Where the Heck Have I Been?
Well, it's official. We bought a new boat. We moved into a new boat. We're cleaning the new boat, and cleaning, and cleaning... It seems to be a never ending job and right now it's a bit overwhelming. How does this make it "our" boat? I peed in the toilet and now it's mine! Isn't that what cats do when they mark their territory? They pee on something! So, I did.
You probably thought I sailed off the edge of the earth. Not quite, so let me tell you a little bit about what I've been doing with all my spare time!I should be ecstatic and doing the happy dance, but I got to tell ya, it's got me shaking in my flip-flops!
LADYHAWK
Although not brand new, LADYHAWK - a 38 foot Irwin center cockpit sailboat - is new to us and at 40 feet overall with the bowsprit, is like a Pirate Ship in comparison to our little NIRVANA! Remember "Captain Ron" with Kurt Russell and Martin Short? Rent it sometime and think of us! Gorgeous wood trim and solid louvered doors. Lots of wood. Did I say lots?
Hot Water!
There's so much to do and fix and make it homey. John is fine with the way it is, but I like a little comfort, a touch of home. I don't want to feel like I'm camping like we did for 4 years in NIRVANA. He hung up a couple strands of rope lights around the master stateroom and now it looks awesome! Yes! We have 2 staterooms and we can have company again! Hey! I turned the faucet on and HOT water came out of it! Buckets and buckets of the HOT stuff! You really have no idea how happy this makes me! OH, and a SQUARE bed too! My LLBean sheets finally fit after all those years of a V-shape! I have walls to hang family photos on, not just a calendar.
Two Heads, No Waiting!
I have 2 toilets (heads)! No waiting! There's a table that can stay down all day and night now. We don't have to fold it up when John goes to bed anymore. Counter space galore! The stove has 3 burners and not just 2. HOWEVER, it's not a brand new shiny Easy-Bake-Oven like I had with electric pilot lights. I have to turn the gas on each time and light the burners with a match or a torch. Plus, we found out the oven doesn't work. YIKES! I NEED the oven to do my job! So, after I post this, I'll be heading to Newport to buy a new thermocoupler and John will install it tonight. Then I can get back to baking and cooking!
Three Burners so I Can Cook More!
A Bigger Oven so I Can Bake More!
Poor NIRVANA
After years of saying we needed a bigger boat, I'm sad. I cried the other night as I moved the rest of my belongings out of NIRVANA. Literally cried like a baby and then fell asleep in the V-Berth with a wet tear-stain around my face. No one was there, the boat was empty and I dozed off. I'm not sure what the problem is, whether it's that I'm so emotionally attached to that teeny boat that we lovingly took care of for 4 years or that we are so totally exhausted from trying to clean 2 boats and move from one to the other.
All I know, is that I feel like we've let down our best friend. Like a faithful dog or a child. We betrayed her and now we're passing her off to who-knows-who. Hopefully someone that will love her as much as we did. Someone that will enjoy the custom cabinetry my son-in-law built, the curtains my daughter and I made together and my Easy-Bake-Oven. John is gonna have a hard time too, but he won't admit it. He just spent the past week cleaning and painting NIRVANA'S bottom, waxing and buffing her hull and dressing her up like the new gal at the dance. He's after me to list the ad in the paper, online, anywhere. But I can't bring myself to do it. One thing's for sure...we can't have TWO boats!
Forgive Me For Not Writing!
So, that's what I've been up to for the past 2 weeks. I don't have a working oven at the time and I've been too busy to post about much of anything. I've missed two Tuesdays With Dorie projects and countless other things. Forgive me for being so lax in my writing. There is hope and light at the end of the tunnel. John will fix my oven and I can back to some normalcy with my cooking, baking, pictures and writing about it all. Thank you all so very much for sticking with me through this. I promise you more photos as things get put away and it looks like a real yacht instead of a storage unit!
I was wondering where you've been! Congrats on the new boat. I am still in awe that you bake so many goodies in your tiny kitchen. I can't complain about my little kitchen anymore huh? HAHA
/Clara
Posted by: CB | June 19, 2008 at 12:41 PM
WOW! Congratulations! When you're all organized, I'll have to pop over for the grand tour! :) That's great...get your oven fixed! hehe
Posted by: Marni | June 19, 2008 at 01:16 PM
So awesome! I completely understand about not wanting to leave your old boat - probably lots of memories and quite a sentimental attachment. But hooray for three burners and a (soon-to-be) working oven! I look forward to seeing your TWD posts again.
Posted by: Caitlin | June 19, 2008 at 01:57 PM
I can sympathize about Nirvana! Not exactly the same thing, but I was sad trading in the car I'd had for ten years...it wasn't an it, it was my traveling companion for many years and many miles. But I got over it. Eventually. :)
Ladyhawk is gorgeous - and the space! Yay for you! Oh - and all that wood - beautiful!!
Posted by: Jayne | June 19, 2008 at 02:26 PM
Congratulations on the new boat!
I think most people can relate to the feeling of loss you're having right now. :-(
Can't wait to see you back in action, I've missed you!!!
Posted by: Carrie | June 19, 2008 at 02:47 PM
oh wow, donna! I am so glad to know you hadn't just fallen overboard. your new home looks great - um, i know we only met recently, but i want to stay in your "guest quarters!" don't bother emailing me back, i know you are going to say YES, so I am already in the car on the way up. hope you like babies.
Congrats on the move! Get that oven up and running!
Posted by: Susan | June 19, 2008 at 04:09 PM
Congrats on the new boat. You will get over your sadness when the new boat has been made "yours" and not just peeing in it. It will feel like home when you know exactly where all of your kitchen items are rather than opening one drawer and cupboard after another looking for what you want. Hope you get the oven working soon. Don't get overtired.
Cheryl
Posted by: Cheryl Sims | June 19, 2008 at 04:31 PM
Your boat is beautiful! Lucky girl! Have fun!
Posted by: Barbara | June 19, 2008 at 05:49 PM
Your new boat/home looks beautiful. I hope you'll be cooking and baking up lots, soon.
Posted by: Karen R | June 19, 2008 at 09:31 PM
Congratulations! Your new boat looks beautiful. Love that wood! Both of you deserve it too with all that hard work you have been doing.
Nirvana gave you great memories as will Lady Hawk. Welcome back!
Posted by: Liliana | June 20, 2008 at 07:48 AM
Congratulations! I just sent DH your blog site....I could be in trouble....he is a boat man in his heart of hearts....Enjoy your new abode!
Posted by: Robyn, Maine | June 20, 2008 at 07:51 AM
Congrats!!!! That is so exciting and it looks BEAUTIFUL from the pictures you have up! I love the wood (my in-laws boat has lots of wood inside too)...have you christened her with going backward over her shadow yet?
Posted by: Danielle | June 20, 2008 at 08:14 AM
Donna, I'm so jealous! What a perfect life to feel like your on a holiday all the time. I wouldn't be telling everyone that you now have room for company. You never know who may come a knockin. I'm already looking on my map for NEWPORT!!!!
Posted by: Chuck | June 20, 2008 at 01:42 PM
Congrats on your new digs! It looks lovely and so spacious. I'm sure as you stretch out and enjoy all your new space that Nirvana will remain a sweet memory for you. Change is always hard..even when it's good! Now go cook something and make us all happy :)!
Glad you are back!
Shawn K.
Posted by: Shawn K | June 20, 2008 at 11:39 PM
Hi! Congratulations on your new boat! We are planning to move soon and I feel the same about our current home as you feel about Nirvana. I understand. It is happy yet sad all at the same time. Have fun with everything :-)
Posted by: deanna | June 21, 2008 at 12:05 AM
Oh my gosh! Your new home looks beautiful. I love all of that wood. I am so happy for you.Now you will have lots more room and that will be awesome.
I think it is always sad to leave a home that you have cared for and loved. You will be fine as soon as your not working so hard on both of your boats.
Congratulations Donna.
Mary
Posted by: Mary C. Anderson | June 21, 2008 at 11:15 PM
A sad but happy moment for you I'm sure! Congrats on the new home Donna!
Posted by: HoneyB | June 22, 2008 at 08:12 AM
A sad but happy moment for you I'm sure! Congrats on the new home Donna!
Posted by: HoneyB | June 22, 2008 at 08:12 AM
Love all boat pix, what a fabulous way to live! Looking forward to seeing what you'll be whipping up in your new oven!
Posted by: Mari | June 22, 2008 at 08:51 AM
i still can't believe you bake on a boat! congrats on the new home :)
Posted by: Jaime | June 23, 2008 at 11:19 PM
i still can't believe you bake on a boat! congrats on the new home :)
Posted by: Jaime | June 23, 2008 at 11:19 PM
Really cool lighthouse cushion donna diegel.
Posted by: helen | July 12, 2008 at 12:25 PM
I need agood boat to i working in acompany for torism
Posted by: amir mohamed abd el dayem | July 14, 2008 at 06:06 AM
i`v been looking for a nice little liveabord boat for sale to fulfill this dream that i have since i was 14.
if nirvana is still arrond please send me an email
congratulations on the beautiful new boat
fabio
Posted by: fabio bertuol | September 05, 2008 at 04:57 PM