Tanner’s Graduation Party

It was wonderful to see our family again. My sisters and Rich’s sister and brother made it to the graduation. There were about a hundred people invited and I think most of them showed up despite the rain. It seems it has been raining in Earlville almost every day. The graduation was held outdoor and it rained on the students, faculty, and guests. Everyone who did not come prepared got  soaked.  Of course that included Rich and me.  Our umbrellas were in the back of the boat and thankfully got packed not give away to Cliff.  The school principal wanted to move the ceremony inside but the students objected because everyone was already soaked so the principal said okay.  I think it was the facility that wanted to go inside and delay the service for another half hour. It stopped raining about ten minutes later and started up again a few hours later.

Tanner and Adam

Brian, Tanner, Julie, and Adam

Rich, Tanner and me

On Sunday Rich started the process of dealing with the weeds in the yard.

Before pics

After pictures

Sunday evening Rich and I took a ride to Oneida Lake to Holmes Marina (our old marina) to see if anyone was around and to see if there were any boats for sale.  At 7:30 the marina was empty all the weekend boaters went home.  There were a lot of boats for sale and two of them were old friends of ours so we were hoping they were okay. One of the couples Bob and Joan were elderly and Bob had a heart condition. We use to be docked next to them and they washed and watched our boat while Rich was in the hospital having heart surgery. If only the weekend boaters knew the joy of living aboard and going to working from your boat. When we drove past our old Trojan looking so beautiful at her dock it was all I could do not to get out of the car and climb aboard.  It still hurt my heart that we sold it. I loved that boat.  To date it was the best boat we every owned, but I know the new one we find will be loved just as much.

Well I am headed for McDonald’s in Hamilton to get this blog posted, check emails, and stop at one of the Amish Farms to buy some flowers for the planters on our deck. It is nice to be in cooler temperatures.  Today is sunny and 85 with showers expected later this afternoon than the cooler temperatures of 70 will be here for the rest of the week.  You got to love it!  I wanted to add more pics but the internet here at McDonalds is so slow so I will have to pass on it sorry.  Be Blessed my friends!

We sold the Morningstar

What a difference a day can make.  Wednesday morning Rich and I were busy packing up most of our belonging in preparation of getting ready to go to NY for awhile.  We also made arrangements with Paul the dock master and others at the marina to watch over the Morningstar while it was docked in her new slip on Dock A.  Our intention was to list the boat with Mark Ziegler and also give Paul the opportunity to sell our boat. Paul has a connection with an over sea market and asked Rich to email him pictures of the boat. Rich spent the last few days washing and waxing the Morningstar and our Sea Ray looked beautiful. If it wasn’t for the fact that the Morningstar was just too small for us to live aboard with Lucky, we would never sell it.  We both love our boat and Rich put his heart and soul into making it look and drive like a new boat.

Sea Ray at Dock A

It is hard to believe we lived aboard the Morningstar for 18 months.  What started out to be a six month trial turned into a much longer stay.  Our home is at the Ortega Yacht Club Marina, it is the place we love.  We have great friends there and feel blessed to live there. For the first six months at the OYCM, Rich and I lived aboard without Lucky. My son and daughter-in-law offered to keep Lucky for us because we were planning to drive the boat back from Jacksonville Fl to Central NY in June. Since we were going to be driving through areas we have never been before there was no way we could do that with Lucky. Also at that time we did not know we could have a dog at the OYCM. However circumstances changed our original plans, and when it looked like we were not going to make the trip back to NY in June I wanted to get Lucky back. We missed him very much and Lucky was miserable without us.

Okay back to the present, Rich and I spent Tuesday night packing up the boat and moving our folding chairs, ice chest, freezer, and high/low table off the back of the boat.  Joey said we could store them in his storage trailer in case the boat should sell while we were away. Since Rich and I are looking for a larger boat we did not want to sell those items with the boat.

