1/20/15
We left the Marina in San Pedro around 230pm on the 18th. A few of our friends motored out (on their sailboat) with us to Angels Gate which is the lighthouse that is the entrance/exit to the harbor we have been in for the last 2.5 years. I cried. It was really sad to say goodbye to everyone and especially my good friend Nicole who was there to see us off. There was some wind so we were able to put up the sails right away and our friends took some good pictures of us.

                       

      

From left to right-Henry, Nicole, Lawrence (his boat) and Jason

Final wave goodbye

We were going around 6 knots for awhile then the wind slowly started dying as the sun went down. We ended up turning on the engine. I made some rice with chicken and vegetables for supper. The Coast Guard snuck up on us while I was cooking. They asked Paul for all his info and questioned him a bunch before they left. They said it was strange to be out on a Sunday night and then told Paul Mexico was dangerous, we were like ok thanks we have never heard that before.

Oliver and I all bundled up night sailing

I went to bed with Oliver since I thought Paul and I were going to take turns on watch but every time I woke up Paul said he wanted to stay up. I think he was all pumped up but also kind of thought he wouldn't sleep anyways because he thought I would crash the boat or something. I woke up a lot anyways, just checking on Paul and smelling diesel (super healthy I am sure). Oliver slept great. Paul seemed to do fine and was all happy and jacked up when Oliver and I officially got up in the morning around 630am. We were just hanging out around the entrance of the harbor waiting since it was so foggy we could only see maybe 100 feet in front of us. We had the radar so we were able to know what was around us but it sucked to have to sit there and wait. It was kind of errie just thinking about another boat coming out of the blue and smashing into us, knowing there would be very little we could do about it. Once the sun came up more it burned off pretty quick and we headed in.

Paul and the fog

The Fog 'burning off'

First view of San Diego through the fog

To get to where we were going to anchor was about 10 miles so we knew we had at least around 2 hours more of sitting to just get there. It was fun to look at the city and it didn't feel like it took to long but to me that's the hardest part when you are almost there. We got there and no one else was anchored so it was easy and only about 10 feet deep so we didn't have to put out much line. Paul still made me re-anchor before we left because he is always so paranoid about our anchor. I am always like yeah it's set lets go. Probably good we are not the same way with that.
I had a mini breakdown trying to do the dishes at anchor. I didn't do them then night before since Paul said he would then I was trying to do them while Paul took a nap and I was loosing it because there is no room to put the dirty dishes so I can get to the nozzle, then I am all worried about the fresh water so I am trying to do them in the salt with a fresh rinse and it was not very easy. That is the whole thing, nothing is easy! It drives me crazy. I was hollering I would rather be at work. Anyways we got through it and Paul only got an hour nap before our friend Sarah was going to pick us up and we needed to help her move some furniture. It was so great to see her, she was my first girlfriend in California and has lived in San Diego for the last 2 or so years so I don't get to see her hardly at all.
We dropped Paul off at the boat after moving stuff so he could sleep since he needed to catch up bad (I think he was up around 36 hours) and so he could be on the boat in case the anchor dragged, he is always worried about that. I told Paul he is going to have to get used to me being on watch. I can always wake him up, he can't do long stretches like that anymore, he agrees. He is just so paranoid. It worked out good though since I got to hang out with my girlfriend. The next morning we bummed around and Paul came to Sarah's house after he slept 13 or so hours. We went swimming at the Y and just relaxed. Paul got some of the paperwork we need for Mexico. Tomorrow we are planning on running some errands and leaving in the evening. It is only a 72 hour anchorage and it will only take us about 12 hours to get to Ensenada, Mexico so since we want to get there during the day we gotta leave in the evening. I am ready. I feel like we just gotta go.

Saying goodbye to some marina friends

Left to right-me, Jan, Oliver, Mark, Carlos, Sean and Paul

                                                     

Oliver tethered in (we call it his tail)

Remember when I would talk about the long walk from the car to the boat and what a pain it was. This is a picture of most of the walk with Oliver, of course, lagging behind.

1/17/15
We sold the car! Tomorrow we leave for San Diego. We would've left today, everything is ready, but we stayed up late with our friends Nicole and Jason who came over to our boat last night.

1/11/15
We went to the mall the other day with our friends Paul and Steve and Oliver went to the top of this firetruck thing kids can climb on and jumped off of it. It was really high, like 4.5 feet. He did it and was fine and we should've stopped him from doing it anymore but we didn't and after the 4th time he did hurt himself. He cried and told me it was his ankle so he sat on my lap for awhile and then when he wanted to go play he couldn't even weight bear on it, he just dropped to the floor. We had both checked it and he could move it fine but when I saw that I was worried. Paul thought we should wait until tomorrow and see if it's better. It wasn't swelling so I went with it.
1/12/15
He is limping, pretty bad. We are worried he may have some sort of break in there so we are going to take him to the urgent care.
The MD didn't think he needed an X-ray and normally I am totally good with not intervening but I was like, we are leaving the country and only have insurance for another few weeks so we have to make sure there's nothing wrong for certain. He got an X-ray and she didn't see anything so they will call if the radiologist sees anything. So relieved and glad that we can just let him run and he should limit himself.

