One month from today we board the plane to return to our fond lifestyle and our home on Sailacious. It amazes me when I think about how smoothly we made the transition to living on the boat. When we are back on land, life is so different that we long for the quiet and peaceful existence back at sea. Not that being in a harbor with several other boats does not have it's drama. Certain boats just create drama wherever they go but one can always turn off the VHF radio or move to another harbor.

We have crossed off (almost) all items on our list of items to buy while in the USA. Last year 2 checked bags of 50 # each were allowed for an international flight, this year it is only one. We already know we will need to check an extra bag but many of the items on our list are impossible to find in the Caribbean. Many items can be found but at a price of twice what you can purchase for in the USA. Just a few new items we are bringing back are : 2 bank battery charger, SSB mother board, CDI unit for outboard, impellers, port screens, electronic translator, a new Wok, a new laptop, (2) new iPod Touch for easy email access and music backup. Sheets, towels, and some clothes items will be packed around the items.

Steve finished the work on his Kawasaki KZ 1000 and sold it last weekend. It gave him something to do and kept him out of my hair :) for hours. My grandson starts first grade tomorrow, wow they grow up fast. My other grandchild will be here this weekend from Florida and she is expecting a sibling this winter! I know, I know, I look much too young to be a grandmother. He He.

Our last worry is that a new caregiver has not been found for my father. He has dementia but his long term memory if fairly good. He will be 90 in February, still plays several card games and can golf (on a short course if you remind him where his ball went). The hardest part for any caregiver is answering the same questions over and over all day and listening to the same stories.

9-10 Our bags are packed but we are still buying stuff. Delivered today was a Pico mini projector to make watching movies easier on the boat. We had to pick up another duffle wit wheels and now really do need to stop buying.

The weather is turning colder and the tomatoes are finished. We have made Salsa, Pizza Sauce and Spagetti Sauce on a regular basis. It is very satisfying to pick a big bowl of tomatoes and turn it into a delicious Lasagna or Ratatouille. Tomorrow we will dig up all the plants get the bed ready for flowers again as it had been used for in the past.