And Kay's trip to Texas

Our radar has been working intermittently, just works whenever it wants to.  So, we asked Damon (S/V Bruadair) the best electronic guru we know in Central America, who happens to be anchored near us, if he would check it out.

He is such a good friend, Valentina appreciates his helpfulness.   We do not let, just anybody, start tearing wires apart and unloading our storage berth to trouble-shoot something.  But, we trust him.

Sure enough, we were thinking we would have to buy a new $250 module, but it was only a dirty connection at our chartplotter.   Whew!  What a relief!

Then, our cockpit drain has not been draining very fast.   So, we just put about 1/2 gallon of vinegar and let it sit for a few hours.   Then, voila....it is draining again perfectly.

We decided to try to play Baja Rummy, our new card game we just learned on Blow Me Away a few days ago.   It was fun and is very addictive.  Sonny beat me, but just barely.....next time....

Then, we pulled up our anchor and headed to Nonomulu, an island near Carti.

Efrain will drive down from Panama City to pick me up in the morning.   The anchorage is quite rolly so Sonny thought he might stay here while I am gone, but quickly changed his mind.

Believe it or not, a small cruise ship was anchored within a mile of us.   All of the Kuna ulu's were nearby trying to sell their molas to the tourist.    It was a ulu parade of the Kunas returning to their island when the cruise ship departed.

A sailboat (Quartermoon) anchored near us, and asked for information about the doctor or hospital nearby.   His parents were visiting  and his mother cut her leg on coral while snorkeling and needed stitches.

S/V Aquavite with Gary and Suzanne also anchored near us.   We were both assisting S/V Glide in transporting and returning stuff.    He had some dock lines for us to return to Glide and we had some medical supplies to return to them from Glide.

We just all continue to help each other.......it is our life.

These are pictures of old pictures of Efrain's wooden sailboat that he made 8 trips between Cartagena and Panama.  Right:  His boat is near the Colombian Tall Ship and Military sailboat the S/V Gloria

They arrived at Carti before 10 a.m. and we met them on the dock, with radio packed and loaded.   Sonny and I sadly said our goodbyes.  It will be a long time....a couple of weeks at least.   May not seem that long, but when you are together on a boat for 4+ years, 24/7, weeks apart is a LONG time.

It took us 1 1/2 hour to drive over the mountain.   The road is one of the worst I have been on in Central America.  It is a new road they are constructing, but straight up and then straight down.  It is a 1 1/2 hour roller coaster ride.  Efrain drove on the return trip and did an excellent job.  He continues to inspire and amaze me.

We arrived in Panama City and after lunch at a Peruvian restaurant, Cha-Chi's wife took me to the local mall to purchase some shoes and a cell phone. 

Then, we went back to Efrain's house to settle in.   Very nice family.

I had a dentist appointment at 4:30 today with one of their family friends.  I thought I had a cavity, but it is not, so I am thankful!

He had invited his son and some other friends to his house for dinner tonight.

I knew I was in trouble, when he took a siesta at 5 p.m.   The guests did not arrive until 8:30 p.m. and we ate at 11:30 p.m.   Very different from my schedule on Valentina (when we go to sleep when the sun goes down).  But, I managed to stay awake all evening and it was a very special time with his family.   He has taken very good care of me during my stay in Panama City.

We all went to Garrett and Madonna's for a SuperBowl Party.  Stacie and her kids came over, so we had a good family group.  I have to confess, I was so excited to see everyone, the game was not that interesting to me.

On Valentina....Sonny went snorkeling today and had fish for dinner.

I guess I am just not used to such fancy gadgets.   ;)

Happy 5th Birthday to our Grand-daughter

Riley Kay in Austin, Texas

This evening, it started snowing.   It is beautiful.

On Valentina.....it is so nice to be able to talk to Sonny on Skype.  I sure do miss him.

Kylie and I played in the band and are currently on tour.

Garrett, Kylie and I went to an overpass to slide down.  Garrett and Kylie had fun sliding down while I took pictures.  When we got home, after getting warm, we made snow ice cream.

On Valentina....Sonny has finished his second book.

I went to Stacie's house today and we made snow ice cream and I played Candyland and Connect Four with Claire and Chase.

On Valentina....the veggie boat (Giraldo) came, so Sonny has a fresh supply of fruits and vegetables.  He also bought some diesel from him.   This afternoon, Sonny went ashore to Alberto's island in the West Lemons with George and Melinda on Southern Bell.

Billy's parents, Bill and Melvene came over for lunch today.   It was like Thanksgiving dinner,       even with a pecan pie.

I played with Claire and Chase today.   We played Candyland, Yahtzee, jacks, and writing and adding while their mom and dad had a Valentine's date. 

