Tuesday, October 18, 2011

I am a Water Baby.

I am a water baby.
My daughter is a water baby.

I am happiest, calmest, most relaxed, when I'm on the water.


The Wildlife, The Sights, The Sounds, The Smells Even.  Time with Family, and Friends.   

In our 11 years together, we have had 3 boats.  2 were purchased off the side of the road, for minimal amounts of money, and while we ran the heck out of the first one, the second one was a dud from the start.  Our third boat has been, by far, our best investment yet.  A 1991 Four Winns Freedom with a 120hp Evinrude Motor, and a Factory Trailer (all painted up to match nicely) .. we purchased it from a co-worker of mine, who I have known my entire life, five summers ago.  It's crazy to think of how long ago that was, and how much we've done, where we've been and what we've seen with her.


Our boat, motor and trailer, are 20 years old.  Twenty.   In car years?  That would be considered a Classic.  Our boat, motor and trailer, are in exceptional condition for being 20 years old.  For 2 years, Mike and I have been bantering back and forth ... should we trade in what we have, and get a slightly larger boat, for when Em gets a little bigger, and we need more space?  Me?  Nope.  The Four Winns is great, she's paid for, she runs like a top.  Fast Forward to June of this Year.   

This summer - we have had a few problems with her.   She's tired.  We used her every weekend, and sometimes, quite a bit actually, during the week.  She's seen many lakes, many hours, and many friends come and go.  She was there with us when Em was born, and has seen her through her her infancy, into and out of her toddler years, and has spent the first summer of her preschool years with us.

She had a hard time starting, and would lose her "prime" .. and her battery would drain .. quickly .. when we were on the water this Summer.   There were days, when we were afraid, we'd have to row back to the shallows, and then - haul her (and our precious cargo) in by rope.  There was a day, at the end of the Summer, when we had to do just that.   She's Tired.  She needs work.  More work than we can do ourselves, and in reality, we don't have the time to invest in the sort of overhaul she needs.

She's Tired.    She also, doesn't owe us one more minute on the water.   When we pulled her in September, we had already been revisiting the idea of trading her in.   I feel like a failure to her.  We promised her a good life, and gave her what we could.  She was appreciated, loved, and well cared for.  I feel like we're giving up on her.  Even though, in reality, We aren't.  She never gave up on us, and we never gave up on her.

Since June, we've been bantering.  Should trade her in, should we wait, what happens if we wait, and no one offers us anything, or accepts our offer, should we have one?  What happens then?   Some people go away for a week here, or a week there, some people go away for days, some people (like us) do inexpensive day trips, that always end on the water.  Always.

There's nothing like packing up for the day, and just .. floating your cares away.  At least, to me.

So this weekend, I lost the battle.  After weeks of research, and offers, counter offers and even more counter offers - failed financing followed by more failed financing.  Used boats, new boats, trade ins - We made one last ditch effort, and were resigned to the fact that this wasn't our year ... the Four Winns would have to last another.   We'd have to make it work.  And we were fine with that.  We were okay with "not this year".  And then .. our bank, our credit union actually, approved the financing, for a deal that is perfect for us.  Essentially a car payment (since we don't have one of those).  In the past year, we have paid down our debt, and saved what we could.  We have built my credit up, and his credit is slowly creeping up behind mine.  

I lost the fight.  We agreed on a deal, which offered us nearly what we paid for the Four Winns 5 Summers ago, and a brand new boat, slightly larger than the one we have.  It's brand new, red & white *the perfect color scheme for us* and a pontoon boat (the argument I lost)  We can pick her up anytime, however, it being October (the best time to get a great deal) the Marina we went through offered storage through the Winter.  That way, we don't have to worry about Winterizing her, and seeing her until we can use her.  We take delivery, in March or April.  

The weekly deduction from our pay is nothing compared to what it could have been.  Saving money left and right, the deal the owner gave us - were too good to pass up.

This Summer, we'll have room to invite friends to float away their cares with us.   I can't wait.

Not that we owe anyone anything, explanation or justification wise - this blog is a way for me to work through my mixed emotions.  

