It all started with the weather report - you know, the chamber of commerce kind of forecast. According to the radio, it was to be a great weekend in Portland, Maine. Our 30-foot S2 sloop was there and we were in Salisbury, N.H. We packed up and were off on the two-hour drive. Well, the best-laid plans don't always happen, but that comes later in the story.

The weekend ended up cold and overcast. My husband, Denis, and I sat in the marina looking at each other. This was not exactly what we had planned. The way I looked at it, this would be a good shopping day; Freeport was beckoning. It took some fast talking, but my husband finally gave in. I compromised by saying that we could stop at Robinhood Marine Center to pick up a current listing of used boats for sale.

When we reached Robinhood, Denis couldn't get out of the car fast enough, promising that he would be right back. After a while, I realized that he had been gone much too long. Then I saw him motioning me to come into the sales office.

Oh no, I thought, what have I done?

Sure enough, a listing had just come in that I simply "had to see." I admit, it was the boat that met our "someday" requirements, and strangely it was just like the first boat we had looked at when we started our sailing hobby nine years earlier. OK, so now I couldn't help but get excited Ð the hook was set. Before I could clear my head, we were, temporarily at least, two-boat owners.

The season was coming to an end, so arrangements were made to have Lillian Rose, our newly acquired 38-foot Seafarer, brought home to begin a long-overdue refit. If nothing else, we certainly became a topic of conversation in our neighborhood. After all, the last thing you would expect to see while driving down a dirt road in the middle of the woods is a 38-foot sailboat.

But time is money, and by spring both had come up short. The winter came and went before we knew it. The snow was disappearing, and mud season was on its way Ð a major issue when you live on a dirt road. With most of the planned project completed, the truckers were contacted, and arrangements were made to bring Lilli back to Maine.

For the next year, life maintained its familiar rhythms Ð work, home, weekends, summer vacations. At least it did for a while. Then, in November 2000, I sat drinking my coffee and thumbing through a magazine. I began to read a story about a refit that was done at The Landing School of Boatbuilding and Design in Arundel, Maine. With everything that Denis had done to Lilli, I knew he would enjoy this story. I just didn't know how much.

After he read the article, a long conversation proceeded and it became clear how much this short story would affect our lives. The next day I called the school for an application. Three months later Denis received his letter of acceptance in the Marine System Technician Program.

Oh no, I thought, what have I done? (Does that sound familiar?)

By the end of May 2001 we had sold our house, Denis had put in for early retirement, and I had left my job. Denis had driven an 18-wheeler for over 27 years and we both agreed it was time for a new profession. Once the shock had dissipated, our six children and family members took it all in stride. After some predictably difficult decisions, we were homeless and what was left of our possessions was in storage.

School started in September, with Denis a full-time student in the marine technician program at the Landing School along with 17 younger students. We were living on our boat, and our new life was becoming a reality. When the weather turned colder, we moved into a furnished apartment in Wells for the winter season.

Denis passed the first ABYC (American Boat & Yacht Council, Inc.) test and is now Certified Electrical Marine Technician. He graduates in June, and though the road has been rough at times, we both agree we wouldn't change a thing. In May we moved back onto the boat in South Portland, and our refit projects continue.

When I look back and think about those times I asked myself, "What have I done?" I can't help but smile.

And to think it all started with a weather forecast.

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