Finally, this is it!

Today we received word that except for the radar (who needs it anyway?), The Knotty Cat is good to go.

How on earth does one decide what to take and what to leave behind? I've learned through past experience that a summer sailing wardrobe is very simple; shorts, t-shirt, and boat shoes.

And since this isn't a fashion show, they can be worn more than once!

But how about excursions ashore? Well guess what? Not one soul will know that the sundress you're wearing today was worn somewhere else a few days ago!!

And since I have a feeling I'm in charge of laundry detail, if you want something washed, it damn well better be dirty!

Last week we hit the Carnegie Library Book Sale in Squirrel Hill and I ended up with 15 paper backs. Some marinas have a very informal 'library loan' plan where you drop off your used books and pick up someone elses. I hope we find a few of these as we make our way north because 15 books aren't going to last very long.

Our refrigerator and cupboards needed to be emptied and I had to decide whether to bring things like flour, sugar, baking powder etc... will I be baking bread or not? We are very lucky in that our galley has a lot of storage space (even more than some small apartments), and my mother gave me the cutest little baking set for my birthday and it fits our small oven perfectly.

Hans solved my how the hell do I pack all this shit problem, by suggesting we use our suitcases.


Brilliant!


We filled two of them with the contents of my cupboards, and things like spices and cook books went into the front pockets! (the luggage will then be left in our SUV) Two huge duffel bags, beach bags, and tote bags are full of clothes, towels, sheets, shoes, books, toiletries, dog supplies, cat supplies... and in the morning we'll have to find a place for the dog crate and covered litter box! I'll also have to fill three coolers with the contents of the refrigerator.


I only hope I remember to drug the cat upon waking up or I may just strap myself to the roof for our five hour drive. Believe me, that would be a piece of cake compared to riding with a thirteen year old cat who can scream for hours without ever drawing a breath!!



I did manage to sew a bag made from the Sunbrella fabric I found at Loom, in the Strip District.

Loom is a fabric/notions store that opened last October. Good for me (but bad for them) I only discovered them a month ago. I've included a link to their store but you really have to physically get your butt there to see how really fabulous it is!!!

So here's my bag and while I'm not thrilled with the red cord (blue would look better and I can always change it) I think it will work just fine.










I also made a little zippered wallet to go with it.


I may wear the same thing every day on the boat but I insist upon being fashionable while ashore!!

False Labor

Hans and I have been on pins and needles just waiting for word that our Knotty Cat is ready to go. And when we got the phone call that said, "C'mon down!!" we were like Yeeeee Haaaww!!! and ran around like chickens with our heads cut off (including Wilbur who loves an excuse to turn inside out) trying to get everything together.


But we received another call this afternoon, and it said, "Oops, false alarm!" And we weren't so happy.

So, what's holding things up?


A simple little $3 part! That's what!


In order for our propellers to survive salt water, they need these adorable little donut shaped things called zincs! Zincs are sacrificial and they give up their life by attracting the corrosive salt water to them, therefor saving the steel props.


Isn't that heroic?


Anyway our boat has been on the hard for months now and this should have been taken care of a long time ago. But now it appears that our props are different, they are special, and while in some cases that might be an attractive trait, we're not finding it especially endearing at this time.


There was talk of having them overnighted (if they can even find them!) and guess who will be footing the cost of that? Certainly not the boat yard!


So after this initial false labor we're a little less inclined to get worked up when the next "C'mon down" phone call arrives!

Stay tuned.

Saying Goodbye...

... Kinda Sorta.

We spent this past Memorial Day weekend saying goodbye to family and friends, and now, just like the expectant parents of an overdue baby, we await the news that our Knotty Cat is ready to sail away. But I have a feeling that just like waiting for that new baby, our expectations may far exceed the actual event!

If you've ever had a baby, you'll know what I mean!

We spent Saturday at my parents' where their Doberman Kristi was less than cordial to our Wilbur, and for some reason Kristi totally resented his attempts to taste test her food. My dad consoled her as she spent the day sulking outside on the porch (Kristi is his baby).

But Wilbur was a good sport about it and, by the way, if you ever need an opinion on your pumpkin pie, Wilbur is your man! However he won't divulge his vote until he's scarfed down at least half the pie.

But at least he's honest!

Sunday we went to a wonderful BBQ hosted by my former employers (check out the fun decorations). It was supposed to be a combined Memorial Weekend Picnic/Surprise Going Away Party (for me) but thanks to Hans the surprise was kind of ruined, which was okay with me as I really don't like being surprised!

Jason my (now former) co-worker who's from the south, and whose family owned a BBQ restaurant, was the resident chef and OMG, it was fantastic!!! Of course I ate too much, and Jason, I'm really going to miss you (even without the food)!!!

I started working for Heather and Jen (of Shiny Happy Cleaners) last June and I can't believe I'm leaving already. They were wonderful employers, and Hans (Mr. MBA) commented often on how totally impressed he was with how well they ran their business.

I just loved them, and while I may not be shiny, I sure as hell was happy (Heather and Jen, I'm going to miss you too!)!!

Our ever-festive Wilbur.

We then moved on to yet another party and this one was on the Allegheny River. Hans had assured me that yes indeed, many people bring their dogs to this annual event, and Wilbur wouldn't be a problem. Well, maybe dogs had been welcome years ago, but at this stage of the game, Sassy, the resident dog (age 16 years), was even less happy with this young whippersnapper than my parents' dog Kristi.

I felt like the obnoxious parents who never know when to leave Junior at home! I was also apprised (quite suddenly) of Wilbur's strong 'prey drive'. He nearly dislocated my shoulder when a rabbit hippity hopped through the yard. If it weren't for his harness I'm pretty sure he and that rabbit would now be half way to Mars. Just a reminder that in addition to a life jacket, we'll need to make sure that Wilbur is tethered to the boat in some way whenever he's above board or we'll be getting a lot of Dog Overboard experience, and I'm too old for that.

So now we just wait....