Key Largo as "Home"

Key Largo

So as I have said before I was wondering if we need a structure or place in our lives that represents "home"? After this past months experiences I can now answer that for myself.  Yes, I need a town to call home.    

 Key Largo

We have been trying to rent out our NY place and finally have!  During the process of showing and interviewing current tenants I realized how much I didn't want to have to leave Key Largo in order to take care of our NY place.  I realized I belong here right now.  I love both of my jobs, we have made friends, and have a great support team down here. I am happy.

Relaxing

We went on vacation to Sanibel Island this month and realized our seaside town of Key Largo takes the cake.







Salt water is in my blood, the sun loves kissing me, and I love every freckle.

Soaking up the sun

I think most of all I love my community.  I love the "small world" down here.  We are all connected, we all seem to know someone who knows someone and because of this we are all friendly, helpful, and appreciate that we live "the good life!"  I am so thankful that I get another year of "the good life."

I look forward to another year of watching mother nature astound me, time slow, others put smiles on my face, and many many more sunny days!

Energy and Crocs

Sorry for my delay, I got distracted once again.  This time I was focusing on getting our NY house rented and I am still trying to do that.  I know I am weird and as a landlord I have realized EVERYONE is weird, it all boils down to how much weirdness we can tolerate in a renter.  This one month of showings, emails, phone calls (and Thank You Bill for doing most of the work) has resulted in some true characters coming out of the wood work.  Just for laughs here are a few: "we have bunnies, but don't worry we walk them on leashes" or "hi,  I am interested in your 3 bed room/1 bath house for my husband and our 7 children", or how about our most recent experience; they "love the place" and honestly I didn't love them, but my gut told me they wouldn't trash the place so I thought "ok sure why not",  they review the lease, ask us to setup a paypal invoice so they can pay their deposit and then they die.  I mean I am assuming they are dead as I haven't heard from them in three days and have no signed lease or deposit.  So onward and upward...here is hoping a few more weirdos wanna come see the place. 

So needles to say my energy has been focused on our NY house, b/c I feel like I can't start to plan or focus on anything here in the Keys without knowing for sure that we will be here one more year.  I read "The Secret" recently and I know from it that I should "believe it into existence and it will happen", and I try believe me I try, but some days its just hard not to stress about it.  I want to be putting my energy elsewhere, however I am a strong believer on focusing at one major task at a time.
I know our place will rent, but until I have a deposit I won't feel settled. 

So what else is new, well when we first moved here I felt like I was in the movie African Queen now I feel like I am in an episode of National Geographic.  We have a 9ft crocodile living under and around our dock.  He comes out every night and has already eaten someone else's dog...so Riley is band from the dock.  The FWC (Florida Wildlife Commission) has tried to capture him but he always seems to evade them.  I'd like them to camp out on our deck for one full night, they'd have him in no time, but instead FWC has hung large chicken parts from my dock (yes, even if I wasn't already a weirdo my neighbors would now think I am).  The chicken is attached to a rope which is attached to two buoys.  Ideally(though I find it kinda cruel) he swallows the chicken w/the rope attached and the buoys float on the other end, FWC can spot the buoys, pull up the croc, snare him, move him miles away, and hope that he doesn't return (which they often do.)  So my questions were; won't the croc just chew through the rope? what if an unsuspecting boater tries to remove the visibly floating buoys out of the water b/c they just appear to be floating debris? HELLO Crocodile.  Well neither of my questions need answering...he is too smart, he spit out the bait sometime between his first bite at 11pm and the FWC's arrival around 10am the next morning.  So we now have not just chicken but rotting chicken hanging from our dock, b/c yes the temps are in the 90's here.  I am really not bitching I truly find this croc scenario quite entertaining and a nice distraction from my thoughts of winter in Albany.

I hope life is treating you as you expect it too! 

Like an Airplane

Like an airplane who has reached its correct altitude, with no obstruction in any direction, no specific location, I am merely a blip on a radar screen which can move freely at any time, this has been my goal, one I have achieved.  This is not to say obstacles and obstructions don't exist, but I have learned they can be embraced, avoided, scaled, or worn down over time.

To set such a goal that took years to achieve and succeed has taught me so many things about myself.  I can not believe I live on a beautiful island, living the way I choose on a daily bases, some might say I am living the dream and they would be right. However, the greatest achievement from this experience so far is pure unwavering confidence.  With each new goal reached or lesson learned through failure, I have only grown to know myself better, and now know that I can achieve anything I put my mind to. This may be the best lesson I have learned yet in life.

I know myself well and observe myself in the present as often as possible, however I have no set location, and no set destination.  This sense of freedom is amazing and terrifying at times. However there are days when I long to "nest" to have a sense of "home", in a traditional sense.

I should clarify that whenever I am with Bill and/or Riley; whether it be sailing, reading in bed, relaxing on our deck, or out exploring new things, I have a feeling of being completely whole, content, and "at home", however I no longer have a building, town, or state that feels like "home".  I am not sure one has to have a place/structure to call home, but I am currently seeking this answer for myself.

