Armitage Sailors: Newport

Showing posts with label Newport. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Moments

November 11, 2014

Moments

Got a call while filming a commercial for Kelly Financial on the 28th of October from the Collision Center that the van was brought to after our car accident. Hoping it was the results from the appraiser, so we know what direction to move in...I checked voice mail. Apparently the appraiser cannot do his duty without the keys.

So after our shoot was "A Wrap"...I drove from Braintree to Newport to hand over the keys. First I went to the van and grabbed the 3 bags of clothes and 4 pairs of shoes we were going to drop off at the Big Brothers, Big Sisters of RI, among other items strewn across the Mom mobile.

One item I found in a tiny space was a small shell I picked up in New Zealand two years ago Christmas from the beach in Tuaranga. It was not in an obvious spot. When I leaned over from the passenger seat to peer into the little opening near the steering wheel, I saw it and I felt a warmth in my chest and a smile slowly turning up the corner of my lips.

This little snail shell represents an amazing time in my life When connecting with the universe, connecting with others in a deeper way and self exploration was at it's height. I was exploring being a student of my life and not taking on the angst or emotions of others - which allowed me to explore and be at peace with who I was at that time.

While vacationing with David's family and taking daily strolls on that beach - I found these tiny shells to be prolific along the shoreline. I picked up as many as I could - I was like a hoarder of shells. Pockets filled and I would come back to the apartment and clean them for I wanted to bring them home.

Not to add clutter to our home in the states, but to remind me of the most peaceful moments that were evoked in those sandy meditative strolls. I wasn't collecting shells I was collecting Moments.
And it was those moments I wanted to bring home. Each shell representing a moment.

A moment of simplicity. A moment of peace. A moment of reflection. A moment of sea spray. A moment of feeling the earth below my feet. A moment alone. A moment with family. A moment to celebrate me. A moment to share. A moment to see the excellence within. A moment to dream. A moment to realize. A moment to meditate. A moment to realize potential. A moment to be present. A moment.......

As I walked that beach - the peace I felt and the connection I felt with nature - was paramount. And these shells represented each thought, each moment I pondered as I strolled with the sea mist on my face. You can add your own moment to that list...it just takes a moment of turning your attention inward. Thinking simply.

I look forward to the these moments during our year on the boat.

I cleaned and brought home a bunch of them - and handed them out to an amazing group of women who took a chance and ventured on a journey of Extreme Self Care with me. This gift from nature from a far away land was a reminder to them and to you - that we always have an opportunity to reflect on our own individual MOMENTS!

What are your moments?

Saturday, November 8, 2014

Total Loss

November 8, 2014

Total Loss to some may seem like a negative outcome. Total meaning complete and Loss is something you will never regain.

In the light of the sky and the beauty of earth, 'Total Loss' does not mean that at all for me.
It brings a happy heart to say we have recently been told that we have a total loss.

Let me begin....October 25th driving back from our younger son's soccer game we got into a car accident. (We are all fine! Even with the air bags deployed, thank god we were all wearing seat belts!)

This even may seem unfortunate to most people and at least a major inconvenience. As it turns out it has been a blessing in disguise.

We just decided two days prior that we would Sell the minivan prior to departing on our sailing journey. We did not want to pay the loan, car insurance and taxes on it while we were away not using the vehicle. So the plan was to sell the car and pay off the loan next September. Just keeping Dave's Toyota Tundra (which is paid off) to do the grunt work this next year and when we return. (Paying for insurance and taxes for one car is plenty!!)

I am talking hours after the crash, I felt a real calm through my soul with this realization. Affirmed that this accident was a blessing. It opened my eyes up to another option:
1. Car gets repaired. We sell it. Pay the Loan off. Buy cheap used car to drive until we depart.
2. Car gets totaled. Get check. Pay the Loan off. Buy cheap used car to drive until we depart.

This accident led us to a decision we never even considered! Sell the Car NOW, pay off the loan and live the year prior to departure Car Loan free! Thousands saved.

As it turned out - this past week we got the official call from our insurance agent that the 2011 Toyota Sienna has been a TOTAL LOSS.

This is how it looked after the assessor evaluated it.

A TOTAL LOSS.......TOTAL LOSS.

Great, Implement the NEW PLAN. Pay off the loan, buy a used car to get us through the year.
And BONUS, now we can even keep it while we are cruising, so we do not have to spend the first few weeks when we return looking for a car while unpacking the boat, moving back into the house, getting ready for school.....etc....etc...)

So here we are - the NEW PLAN in effect. Below is a picture of our wonderful 'new' to us, used car to carry us through this next year and when we return.

2005 VW Passat Wagon

This car reminds me of my first car out of college I paid cash for - a Dodge Colt hatchback, stick shift, Silver. This car hugs me the way that one did. (Plus it has Heated seats and a moonroof! Bonus.)

I (we) could not be happier - the answer to the car question was answered early.
Thank you Universe for providing!!

Thursday, October 30, 2014

In the Navy...

October 29, 2014

So we have a friend who is retired Army and teaches at the War College here in Newport.

He so lovingly pointed out during our annual Cub Scout Halloween party this evening, that the trip for our boys is akin to a 'Tour of Duty'.

