Thursday, December 4, 2008

Co-ordination of a social event

In two days we will be enjoying a trip on our boat to see the annual Christmas Boat Parade in our harbor.
This is an event that we have not missed in almost all the years living in Florida, even when we lived on the other coast of Florida since it was a yearly event there too.

Over these many years we have had different amounts of guests on our boats.
Of course the actual guest lists in our early years were mostly our sons’ friends, which we did enjoy when they were all youngsters.

Since they have grown and are on their own it is a rarity to have them included.
But this year I invited my cousins, the retired teachers, and our neighbors from across the canal, which are our Canadian Snowbirds, and who have recently become friendly since they have been able to spend more time here now that they too are retired.
And our eldest son too was invited to come along and stay over, but he has not decided yet whether he wants to make the 200 mile round trip, he is in the call back and let you know mode.
That would be a full boat, it’s not all that big a boat only about 20’ that’s all and the capacity is for seven adults. And one dog that’s name just happens to be Skipper!
My husband has his captain’s license since he had been a Marine Patrol Deputy until two years ago when he retired. But we have really been boaters for over 40 years, and he built his first boat 44 years ago at the age of fifteen. At that same age I drove my first boat with my Dad across Lake Mead while on vacation in Nevada.

Water sports like: swimming, scuba diving, fishing, and surfing; water skiing is what our boys grew up with, including my husband. Who also taught water skiing as a teenager in the Poconos.
I personally have had my life saving badge since a fifteen year old and I also became a certified Aquacize instructor, and taught as a volunteer for four years.
So it’s no surprise that we would end up here on this peninsula surrounded by water and water sports.

As far as boats go you name it and we have had it that is even all the way up to a cabin cruiser with a head(bathroom) and dinette, and it also slept four.
But mostly we have had the boats that are for fun that you can water ski off or fish.
This last one, we had bought new in 2003, and it was on the lift when Hurricane Charley hit in 2004; we had so much debris in front of it we couldn’t get to it for five days, and it was right behind our house in the canal.
Fortunately, the damage wasn’t too severe and was repairable and we were insured and still are, you got to be living here or anywhere really.

The best part my husband thought ahead and made sure that we got a four stroke engine, which is more gas friendly, not a guzzler.
The only reason we don’t go out that much is my physical limitations and his torn discs in his back, between the two of us it has to be like glass out there.

So this Saturday night is going to be interesting with my woman cousin who is healing from her breaking her hip and thigh just a little over two months ago, my husband, and me all praying for smooth sailing literally. Wish us luck.
Once out there we will be sitting still in our boat to watch the festivities, we will be moored.
Barring the wild boater showing up, making waves; we should do OK.

That night I suspect I may be writing this Blog late or maybe not at all, we will see.

So tonight I bid you good night, and happy sailing to you all.

Which way will the war go?

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