It's been awhile

Hello everyone, all my loyal followers and those who follow in secret.  I know it has been awhile since I posted. I have been very discouraged at the changes to this web site and the fact unwanted pop ups keep appearing out of no where.  They get me so frustrated and the fact I do not know how to stop them kills my creative spirit.  I end up choosing to skip the whole idea of blogging.  However just this week two different people from our marina told me they found my blog by using the Bing search engine and looking up OYCM (Ortega Yacht Club Marina) 

In fact just this morning I learned something new from one of them.  I learned that GODaddy was a web builder and I could create a blog with them that would be safe and secure.  They could even transfer these blogs, and with their customer support they would guide me all along the way.  I am very seriously considering it.  There is a small fee involved but if I could get a blog that would permit me to use my creativity then I am all for it.  For now though just to get me back in the swing of writing the blog again I will pray that the pop ups on this site will not cause me to jump ship again. (Nautical term lol I would never jump into the water here at the marina ugh)

So,  my last post was talked about our adventures with Janet and Joe and our trip to Fort George Island.  That was delightful trip and we made some good memories despite the fact Joe got a bug bite and we had to head back a day earlier then planned. The timing was right though because the weather was calling for storms and they didn't arrive until we were safely back at the marina. 

In May 2013,  Rich and I took a trip down the Saint John's River to Lake George.  It was our 46th wedding anniversary get away. Here are a few posts I never entered into the blog.

May 16, 2013

We left the OYCM at one in the afternoon. We left Lucky with Rick and Vande because we do not have anyway for him to get into the dinghy.  Our goal for today was just to drop the hook on Black Creek. The weather was picture perfect and the view from the bridge breathtaking. So we took out time cruising south on the St John’s River. Rich wanted to go as far as Green Cove Springs but I wanted to go down Black Creek.  A few years ago, Rich and I drove our car around Black Creek and almost rented a private dock for our 34” Sea Ray.   At the time we could only dream of the day we would cruise down the Black Creek in our own boat. Today is that day is being fulfilled and of course I took a lot of Pictures. Rich found the perfect secluded spot. We dropping our anchor and Rich took our dinghy to shore to tie a stern line to a tree. Rich said the tide is only .8 of a foot so the tide should not move much over night.  We pasted a trawler and a houseboat also anchored along the creek. Rich grilled feta burgers and I put together a delicious salad. We drop the fishing line into the dark mysterious waters and Rich caught an eel.  We had agreed we would eat anything we caught but after looking at the eel, we decided to just catch and release it. We still have chicken and steaks available for our meals. I was searching the creek for any sign of an alligator but did not see any. After dinner Rich worked on the dinghy davits. He installed the second boards to support the dinghy and I climbed on the top to hold the wrench.  

 Rich's eel

We truly had a miracle last night as there were no bugs. This is the first time ever we went boating with no bugs. I thought for sure we would be swarmed with mosquitoes because of all the heavy rain dumped on Black Creek. Just ten days ago they got 10 inches of rain and the creek flooded. It caused millions of dollars in damage to the homes along Black Creek. It was so quit last night. Dark and peaceful and perfect for sleeping, what a beautiful place to relax.  After breakfast, Rich and I took a dinghy ride down the creek.. It was wonderful. So peaceful and beautiful. We passed the house where we were going to dock the Sea Ray and that house got hit badly from the storm. The house was gutted and the dock overgrown with water weeds. I think the house must have been vacant. Such a shame a few years ago it was beautiful.We are headed back out to the St John’s River now it is 10 Am we had a fantastic stop here on Black Creek. We will be back. We went 24.5 nautical miles today.

 Dock we almost rented

To Be continued

Be Blessed!

Three Day trip to Fernadina Beach

Rich and I had a wonderful three day trip on the Morningstar. We took Rich's brother Joe and my sister-in-law Janet with us.  Rich installed a new inverter to run the refrigerator and ice maker. It worked great and the weather was picture perfect. Thank you all my faithful Christian friends who prayed the rain away from us. Jacksonville had heavy rain and wind but the storms went around us. God is so good

dolphins

Great memories with great friends.

