Things That have Happened To Me

Some of the things on your excellent list I share with you. Never thought it would happen to me. :$)

I would like to add
Menopause sucks. I feel as though I will spontaneously combust 3 times an hour.
My husband thinks that I have been possessed by aliens
My adult children's drama make me want to slap them and say grow up.
I am much more patient with JJ than I ever was with my other children. I don't care if he eats cookies in my bed or sleeps with me or what time he goes to bed.
My compassion for animals, children, the homeless and old people make me weep at least once a day.
Right now I don't care who is running for president. Crime on STX, corrupt government in the VI or whether we should arm ourselves.
I want to tell all the posters who don't live here that are bashing the VI over the crime rate that that St. Croix is a terrible place where we are in fear all the time and we must barricade ourselves in our homes to avoid being raped and murdered. Pass the word, don't move here it is way to dangerous.
At least until I complete my midlife change I want peace, to play with my little boy, read books, lay on the beach, garden, pray for rain and be happy within my little space in the world.

i agree with tammy,i used to go to frommers and trip advisor to defend against the bashing but it gets too overwhelming at times so i stopped,now i guess if you're worried about crime here stay where you're at,stx is a best kept secret in the caribbean. and lizard add to your list,never go anywhere without a book or paper to read while you wait in line.

My list would include:

* I've met friends that will be mine forever and who I cherish as much (sometimes more) than my family.
* I've learned what it means and how wonderful it is (usually) to be part of a small community.
* I've discovered the rewards of volunteering for worthy causes, and I've learned when to say no too.
* I laugh more. You've got to. This place IS funny.
* I'm aware that no place is perfect, and I accept the tradeoffs.
* I feel lucky everyday. People pay thousands of dollars to vacation here for just a week, and we get to live here.
* I know it isn't for everyone, living here, and I can accept that. It is for me.
* My hairs turned gray, but I feel younger than I did 10 years ago.
* I've redefined my definition of alcoholic.
* I've been spoiled by good restaurants, awesome people and beautiful scenery.
* I've decided shopping is actually more fun when you have to search for ingredients... and improvise.
* I've discovered I like cooking and entertaining
* ..... there are more....
but mostly I've grown up a lot living here, whether that is simply because the years have gone by or if the island has something to do with it... I'm not sure. But, we truly are in charge of our own attitudes and I choose to be happy and look on the bright side... works for me most days. I think I'm healthier as a result.

Limetime2:

Very nicely put!

I see that your glass is "half full".

F.I.

Scary familiar. Nice to know there are so many of us. I hope I remember this tomorrow.

LOL! Thanks all. I was just thinking today how the laughs stopped on this forum . . . now I realize it has been just a hiccup.
Tammy, I live in Baltimore City and am constantly asked about the high crime . . . stay away it's very scary here too 😉
Gotta go . . . can't find that damn remote again!

Glad you're back, Tam! Think of the hot flashes as power surges.

Trade - now THAT's a thought! Maybe Tam can get hooked up to a WAPA meter and run it backwards with hot flashes and zero out her monthly power consumption (or even just use it to run a personal A/C to counter-act the hot flashes). 🙂

Sorry Lizard, menopause hijacked this wonderful post. I replied in a "heated" moment.
A more proper response.

I echo Lizard and Lifetime.
I have learned patience, patience, patience.
Complaining and whinning get you nowhere.
Put a smile on your face and be proactive.
The world does not and never have revolved around me.
Tomorrow will take care of itself.
I won't die if the power, cable or phone goes out. Just play a game, clean or go to the beach
My child sees no skin color and is not glued to a video game
Along with the gray hair, new wrinkles and going through the change in my life, I have become happier, calmer and nicer.
I love St. Croix and the VI.

Alexandra, that's a good idea. Maybe Wapa will be sending Tam a check.

My list would include:

* I've redefined my definition of alcoholic.

I'll bite... you made me curious: on the subject of alcoholism, what was your definition before the VI and what is it now?

That's funny.
It is odd however. Here in AZ I hardly ever drink. Maybe a beer or two sometimes when we go out to eat. A six pack will last months in my fridge. But when on island I have at least a couple of drinks everyday. Usually something with rum or a Carib.
It's not because or boredom, but I don't know why.
Does anyone else find this to be true?

