HAPPY HOLIDAZE...

Well tis the season again.... HO HO Ho!

I got a card yesterday from 'friends' (jim & patti) and it says, "ask Santa to bring you a new haircut." So i feel warm and loved knowing that others are caring about me. Life can't get much better than this can it?

Yesterday i was at the Dentist. (not my favorite spot) While sitting in the lobby waiting to be poked and prodded, my phone rings. It's an insurance salesman - calling me back to get a new quote for the boat. (my old carrier - Allstate - raised my boat insurance from $1200 to $4400. no claims filed, no reason given. just "hello customer your bill is now 4 times as much." i called them to express my displeasure. they explained it as, "it's an old boat." well heck, i knew that already, it's the only way i can afford the darn thing. besides it was an old boat the last two years and you charged me $1200. it's not like it aged 4 times as much in one year? they don't have "dog years" for boats?) Anyway i'm trying to find a new insurance company to give me a reasonable bill to insure the boat. So i'm sitting there in the dentist office lobby - ring, ring, ring and i get the insurance salesman call. i have a hard time hearing him because of the dental drill noise in the background... (ring, ring, grind, grind, zzzzzzzzz, grind) I think to myself - 'this is just a little slice of hell.' my teeth are fine. they told me so.

I have been working on woodwork this week. i borrowed two electric sanders from Craig and Angela. (it still feels like i have sand in my eyes from the grinding process. lesson learned) the old varnish was peeling up and had to be sanded off before new Cetol* wood preservative could be applied. *Cetol is 'like' varnish except it's not. it's the consistency of hot pancake syrup. so it RUNS. Varnish is very very thick and gooey. for real varnish you have to apply 12-16 coats with sanding between each one, and you have to mix paint thinner with the varnish to thin it so it spreads evenly. (varnish is an art - for real 'traditional sailors' who have to compete at best varnish with other sailors) i am very happy with the Cetol. i have now put on four coats and stopped. the directions say put on 3-5 coats as needed. then a year from now apply another coat. (varnish takes applications up to every six months) i am not a "purist" and dont care what other people think of me because i use Cetol instead of varnish. i just need to protect the wood. if other sailors dont like it, well they can kiss my deck!

I'm up now packing to go on holiday in Costa Rica. you may expect some photos and news from there in the next week or so. Hopefully the volcano Arenal will be doing it's thing while i'm there! the weather report shows mid 80's for highs on the beach so it will be a nice relaxing time.

All the best to you and yours at this special time of year!

xo Pirate Skip