Maui 2014

Oh Hawaii, I love you.  I love the moment when I walk off the plane and feel the sunshine and smell that wonderful scent of the islands.  It's a mix of salt water, tropical blooms, suntan lotion and good food.  I can't really describe it but I do wish I could bottle it and bring it home.  We flew Hawaiian Airline so we felt as though our trip began early.

We stayed on Maui this trip so our first stop was to pick up our rental car, and then on to the Royal Lahaina Resort (be sure to click on the link for a peek and some Hawaiian sounds) for a two night stay in the Lahaina Kaanapali area.

 We settled in with a beach side mai tai, watching whales and a sunset.

Our second night we went into Lahaina to have dinner at Kimo's Restaurant.  The evening was wonderful except for the trip there on the bus.  Trouble in paradise, up close, too close for comfort and it was unsettling.  We ended up going straight to Kimo's instead of walking around Lahaina.  Once we were seated at the best table in the place we forgot our troublesome journey to Lahaina.  Kinda.

 Kimo's mai tai was refreshing, their sword fish was delicious and their Hula Pie was yummy.  They make the original Hula Pie and they still pretty much own it.

 The Royal Lahaina Resort is very pretty.  A beach, some pools, a pretty wedding spot, shuffle board for the old guys.  It was good.  Their restaurants were very good.  Our rooms were in the Garden Cottages, they were okay but I think I would prefer the tower next time.  The cottages are up next for a make over.

 After checking out of the resort we drove to t.c. fleming beach in front of the Ritz Carlton property.  We scored some rock star parking and enjoyed their gorgeous beach for the day.

Next stop is Kihei.

3 2 1... GO

Once every three years, whether we need it or not, we go to Hawaii with our friends, Mark and Karen.  So last time was in 2011.  In 2011, Braden and Max were with us and we had such a great time with our guys.  

This week we are leaving for Hawaii, sans the kiddos.  Yep, no kids.  We are changing things up a bit and going to a different island this year because it will be different anyway with out kids.  We decided to really make it different and go to Maui.

The guys knew it was coming because Karen told them several times, "you know this is your last trip to Hawaii with us, next time no kids."  Just to remind them to enjoy it cuz they would have to pay their own way the next trip.

Braden and Max always drew a line in the sand with a sand wall so Karen and I wouldn't get our towels wet as the tide came in towards late afternoon.  I'm going to miss that.

 Oh, we'll miss 'em but we'll muddle through and I plan to send them a postcard.  Just because I'm nice that way.  It's nice that Max has spring break while we are away so he can take care of the house and Hawley.   Thanks Max!

Aloha!

Not Vogue or Glamour, Obviously

I have been writing my blog since 2007.   I've gone the distance.  Though I don't write as often as I used to I do continue to pound out the prose at least once a week.

The Lady in the Stone House has for the most part been about my family, home improvement projects, books I'm reading and some favorite recipes.  

Once in a great while I throw in fashion.  Usually fashion dilemmas.  For many years I was the soccer mom bundled up against the wind and the rain.  The mom that had no time to shop for herself and therefore, I looked like I bought most of my clothes at Costco.  Probably because I did.  You know, groceries for three growing teens, hamburger, two black tees, romaine lettuce, two white tees, laundry detergent and some jeans.  One stop shopping for this mom.  Before I was married with kids I loved shopping.  Over the years it became just one more thing on a tight budget.

Now I'm in my mid fifties, with a bit more time and budget.  That doesn't make it easier.  None of this is easy for me, the shopping, trying new products, packing, writing about it.  It's not my gift set...

And I am fifty*five so there are some body issues too.

Hubby and I went to Burlington this week, to pick up a few things for our trip to Maui.  We went to Macy's for Hubby and I ended up with two pairs of boots.  It is hard for me to buy off season because I am all about instant gratification, but I could not resist the 80% off sale.  The black pair is bit on the biker side for me but hey, sometimes a girl has to live a little.

And won't I be happy with my boots in the Fall?

 While in Palm Desert my friend Sheryl taught me about Aveeno lotion with 15 SPF.  I am in love.  While in Burlington I bought the Aveeno whipped souffle at Target.  

The Positively Radiant with 15 SPF is from Costco.  

Love, love, love it!  Sheryl and Shelly also taught me to purchase sunscreen from Costco.  Who knew?

While in Palm Desert my friend, Chris told me about Tide to go.  These are great to have in your purse for when you trip, fall and get stains on your white jeans.  Or if you spill salsa on your shirt before dinner or coffee on your shirt before you get on the plane.  Not that these things ever happen to anyone beside moi.

 Since packing and shopping are a struggle for me it seems like one vacation I over pack and so the next trip I under pack and this cycle goes on and on.  Since I have been packing, unpacking, packing, unpacking, and packing again so far this year I decided to watch some youtube videos about packing.  Dr. T does a great video showing everyone how to pack like a pro. It's pretty much changed my life.  NO folding.  NO kidding.  This trip coming up I'm trying to only take three pairs of flip flops.  This could be an under packing mistake.  I could go with a carry on piece of luggage for ten days but the shoes.  It sounds easy to cut out shoes but it's not.  I do love my new dressy flip flops that I bought in the Desert.  Aren't they glitzy?

