Sailing is Fun!

From the top: Sheryl, Deana, Troy, John / Photo by Patrick / Sailing on s/v Buddha 4/25/08

American Cancer Society - Relay for Life

Last Friday we participated in the American Cancer Society Relay for Life. Jessica was a team leader and Troy and I, Suzette (Jessica's mom) Tori, Samantha and David were on our team. It was a fantastic event. Troy got to wear a purple Survivor Tshirt and walk in a survivor victory lap. The relay lasted all night long (7:00 pm to 7:00 am). We made it to midnight and had to make a break for the boat. Next year we're planning to make our team even bigger. Troy says he's going to be Team Captain so don't be surprised if you hear from him asking for donations or participation in the relay. The Montgomery County Relay raised over $162,188.57 at their event.

Learn more about cancer and The American Cancer Society at: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/home/index.asp

Still round the corner there may wait, A new road or a secret gate. ~J. R. R. Tolkien

Thank Friends from Troy

Hi gang, I thought I'd post a thank you note to all my friends and family, It's good to be alive and healthy, living the dream!! I feel good about working again and I try not to take it all for granted. We sail and go places all we can (it's a lot of work having a lot of fun) Deana does a much better job than me of keeping y'all up to date on us, I just wanted everyone to know that I appreciate them even if I don't tell y'all as much as I should!! It's all good!!! It's Jessica's birthday today, wow how time flies by, The girls are all grown up and spreading their wings.. Happy birthday!

GREAT NEWS!

Troy's PET Scan results are in - NED (No Evidence of Disease). It sure is nerve wracking leading up to and waiting for the results but it sure is nice to hear the words that you want to hear. Other than his monthly blood work Troy won't have to go back to see the oncologist until August.

Photo by Philip Kropf

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 (NIV)

Baytown Bunch

I couldn't get the video to download, file is too large. Too bad, it's a good one - Happy Birthday Rainman!!!!

Another Amazing Sailing Weekend

We sailed over to Double Bayou with John and Michelle. Leaving out on Saturday morning for quite a ride. We had choppy seas and winds of about 23 MPH. I think it was a little more adventure than Michelle had planned for! Once we crossed the ship channel into Trinity Bay the seas calmed and the wind moderated slightly and we had a great sail for the rest of the trip.

As usual, we had a blast staying at Channel Marker. As soon as we docked a whole group of bikers (The Baytown Bunch) showed up for lunch. Michelle and I helped Ernestine and Jamie get the orders out. We had a great time with them. Rainman was celebrating his birthday and so he took a dive into the bayou. I have video that I will post tomorrow - you gotta see this. Of course we took a dinghy ride up the bayou and later on that night there was a band (Tropical Depression) and we danced and danced. Too much fun.

Our sail home was wonderful. After the sails were set John, Michelle and myself took about an hour nap while Troy sailed us home. It was a little cool out on the water, but I keep trying to remind myself that summer is coming and we live in Texas. We'll be wishing for those cool windy days before you know it.

Troy is at Methodist Hospital today for his next PET Scan. We both feel very confident that everything will be fine. Hopefully we will have the test results by tomorrow.

"The sail, the play of its pulse so like our own lives: so thin and yet so full of life, so noiseless when it labors hardest, so noisy and impatient when least effective."-Henry David Thoreau

What a Weekend!

We had a wonderful weekend and managed to get all the boating in that we could. Friday was Kat's birthday and we had a great party at the marina. Troy got to sing and play guitar with Trey and Shannon. He sang so much that his voice was hoarse the next morning.

We sailed Different Drummer and Storyville, plus we managed to fit in a little time in the kayaks and dinghy. The weather was wonderful and we really enjoyed the weekend.

OK everyone - say a prayer and keep your fingers crossed. We may have a buyer for Different Drummer. I am hoping that we hear something this week. I really hope this works out because she will have a great new owner and we will only own one sail boat!!!!!

We had a great sail on Sunday afternoon with our friends Dan, Eric, Richard, Gayle, Kenny and Patrick. Plenty of wind and perfect sailing:

Troy - hove to and at peace with the world

Eric plays us a tune

Commodore gives knot tying lessons

Gayle and Kenny enjoy the afternoon

Dan and Patrick discuss sail trim!

To be at one with the wind is to be at home in the world. -- Richard Bode

Storyville Pics

Here are a couple of great pictures of Storyville taken by Mike and Gloria Rooney s/v St. Somewhere:

Could have used a little better sail trim on that jib, but I love the pictures. We were headed out to Moody Gardens in Galveston.

Unfortunately I have a little bad news to report. Last Thursday Jessica and David found out that her pregnancy was ectopic (tubal) and she had to undergo laparoscopic surgery. The doctor said it was just bad luck this time and he didn't see any reason they should have problems with any future pregnancies.

Then it's Run for the Roses, as fast as you can, your fate is delivered, your moment's at hand- it's the chance of a lifetime, in a lifetime of chance, and it's high time you joined in the dance. - Dan Fogelberg, "Run for the Roses."