When Rich and I started seriously talking about listing the Sea Ray I placed an ad on Craig’s list. I wanted to see if we could get any bites and to try to sell it ourselves.  This way we would give a break to the buyer instead of giving 10% to a broker.  Besides Mark did not seem all that excited to list our boat.  Mark is use to selling much larger boats and he was trying to get us to drop our price drastically.

Wednesday morning Rich and I were having coffee when I noticed I had a message on my cell phone.  I listened to my message and it was someone very interested in seeing the Morning star.  I called the

number back and spoke to Cliff.  Cliff wanted to see the boat, I told him we were leaving for NY in the afternoon and if he wanted to see our boat he had to come right over.  I also told him we were going to list it with a broker before we left.  Cliff arrived at our boat in about an hour. He loved the boat. He asked a million questions and opened up every compartment.  Cliff was the first person to look at the boat.  He said he wanted to buy it and wanted to go out for a sea trial. It was hot and humid when we left the dock in 98 degree heat. The marina was blanketed with the heavy layer of dark smoke. There was no wind so the smoke over the marina was strong enough to burn your eyes.

Rich driving the boat and Cliff asking questions.

Cliff enjoyed the ride and told us again he wanted to buy the boat. When we got back to the marina Cliff went to the bank to get a certified bank check.  He was back within the hour. We signed the boat over to him at two pm and then the craziness of trying to unload the boat began.  Rich and I were stuffing our belongs into bags while Cliff watched over our shoulders asking us is he could have almost everything we picked up.

One Happy new owner

Rich went to the back of the boat and started emptying out all our storage areas Cliff followed him out and asked Rich for everything he picked up. Rich said no to our fishing gear but Rich ended up giving him all the fenders, lines, grill, poles, dock lines, cleaning supplies and brushes. When Rich went to the Durango with a load of stuff Cliff came downstairs and started asking me for the vacuum, bedding, and any dishes or pots and pans I wanted to leave. He was making me crazy and as result I did give him a lot of stuff from the cabin.  In fact when I was leaving the marina with my fan he followed after me saying,” Aren’t you going to leave the fan?” I said, “No you have a very good air conditioner and I don’t have any air conditioning in NY.” He said, “oh alright.” in a disappointed tone.

Rich and I were feeling so rushed that we didn’t have much time to say goodbye to our friends at the marina. We are going to miss them very much.. Everyone was in shock that our boat sold so quickly and was concerned about our retuning to the marina. Rich and I both assured them that we will be back.  We are going to our grandson’s graduation and to try to sell our house.  We will begin our search for a larger boat and that will be excited.  I know the Lord has perfect timing and I believe our house will be selling just as quickly. Lord, please watch over our friends at the OYCM and keep them safe and protected.  I love them all very much and I am looking forward to returning with our new boat. Selling the Sea Ray brings us one step closer to our dream. We may have sold the Sea Ray but the Morningstar

is still in our hearts and souls. The Morningstar is the name we have chosen for all of our boats. We chose the name to give honor to the Lord for His goodness to us.  (Revelations 22:16)  “I Jesus have sent my angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and Off spring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”  (New King James Version)

We named our first boat a 1990 27’ Sea Ray Express Cruiser the Morning Star.  We had the boat lettered while on a trip down the Erie Canal. The letters arched across the back like a wave. We liked the look so much we did the same thing on our 1979 36’ Trojan Sport Fish also named the Morningstar.  We sold our Trojan and bought the 1989 Sea Ray Express cruiser. We never got a change to put the name on it.  Our friend Steve and artist and dear friend from the OYCM was going to do the lettering on the Sea Ray but Rich said we should wait until we find the right boat.

So now a new chapter has closed and our beautiful Sea Ray has a new owner.  The spirit of the Morningstar lives in our hearts. Very soon we will find the boat the Lord had chosen for us and it will be our new Morningstar. Now as our boat search begins under the direction of the Holy Spirit my blog will be mostly about that adventure. Oh, I do not have internet at our house in  NY.  I have to drive 15 miles to Hamilton to McDonalds to have free wifi.  I may not write my blogs everyday but I will post at least twice a week.

