Updates

Lots has happened since our last post and hopefully I will be able to bring everyone up to speed soon.

Been a long time . . .

Well, we've put a lot of miles under our tires since our last posting. How do I ever begin to catch up on everything? I think it best if I just start fresh with this posting.

It's April 1, 2011 and the migration north is about to happen. But wait, there is one little necessary bit of information you need to know . . . .
 


     Eddie and I are kinda "Que Sera, Sera" people; Cain is an old soul and takes almost everything in stride except of course, our boat, Any Excuse.  At that point he is kinda "Oh sh*t, what could possibly happen next" dog.  We have tried desperately to help him enjoy the boat, it just isn't happening.  This is basically how it goes when we take him on Any Excuse . . . we are pulling and dragging him all the way. 

Well, we have prepared the boat, and have done a very good job of it, we think.  She is deeper in the water now, but we have her stocked to the brim.  And, we are going North in our boat, Any Excuse !!!!!

THE GREAT LOOP IS ABOUT TO BEGIN

WE CAME TO OUR SENSES!!! (Cain says "Thank the Lord!")

Well since we brought Any Excuse down to MYC (Marathon Yacht Club) and we have thought things through, it is apparent to us that we should wait until April, 2011 to do the loop.  We need experience with our Hatteras before tackling such a huge venture! 

Cain is sooo thankful, he can hardly contain himself.   If you know Cain, you know that he just isn't crazy about boats.  As a matter of fact, he doesn't even want the word 'boat' in his vocabulary!  If he never saw another boat in his entire life, it would make his world.  But, seeing as we have a boat, AND, wherever we go, he goes, guess what?  Cain's gonna be boating.  He's not a happy camper, but I am very proud of my ole dog for he is tolerating Any Excuse very gracefully - or as gracefully as a dog can, if you know what I mean!  (Right Linda & Mike?)

We are currently attending the America's Great Loop Cruiser's Assoc Spring Rendezvous in Myrtle Beach, SC.  We hope to gain helpful knowledge about the Loop.  They have scheduled 4 days of information using experienced 'loopers'  as speakers to talk about all phases of the Loop. 

Next, we are going to start venturing out on small trips in Any Excuse.  Lord, give us patience.  This will be Eddie and I's time to get our duties squared away and just get the feel of her.  Eddie wants me to learn how to drive this thing.  Now you know why I just said, "Lord, give us patience".  Eddie and I just don't talk the same language when it comes to teaching me how to drive a boat or back up a boat trailer.  You probably get my drift - men are from Mars and women are from Venus - theory.  Yep, one of us may not survive!

So stay tuned to see who does and doesn't!   

WE BROUGHT HER HOME TO MYC

Well, She's home!  We brought Any Excuse home to Marathon Yacht Club (MYC) on Thursday, March 25th!  What a grand finale for such a long anticipated wait. 

We went up to Ft. Lauderdale for a second time on Tuesday, March 16th to get the final items done to bring her home.  We got our dingy, dingy motor, final re-upholstery of Aft Salon furniture, electronics, galley items, boarding ladders and did miscellaneous repairs.  We actually like Ft. Lauderdale and made friends at the marina as well as finding some great restaurants.  In a way it was sad to say a final goodbye.

But we did!!  Bright and early Thursday morning, Eddie, Capt. Bob, me and Cain shoved off.  The weather is gorgeous, but a little breezy.  Capt Bob showed Eddie the start up procedure and instructed me on line control - next to being Galley Queen Head Chef, this will be my most important job!  Well, maybe next to Chief Navigator or Top Maid and Cleaner or Laundry Expert or Water Level Monitor or "Goo fer" or . . .  life is never dull on a boat!!!!

Anyway, when those dual engines started, Cain's world went into a petrified state.  Petrified meaning totally scared, like a full body 90 mile an hour shake, breathing so heavy his tongue turned purple and parking himself up on top of his mother's lap for hours!  He wasn't happy.  This went on for about an hour or two until we reached Hawk's Channel and the wind now was pushing us instead of hitting us broadside.  He then calmed down and starting breathing normal, but the lap thing, well, never happened.  He stay on my lap the whole time - 8 hours - except for when I had to get up to make lunch or pee.

