s/v Kaleo

Whether afloat or ashore, we wish you and your loved ones a joyful Christmas.

Looking back at the blog post we shared around this time last year, we are reminded of how richly blessed we’ve been and are truly grateful.

Where will you celebrate the greatest gift of Christmas this year?

By the power of technology, YOU can join an engaging Christmas service at your convenience (why not now?) at LiveChurch.tv. Our prayer this season is that you know the true joy of Christmas, that God is with us – in answered promises, realized dreams, and refreshed hope. When you have a moment, explore the songs born from the joy that Christ has entered the world through the Carols Christmas series at LiveChurch.tv.

Merry Christmas, friends!

If you’re not a sailor, then picking out a great gift for one can be puzzling.

It may seem like we speak a foreign language when you hear terms like sheets when referring to ropes and the head when talking about the toilet. So, to make shopping for a sailor (i.e., you) a little easier, check out this list for potential ideas to share with someone who may have you on their list.

We can vouch for all the tools and gear below as we’ve used them while cruising aboard Kaleo.

• Platypus PlusBottles – Great for toting water on the go. Clips on a backpack and rolls down when empty.
• Waterproof backpack – Inexpensive and great for packing a change of clothes or the laptop on a wet dinghy ride
• Sailor Bags – These bags are sturdy, fully collapsible, water resistant and guaranteed for life making them ideal for anyone active on and off the water
• Clear dome umbrella – An easy way to stay dry on a wet dinghy ride while still being able to see in front of you
• Jump drive – for sharing photos and other resources with fellow cruisers
• MSR Packtowels Personal XL – Ultrasoft, compact, quick-drying and Anti-Microbial towels make drying off easy in humid environments
• Canon Powershot D10 Waterproof Camera – known as “the cruiser’s camera”, it takes beautiful shots and stands up to the hard life of living in saltwater
• Lock & Lock Food-Storage Containers – airtight, watertight, durable polypropylene storage containers that seal in freshness of provisions like baking supplies (flours, sugars, etc.), rice, pastas, cereal, crackers, cookies, etc.
• Adventure Medical Marine 1000 Kit – the ideal cruisers’ first aid kit designed for short offshore adventures. Well stocked to tend to the crew if medical care is 12 – 24 hours away.
• Bullet 2HP WiFi booster – Internet access on the boat when there are unlocked signals within about five miles
• Hawaiian sling – a slingshot type of device used for spearfishing
• Lookie Bucket – a clear bottom bucket used for checking the anchor or looking at reefs without getting wet
• Mr. Heater Buddy – an indoor-safe propane heater for those cold nights we encountered when headed for tropical cruising grounds
• Iris 50 Hand bearing compass – an effective well-made compass for taking bearings when navigating close to shore or tracking a massive freighter’s direction when they’re too close for comfort
• Picquic Mariner – a rustproof fullsize 7-in-1 multibit screwdriver with custom ordered bits to fit the square head screws used on Kaleo (most Canadian-built boats)
• POWER8 Workshop – the most common power wood working tools combined into one flexible unit that packs into a small case and is battery powered, meaning it can be used in remote anchorages or when away from a power source
• Mvelopes Online Money Management – in our opinion, the best way to manage day-to-day finances and save for living your dreams.

What are other ideas that YOU’D add to this list? Share with us in the comments as we’d love to hear what’s on your wishlist this year!

It feels good to be HOME.

Right now, we are …

– feeling blessed that we dreamed big and lived our big dream

– reflecting on the courage it took to take the road less traveled

– unpacking a wealth of memories made in a year that will surely last a lifetime

– acknowledging that this was not a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, but rather a spark of action to live a life of more adventure

– bridging so many life lessons learned on the water into our new life on land

– passing on the frenetic pace of life that seemed inevitable before we went cruising

– treasuring the tangible closeness with family and friends

– thankful that loved ones know no distance nor time away

– feeling the warmth of them near to heart and home

– missing folks who became family on the water

– adoring our new land home

– stretching out within it with new found appreciation of space

– refusing to fill it with meaningless “stuff”

– sharpening some forgotten skills, like driving at 70 mph!

– anticipating the crisp fall weather that blows closer each day

– fancifying wild pirate stories so as to not disappoint all those who ask

– recalling the vividness of life’s colors while afloat

– reminiscing of those lazy days at anchor

– itching to be sailing again (good thing we’re heading to the coast this week for the Harvest Moon Regatta!)

– hoping that Kaleo will be out cruising again soon

– praising God at our home church, Fellowship Church

– realizing just how incredibly blessed we are

– encouraging sailors who want to be cruisers

– sending our love to those out cruising now

– and ultimately, praying that everyone would know the joy of accomplishing their own dreams.

We’ve settled in but the adventure in us hasn’t settled down. We’ll keep you updated on happenings as they happen.

Thank you SouleMama for this “Right Now” idea.

Basically, we sleep, eat, work, and watch TV. Repeat. At least that’s what a recently published “American Time Use Study” is reporting.

Call us Un-American, but this makes me even more grateful to have married such an adventurous man. We’ve scrapped the sedentary cycle of TV (why live vicariously through characters as your OWN LIFE passes you by) for a more active lifestyle.  I’m just sayin’.

My prayer for you today is that you are actively LIVING life. However that looks for you, may it bring you abundant JOY.