Be Blessed







More Smoke Descends On Jacksonville

Authorities Urge People To Stay Inside, Avoid Strenuous Activity

POSTED: Tuesday, June 21, 2011

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The National Weather Service issued a dense smoke advisory for Tuesday, and the city of Jacksonville has issued its third air quality advisory of the last week. Smoke from the 330-square mile Honey Prairie Fire in the Okefenokee swamp and other area wildfires in southeast Georgia is streaming east-southeastward toward the Atlantic Coast. Visibilities have been reduced to a quarter of a mile in some locations both near the fires and also near the Intracoastal Waterway

The smoke is complicated by weather conditions that are driving temperatures near 100 degrees, and the humidity was also high.

Downtown Jacksonville

This picture and article was in the Florida Times Union this morning.

It is time to leave Jacksonville and head back to NY for awhile.  The smoke is so thick at the marina this morning that I can not go out to take any pictures without chocking. Rich can't finish waxing the boat and all we can do is pray for the wind direction to change.  Though this might be a good song and video today.

http://youtu.be/YtTbPe0hcvY

http://youtu.be/mLdaj8n_zto

Moving Day

It is time to make the big move from Dock C back over to Dock A.  Goodbye beautiful water front view.

Goodbye also to the inconsiderate boaters who do not observe the manatee no wake zone and go past the marina on plane (to non boaters plane is at full speed)

Back on Dock A which is much closer to bathrooms and Captain's Lounge but no real view

  Our first line of business was to go to Lambs Marina and  have our holding tank dumped. We haven't been out on the Morningstar with Lucky very often so when we prepare for the process of moving the boat Lucky starts to get all worked up.  Once the Morningstar is moving Lucky likes it.

Lucky is ready to leave

It is only a short drive to Lambs Marina but we have to go under the Ortega Railroad Bridge. It was a delight to find the lift bridge open.  I got on the radio to announce our arrival and be sure an attendant would be on the dock. The attendant was busy filling a large yacht with fuel but Rich docked the Morningstar between the piers with out any trouble or help from me.
 

Lucky found a friend at the gas pier

View front Dock A 

The trip back to our marina from Lambs took us over an hour because we had to wait for the railroad bridge to open. They close the draw bridge about ten minuts before a train is due to cross. There were two trains due so the bridge operator had us wait for both trains to get though before he would open the lift bridge. The rail bridge closes off the Ortega River. Since there was 25 minutes between trains and it was a very hot and humid day I was getting a bit irritated. It is so hard to show my Christian attitude when I am hot and miserable. LOL 

When we got back to the marina it was like old home week on Dock A. We received a very warm welcome and were told by many "Welcome Home" one boater who owns a Carver and was docked next to us in the past  asked me where we have been and when I told her on Dock C she was amazed.

Around six pm my very good friend Debbie invited everyone to join her at the picnic table for a shared meal and fellowship. About ten people showed up and it was a good time.

Debbie

Richard

Sami and Lucky

Good food good friends

Karen made the most delicious carrot cake and it was a treat for all of us. Thank you Karen













Computer problem Fixed

I think my computer problems are fixed. Paul (our doclmaster)came back last night. Paul said he propably had to reboot the main antenna. Paul did that this morning and now my computer is working good. AJ (our weekend dockmaster) called Paul yesterday afternoon because a water line that supplies water to the docks had a water main break. Paul came back and Steve (one of the boaters) helped Paul fix the problem. Rich and I arrived back at the marina around nine pm just as the repairs were completed.

Rich, Lucky and I spent a nice Father's Day at Rick's house.  Rick made steaks on the grill and Vande prepared the delicious sides.  Spending quality time with my family and especially my grandsons always brings me joy. We will be leaving for NY on Thrusday to attend our oldest grandson Tanner's gradustion. We won't  be seeing  our family in Florida for awhile.  So this time togeather was especially nice. Rich took Colton (our newly permitted grandson) out for another driving lesson. Rich said Colton is a good driver.

