Sick and tired but happy

We have been knocked on our asses recently by some kind of virus which is like a really bad cold only it produces a really bad cough. Deb sounds like a bear choking on a salmon and I sound like a 70 yr old chain smoker who just switched brands. It's horrible.

I popped out of the boat in the morning, squinting into the rising sun. I had my sweat filled t-shirt I wore all night and a ratty old pair of shorts. I needed fresh air. I jumped onto the dock and I coughed a few times, and then spit into the water. "Tea. I need strong tea." I wheezed. I made a few lazy circles on the dock, took a few deep breaths and then jumped back on the boat and opened the propane tank. Deb was sitting on the settee coughing and looking into space when I stumbled down the companionway. I fired up the hot water and sat beside her. "Being sick on the boat REALLY sucks!". We sat there and coughed all morning eating tylenol while I sipped tea and she stared at something not there. "Maybe we should eat?" Nah. "Maybe we should surf the web until we fall asleep?" OK.

Eventually I found some energy to make soup. When I'm sick I want soup. Soup makes everything better even if it's 90 degrees in the boat. I can make soup out of anything and do it in ten minutes. I made a pot of potato leek soup because that's what was on the counter at the time. If there was a tomato and a banana sitting there I would have been in trouble. I like to think the soup helped. We started on the road to recovery soon after. A few days later and Deb is fine now and I am still on the edge. One more day and it looks like I'll be back to abnormal.

We weren't slackers the whole time either. I managed to install another solar panel and Deb finished Aidens blanket. Aiden is our second grandson due in August. I'm not sure how I got those panels reconfigured and mounted but somehow it's done. It's all a blur to me now. The amazing thing about the whole hazy dream like project was that I only lost one screw overboard. No shit! Just one, and it was the last one. It hit the dinghy and bounced back to eye level before it plunked into the water. I laughed. I laughed until I realized I didn't have another one that size. Any other day that would have pissed me off but I think the whole new solar panel could have fallen in the drink and I would have laughed. Must have been the fever.

Imagine what we can do when we are healthy! I'll have to remember this when I'm lounging in the cockpit next week.

We are still in VA getting some work done on the vessel. We plan on leaving soon for the Chesapeake where we will goof around for a bit and then find another spot to dump the boat while we welcome Aiden into this crazy world of ours.

Here are some pics of our road trip to Savannah for family time. I can't explain in words the emotions we felt having the family together again. Mason is a doll and Kell looks great. I wanted to hug them both and not let go. Nicole looks awesome and ready to be a Mom. Her and Jonathan hosted a great weekend. It was such a good time being together again.

Grandma is happy and so is Mason!

Mom, Grandpa smells funny

Young parents, skips the toys. Buy boxes!

We totally wore the little guy out

Grandpa I'm not sure I like this.

Why is he always smiling around Grandma?
And why do their clothes match the walls?

We sure do miss these two

Whoa! Almost time baby girl.

Great Grandma loves her little man.

So far I've got Mason trimming the jib and Aiden on the main. Deb will have the helm and Gramps will sit back and enjoy a brew while criticizing sail trim and heading. Life will be good.

Cheers!
P