Last Tuesday we finally moved into a more permanent living situation. It is a far from the ocean, and living on a boat, but none the less, very comfortable and clean. Luke and I put this short video together to document the house.

Our first attempt at a video blog.

We spend New Years eve with some South African friends from church. Max and Cecelia are enjoying their first winter in the US with their 2 daughters Varenka & Chenika.

We are so ready for the new year. '08 a new beginning of something great!

We stayed in Hackettstown house sitting for our dear friends, Anthony and Jourdana, while they spent time with family in North Carolina.

This week we are in Union City, on the ridge that over looks New York City. You have to experience it for yourself, it is a magnificent view! The picture for this blog was taken from the back door. These wonderful accommodations belong to Jim our boat yard friend, whom we met while preparing Jabulani in the Liberty Harbor Marina. Jim is in Florida for a few weeks, and kindly thought of us, to house sit while he is out.

We are getting lots of emails and questions related to our recent change of course. Please refer to the blog post of 12/06/07 where we explain what's up, and continue writing to us, we look forward to hearing from you.

Well, we can't really say, yet, but here is the picture, isn't she a beauty? As soon as we are at a stage in the negotiations when we could reveal her name we will. (You never know who might read this blog, after Googling her name).

We actually have 2 schooners under consideration, and our broker is doing a fine job as our intermediary in all these negotiations.

Our executive coaching, leadership development business model, calls for a traditional vessel, where people are required to work side by side, shoulder to shoulder. We will create an experience for positive life change for leaders and teams wishing to increase their effectiveness and influence. So, we are looking for a gaff-rigged schooner, 60-80ft in length, with USCG certified overnight accommodations of 10-14 people, and a daytime excursion capacity of 49.

Stay tuned.

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.

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.