The final moves have been made this week as Justin and I ready ourselves to go back to the boat to tie all the loose ends together as we target November for the big splash. I've alerted my current place of employment that I will be emailing my resignation letter the first week in October (no need to submit sooner than I have to - I like back-up plans and security blankets.) We've moved two cars into storage along with the RV. Forwarded my mail to.....oh shit, I don't even care. And the closer it gets to our flight, the more nervous I seem to be as these are not decisions for the faint of heart - quitting your job and downsizing your life to two suitcases isn't that easy.
Sure, it all sounds great when its next year, next month, or next week, but when its Wednesday, it becomes a little more real - this is final - we're moving onto our boat full-time - shit's gettin' real and it can be a little overwhelming at times. But one of the hardest parts of this go-around is leaving Tami...... again - although her flight has at least been purchased for the end of next month, it means 5 weeks without her. In addition, we've once again left our boat for 3 months and I worry about her. Did she leak and take on any rain water? Has somebody broken in and stolen anything? And I won't feel better about it until I get back and make sure everything is in its place. To top it off, it seems to be an endless forecast of rain - 80% chance for the 3 days following our arrival and I'm not sure if we'll be able to get anything done for the first couple of weeks.
But its exciting too. As I tell my co-workers about the plan, I realize that all of the planning that has gone into this, and all the changes my family as endured, has come down to this moment in our lives. Over the years, when you have a plan in place that takes this much maneuvering in your life, you wonder if you'll ever get to see it through to fruition - and now we're here - its surreal. But am I overly excited? I try not to be. Its kind of like when I got the call to interview for my first (and present) nursing job. Although it had taken over 10 months to get the first call for an interview - I had all but given up on the idea that I'd ever get the opportunity to utilize my degree - and I was ok with it. But after the call, a huge sinking feeling came over me because I knew what I was in for - I had heard all of the horror stories. Some nurses have reported crying on their way home for the first 6 months because the stress is so intense.
But now after almost 3 years on the job, I can honestly say that it was the smartest thing I've done in my life aside from buying real estate. And I feel that it's the same way with owning and living on a sailboat - it can be the best decision we've ever made, but that doesn't mean it won't stress me out at times and make me want to quit everything. Somebody once told me that a smart man has a natural fear of owning a sailboat much the same as a normal man has a fear of alligators - you just know the potential it has to make your life real shitty.
But now after almost 3 years on the job, I can honestly say that it was the smartest thing I've done in my life aside from buying real estate. And I feel that it's the same way with owning and living on a sailboat - it can be the best decision we've ever made, but that doesn't mean it won't stress me out at times and make me want to quit everything. Somebody once told me that a smart man has a natural fear of owning a sailboat much the same as a normal man has a fear of alligators - you just know the potential it has to make your life real shitty.
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