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1/31/2005 4:55:00 PM
San Diego, CA
Shelter Island, Kona Marina

Same procedure as last year

To escape a little from the boat work and miserable weather here in San Diego we went up to the Bay Area for Thanksgiving weekend

Hallo everybody!

My monthly report seems to be turning into a quarterly one... Sometimes I wish the days would have more hours, but I am sure that the list what one wants to get done would just get longer. Anyway  here finally a "few" words what's been going on here with us:

NOVEMBER 2004 - JANUARY 2005

To escape a little from the boat work and miserable weather here in San Diego we went up to the Bay Area for Thanksgiving weekend and another extra 10 days. Robert had to do a few things up there anyways so it was nice to combine it. During the week we stayed with Maura and Bob, where we also had the turkey feast, together with the rest of the clan (I am always amazed at how many people they can fit into their cozy little home) The two weekends we spent with Hemma and Christoph, since they were in Austria when we came to the Bay Area in summer and therefore had not seen each other for a while. It was the first Advent weekend and we baked Christmas cookies and had punch, definitely getting us into the Christmas spirit.  The boys and I spent again 2 days at Sebastian's old school, saw a few more friends and enjoyed Boulder Creek. Unfortunately there is not enough time for it all and some things have to be on a later visit - it always is like that also when we go back to Austria.

After a few weeks of thinking, debating, doubts, etc. we made a decision, after a long talk with Maura and Bob as thinking supporters, to postpone our departure from 2004 to 2005. This only means that we will delay our adventure but not abandon it! It certainly wasn't an easy decision, first last year and now once again!?! At the end we asked ourselves under what circumstances we wanted to leave on our journey, and it came down to that a stressed and under pressure (from us) was not a good alternative. We also did not want to continue just because we had said we'd leave and planned for it - it just isn't a project that can be check marked off as "Done". Flexibility is they key, that's for sure and we certainly have learned that over the last 2 years! Once we had made the decision we felt a lot better. We also figured that with the opportunity for Robert to help out at Thomi's company, our social net that we have built up and San Diego being an ideal spot to "hang out", it's not so bad to stay another year.

The bad weather continued after our return from the Bay Area and really didn't get better till the end of January (and even the last two days we had strong winds and rain again). We had 2 weeks in December where Robert could work throughout, but that was about it. Other than that we had to do "baby steps" - Robert did all the work for the new PVC Teak Deck by himself - design, cutting, gluing and cocking - what a process! As expected it turned out great and the hard work paid off. As usual he did excellent work and officially was finished on January 31st - 6 month after our first chip off. Now we have to screw everything back on that belongs on the deck... Next week the new mast is supposed to go in, with a 6 weeks delay, but all in all there is a light at the end of the tunnel and it is not the train....!

A few back home in Austria had hoped (especially family) that we might visit short notice for Christmas like last year - but we had/have so many things that we have to get ready to get the deck ready and waterproof that we "simply" could not take the time off more than a few days. The kids and I still tried to manage a few Christmas projects, baked a few cookies and get us all into the spirit. For the holidays we went up to Temecula to be with Barbie and Jimmy, celebrating at my cousin's house as well as theirs. The boys' anticipation and glow, even though for a short time Sebastian questioned that Santa is real..., makes it magic and fun.

New Year's Eve it once again poured and we abandoned our plans to go to Legoland for their kids party with fire works. Instead we got cozy at home and in the evening went out for a delicious dinner in San Diego downtown, afterwards took a rickshaw ride around town throwing string poppers into the crowds. Later on we tried to keep everybody awake by watching the first Star Wars movie, but it only worked with Sebastian and myself. We managed to wake Robert up for a toast at midnight but by 12.10am we all were in bed sound a sleep into the first day of the year (with sunshine!)

We always start our year with Sebastian's birthday, which we started to celebrate already on the 1st with a trip to Legoland. On the 2nd, his actual birthday, friends of ours had a party for their 5 year old son, and since we would have not had enough kids for our own party he was allowed to bring his friends and celebrate together. In the afternoon we went to the indoor rock climbing gym with Robert, since Sebastian had begged to go there since we left Santa Cruz. They both were a bit tired that day but nevertheless had enough fun wanting to to go back there.

The rest of the month was rather quiet. We concentrated more on our school schedule again, since in December we did a lot of art and field trips. At the end of January we went up to Temecula for a few days since Barbie had birthday. Once day we went up to Big Bear, a little ski resort about 2 hours away from them. Since it rained so much this year they really got good snow this season and we had a lot of fun. The boys have been talking about snow and skiing for a long time and I was eager, too. We had a great time and even though Benjamin had a rough start they both did very well getting into the "groove". We hope to go up to Tahoe once again in March for a few days.

The end of January we again had to move marina. The boat broker we subleased our slip from needed it back. It was not a total shock for us and a familiar process. We did make nice contact with quite a few people, not wanting to leave. We also had a family living on the dock (they've been living on their boat for 7 years! With their 7 year old son (Jack), whom the boys befriended. With a lot of luck and for once being on the right spot at the right time we were fortunate to find a slip at a newly renovated marina (they still are doing work until summer) and are now official live aboards. Jack and his family are also moving here in a week, as well maybe another boat neighbor, building up our own little community.

As expected my report got a lot longer again. I wonder if I can follow up on my New Years resolution - to write a report at least every 4-5 weeks so that they won't get soooo long. It really is a shame it takes me so long to mail everybody. We do hope that it is not too late and maybe one or the other of you might decide to visit us. Right next to our marina there are a few hotels, so no obligations to live with us. We can also use their heated pool... Sounds inviting? You know where to find us. The next few weeks will still be busy with the last deck finishing's but latest by the end of April we need to be done for the Newport-Ensenada race, which we participated in already last year. In the summer we hope to relax, kick back and sail a lot!

For now we send our dearest hugs and greeting, keep us updated from you lives, PLEASE! So long The 4 Schmids - Niki, Robert, Sebastian and Benjamin

PS We'll have a few updated photo albums on the web in a couple of days!

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