First – a quick note of apologies to those of you who had posted comments previously. I was having some technical difficulties of which I was not even aware. Sorry ‘bout that – all working now (Thanks to BobBux, Merdy, & Christa for the fix).
Well, it has only been a few weeks since our departure from Florida, and we are beginning to get settled into life on a boat. Now this lifestyle varies wildly (like a PMS mood swing), depending on whether we are underway on a longer multi-day passage, at anchor/mooring in a beautiful bay, or tied up in marina getting work done. One of the best parts about anchoring/mooring/ or staying at a marina, is that when we do start moving again, the wind is always uncooperatively in our face, making for upwind motor sailing. This is great because just in case I forget what it is like to be seasick, I am mildly reminded again. It’s like an annoying hangover without the headache, and no access to a Frosty and fries from Wendy’s…. or being perpetually 11 weeks pregnant.
Back to getting settled…we have had a great couple weeks circling St. John. We have only really explored the island from the water, as Walton, JJ, & family are coming next month, and we have promised to “save ourselves” for them when they come. My sister Kerri and Tom came for a great long weekend. Swimming, Snorkeling, Paddle boarding, and absolutely no “boat school” (Woohoo!!!). They brought forty pounds of trashy magazines for me, 17,000 grams of sugar for the boys, and a various assortment of spare parts for Guyon. So if you ever have the occasion to go visit someone living abroad on a sailboat ask what folks want/need before you come. We always need something, and if you don’t know what to bring….bring coffee and good face creme.
Other noteworthy….. Oral surgery
Throughout the past few years of preparation, I have a multitude of folks ask, “What are you gunna do when…..gets sick….breaks (insert bone)…..totally freaks out…(or some other issue requiring medical attention). Luckily I have had many years of first aid/CPR training, as well as some advanced coursework for offshore medical emergencies….and I watched ER and St. Elsewhere a lot when I was younger. Needless to say, I over bought (literally) a boatload of medical supplies and various assortment of medication, etc. I have now successfully accomplished my first minor surgery at sea.
Upon arrival in St. John, I had noticed my right lower molar getting more and more sensitive as I brushed (which may or may not have been daily after every meal). I tried ignoring it, not brushing, more Listerine…nothing helped. I was beginning to worry that I was on the path to experiencing a root canal in the Caribbean. Dread, panic, woe. So I did what anyone would do in my situation: took 4 Advil, drank a beer, and went to bed. Unfortunately the next day, my tooth and gum still hurt, but now I could clearly identify pea sized abscess on my gum just behind my tooth. Luckily by now it was not only painful to touch, but also bleeding. “Are you kidding?” you may ask…indeed not.
Luckily, prior to our US departure, I had ordered a dental kit from Amazon that came with the rearview mirror and pokey scraper doo-dah that dental hygienists use to torture, I mean, clean your teeth with. So, while holding my breath, as not to fog up the rearview mirror, I lacerated the abscess (yes that f*&#ing hurt). Next, I had to dig around with pokey doo-dah until I could feel the unauthorized tenant with my tongue. Mind you, this is in the far reaches of my mouth. The rearview mirror kept steaming up, my tongue wouldn’t get out the way, the flashlight was blinding me, I needed cheaters to even begin to see – which was really futile because the thing was bleeding all over the place. Finally, I just dug out my chin hair tweezers and went for it. The culprit (I think) was a husk from a piece of caramel covered popcorn we ate at Valentine’s. Yuck – that means it was imbedded in my gum for two weeks. So if you have met me sometime in the second half of February, I apologize for what I assume was rotten popcorn breath. I’m sure Guyon just thought I still had puke breath from being seasick.
I am swearing off popcorn for the foreseeable future – so if you are coming to visit, please bring anything other than caramel corn.
Hi Ali –
You are looking so good!
Love – cassy
I think you are getting some of the hard stuff out of the way early, thank god for amazon and your guts to dig inside for that popcorn kernel ! Few I know would be that tough girl !
Ali, your tooth problem sounded really amazing! This blog is really fun as we r living through your experiences. Thanks for sharing! Safe travels and blessing for you all!
