Life's little moments and blessings...

When you can't see the sea......

I had one of those life altering moments this morning that scared the crap out of me.  Fortunately though, it also showed me what really, really matters.  It was my blessing for the day.

About 6 days ago, I did something really dumb.  I was diligently working on boat projects (what's new?) and was sanding the first coat of new Perfection paint on my helm pedestal.  I was in our garage, door closed because it was stinking hot outside, no fans, no mask, no brains.  I've sanded 2-part paints for years with no issues.  Sure, I wear the 3M Cartridge mask when I paint or use solvents, but this was just sanding- bah! No worries!!  Hum....  Well, about 20 minutes later, I started losing my voice.  I could feel my eyes swelling up and my throat constricting.  Fortunately, we had Benadryl in the house or I might have been making my way to the local ER (NOT in the High Deductable Health Savings cruiser fund I might add!).  It took another 30 minutes before I could breath normally.  The swelling in my eyes lasted to varying degrees for the next 5 days.  Over the weekend, I went back to sanding and painting the head project (previously mentioned) on Luna Sole.  I was careful to wear a full face mask this time (Darth Vader has nothing on this look) and had plenty of ventilation.  Should have worked right?  No dice.  Over the next 2 days my eyes and upper lip started swelling again.  Back to the Benadryl I went.  So, here's the life altering stuff....

I was driving to work today (I have a 48 mile commute one-way and drive on major highways ie: I don't go the speed limit).  I pulled onto the turnpike, and within seconds lost all sight in my right eye. BOOM- just like that!  I freaked but managed to pull the car over in a safe spot, while driving with one eye, and sat there waiting to see what happened next.  After what seemed like an hour (which was probably less than a minute) thankfully, my vision returned.  I was left with a groggy head and lingering slight headache.  What I realized though, was that during all this, the first thought that came to mind was "No God- please don't let me go blind- I can't sail a boat and do my watch if I can't see- our dreams will be gone".  I wasn't concerned that I could not longer drive to work, or do my job, or any of those other things that used to be so important.  All those things that used to define me- I was concerned about losing our dream.  It was that moment of clarity in the midst of terror that helped me realize what is really, really important.  

So, I'm off painting and sanding duty permanently....Tom says that our new cushions (which I'm sewing from scratch) better be freaking amazing. :-) 

post note: I visited an eye doctor and after a thorough exam it was determined that my eye's are completely healthy!  The Doc said she would be surprised if it ever occurs again- Great news!!! 

The optimist in all of us....

Getting Down to Business in your Head.....

"Oh my God!!! I'm flying...."

Well, it was hot, and we are still not rocking...in the water that is.  Another weekend passes with more boat work- but we are getting closer (1 month to launch....maybe- Optimistic Grin).  This past weekend, I concentrated my efforts on "the Head" (aka boat bathroom).  One of the things we discovered early on was that the head floor was not connected to the, sole floor (chin bones connected to the neck bone ..opps... sorry, I digress) which means that any water that was in the head (it has a shower) was running into the core of the fiberglass flooring both inside and outside of the head area.  In layman terms, what that means is a soggy floor with structural integrity issues.  We cut out the offending floor areas, and have been trying to finish fixing it for...well almost 2 years now.  Bigger issues got in the way, it was handy to have open so we could plug up the holes in the bilge (don't ask) and it wasn't a "have to fix" item at the moment.  Tom did a fantastic job replacing the floor, and created a whole new shower pan area using fiberglassing products from West System (http://www.westsystem.com/ss/) so it will drain appropriately.  Then it's my turn to take over and start painting.  It's a tedious process.  I had to sand and primer paint, then sand that primer off because it didn't lay right (my fault- not the product), then primer paint again.  This weekend I start the actual gloss coat of Perfection by Interlux (http://www.yachtpaint.com/usa/diy/ask-the-experts/video-perfection.aspx) which I highly recommend for any marine application.  3 coats of paint and then we can re-install the drain, the toilet and the sink!  Woo Hoo.  Progress baby!  Photo's and detailed "how to" instructions to follow in a upcoming DIY segment.

So, as you can imagine, while I'm spending hours sanding and re-sanding the head, I had a lot of time to get into my own "head".  I usually think a lot of  happy thoughts while working on the boat because it's better than entertaining the murderous ones that sometimes creep in during boat projects that never end.  I am an optimist by nature.  The Ying to Tom's Yang so to speak in critical moments.  But, every optimist can use a bit of help sometimes.  I recently read a great book by Gretchen Rubin called "The Happiness Project". (http://www.happiness-project.com/) It was a documentary of sorts about a 12 month project she undertook to see if it was possible to escalate your own level of happiness in an otherwise comfortable world.  It's interesting reading with some funny outcomes and good food for thought. Some of the tips she gives are wonderful and I've put a few into action in my own life.  Guess what?  They do make you happier- BONUS???  Give it a look- you might be surprised!   Life lesson:  Even when things seems "in the toilet:, anyone can find happiness if they just know where to look.  So, the next time you are doing doing something "shitty", get into your own head and find your happy place.  You'll be surprised what's in there.  

A little R&R (Rum Running) to soothe the soul......

God knows I love my life and I thank Him every night

But sometimes I feel the knife of responsibility.

And the struggle and the strife, what's wrong and what's right

Has got me searching for the light and my place of peace.  - kenny chesney

Last week we took a break from boat building to sit back and sample the sweet island life for a few days.  It was my Man's birthday over the holiday so we took off for a little Key West  Rum Running (R&R).  Part of me felt guilty not working on my Luna girl.  So much to do, so little time...gotta get it done, gotta get it done. But then, I got a potent reminder of why you need to take the time to savor life...  I received an e-mail from a dear friend telling me that she and her husband were selling their beloved 36' Gozzard Yacht s/v "Seaberry" because it was time to move on...I could tell from her words that she is feeling so sad and lost.  Health, family, and life all play a part in their difficult decision and, while it will turn out to be the right one, I know it doesn't feel like that to Stephanie.  See, she loves being on the water.  Loves to sail, loves the peacefulness and stillness of a beautiful calm sea and the craziness of a brisk breeze.  Sailing is in her blood.  It gets her through the winter, it soothes her soul, and now?  She's just lost.....  My heart is breaking for her and I miss them already.

Off to Key West.  I let myself enjoy.  We stayed true to the calling and ate only local fish for dinner, drank maybe too much Rum (is there such a thing?  Mohito's anyone?), stayed....yep, you guessed it- on a 41' catch for a hotel with a view and went sailing!  Figured if we aren't working on a boat, we might as well sail one.  That's what it's all about right?

So, the next time you feel the "knife of responsibility" make sure you take a moment to look around you and refocus on all you have to be thankful for.  Tools will sit quietly and life will rest for a brief moment while you catch up.  Just remember to savor each day....and drink a little rum!