Wednesday, September 7, 2011

This tank stuff is really getting to John. He was awake all night last night, wondering what he can do to expedite the situation. We may be here for a while yet. I can think of a lot of places that would be ever so much worse. We do have our car here, so we can get around and see things in the area. Tomorrow Sue and I, ( and maybe the guys) are going to take a train tour of St. Augustine. We bought our tickets online tonight and they are good for 3 days. Tonight the four of us went out to dinner to Ruby Tuesdays. We had coupons for 25% off. Ruby Tuesday's salad bar is so nice and crisp and cold. I keep trying to think of things to keep John's mind off of the tanks. We eat, play cards, walk, get together for Happy Hour, but it's still always on his mind. Hopefully, he'll be able to set it aside long enough to sleep tonight.

This morning I went for a walk along the ICW. There is a nice wide path to walk on. This path has the most brazen squirrels I have ever seen. They run right toward you and then walk alongside you in the same direction you are going, only about 18 inches away from you. Someone must be feeding them. You're almost afraid to look them in the eye. It's like they are possessed.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

The saga continues.... This morning we got word that the fabricator of the tank has halted work on it because of the insurance surveyor. Apparently, he told the fabricator that the tank has to be Coast Guard certified and left a stack of papers full of regulations. After John made a few phone calls, we thought all we would have to do, was get someone from the Coast Guard to sign off on the tank and we would be good to go. After trying all morning and into the early afternoon, Ann (Al's wife) could find no one who knew anything about any of it. Since the insurance company is not paying for the tank, John told Al that it isn't any of their concern. The fabricator is using the proper aluminum and is making the tank exactly the same as the old one. So, the last we heard, Al is telling them to go ahead because the insurance company won't cover it anyway. I thought your insurance company was supposed to work for you. Ha! This whole ordeal has been one step forward and two steps back since the beginning. It's been more than 2 months and here we are.

On a lighter note, John and I went to St. Augustine today to the shopping mall. There were 3 anchor stores and 3 other stores, that's all. We went back to JT's for lunch. They have an absolutely wonderful salad with grilled salmon on it. Yum yum. John was so upset that his lunch was hardly even noticed.

Labor Day 2011

There were three fruit salads at the Labor Day party, so needless to say, mine wasn't totally gone. It was 3/4 gone though, so I feel like the people did like it. We have leftovers for tomorrow now. That's not all bad either. It was supposed to rain this afternoon. They set up the food tables inside of the ship store. Most people were inside even though it didn't rain because it is sooo hot! There are signs around town about the high alert level for fires. That's a little scary.

Yesterday John was watching football and caught St. X playing on ESPN. That seemed strange because we don't get to see all of the professional football and baseball that we think we should be able to watch. It made us feel right at home.

We hope you all enjoyed your holiday.

Sunday, Sept. 4, 2011

Last night we slept like babies thanks to the air conditioner on loan to us from Al. We got up bright and early and ran ourselves under the showers until we were nice and clean. We attended 8:00 A.M. Mass at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, had breakfast at Denny's, and then went to Publix for a few groceries, mostly for tomorrow. The marina is having a cook out for Labor Day tomorrow at 2:00 P.M. Everyone is to bring their own meat to grill and a side dish. I am making fruit salad because it's so hot out and that's something everyone can eat, even those with diabetes. We are looking forward to seeing the people we have already met and meeting those we have not met as yet. There is a pretty good chance of rain tomorrow. We'll be in the ship store if that happens.

Tonight are the huge WEBN fireworks at home. We miss seeing the fireworks and spending the long weekend with our boating friends at Manhatten Harbor. Hope you all love the light show and boat safely. We'd love to see some pictures of the fireworks, although mine never used to turn out. I don't know what I do wrong, but something... Have fun!

Saturday, September 3, 2011

What a difference a day makes! John and I are both a lot happier today than yesterday! For John, having talked to the mechanic today has made a world of difference. He expects the tank to be finished next week and ready to install. We talked about how hot it is in the boat and how we are not getting a lot of sleep because of the heat. He loaned us a portable air conditioner for the aft cabin that works really well. Sleep should come easier tonight. Thank you, Al.

I have not spilled anything or broken anything at all today. Yesterday my thumb drive with my genealogy files on it, got bumped while in the computer and now it won't work. I wasn't too concerned because I had a backup copy, but apparently the backup is a read only file. So, everything has to be re-entered into my software. Yuck! I know what I'll be doing all winter.

The bottom picture above is of our boat as it sits in the harbor right now. Can you tell how crooked it sits in the water? It doesn't look like much, but you feel like you will fall out of bed and when you walk around in the boat, it kind of feels like you have had too much to drink (not that anyone around here would do that). The top picture is self explanatory. We watched the bird catching fish from that position while we were at Happy Hour. It doesn't take much to entertain us.

Friday, September 2, 2011

This is one of those days when everything I touch breaks or is never to be seen again. It's the kind of day that makes you appreciate the good ones when they happen. I think I'm just going to bed and read. That way nothing else can happen. Right? Good night.

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Time marches on. Schools are back in session. It's still extremely warm, poor kids! This morning I met Ann, the wife of Al who took the tank out of the boat and will, hopefully very soon, put the new one in. She was very nice and easy to talk to, just like her husband Al. There is going to be dancing in the street when it's finished. Then we get to clean and move everything back into place.

There is going to be a picnic here at the marina on the holiday Monday. Everyone is bringing their own meat to grill and a side dish. We've met a lot of the people, but I'm sure we'll meet more at the picnic. We are sorry that we won't be able to see the Fireworks at home in Cincinnati with all of our boat friends. That is always a really good time. Some of our friends beach their boats along the shore on the Kentucky side of the river a couple of weeks ahead of time. We have been enjoying some pictures on Facebook of the downtown scenes. Til next time...