So cute!!!

I have a new favorite boat in the marina. She came in this week to have some work done and after talking to her equally charming owner about what she needed, I headed outside to take a look at her. Ready to see what she looks like? Brace yourselves! She's adorable!

Aw weeee! Look how CUTE! Meet Lindisima. She's a Cape Dory Typhoon and she's precious! A sailboat in mini! Look at her baby sail covers! Her little Mercury motor! Her teeny weeny porthole! I'm not going to lie, when I noticed her I squealed like a girl. To me, this is as cute as a pile of puppies. She looks JUST like her big brothers and sisters. Every detail is there, just in miniature!


The boys hauled her out of the water and put her on blocks so she can have her work done. What do I do? Squeal again! She has a baby keel!!! Look at that! She really IS a mini big boat! Most sailboats this size are lightweight with removable parts. They're built to be rigged fast, sailed faster, and are easy to pick up and move around. They have sassy, fast names like Laser and Sunfish and are inexpensive, fun ways to sail. Think a kid's first boat or a person's little day sailor. Done? Just pick up and drive it home on a trailer. Not so with this Cape Dory! A boat like this is a bit of a princess. She requires the love and care of a bigger boat. I've got to hand to to the guys. They handled the Lindisima with the tender loving care reserved for her biggest sister boats. This tiny thing was lowered and blocked without a scratch.

Here's a good size perspective shot for you. That's my 6'3 husband on the right tending to her. See? Told you she was tiny! Look at that eeny weeny bumper by his head! There's no way he's fitting in this thing to sail it. I halfway wish I could sail her. A boat like this is nothing but a joy to take out. Tiny white sails on blue water. She's the heart of what pleasure sailing is... a pleasure. Don't I have the coolest job in the world? I get to look at cool stuff like this all day and know that when she's finished, she'll be placed back in the water shiny as a new penny. Frankly, it's hard to imagine her any prettier then this but I'm sure the boys will pull it of. I can't wait to see!

How many critters does one girl need?

Apparently several. I started my day by eating my breakfast on the back of my boat and picking apart the heels of a bread loaf. I drop the pieces in the water and one of our resident turtles shares in my breakfast. We've developed a routine and he's quickly becoming my morning dining companion. Corey's on his own - he's soooo not a morning person and my turtle is much better company at 6am.

I chase my daily dose of heart pills with Diet Coke (You better be staying on top of your pills heart buddies! Don't make me come after you!) and step onto my dock to start my commute. I kid you not, it's a dock walk. What did I find upon landing in the boat yard?

Our resident boat cat Chuck was whooping up a small kitty while another one cowered under my car. Huh. Kitty drama. After shooing away my office attack cat I opened the office and quickly discovered we had a problem. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Five little kitties. Sure enough, we've got some uninvited and HOT new residents. Who the heck abandons five little kittens in a boat yard?!? If that ugly individual that shooed 5 babies out of his car ever announces himself I have some heavy equipment in the boat yard I'd love to introduce him to. For that matter, there's quite a few handy masts to string him up on. Jerk. Hypocrite. Kitty kicker.

One particularly affable male followed me all the way to the fuel docks, tail held high, and told me all about it. There are few things as pitiful as a kitten chasing after you and wailing at the top of it's lungs. Next thing I knew he's charming a salty group of mariners that were there to fuel their boats before heading off to work. I turn around and this tough group of guys are clustered around my new sidekick and taking turns petting him. Bunch of softies, all of them. :)

When I went back in the office guess who muscled his way into the air conditioning. 15 minutes later two more managed to squeeze their way inside then my boss gave in and went and rescued the other two. To cool for school! How does anyone get anything done?!? I had an entertaining 30 minutes where my pencil cup, files, and blotter hit the floor as my desk was overtaken. It's mayhem!

We fed and watered the little ones then I called the Fairhope Cat Coalition. They're a wonderful organization that feeds the feral cats that live behind our boat yard. They also rescue poor critters that find themselves in a bad situation and place them in a safe, no kill environment until they find homes. Thankfully, once I explained the situation she rushed right over. Our kitty guardian is Glenda. Yes, like the good witch. She truly lives up to her name and was here with a cat carrier and reassurances for me that my guests would be well taken care of.

At this point "my babies" had taken up residence on my boss's desk and were sleeping off their adventure. Aren't they the CUTEST things you've ever seen? Glenda swooped down (as all Glendas should) and carried them off to newer and better places. A.k.a. the vet's office. She was tickled by the "office desk rescue" and I've been promised that my batch of babies will be placed quickly in new homes.


BUT...I'd feel much better if my own readers took them. You are such fabulous people after all. Does anyone out there want one of my boat yard buddies? If so, please call the Baldwin County Humane Society and ask for the desk top marina kitties. They'll lead you right to them. Look at those big feet! Those fuzzy wuzzy ears! Those little noses! Come on... how can you say no to that face!?!

On a side note, the suggestions are pouring in! I'm sooo getting a new name! That tshirt is going to go so fast I'm thinking about giving away 2! Keep the suggestions coming and thanks so much!

Well folks, I bet you can tell something is up. I've been missing! No posts, no comments, no pictures. Sigh. I've been meaning to. Honest. The problem is life came along and got in the way!

I got a job. Yeah, yeah. You heard correctly. Gillian got a job! The best job ever is the history of best jobs. It's the most perfect thing in the whole world. Seriously! I'm not kidding! Wait for it... it's here! In my marina! Can you guys believe it?!? I am the new office manager in my beloved marina. Yes, the same marina my husband works in. Cool huh? Corey works with the boats and I've got the books so to speak. My commute is a dock walk away and I'm the proud owner of a full time marina gig. It's official folks. We're hooked. We always said there was nowhere else we'd rather be and now we're living it!

So what have I been doing? I've been dusting off my Quickbooks knowledge and getting used to my new office hours. Don't knock it, I haven't had a job in 10 months so getting into the swing of things has kicked my butt. So tired. So very, very tired. I pack my lunch in the morning and scoot down the dock and into my new office. I've spent all month cleaning, organizing, and learning as much as I can. There's so much to learn! I've always loved boats but this is fantastic! Propellers and charts, spare parts and paint colors! Boat lift straps and motors. Sail or power, in every color and size... I'm like a kid in a candy store! I figure I'll decide I don't know anything in about 30 years. It's definitely going to take that long.

Times they are a changin.' Every night Corey and I put the sun to bed talking about our days and discussing something new (to me anyway) that he thinks I might find interesting. We feed the ducks and turtles that come to visit and soak up something funny... happiness. It sneaks up on you doesn't it?

I have a blog on heart disease and now this. What to do??? Strangely, you guys majorly like the boat posts more. There's a huge difference. Go figure. I've been having the hardest time posting about being sick and you guys love hearing about me being chased by a mutant duck. I propose we both win! Of course I'll still fill you guys in on any new heart news. I owe it to you for being so great! BUT... let's shake things up. I'm going to include a lot more of the duck dives and daily fun that is this crazy life I'm living. I don't want to live my life fearful of the thumping in my chest. I want to live it wide open and joyful with what I've got... an amazing life, family, and friends.

I'm proposing a contest! I need a new BOAT name! What's a good blog name? Anybody? The winner gets a really spiffy Save the Gulf tshirt! Here are some suggestions so far...
-Tied Up. A life on lines.
-Buoyed
-Tide in Knots
Whatcha think? Can you guys do better? Please? There's a new tshirt in it for you! And thanks guys, really. You've been so patient and the best readers a girl could have. Take care guys and comment! Post your suggestions here or on my facebook wall. I'll pick my favorites and we'll figure something out on a winner. Night guys!