Another first for us- living aboard on the hard. Aside from the fact that our bow is slightly raised in the jack stands, and Andy’s acid reflux and head cold are going to have him in fits after a night of sleeping on his head, all seems to be reasonably comfortable. The haul itself was fun to watch, especially since we hadn’t actually laid our own eyes on the hull before. It was also nice to leave our tight berth, and enabled me to snap some full-boat photos.
While waiting for our haul-out time slot, we busied ourselves with various tasks. I had spent the early morning in my personal organizing heaven, labeling, repackaging (to get rid of moisture-wicking cardboard boxes) and recording food storage so that we know how much space we have left to cram supplies into. Then it was on to the fridge, where we chucked the factory shelving for more space-efficient bins. While I neglected to take pictures of my work, I did take this as a reminder of my intense joy of finding one of my favorite snacks on the local Publix shelf: pickled okra, Mom! 
Lily is hooked, and keeps asking for ‘Mexican pickles’. This is disturbing on levels of geographical error and my own Texan pride, but soothes me to know that she too assumes that any food that is delicious and addicting has a better chance of being Mexican in origin than anything else. Like mother like daughter.
We spent quite a bit of the day under the oak trees on the marina patio, crafting up a storm. Violet glitter-glued everything that was not previously bedazzled, and what she didn’t actively paint was glittered by default as we inevitably dragged our arms, books, phones, hair, life jackets and note pads through the dozens of wet globs. If Andy had any hope of having a ‘manly nook’ aboard this boat that ship has sailed. And it was covered in purple glitter. 
Another project was an intricate house plan made for Stormy (‘pet’ Chickadee of Violet’s). Paths, room labels (written on the yellow leaves), a table for 8 in the kitchen, and of course, a nest all included:
The girls also took to collecting coconuts that they plan on cracking tomorrow, and I’m chuckling just thinking about the mechanic showing up tomorrow morning at 7:30am and tripping over the pile of them that they left conveniently right under the prop.
Andy’s sister Vanessa came to visit us from her home in Naples, and after we hauled we went into Stuart to swim at her hotel pool. The water felt like we were polar dipping at Sand Beach, but the girls persevered for a bit before going numb. They turned into exhausted mute zombies at dinner, presumably due to their blood starting to thaw again. The new challenge tonight was getting two sleeping girls up the swim ladder from the ground, but alas, we succeeded, and we’re all zombified at this point. Until tomorrow!
Oh yum, pickled okra! I always looked for at the grocery stores here (in vain) when we first moved to Maine so many years ago, and I’m SO happy you found it and that Lily loves it as well. It must be in the Gordon genes. Glad to see that V is making houses with stones in lieu of the usual Play Mobil/block/Lego combinations she uses here. They both have such wonderful imaginations and can entertain themselves anywhere, as we all know. Such a gift! You all look great and I know you are having so much fun. Love those littles and miss them so much. And you two, too! xoxo
Susan, you should write a book about your adventures!!
Love to all, Seesaw:)
Not sure about the pickled okra Lil, I think I’d stick to the coconuts.