I had just finished putting three squealing kids into bed. You know the usual routine of a quick squirt down with water, finding whatever clean clothes they have to wear as pajamas, brush teeth and a story that never seems to end.
All kids were in their bunks still screaming complaints of not being tired when I walked up the steps into our pilot house. Carl was in his typical nightly position of lying in the sea berth with his iPad on his chest. Knees propped up trying to get some much needed cool air around his legs and man bits. Sticky hot.
I tried to start up conversation but I realized then he was deep in the zone of reading emails. I shut up, only the mosquitoes were listening.
He closed his iPad and let out a long dramatic breath.
“I’ve been offered a job”
Uncomfortable silence…..
“Ok, what sort of job? Partime, full-time? State-side?”
I had so many questions that I threw at him. I was excited for him but also afraid of what it might mean for the kids and I.
From reading my last post you will know that he helped deliver a sailboat from St. Thomas (USVI) to St. Maarten. It’s been about 3 weeks since the delivery and he has been working 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday on the same boat as a temporary engineer with a long to-do list.
This has now put us in St. Maarten for just over 3 months, I would almost class us as residents. I don’t hate St. Maarten, you can get a lot of stuff done here but I’m extremely itching to leave – and that was 3 months ago.
It hasn’t been the easiest sitting on anchor while Carl goes off to work. Ive been without a dinghy and have rely on our neighbors on Last Call to give us a ride to places. Love you Frances.
What’s the new job then?
The captain on said sailboat is moving on and the position has been laid out on a platter for the taking. Lets just hang the carrot of a professional chef and clean clothes in front of a cruiser.
My anxiety went through the roof. I didn’t want to live on a sailboat with 3 kids by myself, I just don’t have it in me. I could barely last the 3 days he was gone to deliver the boat. On the other hand we really need the money. Where would this 106’ sailboat cruise? Was I to just follow him around and have to schedule in time to see him?
I was scared that I would just blurt out all my worries and totally freak him out.
Carl loves working, especially on boats and his type of personality doesn’t really belong cruising on a 48’ sailboat. You know the type – he can’t sit still and always has to be fixing something or talking to someone. 
He’s the silver back of our family. He’s the leader, the muscle, and the one that likes to be surrounded by people to help pick bugs off his body – well maybe that’s taking it too far.
I didn’t want to crush his dreams, only twist it into something that works for the whole family.
Would you take the job and toss your dreams into the wind? Is it possible to have a career while sailing the world with your family?
We talked and talked some more and are making it work.
Carl will be leaving in March to do a week long charter in the Virgin Islands and then delivering the sailboat to Newport, RI. He has been offered the job full time if he would like it but we have chosen to accept it as far as Rode Island and re-evaluate then.
We will sail Abeona to Tortola (British Virgin Islands) where I will hang with the kids while Carl works. Please someone come visit me. By moving, Carl should be able to visit us before and after the charter.
In our total dreamland Carl would land a rotation job on either a sailboat or motor boat enabling us to still sail to awesome places while earning money along the way. 3 months on, 3 months off would be perfect.
So what was a holy crap moment has turned out not to be that bad – thus far. He has his foot in the door with a megayacht management company and possible future rotation job on a sailboat.
When we leave the BVI we still plan to go south and hopefully catch up with our friends. Yay!! You know the whole cake and eating it too business. Gosh there are going to be some tears when we have to leave everybody in St. Maarten, it’s the hardest thing of living a cruisers life. Making friends only to leave them. Second to that is finding work of course.
People ask how we make it all work. Schooling, working, adulting. This is just part of the tale.
I deeply enjoyed reading this chapter in your lives. I think of Kathy often and truly miss her.
Holy crap, living on a boat with a man who must be doing something and not having enough to do would be a night mare.
At least with him working that part of him will be fulfilled. Hope you find a way to keep yourself fulfilled because kids alone wont do it. They come close but yet. Marriage is never quite fair and balanced, there is always that common good that has to be fed. I hope you find your fulfillment also.
You are a good writer, when you take the time or inclination you do put us there with you. You have the outline on your posts. Add a little stress to a few events and you have this.
To you the posts/stories might not be what they would be to others that are not as comfortable in your situation.
Might be a slight financial boost to keep him home a year or so.
You had me at “man bits”.
Love your writing and honesty. So often bloggers only write about the good and easy times but I appreciate reading about the hard times and challenges too.
I do try and be honest. We have great times but we also have tough times, just like any family.
Carly, No sweat, he will be for a week at BVI then to RI another two weeks or so and will be back with some backs. I’am sure he will set you proper at Tortola, its very quaint place, no hurricanes in the winter time, may be some stronger winds. Just in case get Pain Killer drink there, it will smooth you immensely. Give me you Email-have important news for Carl & you.