The trip itself and really great!  Any Excuse cruised very smoothly and our stabilizers just purred.  We ran 18 knots and it was pretty comfortable.  Took us about 7-1/2 hours to get to the 7 mile bridge.  We slowed way down and the Cain actually started walking around the boat!!  Miracles never cease.

Eddie did the most wonderful job of bringing Any Excuse down.  I was so proud of him.  He parked that baby like you wouldn't believe and I was way impressed!  WAY TO GO HONEY!

It's nice to have Any Excuse home!

2010 BRINGS CAIN'S WORST NIGHTMARE - WE BOUGHT A BOAT !!!

Eddie has always wanted his own Hatteras. Debbie has always wanted her own little "yacht". Cain, on the other hand, wants NOTHING TO DO WITH A BOAT!

Eddie has searched and searched. Debbie has searched and searched. Cain still wants nothing to do with a boat!

Eddie found the boat of his dreams; Debbie found the boat of her dreams; we found the boat of "our dreams"; a 1998 52 Ft Hatteras Motoryacht Sportdeck. (Cain wants nothing to do with a boat; infact, he wishes this was all just a bad dream.)

We are currently getting her spic 'n span. Then we are going to the Maimi Boat Show to provision her with safety items, galley items and "just have to have" items.

So what is next? We are thinking maybe the Great Loop. Maybe May, 2010?

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from our house to yours!!!

Jesus is the reason for the season!

This is the time of the year that we especially count our blessings and our many friends and family are among them. We are in the Keys celebrating Christmas with my son Michael. This is only the second time Michael has been here and the first time in many years that we have spent Christmas together in the same house!!! This is a reason to celebrate.

No, you haven't been taken off our Christmas card list!!! We did not send out any Christmas cards this year. I am so sorry, but time just didn't allow it this year; or maybe it was that my organizational skills are lacking somewhat this year. I will resume Christmas cards next year.

2009 has been a busy one - so busy in fact, you can see that I also didn't update our blog since May. Oops, I will get the blog caught up soon.

Eddie, Cain and I would like to wish everyone a very

Merry Christmas and a joyous New Year.

May you be blessed with good health and peace of mind and

much happiness this coming year.

Our friends, Rick and Linda, sent us this in their Christmas card and we would like to share it with all who visit our blog:

Christmas Card List

Eddie and I have a list of folks...all written in a book...
And every year at Christmas time, we go and take a look,

And that is when we realize...these names are all a part

Not of the book they're written in...but of our very heart!

For each name.......stands for someone......

Whose path....touched ours....and then....

Left there a print of friendship...that we want to touch again.

And while it sounds fantastic for us to make this claim...

We really feel we are composed..of each..remembered name!

And while you may not be ..aware of..our special link...

Just meeting you has shaped our lives...

Much more...than you can think!

For once you've met somebody...the years cannot erase,

The memory of a pleasant word..or..a friendly face.

So never think our Christmas cards..are just...a mere routine....

Of names upon a Christmas list...forgotten...in between.

For when we send a Christmas card that is addressed to you....

it's because you're on the list of folks...we're indebted to!

This list...is not a total...of many folks we have met,

You happen to be someone...we prefer NOT to forget!!

And whether Eddie and I have known you, for many years or few...

In some way you have had a part...in shaping things we do.

So every year...when Christmas comes...we realize anew

ONE OF THE GREATEST GIFTS that life....can give....is...

MEETING FOLKS LIKE YOU!!!

Author Unknown

MAY 2009 UPDATE

Eddie, Cain & I are currently in the Keys. We will be leaving for the Bahamas with Bill & Geri Weir via their boat "Mermaid" on May 25th and staying through June 5th. We should arrive back to the OBX in mid June.

NEWS FLASH: Jewel Thief hits Engagement Party!

Eddie and Debbie held a Mystery Dinner Party at our home in Big Torch Key. It was a first for our guests, to role play in character, but with this group, never fear, they do it up right!!!

Peek into the Backstage :

It was a pleasant spring evening . . . .cool breeze . . . . balmy . . . . sun just starting to set over the Gulf . . . . preparations for the evening taking place the last two days . . . . people scurrying around buying their costumes . . . . people whispering questions . . . . who is going to be there . . . . who is playing whom . . . . the drama started to unfold a week before . . . .

