Wind Turbine Installed

Another productive weekend....we got the wind turbine installed.  It is a 600 watt Sunforce wind turbine and Scott can tell you more about the reason we choose this unit and about the installation.  I just want to show photo's and thank John Jacobs for his most excellent help.

 John Jacobs and Scott very hard at work installing the pole for the wind turbine.

 John Jacobs works on the turbine and takes time to smile.

 Scott with the finished product...one of our power sources...next up solar panels.

 The finished product......

 The last two photos are just things of beauty....a rainbow and the top and John's wife Victoria at the bottom........

Ditch Bag - UPDATED

What do you put in your ditch bag?

I did extensive research on items to put in a ditch bag.  Being a bit of a organization freak I probably went overboard but if we ever need to use this bag everyone will be happy I am an organization freak.  Scott suggested I expand the information for the ditch bag so all updates will be in RED.  The bag itself is a floating ditch bag with pockets for the EPRIB and VHF.  The items are put into ziplock bags with items sorted by use like safety stuff together and grooming stuff together and so on.....

If you read this and have any suggestions of something I should consider putting in the bag PLEASE comment. 

Kooky Dance - Ditch Bag Contents

Ø  EPIRB & Hand Held VHF - The EPIRB had to be registered and will be kept on the wall next to the companion way door.  The handheld VHF will have batteries charged and kept close to the companion way door along with the EPIRB.

Ø  2 flash lights - I choose LED flashlights and choose to put two flashlights in the bag because I feel there always should  a back-up.  I have fresh batteries in the flash light and also extra batteries.

Ø  8 “D” Batteries

Ø  10 AAA Batteries

Ø  6 AA Batteries

Ø  50” ¼ rope

Ø  250’ twine

Ø  Fishing kit - the fishing kit contains a telescoping fishing pole with assorted lures.  I also added some additional fishing line and lures.

Ø  Distress flag

Ø  Toilet Paper

Ø  Waterproof matches

Ø  Sun Screen

Ø  Ibuprofen

Ø  Benadryl

Ø  Duct tape

Ø  Sun Glasses

Ø  Reading Glasses

Ø  Glow Sticks

Ø  Ponchos

Ø  Emergency Blankets

Ø  Skin so Soft

Ø  Plastic drop cloth

Ø  Chap Stick

Ø  2 plastic spoons

Ø  Multipurpose tool

Ø  Survival tool with whistle, compass, mirror and light

Ø  Hand Sanitizer

Ø  Clean wipes

Ø  Electrical tape

Ø  Two travel care kits (mouthwash, toothpaste ect)

Ø  Ziplock bags

Ø  Trash bags

Ø  2 towels

Ø  2 rags

Ø  Food – see attached list

Ø  Ice packs

Ø  Hand held flares

Ø  First aid kit – see attached list

Food for Ditch bag
The food that was selected was based on how long it would last.  I was first checking expiration dates because I wanted the food to last a few years.  But then I came up with a plan:  my plan is to once a year we are going to have a REFRESH weekend.  I am going to refresh to food items once a year and not try to keep food fresh for many years. It will part of our annual maintenance  - so when we do annual maintenance on the boat will will eat our provision and then refresh the supply.

15 slim Jims snack sticks

4 granola bars

4 peanut butter pouches

1 can almonds

6 high energy trail mix pouches

2 bags beef jerky

4 Protein bars

First aid kit for ditch bag

Being a nurse it was hard to narrow the first aid kit down to a small but usable kit.  My original plan was to grab my whole medical kit and take it on the life raft .... well if you could see the size of my medical kit you would shake your head and say "woman you can't fit all that on a life raft" or maybe Scott would say that.... anyhow the items I put in the first aid kit are simple but able to care for a variety of injuries.  Secretly, I still plan on grabbing the big medical supply kit if I have time and space.

Alcohol wipes

Band aids

Antibiotic cream

Gloves

Gauze

Butterfly bandages

4-0 silk with needle

Tourniquet

Cotton rounds

 

 

Tamera's Retirement Day

Friday October 4, 2013 was my last day at work ...that's right I retired from North Houston Endoscopy and Surgery.

Everyone there is just awesome.  I don't know why but I only expected a card and a few good bye hugs.  I however got the who shebang.  When I first arrived I was greeted with a happy retirement banner and was made to dress like a pirate (of the Caribbean)....

Then when we took a break for lunch they had a wonderful gift bag full of goodies that I could use during cruising.  Too much stuff to list but trust me it was awesome.  They also had a cake which totally surprised me ... remember all I was expecting was a card.

Then we all went outside to "take a group photo" (I thought anyway)  as it turns out we did that and I also saw they decorated my car.  I wish I took a photo of the whole thing because they covered the entire car with plastic wrap and wrote messages on the windows like this....

it was hilarious driving around Houston with this on my window...got lots of honks and crazy looks.

I thought the fun was over but NO....I was then awarded "employee of the quarter" and this really really totally shocked me.....What?  Me?  I'm leaving !!!

The fun did not end there.  The "team building" night was a great night of bowling, eating, drinking and laughing. 

I really big THANK YOU to everyone at North Houston Endoscopy for the most awesome retirement day.  I don't think you all realize how much the day meant to me....so much better than just a card !!!!