I aim to live in the present, absorb each day, rejoice in the goals and dreams I have conquered.  Today I ponder with desire yet without haste my future goals and dreams, because as one dream is reached another stirs from deep inside.

Feeling like Rose from The African Queen

Well its July and the mosquitoes are drunk on my blood, my hair is higher then it was in the 80's/90's, I drink more water then an in-ground pool and sweat like a menopausal woman in a sauna; it's July in the Keys and I wouldn't prefer to be anywhere else!

The rainy season of course brings rain so I get to break out my lime green/pink polka dotted golashes that I love :) It can be beautiful weather and with a quick directional change of wind and a sudden coolness to the air it will rain like the world is ending. Crazy winds, waves, rain, thunder, and lightning make for a pretty awesome sight out on the water. Unlike NY the rain does not break the humidity, rather you go from sweating in 90% humidity, to being 90% soaking wet, to sweating in 90% humidity all over again. I simply gave in yesterday and just ran around in the rain with the dog!

DEET is my new addiction, I mean seriously some people smoke, I lather up in DEET each day I have to work outside. I have lost compassion for some living creatures, that is squirrels, wasps and misquitoes. I will spray them mid flight if need be (this goes for all three). The squirrels that live on the beach near the hut I work in are so aggressive that each morning I spray them with a strong hose in order to let them know I am not the nice counter chick who feeds them...oh no...I'm the b*tch who wishes you would simple get the f-off the beach so I can work in peace. The wasps atleast provide entertainment, see they don't actually sting but all the tourists on the beach assume they do and they run frantically screaming, swatting, and just about crying up and down the beach so I get a few good laughs in each day! And don't think I am evil...after they come running my way I let them know that the wasps are harmless.

Bathing suit etiquette should be a class provided in flight while those from other states fly into FL. It your large that doesn't mean your ugly but it does mean your clothing size is L not XS. Klingons are for Star Trek, not what a mans bathing suit should be doing do his crotch. Leopard print is wrong no matter who is wearing it. It is hot here, the sun is closer to us, use sunscreen or get served as lobster to other unassuming tourists. I am starting to think alot of men are pregnant and that this is simply not making the news just yet. Now I know I sound like a horrible human being, but just know that some days are so quiet at work that we have coconut throwing contests. I love people watching and without the "crazies" it would be no fun, so deep down I love these people for keeping me entertained.

So on a daily bases life is different down here, but; good, entertaining, and laid back. I will try to update more often about daily life here in the Keys. Oh and as a wise fortune cookie once told me "if you feed a squirrel, be prepared to get bitten." :)

Keyzee

So I thought I'd share some info from the locals and the things I have learned while living here in The Keys, here goes.

Definitions:
Keyzee-simply means "keeping it easy." Down here simple beats complex
Keys Disease= slower life style, there are many definitions some positive, some negative, if you slow to the point of starting to not show up at work it becomes a -, if you simply enjoy a laid back atmosphere and less stress well thats a +
Rag Bagger= sailor
Stink Pot= motor boater
The Rock-=The Keys
Main Land= Rest of the US

Things you see here on the Rock that are alittle off beat:
Barefoot people at the grocery store, DMV, shops, etc.
Lots of long haired hippies
People of all ages riding bikes
"Something About Mary" Old ladies- just alittle over baked-crispy to be exact
Beer Can Shorts-they have a specific pocket for your beer, now if they only kept it cool!
Cuban Refuge boats hidden away in the mangroves
People of all flavors, the people watching is amazing...AMAZING, coolest part is no one cares down here...be yourself- it is the only way to be
Laid-back attitudes; take a NYer who is having a great day times their care-freeness by 3 and add alittle genuine and you arrive at the equivalent of a Keys Local, one that has lived on The Rock their whole life. If they were any more laid back I'd have to poke them with a stick to make sure they were still breathing.
The lifers don't lock their doors, wear sunscreen, or bug spray...this is why I know I will never be a true local- mosquitoes love me, I'd be a lobster, and I literally get out of bed to lock the doors.
How do we give directions? strictly by mile marker then Ocean side or Bay side

Street names:
Tropical, Bahama, Sunset, Ocean, Atlantic

What do we listen too?
Kenny Chesney singing Key Lime Pie
Barefoot Man
Micah singing anything local-check our his "Barstool Sailing"
Anything and everything by Jimmy Buffet, I personally love "Still in Paradise"
Most of our radio stations have Spanish/Latin/Cuban music (makes you wanna move!)

Local Food:
Anything Key Lime; pie, martini, juice, cookie, ice cream
Fish, Fish, and more Fish, they have a term for Mahi Mahi here that took some time getting use too, they call it "Dolphin", I just about freaked the first time I heard someone say "caught some dolphin and it was delicious!"
Conch; the locals ate it almost to the point of extinction, so we now import it while our own reserves grow
Lobster and oysters
Key West Sunset Ale

I'm sure I am missing a few key (no pun intended) details...I'll update again soon (meaning like a month from now...as the pace of my life has slowed and yet filled it self with many enjoyable leisure activities.)

