The Best Laid Plans Go To St. Croix

I seriously need to read my own blog more often. Well, and also I should probably write more. Yesterday, someone asked me what I do to relax, and I had to ask King to be able to answer. I have no idea. I have spent the last several months running nonstop, preparing for a move, moving, settling, scrambling to pay bills, trying to network, take care of children, and maintain a social life (WHAT?!).

I just went back and read my last entry, and I am so glad that I did. It was perfect timing. Sometimes we all need a little inspiration and a kick in the ass. I'm there. So, since I've been neglecting everyone since MARCH(?!?!), I shall give you an update.

In March, we had decided to move in 12 months. As some of the best laid plans do, this one went astray...all the way to St. Croix. So I suppose this plan didn't so much go astray as it did go into hyper-drive. Regardless, lots of things have happened since then: good, bad, and who-gives-a-damn kinda things.

I visited this island paradise in April, and it was love at first sight. I was so enamored, in fact, that I didn't want to leave. I did, though, and I told King when I stepped off the plane in Indy that we were going to move sooner. We moved June 1st, 2013, and there is no looking back. There is only looking forward...to the ocean, to the sunsets, to the cheap rum(!), and to all the amazing experiences that we have each day.

The people here are so different than anywhere else. Is there drama? Of course! No place would be complete without a little storyline, right? What is here, though, that you don't find stateside is unconditional generosity and love. I'm not sure this place is overly religious or anything, but the golden rule here is to love thy neighbor...and his neighbor, and his brother's neighbor...aww, hell....just love everybody! And buy he a next one, irie? (That's Crucian speak for: and buy him another drink, all right?) We bought a car, and it broke down after a couple months of being here. Someone that we barely knew offered to allow us to use his vehicle while we were waiting to fix ours because he had three and only needed two. That's just ONE example. It is ingrained in the culture here to protect and help one another, to be there for each other, and just to simply love.

Anyway, I haven't seen McHottie since just before we moved (sigh). I miss him. I miss his encouraging words, his comfy sofa, and his ability to make me see through the crazy in my life. However, crazy has most definitely taken a backseat, as it tends to do when you are thousands of miles away from it. I still have moments where I'm sad, where I feel like I have a hole in my heart, but those moments seem to be fewer and further between. The hole is being filled by friends, my true family here, those who know where my heart is.

I seriously cannot believe it is October, though. Time flies when you're having rum? Kidding, I usually drink beer anyway. Maybe I can't believe it's October because it's still 90 degrees here everyday? No matter what the reason, though, we are coming into "season" here, which means that business will be coming back to life, and the beaches will be blanketed with ghostly (and conversely, lobstered) tourists.

I wish I had a love story to share, but, alas, I do not...Hopefully that is on the horizon, though. Until next time, I'll leave you with some pix!

Sunset at Chenay Bay

The Tide Pools at Carambola 

Lunch on the Boardwalk at Rum Runners

My Princess with Chuck Wicks at Divi Carina Bay

Girls Playing at sunset on the beach at Tamarind Reef