10/13/22

Everything is just so much more intense.

Not going to lie, this has been a rough couple weeks. Some pretty incredible ups and downs. Really it’s a continuation from this whole summer and year so far, just intensified due to the impending departure. Everything is just so much more intense. Especially the feelings and emotions.

Our original departure date came and went nearly a month ago, but we were still waiting on a part that we have been trying to replace for months. We had finally thought we had tracked down the parts needed to make the repairs and were supposedly one more week away from having those parts. Of course, delivery day came and went, and then almost another week when news came that now those parts were backordered until December. DECEMBER!

So the scramble began yet again to figure out another plan. Found a used hydraulic cylinder, just like ours…in Florida…just after Ian hit, I think you can see where this is going. Part shipped, noticed that routing had been screwed up, but was fixed and the part was on its way. And then nothing. No updates; the part was just somewhere. We finally got the part. Stress levels high and we need a break, and a reconnect.

Thankfully, the grandparents took the kids for a few days, and we had a chance to breathe, to work through some issues, and to reconnect. Nothing like sharing a new experience to realign. We checked out the inaugural Atlantis Rising International Sand Sculpture Competition at Misquamicut State Beach in Westerly, RI, which was inspiring. Good drinks with a view at the end of the day doesn’t hurt either. Relationships require a mindful effort to maintain, and that is only magnified when living in a confined space (more on this later).

Looking forward, our best weather window is Saturday, so we need to make all our final preparations.

-Teal