Be Blessed!

February has arrived

January was one of the warmest ones on  record here in Jacksonville Florida. In fact we had an all time record high of 85. It sure seems like spring down here, but I know that is not what is happening in NY right now so this little picture is for all of your northerners. 

Rich took advantage of the beautiful weather and removed the starboard window in the guest stateroom. Both of the windows leek. Rich took them completely out and re bedded them, painted them, and made new screens. He also made frames and screens for the salon windows.

Last weekend we enjoyed having Jeremy and Seth spend the night aboard the MorningStar. The boys learned to whittle and carve faces into blocks of wood. Bob a wood carver who lives aboard his sailboat with his wife Matty spent a few hours teaching them the craft. He also gave them wood blocks and a sample block showing how to carve faces. Thank you Bob. The boys were so excited they stopped net fishing and launched a new career as whittlers.

Be Blessed!

Happy New Year

2013 has begun. Happy New Year to all my family and friends and to whoever else the Lord many lead to my blog. Rich and I have been praying for awhile now asking the Lord to direct our decisions, and after much prayer we made the decision to move back to NY if our house does not sell by my birthday in March. Our plan is to drive the Morningstar back to NY and enjoy the beautiful experience. We plan to leave the OYCM in early June and travel the inter-coastal waterway from Florida to NY.  We hope to take all summer exploring and making memories. Once we get back to NY we will store the boat for the winter and see what the Lord has in store for us. Of course the Lord is able to change our plans as He sees fit and we are 100% in favor of it. It is time for us to pursue our dream and we are open to the new adventure the Lord has in store of us. The Lord has called all of us to a faith walk and without faith it is impossible to please God. So our hearts are set on following the direction of the Lord.

 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,

“Plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

(Jeremiah 29:11)

I believe that in 2013 the Lord wants me to come to Him with a teachable spirit eager to be changed.  I have come to learn a life walk with Jesus is one of continual newness. I believe in 2013 the Lord is telling me not to cling to my old ways as I step into this New Year. It is my desire to seek the Lord’s face with an open mind knowing that my journey will involve being transformed by the renewing of my mind. I have learned that when I focus my mind on Jesus, He is always attentive to me. He sees me with a steady eye always focused on me and what is best for me. Jesus knows me completely and loves me unconditionally. So as 2013 begins Rich and I are going to obey God and give ourselves fully to the adventure of increasing attentiveness to God’s presence and will for us.

Oh precious Lord Jesus as I learn to come into your presence and spend more time with you, please help my thoughts not to jump ahead to future plans and problems. Bring my mind back to you so I can experience your refreshment and renewal. Let your healing love and presence soak into me as I focus my thoughts on you. Help me become equipped to face whatever my day may bring.  I need your strength and the refreshment of your presence. I believe that you go before me to open up the way and also walk beside me. I know that when I ask you and acknowledge you that you truly will make your path clear. Thank you Precious Jesus.

I had a doctor appointment this morning. She gave me a 1300 calorie meal plan. She told me not to expect to loss much weight for three months that my body does not trust me (my paraphrase) and I must prove myself by eating healthy for three months before the true effects will kick in. I have never heard that before. I just know that it has been harder to lose weight. I already committed to doing a  21 day Daniel Fast which I am beginning on Sunday but once it is over I will go right on the new eating plan. It really does look healthy. So a few hours ago I said goodbye to my last double chocolate fudge brownie. That was much easier than having to say goodbye to my afternoon Gate Coffee experience. I am excited about the changes that will be taking place this year and I know as long as I hold onto the hand of Jesus I will make it. In my prayer time each day I will be praying for all of my followers. Happy New Year and may the Lord bless you and keep you healthy and safe. In these days of unexpected times Jesus is the only true anchor to hold on to. Be Blessed!