On Saturday afternoon Rachel, Jeff and baby Haden left the marina in 98 degree heat.  They were living aboard their 25' sailboat since February and it was time for them to move on. Rachel and Jeff came over to our boat with the baby to say goodbye.  Rich helped Jeff get their motor started.  They left with a storm approaching and perdicted to arrive within the hour. I was concerend but Jeff said they were leaving.  Rachel called me about an hour later to tell me they arrived safely at the Jacksonville Landing. They tied up just before the heavy rain started.  Thank you Lord for answered prayers. 



Be Blessed!

http://youtu.be/xyIEhoY90WQ



.

My computer is down

For some reason my computer and the computer signel does not want to communicate. I just keep getting the message local acess only and yet everyone else in the marina has internet.  It is so frustrating.  Right now I am using Fred's older laptop and the signal is fine.  Dockmaster Paul is away for the weekend and AJ does not know how to fix the problem so it looks like I will not be connected to my cyber friends and family.  We are leaving for NY on Wensday by car and will be away from the Morningstar for awhile.  We moved the boat to dock A and dumped the tank this morning. So just in case I do not have internet for awhile I wanted to send this short post.  Be Blessed!

Bad Storm Last Night

Rich and I were awaken to the sound of our power going off.  I quickly looked at the clock and it was four am. Since we sleep with our fan blowing on us, the sound of a motor stopping and the air conditioer shutting down jarded us  awake. Once awake, my first thoughs were oh Lord the weather man said the storms were suppose to be south of Duval County. Once I was fully awake,  I could hear the roar of the wind ourtside the boat and the boat lines moving violently. I quickly got up to investigate.  I went to the back of the boat and could feel the wind blowing and the sky looking very angry. I quickly closed up all the canvases, and said a quick thank you to the Lord for alerting me and giving me time to close up the back of the boat before the heavy rain came.

Looking out at the marina it was pitch black except for the flashs of lighting. The only sound was the roaring of the wind and the clacking of the sail boats. Those sail boat really blow around alot in the wind. Their boat lines get a real test of indurance. I looked toward the Ortega River Bridge and it was dark except for a few emergency back up lights. I wondered who else was awake. Fear tried to grip me as I though about some of the awful storms that have been happening across America. Than I quickly said  a short prayer asking for the Lord to keep us all save tonight.  Rich didn't seem too concern and just stayed in bed while I checked everything out.  As I was getting back in bed the electric came back on.  Within a few minutes the full force of the storm hit the marina. I watched it from my bed and let the waves rock me back to sleep.  It is wonderful to know the Lord is watching over us and even awakes me in advance to close up the back of the boat. God is so good.

Over 300 fires burning in Florida

Image by mayawizard101 at http://clipartof/

I usuallly find free clip art and this one is free I just has to add the image creator. I thought it was cute and also a true discripion of how we feel living right now in Jacksonville. It seems the storms we had the other night started up more wild fires but the smoke in the marina is coming from the massive fire that has scorched more than 100.000 acres in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia. That fire has now crossed into Florida.  The city of Jacksonville issued an air quality advisory Tuesday afternoon because the smoke from the massive wildfires shrouded the area with a thick haze.  According to the news this morning visibility at the Jacksonville International Airport was down to one-quarter mile. According to city records, this is the worst air quality measured in Jacksonville since 1998 and city officials are urgeing  children, the elderly and sensitive individuals to take steps to avoid exposure by staying inside. Temperatures are supose to reached 100 degrees today and the humidity is already high.

Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia.

Smoke over downtown Jacksonville

Our view from the back of the Morningstar.

Our boat is covered in ash after Rich just washed and waxed it Sunday

Okay enough about the weather it is starting to get depressing. It is a little hard trying to get creative when your boat is sitting at the dock with a blanket of smoke hiding our sunshine.  It is time for me to praise the Lord for all His wonderful blessings in my life. Please fell free to join in with me and let us Praise our Glorious Savior togeather.  http://youtu.be/CEtsHWFE6-w    http://youtu.be/aEmyiOM9Sa4

After listening to that beautiful song from Alan Jackson my heart is uplifted and I hope yours is too. Have a beautiful day.

