6 Months and Counting

Tom and I went diving this morning, a couple of wreck dives with a local dive shop, afterwards was having lunch at Schooner's and enjoying the amazing weather that we have had since a storm moved out yesterday afternoon, when we looked at each other and said 'We don't have to leave tomorrow' with a clinking of beer bottles to celebrate the moment!
This moment describes the last 6 months..... yes it has been 6 months... almost 7 since we landed in KW.

When we look back over these past months so much has happened we are still in amazement that we took the leap and did the move. It wasn't and still isn't always easy and we have learned a lot but definitely one of the best decisions of our life!

So here are a few observations about following our dream........

Stuff is just STUFF! Boy was this a large lesson for me to learn as you know from the blog when we were packing and moving. It is really amazing what little you need to live to be happy and that Internet shopping doesn't have to be a way of life (as many of you know it was for me). With only having 1000 square feet and too much stuff in it already (yes we are still getting rid of clothes and shoes) there is no need to shop. As part of the general population down here we too have little space and limited money to spend so we all do with what we have and share what we can.

Living on ONE income..... Yes this has been a transition! We knew that when we left we would be living on my income and that Tom would make some money but we referred to that as 'beer' money. Of course things don't play out as we plan and after the initial 2 months of Tom working on the Dare in dry dock he has spent most of his time logging sea days (non-paid of course) for his captains license and diving as an investor. So this has severely limited out disposable income and we are learning to budget. Now this is not an unusual position to be in here. It is expense to live here and we are lucky that we are not dependent on tourism for our income, as many are. It is not uncommon for a friend to say 'low on funds so we need to find the best happy hour for the money'. We all know we all live on tight budgets and are in it together.

Thank heavens for friends! We didn't realize how much our Mel Fisher friends would come into play with us getting settled in and calling KW home. It is interesting on how you get plugged into life in a new place when you don't work in a job where you make friendships through work since my job works out of the house and Tom doesn't have a full time one. We have had to meet and create friendships in a different way. Jan, Ray, Cliff and Susan have been there for us more than they will ever know in getting us connected and providing us support.

Island lifestyle. Such a difference!!!

• First of all I haven't driven on the island since we have arrived. No need to! We walk to almost everywhere and I can tell you it must have been a hoot today when Tom and I were both on the scooter along with 2 large dive bags. A tourist photo op if there ever was one.
• There is a market, drug store, hardware store, dive shop, liquor store, restaurants and of course bars all within walking distance. We do drive about 1 a month to the Publix grocery store to stock up on the large, heavy items that are to much to carry home and usually hit any other stores that the car is needed for at that time.
• The weather is amazing. It is a nice change to have weather and wake up each morning to something different. We will admit that August was hot and muggy but lately the ocean breeze has been coming through so even if it is hot and humid the breeze makes it very livable.
• Events are never ending.... this is a busy place! It seems that almost any day of the week you can find something to go to. Everything from gay bingo on Sunday afternoon to poker on Tuesdays to coconut races on Friday and so on. Sometimes we aren't sure what to go to next.
  
• Music! Due to the amount of bars here there is also an endless variety of live music all the time. We have already found a favorite local band, Caffeine Carl. So no matter what you want to listen to you can usually find it. There is a local paper, Paradise, that comes out each Thurs filled with the events and music played around town.
  
• KW people. Of course everyone we have met is from somewhere else. We are refereed to as 'fresh water conchs' since we were not born on the island and can never be a 'true conch'. We have met a few true conchs but not very many so we know they exist. Our friends are from Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Florida, Tennessee, Virginia and the list goes on. Once in awhile we meet someone from California but usually it is an east coast state. Jan and Ray have been on the inland the longest with 10 years (from Penn) and of course we have been here the shortest time. With so many people from so many places it makes for a lot of fun with sports and everyone cheering for there own teams.
  
• Sports.... usually water based with fishing in the lead. Lots of fishing here and lots of fishing tournaments. Then it would be softball then bocce ball. We are joining a team for the winter league of bocce ball. People love to be outside here and anything you can do when you are outside, even if it is having a game of horseshoes in a friends back yard (Saturday night at Chris's house).

So we have settled into island life easily and really love it. It was easier than we thought possible since it seems it is where we were meant to be. Yes we miss our family and friends, not enough of you visit by the way, but this is the place for us. At least for now..... Jan and Ray are moving to St Croix in a couple of years and we are thinking about going with them. So if you want to experience KW from the local side then make your travel arrangements soon!