This. Is. Happening.

We bought a boat.

Not just a boat. THE BOAT.

The difference between our mindset now (in the PLANNING stage) and about a month ago (in the DREAMING stage), is that: This. Is. Happening.

Our cruising life is tangible. We have the boat. 

Cue crazy screams of excitement, glee and sheer terror. All against a backdrop of money being flushed down the toilet.

Yes, we are already hemorrhaging money. For winter storage, rudder repairs, sail restitching, transmission rebuild.

Gulp.

This. Is. Happening.

I still can't quite believe it at times. But then when I catch myself saying "when we go cruising..." and not "If we go cruising..." then I am reminded again that: This. Is. Happening.

The to-do lists gets longer and longer each day as we realize the multifaceted components of being able to cast off.

Listing the house to rent, but first needing to purge, pack and store an entire household of things.
Ensuring our health documents and vaccinations are up to date, stocking up on essential meds, etc.
Homeschool - 'nuff said!
Boat stuff - a growing number of items need attending to before we actually set sail. And then there's the growing number of items that will need attention once under way at some point (ie. new rigging!) and then the anticipated number of items that will need addressing (not to mention likely lots of $$) when we are under way. So hard to know how much to budget for in terms of $$ and time when these will crop up anytime. Trying to maintain a 'go with the flow' mentality. Trying, but it's not easy when I am a planner.

Well, the momentum is building.

This. Is. Happening.

One small step, but a major one

Sunset on Crotch Lake (September 2018)

After years of dreaming, reading books, magazine and other people's blogs, watching documentaries and YouTube shows, doing my CanSail 1, chartering in the 1000 Islands and Vancouver Island, voyaging on the Grayhound to the Isles of Scilly.... we have taken the plunge.

Tonight we made an offer on the Endeavor 42 in Halifax. Fingers crossed. It's anyone's guess now.

After going to the Annapolis boat show in April, things have taken on a whole new momentum. Mom passing away was the catalyst that has brought on the 'someday' to 'today'.

I miss you every day, Mom.

Matt and I have talked about this dream for so long, I can't even remember when we first brought up this idea to go cruising as a family. Over the last year or so, we have been slowly telling friends and family. In very vague terms like "oh one day", or "in 5 years" or "when we save enough money".

Truthfully, there is never a best time to go. You just have to pick a date and work towards it. I read that advice somewhere on some blog, but it is true. That day circled in the calendar will certainly provide the impetus and drive. It has in our case.

I can hardly sleep at night I am so excited and am constantly adding things to our ever-growing list of 'things to do'. I love having something to look forward to, a project, a goal, an adventure that keeps us going.

The ball is in their court now. Will the owners reject our offer? Counter-offer? Or ????

Time to get some sleep now, or at least lay in bed trying.