"Home again, home again, jiggedy jig."

33 days, 20 states and several thousand miles later we are back to our new "home"... back to the boat, back to reality!

Our month-long trip started with a week-long visit to Brian's dad's in Georgia, allowing us some good quality father-son time. We are quite thankful to Dad and Terry for storing our final household goods shipment of "stuff" that we just couldn't bear to part with and spent half the time un-boxing, re-boxing and figuring out where to put it all.

It wasn't all work though... we took in the Civil War Maritime Museum in Columbus and a real dirt track stock car race at the Senoia Raceway. We also toured the adorable little town of Senoia which is known, most recently, for its role as Woodbury in The Walking Dead TV show, for which there is, of course, an actual store. You wouldn't believe how many fans were there buying up all manner of zombie paraphernalia.  We'd normally be included, save for our new lack of space for yet another HAT. (Lack of space can have perks.)

Subsequently we traveled to Fowlerville, Michigan for another 2 weeks of visiting. Brian's mom, Eileen, held Retirement Party #2 at the Howell American Legion Hall. It was a wonderful party on a gorgeous day in summertime Michigan. Eileen's Red Hat friends provided all sorts of yummy desserts, she arranged a large Marine Corps themed cake, a beautiful flower arrangement and tons of food. The local American Legion color guard presented the colors (American Flag) and Brian's mom presented us with 2 beautiful commemorative quilts.

The party was also a good excuse for a family reunion of sorts with relatives spending several days visiting from several states. It was great to spend time with all those folks again, as well as some friends we hadn't seen in years.  On August 1st, Brian officially retired... Thanks to Eileen for hosting and planning such a memorable event to end a memorable career. We thank all our family and friends for attending and appreciate that we really do have the best families zero money can buy :)

The following weekend was a reunion on my fathers side of the family in Grand Haven, MI. We spent a couple days with my parents, brother and his fiancee, as well as my aunt and uncle from Minnesota, relaxing before the drive home. Hand and Foot was played every day, the best form of mandatory fun. Infamous and awesome Pronto Pups were devoured and Magical Musical Fountain viewing took place - two tourist spots that never get old. 

My highlight of the trip was playing golf with my grandfather who, at 97, while he now needs a golf cart to get around the course, can still hit the ball straight as an arrow and beat the living pants off everyone.

We also visited Brian's aunt and uncle on the way back home. I had never met them and Brian hadn't seen them in well over 20 years. It was good to connect and find that we had so much in common.

On the way home we celebrated our anniversary a month early with a weekend in Las Vegas and visited the Valley of Fire state park (hiking through gorgeous red rock formations) as well as the Hoover Dam. I now understand why it is considered a world wonder... they built it in 5 years...had our government tried to do that project today it would...simply... never get done.

Now we are back home, a bit tired of all the driving, visiting, and suitcase-living. Time to begin the process of moving on board!

I quit.

Five years ago I gave my notice and no one took me seriously. It's hard to believe it’s finally here. I have now been jobless for a week and I love it!

After feeling like it was a normal boat-work weekend, on Monday I got to sleep in ‘til 8am, yeah, that’s right… and we went to a matinee movie, I repeat… on a Monday. I then proceeded to go grocery shopping on a Tuesday at 2pm. Blasphemy. I feel like I’m playing hooky, not jobless.

Initially hired in 1997, it’s been 17 long years. It is incredible to me that almost half my lifetime has been in this one place. Through all the triumphs and heartaches and changes, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to learn so many different aspects of a business.

But most importantly, I have had the honor of working with some of the smartest, capable, most genuine people. I will never forget their role in such a significant part of my life.

I'd like to thank first and foremost, Cindy and Jerry Troyer who started it all. Cindy actually created a job for me the second time I was hired and was (still is) always there with a listening ear and good advice. We love you guys!

To Bob Walker, my first supervisor… For 17 years you brainwashed work ethic, perseverance and a bizarre sense of humor into my cheese gum brain. You tackled everything they threw at you and then some. Your perseverance under impossible circumstances is inspiring. You deserved that parking spot and a gigantic share of the credit for the company's success.

To George Bosson, my boss and mentor for 11 years... We had such a great partnership didn't we?  . Through success and severe stress, through laughter and tears, through fake-arguing just for fun and real arguments, was it all worth it? Well, it sure didn't end how we envisioned, how it should have. But despite everything, yes. We built a successful company, dammit George ;), and what I gained is to have had the honor of 11 years worth of learning from you... that is priceless and worth all the lumps. Your depth of caring for both your people and your product is unsurpassed. Thank you for instilling that into my psyche. And thank you for putting up with me all those years.

