Happy New Year Everyone
In December, we closed on our new sailboat a Catalina 380 named Sea Change. A sea change is a poetic word for a profound transformation into something rich and wonderful usually brought about by the ocean. For us, the past year has brought about tremendous changes in almost every aspect of our lives.
In May, we graduated Dominic from Fayetteville High School. There were some rough patches, steep waves, and strong winds; he stayed the course and successfully passed all his classes. Finishing school, he found the perfect summer job, working as a lifeguard at Devil’s Den State park about 30 minutes south of Fayetteville. He had a great summer working and playing outside in one of the most scenic areas of the state. At the end of the summer, the job was over, and Dominic found employment at Walgreens Drug Store as a clerk. Dominic continues to work hard and tinker with his 1964 Karman Ghia in the garage.
Robin’s sea change came unexpectedly with an abrupt end of her 15 year career at Siloam Springs Memorial Hospital. With new administrators, an ever increasing work load of patients, and increasing acuity, she didn’t realize how difficult her job had become. With other opportunities on the horizon, she took a much needed break in the early part of the summer while she worked out the details of a new job at Willow Creek Women’s Hospital. This job is a short 10 minute drive from home. Most of her patients are young pregnant ladies who are by and large (pun intended) healthy with minimal medical problems. While she still works hard, almost all of these cases have happy endings.
In January of this year, Robin and I were fed up with our weight problem and ready to make a change towards a much healthier lifestyle. We entered a rigorous weight loss program with an emphasis on eating healthier foods. I’m pleased to say that 11 months later we have lost over 175 pounds together. And while we are still not at our ideal weights, we are so much closer to being healthy and fit.
In October, we sold our beloved Bella Luna, a Hunter 34 sailboat, with a new and much larger boat on the horizon. Two weeks ago, I traveled to Naples Florida and did sea trials, a survey, and inspection of our new addition to the family: Sea Change. After Christmas, we plan to sail her from Naples in Southwest Florida to the Mobile area. This 400 mile trip should take a few weeks. From Mobile, we’ll transport her by truck to Beaver Lake.
Sea Change will be berthed at Beaver Lake for a while as we make plans for the next change in our lives and cruise the Caribbean for a few months at time.
As for me, I am finishing my 3rd consecutive year as Commodore of the Beaver Lake Sailing Club. We have made tremendous progress during my tenure and will continue to make positive changes as I serve again in 2011.
From my family to yours, we wish you a joyous holiday season and all the best for the coming year. Michael, Robin and Dominic
