Marinaland, FL Dec 6, 2021

You supposeded to learn new things in retirement and taking on this lifestyle has allowed me no exception.  So, let me enlighten you on my new skills thus far.  

• I am starting to refer to the sailing gear as something other than “that thingy over there.”  This makes sailing husband very happy.  
• I can now stand upright and walk around without falling down…sober mind you.
• I am fully capable of operating (not emptying) a composting toilet.  This includes feminine cycles which is a whole other treat.
• I can now shave my legs fully while standing on one foot and holding the shower drain.  For those of you who have never showered on a boat, allow me to explain this one.  When you shower, the water doesn’t automatically just fall down the drain.  No, you have to hold the button which operates the bilge pump to flush it out.  This is triple tasking if you ask me.
• I can now wash my body in 4 minutes flat including this balancing shave my legs move.  Pretty fancy huh?  If I include washing my hair, I can now shower in cold water as well.  It’s a new skill I have yet to perfect but am trying.
• I can sleep in 40 degree weather.  Once again, my lovely wool blanket has saved the day again.  
• I can hold the teapot on the stove and boil water without getting burnt most the time (still sometimes but again, it’s a process).
• I know now when the stove or lights doesn’t turn on to actually turn on the breaker and try again.  I am also aware that I cannot run the stovetop and oven at the same time or they blow the breaker and turn off – making sailing hubby upset.
• To expect on overnight sails to get very little sleep and not be grumpy but grateful

• I am pretty good at buying only enough food to fit in a college sized fridge.  This also requires new skills such as ninja arranging to make it all fit and thoughtful consideration of how many condiments you can have open at once.  Don’t get me wrong, we are not roughing it.  We can have ketchup, mustard, and barbeque sauce open at the same time, but the addition of wing sauce and soy require you to question yourself.  Each additional condiment requires you to sacrifice from beer, wine and diet coke space.  There are just  big questions to ponder out here?

See…all kinds of new or multi-tasking skills.