As the curtain rises:

Madeline Grant & Martin Chancellor plan to marry . . .
. . . and the gala event of the Century is about to unfold

Socialite Columnist Coco says.....
It is the most important event of the season - a gala affair of the century at the swank Monaco villa of Madeline Grant - announcing the engagement to her long lost lover. Anybody who is of the elite social status of the Riviera will be in attendance . . . . .

. . . . . as well as some not so elite persons

. . . as well as some cagey individuals.

Can anyone be trusted???

Would you trust your secrets with these folks???

Is anyone telling the truth???

Do these look like reputable people to you??
Would you trust your lives to these folks???

Would you trust your jewels with these folks???

Would you say the "hired help" is on the take???

As the mystery unfolded . . .

Lies were told Jewels were stolen Secrets were sold for profit

&

People who were not who they said they were, were present

&

Lots of people were not who they really were, were there

&

Hidden pasts were revealed Bribe money was exchanged

Would one of these folks would double-cross their best friend????

And then this man appeared . . . on a mission

. . . . while these "gentlemen" had their own agenda

Mistaken identity, hidden pasts, blackmail & intrigue - just to name a few

The evening was a success . . . And all the secrets were revealed.

It's 2 am, the parties over. . .

do-doda-do-doda-doda ......Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight.....doda-doda-doda-dodo

Cain celebrates his 10th Birthday

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR CAIN....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU !!!

Cain hit a milestone on January 24th - his 10th Birthday. We are so lucky to still have him and in such great shape.

Jake Kohut helped him celebrate his 10 years of happy life with "Frosty Paws" ice cream & cake.

Cain is now 10 years old - Cain is an old dog

Cain hit a milestone on January 24th - his 10th Birthday. We are so lucky to still have him and in such great shape.

TORCH REUNION IN THE OBX ! ! !

Winter of 2007 - WE HAD A THOUGHT - bring Torch Keys to the OBX.

Spring of 2008 - WE HAD A PLAN - let's all get together on the OBX in October.

Summer of 2008 - WE FINALIZED THE PLAN - everyone who's anyone, be there or be square, OBX Moore's house, Fat Cat, noon, 10/4.

October 4, 2008 - WE EXECUTED THE PLAN - Torch Key friends starting arriving at Fat Cat, our oceanfront home in Carova on the Outer Banks. And the fun began . . . . .

Eddie and I always wanted to share our vacation home with our Torch Key friends and it was finally coming to fruition! As we sat on the front porch, we could see our friends car's driving down the beach, earnestly looking for the MP 15 sign, the spot where they have to 4-wheel over the sand dune to get to our house and a week of leisure. Some of us hadn't seen each other since April or May so this was a welcome reunion. We were ready, Lasagna, Salad and Garlic Bread in the oven, cheers waiting to be had at the bar, and welcome arms for our friends.

Groups pics of the "ladies" and "gents" !

Each couple got to choose their bedroom on a first come, first pick basis. Carl and Valerie with their friend Pete, got the prize for being the first ones to arrive. They came in loaded with goodies that they purchased on the way from upstate New York. Carl couldn't get over the "4-wheeling" they had to do to get to our house! Floyd and Maggie from Michigan were next and we met them at the shopping center since they didn't have 4-wheel drive. Joan came by way of New Jersey and arrived later in the day after taking a wrong turn and going all the way down to Avon - a good 100 miles round trip - out of her way. She was ready for a cocktail when she arrived! The house was filling up by evening with the balance of our friends arriving the next day. Frank and Linda arrived from Pittsburgh bringing all their "goodies" that us Pittsburghers like - fried cabbage, peroghies, nut roll, poppy seed roll, cookies - she wants us all to be fat! Mike and Linda had left Lake Michigan on their annual migration toward the Keys making us one of their stops. Their mission, which Mike gladly accepted, was to stop at Saul's BBQ and pick up dinner for Monday night. And a good job of it they did! Roger and Terese caravaned with Rit and Jennifer from the Keys stopping along the way up to sight see. Finally, bringing up the rear arriving midweek was Cheryl and Bill, heading up to Pittsburgh from Florida.

