One year in, one year to go - the halftime report

This time last year, we were only beginning to realize what we wanted to do. Now we have been planning and taking the steps to get ready for a full year. Where do we stand?

If we look only at the concrete accomplishments, there are two major ones. We have finished the first semester of homeschooling both of our children, and no one has perished. They seem to be adjusted to the new routine. It is a lot of work to do it right, but it is something that we can do. Also, we have moved into an apartment after selling our house. The apartment is a good halfway stop or the downsizing road, since it is much smaller that the house, but still larger than the biggest boat will be. We have all settled in to the smaller space without any major problems.

Most of our other accomplishments are less tangible. We know we want a catamaran. Now we have a short list of five or six models that we will look for. We know now what amenities we want to have on the boat. We have a list of the suppliers for those things as well. We know now that we would prefer to find a boat in the U.S., since the adjustment period will be easier without adding moving offshore to it. We also know what it will mean if we cannot do this, and we know we can live with that, too. We know we want to start by cruising between the East Coast and the Caribbean. That will allow us to take 'baby steps' as we get used to living on a boat and sailing full time.

We also know that we are still excited at the prospect. We are really looking forward to going to the Bahamas for a week in March to 'refresh' ourselves.

The next year will be full of many more tangible accomplishments. Life will get very busy, especially after March, as we continue to simplify. Next summer we have to set up our new residency and get the banking situation worked out. We have ideas for that; it just needs to wait until then to set things up. Next fall we have to make a connection with a broker to start the search for our boat. We have a short list of brokers to select from. My last day at work is November 27, 2015.

Random Breakout!!!

One of the many benefits of learning at home is that any one of us is subject to random breakout dancing:

We tend to listen to music when doing math or projects of any kind.  Laughter by far is the best part of the day!