Ali, you r amazing! Oral surgery at sea???!!!! WOW!
It is amazing. To us to keep hearing. From you all and your adventure and discussing with. sheesh
So my earlier post that never made it is even more appropriate for this response. (Glad you fixed your techno glitch.) You labeled yourself as a “galley wench.” I wanted to contest that! I think you are a woman of power and courage, and have more “balls” than all of the gentleman pirates with whom you travel combined!
thank you my sweet cousin…that is quite the compliment considering the amounts of balls we have on deck.
You are my hero. I would have passed out 🙂 xoxo Liz
You have got to be kidding me! Oral surgery – OMG. As your cousin would say – you do indeed have balls, BIG ones. Gramma Deanie would have loved the popcorn story – caramel corn was her favorite. Fortunately she lived on land, near a dentist
The comment I made (that got lost) was to William’s post, wondering how we took the English Language and Americanized it to the point that we con no longer understand it! Or, is he referring to the local BVI people, whom I cannot understand either…?
So Ali, what can we bring? The supplies on Tortola are getting better all the time, but surely there is something…
I think William was really referring to guys he heard on the radio, and perhaps he may have taken some slight literary license to exaggerate a point. That said, the few locals we have met, have been nothing but lovely. Our time down island in the Bahamas was a good warmup for understanding the local dialect ;)As for bring stuff down, we are looking good, as I have barely dipped into my provisions. If I think of anything this week, I’ll be sure to let y’all know. See you soon!
BTW, who is your date? Are you hoping for a piece of ___?
Ali Grace, I’m with Merdy, you are absolutely fabulous, the tooth story is unbelievable! As for balls, I’d say you are keeping many of them in the air, kudos to you. Your blogs and pictures are wonderful. One question: who is that ass you’re with?????? Keep the stories coming, they are great! Sending lots of love to all …
love the pics! Sounds painful Ali, hope you’re healing quickly. Safe travels!!
You crack me up! Love reading about the adventure of WIDAGO.
One thing though… I’m seeing a LOT of land in your “by boat only” St John pictures! DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY VIRGIN ISLANDS THERE ARE???? 🙂
Can’t wait to see you guys! OX
(ps: start making your list of stuff you want me to haul down there)
Well, we had to go back to Zozo’s for dinner. Hopefully the wait staff did not see me licking the bowl my the fettuccine bolognese came in. Ding ding ding!!!! So yummy. I’ll start my list….oxoxo
Ali, all I could invision was Tom Hanks in Cast Away… surgically removing his tooth with an ice skating blade… Thank god for your dental tools!!!! XO
You make me proud
🙂 Told you I should have gotten some viscous lidocaine, but now that I’m a pirate, rum will have to suffice.
Well, you showed us! We laughed at all your medical supplies. Who knew you’d be the first one to need medical attention. Next time try some numbing first. Hahaha. I love the stories and how you relay them. Keep them coming. The boys look happy!!
XXOO Pam
I am loving this blog!!! Go Ali! So proud of you for doing your own oral surgery … Where’s Dr Dave when you need him? William did a great blog! Keep them coming and send some whale pics for cousin T… Formerly TT — now a teen — because you have to be seeing some amazing sea life by now too!!!
Taylor Moore is my brother in law and sent me your journal. I am a general dentist and oral surgeon. You may have a tooth abscess that is silent now but if the gum bubble comes back you may need a root canal or tooth removal.
I hope I am wrong but wouldn’t want you to use An ice skate as a dental tool when off land. Maybe have a local dentist take an X-ray?
Enjoy your sailing. A bit jealous.
Don Miller
thanks Don – the thought of a root canal has me running for my Xanax bottle! (No offense, I’m sure yours are quite enjoyable). Tell Taylor & crew hi from the Moseleys!
You guys rock! So fun to read your blog.
Seriously enjoying the adventures at sea thru your blog Ali…thanks for sharing with all of us!
You are an incredibly gifted and humorous author….when you’re done, you need to write a book on your adventure!!