Moore Better World: Workin 9 to 5

After leaving Daytona/Ponce Inlet on December 12th, we hugged the Florida coast and arrived 12 hours ahead of schedule into Lake Sylvia, near Ft. Lauderdale (FLL) early Sunday morning. Ft. Lauderdale has been one of our major neon sign destinations since leaving Halifax and everywhere else that reminded us of warmer weather. Although it's been 5 days since our arrival, it's still a bit surreal to know and I keep repeating myself: "we've made it", "we're actually here" and "I can't believe we've made it this far!" after many moons, constant motion and some 2,000+ Nautical Miles, we're actually here!

I suppose the world works in mysterious ways. Since our arrival we got jobs for the entire week aboard a 130ft IAG private yacht. We were asked if we wanted to make a little extra cash this week so we said "why not!" It's not every day you get to work on a boat of this beauty and size. Whoa, is this boat spectacular! It's beyond anything I could imagine owning myself. It sure is pretty inside and out. Pictures never seem to do justice when you're standing inside a floating mansion, but here are some below. Nate is doing more hands-on, technical engineering work (considered "blue boat" projects) while I dance around beautiful woodwork and furniture, swiffering, making beds and dusting ("pink" boat projects). Most cruisers will agree that boat projects tend to fall into two categories: "Blue" or "Pink" projects. I take on the pink projects with rubber gloves and pride, and although some are dirty and hands-on like cleaning teak decks, I have no desire in tinkering with technical, complex "Blue" projects like engine rooms, bilges, electrical systems, etc. I have a handyman for that and he is learning from the yacht's technical engineer, our sailing friend G.R. I cleaned a yoga studio for three years so this yacht's got nothing I can't clean!

It's weird getting up in the morning for work. Making breakfast, getting into the dinghy to commute the 10 minute row. It's a lovely way to get to work. We wave to other cruisers onboard as we row by, most days with the current in our favor. It's an opportunity we decided to pursue to boost the cruising kitty, try something new and meet new people in the process. This gig may lead to other opportunities for Nate's resume.

My awesome sister came for a visit. Well, mostly to help her dad move from Ft. Lauderdale to Denver after 20+ familiar years in the same condo, with the same views, same routine. It must have been hard for her dad to pack up his former life for a new one. I know exactly how scared and unsure he must be feeling. I give him lots of credit in bravery and courage. My heart broke open when I ran into my sister's arms and reunited after only 4 months of not seeing eachother. We spent an evening at Jaxson's Ice Cream Parlour catching up, enjoying our guiltless calories. Back in the day, our family would drive an hour from West Palm Beach just to enjoy homemade ice cream at this landmark establishment. It was fun to relive some memories!

The weather has been lovely! We're talking about sailing somewhere new for my birthday for a couple days and plan to stay in FLL for a while enjoying the warm sun and multitude of palm trees. It's nice to not be in transit mode for the moment.

Hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season, although it sure doesn't feel like the holidays here with tanktops and warm weather. Far from complaining about the warmth, but snow and Christmas go together like peas and carrots.

After looking at some of the photos below, there will be more posts about my first sail repair, dolphin experience and meeting up with old friends after 8 years! Until then, we've found ourselves workin for the man.