The Big Four Three, sprinkled with my weekends glee.

Tuesday night ended as normal, our sunset would include a walk back up past the pool, and up to our room.

I woke up on Wednesday morning with huge smiles.  It was my birthday.  Quickly checking my phone for messages from the kids...family..friends...After all it was 7am in HI....and 10am in CA....I have always loved my birthday. I hope I always do.  And soon enough, after coffee in bed, the knock on the door would deliver these.  From the kids. More specific, Kris and Corey from the office.  It's note read Happy Birthday Mama. 

After getting ready and yearning for the daily brunch at Duo.  We'd soon be seated here.

And that's all I ate.  HAHA.  Kidding.  This breakfast buffet was over the top and through the flipping woods.  At the tune of 48.00 a sitting.  Trust me, I grazed until I wore that top all.day.long. haha.  Kidding.  It does seem that was my cozy, go to top though. 

Coming back to my room later, and receiving these from Kali.  Of course melted me. I love Stargazer flowers.  The aroma lingers.  For the entire week.  Saying goodbye to them was a heartbreak.

Swoon.

So let's talk about these cards for a minute.  First of all, before I left I received a card.  It was from my Aunt Annette.  It read a few things, in which before even reading what she wrote, made me tear up.  It read...something along -

To a remarkable Niece.  A family is made happier, gentler, and stronger by the women in it.  Your outlook on life and your gift for caring deeply make you a remarkable woman and a lovely niece.  Who adds so much to our family.....

And her words?  Dearest Lisa, This card says exactly how I feel and think about you...
So I snapped a picture, with happy tears, and said "Aloha"-  Thank you Nettie

The gushy one from Bill had a long love note inside.  He can be mushy and gushy, but when he puts them on paper in a card, it's heartfelt beyond.  When our worlds embrace all that we've walked through together and it's felt and said back. It's the world.  Thank you B.. I mean Bill.

Arriving home later from a card my sister wrote- The Butterfly counts not months but moments-
From her?  Sis, The memories we share are in my heart forever....Thank you for inspiring me in the past few months.  I hope you have an amazing year ahead.  Love, Tina.

T, those words coming from you, to me, your little sis, mean the world, and more than you may know.  And yes, boy do we have memories.  Thank you - Love you.

Moving on and up with more gush.  This guy loves me so much he holds up.....

Beautiful trees. 

And makes me smile often.  Love.

My day would be filled with walks. New adventures.

Places right on the water.   Where you can rent for 25K a month.  4 bed. 3 Bath.  Do the math.  Not a bad deal for those able to share by the week.  Who's in, raise your hand? ha.

Looking back at the resort.  Those cabana boys, and their service. Top notch.  As you sit under the sun or umbrella, they'd walk by every 30 min or so, with ice water, fresh slices of pineapple...in the mornings it was little yogurt smoothie cups...afternoon Popsicle's for the kids....sometimes little muffins in the morning too. 

I spent time here.  We'd swing here together. 

And this place.  Where  I'd lay in the sun, back in the water...sip 15.00 Mimosas....and so on...and so on.  So peaceful.

Back to the room to prepare for dinner.  This was on the table.  The service at Four Seasons is twice a day.  Once in the day to freshen up your bath and coffee.  Once in the evening to prep your room for bed. 

Trying to stay awake?

Or sit here with a spritzer.  We enjoyed dinner at a place called Monkey Pod that night.  The most delish food.  Everything from scratch.  Not one picture to share.  Sorry.  Are you ready to move on to Kali? And the prep for prom?  We have plenty of Maui left.  No need to worry there kids.  Trust me. ha.

Her flowers from Gio and crown. 

My Aunt Ronda sent me this card when I returned.  And Kali's card with my fav candy bar.   Flowers picked from my garden.  Awesome.

Our friend Brian expressed some Aloha's to us with this amazing bottle of wine.  Delish.

Sunday morning we scooped up Gaylord and took him to Woody's.  His favorite place for "Chicken Fried Steak"...and a half a cup o' joe.  I couldn't resist snapping this.  These are the days.......

And while you sit in Woody's......You may or may not spot Fatal stickers everywhere. ha.

Our next adventure shortly after breakfast would be here.  Good ol' Downtown LA.  Kali insists on having different "everything".  We'll talk about where her dress came from on a later date.  She can move her Dad like a feather in the wind.  Just sayin.  This is more my style. ha. 

But first you have to get there....and you'd pass this place.  I picked up my sister on the way.  We both look over and see it.  A place my Grandfather worked at to support all of his children.  Rest in Peace Grandpa Ramirez. 

Santee Alley, which we'd soon discover was Grossee alley.  Yucky-roo.  #wontbeback.  #gross

Auntie helping..... - Note: she picked the pink ones next to her. 

So we all know how I hold a phobia of public restrooms right?  Well, if you didn't know that then, you know it now.  It all started when I was potting training little Miss. Kali.  And to walk into a bathroom, with a little girl, and have to put her little bottom on those seats.  YUCK.  To this day, I literally hold it, avoid it. And almost panic when I'm inside.  So when you ask me to "go to the ladies room with you".  I will.  Trust me I will.  But I bolt pretty fast. Ha.  Big mistake this girl made on the way, and in Grossee Alley.  I drank water.  And.  Lot's. Of. It.  and soo boom.  We ended up with directions to here. 

