September 20th, 2012 Waterford NY.

We awoke this morning feeling the crisp cool morning air languish and wrap around us as we snuggled deeper into our warm berth.  Looking outside, the beautiful mystical mist of the cool morning air greeting the warmth of the waters' surface reinforced our observation, indeed autumn is approaching fast.

This was a morning for a bit of comfort food, something creamy and sweet.  I knew Steve's grits would do the trick,  satisfying my craving of comfort to get me motivated to get out of our comfy nest and get underway onto our next destination (Riverview Marina Services, Catskill, NY)  to step Equus's masts.  

It had been 13 years since we had spent a full summer in our home town.   Sandusky, Ohio, on Lake Erie at the Sandusky Yacht Club was our summer base.  I am amazed how fast the summer has flown by.  Sandusky was a very nice port to enjoy, play and have fun with family and friends.  

We left Sandusky saying good-bye to loved ones on Labor Day, Sept., 3rd.  Our first night was spent in Cleveland then on to the Welland Canal,  Lake Ontario, and then down the Erie Canal to the Hudson.  I finish writing this as we are on our way to NYC's 79th Street Pier to welcome Steve's children and grandchildren for a grand 70th Birthday celebration for Steve.

Things to celebrate since our last posting:
SCL's family:

A new addition to our family, Miss Tess Morgan, 9 pounds 4 oz.  Christie gave birth at home in June. 

Erich and Rosalie celebrated their 1st wedding anniversary July 3rd.

Laura and Jeff are proud hockey parents getting into the new season.

Katie is well too.

Tom (Steve's brother) and MaryAnn had a very successful garden this year and Tom now has a new porch roof on UTC (warmly known as Uncle Tom's Cabin)

Hal (Steve's eldest brother) and Ginger, just returned from the Lake Country in England.  Reported to have had a lovely time.

PMT's family:

My eldest grandson is driving, hopes to take his final test this month.  He is a very good driver.

All Grandchildren Trey, Tanner, Trinity and Taylor are settled and doing well, this being their 2nd year of a new school and life.  

My son Jacob's divorce is final and he has turned the page and heading into a new chapter for his life.

My daughter, Olivia has become quite the entrepreneur, building a business to sustain her during these difficult economic times.

My Mom, 85 is doing well and getting around fine.

My brother Robert is still holding his own health wise and planning another winter in Florida.

All other siblings and their families are doing well.

I graduate from IIN  http://lms.integrativenutrition.com/  October 5th, completing a year long education, the next 12 months will be part of an immersion program with the Institute that will be much more hands-on as I develop and grow my thriving holistic health business called Facets,  Holistic Health Coach.  Please check out my website or like me on Facebook.  I would appreciate any support you would offer,  thank you.

website:  http://www.brilliantlybalancedyou.com

facebook: http://www.facebook.com/patriciathompsonhealthcoach

The 1/2 way mark and summer is right around the corner.

Trey, Jake, Olivia, Tanner
bottom row Taylor, Mom, Trinity
myself, Steve and Max

Ruby, Abe and Gramps

Hard to believe that we are approaching the end of April.  We just finished a wonderful spring break with my family.  My Mom, Jean, daughter Olivia, son Jacob and his 4 children, Trey, Tanner, Trinity and Taylor. As I write this post we are enjoying Steve's daughter Laura and her husband Jeff, Sam and Ben (these kids grow so fast!).  We had the pleasure of  Stephen Jr., Christie, Abe and Ruby earlier in March.  Steve's brother Tom and MaryAnn, flew down for some weekend fun and to help celebrate my birthday woohoo!, which was the end of January.

We love sharing our little piece of paradise with family and friends, Southeast Florida is the place to be in the winter.  It is like being on vacation most of the time.   Some fellow yachties stopped by and we reminisced over a fine mahi mahi fish dinner; good to see you Bill and Jacquelin!

The birthday girl Jennie is in the
middle dressed in gold

Our dear backdoor neighbor Jennie, had her _ 5th birthday, it was a grand celebration!  Both photos below were taken at Jennie's party.

Steve-Mary Ann-Tom and Rebecca
Steve and Rebecca our neighbors and
Tom is Steve's brother with Mary Ann

Rosalie and Erich

In March we made a trip to LA and stayed with Rosalie and Erich, I also attended a IIN (Institute Integrative Nutrition)Mega Conference in Long Beach, it was a great extended weekend.  I met some of the most amazing people and had a wonderful time with Rosalie and Erich.

The end of March we were sad to say good-bye to Julia and Vincenzo but back to Sicily they have flown to spend their summer and explore options there.  

Steve has volunteered and now sits on the board for our home association.  So I guess you can say our roots have taken hold.

I am at the half-way point of my school year with IIN and I am loving the community and solid foundation it has set for my business, I will be sending out my newsletter and emails soon, letting everyone know my official kick off and when I will start to see clients - please spread the word when I send my release your way, thank you. 

Steve heads out May 2nd to La Conner WA, to get our girl Equus ready to ship east.   We will splash her in Duluth Minn.  He and an Alaskan friend, Tom Kelly and his two sons Ian and Tucker will sail her around to Lake Erie where we plan to spend the summer completing the full circle navigation.  Except for the land transfer it was all done via sea, back where it all began 1999, Sandusky Ohio.  I will be heading north the end of May, first of June.

A complete circumnavigation around the world.  It hadn't dawned on me till I wrote this post the, closing of our circle would be this summer.  Hmmmm, gives me reason to pause and reflect on the 11 glorious years we have lived on board Equus.  We look fwd to our wonderful summer stateside adventures with the bonus of sharing more of them with family and friends.

Our girl Equus has served us well, .  I am so overjoyed to finally get to have my grandchildren know the women behind the image of "Grandma on the boat" I will finally get to share a snap shot of what my life has been for all those years I was away.

1st event on the summer calendar is a big party for my Mom, Jean Kromer will be honoring 85 full and interesting years of her life.  She was born May 22nd 1927.  Happy Birthday Mom!

May spring bring warm rays and beautiful bouquets of love, laughter and joy your way, Happy Spring to All!