Its been such a long time

I havent blogged for a while, and for that my faithful readers, I apologize. Over the past week I have had some good time to reflect on my life, take a shower, and eat oatmeal. I have sat in a dripping cabin in my raingear, stood bleary eyed in the brass bushing section of numerous hardware stores, and replaced a light fixture at the top of a 60' mast in 20 knot winds. Over the past weekend I have known such great joy I thought my heart would burst, and I have also known the crushing dissapointment of things left unfinished and yet to come. And also, I have listened to the same 30 mp3s over and over and over and over...

Some of the things on our list that we have crossed off are:

- install new engine control cables
- design, fabricate, and install plexiglass storm covers for the portlights (little side windows)
- mount, wire and install the radar
- mount, wire and install the GPS
- order and install new batteries (172lbs each!)
- replace forward running lights
- fix spreader light
- replace masthead and anchor light
- install cabin lighting
- fix the head plumbing and install holding tank
- replace galley sink plumbing / fix running water
- clean/inspect the seawater strainer
- inspect / replace all seacocks (valves that will make you sink if they blow out)
- install new fuel tank
- install fuel seperator and new fuel lines
- lube and fix windlass, remount to deck and rewire control cables as well
- change the oil
- check reducer fluid level (transmission)
- inspect the rudder and prop (yay diving!)
- check alternator
- procure and install battery charger
- procure and install heating system
- clean and seal lazzarette hatches
- replace and reseat hatch deadlights (little glass windows)
- rewire house electrical system, including power distribution system
- swab the freakin' decks!
- unplug and re-plumb deck drains
- do laundry (yay clean socks!)
- clean the bilges
- rewire and replace bilge pumps
- install new fire extinguishers
- lube mast tracks
- clean out the endless junk in all the internal storage hatches (anyone need a broken air conditioner and two burner electric stove for thier boat? neither did we.)
- grease the winches
- install halyard lines
- install coast guard placards
- mount, wire and install VHF radio
- repair galley bulkhead
- clean galley refrigerator and storage areas
- inspect forward fuel tanks
- inspect and test potable water tanks
- buy things. a lot of things.
- update the blog and take pictures

So, as you can see, we had our work cut out for us for this giant project. As I sit watching JD finish the last few things on the fuel system I would say all in all we should be ready to cast off tomorrow. Really, I really think we will.

So, if everything goes well, you may just see us again. This is a seaworthy vessel, so we have that going for us. And we have a giant tub of sailing books. Lots and lots of books on sailing. Books with words like 'spinnaker' and 'jib line'. So we should be fine. Just fine. Really. No problems.

Just in case though, I will post our coordinates here if we start to take on water and you guys can call the coast guard, okay? Okay.

Love,

-A