Blog Archives
Dreamin’
There are definite benefits to living in a larger community. I don’t – at least right now.
I spent today exploring different supply and parts stores with my “guy” here in the Seattle area. WOW, I felt like a kid in a candy store. Juneau doesn’t have anything like this.
The first two stores that we visited were Seattle Marine & Fishing Supply Co. and Fisheries Supply. Holy cow!!! talk about selection! I felt like a kid in a candy store. We have been looking at purchasing a boat to live on in Alaska. Well, actually we are looking for a boat in Washington to take back to Alaska to live on (a “live-aboard”) – gotta love grammar!
We are looking at this boat, a converted fishing trawler, as a possible candidate. It is basically a shell (hull and house) and we would need to complete the interior work along with making some changes in other areas. Fred has lived and/or worked on boats his entire life so this is not something that is out of his realm of experience.
There are so many things to consider when taking on a project like this and we are spending a lot of time looking at ALL OF THE COSTS associated with owning and working on a boat as a live-aboard. Materials such as paneling, wood, fiberglass, wiring and supplies. Then there is the upkeep, moorage, fuel, power configuration, engines, and the list goes on.
Today we were looking at gas stoves and how we would utilize one to also heat the boat. This led to looking at heating systems, then plumbing and appliances. We also looked at housewares (something that will come down the line after we reconfigure the living space) and other mechanical systems such as steering and hydraulics, and then hull paint, lighting and even more.
Similar to home ownership but a lot more complicated (and expensive).
We have a notebook full of information that we have gathered to assist us in determining if this is a project that we can afford to take on at this time (or ever). I’ll have a better idea of what I can afford after my divorce is final and I know what my financial situation is going to look like.
Other things we are considering include building a 19 – 20.5 foot Bartender Boat. We would use this as a “skiff” for our larger boat (home). We’ll be moving to Seattle this Summer to assist my parents around their home and thought this would be a fun project. A couple of years ago we refinished a canoe together and really enjoyed the project. This was not a lake canoe – it was a 35′ ocean going canoe that seats 14 people.
Removing the paint from the hull - heat gun and scraper in hand...
That was an eventful summer and I ended up skippering the canoe on our 350 mile journey from Birch Bay, Washington to Neah Bay (Makah), Washington.
Journey to Makah - July 2010
Our other goal is to purchase two motorcycles as alternate modes of transportation (they will fit on the boat and go with us wherever we are – a car won’t). Since I have earned my motorcycle endorsement I am anxious to get a bike so that I do not lose my skills.
First solo ride on a "big" bike...
This was a goal of mine… I was so scared to ride a motorcycle by myself… now I know I can do it.
Riding with my baby... one of my favorite activities
Fred and I enjoy doing so many things together, it is great! We stopped by Bent Bike in Lynnwood, Washington for a look and I LOVE this store! Wow, so much to choose from. Fred was looking for parts for a bike that he is restoring (1974 Harley XLCH 1000) and we found a couple of Harley 883 Sportsters that may be just what we are looking for.
As with the boat, we really feel that when the time is right we will find just what we are looking for. We are in no rush to purchase anything right now but it sure is fun to look and dream.
Hi, my name is Molly and I am…
addicted to socks, hats, mittens, head wraps (Buff’s, kerchiefs, skull caps…), and backpacks, luggage… and…
Hats, gloves, Buffs, kerchiefs, and more...
One of the goals on my LIFE LIST is to “downsize my material belongings”… this is goal number three… which supports goals 10 & 12 and indirectly goal number four.
I was not originally planning on selling my house, but it looks like I am going to have to sell it in order to finalize the divorce. So, in the interest of getting that done and out-of-the-way I am happy to sell MY house. So I guess, in am also working on goal number two… via goal number three.
You got all that?
I’ll admit it, I’ve been depressed… for a while… I think having to deal with stuff at home and at work just was too overwhelming and I shut down. I’ve done that before, when my husband was critically ill and I was getting literally 20 doctor bills a week and no way of paying them – at least on their schedule (another post for another time).
I have often joked that I was soon going to be the next episode of Hoarders if I didn’t start getting rid of some stuff.
How did I accumulate so much stuff? Well, that will have to be another blog post… I am already planning it out… the title will be “The psychology of debt…” with a brief preview being this, when I finally got to a place where I could afford to purchase things I did. I purchased a lot of stuff – I shopped in an attempt to fill my empty life and buy the love that I was not receiving at home. Sad I know, but true none-the-less.
