It took months to make the decision, but my husband and I
have decided to leave our beautiful island and move back to the mainland. Do we
want to? Heck no! We love it here!
I will miss the people here the most. Big smiles. Very
polite. Honest in their emotions. I have loved living here.
I will miss the warm temperatures as much as the people.
80-90 degrees every day is exactly what my body likes.
I will miss the beach. So many sunny days. Such warm
water. Gorgeous sunsets into the ocean with an occasional green flash.
I will miss this perfect house. Just the right size. So
close to the Caribbean Sea. Lots of wildlife to watch.
But the cost to live here has become too much. Food costs
have risen. Gas prices have risen. Our electricity bill has doubled in three
years to over $600 a month. And flying to the mainland for book signings has become very expensive.
But it is not all sad news.
By moving back to the mainland, I will be able to write
full time and for that I’m very excited :-)
By moving back to the mainland, I will get to see my
family on a yearly basis instead of every two years.
By moving back to the mainland I will be able to afford to
take my husband out to dinner so he can get one day off from being my personal
chef :-)
By moving back to the mainland I will be able to build my
log home that I have always wanted.
While we are sad to be leaving our island paradise, we
are excited by this new chapter in our lives. So now the countdown begins. In
two months and 10 days I will leave the island for good, but I’m pretty sure I will
be back to visit :-)
Always,
Lexi
P.S. Leave a comment below for a chance to win one ecopy of your choice of my books :-)
I guess I'm sad and happy for you at the same time. Where are you moving to?
ReplyDeleteWe are looking at Florida :-)
DeleteHappy to have you mainland closer, will miss the vacation destination we talked about. In what area will you be settling? I picture a sunbelt locale, not too far from water. :) <3 Bette
ReplyDeleteYou are so right, Bette. We are looking at the west coast of Florida :-)
DeleteLike Susana, I am happy and sad for you also. You gotta do what you gotta do. You will still have decent weather in Florida though. The west side of the side, near the Gulf is beautiful. Been there once in my life and loved it. Sanibel Island area. I wish you and your family all the best in your new adventure. :)
ReplyDeleteSue Van/Haven Malone
Thank you, Sue. I am excited as I love moving. I know, strange. I know there will be great things in my new area that I will just love. Besides, I can always come back here and visit :-)
DeleteThat's too bad; good luck with the move!
ReplyDeleteThank you. I will miss it, but now I will be able to write more books!
DeleteI'm sorry you've decided to leave paradise, but as adventurous as you are you will love your next home as much! Your picture kin of looks like my home only mine is all cedar not logs:)
ReplyDeleteI'm very excited that you'll be writing full time. Can only imagine how exciting it is for you! I've devoured all your books and can't wait for more.
Enjoy your last months, and have a safe move.
Thank you, Dawn. I plan to enjoy every minute here. I love how warm the sea is at this time of year, so I'll be in it a lot!
DeleteA tough decision, I know. Blessings on this new chapter of your life (pun intended). AND welcome to Florida!
ReplyDeleteWhoohoo! I forgot you live there. See, already one positive thing about moving :-)
DeleteNext chapters in our lives are fun and exciting! The other thing you forgot to mention is you'll have better health care options too. Good luck. Can't wait to hear about your next destination.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right, Carolyn. I was at a birthday party last week and I found out that the last general surgeon had left the island. Definitely time for a change :-)
DeleteYou always have such a delightful attitude! love it!
ReplyDeleteI can't help it. I just love a new adventure!
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