 

We had some bad storms last night

The temperature went up to 98 yesterday afternoon which caused some late afternoon thunderstorms. The winds were blowing hard enough to tear open a sail on the boat docked across from us.  It was heart retching to see the front sail rip apart. I watched from the safety of our boat as Sami's father Stuart went out in the storm to secure his lines and even though he couldn't prevent the sail from ripping, he stopped the boat from breaking loose from the dock.

I kept thinking about our friends Myron and Dena and praying they were safe out in the storm. The last we heard they were sailing "Hold Fast" towards Morehead City SC. 

Myron & Dena in their dingy at the OYCM



 Jacksonville needed this rain desperately. There are presently 46 fires burning in the area.  

OYCM Monthly Fellowship Dinner

June 11, 2011

Not only is tonight our monthly fellowship dinner but it is also National Marina Day 2011. According to their website, National Marina Day is a time to celebrate the role that marina's serve in our society. So here are three big cheers for Paul our dockmaster and the Ortega Yacht Club Marina.

Dockmaster Paul cooked a delicious bricket which we all enjoyed

Today is also a day for celebration because my special little friend Sami arrived at the marina with her parents Kylie and Stuart.  They pulled into the marina this morning. They are traveling aboard their sailboat "Clementine" and are from Australia. Sami spent the first six years of her life traveling and livingaboard their boat.  Sami is  being home schooled by her mother and she is doing a terrifice job. Sami brings joy and delight to everyone she meets. They spent a few months at the OYCM last winter, but left in February to enjoy the Bahama's. I am delighted they are going to spend time at the OYCM before heading out again.

Sami and Kylie

Sami and I

Sami made me a beautiful custom made necklace.  She  attached a shell she found while walking the beach in the Bahama's. Sami told me the shell already had the whole in it. I will treasure it. On the necklace was a special laminated tag on which she drew a picture of Lucky, Sami and Me. It is precious.

My necklace

Sami, Lucky and Rich

Everyone has a very nice time at the marina dinner and a very special thank you to Gary who cooked a fish fry and shared it with everyone.  It was delicious.

      Debbie and Richard

"When True Peace is your only goal,

                        

 "When True Peace is your only goal, you will always know what to do."

From www.thevoiceforlove.com

What a beautiful message to wake up to.  I found this web site last week and now each morning on my email I receive a beautiful word of love and encouragement. I have found out after 64 years that true peace only comes with a personal relationship with Jesus.  Jesus said, "My peace I leave you, not as the world gives you." Jesus said his peace will stay me and show me the way to go and what to do. The problem is quiting my heart and learning to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit.  Boating, and being out on the water gives me the opportunity to slow down and experience that peace.  "The peace that passes understanding"

I love this picture because it shows the love, security and faith of  a trusting child. Jesus said that unless we become as little children in our trust and faith we will not be able to see the kindgom of heaven. So as I look at this picture, I can see with the eyes of my spirit my inner love and child like faith in Jesus. I try to picture myself looking up at him with the same eyes of love and faith that this child is displaying.

I took a quiet walk around the marina this morning and took some pictures. A picture tells a thousand words so I though I would just try to share the beauty and reasons Rich and I love the liveaboard lifestyle.

This is the beautiful river front view I awake to each morning at slip 81

Now for a little walk around the marina

Walking Down Dock C

 

The ramp towards the Dockmaster's office

Cookout area Paul provides for all the boaters to use.

Dockmaster's office

Bathrooms, laundry and Captian's Lounge

New Captain's Lounge

Inside our new Captian's Lounge

Another sitting area

View from Captain's Lounge

Well since this day is only begining. I will wait with eagerness to what this new day will bring.  Be Blessed!