Choose Wellness

It's amazing what one is capable of once he sets his mind to something.  If only we all realized how thoughts create our reality.  

Our Poppa grew exhausted of being a prisoner to illness and has decided to be well.  Over night, he started walking again and is getting his groove back, much to the amazement of his caregivers. 

 Think it and it shall be so. 

 

A gaggle of children to cheer one on and produce walls full of colorful pictures baring well wishes most certainly helps, too.  More family came to visit just as the healing occurred.  

With cousins in town, it was a PARTY!  

Shall We Sail

  Today I honor my precious husband for providing me with a life worth living.  

  I was a college student trying to figure out my life's purpose.  Truth be told, I was lost.  

  Then along came Gunar.  We worked together... he was the new guy.  Girls were fighting for his attention.  I stood by on the sidelines and watched, certain I was not his type.  I was wrong.  I won the heart of a prince.  

  On this day about a decade and a half ago, we became a pair.  On this day, my life became magical.  

Our first real date (we worked A LOT and were still taking heavy course loads) occured Valentine's Day with a fancy dinner out.  With no time spared he posed the question, "would you be willing to sail around the world with me someday?"  Um... Yeah... I didn't hesitate to sign on dreamily.  All of a sudden, there was more to life then I ever thought possible. 

  Years passed.  Life happened.  We were married and blessed with three amazing souls.  It was time to check out of the rat race with my prompting.  It was time to live the life G originally imagined.   

  That is the brief version of what brought us to here.  

  Thank you Gunar for daring to take the road less traveled with me.  It has made all the difference.  

Need For Speed

For kids who have not experienced a genuine winter since their toddler years, these guys sure are making up for lost time. 

The kids Finnish ancestory has surfaced and they are comfortable even in the most chilly conditions with a smile.  Their temporary winter wardrobe involves rain boats and snow pants many sizes too big.  

They take on steep slopes along the shores of Lake Erie like seasoned pros and blast down inclines without hesitation.

Bring on the snow!  

The Long and Winding Road

It is a beautiful feeling to spend hours on end traveling in a car with little people and not have to endure a single "are we there yet".  As we try to live life to the fullest, which entails a fair amount of time on the road, we have all settled into a pretty great travel groove.  

The frequent trips to Miami from Key West while the kids were heavily modeling definitely helped us to find car Zen. 

 We rock out to tunes, play games, read, craft, and dream.  

We rotate Pipa around and even potty her on the move.  The perks of a litter box trained pup.  

 After all, it isn't just about the destination- the journey matters too.  

Polar Vortex

When I was a kid, they called it snow...

Nevertheless we left Michigan in drifting feet of the stuff with our 4 wheel drive providing grip to the wheels that slip. Semi trucks were jack-knifed every few miles along with multitudinous phone yapping commuters buried windows deep in ravines and ditches. Bound for North Carolina on the eve of 'Polar Vortex Leon', ignoring the hype from the talking heads, we threw our junk in the trunk and took off cause it weren't nothin. Like Joseph Conrad we trekked forth into the heart of darkness. But once we entered the snow bands further south we got a hotel and relaxed poolside with a pizza while one inch of precip caused a maelstrom on the freeways. 

The next morning we smuggled the bat out of our room, dusted off the truck, and took to the slopes. The remaining 5 hours of the trip was spent primarily in the oncoming traffic lane as we roared past catatonic drivers at three times their speed. We made our destination without haste and I'm sure receiving many a raised brow in doing so. 

Even the local birds were traumatized by the snow. This Finch let me pick it up so that we could move it to a safer locale. 

We arrived at the boat to find it sprayed with ice. We are taking notes on winter aboard living as we will do this to the extreme in Michigan come a few short years. With five heaters and a dehumidifier, one might not even realize the exterior looks like the ice capades. 

In the next day or two we will drive back to Ohio, over to Chicago, once again to Ohio, then off again for NC. From that point, approximately Feb 21st, we will cast off our lines for Florida. 

Hugh Hefner

Arguably, many men would appreciate the lifestyle of American magazine publisher, Hugh Hefner. He wears a robe all day, lays in bed 90% of the time, girls bring him food, and he has an entourage of friends and family constantly visiting him. 

As of late, my own father has aspired to such heights as he has been in the care of some of Ohio's finest medical practitioners. A lifestyle not uncommon to Heff, mein Vatter is enjoying the high roller life as he wiles away his days. Here he is, raising the roof. 

As you can see, our pet bat has taken roost with him. I must admit, for awhile, we tried to pass her off as a Chihuahua, but people caught on. We had her wings removed for safety. 

Anyway, that is why we have been up North so much this winter instead of working on the boat. 

Jack Frost Would be Envious

Currently we are road-tripping up North to Michigan and Ohio. Fortunately we have been blessed with multiple snow storms. 

The kids enjoy some sled riding at Dayma's house. 

Out for a nice dinner in North Michigan. The roast cow flesh was barbaric. 

The new pooch has adapted well to our restless lifestyle. She has an innate sense for when she is being smuggled. This ability will serve her well in a life of piracy.