There we are on the bow of the boat.

This is the whole group of monks that went for a ride

This boat was part of the decorated boats for Christmas.  The pictures did not turn out very well.

We had 70 degree weather today.  What a relief after the 20 degree weather we had last week.  I know you are all getting slammed up north.  They make it such a big deal that it is below zero.  So what.  It's often below zero.  But we are becoming whimps down here.  So mild.
Dick took a group of monks out on the boat into the Neuse river for a ceramony.  They went out on a different boat about a month ago and came back with a bigger group this time.  So interesting.  They were from many different countries.
We have decided to stay here for the holidays and house sit again for our friends Ralph and Linda.  Both working.  Next year will be different.
Happy holidays to everyone.

Waiting for varnish.  An endless job.

This is typical of a Grand Banks boat.  If you wonder if the boat you are looking at is a GB then look for this woodwork near the bow.

We continue to have beautiful warm days and cool nights.  Our days are full with getting together with looper friends and cleaning the boat and walking the dog and making new friends.  It really is a lifestyle.  I am getting ready to change jobs...a little less than thrilled with working in the nursing home.  New job is home care working with Hospice.
We are looking forward to Thanksgiving.  We will be driving up to Raleigh and spending 4 days with Dick's brother and family.  They are planning a 4 day celebration complete with skeet shooting, bonfire and barbque.  Can't wait.  They are expecting 40 people.
We keep thinking about taking the boat up to the Outer banks and Kitty Hawk.  But it is getting so late in the year and it is still hurricane season for a few more days.  May have to wait for spring.  We will see all the keys people going north then.  We are a little sad to be sitting still this year.  Saying good bye to friends who are going south for the winter.  But keep reminding ourselves that we will be heading south at this time next year and it will be worth it.
And so it goes.

Our sweet little Abby.

Tree in the water.  What's wrong with this picture?

Flooded street in the park.

Sidewalk to no where.

Missing dock.

Although they are talking about flooding all over North Carolina and we are surrounded by water, we are not being much affected.  We have been having beautiful sunny days and cool nights.  My favorite.  I heard that the park next to us on the other side of the bridge is still flooded, and we still have almost 4 feet of water under the keel that we don't normally have, we are doing ok.

8 am this morning.

11 am this morning.

It has turned into a beautiful day. Cool and windy.  No electric out here but they have a good generator so we are not suffering at all.  Life is very good.  There is suppose to be flooding everywhere but New Bern.  We are doing fine.