Oliver getting his Xray, he wasn't scared at all

We went to Carmax to try to get an offer on the vehicles. They didn't offer us much so we will not be going with them. Craigslist it is.
1/13/15
Just running errands, we both feel like we have been living in our cars all day the last few days. I took everything to a friends house and washed it all so we at least have a clean start. Oliver's limp is better but still noticeable.
1/15/15
This was supposed to be our day to leave but the cars aren't sold. I wish we had put them up sooner but it's hard because we needed them, or at least one, until this last week or so. We just weren't thinking. We though they would sell right away. We had one person come and look at each yesterday. Got one offer but don't want to take that yet. We just lowered each one a couple hundred so hopefully we get a lot of interest today. It's good to know that we can get a decent car when we move pack to Minnesota for cheap if we are patient or find people semi desperate like we are.
I feel ready to go. It stinks because I buy everything, fresh stuff, and then we don't leave and I feel like I need to restock again. I hope we get rid of these cars so we can go. I am getting antsy even though I am not necessarily looking forward to sailing 14+ hours to San Diego.
We sold the truck! We took less than we wanted but we really wanted to get rid of one car today. A guy was going to meet to look at the Saturn tonight but he flaked said tomorrow so cross your fingers for us!

Paul with the flare guns...ha!

Oliver playing with the dirt, Jeff and Maggie hanging out with him at the marina

Sea lion trying to find a spot to jump up and sun on the dock

Back of the boat, got new stickers to represent

Saying final goodbye to the truck

Oliver in his spot to eat

In the cockpit, it's still a mess

Did I post this already? Our prince asleep in the vberth

So cute, Captain and First Mate hats

1/1/14

Happy New year! I am at work. I actually have 3 shifts left, I thought I only had two but that is ok it gives me time to say goodbye to everyone and not freak out so much about money. 

Boat living is going good. I finally made a inventory of our food which was necessary. I thought we had a lot more food but Paul said he ate a lot when we went to MN so that was good to know. I feel like I can buy exactly what we need, or at least what I think we need now. I also know we have enough room for everything and feel a little better about that. Paul is worried about me stocking the boat up too much but we eat a lot and although I know we will have to give up eating organic I want to have as much as I can for as long as I can so I have tons of organic rice, pasta, snacks, ect.

It was so sad a few days ago two people died over on Catalina Island during a big storm that had 40 mph winds. I get so freaked out about that and luckily the friends we just met were smart enough to get back before it hit. I remember how windy it was that night. I grabbed Paul's hand and said it was kind of scary, I was so glad we weren't anchored anywhere we would not have slept.

1/4/15

So we have the jacklines and tethers set up thanks to Paul, I am so glad, I want to make sure we are always clipped in when we are underway.

1/5/14

Cried with Oliver on the way home from our friend Diane's house. It is getting real. I am really going to miss a lot of people in this state. It's not like I think I will never return it's just not ever going to be as it was. Diane has been like a mom to me and Oliver's grandma while we were here. He was so sad that we weren't spending the night and I just cried too.

Oliver with Diane

1/7/14

Last night of work. It is so weird. I don't feel ready but I guess that is just because going to a job is so ingrained in us. I am sad to say goodbye to so many dear friends and wonderful nurses but am happy to be moving forward.

We have a lot to do in the next few days, it still doesn't feel real.

12/16/14

I did make my first meal. It wasn't so bad. Fajitas. But since then I have been going out to eat or cooking at friend's houses, it's just so much easier. Oliver only asked twice to go home and not to the boat so I think that is coming to an end.

12/17/14

I haven't slept on the boat since Thursday. We got back there and it smelt so bad I refused to sleep there. Paul and Oliver did but I left and haven't been back since, besides to pick up Oliver the next day. It smelt like poop/pee/rotten food if you can imagine. There was no way I was going to stay and sleep in that. So Paul has some work to do because I told him I would not return until it was better. It has been so nice staying where you can stretch out and not hit your head on anything and be able to cook. Adjusting to the boat is not going well for me. I think maybe I am just not cut out for living like this. It seems so weird that so many people act like it's no big deal, it's like they have never lived in a regular sized house before with modern amenities.

