Meet the Parents!

With only a few days into the new year, I was so excited to see another donation to our cruising kitty!  This time the people making the donation were very familiar to Ken and I, as they were my parents.  Actually, I have two sets of parents so let me explain.  My mom and dad divorced when I was an infant, and they both remarried.  Therefore, I have a family that includes step-parents, which I think makes me more in the norm than not.

                                             My Dad n Pat and our daughter, Erica, with my Mom n Bob

So, as I was saying, we received a donation to kick off the new year from my dad and step-mother.  Therefore, I thought this would be a great opportunity to state my appreciation for having such awesome parents.  All four of my parents have been supportive in our recent venture to "sail away", and they were sure to be some of the firsts to buy some of our pirate t-shirts and bath products.  That's not to say that my mom and step-dad understand how we could live on a boat, nor why.  In fact, I think they're convinced we've lost our minds!  I think my dad and step-mom get it, or at least do a good job at pretending to.  =)

Since my dad and step-mom gave a donation, I wanted to recognize them as I always do when a generous person donates.  My dad, Eddie, is a retired Fire Chief from New Orleans.  I guess because my father was a fireman, I have great respect for them and what they do.  These brave men and women risk their lives much more than we realize.  Think of 9/11 and how many firemen lost their lives trying to save others.  Anyway, the last fire station that my dad worked at is right in the heart of the French Quarter, giving me free parking whenever I'm there.  If you've ever been to the French Quarter, you know that having free parking is an awesome perk! 

My step-mom, Pat, recently published her very first book, All Rise!   We're so proud of her, and the book is really good.  I know she's family, but it really is!  It's a crime novel that is based on the Mississippi Gulf Coast shortly after the now infamous Hurricane Katrina.  Having experienced Hurricane Katrina myself, I really enjoyed the subtle inclusion of this topic, as well as the story line which will keep you guessing.  Pat also has her own blog, Pat Daspit's Kreative Korner, which includes posts about self-improvement and putting wounds from the past ... in the past!

So, I'm a very lucky girl to have such great, supportive parents that have always been there for me.  I'm so thankful that my mom and dad have remained friends all these years, and that they have both always been a major part of my childhood and now adult life. They have raised me to be an independent, self-sufficient person, which I'm so grateful for.  Thanks to them I don't live beyond my means like so many people in our society do today.

So thanks Dad and Pat!  We'll be adding your names to our toast when we reach the tropics!

Hasta luego ... until then.  Mid-Life Cruising!