Lots of numbers and reacquaintancws

Well, today is March 16, 2011 and it's been nearly two years since we purchased Chartwell, now Great Mates II.
We are upgrading our electronics as We are uncomfortable with the dated electronics aboard. Now, if we were experienced like Captain Larry, we would be fine. But, we're not. So with new electronics to include a new radar dome, a new chart plotter (that is touchscreen), new infra red cameras (that my old right hand, Sid, helped me select), and lots of other wire, etc, we are getting all set up via local electronics expert, Bill Bishop.
Ed has worked like a son-of-a-gun doing the prep work....and I have helped to! We've been drilling holed, cutting holes, crawling under cabinets and climbing up the cry stack to mount new stuff. Master Bill will come aboard to program and make everything work together. (yes, that WILL happen).
Meanwhile, life goes on living aboard in Sarasota. I love this life!!!
Oh, also, we got a new really cool toilet in the master head. It's so neat!
Then yesterday evening we were walking the dock to go to dinner and we saw a new boat on our dock that had just pulled in. Low and behold, it was Jim and Robyn who we were across the dock from last winter in Marathon Key .
Then, we saw a boat anchor out just a bit behind us and it's "Lifes to Short" who we talked to via radio while on the Tom Bigbee Waterway last year. We were trailing "Just Rosie" from Texas and chatted on the radio with "l
Lifes to Short". I ask them, where are you from, to which they responded, "well, home is where the boat is". They have their boat for sale
after putting 22,000.miles under their belts. Going back to work.
Now about numbers.
I registered today for yet another nu ber. A MMIS number. Here's a list of number we have:
A hull number
A US Coast Guard number
A KY state registration number for our dinghy
A Beacon number which relates to our EPIRUB
An FCC number
And, last but I'm sure not least is our Boat US number
Whew....God help us if my PRE crashes!
All this being said, our plan current is to finish up the new electronics and also carpentry work....that's another project, and then drive home for a family visit. Then we will fly back to our home away from home (I think) and begin our spring 2011 cruise.
We plan to go along the back side of the Bahamas, head further to the Virgin Islands. We have talked to a boat yard in Trinidad about a reservation to have her hauled out and have her bottom sanded and painted and have that bow thruster we purchased last summer installed. Yippee, I will not know how to act with a thruster but I'm ready and willing to try.
Gods peace to all of our followers,
Lisa