What made us decide to live on a boat? Part two:

If you missed part 1 of this story, you can read it here.

So, we had made the decision to buy a sailboat, now we had to narrow the search down to size, layout, and functionality. 

As a full-time liveaboard, we knew we would need more storage than if we were just planning on being weekenders. We really liked the layouts of Catalinas and they seemed to have the best use of space {for our budget, anyways}. After Joe searched 100's of different boats and more brands than I could count on my fingers & toes combined, our researching always brought us back to a Catalina. 

Of course we wanted {and still want} something bigger than a 30 footer, but at the time of purchase, and because we wanted it to happen quickly rather than waiting longer to afford bigger, we went with a 30' Catalina. 

Everyone says, you won't find a bigger 30 foot with any other brand than that of a Catalina sailboat. I know it sounds small, especially when we came from a 2,200 sq ft house, but any boat will sound small with that comparison. 

We kept close tabs on  the broker's websites and when a Catalina 30' {within budget} became available we made an offer and it was accepted! 

Now, was the hard part, for me anyways. I had to move away from my family and a job that I absolutely loved! Hubs was fortunate that he was able to transfer down here with his job, but that wasn't an option with my job. :/  I was a nanny for 2 of my nieces and walking away from that job was one of the hardest things I have ever done. It goes without saying, that I had become seriously attached to those girlies and their momma, {one of} my sis! Then there's my parents, whom I have always lived within a hour from. I don't think you ever truely realize how big Texas really is, until you can't just hop in your car and be at their house in 30 minutes......miss y'all every day! ;) 

Despite how hard we knew it would be to make the move away from family, friends, & my dream job, we knew this was to be the next chapter in our lives. So, we did it! We said goodbye to a life we knew and people we loved and moved aboard our Catalina! 

For just the two of us, Irie has made a great starter boat! And, we couldn't be happier with our decision and our new life afloat!! :)

Finding a place for e.v.e.r.y.thing

When you go from a 2,200 sq ft house to a 30' boat, you have to get creative in all things storage-wise. Good thing we were both really great at tetris....{and our mom's always said we spent too much time playing video games}. Little did they know, we were prepping for our life afloat, long before we even met! ;)

Not everyone can say they have pantry items stored behind their couch cushions. Actually, you'd probably be admitted for an eating disorder if you lived anyplace other than a boat or RV and you had that. :/ 

A seemingly normal settee {couch} on the starboard side {that means, the right side}:

And now with the cushion removed:

Yes, I reorganized it before I took the photo. But, that had more to do with, Joe putting all the food in there haphazardly, last time....and my odd, OCD to have my pantry look nice & neat and all the labels facing forward. :) 

And, the lovely port {that's the left} side...

{yes, I have a hazelnut coffee creamer addiction that fits into a Rubbermaid bread box. and, that's not the only place it's stored :) don't judge}

I've got to admit though, it does have it's advantages and probably disadvantages to having most everything within arm's reach. On a few occasions I've been able to grab something from the "living room" while simultaneously, cooking in the "kitchen" which is helpful. The flip side, however,  is, it's incredibly hard to avoid the sugary and/or salty snacks when everything is so close. Two edged sword my friends....two edged sword! :/

We are lucky to live a life, that most people only ever dream about living! It's not all fun & games though, it's hard work fitting a house into a boat, but we're  happy to make that sacrifice!! ;)

Long week

All this working has left me no time for blogging. :/  So, it's not as bad as I make it sound, but still. When you go from a job you absolutely love, to not working for 3 months, to working a job 4 days/week....you lose a lot of spare time, that I had really gotten used to!

When hubs and I first arrived here, 4 short months ago, we were {real-life} friended, by 2 great couples that we have become really good friends with!! One of those couples, up and left us this week and the other couple is leaving in two weeks. :( No, it's nothing we did. This is all part of getting used to the cruising community. Meet new people, make friends and then someone leaves....one of these days, it'll be us leaving and oh, what a happy {and for moi, an anxiety-ridden} day that will be!! So for now, we will be excited for our friends' new journeys and impatiently wait our turn! 

This week we said Bon Voyage to Sailing Saga Sea, better known as, Steve & Tracie{the couple standing, on the right side of the pic, below}. They are currently somewhere between Galveston & Isla Mujeres. We are definitely going to miss hanging out with them! 

 {the couple, seated in the above pic, is Mike & Joyce from s/v MiJoy}

 In a couple of weeks they will be headed towards the Bahamas!!! Joe joked about being stowed away on Saga Sea, but I might actually hide myself on MiJoy & go to the Bahamas with them! ;) 

 

Those two ladies {in the above pic} made my move, away from family {for the first time, ever} a little easier....They took me in and taught me so much about living aboard and the life of a sailor's wife....and to never bring any cardboard aboard!!!! ....you don't realize how much cardboard you have in your home until you cannot have a.n.y. on board, with you!  

Beyond work & hanging out with friends, we have had cooler fall temps arrive. It would be fine if the weather stayed like this, but I know this is just the start of the bitter-cold temps that I loathe.....clearly, I am not a fan of winter, but we all knew this. :]

We ended the week with brunch at the club. It was nice being able to sit outside and it not be humid, for once.  We went and watched a movie {for the 1st time in....I can't even remember when} and we did more organizing, re-organizing & throwing out what we really don't need....the story of a liveaboard's life. 

This life really shows you, that things are just that, things. What's really important in life, is the people you surround yourself  with, on a daily basis.  

 

We've Moved!

Everyone should live on a boat….for the sole reason of: when you decide you want to move, moving day is the absolute easiest! I have had some moves in my lifetime and  I always dreaded moving day. There is so much planning and packing and sorting and everything else that goes with a move {on land}. But, when you are on a boat and you move to another slip, or anywhere for that matter, it is easy peasy lemon squeezy!! Your whole home is in that boat, so basically, you untie from the dock, unplug from the power source and pull into another slip. It really is that easy! ;) 

Our move wasn't planned, it hadn't been scheduled on the calendar for weeks or months...... it was a 100%, spur of the moment move! Who else can say they can move as quickly as that.....other liveaboards, that's who!!! :)

Sunsets & Sailboats, Tan Lines & Mast Climbs

We went for a walk the other night and I took my camera along in hopes of capturing some good photos.....glad I had it with me because it was an eventful walk and I think I managed to snag a few good shots! :)

Sunsets & Sailboats....

These two, go hand-in-hand at our marina where we have lovely sunsets such as this one, most every evening! 

Tan lines....

Joe has acquired some serious tan lines on his feet.....gotta love the flip-flop life!!

I, on the other hand, have always been happy to be barefoot, so my tan lines don't show, quite like his do. :) ....what does show up, is the fact that I am in major need of a pedicure! :/  {don't look too closely}

 

& Mast Climbs....

At the end of our walk we ran into our new friends on s/v imagine. When asked if either of us were willing to go up the mast to retrieve their GoPro, fearless Joe was more than willing to be hoisted up.....the near 60' mast. I was glad he volunteered so quickly so I could {nervously} sit by on the dock and  capture this moment. 

.....going up,

 .....and up,
 
 .....still going,

 .....& all the way to the top of the mast!!

All in all, I'd say that was a pretty & productive walk!!!