A Deam - Some Thoughts - and a big THANK YOU

What started as just a “dream” four years ago, has turned into an adventure of a life time! From sitting in Ohio, on the back porch with Eve, a cheap box of wine and a few thoughts….to Eve in STX (working STX issues) myself back in Ohio (working Ohio issues), I just haft to sit back and laugh at myself and all of our experiences!

For everyone who has the “dream”, let me give you a synopsis of our event line:

- Have a Dream

- Send the wife down to check things out

- She comes back home, and it’s all she ever talks about!

- Go to STX with Eve and see for myself
- Find property

- Get back home and it’s all I ever talk about!
- realized we moved to slow, property sold

- Decide we need to go back and check out all the areas on STX, plus we wanted to help with the 1st. picnic (I can justify anything)

- Come back to Ohio
- Find another property on the internet
-Jump thru hoops to get everything ready for purchase

- Take a long PMV to purchase and to help with 2nd. Picnic.
-While on Island the wheels fall off the cart and the deal goes bust.
-Fall back and regroup over lunch and rum punch and see the look in my wife’s eyes when she says “I don’t want to leave”

- I go back to Ohio and get ready for a future that everyone thinks is awesome, but then says you are “crazy” – If they only knew – LOL

Here are a few thoughts off the top of my head:

- If someone were to ask what does “Island Time” mean? I would answer “PATIENCE” – I think it says that in Webster’s!

- Be very flexible with your “dream” if you have never been “On Island”. The ideas that you come up with sitting on your back porch may be different in reality.

- It is very difficult, but not impossible, (remember “island time”) to purchase a home if you are not on Island. Even if you are there it can take a lot of time – and rum! When looking for a property and a “good neighborhood” the best advice is to do a PMV (or 10). What one person tells you about an area is not necessarily where you would feel comfortable and vice versa. The last thought on this subject is – listen to Alexandra advice!

- Do not argue with Linda From Mich. When she tells you that the rain in the islands can be just as bad as the snow in the states – I laughed at her. I was proven very wrong! Yes Linda I will say it – you were right!

- You do not need an alarm clock on island. The chickens and roosters do just fine!

- If you are exploring the island and you pass the La Reine Chicken Shack and think to yourself “I can get a beer somewhere else”. STOP! – turn around – park the car – sit at the bar – have a drink – talk to the locals – and leave several hours later knowing you had a great time! I even understand the chicken is pretty good too!

This board and the participation of the members have been fantastic to Eve and I. With your help we could not be doing what we are now. It will be awesome when Eve and I are together on island and are able to extend the same hospitality as we have received! We have done a lot, experienced even more, and met some awesome people – and this is only the beginning!- THANK YOU!

I’ve laughed – I’ve cried - and it HAS been better than “CATS”!

Island Rat

P.S. I talk to Eve almost every day. But, if anyone see her please remind her that Island Rat loves her and misses her very much. She has done a great job and we will be on island together soon. – Thanks!