 | Downsizing
 | The first step was to downsize our living accommodations drastically.
We lived in what I call "The Homeless Suites of America" for
two months before moving on board Escapades. This was a good step in
adjusting to living in a very small space. |
|
| Hot October - Rainy November
| We officially moved on board on October 1, 2000. That had to be the
hottest October in history for the Houston area. Much of our outside
work had been planned for that month. With the goal of leaving the
marina by Thanksgiving, we labored long hours through the heat. |
| November cooled to a very chilly month with rain, rain, rain. We had
sold our dehumidifier in preparation for our departure and everything,
even our bed, seemed wet. Mildew was a major problem and some of our
limited wardrobe was ruined. The wetter it got the more defeated we
felt. |
|
| Fatigue and Disappointment
| We worked 10 - 12 hours a day, seven days a week. It was all physical
labor, sometimes very hard, that our bodies were unaccustomed to. As our
departure date drew closer, we became discouraged. There were still so
many projects we needed/wanted to complete before leaving. A few days
before Thanksgiving we admitted defeat and set our goal on January 1,
2001. |
| Never have there been more defined male/female "roles" than
the initial live aboard situation. No matter how many hours I spent on
projects, the daily living items, (groceries, cooking, laundry) still
fell to me. To limit our spending, we had decided to have most of our
meals on the boat. During that first two months, I prepared more meals
than I had in the previous five years. I was thrilled with my Macaroni
Grill and Chili's gift certificates I received for Christmas. |
|
| Emotions
| Depression became a constant battle for me. We have a small seat
beside our bed that we've labeled my "wailing bench". I spent
quite some time during the late fall/early winter, sitting there, with
my head on the bed, crying. The books never warn you about this
side of it. If Bob ever had doubts, he never acknowledged them. |
| The only thing that kept me going during that time was the thought
"I only have xxx months to fulfill my one year commitment",
and meeting Jane Cowin. Jane had moved aboard Pegasus in October, with
her fiancée, Mark Barbian. They too were planning a November departure.
Jane and I were both surprised to learn that we were feeling pretty much
the same range of emotions. I don't think the old adage
"Misery Loves Company" is true. It's just that by sharing
common miseries, you verify that you are not quite insane yet. |
|
| Budget Matters
| This was far harder to come to terms with than any other aspect of our
adventure. We had been very blessed and quite spoiled to doing pretty much what we
wanted without having to worry too much about money. The reality of a
budget hit hard when I mentioned going out for Mexican food. Bob's
comment was "OK but we can only have one margarita."
After awhile on the "wailing bench", I decided one was better
than none.
I had never felt so poor. When I cashed my last paycheck, I cried. The
books don't warn you about this feeling either. I decided to look for a
job or file for unemployment or do anything to overcome this
horrible feeling. After about a week of rationalizing and discussing the
options, it became clear that was not what we were trying to accomplish.
After six months, the realities of a budget are still unpleasant but not
the overwhelming feeling you first experience. Of course the one thing
that has been most helpful is meeting other cruisers who are also on
budgets. Are we back to the "Misery ...." thing again? |
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