While in the desert we shopped a the Macy's swimwear department which is actually a whole separate store just for swimsuits and cover-ups.  At one point during our second trip Shelly looked at me and said, "girlfriend, we need to up our coverup game."  We were lacking.  So, I found a new coverup and suit for Maui.  I got a black dotted Miracle Suit.

 I have worn glasses since junior high, contact lenses since high school.  Choosing new frames is difficult for me.  Danny suggested I try Zenni Optical.  An online choice with great prices.  My package arrived in the mail today.  And yes, it is hard to choose new frames without actually trying them on.  

First up, large and blue to bring out my blue eyes.

 Secondly, tortoise and a bit more serious look.  Pretty serious, huh?

 Thirdly, sunglasses with my prescription.  I haven't ever had prescription sunglasses.  I am wearing my contacts less now and it is going to be great to have this option.  Otherwise, if it was sunny I had to wear my contacts.

 Please excuse my hair today.  I ended up washing it with Axe body wash this morning.

How do these things happen to me?  A Long post for another day.

Anyway...

Once I wear the glasses out in public I'll know if they are a good look for me.  You know how someone comments, "oh, you got your haircut." Or, "where did you find that dress?"  Or, "interesting combination... I wouldn't have thought to wear that shirt with that skirt."  Or stating the obvious, "you got new glasses."

No compliment, just a big ol' comment with a pregnant pause where the compliment should be.

One of the best purchases I made in Palm Desert was a canvas with one of the best little bits of advice ever. Especially if you're that woman that trips, spills, has tread mill episodes and fashion dilemmas.

It's hard to know what to wear, what to take on a trip and I do know these are first world problems.  I don't think I'm the first woman in her fifties to have these dilemmas but if you know where to shop and what for, please share and count your blessings.  Cuz it doesn't come easy for everyone.

No one paid me to mention these products.  No one has ever paid me to write and share this drivel.  Ever. 

Really.

Palm Desert Again? Yes Please!

 After a 24 hour flight delay I was so happy to be sitting on  the plane.  Leaving a cold blizzard behind felt really good.  Two trips to the airport, shoveling the driveway twice, a toddler that tried to cripple me (where were this child's parents?), Belligerent Airlines (enough said), having to get SaSSy in the TSA line.  It was a modern day miracle to finally get to take off from Bellingham Airport.

I got in my seat, no one sat next to me, another modern day miracle, I stretched out and took off.

TA DA... the next morning I began my tour of pools.

 First up, Sheryl took us to the clubhouse pools where we soaked up the sun and enjoyed lunch at the club.  It was at this point, I sighed and knew all of the weather related travel hassles were indeed behind me and worth it. Blue skies and sunshine served with a gin and tonic poolside.  Yes, please!  I love that word,  poolside.  It just never gets old.

 The next day we spent the day at the neighborhood pool.  We had this pool pretty much to ourselves.

This trip was to Sheryl's house in the desert with Shelly and Doreen.  The four of us have known each other since we were babies.  These friends have known me my whole life and still love me.  

Really, that is pretty amazing.

 There was a lot of laughing, talking and playing by the pool and in the pool.

 It's just sooo much pretty in the desert.  I think the pretty is what makes it all so relaxing.  Everywhere my eyes went there was some pretty.  Pretty. Pretty.  Pretty.

 When you've grown up with someone there tends to be a regression to childhood.  We had so much fun in the pool.  Cannonball contests, swimnastics, running laps, hand stands, floating contests and cheer stunts.

I cannot share the cheer stunt photos or I'd lose the friends I've had since I was a baby.

No one was hurt.  Another modern day miracle.  As you can probably guess, Doreen was our cheer coach.

 After our days in the sun we went out for delicious dinners to the Cliffhouse, Pacifica, and Mama Gina's.

Our last day was cloudy so we shopped and then lunched at Mitch's on El Paseo.  Sheryl and I loved the ladies room at Mitch's, so pretty in plum.  Even the ladies rooms are pretty in the desert.  

It's just a whole bucket of pretty in the desert.

 Thank you for a wonderful trip, Sheryl.  Your home is beautiful and your gracious style is a gift.

What I Did On My Vacation Essay

 La Quinta is a whole lot of pretty.  Pretty palm trees, pretty flowers, pretty cacti, pretty streets.

See what I mean?  It's pretty.

 The citrus is amazing.  It's a novelty to pick lemons for Pacific Northwest gals and the flavor is amazing.

Chris, Shelly and I spent more time by the pool than I thought we would, but it's hard to resist when the sun is shining and the temperature is a perfect 80 degrees.  The view and the conversations were wonderful.

 But all good things must come to an end, and our vacation did too.  We flew back to the snowy mountains, the rain and the wind.  We were happy to see our families though.  My Hubby was in Charleston, N.C. working while I was playing.  He came home just in time to celebrate Valentine's Day with me.

Chris will return to the desert with her hubby and boys in March.  As for Shelly and I, we get to go back too.  On Sunday.  Another girls trip for us.  This time we are going to Sheryl's place with Sheryl and Doreen.

 In the meantime, I have plenty to do at the museum, I have laundry and ironing to get caught up (though it is nice to put it right back into my suitcase), and on Friday some diva appointments.

Life is good great!