That is what makes getting rid of stuff so easy now. My life if FULL and I do not have a need to fill it with anything. My new guy is frugal and thrifty and together we make a great couple financially.
But, back to the point of this post… how many socks does a girl really need anyway?
These are just the socks in my drawer... lot's more in the laundry... even more in the bag going to charity.
I sorted through my socks today and have put over 50 pairs in the “charity” bag. Nice socks too… I bet some have only been worn a couple of times – total…
There are currently 47 pairs of socks in my drawer and a whole lot more that are out in the laundry. I have every sock imaginable and if I liked one kind of sock I didn’t just by one pair but I bought every color of that style and pattern available.
REALLY? Yes…
A friend of mine commented about my inclination to match – I am, if nothing else, color coordinated!
Don’t even get me started on bags, luggage and backpacks…
When I first started hiking I purchased this…
Deuter Act Lite 60
then this…
Deuter Act Lite 45 + 15 SL
and then this…
Marmot Alpha 25
Notice a trend here? I was hoping at the time that my husband would not notice that I had different backpacks… it wasn’t like he was all that observant anyway… and they were the same color after all…
I did this with just about everything… I like Dansko clogs and shoes… if I liked a style I would buy two or three colors of that style.
A side note: I just put 14 pairs of Dansko’s into the consignment bag… hardly or never worn. Not to worry I still have 14 (or more) other pairs of shoes… I have been told already that we are going to need an addition (a small barge) attached to the boat if I intend on bringing all of my shoes and other “stuff” with me when we move.
How about clothes… yes, I am guilty there too. If I liked a particular type of pant I would get a pair in every color. T-shirts? same… and I think I own the entire line of Smartwool base layers, in every color, weight and style. I also owned the entire line of Hannah Andersson women’s collection. Notice the key word here – “OWNED”, past tense…
But as I mentioned, I am no longer feeling the need to have “material” things. I am busy purging my home in preparation for living in a much smaller space.
I went from this…
This is the "organized" pile of stuff... you should see the other rooms!
to this…
I went from two rows (in this closet) to one row. The bottom is the next grouping of items headed out the door...
to this…
First load of "stuff" going to consignment and charity
and I am working on it every day.
I still have a lot to do to get the house ready to sell and get our moving van packed for our move to America (the lower 48). That is where we are going to purchase our boat so that when we move back up to Alaska we’ll bring our home with us where ever we go…
Big Brother is Watching….
DON’T LET ANYONE FOOL YOU… big brother IS watching… how do I know?
Nicknamed the Eye of God, the amazing object is actually a shell of gas and dust that has been blown off by a faint central star. Photo: ESO
I went to the grocery store and intentionally bought a bunch of junk food to hold me over for the night last night while I finished up grading.
What did the little “coupon” that spits out after your purchase say? “Let our heart be your guide to healthy holiday recipes” (American Heart Association)…
As if I need a reminder that I am choosing to eat poorly right now!
Never mind that I get emails and junk mail based on my purchases that recommend other things I might like or things that I should consider.
I know that technology keeps track of my every move, but when did it start making JUDGEMENTS and SUGGESTIONS about what I SHOULD be doing?!
Next thing you know the food police will be showing up at my door chastising me for my purchase of potato chips, dip and chocolate last night.
Oh, did I mention that I also got Pizza Rolls, ice cream and I’m sure a bunch of other things that I know aren’t good for me.
I consciously went to the store to purchase these items last night. CONSCIOUSLY… I knew exactly what I was buying – no impulse here – it was PLANNED!
There is no such thing as privacy any more. Unless you purchase everything with cash and in person and remember not to be a member of any “clubs” you will be tracked!
I have no doubt that if “the powers that be” want to know how much fuel I purchase, what I eat, what books I read, stuff I buy… they will.
I have no doubt that if “the powers that be” want to know who I am talking to, text messages I send, conversations I have, posts I make… they will.
Privacy? What privacy?
I have given up on the concept of privacy at this point. If and when I decide to go “off grid” I may, just may, start believing that I have some privacy again… but then, is it really possible to go “off grid”…
Please, let’s preserve the illusion of privacy and do me a favor… quit recommending that I make heart healthy choices when my intention is to purchase junk food. Even purchasing in cash would not have solved that problem… the register scanned the items and spit out a “coupon”… all designed to “help” me lead a healthier life.
Please, I am a big girl. Can I please make a choice, on my own, to indulge myself without guilt once in awhile?!
