12/26/2007, Woodbine, NJ
We enjoyed a wonderful Christmas with the Noe's. Bill and Debb opened their home to us again, and we were once again part of their family!
Our good friend, Ekkehard found his way to Woodbine, NJ all the from Barbados, and joined us for a few days of adventure on the farm. He departed at 5 am from Barbados, arrived in Miami at 11 am, flew from Miami to Philadelphia, arriving at 5:30 pm. He took a lonely ride on the only bus from Phili to a lonely corner of the small town of Woodbine, arriving there at a very chilly 11 pm.
Christmas morning we woke early and were joined by Bill's sons, Steve and Damon, again to enjoy a wonderful time of gift sharing and opening. Debb made a fantastic breakfast for us with baked french toast, scrambled egg, baked oatmeal and a whole lot more. Wow!
In the afternoon, we took Luke's new Lego firefighting boat which he got from the Simon's family, which he had built for a test drive on the pickle pond. Movie to follow. Then Phil, Ekk and Luke went for a little canoe trip along a tidal river that fills up the pickle pond. The
trip lasted about an hour or two. Ruthie and I took a slow walk back home to Bill's place and then snuggled up on the couch and had a little nap. After the canoe trip Bill picked the boys up and took them over to have another look at the schooner Ada C. Lore.
Late in the afternoon, Debb's friends, Tim, Liz and Olivia (featured ont eh left of the photo) came over for dinner. We had a great evening with everyone. After they went home and the kids had gone to bed Philip and Ekk took a dip in the hot tub.
We left the wonderful "holiday home" down in Woodbine just after lunch today and took a lengthy 4 and a half hours to drive up to north Jersey. Yes, traffic was somewhat congested. We will be house-sitting for friends of ours, the Parisi's while they are away on vacation.
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12/24/2007, Randolph, NJ
Luke and Ruth featured in the RCC Christmas presentation by singing a few songs
We stayed with the Simons family, and were really blessed by their hospitality and kindness. We are leaving to spend Christmas with Bill and Debb, so we let the kids open some presents last night.
Please excuse the poor camera work.
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12/22/2007
Dear Friends and Family
As 2007 draws to a close, we stand in awe of the greatness of our God. What a wonderful year it has been, filled with both joy and sadness. We are looking forward to all that 2008 holds for us and for you.
A merry, merry Christmas from all of us.
Philip, Sharon, Luke and Ruth
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12/19/2007, Woodbine, NJ
Sharon and Luke have gone to the theater in Atlantic City, after scoring some great tickets from Debb. That left Bill, Ruthie and I, free to enjoy the boat yard.
We went up to Bill's friend Jimmy from Allyn Steel, where they have a 100 year old oyster boat in dry dock. When Jabulani was there 2 weeks ago, getting her mast pulled out, the shipwrights working on this oyster boat had just started cutting out the bad wood with a chain saw. Now the new 2" white oak planks are in, and it was time to caulk the seams. Two layers of cotton, and then a layer of oakum was prescribed by the experienced man on the job.
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12/16/2007, Randolph, NJ
We have really been getting into the swing of Christmas now that we are back in our old stomping ground. We have snow on the ground and a chill in the air. We were at dear friends, the Richardson's, last night; the same family we stayed with for the two weeks leading up to our departure on Jabulani in November. They had a wonderful Christmas party complete with carols and great food. We slept over at their house again last night, which was a blessing indead considering we were all only ready to get into bed at around 12:30 pm. Of course, with small children we slept in this morning until a wopping 8 am, hardly a sleep in some would say!
Today was another eventful day in that the kids had a birthday party of an about-to-turn 7 year old friend, Chenika. They had an absolute ball as the party was at an ice skating rink. They were flying across the ice at sometimes very rapid rates, mostly holding onto little walkers but occasionally venturing off without holding onto anything at all. Great fun was had by all.
I guess most of you are wondering what is up with our schooner shopping and when we'll finally settle down somewhere. In that regard too this has been a great week. We have begun to get the process of purchasing the schooner started through a broker up in Maine, who is very knowledgeable about wooden boats and seems to be a highly thorough individual. We are very excited about this development and have grown more and more to admire the knowledge and camaraderie between the group we have working with us on this project. Neal Parker is one of these whom we are so grateful to for his sound advice and wise counsel. Bill Noe, of course, has become a dear friend and compatriot. He and Debb have made us part of their family and truly we would not be in the position we are today without their open hearts and willing hands.
Thanks also go to all of you who read about us and continue to share interest in our journeys, on the sea and in our faith walk. We have faced some most uncertain days over the last month, but here we are at the cusp of something great. Keep reading, it's only going to get better from now onwards.
Photo credit : Don Dunbar (http://www.easternmaineimages.com)
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12/10/2007, Woodbine, NJ
While we helped out back in North Jersey, Bill had Jabulani hauled and blocked for the winter. Last week, we had strong winds, and snow and ice that prevented Jabulani getting hauled out while we were there. The truck was rescheduled for today, and Bill once again has helped us out, taking good care of Jabulani.
Now, one might think that Jabulani is sitting in Bill's yard, but the soil was too soft and muddy for the truck, so again, Bills friendship paid off for us, and Jabulani is sitting in the yard of a friend.
A big thank you Bill from all of us!!!
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