It is alive! As of 1547, Tuesday, July 14, we have a running engine. Don't get me wrong, we are not quite ready to slip the dock lines just yet. We heard the engine run yesterday and confirmed that there were no leaks in the boat and the cooling water was going over the side. You couldn't wipe the grin off Greig's face! There are still some things to get done namely, putting the expansion tank in place, wiring up the electrical harness from the alternator to the house batteries, and doing a sea trial. We are getting closer!

Thank you to everyone for all of your support during this stressful time. It means a lot to us. We have had several folks ask us what this process has been like, so here is my description even a none boater can understand:

1. Remove everything you own out of every cupboard of your house and place it all on every available flat surface.

2. Remove everything, and I mean everything, including the mattress, from one bedroom, and place it on the bed of the other bedroom. Do this daily.

3. Have your husband take all of his tools from the garage and workshop, this includes jugs of anti freeze, oil, and stabilizer, and place them in neat piles next to you on your one and only spot on the couch, in your living room.

4. Once your husband has relocated his tools, etc, have him remove the engine from your car and have him place it in the middle of your kitchen. Then watch him, from your one and only spot on the couch, disassemble and reassemble it on your kitchen counter.

5. The last chore is to decide if you want to stay in your one and only spot on the couch for the next 8 hours or do you want to go outside and wait, before they take the stairs to your house away every morning.

This is the way we lived for the last three weeks. Would I do it over again? Of course I would, I wouldn't have a choice, if I wanted to continue on with our dream. But am I glad it is almost over, you bet your sweet a$$ I am!