Week was fabulous - just what Eddie and I hoped for: Company was wonderful, weather mostly cooperated as we had sunny, warm days and windy, chilly n'oreaster days. Our friends experienced the great Atlantic at it's best as well as when it was angry - we walked the beach, some of us watched the sunrises and all of us watched the gorgeous sunsets, went shopping, fished in the surf, ate raw oysters, fried oysters, Roger's famous Oyster Stew, Valerie's hot, hot, delicious Chili, 2 bushels of steamed Blue Crabs, Steamed Shrimp, BBQ, had a surprise birthday cake (Terese's delicious bread pudding) for Linda, Perogies, Nut Roll, Fried Cabbage, we all scream for Ice Cream, played Poker, Rummy Cube, Sequence, Dominoes, laughed at stories and jokes, Eddie played Spider, relaxed and tanned by the pool, hot tubbed, drank coffee, coffee and more coffee AND Cain and Jake chased each other around the house carrying on like two little pups. Could it get any better than that?

We are hoping everyone had as much fun as Eddie and I did AND hope we can all get together once again in a few years to have our 2nd Keys Reunion in the OBX.

Summer of 2009 - WE HAVE A THOUGHT . . . .

TORCH KEYS COME TO THE OBX

Eddie and I are getting ready and anxiously waiting for October 4th to arrive. That is the day that the "Torch Keys Group" arrive to the OBX and our "Fat Cat" 10 bedroom house for a reunion!!!! We haven't seen some of our friends since May and June and are so happy they are coming to visit us!!!! Watch for pics of the reunion soon!!!!

NASCAR HERE WE COME

Kansas City Nascar happens the last weekend of September and Eddie and Debbie do not miss it. So off we went to Eddie's old stompping grounds to see the Nascar races. The weather was just beautiful - 80's and sunny - and the friendship with the Hamilton's is one we cherish! Lance and Terri open their lovely home to us every year and we have a grand time.

This year we did something a little different and went to the "New Theater" to see the play "The Last Romance". It is a dinner theater - the food was good, especially the desserts, the seats are fabulous - right up against the center front stage - and the play was one of the best we all had ever seen.

It is nice to explore all KC has to offer. A great city and nice people!!!

Back home in the NC

Well, we thought we would never get here, but here we are, back in the good of OBX! Our remodeled Saltbox house turned out really nice and Debbie is once again doing the "nesting" thing. Eddie tries to stay our of her way, but is just great with helping her when needed. We have more kitchen cabinet space that we ever imagined we would have and it is just wonderful.

We are in the process of actually cleaning out all the closets, storage units and donating items that we haven't used or don't plan to use in the near future. This is a major feat for both Eddie and Debbie since they are both proclaimed professional "packrats"! Now, Eddie has been very agreeable with Debbie up to this point, but, the garage is next! You know, the "it's Eddie's garage and Debbie stay out" garage. The plan is to clean out and paint!! We will see.

YES, YES, WE ARE ON OUR WAY BACK TO OBX!!!

Well, it has finally happened - we have both cars loaded up - and we are on our way back to the OBX. We plan to arrive home on Monday evening. Hope the house is done, Greg!!!! If you need to reach Eddie or Debbie, please call there cell phones: Eddie 202-3339 or Debbie 202-9831.

ARE WE EVER GOING TO GET BACK TO OBX?

We are trying desperately to get back up to the OBX. We have been remodeling our house in Colington Harbour and it just isn't quite finished. So, we don't have a house to come back to.

We are hoping to leave the Keys on Thursday, August 28th and arriving in the OBX late Friday night. Let's keep our fingers crossed that this will happen!!!!

We loved Lake Michigan with the Kohuts!!!!

Okay, this boating stuff is getting very addicting. After cruising in the Great Lakes aboard Kohut's really neat "Blue Chip" 42 Foot Grand Banks, it's been decided, WE NEED A BOAT!!!

THE "BLUE CHIP"


Mike, Linda and Jake have it all figured out. They got the best of both worlds, winters in the Keys and summers in the Great Lakes. And, Mike and Linda were nice enough to share part of their summer in Lake Michigan with Eddie and I.







