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The Hurricane Chronicles:
The Horrors of 2005
Emily / Dennis / Katrina / Rita / Wilma
Who would think 2005's hurricane season could rival last year's madness? Max Mayfield, that's who! Hurricanes Dennis, Emily, Katrina, and now Rita have crossed our paths one way or another this wicked hurricane season. Rita is on her way to the Gulf Coast as I type this. She just left the Keys. I'm just putting in all the correspondence during that time right now, no order except chronological -- unless it's a reply to a specific email, then it's paired with the original email.
The Hurricane Chronicles are here to demonstrate how hurricanes effect our lives. Even so, things continue to happen in everyday life with our family and friends who are living in Illinois, Arizona, Philly, Argentina, Los Angeles/Hollywood, Colorado, Maryland, other parts of Florida, Connecticut, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Maine, New Mexico, Wisconsin, Hawaii, Countries of Germany, Grenada, etc. etc. The places were our loved ones live, where emails are written for many reasons... our lives don't stop because a hurricane is coming. The Chronicles here show you basically, what a year full of hurricanes looks like and how our live-aboard and sailing life intertwines into the day-to-day lives of those we love.
Our hearts ache for those on the Gulf Coast who now must face another catastrophic hurricane. Get out while you can, she is a monster. There is nothing more important than life. Homes, furniture, cars, possessions are NOTHING. Go!
Eventually you'll be able to read all about what was happening in our lives as these meteorological wet dreams came to view. I got so incensed hearing newscasters sounding like Jimmy Olson and Lois Lane biting on the story of the decade. When Rita hit the Keys she had barely turned into a Category 2, but my phone was ringing off the hook from all my family and friends who thought the Keys were going to be obliterated off the map. All because of what they saw on the news.
Yes, these stories are big... but for God's sake... please show more compassion and less drooling! Not all are like this, of course... but dayam... you know who you are, because your spouse told you the same thing. It's like the plane having landing gear problems, the TVs on in the plane and the passengers watching their own fate on the NEWS! Good Grief!
Though Hurricane Emily caused us here in the Keys no problems, dear friends with their children and parents were on vacation in the Yucatan Peninsula... and Emily was on her way there as a Category 4. They called us for advice. Charmaine was on the telephone with them for hours... and still on the phone as Emily hit... incredible ordeal. You'll be able to read about it all right here... as well as the Horrors of the Gulf Coast -- Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi -- New Orleans made much of the news, but they all were suffering with the wrath and rampage of hurricane Katrina: 90,000 square miles of devastation.
Remember, The Hurricane Chronicles start out as our lives are in full gear... every day living just like you or anyone else... and then things start to change... as life continues there is the up, the down, and the middle ground where you have a fleeting moment to get in a sigh, cry, or an emotional high. It shows that life still goes on, no matter what. One day you laugh, the next day you cry. In the long run, however, the sun will shine once again -- but if your eyes are full of tears... you just might notice it.
A phrase I coined earlier this year fits my philosophy: "Life's a Gift... Unwrap It"!
- Charmaine Smith Ladd|
From:
Charmaine
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From: s/v September Sea
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A
blonde calls her boyfriend
and says, "Please come over
here and help me. I have a
killer jigsaw puzzle, and I
can't figure out how to
get it started.
Her boyfriend asks, "What is it supposed to be when it's finished?"
The
blonde says, "According to
the picture on the box, it's
a tiger."
Her
boyfriend decides to go over
her house and help with the
puzzle. She lets him in and
shows him that she has the
puzzle spread all over the
table.
He
studies the pieces for a
moment, then looks at the
box, then turns to her and
says, "First of all, no
matter what we do, we're not
going to be able to assemble
these pieces into anything
resembling a Tiger."
He
takes her hand and says,
"Second, I want you to
relax. Let's have a nice cup
of tea... and then," he
sighed....
"...so now... let's put all
these Frosted Flakes back in
the box."
Bill and Charmaine Aboard
s/v September Sea
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From: lfrancis
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So sorry to tell
you that our son, Bj (Bill Jr.),
passed away yesterday, Memorial Day,
on his boat in St. Croix. It
appears he was sick with a virus and
then died after falling into
a diabetic coma. Bj was 31 and had
Juvenile Diabetes and was at risk
throughout his life.
Charmaine's mother,
Essie Smith, also passed away the
very same day. We're in shock and
grieving, but trying to hang in
there.
We will have a
joint memorial service for Bj and
his loving Grandmother in
Springfield, Illinois (this
Saturday). After we return, we will
have another Celebration of Bj's
Life here in Marathon, Florida for
all those here who loved him. It
will be on the Sombrero Beach, June
8th at 3:00 pm.
Thank you for
your prayers. Somehow, this too...
shall pass.
He's already
missed.
Charmaine & Bill
Aboard s/v
September Sea
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~ We received hundreds of condolences. Please refer to the Celebration of Life. ~
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From:
tiempo@pocketmail.com
Date: 06/10/05
19:35:27
To:
Charmaine@SeptemberSea.com
Subject: Re: Bj
This email is a treasure to me, and
when we get to Brunswick, I will
print it out and keep it in my
special place. You are the most
soulful person I have ever known, my
Charmie-you are healing others as
you heal yourself...Bless you &
Bill-so special and to our Breighan,
& darling Will. Soooo much love from
us to you. Peggy& Edwin
Peggy/Edwin Bockelman
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From: tiempo
Date: 06/17/05
23:23:08
To:
Charmaine@SeptemberSea.com
Subject: The
deafening silence
Dear Bill & Charmie...
Received your "Living Board"
magazine today, filled with
nostalgia. And your article was The
Best!!! Now that
you are quieted down-the real impact
of it all hits like a bullet. Just
wanted to wait for this time,to let
you know we are still thinking of
you so very much, and here for both
of you. This pain will never
subside, but will become more
tolerable with the magic word
"time". What to say, dear, dear
friends..nothing can be said to ease
this sorrow. I pray you will find
the strength to get through this,
and move on...Bj expects you to do
just that. So so sorry dear friends,
how impossible is this to say
goodbye to your child-just can not
imagine. But, you do have that inner
power & strength-just hang on to it
and to each other. So much love
pouring outta here to you. Love you,
my Charmie & Bill, and our sweet
Breighan.
Peggy/Edwin Bockelman
on board m/v TIEMPO
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From: Charmaine
Aboard s/v September Sea
Date: 06/21/05
10:14:44
To:
NickBruce@CrisisShield.org
Cc:
dmortimer@verizon.net
Subject: Need Help
Contacting Davisons
Hello, I was given your name and
email address from someone who also
is concerned about Jim and Kathleen
Davison. Jim and Kathleen are doing
volunteer work (Jim's a woodworker)
for the Crisis Relief in
Grenada. They live aboard their
sailboat, "Drummer," a steel 33-foot
sloop rig, tan in color with seafoam
accents. Their dinghy name is
"Bongo."
I am very worried. My 31-year old
son and my Mother both died on
Memorial Day of this year and I know
that Jim and Kathleen would want to
know this information. I have
written and been approved by their
internet security so I know that's
not the reason why I haven't heard
from them.
Please help me.
My name is Charmaine Smith Ladd, my
husband is Bill Ladd, we are on s/v
September Sea in Marathon, Florida
Keys. We can be reached at our
toll-free number:
800-544-xxxx. If Jim and Kathleen
have no way of writing us, please
give them the toll-free number for
contacting us.
May they be safe and my worries for
naught.
Life's a Gift... Unwrap It!
Charmaine & Bill
Aboard s/v September Sea
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I have just heard from Jim and Kathleen. It's 10:18 AM on June 21st. Thank you all for helping.
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From:
MCOMCorp@aol.com
Date: 06/21/05
10:59:34
To:
Charmaine@SeptemberSea.com
Subject:
Congratulations on your website
I just
saw the website you have and wanted
to congratulate you on it. Once
again, please receive my condolences
on the untimely death of your son.
My heart goes out to you and your
family. I'm the father of two young
adult girls and I can't imagine a
life without them.
all the
best
Michael
Cannon
Wayward
O'Malley
'30
Portsmouth Downeast Flybridge
Cruiser
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Hey Biffy,
I'm just going through email and
realizing so much of this stuff you
really need to see. Someone sent
this to me and I was trying to
figure out who it was, when I just
gave up and said, "What does it
matter WHO sent it?"
Enjoy.
Love you SO MUCH,
Mommy Aboard s/v September Sea
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From: Steve
Weinstein
Date: 06/21/05
17:40:17
To: Charmaine
Aboard s/v September Sea
Subject: Re: [livaboard]
Container Waste
Hey,
kiddo, I forgot to say Welcome
Back! You doin' okay? Given what
you were dealing with the past two
weeks I didn't want to intrude but I
was concerned for you.