To Sherrie, Luis, Johnny, Daisy and Marissa... for what it's worth, I appreciate you and your efforts... your support and friendship over the years kept me going.

To Molly for being my sounding board and friend and for regaling me daily with your wacky stories. I will miss you the most.

To Tammy and Tom for keeping me sane. To Gabe for throwing me an awesome good-bye party. To Justin for making me laugh and being my substitute wordsmither. To Ron for giving me perspective, being bad cop to my good cop, and letting me keep my job for one more year.

To Jennifer, Pizzo, Shannon, Jason, Wayne, Meghna, Rick, Debbie, Denise, Leslie, Alice, Armando, Fran, Rob, loud Dave, irritable Dave, Daniel, Angella, Ed, Doris, Jackie, Jeff, Lauren, Janet, Tony, Tom, Brian, Mike, and so many others...wherever you are now…thanks for being awesome co-workers.

But my most gratifying accomplishment was hiring Steve. My diabolically evil plan from the beginning was for him to take over my job as marketing manager. Turns out, he's a graphics genius and I could not have gotten through these last years without his help. His balancing presence and willingness to dive in when I was ready to throw down was a lifesaver. I fully expect Steve to someday start his own company and I've already threatened him into hiring me when I can't stand living on a boat any longer. Truly, I owe you (and Celia) way more than I can put into words.

Throughout the years, the company has saved my bacon multiple times. I was granted a lot of leeway: I was officially hired a total of 3 different times, learned 5 decidedly different jobs, and even got to work from home for several, wonderful, drama-free years when we moved across country. So it is highly appropriate that my "golden parachute" is a lifeboat. Yes, my going away gift after 17 years, is not a Swiss watch (thank goodness), it is an inflatable Viking life raft (a thousand times more useful than a stupid watch). This is a very expensive piece of cruising equipment mind you, and, as such, its purchase would have been a very difficult decision for a jobless couple. I guess it’s my last get out of jail free card, courtesy of the board of directors. Thank you. I hope to never have to use it.... but for those worry warts out there (mom), now you can relax a bit.

So my exodus, while prolonged, (remember-5 year notice), was not very emotional, as I have had years to process. I am more than ready. There have been bets placed against me as to when I will ask for my job back. I assure you all... I will win that bet. :) While I am sad to leave behind years of hard work and my peeps, I am ready to move on. It’s time for Brian and I to finally live what we have been planning for so long.

It's difficult to believe that this is Brian's final week in the Marine Corps. His final day of work and retirement party (party#1) is tomorrow Friday, May 2nd.

Even as I photo-shopped a huge banner with about 50 photos spanning the last 20 years, going over photo after photo of the places we have been and the people we have met, I still have a hard time comprehending...right now...this is it...it's finally here...

Looking back, it's been a good run... mostly good times, and the ones that weren't, well, they aren't worth ruminating over. We can't say we'd do anything differently. The few major choices we were able to make for ourselves garnered us friendships and experiences that we never would have had otherwise. We are supremely lucky to have met some of the most amazing people along the way.

We've moved 9 times and lived in 6 states. Brian has traveled to Iraq twice, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Korea, Japan, Okinawa twice, Israel, Tunisia and all over the US for work. Deployed 5 times (3 to combat), I estimate he has probably been away about 4 years out of our almost 19 years of marriage. That may sound like a lot to the non-military, but I know many others who were away much longer. I still think I deserve to have him all to myself now.

One thing is for sure, Brian is excited to:

1. Wear whatever clothing he wants, wherever he wants. In fact he might just walk around in pajamas for a few weeks, just because.

2. He is also threatening to grow a beard. And a pony tail. Bald w/ ponytail? Not cool I say.

3. Never run another PFT (physical fitness test) =  No more running! His last one was a few weeks ago. Aced it, I'll have you know.

4. As Cartman of Southpark so bluntly puts it: "I do what I want." There's no one to tell him/us when to jump or how high.

Side note: just signed up for the 2014 Baja Ha Ha! We are ready for the next big thing.

Our new cockpit table! As soon as I found this I knew it was mine. Strange what we get excited about nowadays. Brian had thought he was going to have to make one himself. But he has so many projects going on right now I didn't want him to have to worry about yet one more. This table from www.zarcor.com actually fit precisely as advertised. No hole drilling or altering whatsoever. It just plain worked. It even fits under our wheel cover, just barely.
The real reason we need it is so we have a place to serve more beer, of course!