Warmth Of The Sun.

A coconut-palm tree in our yard:

Look closely:

Closer:

I love this guy.  He comes out on the sunniest of days and just chills there for…forerver.  Not a care in the world.  I’m guessing he climbs over to the neighboring papaya tree for some lunch.  Then goes back on his palm-frawn perch. Then goes to the sour-sop tree for dinner.  Then back to the safety of his house in the sky.

I didn’t have to go into my office today and spent most of the day preparing and organizing for the largest Easter feast known to man kind to take place on our larger-than-life-lawn.  But after I saw this, I took a cue from this lazy lizard, put my bathing suit on, grabbed my book du-juor and headed to the pool for an entire hour to feel the warmth of the sun.  And silence.  Just what I needed at the end of a productive Monday.  And most definitely one reason I love living in paradise.

The Seven Year Itch.

We’ve got it!  The Fisherman & I will celebrate 7 years of living on St. Croix November 4th.  Seven years ago we decided to take a chance.  It was easy back then.  No kids.  No “real jobs” (although my employer at the time might argue against that).  Nothing to tie a couple of twenty-somethings down.  We packed 4 bags total (mine had curtains in them), loaded up the Rodeo, drove to Florida with a 3lb Yorkie

(may she rest in peace), put the car on a ship and got on a plane (with a 3lb Yorkie). 

And never looked back.  I don’t think I could do that now.  It was our age.

Regardless, we said we would give it a year.  A year came and went…and so did two…and three…and so on.  We partied hard those years before kids.  This was OUR island.  Now, raising a family on our tropical land mass, we are experiencing a new St. Croix that we love just as much.  And we still find time to party.

All that mushy lovey stuff being said, YES!  I miss Texas.  YES!  It is harder than hell to live here.  YES!  I miss my family.  YES!  I miss all the convenience that comes with living stateside.  YES!  I miss the seasons.  YES!  I miss Target.  YES! I miss central A/C.  But would I give up what I have here  and move back???  Well, that all depends on the circumstance.  The Fisherman and I discuss it quite often, actually.  Its kind of hard for him to fish in Central Texas.  And fishing outfits are a dime a dozen in Florida.  He’d be a little fish in a big pond. Oh, and not sure where we would get the million dollars to buy a boat to compete on the banks of Florida.  And, I am quite certain that if (or when) we move back to the states, I would find just as much stuff to bitch about and miss living the good live in STX.

Here are a few honest truths I have learned about living on St. Croix…for the past seven, SEVEN years.  Remember, these pertain to MY (The Holley Household) lifestyle on STX; if you are currently a resident you may agree, disagree and have your own set of realities.  In no particular order, Here Goes:

• Conserve water, food and electricity.  Only flush after #2.  Turn off the fans and lights if you are not in a room.  WAPA will eat you out of house & home.  Food costs are high and the quality is low.  Make every bite count.
• Everything costs more (see above).
• Roaches & rats live in paradise, too.
• Always greet people with Good Morning (MOOR’ NIN), Good Afternoon (or AFTA’ NOON), and Good Night (as a greeting, not something you say when you leave, Texans).  And you don’t even have to be particulary cheerful about it.
• Never go grocery shopping on the 1st or 15th of the month.
• Plan on visiting 2-3 grocery stores to complete your grocery list.
• Enjoy every minue at the beach.  Most people dream of “this lifestyle”.
• You can have an open container (of an adult beverage) in your vehicle AND even be drinking it, but you MUST, I repeat, YOU MUST have your seatbelt on. (and not be talking on the phone).
• Centipedes are a f’in way of life.
• Plan on at least a full  8 hour day when dealing with a government office. Drivers license, registering your car, business license, taxes…
• Mongoose like to fight with iguanas.
• Coconut wata’ does not taste good.
• Bananas from my yard at the best!
• Never sleep under a coconut tree.
• Forcast for the past seven years has been Sunny, 88 degrees with a 10% chance of rain.

On my St. Croix, Today is the same as yesterday, and tomorrow will be the same as today.

The days are long, but the years are short.  Seven years have flown by.

Let’s give it another year.

footnote:  Thought you would enjoy this flier my M.I.L helped me put together for our “scouting trip” to STX.  We thought were so cool.  Can’t wait for our kids to see this a appreciate it: