Christmas and then some

We had a great Christmas on September Song. Just the four of us as all of our cruising friends headed out to parts unknown for the holiday. Stephanie gave me a new underwater camera and it is way cool. It has the most amazing features. It's also a regular camera. It automatically knows when you have it under water and adjusts itself. I can't wait to try it out in the Islands. Look forward to some amazing pictures. For Christmas dinner Stephanie, as usual, outdid her self again. Man was it good!
Yesterday we drove the girls to the beach for a play day and they had a blast playing in the waves and water and chasing the ball. While we are in a marina they miss play days in the water.
Yesterday Joe, Norm, and Vicki returned from their trips, so we all went to Wahoo's for happy hour. Well, one hour turned into another, then another, then we met two other couples staying on a boat on the other side of the marina and the nine of us ended up spending the whole night there. We were bad, but it was great fun. Good thing all we had to do was walk back to the boats. (now, where did I park that boat?) The nine of us will be at Wahoo's for New Year's Eve along with lots more of our cruising friends. (can you say PARRRTY?)
Today was a sad day in our cruising community. Puss, one of the 23 year old boat cats on Gypsies died last night. As we all know, they are family, and it's hard when you lose one. She had a great life and a great Mom and Dad, and I know she will be missed. Goodbye Puss, you were a great cat. Say Hi to Pica for us. Check out Gypsies blog to read about Puss.

September Song (goodbye Puss) out
Bob


Rib roast on the grill. YUM!

Stephanie hard at work preparing Christmas dinner.

Now that's a Christmas dinner!

Cassie guarding her Christmas present. As with all kids and the excitement of Christmas Cassie got sick and threw up. YUK!

Play day at the beach for Cassie and Godiva

They love jumping, playing, and chasing the ball in the waves

Part of the gang is back from their trips for the holiday, so we went up to Wahoo's for happy hour to celebrate....and celebrate....and celebrate! We were bad! Went waaay beyond happy hour.

Suzanne and Frank, cruisers who joined us at Wahoo's to celebrate.

Janine and Al, Friends staying with Suzanne and Frank for the week joined in.

Merry Christmas All!

Norm and Vicki arrived on Tide Hiker Monday afternoon and came over to September Song to celebrate their arrival and Chef Roberto's (AKA Bob) lasagna. Vicki has been on the hunt for the best lasagna, so I threw my hat into the ring. In preparation for the big test I served them lots of wine hoping that it would give me an edge. Well, it must have worked because Vicki announced that I was the lasagna king. (aren't good friends great) It was great fun getting together with them again along with Joe from Sea Pearl. We will be cruising to the West coast of Florida with Norm, Vickie, Joe, and some of our other cruising friends after the rendezvous in mid January. Look out West coast, the DeFever cruisers are coming! In the next couple of weeks there will be a total of 32 DeFever and SOB's (some other boats) joining us here at the Harborage Yacht Club and Marina. Can you say party?
To all of you who have been cruising with us via the blog, the crew of September Song, Bob, Stephanie, Cassie, and Godiva wish you a Merry Christmas and we look forward to taking you along in the New Year. We will be traveling across the state via the Okeechobee water way in mid January, up the West coast of Florida, then back down to the Keys and then cross to the "Islands Mon" sometime early March. Should be great fun so welcome aboard.

September Song (Merry Christmas to all) out
Bob


Norm and Vicki arrived Monday afternoon

Norm, Vicki, and Joe came over for Chef Roberto's lasagna and a few glasses (OK, 3 bottles) of wine compliments of Joe.

Here's to good friends

Santa Claus AKA Norm

Vicki crowned me Lasagna King. It wasn't the best I have done, but it must have been good enough for the crown. (or maybe she is just a really good friend)

Santa Claus and his Elf came by to deliver gifts

Cassie and Godiva ready for Christmas. "Can't wait for Santa Dad, and don't forget to turn on the anchor light so he can find us"

BRRRRRR!!!!!

A cold front moved through Saturday and we only had a high of 70 with lows the next couple of nights in the 40's and highs around 70. I know, I know, get out the new rope. I sure wish you people up North would keep your cold fronts to yourselves. After all, this is the "Sunshine State". Stephanie and I have been taking advantage of the fitness center at the Yacht Club. Each morning we head up and torture our bodies for about an hour, but feel better after we're done.
Yesterday was head and water day. You ask "what is head and water day?" Well, it's my least favorite job on September Song. It consists of servicing the holding tank (I don't think you want the details on that job) and changing all the water filters and UV lamp. Gotta keep the important things in good working order. It's a sh%$*&y job, but someone has to do it.
We have been having fun with Joe and our other cruising friends the last few days and looking forward to the arrival of Tide Hiker (Norm and Vicki). I can't believe Christmas is only 5 days away. I promised Cassie and Godiva I would turn on the anchor light on Christmas Eve so Santa could find them. I don't know if they still believe in Santa or they are just putting on a good act. We heard from Gypsies and they made it to their new winter home in Key West. Sounds like a great marina they are in, especially because it is in their most favorite place in the world, besides the Bahamas, Key West. Miss you guys! Check out their blog for the details.

September Song (BRRRR!!) out
Bob


A rose between two thorns

The only thing better than a burger and a beer is a really good pizza and a beer

A special day in our lives

Yesterday was a special day. It's the day Stephanie said "I do" and made me the happiest man in the whole world. We enjoy life, including the ups and downs together. (rough seas, calm seas) She is so special and I love, love, love her so much. It's great being married to your best friend, partner, lover, and admiral of your ship. How did I get so lucky?
{Stephanie here - He's so sweet...no wonder I love him so much! I'm absolutely the luckiest person in the world!}


Sunday was dock party day. It's a great way to get to know your fellow cruisers, exchange adventure stories, and make new friends. Always a good time.

Gregg and Karen, new friends that are headed to the Bahamas in about three weeks.

Chuck and Pat on "Got DeFever" our friends that loaned us their car this last two weeks while they were headed South to Stuart. Thanks Guys!

One of the boats docked across from ours was conducting a re-naming ceremony. The new name (For Us) was unveiled, the Gods of the Sea were asked for fair winds and calm seas, and the champagne flowed as we all joined in to toast "For Us". We wish you all the luck Tom and Bunny. I hope you enjoy "For Us" as much as we enjoy September Song. Tom and Bunny needed to return to NY for a short time as they are both still working. (UGH!)

Good to the last drop!

Tom and Bunny on the stern of For Us

Joe, Stephanie and I went to Wahoo's for happy hour and had burger to celebrate Joe's arrival. (thanks Joe) Joe is saving the seat to his left for Julia. She is still up in NY and won't be down for a couple more weeks. (can't wait to see you Julia!) It was great fun talking about all the places we are going to including the Exumas while buddy boating with Joe, Salty, and part time Julia for the next few months.

Joe's dog Salty. I think someone needs to check this guys ID

Lunch furnished by Steve and Di. This was suppose to be a lunch while out fishing, but because of 6 ft. + seas we came in early. The ride to the inlet was fine, but when we got out past the inlet there were what we call elephants. We put the lines in and after about 20 minutes I had one on, but it got off. At that point the seas we still building so we turned the pointy end to shore, then it really got rough. Got rolled a couple of times and rearranged the furniture in the salon, but all is well except no fish. We will give it another try when the seas calm in a few days. (sorry crew for the rough ride) Because we didn't catch any fish for dinner we all decided to go out for Joe's birthday for "SUSHI!" Steve, Di, Chuck, Pat, Stephanie, me and the birthday boy, Joe, (we ate the ones that didn't get away) pigged out at our favorite sushi bar. The only ones missing were Salty (he had a hangover from the night before) and Julia. Happy birthday Joe!

New friends old friends

Where did this last week go? It seems like it was just yesterday that we were celebrating an early Christmas with Doug and Tammy last Sunday and here it is, another Sunday later. Where does the time go? Gypsies left Monday for the yard and Stephanie and I ran a ton of errands and did alot of catch up maintenance Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday I drove over to the yard where Gypsies was on the hard and helped with wax on, wax off so they could get out of the yard on schedule. (I'll do anything for a free lunch) Gypsies in the Palace is looking beautiful with her new bottom paint and wax job. Last night we invited our new neighbors, Bob and Theresa on Theresa, a 41 year old DeFever from California, and Gregg and Karen on a 42 foot Sea Ray. They have been buddy boating for a time. Seems like an odd pair of boats to be traveling together, a 46 foot 41 year old 7 knot DeFever and a 42 foot go fast sea Ray. Just goes to show you, It's not about the boats, it's the people. We had a great time with them, talking about everyones' adventures. Gregg and Karen are going to leave for the Bahamas in three weeks for their first trip there. They are so excited! (like a couple of kids) I remember how excited we were on our first trip there. We showed them pictures of our trip to the Exumas and now they are really excited. Who wouldn't be if they were headed for Paradise. We gave them a few tips for their trip. Throw away your watch, put your cell phone in a drawer, take off your shoes, put on your beads, and go on "Island time mon". We can't wait to get back. We made plans to get together with them again. (maybe this time I will remember to take pictures) Today we expect to see Chuck and Pat Berry arrive, Wednesday Joe and Salty on Sea Pearl, and on Saturday Norm and Vicki on Tide Hiker. Let's get this party started!

September Song (meeting new friends) out
Bob


Steve Koch and his tools to the rescue

Gypsies on the hard getting beautiful

Wax on, wax off

Our new neighbors, Bob and Theresa from California on a 41 year old DeFever

Two empty seats at happy hour. We ordered drinks for Doug and Tammy, but they aren't here, so we drank them in their honor. Miss you guys!

Dressed for Christmas

It's a little strange decorating for Christmas when it's 80 degrees out. Who said it isn't Christmas without snow? I will ask again after the storm hits the Midwest this week (12 to 15 inches of snow) and we are going to be in the low to mid 80's, and we will see how many people agree with me. Sure, snow is pretty, but I prefer white sand to white snow. September Song is in the holiday spirit and I don't think she would like her decks covered with snow. To start the holidays Doug and Tammy joined us for an early Christmas dinner on Sunday. Doug and Tammy left today to go to a yard about 4 hours away to have Gypsy hauled to have the bottom painted and a bunch of other miscellaneous stuff done, then are headed farther South to Key West for the winter. We didn't want to miss Christmas with our cruising buddies so we pretended it was Christmas. This last week has been non stop fun with them trying to cram in as much as possible before they left. We will miss them, but I'm sure we will be together off and on in the future. Our other cruising friends are going to start showing up next week (32 boats when they are all here in January) and I'm sure it will be a non stop party. After that we will probably all need to check into Betty Ford to dry out. Not really, we just have alot of fun. I need to get all my stuff (wax on wax off) done before they all get here so this week may be a little boring, but stay tuned, there will be alot going on after this week and I will take you along. Also don't forget, your going fishing with us for the "BIG ONE."

September Song (man it's hot here) out
Bob


September Song all dressed up for Christmas

Our Charlie Brown Tree

The ships bell

The annual boat parade in Stuart was a bust. It was rainy and windy Saturday so not many boats dressed up. It took longer to stand in line for something to drink than it took for the boat parade