A few weeks ago a friend on Facebook posed the question, "What makes a home?" An interesting question. Beautiful and complex in all of its simplicity. I've spent a fair amount of time contemplating that question recently. What's important to me? What do I want, need, desire to live a fulfilled, authentic life?
I consistently come up with the same answers. My family, simplicity, and a space to exercise my creativity.
And the things I don't want? Clutter. More space than I utilize. Excess. Working hard to pay the bills so that we can spend our free time cleaning, tidying, maintaining, mowing, etc. Having all our monthly mortgage payment go to the interest on our home loan - a home that we never intended to be our "forever" home in the first place.
So this evening, after spending some time with new friends on their 30' Newport sailboat at one of the marinas here in town we made a decision that was surprisingly easy.
This winter we will be getting our house ready to put on the market in the spring and we'll buy our own boat, joining a small but passionate community of live aboards. And I promise I'll be talking more about this as we go through this journey - leaving the land behind for a life on water - but for now here a few pictures from our evening out.
Our friends' boat:
Looking out past the marina into the Columbia River:
Walking down the pier - we didn't bring extra clothes for him, but it seemed optional anyhow....
Playing in the water - near a sand spit that forms with low tide.
Two peas in a pod. He spent the way back to the car telling his daddy about being a pirate living on a boat. You can't see it in the picture, but he has a fantastical wooden pirate sword tucked into the back of his shirt.
Choosing to live purposefully and with passion,
Simple Mama
Wow what and adventure that will be :D Ahoy there me hearties!
ReplyDeleteSo facinating to read. You are brave!
ReplyDeleteOoh, how very exciting! Do you know Cindy from Zach Aboard? She has raised 1 child for 6 years aboard and getting ready to have a second. They do all sorts of crafty things aboard and even had a pirate week a while back. Very inspiring! http://zachaboard.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteHow exciting! Can't wait to hear more about your journey! :)
ReplyDeleteSo awesome...follow those dreams girl!
ReplyDeleteFirst, congratulations! I don't know if you know this, but Bo and I lived on a boat one summer for about 4-5 months. It wasn't planned - it just happened. I have a blog post on, I will go find it. We talk about doing it again when Naomi is older.
ReplyDeleteAlso, Bo just read your post this morning before work and he says if you need a consult on buying a boat, he will help you. He has almost 20 years of experience with boats, ships, etc, not to mention that he works for a ship and boat yard. He doesn't offer that to just anyone which means he really likes you guys. lol.
It took me a bit as I have over 200 posts. lol. But here it is!
ReplyDeletehttp://threelittlebearsstonecottage.blogspot.com/2009/05/worst-hard-time.html
Wishing you the very best in this journey!
ReplyDeleteI am so excited for you!! Will you still besemi close to us? I told Kaulini and she wants to see your 'boathome' when youg et it <3 <3
ReplyDeleteI have a friend who lives on a boat with her DH adn son in California! An Adventure!
ReplyDeleteDon't think I could do it, but would love to read about it.
ReplyDeleteRight with you in the pursuit of living your real dreams. Beautiful post. I have a similar shot of my daughter from behind in a lifejacket (she did have a suit on but it wasn't visible). I'll look forward to your updates as you begin your adventure. Have FUN!
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