Steve
Steve Weinstein
s/v HYDRO-THERAPY 1981 Cherubini Designed H33 Sailing out of Oyster Bay, NY |
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Thanks Darlin'
We're doing okay. I'm still on
heavy sedatives. They don't seem
to sedate me, but they do keep me
from non-stop blubbering. The
minute those puppies wear off I'm a
crying vegetable.
I'm sure this too shall pass. The
love for our son is immeasurable,
the blessing we had as parents to
raise him to become one of the most
incredible human beings I've ever
had the good fortune to really know.
Found out today I have interstitial
cystitis and found it's not that
uncommon for those of us who have
fibromyalgia. I'm one of those
people who, when the doctors say,
"Well, with this you can't do
that..." "I'm dissin' ya, Doc."
Not too bad, could have been a worse
diagnosis, at least no kidney
stones. My father always said,
"Kidney stones are turrable, just
turrable." LOL
Thanks for the welcome back, Steve.
You're a peach without a pit. They
did a full page newspaper article on
Bj down here in the paper for the
Keys. Amazing. He is so loved down
here, and in St. Croix as well. He
just is a charming, infectious with
affection type of person... guess I
had something to do with that.
Hope to hear from ya again soon.
P.S. My own hours? You are a
Devil, you know. LOL <wink>
Charmaine Aboard s/v September Sea
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Breigh and Ennie:
Thought you'd like to see this. I
did these up for Charlie (Janet &
Charlie), who is heading the
committee for the Benefit for Will.
It's also another Memorial,
"Celebration of Life," once again.
That's Bj, got to do everything
TWICE as good.
"Celebration of Life"
"Bj" William Dean
Ladd II
Saturday, July 2nd
Location: Dockside
Lounge
4 pm til 9 pm
Special Musical Guests
50/50
Drawings & Raffles - Games & More
Must be present to
Win!
~ ~ ~
HAPPY HOUR
3 pm til 9 pm
Come show your love!
All Donations are
for:
William Dean Ladd
III, "Will"
College Fund
____________________________________
For
more information call:
Charlie
Miller 000-0124
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From: mccormick
From: Charmaine Aboard s/v September Sea
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From: Charmaine Date: 06/30/2005 Time: TO WAKEUP TERRY!!!!!
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Somebody better stay away from JAMAICAN CHOCOLATE!!
OMG! Too funny.
Love ya, Mainie
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From: John Perry
Dear Fellow Cruiser
I found your contact details on the Cruising Yacht Site Ring – of which I am also a member.
What I am hoping to do is to get as many cruising sailors as possible involved in my Message In A Bottle project. The aim of the project is for us to donate essentials to the local communities in the underprivileged, out-of-the-way places that we visit. These essentials might include such things as school books, medical supplies, fishing equipment and so on. As a participant, the choice of what you donate is yours.
We would raise the money needed to purchase these items by offering a Message In A Bottle to anyone that makes a donation via our websites.
How it works: You create a Message In A Bottle page on your website where visitors to your website can donate £10-00 (US$20-00) towards our project. Using their donation, you then purchase whatever you think is needed for the local community of your next port-of-call.
In return for their donation, when you are next in the middle of some ocean, you throw a bottle with your sponsors message in it, into the sea and then send them an email confirming the date and the latitude & longitude of its launch, or, if they are one of those nice environmentally conscious folk, you send a Virtual Message In A Bottle that will drift around the ether for about thirty seconds before beaching itself in their email inbox.
What types of Message In A Bottle are available? The world of messages is your sponsor’s oyster, so to speak. Anything is possible. From birthday greetings to seasonal greetings. From declarations of love, to declarations of unpaid traffic offences. Your donors can make their message as personal as they wish.
How does the payment work? If you don’t already have one, you will need to set up a PayPal account through which your sponsors can send their donations. PayPal will send you an email confirming their payment and will then transfer the money into your regular bank account.
What else? Firstly, you will need to create a Message In A Bottle page on your website with a prominent link to my website so that your visitors can follow the global success of the project. Please have a look at my website to get some ideas. Once you are registered with me and are up and running, whenever you have the opportunity, please email me an update for the “Our Success” and the “Photo Album” pages.
Registration: Once you’ve created a Message In A Bottle page on your website, all you need to do is email me a recent photograph of your boat or yourselves and include the following details: boat name, your name/s, the URL of your website and your preferred email address (please note that I use java script to hide your email address from spambots).
If you know of any other cruising yachts that have their own websites, please forward this to them. Thank you.
Here’s to us making a difference for the people of the places we visit.
Best regards and fair winds.
John Perry s/v Stingo
http://www.stingo.co.uk (Anecdotes from Stingo)
john@stingo.co.uk
Skype userID = stingo390
Hurricane Dennis
| Hurricane Dennis | July 5th - July 11th | Max Winds 150 (mph) | Minimum Pressure 930 (mb) |
From: Steve Weinstein
From: Randy Johnson
Just checking in to see if you are ok............I guess you have gone to your hurricane hole in the glades.............take care.....write when you can.
Randy
From: tiempo
DAYAM as you say, every year is getting more complicated. All is well here, we, are enjoying the beach walks here, and the beautiful Spanish Moss hanging everywhere, and the huge Oak, Magnolia, and Pine trees, Very beautiful-a low country kinda peaceful feeling here. SO miss hearing from you, please let us know how you REALLY are. You would love this....... We are very involved with the 12 Tribes so called cult here. Have known them for years, and every one on our dock is worried--that perhaps we are getting sucked in. Can you imagine Edwin getting snow balled???? Anyway, we love these people and what they do, all organic food, baking own bread and creams and lotions and potions, and energy Mata tea, and all things great. They are huge in the community here in tiny Brunswick, Ga., and ALL new cruisers are hugely suspicious. They own 5 houses here and have a huge IRON WOOD hull 94' awesome vessel called AVANY. Look up their web site- www.TwelveTribes.com Have known them for years, and every one here thinks we are crazy to even talk to them. Any way, they are forever stopping over to see us to bring us fresh bread, and chat with us. Our Dirk is nervous we are involved as well, but actually he could do worse to get involved himself with this group/cult. We see nothing but good in them..
Anyway, their vessel is outstanding--full of stained glass all through the interior. They all wear long skirts, bloomers, loose fitting clothes, and all have long hair tied in a pony tail, both male and female, Ed and Dirk say that if I get fitted for bloomers, they are outta here, any way check it out= www.TwelveTribes.com and all their controversy. Interesting. Have to get together with you to have a girlfriend thing my Charmie, miss the heck outta you. Hope you are holding up and getting through the rest of the season OK. LOVE you soooooo much!!!!! Give Garth and Rob a huge love from us, and all the gang. My heart aches for all you two have been through.
Much much love, Peggy n EDwin Huge hugs and sooooo many memories of all the gang there. Stay so safe, and we are thinking of you and praying for you, we love you so much, you are in our hearts!!!!
From: John Porter
Hurricane Emily
| Hurricane Emily | July 11th - July 21st | Maximum Winds 155 (mph) | Minimum Pressure 930 (mb) |
Hurricane Emily - Satellite picture over the Yucatan taken 7-19-2005.
From: Charmaine Aboard s/v September Sea
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Hey all, just spent the last two
days and nights on the phone to our
dear friends who are in Mexico (yup,
at the Barcelo Maya hotel which
is about 15 miles west of the
Southern tip of Cozumel -- on the
"dirty" side of Hurricane Emily and
right smack where the eye
hit... near Tulum). We lost
communication as Hurricane Emily
reached land, I did speak with them
for about fifteen minutes of the
initial impact and they were doing
well. I expect to hear all went
fine as the Hotel was built in 1999
and able to easily withstand 135-160
mph winds from Emily and her
EYE. If any of you have heard more
than I, please pass the information
along. I'd appreciate it.
I think it's amazing that it seems
only one person so far had a
satellite phone (on Playa del
Carmen), very near the strike zone
as well -- and definitely in
the high winds. He talked with CNN
just an hour ago and said all is
well. Some trees down but didn't
seem to be any major structural
damage (of the Resort areas).
Cancun is fine as well.
Now... back to Boat Size. Just a
few other things to mention for
those who are interested:
Often times your boat chooses you,
if it's near your price range
(LOL). Otherwise, my main point is
that linear footage is not always
indicative of lack of (or ample)
space. Our 36-foot sloop is much
larger than a 32-footer, and I don't
mean only by 4 feet in length.
Everything is bigger; wider; taller
(freeboard); as a boat's length
increases, so does everything else,
exponentially.
