Otchokochoi

Current Position: 33° 55' 18" N  78° 3' 40" W

For those who don't know this nickname for me - here is the story:

While we lived in Japan, I taught English as a second language to students aged 5 to 65.  I was so prone to tripping and spraining my ankle that one of my students nicknamed me "otchokochoi".  She said it translated "fluorescent light bulb" but was their slang for "klutz".  I can't find documentation for the fluorescent light bulb part but I definitely live up to the klutz part.  Living aboard a boat has been a challenge I'm learning the hard way to conquer. In the month we've been aboard (has it really been that long?) I have:

1. Stood up too fast while loading a deep cupboard in the galley.  My head quickly discovered the corner of the cupboard above.  Lesson learned - be aware of surrounding objects and move slowly.

2. Wearing slippers and carrying a measuring cup of syrup, I slid down the galley steps, landing hard on my tush.  Syrup down the wall, steps, floor, and me (plus a lovely dark bruise)!  Lesson learned -  Walk slowly and carefully down steps.  (Look for new slippers with tread?)

3. Walking down our step stool "stairs" to the dock - scrapped the back of my ankle on the wonderful non-skid material Bob had applied so I wouldn't slip.  Still battling the ensuing wound.  Lesson learned - Be aware of position of feet on steps.

4. Walking (running?) UP the steps from our stateroom (bedroom) with cans in both hands from my pantry (yes, my pantry is in my bedroom), slipped on a step and landed hard on my knee cap.  The bruise is just now starting to surface (this happened 2 days ago). and walking is still painful.  Lesson learned - learn from past mistakes!!!!!

Below is my new "No-cut" glove that my daughter-in-law recommended.  I think she was wise and I will use it!  Thanks, Elizabeth :)

I have joined a Facebook group called Women On Water and am very gratified to learn that I am not alone in my klutziness.  It is very easy to feel confident and move too quickly on a boat.  One of them shared the following:

1. Everything is smaller. Which makes you larger and yes that means your tush.
2. Water gets what water wants, i.e. Sunglasses phones, screws, keys
3. Agility is a virtue 
4. Docks and boats move.
5. water on wood is no good
6. anchor everything down 
7. be very adaptive 
8. boat people are good people
9. marketing something as "marine use" is a moneymaker 
10. keep your vaccines, especially tetanus, up to date
11. no such thing as "just a little leak"
12. the terms port, starboard, lazarette, master stateroom, head, galley, salon, headliner, forward, aft, fenders, berths, slips. I could keep going.
13. Most importantly have a good captain.  (I DO!!!!)

Until next time....

And the Work BEGINS!

Current Position: 33° 55' 18" N  78° 3' 40" W

Yes, that's a hole in our floor. That's the access to our engines.  At last we have mechanics on board.  First order of business is to clean up a few smaller but important issues from the survey - a battery under warranty that needs to be replaced and an cooling system issue for the port engine.

Upcoming work:

• Our washer/dryer combo will be be installed in our saloon. I know - strange place for a washing machine but such are the dimensions of the boat.  It's hard to find room for added appliances and we want our guests to have their own "head" - the only other sensible choice.
• New toilets - the existing ones are salt water and are getting old.  The smell is sometimes unpleasant and we can't flush the toilet paper :(
• Complete electrical system upgrade - most expensive upgrade.
• Add attachments to swim platform for the new dingy. The dingy should arrive next week but we won't take possession until the swim step is upgraded.
• A few more engine upgrades/repairs that will make our trip more stress free.
• When the cabinet maker redesigns the cabinet for the washer/dry he will also fix a railing outside and adjust a few doors that are warped.

Bob has already done some repairs/upgrades on the engine himself and installed safer electrical plugs to connect us to shore power.  He is in the process of removing the old name for the boat in preparation for "The Good Life" to be applied.  We have received the decal and I can't wait to see it on our transom (back of the boat)  He has hung our new "fenders" and is getting ready to mark the anchor chain at 25' increments so we know how much chain to let out when we anchor.  

I have been learning to cook in my tiny oven (more about that later) and clean a boat.  It's truly a whole "new adventure", and while we are anxious to be on our way we know that we will be better off in the long run if we do this the right way.

The adventure continues.....