We have effectively recruited two young men, who will be deployed for 10 months aboard Nemetona, serving in the Caribbean waters off of the British Virgin Islands southward.

Then he went on to quote a few lyrics from the Village People.... for those of us more excited about reading this post, check out the official music video!

To see the Music Video - In the Navy....click here

You just Gotta Love Jon Scott!!

"In the Navy"

Where can you find pleasure
Search the world for treasure
Learn science technology
Where can you begin to make your dreams all come true
On the land or on the sea
Where can you learn to fly
Play in sports and skin dive
Study oceanography
Sign up for the big band
Or sit in the grandstand
When your team and others meet

In the navy
Yes, you can sail the seven seas
In the navy
Yes, you can put your mind at ease
In the navy
Come on now, people, make a stand
In the navy, in the navy
Can't you see we need a hand
In the navy
Come on, protect the mother land
In the navy
Come on and join your fellow man
In the navy
Come on people, and make a stand
In the navy, in the navy, in the navy (in the navy)

They want you, they want you
They want you as a new recruit

If you like adventure
Don't you wait to enter
The recruiting office fast
Don't you hesitate
There is no need to wait
They're signing up new seamen fast
Maybe you are too young
To join up today
But don't you worry 'bout a thing
For I'm sure there will be
Always a good navy
Protecting the land and sea

In the navy
Yes, you can sail the seven seas
In the navy
Yes, you can put your mind at ease
In the navy
Come on be bold and make a stand
In the navy, in the navy
Can't you see we need a hand
In the navy
Come on, protect the motherland
In the navy
Come on and join your fellow man
In the navy
Come on be bold and make a stand
In the navy, in the navy, in the navy (in the navy)

They want you, they want you
They want you as a new recruit

Who me?

They want you, they want you
They want you as a new recruit

But, but, but, I'm afraid of water.
Hey, hey look
Man, I get seasick even watchin' it on the TV!

They want you, they want you in the navy

Oh my goodness.
What am I gonna do in a submarine?

They want you, they want you in the navy

In the navy
Yes, you can sail the seven seas
In the navy
Yes, you can put your mind at ease
In the navy
Come on be bold and make a stand
In the navy, in the navy
Can't you see we need a hand
In the navy
Come protect the motherland
In the navy
Come on and join your fellow man
In the navy
Come on be bold and make a stand

(Way more lyrics than I ever thought!!!)

Friday, October 24, 2014

The road we travel...

October 22, 2014

This past week has been the do or don't time. We actually sat down and looked at budgeting.....this time last year our hopes of leaving Fall of 2014 were dashed at the realization we did not have enough clams to make the trip happen.This week, once we realized we are our own 'cerebral obstacles', we embraced the thought of actually having the funds to get there! Sheer Excitement!

Needless to say there was a lot of joy behind this page. Now to decide if we will go 'all out' with our own webpage, just a blog spot or simply FB. Decisions, Decisions....I might as well enjoy these simple decisions before the really hard and or complicated ones arise in the next year before departing!

We just have to remember to CELEBRATE all of life's choices......even the hard ones. YOLO

You Only Live Once!

October 23rd, 2014

You know you are a sailor going on a long trip when you get SUPER EXCITED to hear....."Just ordered the water maker......we are definitely going now!" WOOHOO!
Solar Panels and water maker.....looks like we can get off the grid for a wee while.

October 24th, 2014

Duffel Bag and a Bike.

Sounds simple right. Not much to it.

Well, this is all that David came to America with 20 years ago.

Flash forward to now...and anxiety fills the air over the amount of STUFF that has accumulated. A house full of it. So much stuff that 2 days ago it almost derailed our Joy of going on this trip.

When we started discussing renting the house out for a year the thoughts of emptying the house shot a crippling bolt of lightning down our spines.

There is a saying "What enters into everyday life, soon becomes an unnoticed part of it". Well it is so TRUE!

Just looking in each room at the things we have gotten use to surrounding us, all of a sudden seemed like a terrible burden.

This fear hit David hard. The proof of that came while I was at Cub Scouts Leading my Bear Den. I came home to 3 bags of clothes David sorted out of our closet as donations! (Note the Joy meter started to rise again). Phew.

I had not felt the depth of despair David felt that night - for we have an amazing friend who also happens to be an amazing organizer. 2 years ago she transformed my thinking and our house by digging into the depths of my mind and clutter. She gave me the time, love and guidance I needed to jump my own 'mind laden hurdles' and get on with IT! She helped un-clutter my kitchen, linen closet, storage room, Clothes closet, junk drawers (all 7) and most recently my office.

https://www.facebook.com/erica.a.conway?fref=ts

Thank you does not come close!

So I have to say, David's purge has inspired me to go through my clothes again! And helping my parent's in September unload 46 years from the house I grew up in for their move to Florida, has inspired me to just GET RID of the Minutia! Now I just need to find the time...for my mind is READY!

Donation pile going to Big Brothers, Big Sisters

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Summer of 2014

This year we made plans to See if we could manage aboard Nemetona for one month. Of course - this is a true test for our bigger dream of a year away aboard our lovely Sacred Space!

Happy to say in hindsight....it was a Marvelous Success!

I will add more to this when time permits..just know this is leading to our Bigger Dream come true!