Normal life as we know it has changed.

Since my last post almost 4 weeks ago we've been pretty busy around here and that's part of my struggles to post more to the blog - I really don't live on a boat and can only describe updates secondhand through Justin.  But I thought I'd at least let you know what's been going on around the house in preparation in making the big move....

In my nursing career, my PRN schedule started on January 1st.  The plan is to work about 3 or 4 days at the end of one month and 3 or 4 days at the beginning of the next month and spend the other 4 to 6 weeks in between on the boat.  At least that's the plan until its ready to put in the water; during next hurricane season, I may just stay here in Texas and work for a few months before we head out for the next sailing season. 

Working PRN as a nurse is like subcontracting - there are no benefits whatsoever - so getting set up medically through an independent insurance company was very important to us.  Having health insurance that's based on our yearly income was absolutely the icing on the cake when it came to purchasing a boat.  It has enabled the idea to live aboard actually become a reality as I'm not sure how we would have been able to be covered by an individual policy any other way prior to this year.

Justin, in between working relentlessly on the boat (unverified at this time) needed a little vacation to NOLA to see some friends and to get a little crazy for one of the first times since his motorcycle accident.  He's going for the 70's porn-star look since he shaved off his shipyard beard prior to leaving Key West.  We were both nervous for him to leave the boat for a week, but it sounds like she did just fine by herself as he is back aboard and taking care of her once again.

 Justin and his good buddy Kelly at wonderful New Orleans

Justin and friends at "the Tree", NOLA

We also just rented out (we think) our fifth and final rent house - its the one where we currently reside.  The sign was only in front of the house for about a week, and the first family that looked at it, wanted it.  With the house in total shambles, my wife did an apprehensive walk-through with our potential tenants - we don't quite have a signed contract yet, but we're hoping to have one within a couple of days.  My life will now be split between living on a boat and living in a motorhome, depending on whether I'm on vacation or working.

Brandon love's to help me move

As we continue to downsize to only two storage units - one for the garage and one for the furniture - I'm beginning to wonder if we're keeping too much stuff.  The thought behind not just selling everything is that we know that we'll eventually live back on dry land, or maybe it was just easier to keep it for now.  Either way, our plane to Key West leaves next week so we have to be out of our house by then.  So goodbye suburban life; goodbye 7am to 3:30pm jobs; hello vagrants and vagabonds - the Ray's are f-ing here.