Also, center cockpit boats can offer
tons of space even in the smaller
sizes due to the higher freeboard
(meaning lots of headroom below
decks), and usually a nice large aft
cabin. Many CC boats have two
heads, one adjoining the V-berth and
community space, and the other in
the Owner's Sleeping Cabin.
Great example for impressive space
per linear foot are the Scylla
Swallowcraft boats. Go to
Yachtworld and look around, find the
boats that show most all the angles
and areas of the boat.
For those who haven't seen the
differences in space, all boats of
the same linear footage are not
created equal. There are 40-footers
I've been on that don't have the
"open" spaces on my 36-footer. So
besides length, it's make, model, CC
or not, and many other yada yada
yadas.
The thing here is to try and offer
people who may not know exactly what
they want -- a manner of weeding out
and narrowing down,
realistically, the right boat for
their respective needs. Judy's
needs are pretty clear with a
claustrophobic mate (however, I too
am claustrophobic [got hives inside
an elevator!], yet have learned ways
to accommodate myself. I actually
sleep in our Owner's cabin, which I
thought would be an impossibility in
my lifetime. (We have a king-sized
convertible bed in the salon, that
was my security blanket for six
months. I took the door off the
hinges in the Owner's cabin and
would go in there and read... before
I knew it I'd be cat napping... you
get the idea). The door's back on
its hinges and I'm very
comfortable in there now.
The trick is to try to keep an
open-mind with regard to size, as so
many people find they buy boats
larger than they really needed
(cause they didn't know what they
needed). Hopefully, with a thread
such as this one, it will give pause
to some who think they too could
never live aboard "anything less
than 40 feet." My husband was one
of those people... didn't take long
before he was seeing things
differently. I suppose he felt that
if I (Miss Claustraphobic) could
handle it... so could he. He's 6'2
and loves our boat just the way it
is and is so thankful I got him to
consider looking at smaller
vessels. (You know, the "What's the
harm in looking?" routine.)
So my advice to anyone who is
looking for their perfect boat, and
has never owned one... to think
practically. If you've never lived
aboard or owned a boat, you have to
start somewhere... so take baby
steps and do extensive research on
boats and their sizes (and layouts,
yes... VERY important). When you
think you have found what you want,
see if you can find another one like
it to charter for a few days. Even
with one or two other people on
board, it will give you a sense of
what it's like on a boat that size.
Don't like it, try another layout or
model. Then work your way to
finding the boat that fits your
comfort level. But don't forget
that with more boat comes more
everything else... including
headaches. That's the way it is
with anything.
Hopefully, as we've all pretty much
agreed on this List, your boat will
find you. Let's just say I think
it's advantageous to try to increase
the odds of it being the right
choice by making a decision based on
education, not
emotion. "Dreamboats" are often...
well, like in life: not necessarily
"reality" boats.
Charmaine Aboard s/v September Sea
"Life's a Gift... Unwrap It!" - C~
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From:
Charmaine Aboard s/v
September Sea
Date:
07/29/05 12:24:35
To: PEGGY
Subject:
Guess Who's Coming to
Dinner????
Hey my Sweet One,
Girl... do I have some
bombshell news for you!!
Are you ready? You sure?
Oh Peggy, this is like a
miracle. A gift from God
above. It's so incredible.
Bj has a DAUGHTER!!
Yes, a little girl named
Diana. She will be six
years old on August 5th. We
are
stunned. She looks just
like Will, Bj's son. Will's
mother met with Diana's
mother, Rebecca, just the
other night.
Rebecca called Melissa and
told her she really wanted
to be in contact with us and
had never been
able to find out where we
are. Melissa called me and
gave me Rebecca's phone
number and we talked for
hours. Rebecca cried when I
told her, "Oh my God, we
have another grandchild!
What a gift from God."
She said she had no idea how
we would react or if we'd
want contact, but said she
knew from Bj that we are a
very loving family.
She said she always thought
taht if we knew about Diana
we would have made contact.
She's absolutely RIGHT.
My WHOLE family is beside
themselves. They want
to know WHO WHAT WHERE WHEN
HOW and
"When do we get to meet
her?" They are so excited.
SOOOO excited.
Here's a picture of Diana
with her big brother Will
(they met for the first time
the other night). Girl,
have mercy, my sisters say
she looks just like I did
when I was her age.
Incredible. The resemblance
between
she and Will is amazing. She
and Will played together
like they've lived together
their whole lives. Rebecca
said she has never seen
anything so amazing.
I will call you and we'll talk. Let this picture soak in:
CAN YOU STAND IT!!!! I'm SCREAMING with JOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MUCH MUCH LOVE, Life's a Gift... Unwrap It! Charmaine & Bill Aboard s/v September Sea |
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From:
Peggy & Edwin
Date:
07/29/05 14:51:09
To:
Charmaine Aboard s/v
September Sea
Subject:
Diana & Will
Please send pic again to
me--I have the prob. solved,
just followed the
instructions on the "the
page cannot be displayed"
page. And with all my poking
around I deleted my web
mail, before I even knew
what was there. So I wait
with baited breath. Love you
girl.....peek-a-boo Charmie---your
news is good for you, and
you have enough love and
warmth for the whole
world--even with your
already HUGE family. You are
all one Unit, and you are a
living community all of your
own--even if you do not have
Little House on the Prairie
clothes-or Bloomers. I
love you...peek-a-boo
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From: Charmaine Aboard s/v September Sea
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Girl, I know you were saying "BAITED
BREATH" loud and clear so I could
hear you all the way over here.
I called Rebecca, Diana's mother and
we talked for a while. She's
fantastic. A wonderful girl.
We're so excited about Diana.
To have another grandchild AFTER
your son has died, is truly a
miracle. I cannot help but
KNOW this was somehow all meant to
be.
Rebecca says when she returns on Monday from camping, she wants to meet Cheyenne right away. Now get this... interesting. When I told her about Cheyenne, my sister, she gasped.
"What's the matter?"
"Oh my God. Did you say Cheyenne?"
"Yes."
Lord, what is happening here.
"I was this close to naming Diana --
Cheyenne. We have Blackfoot Indian
in our family and I wanted to name
her Cheyenne Sioux."
"Shut up, Girl. Get outta here!"
"No, it's the truth. You can ask my
mother. It's true. I don't know
why I changed at the last second and
named her Diana Jean for my
grandmothers."
"I'm dayam glad you didn't name her
Cheyenne or I'd have a tougher time
with my sister trying to claim my
kids as hers! That would just
have sealed it. She'd have a
grandchild!"
We both laughed. What a delightful
young lady Rebecca is. Only
twenty-four years old and has a good
handle on things. She is anxious to
meet all of Bj's family. She told
me that she always sent Bj pictures
of Diana.
Peg, Bj never said a word about it.
She also said that she thought one
day, some day, Bj would call and
say, "I want to see my daughter."
She says she will believe that til
the day she dies.
I did some reorganizing after our
chat. Bought a shelf to put our
printer on so it won't be ON the
guest berth. It's amazing. Fits
perfectly. Of course that misplaced
some other items, so I decided that
the whole pantry needed to be
reworked. Another shelf.
Yeah. Perfect.
Now I can get a bowl without lifting
something out of it!
Fantastic. Quicker to the calories,
just what I need. Ha!
I AM LOVING YOU, my Peek-a-Boo.
Kisses to My Edwin.
Hugs and Kisses,
Your Charmie
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We're so sorry, my Sweet Edwin and Peggy. We have you in our prayers. Love and condolences to Dirk. Be safe. Charmaine & Bill Aboard s/v September Sea |
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From: Jo Powers
"Yep," the wife replied, "in-laws."
The husband turned to his wife and asked, "What?"
"HEBREWS"
Men are not equipped for these kinds of contests.
From: Wally
Hamlin
Sent: Friday,
August 05, 2005 4:13 PM
To: William
Ladd
Subject: Storm
Bill please share this with Charmaine Thanks Wally
Wally Hamlin
Stop telling God how big your storm is.
Instead tell your storm how big your GOD is! In Phoenix, Arizona, a 26-year-old mother stared down at her 6 year old son, who was dying of terminal leukemia. Although her heart was filled with sadness, she also had a strong feeling of determination. Like any parent, she wanted her son to grow up and fulfill all his dreams. Now that was no longer possible.. The leukemia would see to that. But she still wanted her son's dreams to come true. She took her son's hand and asked, "Billy, did you ever think about what you wanted to be once you grew up? Did you ever dream and wish what you would do with your life?" Mommy, "I always wanted to be a fireman when I grew up." Mom smiled back and said, "Let's see if we can make your wish come true."
Later that day she went to her local fire department in Phoenix, Arizona, where she met Fireman Bob, who had a heart as big as Phoenix. She explained her son's final wish and asked if it might be possible to give her six-year-old son a ride around the block on a fire engine. Fireman Bob said, "Look, we can do better than that. If you'll have your son ready at seven o'clock Wednesday morning, we'll make him an honorary fireman for the whole day. He can come down to the fire station, eat with us, go out on all the fire calls, the whole nine yards! And if you'll give us ! his sizes, we'll get a real fire uniform for him, with a real fire hat-not a toy one-with the emblem of the Phoenix Fire Department on it, a yellow slicker like we wear and rubber boots. They're all manufactured right here in Phoenix, so we can get them fast."
Three days later Fireman Bob picked up Billy, dressed him in his fire uniform and escorted him from his hospital bed to the waiting hook and ladder truck. Billy got to sit on the back of the truck and help steer it back to the fire station. He was in heaven. There were three fire calls in Phoenix that day and Billy got to go out on all three calls. He rode in the different fire engines, the paramedic's van, and even the fire chief's car. He was also videotaped for the local news program. Having his dream come true, with all the love and attention that was lavished upon him, so deeply touched Billy that he lived three months longer than any doctor thought possible.
One night all of his vital signs began to drop dramatically and the head nurse, who believed in the hospice concept that no one should die alone, began to call the family members to the hospital. Then she remembered the day Billy had spent as a fireman, so she called the Fire Chief and asked if it would be possible to send a fireman in uniform to the hospital to be with Billy as he made his transition. The chief replied, "We can do better than that. We'll be there in five minutes. Will you please do me a favor? When you hear the sirens screaming and see the lights flashing, will you announce over the PA system that there is not a fire? It's just the fire department coming to see one of its finest members one more time. And will you please open the window to his room.
About five minutes later a hook and ladder truck arrived at the hospital and extended its ladder up to Billy's third floor open window 16 firefighters climbed up the ladder into Billy's room. With his mother's permission, they all hugged him and held him and told him how much they loved him. With his dying breath, Billy looked up at the fire chief and said, "Chief, am I really a fireman now?"
"Billy, yes you are, and the Head Chief is Jesus, holding your hand," the chief said.
With those words, Billy smiled and said, "I know, He's been holding my hand all day, and the angels have been singing..." Billy then closed his eyes one last time.
*****************************
Stop telling God how big your storm is.
Instead tell your storm how big your GOD is !!!
The great pleasure in life is doing what others tell you you can't do. - Hellen Keller.
|
Hey my Darlings,
Almost done with Bj's
things... but just ran across a book "Voyaging
Under Sail." Had a warm sentiment from
1977 in the inside cover from you, Peg, to
your Darling Edwin "For when the dream
becomes a reality." It was then signed
again to Bj with the same sentiment. Cried
my eyes out.
Just wanted you both
to know that Bj didn't keep many
things...but he kept that book.
I love you... WE love
you.
Your Charmie & Bill
Aboard s/v September
Sea
"Life's a Gift...
Unwrap It!" - C~
|
Note: My daughter Breighan loves this one....
|
From: Juanita Barton
Charmaine
Thanks so much for the updates, you and Bill have done a wonderfull job with September Sea.
Btw, If you have any recommendations for the web site, please let me know. I really wish that I had more time to devote and develop new ideas for the web site, but since I sold my Lancer 25 and now have upgraded (Capri 26) and with my new responsibilities at the yacht club, I sometimes struggle just to find time to respond to all of the emails that I receive from all of the (wonderfull) responses that I get from all of the Lancer owners. You guys are the biggest reason that I still maintain the site and I will always find the time as long as the Lancer owners group remains so active. I am really impressed with how the group is growing and responding to the web site and I am happy to be a part of it. I just really wish that the Capri owners were as pro-active as the Lancer owners. Lol…..
Please continue to stay in touch, I always enjoy hearing from you and Bill.
Stephen
PS
I think of you guys every day!1. You've ever used an album cover for a dustpan. (5 points)
Terri Featherston
|
From: Peggy &
Edwin
Date: 08/15/05
15:29:33
To:
Charmaine@SeptemberSea.com
Subject:
Returned
Hey guys, we had a wonderful
trip, in spite of circumstances.
We are now getting ready to be
gone 3 weeks in Sept. leaving
the 7th to go to Nicaragua, to
check it out, as well as Panama,
and Costa Rica to find out if
this is where we want to
settle. The USA is unaffordable
for us, and we no longer "Fit
In"!!!! And we know we would
have our loved, dearest friends
visiting us, if for nothing
else-outta curiosity. We do
well in 3rd world, and I will
personally get very involved in
volunteering my services for the
needy. We did this in Guatemala,
and it is very fulfilling. Soooo
we will let you know re: that
venture. We had a miserable
flight to and from Germany, we
were both times stuck in the
middle of crying, screaming
babies, for the full duration of
the trip both ways. Took us 2
days of coma state to come
around. Had good visits with
family and friends while in
Deutschland and lotsa kuchan;
wiener schnitzel; schinken and
brocht!!!!! Could not fasten our
seat belts on return--needed
extension. All well, more
later-loved your jokes, and love
you both sooooo much--kisses to
both and our Breigh. Peggy &
Edwin
|
From: Charmaine Aboard s/v September Sea
|
Hey my Loves,
So glad you're back... and all
without having killed one
person! There truly are
miracles in this life. LOL I
learned a little trick a long
time ago for babies on
airplanes... sit near the
screaming child and talk about
all the brats you've cooked in
your oven. Needless to say, the
mother finds a way to get
another seat... or the flight
attendants ask you to sit
somewhere else. WORKS FOR ME!
Added some pictures to
the website at the Celebration
of Life page. Diana, Bj's
daughter has visited with my
family in Illinois and is now
one of the bunch. Oh she is so
adorable. I've talked to her on
the phone. She tells me, "Hi
Grandma. I love you." What
a darling treasure.
Our family has just taken over!
Cheyenne is beside herself with
so much love and genuine
thankfulness for this little
bundle of total joy added to our
lives. She looks very much like
Bj and Will. And, I will admit,
the girl has my nose... oh the
genes we pass on.
Just got all the boxes of Bj's
personal effects. Oh Peggy,
what a time we've had opening
everything and going through all
Bj's things. The things he kept
were treasures to him: pictures
of Breighan, Will, us, his
family. All the cards from
friends at Dockside for his Bon
Voyage Party... tons of cards.
His wallet is a plethora of
information. I've never seen so
many slips of paper with women's
names on them... and he never
wrote one! Have mercy.
Getting his (my) computer up and
running, that should be a
treat. Let's hope no more
Peek-a-Boo shit... hahahaa.
Well, he can always tell em up
in Heaven that he got that
honest... from his Mother and
Aunt Peggy. What a hoot.
We're charging his phone as I
type this. I know I called his
number at least ten times since
he passed. Just wanted to hear
his voice. Can't wait to get so
many phone numbers of his
friends I haven't had... I mean
how do you look up "Tone Deaf
Tim" or "Upchuck Carl." LOL
Oh my. I have cried at
least twenty times during the
unpacking... so many memories.
I'm sure you've been going
through a lot with family since
the death of Edwin's mother. I
tell ya, the older we get the
more time we spent at funerals.
I'm hoping that the majority of
the visit was wonderful. Sure
sounded like it in your email.
I miss you Peggy.
Give my love to Edwin. Tell him
I'm saving up hugs to give
him... should be a big crushing
one by the time I see you again.
Oh, to be crushed.
What love.
Charmaine (& Bill) Aboard s/v
September Sea
"Life's a Gift... Unwrap It!" -
C~
|
|
|
Hey my Brother,
Received your email too
late to think about
it... and kind of wish I
would have given it more
thought at the time,
John. Anywho,
much thanks for your
words of wisdom! If
anyone would know... you
sure would; in the
future I'll be talking
to you BEFORE I make
such emotional
decisions.
It really was very tough
going through those
boxes. Took us nearly
all day and about ten
breakdowns of crying my
eyes out. Bill cried
all day too. Way too
many memories and the
realization that our son
really is gone from his
earthy existence.
I really should have
waited for your thoughts
on that... I should have
waited. You've
been through this...
well, you as you well
know, one never gets
through it... I
love you John.
Charmaine |
Hurricane Katrina
| Hurricane Katrina | August 23rd - August 30th | Maximum Winds 175 (mph) | Minimum Pressure 902 (mb) |
From:
Charmaine
Sent: Thursday, August 25,
2005 11:39 AM
To: Shannon & Steve
Cc: Andy; Antoinette Genesis;
Aunt TeTe; becca keffer; Big Ed;
Breigh-Baby; Bren Bren; Brooke
Grosenheider; BRUCE & SHERRI; Buddy;
Bryce Rosene; Cheboone; Danny &
Diane; David; Dawn Hamlin; Deanna
Shaughnessy; Debbie Grant; Denise
Lilley; Denny & Judy Aboard; Diana
in Wrigleyville; Eagle Scout & Leen;
Edie; Enyo; Ennie; Ernest & Betty;
Iris; jai lanre; Janet & Greggers;
Jeannie and Philip; Jeff & Marty; Jo
Powers; John Murray; John Porter;
Lanny Stowe Lonie; Letitia & Bill;
Melissa; Michael & Sandee; Mighty
Mite; Mom & Dad Hotmail; Nae 'Nae;
Pat Schad; Norma Jean & Jim; Reece &
Dianna; Rose Caillier; Scottie;
Shelly & Ken; Sister Kitty (Deacon);
Skip Makely; Steve & Beth (Four
Ladds); Steve Ladd; Suzi;
Tempestuous; Toddkins; Tom & Ellen;
Wally Hamlin; Walter my Cuz; Wolfie,
my German son
Subject: Maybe Hurricane
Katrina?
|
Will
call you
later,
Peek-a-Boo.
Tornado
did
some damage,
but
we're
fine.
Larson
family
was
missing,
all five
of them
left
Boot Key
Harbor
yesterday
morning
from
Banana
Bay
about
7:30 am
(What
the HELL
were
they
thinking??!!)
Anyway,
they
have
been
found
and all
are
well.
Will
call you
later on
today.
Cross
your
fingers
I can
get
these
letters
out
without
the
power
failing
again..
it's
been
spotty.
I love
you!!
Big kiss
to my
Edwin.
Your
Charmie
"Life's a
Gift...
Unwrap
It!" -
C~
|
|
From: Michael Glanz
Date: 08/26/05 00:29:12
To: 'Charmaine'
Subject: RE: Maybe Hurricane Katrina?
Well,
looks
like
she
made
a
mess
of
things,
huh?
Not
like
her
bigger
sisters
and
brothers,
but
wow...she
sucks
as
it
is.
Mike
|
|
Hey Sweets -- LIKE A HOOVER!!
We're still right in the mix with Hurricane Katrina. Sustained winds of 80 mph since midnight... early this afternoon she slowed down a bit, but now that her ass has hit the Gulf, she's kicking up a storm here again. Have mercy.
We opted to stay at the marina, Category 1 -- no biggie. Yeah right! She's a bad Category 2 and she's getting stronger. That's what you call lifting weights on the fly... I'd say you GO GIRL, but she just might not... so I won't risk it. I want her ass out of here and quick!
It's dead here, off-season. No worries of stupid rent-a-boat tourists not tying their boats up properly... we damn near have the place to ourselves. All who are here are those we know... and who know what they're doing! Have had power all but for an hour and now got cable and internet back as well. Life is good. But this Katrina... dayam.
I'm glad we were one of the few that took Katrina seriously around here. Most laughed when they saw us hunkering down and adding stronger lines. Shit, Mike. I was here with Dennis and he packed a wallop... but Katrina is kicking and screaming... yeah, like a GIRL!!! Now I know what that saying REALLY means... it's not putting females down... it's actually paying them a complement. Dayam. She's a bitch of a hurricane. She's strong and very deceptive. Her winds are swirling and hitting each other in midair, wreaking havoc with everything. So it's not always about the strength of the wind... it often is what the wind is doing with itself! The rigging on the boat howled all night as we were hit with 73+ mph sustained winds for hours and hours and hours. She's STILL howling like well, like a BITCH! Last night was much like a horror movie. You couldn't see a thing, but you could hear this monster growling right outside your door. Just a constant clawing away at that which protects us. Relentless. And I ain't into no "Dark Water." Forget that. It's always a WHOLE lot better in the day time... got that right, Spanky.
When the GFS computer model showed yesterday morning that Katrina COULD change course and make a bee-line from Ft. Lauderdale down to the Keys, especially near Key West and our area, we took note. If there's one model that shows something WAY off the mark of the others, you know some shit is gonna hit the fan (or the boat!). We got prepared. Others didn't, and their boats are all over the place! Fortunately, in our marina we have mangroves behind us and we sit off a narrow canal so no boats can come down on us in here. Perfect!
Bill fixed a "on the hook" breakfast of eggs, bacon and pancakes. Tell me I ain't spoiled!! LOL Fantabulous, to say the least. Been talking to my Wally Wonderfull throughout, he's the one I was on the phone with when he and his family were vacationing in the Yucatan as Emily hit little over a month ago strong as a Category 3. Emily was a bitch of a hurricane and she did lots of damage. Fortunately, Wally and family stayed at one of the strongest (if not THE strongest) built hotels there. The Barcelo-Maya. Write that down if you ever are there. That's where you want to stay if you're in the Yucatan Peninsula anytime during hurricane season. Unreal. Wally is from my home town, Springfield, Illinois. How the hell did we work this where we talk he and his family through a hurricane, and a little over a month later, he's talking to us... getting us through and providing information when the power goes down. Talk about tit for tat. Hmmm, interesting... so what's the tat? LOL. Love that Wally! He and wife Dawn and their kids Hailey and Alex, are just so dear to us. Who would have ever thought of this scenario? Wow!
All in all, we're fairing well. We did have one line nearly chafe through, but that was our fault, as there was no chafe guard on it. We just doubled another line right over it and since most of the worst is over, all is okay. However, we're watching Katrina like a hawk... I don't trust her as she hits the Gulf of Mexico and strengthens. I would not be surprised at all if she were a Category 4 by the time she hits the Panhandle. Right now, she's a Category 2 and all the way here in Marathon she is RAISING HELL (as I move the monitor back to its former position as the boat takes a huge gust from the South). Since she's hit the Gulf, she's been pummeling us every which way BUT loose (now you understand where THAT saying came from too-- it had to have its origins from a salty sailor in the middle of a hurricane!).
Just to let you all know that we're fine and the AC is pumping away so I'm calm, cool and collected... but in bad need of a shower! I'll do that just as soon as I finish tellin yaz I was talking to Wally Wonderfull (aka Wally & Dawn Hamlin) earlier and telling him I smell bad and look worse. I could do a great Secret commerical about right now... and the Secret would be OUT! (Microphone pushed up in my face:) "Now you. Did your deodorant stand up to Hurricane Katrina? How was your Secret?"
JUST SAY NO. Ya gotta love Nancy "Big Head" Reagan. No really, not that I think she's conceited or something.. but if you ever noticed, she just got a really BIG head! How she gets that head into those tiny head holes of a size five dress.... Maybe we should bring this to the attention of Ripley's. Next time you see Nancy, watch for the big head.
LOL
WE LOVE YA!!
Charmaine & Bill Aboard s/v September Sea (Safe & Sound)
"Life's a Gift... Unwrap It!" - C~
|
From: Juanita Barton
How'd you guys do? It looks like Katrina came right at you? Did you know the Larsen's? Evidently they left Marathon day before yesterday or something with their 3 kids. It just came over MSNBC that they were rescued and pulled off their boat earlier today.
| Hi guys, Glad to hear you both made it through the hurricane with nothing more than a couple of partially chaffed lines. I know what you mean about the screaming of the wind outside,with nowhere to hide. At least up in the midwest, when a tornado would come through, we had a basement to retreat to. I haven`t been able to get in contact with Hugh over at Keys boat works yet, but he has gone through so many hurricanes on his boat, that I`m sure he is OK. Judu & I are back in Daytona,, at least for a little while. Our visit N. this summer proved my Mother is in need of help to be able to stay in her own home(89 years old),,, so regretfully, we are preparing to move back to Michigan to help her out. Planning on selling our trawler down here, and renting out the condo,,, fully furnished, so we don`t have to move all that stuff North. I am leaving for a month long bike trip out west to the Rockies first. 6,000 miles in 30 days on the bike. Ouch!! Sore ass bike trip! Judy staying in Daytona to get the condo ready for rent. I HATE Michigan,,, thought I had finally escaped, but plans change. Really missing all our friends in the keys, and the keys themselves, of coarse, but had a hell of a good time, while it lasted. Keep us on your mailing list, so we can sort of remember what life was like. Love ya both, and glad you`re OK. Denny & Judy | |||
|
|
From: Charmaine
To: A Bunch of Coconuts
Subject: Hurricane Katrina Update
From: Renee Chomiak
|
From: Woodward, Melissa
Date: 08/29/05 12:34:01
To: Charmaine Aboard s/v September Sea
Hey
Charmaine,
That
is
Fantastic
for
Diana!!
What
great
friends
Bj
had.
You
probably
don't
want
to
talk
to
me
today.
I am
in a
fowl
mood.
I'm
just
really
pissed
right
now
& in
a
funk.
I
need
a
vacation!!
Sometimes,
my
family
&
friends
think
I am
to
overprotected
with
Will.
Well
first
of
all,
some
of
these
people
don't
have
kids,
so
they
shouldn't
say
shit!!
So
what
if I
don't
let
Will
go
to
the
park
by
himself.
I'm
a
parent
that
is
involved
with
their
child,
not
the
lazy
ass
ones
that
sit
on
the
couch
at
home.
If
Will
goes
to
the
park
I go
to
the
park.
If
Will
goes
for
a
bike
ride
I go
for
a
bike
ride.
Get
the
drift!!
I'm
just
ticked
&
sometimes
people
should
just
keep
their
mouths
shut
if
there
not
experienced
or
if
there
shitty
parents!!
I'm
glad
you
guys
are
safe
-
this
Hurricane
Stuff
is
C-R-A-Z-Y!!
Love
Ya's
Liss
|
|
Hey
Honey
Pie,
Don't
even
get
ticked
over
that
nonsense,
really.
The
reason
why
you
don't
get
pissed
over
ignorant
people
is
because YOU
know
what
is
right
for
you
and
Will.
They
don't.
I
would
NEVER
allow
Will
to
go
ANYWHERE
without
me.
Even
when
we
were
at
the
Hotel,
I
had
to
correct
Bill
about thinking
Will
can
go
somewhere
in
the
hotel
alone.
What
happened
is
he
and
Will
were
in
the
parking
lot
ready
to
go
somewhere
and
I
was
in
the
room.
A
knock
on
the
door
and
it
was
Will.
Girl,
I
about
lost
my
mind.
I
walked
down
with
Will,
without
letting
him
know
I
was
upset
about
it,
and
talked
to
Bill
to
the
side.
I
told
Bill
"NEVER
NEVER
EVER
let
Will
go
ANYWHERE
alone.
I
don't
care
if
it's
just
back
up
to
the
room.
NO
WHERE."
Bill
apologized
and
said
he
really
didn't
consider
that
what
he
did
was
unsafe.
He
agreed
IT
IS
UNSAFE.
So
you
just
tell
that
story
to
anybody
you
want
to.
If
something
happened
to
Will
when
you
had
your
guard
down,
you
would
never
forgive
yourself,
it
would
destroy
you.
Tell
people
so
WHY
take
that
chance?
People
who
prey
on
little
kids
are
counting
on
the
fact
that
those
in
small
towns
think
their
kids
are
safe.
It's
not
the
people
in
the
town
that
will
hurt
your
child.
It's
the
ones
who
come
there
KNOWING
people
think
their
child
is
safe
by
walking
to
the
park
alone.
You
just
tell
them
that.
It
is a
FACT
that
this
is
exactly
what
child
predators
do.
They
go
to
small
towns
and
drive
around
the
streets
just
waiting
to
see
some
child
unattended.
One
time
in a
small
town
two
kids
were
picking
up
soda
cans
at
the
park
ACROSS
THE
STREET
FROM
THEIR
HOUSE.
A
boy
and
girl,
12
years
old.
A
guy
in a
van
came
and
scooped
the
girl
up
and
left
the
boy
behind
as
he
was
about
50
yards
away
from
the
girl.
That
girl
was
raped
and
beat
up
and
left
for
dead
in
some
woods.
She
survived,
but
she
was
lucky.
I'm
sure
her
mother
thought
"she's
right
across
the
street,
I
can
see
her,"
and
there
was
no
problem
with
it.
And
that
she
was
with
another
kid.
WRONG.
Kids
need
to
be
accompanied
by
an
adult
at
all
times.
Even
public
restrooms
are
dangerous!
So
Melissa,
I'm
PROUD
that
you
are
the
way
you
are
with
Will.
If
you
weren't
I'd
be
right
on
ya,
nagging
you
to
death.
So...
you
can
either
realize
that
hearing
this
crap
from
fools
that
don't
understand
the
DANGERS
of
letting
their
kids
walk
around...
or
you
can
be
GLAD
that
I'm
not
cussing
you
out
everyday
for
letting
Will
roam
free.
So a
good
answer
to
them
might
be:
"I'd
rather
have
YOU
saying
that
than
CHARMAINE
or
MY
MOM
cussing
me
out
for
letting
Will
roam
around.
Because
WE
ALL
KNOW
the
dangers."
Let
them
know
it's
not
just
YOU
Melissa.
All
they
have
to
do
is
go
to
any
website
to
see
what
the
authorities
tell
people
about
supervising
their
kids.
You
don't
need
anyone
to
tell
you,
you
have common
sense,
they
don't.
So
don't
let
those
bastids
get
you
down
or
put you
in a
foul
mood.
They
don't
get
it, 'Liss.
I
hope
they
never
lose
a
child
under
their
care
because
of
their
negligence.
That
would
be
very
hard
to
live
with.
Maybe
they
should
think
about
that.
I
will
call
Rebecca
soon
and
let
her
know
of
the
College
Fund
for
Diana.
I
haven't
told
her
yet.
Yes,
it's
wonderful,
SO
WONDERFUL.
BOTH
MY
GRANDKIDS
ARE
GOING
TO
COLLEGE!!!!
I AM
LOVING
YOU!!!!
Charmaine
Aboard
s/v
September
Sea
"Life's
a
Gift...
Unwrap
It!"
- C~
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From:
Dawn Hamlin
Sent:
Monday,
August 29,
2005 12:37
PM
To:
Charmaine
Subject:
Noah's Ark
This is fun but it will drive you nuts.
Just click
on the link
below to see
how good
your
reflexes
are..........
http://www.brookviewcottage.com/miles/cards/noah/noah.html
From: Larry Goodman
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From: Kati Adams Date: 09/01/05 12:45:09 To: Charmaine Subject: FW: Humpbacked whale under the water You've got to see this. It's incredible !! First, look and see the whale under the water. Keep your cursor out of the picture until you see the whale. Then move your mouse cursor onto the picture, but stand back, you might get wet (it's like it's 3D).
Kati Adams |
From:
Charmaine
Sent:
Friday,
September
02, 2005
11:14 AM
To:
Kati Adams
Subject:
LOVE YOU!!
|
Katie, my sister. Girl, you know me much better than that. We LOVE you and my Big Twin with ALL our hearts. I hold nothing back, you know that. If you or Tom ever did anything I didn't like... you would be the FIRST to know. I was down for over a week with my back. And I mean DOWN. Curled up in a fetal position, writhing in pain DOWN. This has happened three times in the past three years. When it blows, it just blows. My spinal cord is being compressed, both vertically and horizontally... thus it can and does happen where a disc protrudes too far and I just have to lay and wait it out. Pain meds just keep from killing myself... when this happens, it is all I can do. It doesn't, however, get me back on my feet. I am SO SORRY we didn't get the chance to see you guys before you left. We have still been busy with Bj's things (we just got his belongings from St. Croix right before my back went out... very emotional ordeal. We arrived in the Bahamas yesterday. Our 33rd wedding anniversaryand this is our little getaway and celebration of it. Our luggage is still not here... dayam. I have no clothes, no toiletries... I am not diggin this... but I'm also not in New Orleans! I count my blessings and shut my mouth. For you two to even remotely think we had some beef with you.. girl, I should just kiss you all over and hold you tightly. You should know us better than that, my Love. We are loving people and it's very difficult to tick us off... we love our friends so much. Parise said she thought I had lost weight before we went back home for all the services. I went to the doctor and found I had lost thirty pounds. No, I had no idea I'd lost weight, you'd think I'd realize it. I hadn't. To me, I don't see it... I think it's just the stress of Bj's passing, as I haven't knowingly changed the way I do things at all. I'm as happy as I could possibly be, you know I'm a survivor. I look back at Bj and thank God we got thirty-one years with him. We are so thankful for that. I don't dwell in the past. How is my Parise doing? You know she just lost her seven-year-old nephew who died after a tragic pool accident. When I found about it, Parise and JC had left to go back home to Canada. I haven't seen them yet, they're not back. This accident keeps things in perspective: his family only got seven years. How can I complain? We LOVE you both sooo soooo much. Can't wait to see you when we return. We will just have to make a POINT of seeing you, as we DO love you both so much. You just don't know how blessed we feel that we have you in our lives. We have ALWAYS felt that way. Kiss each other for me.. and don't forget the BIG HUGS!!! See you when we get back. All my Love, Charmaine (& Bill) in Freeport "Life's a Gift.. Unwrap It!" - C~ |
Whew… I have missed you and since I hadn’t seen or heard from you… well I’m sorry for being a Martha. And DAMN that Bill for not telling us about your back. Man we still have major drugs, patches, all kinds of good shit. And we would of even had Dr. Lynne come over and do some acupuncture on you. Tom’s sister did it to him on his back and it lasted for a couple of months with hardly no pain.
So you’re in the Bahamas running around naked??? I know people like to go native but damn!!! Oh well now you can just get a new wardrobe! Tell Bill to break out the plastic!
Tom and I moved to our new home and last night sat outside and watched the sun set over the Seven mile bridge. Man it’s so beautiful!! And this morning we had coffee on the bow and looked out over a flat pink & blue ocean, it was gorgeous. Did you know at Cabot’s up until 6:00 pm all appetizers are ½ price and Margarita’s are $2.50, in big tall mugs too!! I had several of them. Yummy! Well you and Bill hold and love each other. And Happy Anniversary too! If you get a chance to get over to Turtle Cay check it out a lot of boater friends of ours go there for the winter and love it.
Love you both very much!
Kati Adams
Florida Keys Rentals
www.flakeysrentals.com
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From: mccormick
Date: 09/02/05 10:23:54
To: Charmaine & Bill Aboard s/v September Sea; Natasha Secoquin, rashida shakir; tariaria; priljohn; Norma Samame; debbie mcferrin; Rand & Linda Frylinge Miller; Grayson Mitchell; mmbandur; yvette angela morrison; Breighan Ladd; Dan Lauer; Rayan Lauer; Melvina Lloyd; loiskprice; janette aceron-outlaw; carla michelle jones; Cjtrees; Chris Kafus; michelle kerr=spry; gwen; ernest & denise; charlene, Enyo Dewith; Jai Dewith; valerie boyd; derrick brownlee; Bryant Spry; taylor anderson; titiaandbill anderson; annefitz; annettedelprete
Subject: Prayers for Karen Bates
I am sure each of you are already praying for the victims of hurricane Katrina. I write to ask that you pray a special prayer for our dear friend Karen Bates. Karen was born and raised in New Orleans and most of her family still lives there. Indeed her father and her mother were born and raised in New Orleans. To date Karen has only heard from one cousin--he and his family did make it out in time. She has not heard from any other family members--none of her aunts, uncles or cousins. Nor has she heard from any of her many friends. Needless to say Karen and her mother are devastated. Worried beyond words. But managing, somehow, to keep the faith. Please pray for the Bates/Parker family. God bless us all.
Thanks, Peace & Blessings,
Shannon & Steve
215/000-0000
P.S. Those of you who know Karen directly please do not call and ask her about her family and friends--these types of calls only worry her further. She, literally, like so many others, knows nothing...she's just hanging in limbo until she can find someone, anyone. Good company and listening ears, and of course, prayers is what she and her mother need right now.
From: Charmaine Aboard s/v September Sea
Date: 09/02/05 10:29:31
Re: Karen Bates Hey my Loves,
Be sure that Karen knows about the website CNN has put up that lists all the names of people who have been found so far. There is also a phone number. Check CNN.com. I'm hoping Karen will find good news there. If not today, then perhaps tomorrow.
I have a feeling most in her family will be found alive. Yes, thousands perhaps have died, but it is more those who had NO PLAN at all. Any person who can add would know that a Category 5 hurricane hitting New Orleans (or even NEAR New Orleans) would mean rampant flooding of almost biblical proportions. New Orleans is surrounded by water inhabited well below sea level. Engineers have said for years the possibility of New Orleans being hit by a major hurricane was very real and that the levees must be made to withstand such a catastrophe. We all know our hurricane seasons are bringing bigger and badder hurricanes with alarmingly increasing frequency.
I am praying Karen's family took heed of the warnings that Hurricane Katrina was coming, and got to safety. However, different circumstances mean different situations for people. Some could not get out. With it's economically poor populace most don't have transportation. Why weren't these people bussed out BEFORE Katrina arrived? I don't understand it. A Category 5 hurricane coming... this has been talked about for years, that New Orleans could be devastated by a major hurricane that broke the levees. They were built to withstand only a Category 3.
What a nightmare and a shameful telling of what the U.S. needs to make sure we have a plan of action IN PLACE prior to such apocalyptic devastation brought on by nature or worse (terrorists). It doesn't make me feel comfortable thinking we aren't ready for such events.
We are in the Bahamas, celebrating our 33rd wedding anniversary. I tell you, it is bittersweet for many reasons. Wherever we are and whatever we are doing... it is very difficult to see our fellow brothers and sisters suffering this way.
It sure puts our losses in perspective.
We will be praying for Karen, her family, and all those who have lost so much and who are enduring that which most of us cannot even imagine. People dying while awaiting rescue in an age where we have airplanes and helicopters... I shake my head in utter disgust and frightful shame.
The last words spoken in Francis Ford Coppola's movie, "Apocalypse Now," comes to mind:
"The horror. The horror."
Charmaine & Bill in Freeport at the Westin Hotel
"Life's a Gift... Unwrap It!"- C~
www.SeptemberSea.com
Above: Click on photo to view slide show taken by happy vacationers in New Orleans, September 2005. If anyone knows any of these individuals, please thank them for us. A slice of Nawlins before the horror. House of the Rising Sun There is a house in New Orleans, they call the Risin' Sun Written by Georgia Turner & Bert Martin Originally recorded by Texas Alexander in 1928. Since recorded by many, including "The Doors" and "The Rolling Stones."
Click picture for side show brought to you by www.WWLTV.com See www.Nola.com for the very latest on New Orleans. Thanks to all!
From: Christopher Snow
Date: 09/03/05 11:25:47
To: Charmaine
Subject: Re: Fw: [liveaboard] blank mails and attachments
Charmaine,
Unfortunately, we do not have a boat yet, and need to sell the house before we can afford one. We are getting the house ready to sell now, hoping to put it on the market in the next month or two. The market here looks like it might be turning down, but no hard crash yet. So we assume closing in November or December, and then driving down to Florida to buy a boat and move aboard.
Like everyone we are spending much of our time the last few days watching the news from the Gulf. It is just a national shame the situation those poor people were left in. And that the help they are now getting still seems to be too little, too late. Michelle and the kids are sorting through outgrown clothes and toys right now for the few hundred that are being
brought here to DC.
I am so sorry to hear about your son. I cannot imagine. I saw the pictures of your kids months ago on your website and must say I dreamed of my little boy growing up to be such a strong, handsome sailor.
Chris
From: Charmaine
Date: 09/03/05 12:56:17
To: Christopher Snow
Subject: Bless Your Heart
From: mccormick
Date: 09/02/05 13:50:58
To: SeptemberSea
Subject: Re: Prayers for Karen Bates
Thanks, sweetie...Karen said she has been checking postings and posting names (and maybe photos) however I will be sure to double-check that she knows about CNN. Karen reminded me that most people did not know that Katrina was a category 5; their electricity had already been hit. Nobody knocked on doors to tell them that the sever storm that they figured they could ride out (afterall many, including Karen's family, had been throught sooo many floodings before--including Camille). Karen believes many of her family and friends stayed with their homes...especially because so many had elderly, sick and babies. God bless them all. She heard from one uncle on Sunday afternoon who said they were going to the other side of the river--that bridge collasped. She doesn't know if he/they made it.....
Yeah, the government--federal, state and local--failed. And if I see one more image of citizens waiting to be rescued AND ITS DAY FIVE, I am not going to be so polite on the phone with my elected officials. Fortunately, the media is asking the same questions of government (I won't get into the bias reporting issue). This is soo overwhelming! This is sooo unacceptable. I, too, am disgusted and disappointed....and deeply sadden. God bless us all.
Peace, Love and Happy Anniversay. I am sooooo glad you two are okay. I love you guys. Kiss each other for me. Shannon
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Tropical Depression #18 -
Hurricane Rita
| Hurricane Rita | September 18th - September 25th | Maximum Winds 175 (mph) | Minimum Pressure 897 (mb) |
(Click to enlarge)
From: Charmaine
|
We're hunkered down to prepare for what will be Hurricane Rita.
She's expected to hit the Keys Tuesday morning. Looks like this
will be another Category 1 must like Dennis and Katrina as they came
through here.
We're prepared, so no worries. We decided not to travel to Little
Shark for this one. We stayed here at the marina for both Dennis
and Katrina, and did just fine.
Got all our provisions. Tidal surge could be up to 7 ft., since
we're in the astronomical moon phase right now (tides are already
high). In a boat, one thing you don't have to worry about is tidal
surge! Huge surges like 10 ft. and above just don't happen in the
Keys. The waters around here are very shallow and lots of places
for the excess surge to go.
We'll stay in touch as long as we can. Could be that cell phones
won't work once the storm approaches. Don't worry, we're old hands
at this. A category 1 where she hits will mean winds up to 73 mph
here in the marina, even if she landed right on top of us. We can
certainly withstand tropical force winds like that. Done it before,
and I'm sure we'll do it again.
