March 27th, 2024 - Update

  Carter has to install a mini-split today for a couple we met some months ago.  He had to go to Jacksonville yesterday to get aluminum channel for this guy, Rich, an some for himself for the solar panel install.  Rich is going to assist Carter with the install in exchange for the mini-split install.  But, before we left for Jacksonville, we put on a 2nd coat of epoxy on the superstructure and a large portion of the sides. He rolled in on while I tipped it right behind him. He had already sanded all parts of the 1st coat. That made the job go much faster.  This project is going well.

While Carter went over to Rich's to work, I stayed home and worked on my latest embroidery project.  I completed the embroidery before leaving Tennessee (2 16 hour days to complete) so today I fray checked all the ends, dissolved the stabilizer and pre-cut some iron on softy to cover the embroidery on the inside so it doesn't scratch the baby's head.

Update:  Here's the finished baby bonnet and booties for Ezri.

Love it!  And so did Zach and Tera.

March 22, 2024 Update - Back in Florida

  I worked with elections the entire month of February!  I arrived back in Florida at midnight on the 14th of March.  Carter had singlehanded the Arc down to Palatka City Dock that day so we arrived to the boat at 2:00 am.  Nick, Jackie and the girls were there having been visiting Tera and Carter during spring break.  I arrived just in time to say goodbye, they left for home that day...Friday.  Vivian had a conference game on Saturday and Jackie wanted a day home before going back to work.

After Nick and family left, we got to work.  First on the list was to wash the panels.  They had quite a bit of pollen build up on them.  Here's before and after pics.

Carter and I stayed at the dock for an entire week while I had blood work and a doctors appointment and we would go over to the cove on the other side of the bridge while Carter sanded on the top deck of the boat.  As of yesterday, the entire top deck is sanded and 1 coat of epoxy on the entire top is complete.  There will still be a few more coats and sanding between each.

The first 1/3 toward the bow.

Then the remaining 2/3rds sanded and 1 coat of epoxy with the first 1/3 forward has epoxy but has been sanded again.

How we look on the dock.  Pretty bad!

Carter worked on wiring for the 2nd battery bank located under the settee while it was raining.

He also replaced the fan from the mechanical room into the salon with a much quieter fan.

We will be meeting with Ward and Connie for a meal at Corkey Bell's tomorrow, my birthday.  Sounds good to me!

We will be heading over to Crystal Cove soon after for potty dump but we have found that we can easily fill up our water tanks at the other public dock at Palatka.  Seeing as Crystal Cove had decided to charge for water this is a great find.

Then by the end of next week it will be time to return to Tennessee, make a few adjustments to the house with the addition of Marilyn and Kija, and then we will high tail it out to Arkansas for the Eclipse of the Sun on April 8th.  We will be staying with Mark and Angie for a couple of days.  Can't wait!!

Then back to Tennessee for a little bit more work until May 1st when we will return to Florida to visit Tera and new baby and to complete certain projects (installing some of the new panels), so that we are ready to begin cruising when we return again for the winter season.  Then back to Tennessee for the summer season.

Talk about a crazy season.