A typical day in the life of the Kohut's cruising the Great Lakes is easy, laid-back and just plain fun. No fuss, no schedule, no problem! So, we would get up whenever we got up, have our coffee and breakfast and leave at the (as Mike would say) crack of noon. And, we would go to where ever 3 to 5 hours would take us. What a easy, relaxing way to live. It just doesn't get any better than that. At least, that's what Eddie and I think.



So, after spending a week on "Blue Chip", a delightful boat by the way, we do need a boat! Blue Chip is a beauty. She is a Trawler with all the graceful lines and teak that one would expect in a classic boat. Her layout is very accommodating with the two private staterooms on either end of her. Her salon/galley is very comfortable and her bridge is just the place you want to be as you cruise the Great Lakes or watch the evening sunsets.


It is very evident that Mike and Linda love her as they have taken quite good care of her to the point that she looks brand new.

Eddie and I had planned to drive up to the Lake, but plans suddenly change around here occassionally, so we flew to Traverse City Int'l Airport to meet the Kohut's Saturday evening. The town is quite nice - green, clean with gleam! Now we need to tell you, that you may not want to always rely on Mike's choice of restaurants. The reason I tell you this is that he took us to an Italian restaurant called "Stella's " which was an old "StateMental Hospital" AND the restaurant is housed where the morge used to be!!!! Do you see what I mean? That should have been our first clue (wouldn't you say), but when the taxi driver suggested that we don't order the liver, well, . . . All kidding aside, we had a good evening!

The plan was to take off Sunday morning but the wind said "I don't think so" so we stayed one more day. This turned out to be very fruitful as we rented a car and our wonderful tour guides "Mike, Linda and the Jakeman" showed us most of their favorite ports along the Leelanau Peninsula - Sutton's Bay, Northport, Lealand, Glen Arbor, Empire and Frankfort. They were all picture perfect pretty in their own rite - just like what you would expect for a shoreside Lake town. Eddie and I especially enjoyed Lealand, also known as the "fish town" and walked the city docks. Mike showed us the Bakery Cheese Store where they purchased Cheddar Curds - they were goood! Eddie came upon "the" local fish house and bought smoked salmon - I must say it was the best we had ever eaten. The four of us went to a outside cafe, ordered coffee's and eat our "curds and salmon". We ate the whole slab of salmon! Of course, we went back and bought another slab for later in the week. Our last stop for the day was Frankfort where we had dinner at a delightful oriental restaurant called "Fusions". We would recommend it to anyone who goes to Frankfort.

The next day brought much calmer winds, so as I said before, at the crack of noon, off we cruised for Charlevoix. This is another pretty, green, clean town with houses around the marina area that had boat garages under them. You actually opened your "garage door" drove your boat under the house, and closed the garage door again. Charlevoix is known for a special type of roof architecture that a famous architect claimed as his name to fame. Very pretty sloping, slightly bumpy uneven roofs that give the house a feel of ages old European, yet beautiful.

One of the nice things that w didn't know but were soon to find out about on this trip is that all the port towns in Michigan have these great city docks with all the necessary facilities. These facilities were very clean, new looking, in great areas of town with town activities scheduled. The ports of Lake Michigan know how to welcome their visiting boaters!

Mike took us to Beaver Island, a very remote area of Lake Michigan, and it was just plain beautiful. We were at the end of their summer season and one of only three boats in the public marina. But, it was just breathtaking. And, believe it or not, Eddie roade a bike as you can see in this pic. I figured I had better take a pic of this or people just wouldn't believe me!

We met up with Floyd and Maggie on their 46 Ft Grand Banks trawler and spent a day with them in Petosky. Since we are all We meet up with the Floyd and Maggie Lewis with their 46' Grand Banks Trawler and spent a couple of days with them in Petosky. Since we are all Marathon Yacht Club members, we had a meeting - isn't it when two or more couples get together that consititues a meeting? Anyway, as you can see here, we all had a great time once more.

The week went too fast, Eddie and I weren't anywhere near ready to go home, (next time we won't fly so we can change plans) but Mike and Linda were the perfect hosts and made us feel at home in the "Blue Chip".





Thank you Mike, Linda and the Jakeman for a wonderful time!