John and I want to wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas. We hope you have a wonderful day and a Happy New Year. May all of you be blessed today and in the New Year.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

First I want to say Happy Thanksgiving to all of our family and friends who have been following our adventure. We are blessed to have such great people who surround us and support our choices in life. We hope you have a great holiday and we miss you all.

Yesterday John, Jim and Deb had a Thanksgiving dinner on the boat. They did it early knowing that today would be a big day for them. Before dinner Deb gave each of them a sea shell and instructed them to write what they were thankful for on the bottom. I know that John wrote something heartfelt, but he won't tell me what it was. I have to wait until I see him in St. Petersburg to read it myself. I thought it was a clever touch to add to Thanksgiving dinner. Yesterday John called all of the family knowing he wouldn't be able to today, since they would be offshore and no cell signal. The best conversation he told me about was the one with our nephew Max. This is how it goes: Uncle Johnny are you on your trip.....Yes I am......Are you on the boat.......Yes I am......Are you in the ocean.....Yes I am.......Don't let the sharks bit you. This coming from a three year old. Classic.

At this time they are making the crossing. If all goes well they will be in Steinhatchee tonight. I talked with John this morning around 5am and he was getting ready to get underway.John sent me this picture, he said "Everything a sailor needs to cross the gulf Mexico well except a boat what is it all well." Vitamins, Ibuprofen, Water, Cuban bread toasted with honey, Poptart brown sugar, Captains wafers sour cream and chive, Orbit gum, Creamer, Coffee, Sugar, Fruit bars, Goober peanut butter and jelly. He called again about six just before he lost cell signal, all was good. He sound excited and a little nervous but I think he will be fine. He has great leaders there to make sure all is well.

This week I finished my classes for the tax season. Now all I have to do is complete a few test online and I will be ready to start working in Jan. An update on my mom is she is going great. She went to the doctor on Monday, and he told her she was doing good. He gave her the go ahead to get out of the house and go places. She has also started walking around the house without her cane. Having my dad home for a few days did her wonders. Good Job Mom. We love you.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

John left Fort Walton Beach this morning and headed for a spot before Panama City. Looks like they will be in Panama City tomorrow and stay there a night or two. While I was on the phone with him, he said there where dolphins swimming along. He asked if I had seen any yet, I said no because I hadn't gone to the beach yet. I'm waiting until he gets here for that.

Well my classes have been going pretty good. Yesterday was a little difficult, its hard adjusting to a new office. You don't always feel welcome, but slowly people are opening up. Today before class started I got a compliment on my necklace, that was an ice breaker. Thanks Deb everyone loves your jewelry.

Here is an update on my mom, she is now starting to use the cane instead of the walker. Having the home care come in has seemed to help. She is finally starting to get her appetite back and is able to sleep better. Although I'm not completely sure it is all due to home care or just having my dad home for a few days.

The last couple of days I have been settling in here in Florida. I spent most of the days exploring the neighborhood. Monday I found a store for all the basic needs. Finally getting some food in the house. I thought my class was on Monday, but it turns out it was scheduled for yesterday (Tues). So yesterday I took the morning to walk around the area to see what it has to offer and to enjoy the ocean air. After a nice walk I came back and started calling different marinas to find a place for us to dock our boat. I tried to call Paradise Preserve, did you know they are closed. Seems that they were foreclosed on. This was news to Gordon and his friend, seeing that they suggested I call them. It is unfortunate. I found a few marinas that I want to go look at, so I think I will spend Saturday checking them out.

Last night I went to my first class, a little nervous, I meet some of the other tax professionals. Overall everything went well, it was nice to finally meet the boss. Everyone seemed very nice. The office here is a company office and in Missouri I worked for a franchise office. There are some differences, but in the end I think I will enjoy working there. I will continue classes the rest of the week. So hopefully all goes good.

John, Jim and Deb left Pirates Cove and went about 10 miles further. There they were able to anchor and then take the dingy ashore. They spent some time looking for sea shells. Leaving there yesterday morning they made it to Pensacola. John said that the seas were a little rough for him but all went well. Today he plans on doing a little maintenance to the engine and getting ready to leave. I can't wait to see you Babe, I Love You.

Arrived save and sound. I arrived in Bonita Springs, FL today. It was a long trip, but fun. Gordon and I made good time and arrived in the Fort Myers area by 2:30pm this afternoon. We had beautiful weather the whole trip, we couldn't ask for more. When we arrived it was about 83 degrees, sunshine and not a cloud in the sky. Gordon helped me find where my class will be tomorrow and where the condo is that I am staying in. I do have to say Thanks Linda for allowing me to stay at the condo until John arrives. The condo is wonderful, it has a view to die for. It looks out over a bay to the ocean.

Tomorrow I will begin my classes for transferring to Fort Myers. I am a little nervous, but all should be good. So far things seem to be pretty easy to navigate. Hopefully I will continue find my way around with little difficulty.

John is doing good. They left Lulu's today and only went to pirates cove. There they went to a singer/songwriters night. Tomorrow they will move on only a few miles.

Today started at 4:30 am, I was up and moving around getting ready to leave around 5am for the trip to Fort Myers. The first stop would be Paducah where I met with Gordon who is traveling with me. Gordon is headed to the Pine Island area to visit some friends. Next we stopped in Grand Rivers so I could do a few errands. Then the trip really begins. We made good time today. We went through Chattanooga and Atlanta with very little traffic and continued on until just past Macon, GA. Tomorrow will be another long day but worth it. I will finally be in Fort Myers.

John is still at Lulu's, they will be heading out in the morning as well. Tonight his is spending time with some friends who have been waiting for John, Jim & Deb to get there. Hi Cindy & Frank. They will only go a few miles tomorrow, but will get to enjoy some great music tomorrow night.