November In Numbers

Clockwise from upper left: (1) new batteries = more power; (2) new charge controller = more amps into batteries; (3) new-to-us windlass = no more pulling up anchor by hand; (4) waiting for rigging inspection results = three nervous guys; (5) canvas & mainsail up = Tickety Boo looking more like a sailboat; and (6) varnishing project = fun with arts & crafts.

November was busy, busy, busy! We worked on a lot of boat projects and I released the second book in my cozy sailing mystery series - Bodies in the Boatyard. Boat projects went really well during the month, so well that we started to wonder when the other shoe would drop. And drop it did - we discovered a crack in our hull a couple of days ago (more on that in a future post). So instead of getting ready to head off to the Bahamas in January, we've made arrangements to haul out our sailboat, Tickety Boo, and move her to the boatyard in mid-December so that we can see the extent of the damage and address it. We'll also tackle a zillion other boat projects while we're there.

The scary thing is that I think my books are coming to life. In Bodies in the Boatyard, Mollie and Scooter discover a leak on their boat and have to haul their sailboat out. Let's just hope that's where the similarities end and that we don't run across any dead bodies.

Now, on to a recap of last month in numbers:

• 5 - Number of new batteries we bought for Tickety Boo. Four house batteries and one starter battery. The previous owner of our boat had removed the starter from the battery set-up. We've reinstated it. So reassuring to know that we have one battery dedicated to starting the engine, especially after that terrifying incident we had anchored off of Cat Island in the Bahamas.

• 2 - Number of portlights (or, more accurately, deadlights as they don't open) we replaced. One left to go. No more leaky windows. Although there is that pesky leak coming through the hull to deal with. {Sigh}

• $1,532 - How much we spent on boat-related things in November. I expect to have several more spendy months ahead of us.

• 4 - How many days in a row we ate ham. The marina puts on a huge spread at Thanksgiving and there was so much food leftover. Usually people eat leftover turkey. Not us - we were all about the ham this year.

• 732 - Approximately how many mini-chocolate chips I put in my morning oatmeal. Last month, I reported that I put in 16 in my bowl. Scott pointed out that I was greatly underestimating my morning chocolate consumption levels and that I was misleading all of you, so I decided I should come clean. Yes, basically I eat a bowl of chocolate for breakfast with a few oats thrown in to make me feel less guilty.

• 1 - How many masts we have (Tickety Boo is sloop-rigged). This comes in handy when you're having your rigging inspected as you pay less than someone who has a cutter-rigged boat. I'm happy to report that Tickety Boo passed her inspection

• $208 - How much we spent on eating out last month. There's been a lot of socializing going on at the marina lately. It's been a lot of fun to be reunited with our cruising friends - great times and lots of laughs.

• 1 - Number of books I read last month. Anyone who knows me will know that's pretty shocking. Usually I read quite a bit, but life was busy crazy during November. But if you're only going to read one book in a month, it should be a good one, and it was - Music Boxes by Tonja Drecker.

• 2,581 - How many words I wrote. I had high hopes of participating in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) and knocking out the first draft of my next book, Poisoned by the Pier. I failed big time. I'll really need to get cracking on it this month.

In case you missed them, here are some of our favorite posts from last month from here and from my author blog:

Chloe the Coconut Husking Dog
Mrs. Moto's Murder Meows
Bodies in the Boatyard Now Available

How did last month go for you? What are you looking forward to next month?

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The latest Mollie McGhie cozy sailing mystery is now available! Pick up a copy of >>Bodies in the Boatyard<< at:

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Paperback available at: Amazon

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