First of all...I can't believe I haven't posted a new blog since mid 2021. Yes, I believe it's time for me to find time to sit down and write myself a new blog post. What to talk about...hmmmmm.
It's Saturday...second weekend the OD Pavilion is open for the season...and it's raining and 48 degrees. I don't wanna go! Still in my PJs and surfin' the net...seems like a good time to come up with somethin'.
Lately I only have one thing on my mind (other than waiting for the next chance to get out and dance a little). That one thing is a small out island in the Bahamas called Eleuthera. I know...I know. Y'all have heard me talk about til you walk away when you see me comin'.
I have had a dream for over 30 years...and that's to have a little hideaway on this beautiful island. It's really what I've worked so hard for. About 2 years ago I realized I needed to change my dream because it was WAY out of my reach since so many people have discovered Eleuthera and driven the prices for 2nd homes sky high.
As I sit here at my desk today it's all I can think about. Yeah, Kristye...get a life...it ain't gonna happen. Don't waste your dreams.
This year on my little 10 day annual vacation (that I save my dollars for all year) I decided to look around and see what could'a been. When what to my wandering eyes did appear...but a teeny tiny little bungalow on a craggy driveway with a For Sale sign. It was cute...it looked almost new. I figured it was still way out of my price range but decided to set myself up for another disappointment by giving the realtor a call.
I couldn't believe my ears when she told me the price so I arranged to see it. That was the beginning of a lot of yes and nos by the owner. Did she...or did she not...want to sell it?
With me on this trip was an old runnin' buddy...Martha McNally. We expected to be hittin' the beaches and the bars, restaurants and shops....but noooooooooooo...she patiently waited with me for THE phone call. Not one with a lot of patience we snuck up that steep, rutty driveway and took a look, taking some photos of the exterior and checking out the lot. Out of nowhere the sweet lady who was presently living in the house came out on the porch and called out to us. Oh, oh...we're in trouble...was running through my mind. When I told her we were just checking it out and waiting for the owner to let a realtor show it to us she said "come on in, ladies...feel free to look around". Another reason I LOVE the Eleutheran people...they are so friendly! Martha looked at me and I looked at her and up the steps we went.
One step inside and I knew I had to have it if there was any way to work it out. Miss Carol had us look around and then set us on her big sofa to answer any questions.
We left and went down to a little bar & grill...got a drinky and a bite to eat. Before we sat down good a man I know from the island came over and leaned on our table..."I hear you're lookin' to buy a house?"
Boy, word travels fast on Eleuthera. Come to find out he has some property to sell and was nicely trying to get me to talk to him about it. Nope. I found my house if this lady will quit dilly dallying about letting us see it and make an offer. The sales price was unreal. You know the old saying: "If it seems too good to be true....". Well, I like this better:
Long story short....the price was too good to be true but we investigated...looked at other houses (all of which were a lot higher and in bad need of repair), and I made an offer. It took a couple more days of waiting and finagling until my offer was accepted. I'm on cloud nine and have no regrets. Working on a closing now...then the work has to be done of shipping furniture and all household supplies over from the states. Almost everything on the island has to be shipped in. 😳 Then hauled from the port and delivered to the house, assembled, set up and almost ready.
Once this is done Zack and I are going over with suitcases loaded down with housewares and decor to put the final touches on it. The "it" is my MIMOSA COTTAGE. She'll be available for vacation rentals after that....and I can come and go as I save money for airline fares. My DREAM has come true! Every little ting's gonna be alright.
Stay tuned!
On another note. Speaking about how word travels on the island....Martha and I were on our way to check out this little house when Martha said she'd like to find a bathroom before we got there. That's asking alot in Eleuthera, especially traveling down Queen's highway. Governor's Harbour Airport was ahead and I remembered there was a little bar there on the side. So we pulled in and I went inside while Martha went to the one and only bathroom. I looked up over the bar and gasped! There has always been a portrait of Patti LaBelle on the wall and it was gone! Patti owned a house there and like other well known folks on the island....we left left 'em all alone to enjoy the peace and freedom on the island just like we did. While the bartender was gettin' me a cold Radler (if you know, you know) I asked him what happened to the portrait. Was told the bar had been bought and the former owner took it with him.
We had our drink and went on our way. The next day we went to a little grill for lunch and the bartender said "you must be the ladies lookin' for Patti Labelle". Geezo...we weren't looking for her (which puts a big X on you on the island...leave 'em alone) I just asked what happened to the portrait. A couple of afternoons later we caught a taxi with Mr. Arthur Nixon to go back and forth to LeoRose Sunset Bar & Grill to keep from driving the curvy, unlit, potholed highway at night. We weren't pulled out of our driveway before Mr. Nixon said "so you're the girls lookin' for Patti Labelle". This was NOT the reputation I wanted on the island! I told him how it must have all conspired and he told me Patti has sold her house and left the island. We did, however have a good time laughing with him about how things travel on the island and he said he'd set it straight. Have I told you how much i LOVE Eleuthera? And Mr. Nixon... lol
One more thing...the saying is "Eleuthera's Not For Everybody". If you're looking for a vacation where you'll be catered to and pampered with luxurious hotels and restaurants you don't won't to visit. All my island has to offer is peace and quiet, over 100 beautiful beaches where you'll probably be the only one on it, no big stores only locally owned shops, restaurants/grills and bars. Most have to be found by trying out the dirt roads you see off of the highway.....and the best locals I've found anywhere. No street lights, lots of potholes on the one main road through the island, very few shoulders and you better watch out for cows stepping out of the brush onto the road. I LOVE it!
It's time to shut down and save some of the good stories for later.
Put the music on Miss Bay Bay...it's time to dance!
Before you go, won't you please leave a comment below?