I am a Water Baby.   

Emily is a Water Baby.


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Plus?  She's Pretty


Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Reading is FUNdamental!

As part of my "52 books in 52 Weeks" Challenge ... I've been scouring the internet, book stores, friends shelves, and any other place I Can think of for titles that interest me.  Subjects that pique curiosity.

I have a varied palette when it comes to books.  I read everything.   There is literally nothing I wouldn't read, at least once.  I give everything a chance, and I devour information like a kid with a  Halloween Bucket devours their take after Trick Or Treat.

Now, I am not a Religious person - so to speak.  Honestly, I don't know what I believe anymore, nor do I know what I don't believe.  And while I fully believe questioning things is a completely healthy way to live life, I also believe that learning about other "options" is even healthier.

I follow a blogger, who is fantastic.  Unique, original, funny, charming .. you name it, I find her to be .. It.  Now, she is having a contest.

A Contest?  You Say?   Yep. A Contest.  One that I would desperately like to win (I don't win much, and this is right up my alley) ... she is giving away a copy of a book.  But not just any book, mind you.  nope.  Not just any old book off the shelf.

THIS book .. "Old World Witchcraft: Ancient Ways for Modern Days" by Raven Grimassi.   

From Amazon:


Old World Witchdraft reveals rarely discussed topics such as the concept of Shadow as the organic memory of the earth. Readers will learn rooted techniques that possess power because these ways have always been connected to it. They will learn methods of interfacing with the ancestral current and with the organic memory of the earth. Through these they can connect with the timeless arts and learn methods of empowerment directly from the ancient source.
Totally new information about familiar tools is presented. For example, the mortar and pestle is a tool for spell casting, a device that creates interfacing with plant spirits and with shadow, and a focal point for veneration of the Plant Kingdom. Grimassi also presents the art of using plant ashes for magical sigil work.


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See, now THAT interests me.  That captures my attention.   I want to devour that.

While I'm not a practicing witch, or pagan, or anything like that - I'm interested in learning all about them.   The ways they do things, their beliefs and systems.  It interests me.  Far beyond my interest in the Paranormal and Ghosts, if you can believe that.   


If you're interested in trying to win this book (I'm Watching You!)  ----- just click here, on Mrs. B's name --- and read the rules to enter.  


With the colder weather upon us, I'd love to curl up with this book (and many others - let's be honest here) ... wish me luck!

Thanks Mrs. B for the opportunity!  




Sunday, October 2, 2011

Happiness is .... finding peace in the madness


Being an amateur photographer (well, that's what I call myself now-a-days) I've recently discovered the joy, the peace, the happiness in sharing my "captures" with others, often random strangers, whom I have never heard of.

I know I should do up a post on my husband, daughter, pets and family - friends, etc.  However, lately, what brings me happiness - is staring through my lens, leveling the camera just so, pausing to gather the focus, lining up that perfect shot.  Glancing at the digital display screen, to ensure I've managed to capture what I'm seeing in my head, and .. *click* .. a moment, a pause, an item, a flower, a child, a smile, a memory - captured.

Reading the comments, watching the "favorites", the "likes" add up .. reading reviews of my "work" .. that is happiness to me, well, at least, that's MY Happiness.  Lately.

Work is hectic, home life is hectic, our four year old is hectic .. in an attempt to find peace, I've been offered, and have accepted, access to an area where access isn't generally granted.  The ramshackle (for lack of a better term) unfinished, untouched areas of an old industrial mill - where I happen to be, twice a week - one for me, (kickboxing - that's happiness too) and one for our four year old (dance class - that's her happiness) - in a finished space.   That I am allowed into that space?  That I am allowed to take photos, publish them, use them as I see fit .. when others have been denied access?  Denied their requests to do the same?   Happiness.

It seems a little selfish, as I glance through the other posts on other blogs - that I'm describing happiness as .. photography .. but, that's my happiness.  Lately, in a world where there isn't much .. in a time, where there isn't easy answers .. in an existence where sometimes, just sometimes, it's the simple things that bring you peace?

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Why wouldn't it bring you Happiness Too??