1 year Anniversary in KW

It was 1 year ago on March 7, 2008 that we pulled into KW in the U-haul with the kids and Dyna following along in the Murano. Hard to believe the year has gone by so fast! 

We celebrated with a group of friends over to the new house for a theme potluck night. The theme was Spam dishes from our childhood. What a HOOT!!! We had baked beans & spam, scalloped potatoes & spam, spam cornbread, spam meatballs, spam dip, spam mixed with Velvetta & onion on hamburger buns, and then a few other non-Spam items that those who did not have Spam as a child brought.  It was a great way to celebrate. 

We also look back on the last year. What a year of changes it has been!!! As we sit here and watch the sun set off our porch we think about what the past year has brought us. Here are a few of them: 

• Tolerance of people who are different. This has to be one of the most diverse places we have been between the Caribbean, Cuban, Eastern Europe and others that have settled here. We cannot tell you how many different languages we hear on a daily basis. It has been very interesting to live in such a diverse community. 
• Love of the ocean. We have been ocean people for a long time but with being so close to it allows us a new respect for her. It is truly what the island evolves around, from the weather to the commerce.  
• Friendship. Friendships here are easily made based on a common desire to live in a place that is out of the norm. An amazing sense of community and support. These are some of the most helpful and friendly people we have ever met. So many of them have become cherished friends.     
• Excess in Moderation! This happens to be a sign in a local bar but is a lesson learned here. It's a different lifestyle and its easy to get caught up in the 'vacation frame of mind'.  
• Priorities. What was once a priority about 'things' is no longer. We have sold most of what we had and do not miss it. Its no longer about the new toys or the better house, or the new car or ANY of that. It's now about a great sunset, walking the dog and a cold beer on a hot day. 
• Limited finances. We came from 2 incomes in a place that had reasonable living expenses to a single income in a place that DOESN'T have reasonable living expenses. It is where we all share what we have so that we can get to the next paycheck, we know where the best happy hour deals are, potlucks, horseshoes and cheap poker games make for a great Saturday night, and a scooter makes the cheapest way to get around (other than our feet).
  
• New carrier path. Finding that you can leave the same job after MANY, MANY years and pursue your passion. Taking a leap of faith in trying new things. 

This probably doesn't cover it all but it gives you an idea as to all this Adventure has brought us. What we can say is that it was the BEST decision we could have ever made! It has been all that we had hoped for and more!