reasons to sail away today.
16. no grass to mow. It has finally started raining here after about 2 months of drought and fire watch. You know it will start growing. Weeds anyway .
17.No truck to wash. Have you ever had to scrub love bugs off the front of a vehicle. ICK.
18. Fresh fish. Their wasn't any at our store the other day.
19.Sun. My tan has suffered lately I think I'm working to much.
20 The beach every day. I remember driving home after our month in the Bahamas last summer and my son asking what beach we were going to tomorrow. I had to break his heart and explain that I had to work the next day and we could not go to the beach. His reply was how bout the next day? Kids you gotta love them.

101 reasons to get on the boat and Leave

1. No bosses. If you do have a boss it is usually a spouse. And we all know that you can bribe a husband. I mean spouse.

2.No Time Clocks. Hell no clocks at all.

3.Rum

4.Great time with family.

5. Great time without family.

6.books Time to read.

7.new friends

8. If you don't like the place you landed pick up anchor and move.

9. Rum

10. No laundry. Wash your suit in the shower and hang it on the lifelines. Yeh no ironing.

11. Sherry's Beach Bar , Bimini Bahamas did I mention the rum?

12. Awesome beaches!

13. Another awesome beach!

14. Great things to take pictures of.

15. No construction workers yelling at you. Shake it momma!! Hi chris:)

Most of the pics here were taken by my amazing , wonderful father inlaw Waddy Thompson see link at right for more. But the one of toes I took . Cool Huh!

More reasons for sailing off into the sunset on next post.

The Dog

Im not sure what happened to my last post. Half of it is missing.

Heres the rest.

The other day we were at the boat putting the sail covers back on. There was a storm rolling in. FAST. I told my son to run to the jeep and wait for me . I thought we would beat the rain. NOT. The wind started ripping and blew us off the dock so that I couldn't get off the boat. My husband said "go below". He went and found his raincoat and pulled us back close enough for me to jump off. So I ran to the jeep where I found little man huddled between the seats with his hands over his ears. The thunder was really loud. I jumped in soaking wet and he looked up at me and said "mommy you shouldn't run on the dock". Yes dear! Promply followed by "oh no we left Scooby outside". So off I drive in the middle of A monsoon to save the dog. After barely avoiding an untimely demise we made it back to the house. There we find the dog running around in circles barking at the rain and thunder. Sometimes you just have to smile :} Then we discover the power is out. My son says "we should go back to the boat". I don't think so!

One more.

Most people that know us that see the blogstart with the same thing. Why isn't Scooby been mentioned? So here is an entire post for her. The smartest stupid dog I ever saw.

She really is a good boat dog. She loves the water wether under sail, motor, or paddle. Heck she even likes a bath. And she does love her people.

Go sailing

Terrie

So once we took the vacation of a life time planned for months. Worked our buts off getting ready. We spent a month in the Bahamas on our sailboat "wahine". It was amazing. So while we were in Bimini I sent my mother an email with a picture of us. I was sure she missed me and was worried about us. Her only reply was "where was scooby she isn't in the picture". Scooby is our 31/2 year old jack russel. I tries to convince her that Scooby took the pictures. She did't buy it.

The other day we were at the boa

Redneck Trucks

This is in response to a post I read on a friends blog , Oreneta Aground, see link at right. She saw a truck in Spain of all places that resembled the one in my yard. This is a picture of my husbands pride and joy. This is proof that "Redneck" is a global condition that I believe is spreading. My husbands truck runs however I do not think it would make it to Spain. I love ya Honey!!

Food Food Food

My friend chris asked today what do you think about most?

Food Food Food

Food of course. It gives us life. It can make us happy and content and also misery and regret. Its the greatest thing in the world. The most powerful thing in the universe. Adam and Eve and one apple. I see the connection. Do you?

Well I am back on a diet. AGAIN. I had lost about 28 lbs gained 5 back on last boat trip. Imagine that. So today i joined curves. Curves is a workout center just for women. I had been going to a gym in the next town with a friend of mine but she bailed out and I just havent been able to make the time to go lately.There is always something else going on. But curves is in the town I live in just 5 min away. So Im gonna try to go 3 mornings a week before I go to work. Wish me luck Im not much of a morning person but it looks like it might be the only time I have just for me. Thats Ok no one else wants to be around me in the mornings anyway. Heck I dont want to be with me first thing in the morning. That first hour just really sucks. It doesnt matter if its 6am or 12 noon it still sucks.

So food being the topic today the cowboys lunch consisted of

Rare roast beef

boiled potatos drizzled with butter and sprinkled with garlic

speckled butter beans

turnip greens with ham hocks

biscuits

yum yum real man food

Oreneta posted some cool pics so here are a couple of mine for her little one

these are my toes in the Bahamas and aboard the sailing vessel Wahine and one of a Bahamian hermit crab im not sure why they ended up before the text and I cant figure out how to move them

Terrie