Happy Friday, all. I hope this note finds you all happy and healthy. Cuz Julie checking in for the first time. It's raining in Baltimore and I'm completely bummed. This is the first weekend Richard and I will not have spent on the boat since before Memorial Day. I guess it's time to come to terms with the fact that summer is actually over. I have lots going on in my life right now, as I am in the midst of a job search and my current job is ramping up. Check out www.harborluxury.com to see the project I'm helping to build. Richard has his RA under control and we are still recapturing much of what we lost last year when he was so sick. We've been married almost eight years and we often comment on how we both feel like we've been given an opportunity to rediscover one another since he was diagnosed. I don't think we came close to losing one another, but we know we came through a very dark and trying time and feel that now we are basking in the sunshine. He is the best thing that ever happened to me. We don't have kids to blog about, so you'll hear much about our boats, my career and the love of our lives, Chocolate Chip. Chip (female) is a chocolate lab who is seven years old and never fails to make us smile. She is our baby and rules the house as any spoiled mutt should. She is so spoiled, in fact, that we purchased a small inflatable to tender to shore (to do her business) when we are anchored out in the Chesapeake Bay. (We often anchor out for two or three days at a time.) The dingy is appropriately named, Chip's Ahoy! and is the third in our fleet. We have a 27' Sea Ray ("Sea Ducer") and we are in the process of restoring a 35' 1970 Concorde ("Family Jules"). The boats are our hobby, our vacation home, our lifestyle. Many of our friends are boaters and a few even live aboard year round. Well... that's about all there is for me to catch you up on me. Thanks for letting me ramble. I'd love to hear about what you Sweeney Girls are doing with your lives. Trina, your knitting has inspired me. I've purchased my first sewing machine and will attempt a set of curtains. This should be intesting. Love, hugs and kisses to all.