It's just easier to fall into here. It's cheap, nobody thinks anything about it, you can drive with it, etc. I've never had a drink here. Luckily.

We started out drinking A LOT more. I think it was because we went out to eat more. And the drinks were delish. But as time went on we (me especially) started drinking less. We still drink more that in the states, maybe 2-4 drinks a week. Not much, but when living in KY we only drank on vacations or special dinners out -- maybe averaging a couple of drinks a month.

I think its the mode your in, vacations are meant to relax and have a good time. If you stay in that mode and enjoy the islands you will probably drink more. I notice when I pick up my adult children at the airport, the first thing they say is Hi and the next is "I need a Drink"! That mind set continues until they leave. They are all into frozen drinks, mud slides etc, I think it might replace their childhood need for ice cream (not sure) when on vacation. They don't hammer them down (the drinks) but a good part of the day, there is a drink in their hand and they enjoy it! Terry, I tend to agree with you that we do tip a little more on island vs mainland. I drink strictly for mosquito control. LOL

Well I have definantly added a bit of girth with my miller light habit. It is the only alcohol that I drink and I just consider it alcohol flavored water. Time to slow it down a notch.

I only drink alcohol when parents or inlaws are visiting, and then I need those Painkillers!

My list would include:

* I've redefined my definition of alcoholic.

I'll bite... you made me curious: on the subject of alcoholism, what was your definition before the VI and what is it now?

First time I've used the "Quote" button.... I hope I did that right.

Well... I could just answer you, No0ne, by saying... "what they said". Before coming here I rarey drank much and neither did/do most of my family or friends. Not that they are prudes or anything... its just not as common to drink as much in the US as it is here. So, If someone told me then that they have a drink or two DAILY I would have probably considered them an alcoholic, regardless of whether it affected their daily lives in any other ways.

Here, I know many people that have multiple drinks a day, multiple days a week and I know they are not alcoholics. I know others that amazingly live here, on this drinking island, and are alcoholics yet are able to stay 'recovering' and sober. (Sorry... I'm not up on all the proper AA lingo). It amazes me that recovering alcoholics choose to continue to live here... (it takes a strong person to avoid the socially encouraging drinking scene here). Sadly, I also know far too many people that are alcoholics in varying stages and need help, but the life here helps them to continue to "function" and not deal with the problem because drinking is so acceptable.

So... I wrote what I wrote kinda tongue in cheek to say "I enjoy my rum and diet cokes with lime. I enjoy going out with friends and having a couple glasses of wine with dinner. I love Sunday beach days with Mojito's............. and My family and friends back home probably all worry about me being a "alcoholic".... but my definition has changed. :)"

I've been educated more about alcoholism and I know that a person who drinks is not necessarily an alcoholic. and I don't consider ALL my drinking friends alcoholics. (hey but those of you who are you know who you are 🙂 ) hee hee hee

Seriously... alcoholism is not a joking matter for those that suffer from the condition and I encourage people who have alcoholic tendencies or other addictive behaviours (again I'm not up on the proper lingo)... to not move/come here if you could succumb. Drinking is very much a part of many social scenes here and this is not a place for an alcoholic to move to if they can help it.

I agree, Terry. In the (way too short) week we were there in February, one of our favorite things to do was to sit at one of the bars on the beach in F'sted and watch the sunset with a ridiculously cheap drink in hand. Most of the bars out that way have $2 sunset drink specials. Even now, looking back at the photos from those evenings, we look happier than in any other photos over the past few years.

(Terry, by the way, speaking of photos, I've been pestering Brian to get that CD made for you. I think today might be the day! We'll let you know as soon as it's done. So sorry he's been such a slacker!)

And then there are all the other places where you just have to try the drink(s) at least once... Domino's, the rum distillery, etc. I'm sure I wouldn't go back to all of those places every week if I lived there, but as a newbie, checking out the island, it was part of my exploration!

Here at home, I still have 4.5 of the six bottles of Cruzan rum we brought back, and that's only because I gave two to the friends who watched my dog!

Very well said, Limetime2.

Lizard,
I was told, the only thing that sucks about getting old is, getting old. An understatement at best. When I found hair growing where there once was none, I made an amusing story about, where do you find a "butt barber" lol.
One Love Ironman

Getting old is better than the alternative.