12/23/14

Finally a nice day. I honestly think this is the first warm, sunny day we have had since living on it. Luckily we spent most of the weekend at a friends house while Paul cleaned out the boat and fixed whatever was smelling so bad. It was nice to shower and sleep somewhere warm. But when we went back last night it was so foggy it was really eerie at the marina. I came in by myself and it was dark, foggy, and damp like a scary movie setting. I was a little freaked out but obviously made it ok. I mean we are not far from a federal correctional facility, like a few miles (seriously), and the port which is the second biggest port in the US so there is a little reason to be freaked out. The rest of it is old abandoned buildings, I am serious.

Across the street from the marina

We had just gotten back form the grocery store and dropping the car off to get work and I saw a woman who had just gotten out of the shower at the marina. I was like omg a friend! Some other crazy woman, how have I missed her?! So we started talking and she had 3 kids and her and her husband were taking their kids to Catalina island for a few days. We ended up going in their boat and the kids played together and we talked sailing and everything else. It was great! I think this is what sailing is all about, meeting people from different backgrounds and shooting the breeze. Paul took the guy to our boat and gave him some Latitude 38s we had, a magazine we love, and I stayed and had tea with the mom. It was lovely. We exchanged info and might even sail to Catalina with them before we go as a final test run. They want to go to Mexico too in another year or so. 

We are going to sell the cars so it seems silly to fix it but the check engine light was on so we figured we have to. I am hoping that will help us sell it quickly and a nice boost to our bank accounts before we head off to the great unknown, at least to us it is.

I am trying to be more positive about everything, I have agreed to do this I mind as well make the most of it. I know my blog seems so negative I am just trying to be real about it. I do not think it is as easy as people make it out to be unless you are used to living in a tent. 

Paul just told me he thinks our leave date is Jan 4, which is crazy since my last day of work isn't until the 7th. But yes, it will be by mid January so it is coming up fast. I am nervous and excited. I just want to be ready and I do not feel ready…a lot to do in the next few weeks.

12/26/14

Christmas was nice on the boat, even though we spent very little time on it. I have such a hard time getting into the holidays here because there is no snow and flowers are still blooming, it's just weird. 

The nights have been really really cold, we wake up and it's about 52 degrees which doesn't sound too bad but it feels awfully cold. Good thing the days have been sunny and fairly warm so we have been getting by. Paul has a few things to wrap up at the office and I got work off last night. I technically only have 2 shifts left, it's so weird to think. Scares me not having any income but I knew it was coming. I think we have plenty of room for our stuff which is nice. I bought food and need to start cooking on board a lot more.

12/27/14

Went out to sushi with one of Paul's patients, it was so good and fun. Later that night I felt like a little kid because Paul was basically putting on a light show to the music on the boat with flashlights we were so bored. It just reminded me of making your own fun as a kid when there was nothing to do. 

12/28/14

We had a great day. It was sunny and we have the heater now so the boat is nice and comfortable. We got the bathroom put together, Paul installed a few little hanging shelves and he built shelves in the closet so we can fit all of our clothes in it, it's so awesome! I am so proud of him, he just kind of made it up and it worked! I made tacos, which were delicious, and we took Oliver to run around at the mall before bed.

Closet before

Our new closet shelves!!

Oliver riding around with Jeff (and dog Maggie) at the marina

Sea lions sleeping on the dock across from our boat

Oliver making hot wheels track 

Reading, Oliver beginning to say don't take my picture

12/12/14

We get back to California and have to live on the boat. I knew this was coming I just didn't expect a hurricane the first night. Luckily Oliver slept and it wasn't raining yet as we walked to the boat after getting home from the airport. However, the storm did wake me up in the middle of the night multiple times. I was just glad we weren't anchored anywhere. I think the winds got up to 60 mph that night…welcome to living aboard.

Sleeping isn't so bad but if I need to sleep after work it is hard because there is only one space essentially. 

12/14/14

I haven't even tried cooking, it just seems like too much work. I don't know why I am am making such a big deal out of it, I have cooked on it before, but that was just when we were living on it for a few days now it is all the time and there is way too much stuff in such a small space, it feels terrible. I mean I woke up today and there is like one spot to sit and the rest is covered in bags and clothes from our trip back to Minnesota. Sure I could put it away if there was a place to put it. There is no room, this sucks. Paul had the main part of the boat cleaned out when we got back but that was only because he stuffed shit everywhere without paying too much attention to what it was. I have asked for multiple things and he has no idea where he put them. I knew this would happen but it is still awful. I worked the first 2 nights we were back so hopefully after sleeping some today I will be able to go through it some and make it more comfortable but not suffocating. I don't know how people do this. I mean I haven't read extensively but I have read quite a bit and people just make it seem like they sell all their stuff and go happily saying. That is definitely not what is happening in our case. Moving was a b, just trying to decide what to bring, what to store and what to get rid of was awful. Then moving onto the boat and remember it also rained the whole time, was exhausting and a cluster f. Now it was picked up but only for show and it's not even picked up anymore. I feel like nothing will ever be able to be out of place if we want to live a semi decent life on it. It is just too small of a space to have any sort of mess let alone simultaneous messes happening without wanting to set the thing on fire and walk away. 

