We are finally on our way back to Smart Move. The kitties are in their carriers tucked under the seats in front of us. We have three checked bags a piece -- 300 pounds of parts and furnishings for the boat, and two really heavy carry-on bags. Puerto Rico here we come!

Essentially I was home for 6-months and Barry was there for 5-months. We didn't plan it that way but shit happens and life changes -- you have to roll with it. The time went really slow and really fast. I was overjoyed to be there, but at the same time missing being in my home as we bounced between our kids houses, Sherri's where the cats spent most of their time, and various friends houses. We spent too much money and ate too much food.

Back in our old life as we were getting ready to go sailing, many of my friends (mostly men) would sigh and say it sounded like a wonderful life but their wives would never leave their kids and grandkids. At the time, being grandchild-less, I just didn't get it. We, as women, have spent the better part of our lives raising kids why would we not want to have some time to live our dreams and indulge ourselves? Well I'm a grandma now and let me tell you it was so hard to leave. When we were leaving Salt Lake City three weeks ago, we were saying our final goodbyes when it hit me like a ton of bricks that the next time I would see my grandson Drake he would be two and I will have missed so much of his little life. I would miss spending time with my beautiful daughter Kristen and her equally adorable husband Dave. I was a basket case and cried nearly the entire way from Salt Lake City to Rock Springs, Wyoming -- in route to Cheyenne. I finally had to suck it up and get control because Barry was getting really worried -- I hadn't cried like that since we dropped the girls off at college 13-14 years ago.

On Sunday I felt like my heart was being ripped out saying goodbye to my daughter Leilani and my granddaughter Louise and grandson August. Fortunately Leilani had already left for work and was spared all the tears. However, her husband Chris wasn't so lucky -- what a trooper he was (men never know what to do with a crying woman, lol) trying to make me feel better he kept telling me we didn't have to go, we could stay.

Then Monday rolled around, I was going to spend the day with my son David and the car broke down and I couldn't get from Cheyenne to Denver. He is the one I worry the most about as his life is in a major upheaval at the moment -- with major stress and lifestyle changes. It didn't take us long to realize that we couldn't get all out luggage, the cats, and us into Sherri's Honda Accord to get the the airport today (Tuesday) so we rented a car (a Dodge Caravan -- very nice, I don't know why so many young families diss on mini vans, they really are very nice). Anyway, we got to spend last evening with David, but again the parting was so, so hard.

So where is this rambling blog post going? I'm not sure. When we started I thought the only challenges that would be thrown at me would be from the sea, I'm learning otherwise now. I am really looking forward to getting back to the boat, back home. I'm really looking forward to sailing, I love it. I'm looking forward to the cruising lifestyle again -- I love the independence of the lifestyle, I love the ability to travel wherever we want to go and the freedom to come and go as we please. I love the challenges of the lifestyle, knowing that when the shit hits the fan the buck stops at you and it is your guts, wits, intelligence and sheer determination that will get you through.

But today little pieces of my heart have been left behind -- three in Salt Lake City Utah, six in Erie Colorado, one in Denver Colorado, one in Cheyenne Wyoming, two-plus pieces in Los Angeles California and three and a half (plus one traveling part) in Las Vegas Nevada. Today I am sad but happy too.