Hopefully I have come to the end of changing careers, currently on the fourth life now. Thinking back, when I had 'settled' into my second life I had planned out my career through to retirement. Life evolves and changes in ways you least expect!
Good luck with getting the vehicle back on the road. Hopefully a replacement head gasket and a light skim to try it up will resolve your bubbling water issues, fingers crossed no cracks or jacket corrosion issues.