Diane and I go skydiving next weekend maybe I will break a leg and then I won't have to go sailing, JUST KIDDING, I want to go it just all seems like too much right now. We have a lot to do and I have a lot to learn in the next few weeks. I know we can do it I am just not really looking forward to it. 

I can already tell I have been eating worse the last few days, from going out to eat, I am just not ready to live this way. It definitely had to be forced or I would have never done this. Poor Oliver told me when we pulled up yesterday he wanted to go home and not to the boat. I am sure he is thinking about our old apartment. I told him I did too but this was our home now so we have to make the best of it and by that I meant we could eat a few chocolates and watch a dvd, it helped us both. 

I don't really know how I am supposed to do cloth diapers I guess wash them at the laundry mat and hang dry them at home or dry them there I don't know besides it has been cloudy and rainy here since we got back and doesn't look like it gets much better this coming week. We definitely did not take into consideration that it may rain all month since we have been in a such a drought the last few years I thought nothing of it. It wouldn't be so bad if we weren't the furthest boat from the parking lot. I mean it is a good 4 minute walk and not with Oliver, that is a grown up pace. I would give you a yardage but I am bad at those types of calculations and I want you to feel bad for me, it's far. Anyways it sucks when it's not raining so when it rains I just want to curse everything. It makes the simplest tasks ten times harder. 

Sometimes I can't get the toilet to flush, just pee, and I straight up don't know what to do and paul is not there and all I can think when the boat starts to rock from some waves is I hope it doesn't spill onto all that stuff that is still on the floor of the bathroom. 

We have no address. Think about that. I mean I have no idea what I am missing in the mail and if I want to order something or someone wants to send me something I have to ask a friend if it would be ok. Sure people don't mind but it is such an extra pain and then I have to go to their house to get the stuff and feel bad for bothering them. Lucky for us we do have great friends who I really think don't mind but you still feel bad asking so much. I keep telling myself I will adjust but right now I just want to keep coming to work so I can just avoid it all, lucky for me I do work a lot this week so that will help me put it off further.

12-2-2014

I swear the only time it rains in Southern California is when we move. I am serious. The last time it actually rained in OC was in February and that was when we moved from Huntington Beach to Long Beach. So not only was I trying to consolidate a small apartment to fit onto an even smaller boat but it rained the whole time. At one point Oliver and I were making a quick trip to drop things off at the boat and I had him in the dock cart, which was already wet from sitting out in the rain, and when we got back to the car I had to strip him down and put on dry clothes because he was soaking wet. Thank goodness it doesn't get that cold here or I would've quit. I took an hour or so in the morning to go through stuff Paul had unloaded the day before to try to put some of it away even though I know we are just going to move everything around again, probably more than once. It is so hard to decide what should go where especially since we will not necessarily take everything we have now with us when we leave, like my scrubs and the iron Paul needs now for his work clothes. So I thought that was bad but by night time the boat had some places where it was floor to ceiling with our stuff. I mean all we could do was cover stuff with tarps and get it there then basically throw it inside and go back for more. Since everything was wet we couldn't go through it or put it on slowly. I hope when we get back it won't be raining but who knows anymore. 

So not only were we trying to move onto the boat but Oliver and I also had to leave the boat by 630 AM to make our flight to Minnesota to go see our friends and family there While there we also have to unload everything (my parents are so graciously letting us store) at their place until we move back (and in with them). I had to pack our bags the day before since I knew I would never be able to find anything if I didn't. As you can see in the pictures below we had a small walk way to inch our way through on the boat. Thank goodness we just had to spend one night on it and I am sure Paul will make some headway while we are gone, he will have to just to live. I am also sure he will misplace stuff that is important to me and have no idea what he did with it, hence the packing and repacking of the boat. We were joking about him trying to help make more room by opening all the chip bags to let the air out. I am glad we talked about that before he really did, kidding but we definitely have different ideas about what is important and what's not.

Yep

The only space not filled with stuff

This is our 'home'...count your blessings folks

Oh and we had another guy come and check out the electrical problem, it was an easy fix but still costed us a hundred bucks so with the other guy we have to pay we paid almost $200 to have someone switch a switch that was labeled wrong. Sometimes I wish I just didn't know.

I am very thankful for this opportunity and just had to laugh when Paul thought I just went to sleep after working on the boat and its mess for almost 3 hours.