I think of our pioneering fathers and mothers in the United States who crossed the prairie, and built one room log cabins where the family of 12 would live, eat and play! We've moved to a "one room cabin" - but with only 2 people and one dog. So far, our dog's most familiar words to hear are, "Watch out Rudee ... you're in the way."

We've been moving boxes on board and celebrated when we found a place for all of our clothes/shoes/bathroom stuff!! Here, have a mini-celebration with us, "Woo-hoooooo!!!" Tomorrow, I'll tackle the galley and see what I need to re-think.

A guy in the parking lot, looking at one of our loads of boxes commented, "After we get her all stocked out (meaning the boat), we're lucky if she doesn't sink!"

If you didn't figure it out already, SPACE is the issue down below. Out under God's sky, there's plenty of space. But down inside the cabin, it's tight and cozy! Basically there's seating for 4, so that always leaves one seat open, if you count the dog. There's a shower, but I have yet to try it out! (Don't worry, I DO shower. The marina has public showers.)

We've hit a few glitches that we'll have to find ways to fix. For example, we figured out today in the 100 degree full-sun weather, that our air conditioner helps a lot but leaves a bit to be desired if we're working onboard (like moving boxes down below). We were dripping wet by late afternoon.

And we stuffed the freezer full - holding all of 3 things and no ice cube trays. I looked at Tim, dripping wet in sweat, and mentioned that I think we need a bigger freezer because doing without ice is not going to work for me!

Living on a boat does one thing very well. Priorities. What's actually "needed" versus "we don't REALLY need that ..." It's helping us to think more simply about everything. I wonder sometimes if the stuff we hold onto, doesn't also hold us to a lifestyle?

We weren't in church today. It felt very weird. And we spent the morning watching what people do when they're not in church. We 'overheard' conversations - of non-church going people. We heard a lot about shopping and money (as in a goal in life). Mostly, it dawned on me that everyone I was "watching" this Sunday morning, seemed to be trying to find a way to "entertain" themselves "with stuff."

I wondered whether people slowed down on Sunday, if they weren't in church. By what I saw today, I'd say the opposite. Welcome to a culture that doesn't know how to let go of stuff or slow down - for even a few hours. How did we ever get here America?