Expanding My Web of Opportunity

I have kept an open mind, put myself out there into the universe with positive vibes, and in return have gotten positivity back ten fold! I have focused on two specific actions in the last two years:

#1 Keep an Open Mind
#2 Face Fear

KEEP AN OPEN MIND

Keeping an open mind leads to many opportunities; meeting new people, learning knew things, trying new things. Walking into a situation with joy in your heart, a smile on your face, and eyes and ears eager to listen and learn really makes a difference. Think positively, ooze positivity, and the universe sends it back ten fold.

Try it, go to some new event like a "meet up" or "dinner party" where you don't know everyone and think to yourself; I could potentially meet awesome new people/friends, as you walk through the door ooze positivity and then open your heart and mind as you interact with each person. Each individual will share something unique with you.

Be conscious of yourself, be present in the moment, feel your mood, be truthful, be you, there is no one else better to be! Remind yourself to listen. Wait till you see the results of opening your mind!!

As Charlotte from Charlotte's Web said:
"Chin up, chin up / Everybody loves a happy face / Wear it, share it / It'll brighten up the darkest place / Twinkle, sparkle / Let a little sunshine in / You'll be on the right side, looking at the bright side / Up with your chinny-chin-chin."

Without keeping an open mind I would be very lonely here in the Keys, when we moved here we didn't really know anyone. I now have a volunteer group I am involved with, a wonderful family I babysit for, people I can talk to who have similar interests, multiple businesses to work for, and on any given day I meet someone from another state or country with a very interesting story to tell!

FACE FEAR
(feed off the adrenaline rush)

Lets be honest with ourselves, how many times have you been afraid of something and after you did it you laughed at yourself for thinking so foolishly, or gotten an adrenaline rush from fear that you were high on it for the next few days/weeks!

I read a book by Roz Savage called Rowing the Atlantic, in this book she coined a phrase "JFDI" Just F'n Do It...her concept on dealing with fears is; right as you start to feel the butterflies just F'n Do It- whatever it is. Beat fear before it defeats you.

Don't let fear take hold and limit your web of experiences. Coming from Long Island where you can't see what is swimming around at Robert Moses I had to adjust to FL Keys CLEAR tropical water. I prefer to not see the fish and sharks that like to swim around me, but I couldn't let the fear of seeing the creatures me keep me from swimming in this beautiful Keys water. I took a lesson in stand up paddle boarding, and right before the lesson I told myself I would go into it with my heart full of excitement and my mind and body ready to achieve success at the sport. I told myself "JFDI it will be awesome" and the result was amazing...it is my new favorite sport, not to mention I aslo met cool new people!

Everyone talks to themselves whether it is in their head or out loud. We are supposed to love ourselves right? So why wouldn't we say nice things to ourselves and pump ourselves up!

My mom uses a saying that will stick with my forever, it goes "Rock on with your bad self". When I say it in my head I picture her saying it loud and proud and using her whole body to express AWESOMENESS!

So keep an open mind, face fear, be awesome...JFDI...and in your moment of success say to yourself "rock on with your bad self" (swivel your head or shake your hips when you say it, it makes the moment feel even more great!)

Home

Home is it a place? Is it permanent? Who lives there? For me home is any place where I feel welcomed, warm, and fuzzy with the people I love; friends and family.

I have many homes, in no particular order;

• The house where I grew up, the house I love, a house that contains so much love it oozes out of the cracks and spills out into the surrounding community.

• Aunt Jeannie's house, where some of my best childhood memories occurred, my other house, I can't return, but I'm sure those living their now feel it's warmth.

• Kathryn's house; where the oven is used for storage, girl talk echos off the walls, the guest room is like a B&B, meals are communal, wine is drank like water, relaxing is our pass time, and Riley is now welcome! True friendship grows there.

• The Kaye home; chaos at its best, absolutely beautiful. Always welcome, and you become instantly wrapped up in their chaos, I wouldn't have it any other way. Children who make the world seem all right with a simple laugh and smile.

• My life with Bill and Riley; whether we are in the RV, at the beach, our place in Albany or our new place in the Keys, where they are is my true and natural home. With them my heart melts, is completely content, even on my worst of days. True love and unconditional love create a home.

Think about it, where are your homes? I'm sure you have a few! Take time to reflect on your love, love of friends and family, they are what make your time here worth while. It is much more fun to share experiences rather then go it alone. Bill and I always joke that at our job interviews we always want to ask if we can bring each other to work, b/c seriously wouldn't work be way cooler if you could bring a friend! Bring your kid to work day-awesome, employers who allow dogs in the office-again awesome.

Share the love, this might be our only chance to do so, share and share big.

Laughter lasts longer when it is shared. If I could bottle a laugh it would be Kristin Q's and Tim S's...it comes from deep in their souls, it is genuine and all encompassing.

Laugh till your breath has ceased, and your belly hurts, love till your heart is warm and your soul is glowing. The world will see it, your face will show your true happiness. When life is great and when it's not, go home. Home makes it all OK.

Two songs worth listening too; (My cousin shared the first one with me, and it is wonderful)

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros- Home

Miranda Lambert-The House That Built Me