Preparations!

It's been a while since we've posted anything on the blog, but that was partly because our pending departure was not yet public knowledge, and also because, well...we've been busy!

Benjamin and Gaby did not go back to school in January, and we've started homeschooling so as not to have everything change all at once when we do leave.  It's been an adjustment for all of us.  Some days are good and some days are not as good, but that's primarily because the teacher is too busy to teach!  The kids have been good about learning to self teach, and a number of the curricula that I have (such as Maths, Spanish and Typing) are done on the computer by themselves.

Ben studying Science

Gaby also doing her Science

 Ben learning human anatomy by putting together (a rather challenging) 3D human torso puzzle (...where does the spleen go again?!) 

Gaby learning a new art form

 And while work goes on in the house, even more work is going on on the boat!  Dave has accomplished SO much on the boat, and if we add anything else, I fear we may sink before we are able to cut the dock lines!  He has provided a detailed account of how he added the hard top bimini under the tab "Additions to boat", and hopefully can provide more detail on some of his other projects, but let me add on top of that he's installed air conditioning in all 4 cabins and the salon, installed a generator, a freezer, a washing machine, and an SSB Radio to mention just a few!  4 new solar panels are also being added to provide power to run all these additions! Our deepest thanks to our friend Garrick, who came down from Virginia for a week in January to help with some of these projects, and whose help has been called upon again for a final push to get things "checked off the list"!  The call for help was answered and Garrick arrives today - thank you, thank you, thank you!!

Our dear friend Garrick with Dave in the Keys on a trip last year.  Cool Runnings in the background!
That was then....this is now:

Apparently he knows where each one of those wires goes!

Ben's cabin - now a workshop

The washing machine being installed.  It now has a beautiful, waterproof door covering it.

  

Dave at work on wires for the solar panels and the hot water solar

Soon, it will be our home...I'll post a before and after!

Anticipated departure is now mid-March.  We will keep you posted on our progress!