Being a grandma is pretty much fun!

On Valentina....Sonny was in the water cleaning the bottom of the boat.  He made a pot of beans and fried plantains.

Happy Valentine's Day to you from Valentina

Love is the most wonderful feeling in the world.  You are blessed when you truly find it.

This morning, Billy, Stacie, Claire, Chase, and I went to First Assembly to church.  After church, we went out to eat Mexican food with their friends, Tony and Kim.   We went over to Billy and Jeanie's house to celebrate Jennie's birthday.  It was so good to see family! Then, we all drove to Gainesville to meet David and Gina and their family halfway, so I could go to their house in Ada, OK. I am so thankful to be able to spend time with all of our kids.

The Hull household is a very busy place with teenage girls on the run and lots of study time at home.   Kawika, our 2nd grade grandson, read his homework chapter to me, and is doing very good.

Pat and Jim, our long-time friends in Oklahoma, drove down to Gina's and brought a car for me to use while I am here.   It will be wonderful to be able to drive around and not have to impose on our kids.  We got to spend the day together.

At 3 p.m.  I was Kawika's "show and tell" for his 2nd grade class.  

I had prepared a PowerPoint presentation of pictures we have taken along our way and some of Kawika when he visited Valentina two years ago.   He explained some of the pictures to his classmates.  He also brought a barometer, thermometer, and humidity gauges, as they have been studying weather.

Ashley needed to go to school early this morning, so I took her and Gina brought Kalei and Kawila later.  I went to Taco Bell to the internet and could talk to Sonny on Skype.   I found out that our radio is repaired and on its way back.

Their church is doing a series on Financial Freedom.   We went tonight and I enjoyed the presentation very much.  It is a much needed teaching in this day and time.

Time to return to Texas.   I left Gina's house around 8:15 a.m. when she took the kids to school and she went to substitute teach at Kawika's school.

I stopped at West Marine in Lewisville to see Peter and get some Valentina supplies and a new West Marine Catalog.

Then I went to watch Kylie, sing in the kindergarten talent show.   She did very good.   We were all very proud of her.  Click here to see her on UTube and type in Kylie Sisson.

After running some errands in town, I drove to Garland to spend some time at Gentry and Jennifer's.

Kylie came over to play and spend the night with us.

This evening, we all went to Chuck E. Cheese for pizza and games.

Our radio has arrived!

I have some shopping to do while in the US and was relieved when I saw this sign on the store.

On Valentina....Sonny went spearfishing, but lost the back part of his spear.  He changed anchorages and went to the swimming pool.   After the potluck, Aaron and Lyla came by to pick him up to go to Southern Bell to play music.  He said they had a really good time.  George plays the guitar and is from New Orleans.

I went to Shea's gymnastics class then to Riley's school and did a presentation for her classmates about living on a sailboat.

Then, I drove back to Waxahachie to prepare for my trip back to Sonny and Valentina.

On Valentina....Sonny shot a nice fish and Aaron (S/V BMA) shot a huge snapper, so it is fish fry tonight!

If you went to WalMart, once a year, can you imagine what you would want?

Then we went to Claire and Chase's school and did a presentation to their classes.  The kids really enjoy it and are interested in the difference in living on a boat and how we get our water, power, and.....of course, shark sitings.

We went to Garrett and Madonna's and had pizza with Kylie, Jennifer, Gentry and Bailee, and Stacie, Claire, and Chase.   We got Stacie playing the guitar on Rock Band.   It is a lot of fun...and addictive.

I stayed at Stacie's tonight and slept with Claire in her bed.

Then, they took me to the airport.   I was able to get on the flight and so thankful to have a seat, as I was traveling stand-by.  It was a direct flight, so I did not have to go through Miami.   I had my suitcases filled to the maximum.  One was over 50 pounds, so I had to shuffle some at the airport.

Our friends, Efrain and Andres Felipe met me in Panama City and took me to their home for the evening.   Efrain's son, Ricardo is going to drive me to Carti in the morning, after I have provisioned, so I can reunite with Sonny and Valentina.    ♥♥ ☺ ♥♥

I am so thankful for our friends.   This trip was very non-eventful with everyone helping me (with the exception of letting Taylor and Kodi's two dogs out in the middle of the snow storm in Austin...but, thankful they are back home safe and sound).   Thank you Pat and Jim, Efrain, Andres Felipe, Leta, and all five of our wonderful kids, who I got to spend some time in their homes with my wonderful grandchildren.  It was a very special time for me while we got our SSB radio repaired.

And, thank you Garrett for your help with my flights.

Happy Birthday to our Grandson.....Kawika