The Plan

Planning is one of those things that my personality type enjoys, even demands.  I love a plan. That said; I’ve intentionally avoided stating my plan here. The last couple of years have been hard. One of the problems has been that every time I attempt to develop a plan, something is thrown in the way to mess it up. I’ve never had such a period in my life that was so aimless and empty.  I’ve basically been waiting for other people to make decisions. That has been done so the time for me to make some decisions for myself has arrived. So, this is my attempt to get the year started off right – with a plan!!

I intend to move onto my boat. My current plan has me there by February 1, 2012. My home is for sale and I have a contract on it with a January 20, 2012 closing date. Of course, it is not without issues and the process has not been smooth. This is the third house that I’ve sold and the experience has been the worst of the three, by far. I cannot control any aspect of the sale so it has the greatest potential to mess with my plans.

Nearly all of my “junk” has been eliminated.  After the house sale is a sure thing (ya, I know…), I will be having a big garage sale and whatever remains goes to Goodwill or into the dumpster.  I’ve spent my life providing for family and “acquiring” things so it has been very surprising to suddenly find that none of those “things” hold any value or interest. Most of them have now been sold – airplane, garage equipment, furniture, household belongings, tools, sports car, memorabilia, etc… The keepsakes and photos fit into two reasonably small boxes.  They will be stored by family.  The things necessary for living have been packed into a half a dozen boxes – clothes, bedding, towels, dishes, tools, work equipment, etc…  Looking at these few boxes leaves me with a very odd feeling. I expected to forever own a home full of memories where my kids, grandkids, and great grandchildren gathered on a regular basis. Obviously, this won’t be happening and that makes me very sad. However; I have had a few years of sitting around wallowing in self-pity and know that I must pick myself up and carry on.  Life is not over nor do all of the good times have to be in the past. A positive outlook is a huge portion of the battle so I am fighting. God has VERY richly blessed me and I strongly believe that there are many very happy years and great accomplishments ahead.

I am very excited about the move onto the boat for a variety of reasons.  I am a builder/handyman/restorer type of person and am very much looking forward to living in my “project”. Next is change of scenery.  I look forward to new friendships, new environment, new challenges, and a new, less complicated way of life.  That last item (less complicated way of life) is a long term goal but the idea of being self-sufficient is immensely appealing.

I am going to continue working as I need to build the cruising kitty. I am a software developer and can do my work from anywhere as long as I have an Internet connection.  I am going to move the boat to a good liveaboard marina on the west coast of Florida. From there, I will work and fix up the boat. It is already in good shape but needs a lot of improvements for living aboard and long term cruising. Perhaps I will stay in one place or perhaps I will move around, I do not know. I figure a year or two of this along with lots of local sailing should have both me and the boat in very good shape for whatever is next.  Perhaps the Caribbean will be calling, I don’t know.

I previously looked at a “plan” as something that could not be altered and for which I would make huge sacrifices to achieve.  Not anymore. Now, it is the direction of the moment based on current conditions and facts.  That may all change tomorrow. If it does, the plan will be adjusted. This is not a defeat or a setback – it is just life.