Love to all. Ray-Ray, so glad to hear you're doing better. Glad
you're getting some relief from your back pain. Excellent!
Talk with everyone soon.
Hugs and Kisses
Charmaine & Bill Aboard s/v September Sea
"Life's a Gift... Unwrap It!" - C~
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From: Shelly K. Ladd
|
From: Charmaine [mailto:charmaine@septembersea.com]
Sent: Monday, September 19, 2005 9:56 AM To: A Bunch of Coconuts Subject: The Pick Up Guys
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From: Jo Powers
|
Hahaha. Nope.
Tidal surges are not as you think. I believe you're thinking of bashing and crashing waves heaving up and down. A tidal surge is very gradual and simply means a rising of the waters. You don't even notice it when it happens. At the dock, you know the tide is rising because of where the boat is in relation to the dock pilings.
For the Keys, we may see a tidal surge of ten feet. That's huge. However, imagine a boat sitting in a slip with three pilings on each side. You tie the boat up to the pilings using line that is specifically engineered for high stretch capability. As the tide rises, you can feel the boat getting more snug in the slip. You go out and check the lines. If they need to be relaxed a bit, you do so. Most often, the line used for this purpose stretches and contracts on its own.
Girl, I don't even get seasick. LOL Lots of those who live aboard do have problems with seasickness. I tell each and every one of them to eat dry gingersnaps. All the products you see on the market today for hangovers is basically a good dose of ginger. Ginger works wonders on a queasy stomach.
Bill is a bit different. When we've been out on the water for a week, anchored at various sites and then sailing in between... he still gets weak sea legs once we're back at the marina and tied up to our slip. He gets off the boat and everything is still moving on land. LOL Many people say the worst is taking a shower while after being out to sea. They say the whole shower is constantly moving up and down, side to side, even though they are on land. Fortunately for me, I have incredible sea legs and never notice any difference.
Hope all is well with you and Jim. Love that Jim, he's a good man, Jo. But I'm not telling ya anything you didn't know! We'll be home in late October and am looking forward to spending some time with you guys this time. Such a rush last trip and under such stressful circumstances. We can't thank you and Jim enough for being there for us. There is nothing like knowing your dear friendships base is full of wonderful people like you two.
Love ya and will write again after Rita does her thing. LOL
Charmaine & Bill Aboard s/v September Sea
"Life's a Gift... Unwrap It!" - C~
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Hey my Sweeties... here's an email I just wrote to my dear, dear friend, Dawn Hamlin [with her replies in blue] (she's a hurricane survivor... remember me talking to you about my good friends caught in Hurricane Emily (low Category 4) in the Yucatan peninsula while on vacation? Dat's her... now you can see why she's worried. A hurricane can do many things unexpectedly... like come WAY closer than we thought!!
I thought since the wind is beginning to howl, we could lose our internet connection... so I'm sending
you the same email that should answer all your concerns.
Not to worry. The more you know about what we're facing, the more you'll rest assured that Bill and I
will be just fine.
I am LOVING YOU all...
Charmaine & Bill
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From: Charmaine [mailto:charmaine@septembersea.com]
Sent: Monday, September 19, 2005 12:22 PM
To: Dawn Hamlin
Subject: TD 18 - Hurricane Rita
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Hey Sweetheart,
Girl, I know that if you just looked at Brad Pitt and George Clooney without batting an eyelash... you are WORRIED!! Don't be worried, Honey. Let me explain the situation:[Dawn Hamlin] Yes - A little concerned...
Tropical Depression #18, or what should be by this evening, Hurricane Rita, is expected to be a Category 1 (winds 74-95 mph). She is heading right for the Keys. Key West and the Middle Keys (where we live in Marathon) are expecting tidal surges of up to 10 feet and torrential rains. [Dawn Hamlin] Thats ALOT down there... There isn't alot of LAND...
We are at the marina and have a condo for our use in the event we think its better to leave the boat. The winds don't bother me, even 90-100 mph winds we'd be quite comfortable aboard, but the tidal surge is the worry. If we get that kind of surge, the boat will be sitting overtop the pilings of the marina. That's how boats get holed. When the tide recedes, boats often come right down on top of the piling and it become impaled, then sinks. [Dawn Hamlin] Pleeeeeease - Don't be on the boat in that case...
We've decided that if the surge goes over the finger pier (boardwalk to our boat) by more than two feet, then we're off the boat. We have a ditch bag of necessary items in the car (which is on higher ground nearby behind the condos), and will grab food and water for three days and head to the second
story condo waiting for us. [Dawn Hamlin] Do you have a reserved space - Definitely take plenty of ALCOHOL - That way you can laugh at the bitch as she roars through!
Hopefully we won't get that kind of surge back here in the canals where our marina is. But they are forecasting for a ten foot tidal surge, mostly due to the astronomical lunar tides we have right now with the full moon. [Dawn Hamlin] GREAT - Even better luck!!! Damn moon phases!
Keep your fingers crossed. We will be fine, don't worry about us. You know we're not foolish. There is no doubt had I any inkling we could get a huge surge like this in this marina, we would have gone to Little Shark River. It still remains to be seen. Hurricane Rita will show us what the marina's
weaknesses are. There is no way I'd ever stay for a hurricane in marina when there is that kind of tidal surge possible. [Dawn Hamlin] Oh, I know your not foolish... We are the dumb asses that went to Mexico with Emily headed straight for us - HA HA
The NOAA out of Key West issued a statement, but it's not totally clear which areas are in the danger zone of these huge tides. Imagine, ten feet over our normal tide. That means our boat will be floating even with the roof line of the first floor condo. DAYAM. Well, live and learn. You'll never
see me jeopardize our home like this again. I honestly had NO idea. [Dawn Hamlin] Shit, we still don't have any idea... Is there any chance it can gain speed quickly and turn into a category 2 or 3?????????????????
Let's hope we're in an area that doesn't see that kind of flooding. The Labor Day Hurricane (unnamed) in the Keys of 1935 was a Category 5 monster. I still don't recall finding evidence that the Keys were totally flooded with surges like that. Rita is just a Category 1. I believe there might be some
embellishment on the part of the Weather Center just to get people to get the hell out of here. [Dawn Hamlin] I can believe that... Although there are no dumb asses with the names Dawn and Wally down there !!!!
All of the Keys is under a mandatory evacuation now. Shit, Dawn. They don't know exactly where Rita will hit. We could get in the car and try to outrun it, but then the streets will flood and you're stuck. For all I know, we could be moving INTO harm's way. The cones you see at the website
www.wunderground.com are actually called "error cones." The path you see means the center of the hurricane could be anywhere in that cone... far right, far left, anywhere. And that cone has a 250 mile error margin. That's a lot of error! [Dawn Hamlin] 250 FREAKING MILES... Shit!!! Are the people boarding up - Are the business owners leaving???? Are there going to be other people there with you???
Looks like Rita will pass us tomorrow mid-morning and we should be with her for about 24 hours. The good thing about that is that we can see the tidal changes in the light of day. From that we'll know whether or not to get off the boat. Nothing like the daytime! [Dawn Hamlin] True - Luck is on your side there! Night time is miserable when the power is out!
Rita is currently on track to pass within 35 miles of us. That is much, much closer than originally projected. Yet, Marathon and Key West's chance of getting hit with hurricane force winds is still only 35%. Tropical storm force winds is simply a given at this point. But, that will be the least of our
worries. Fortunately, she is a small system and the likelihood of her gaining Category 2 status while in the Keys is very slim.[ Dawn Hamlin] Okay... You answered my question above... I will keep watching throughout the day and night! I know you're safe and not careless but strange things can happen - High water - Even flying debris could put you and Bill in danger! If you do have to abandon the boat - Get your asses out of there before the winds get to strong! PLEEEEEASE!!!!
I'll keep in touch! I have to leave early today to take Miss Hailey to see her boyfriend in Champaign... We are going down to have dinner with him!!! Can't believe she wants me (and ALEX ) to go!!! Maybe at 16 she is learning to like me a little - Is that how it happens??? Take Care! - I'll say a little prayer for you - That's a song... You know it!
We'll talk soon!
Big Hugs~
Me
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From: Kathleen & Jim
When I pulled this up from www.wunderground.com I almost fainted. Then I realized it was an error.
The YELLOW and RED are erroneously reversed. WHEW! Have mercy. I thought it was the end of the world.
From: Pierre Buhler
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We're doing great. Internet still up. The torrential rains that were scheduled for last night have just now arrived. Rita is still not a hurricane. Thank goodness!
She's moving at 20 knots and will be past us before she can strengthen |
