It's even more important when you live aboard. Our trawler is pretty big as boats go and it has a lot of storage space. I've been boating for 40 years and learned long ago how important it is to be organized and to have things where they need to be when you need them quickly. It's been a challenge to get my partner, Pamela, to learn this. "It doesn't matter where something lives", I told her, "just as long at it has a home." She's been trying really hard for her, but it's been a struggle.

Her son is graduating from Air Force basic military training this weekend. She's very excited and bursting with pride, and Pamela, sister Megan, and girlfriend Amirah flew down to Texas for the big moment in Sean's life. Pamela started packing last week, making sure she had everything organized and "in its place".

As Pam and I were leaving for the airport, we went through a quick check list. Credit cards? Yes, in my pocketbook. Cash? Yes, in my pocketbook. Cell phone? In my jacket pocket. Cell phone charger? In my bag. Camera? In my pocketbook. I'm so proud of her!

Their flight got into San Antonio at midnight last night and they had to be on the base at 6AM to get sister Megan a pass. Knowing Pamela likes to sleep in, I got up early to give her a wake up call. I dialed her cell phone number. Her cell phone rang in a jacket in the helm station. She wore a different jacket.