Island Bound

Lately we've been doing a lot of talking about the possibility of moving out of the country to an island in the Caribbean. It's all talk at this point and wouldn't be for many, many years down the road, but it still makes us think what it is about that lifestyle that we crave.

Other than the obvious beautiful weather and scenery, it's the laid back lifestyle that appeals to us. Entire days of enjoying life and doing whatever our mood moves us to do that day.

That leads to the question of why we can't create that life for ourselves here and now.

Of course, we can't recreate the beautiful weather. Illinois weather being what it is, describing it as beautiful at any time of the year would be a huge lie.

And the scenery isn't much to look at unless you like miles and miles of corn.

However, there really isn't any reason that we can't spend days doing whatever our mood drives us to do.

Vern's work schedule is such that he has several days in a row at home between his work shifts, so that's not the obstacle that it is for most people. We have flight benefits and can fly almost anywhere we would want to fly, and we both love driving trips, so the ability to travel isn't the issue. What is the issue is getting tied down with the house.

Realistically though, it's not the house itself. It's the stuff that is in the house. So much to take care of, so much to maintain, and so much to deal with. Frankly, we spend so much time dealing with the stuff of life, that it sucks the enjoyment out of life itself.

Our garage sale has been pushed back to mid September. Vern's work schedule for the next few weeks is going to be hectic, and we are just doing what it takes for him to get through that.

The positive of that is that it gives me time to once again reevaluate the things we have. What do we really treasure and what is merely "stuff" that is taking up space, collecting dust, and creating work.

So, as I work through each room in our house over the next few weeks while Vern is at work, I intend to put on my favorite sundress, throw a little Bob Marley in the CD player, make myself an icy margarita and pretend that I'm clearing things out so that we can live that island style life that we want so much.

Minus the beautiful weather and scenery.