As hard as it is to absorb the idea of paying to "Pee".  How could you resist these two sweet elders.  I mean seriously. 

Next thing I know I was handed an Ass Gasket and some tissue, and I was off. 

and soon enough we were all off. NOTE TO READERS:  As I type, my favorite black flip flops are still on my porch.  Waiting to be washed.  ha. 

I will leave you with this sneak peek.  It's a favorite of my trip.  This was taken in front of Mama's Fish House.  A dinner to remember.  A view so spectacular.  We took pictures of eachother here.  I loved all of them.  My camera was down to 1 bar.  We snapped a few.  And enjoyed the night. Funny looking back how conservative I had to remain with a camera.  Was it meant to be?  Did it make the moment more real?
I have a few more of me.  That someday my kids will look back on and maybe be proud.  Someday they might, just might share with their kids, and so on.....

Thank you for following this journey with me.  I wanted to add this week in the middle of Maui.  Gotta stay in the moment around here too.  These are the sweet days with K and K.  With Gaylord, with life and family. Just sitting across the table from him.  Asking him questions, hearing stories.  It's all too important.  Right now.  It is.   Through cards given to me that need to be known as awesome.  That this girl doesn't just open a card, read along and put aside.  I take them to heart.  You write me a note? It melts me.

My purpose in this life may just be to add more peace to this world.  To spread kindness where I can, and also ask for love from others when I need it.

We'll see some more tomorrow....Next up will be more of the above...and of course a few others.

You made it through Monday.  Let's keep on truckin.

Move mountains.   You can.
Don't feel like it today?
That's ok, lay back, relax, and count your blessings.

Always be kind to animals.
Don't ever, ever, ever litter.

xoxo


L

The days would roll out like this...

After our adventures in Lahaina, we'd return back through Kihei.  That cute small town that had the most restaurants for locals, and little bars you'd enjoy an actual "real" Mai Tai.  We'd grab our little picnic goods and head back to our resort...

And plant ourselves here.  Big brown Four Seasons Resort bag filled with all things yummy. 

We'd sometimes sit in silence, and other times just chat about life.  Things.  Our next adventure plans.  Where to visit next.  What reservations to make.  One day of running around...and the other to chill on the beach.  Under an umbrella.  On the sand.  Or up high at the Serenity pool. 

The air is warm.  It's a feeling of serene comfort.  No sweatshirt needed really.  Your coziest clothes.  Your favorite food.  Your favorite wine, and your partner.  Here. 

And other times, we'd put on some fresh laundry and head out around the resort.  (take note: Bun in.)

Just trying to find the sunset.  Because the time difference of three hours.  Hawaii, behind.  I'd make my calls to K & K.  Or send them sunset pictures.  Telling them I missed them.  And boy did I.  I know how much our entire family loves sunsets.  A huge ocean apart.  But saying goodnight to the sun as they were tucking into bed for the night was a must. 

Happy Monday Kids. 

My next post should be my birthday.  It was a morning and day filled with lots of love. Lots of little surprises.  And many many moments of memories in Maui.

I hope this day serves you well, as you serve people well.

Kindness matters.  Remember that. 
It is the recipe.  Trust me.
As hard as it can be. 

Serve kindness.  And a smile.
They move mountains.

P.S.  I managed to make my Sunday meal for my family tonight.  Minus Kris and Lizo.  They haven't ventured home from the lake yet.  I have also managed to finish all the leftover laundry.  Grocery shopped the right way.  This week will be amazeballs filled with all things such as :  My beautiful Grandma is turning Eighty Two.  That beautiful Grandma that we'd brag to people about because of her skin.  Her style. Her many ways of beauty that she spoke to us about.  We will celebrate dinner with her.  All other things will consist of P.R.O.M.  and more P.R.O.M.  and the ever popular SAT'S.  Please pray for Kali. 

Stay tuned for my next episode kids. 

boom.

Leese

Some Sunday Love.

The next morning, our mission was the gym. And by that very word while on vacation, it was everything BUT.   Here was our view.

And while in this "gym", they'd walk around handing everyone water with lemon in it...along with those cute little towels filled with Eucalyptus.  Like a spoil me "gym".  Inside the weight room, things would get a little strange at times.  As in, those people that make weird grunting, kind of awkward groans in a small contained space.  Which would sometimes culminate laughter inside of me.  Or other days irritate me.  Call me a weirdo, I already know I am.  But seriously, why so loud?  You're on vacation.  Not Gold's Gym at Venice.  #settledown.

 So I would sneak off to the bathroom.

 To hide from the groaners.  In search of cucumbers for my eyes.  I mean, why not.

I could not find a towel anywhere. ha.

Or this adorable "Lisa" style sitting area.  Where I would sip coffee and lemon water.  Listening to the resort Parrots just outside this area "talking" and squelching....THAT was glorious.  And soon enough we'd get back into our room, shower and take off....

 Next stop, Lahaina.  Where we dined here.  Hanu...which means turtles.  As you sit on the little patio, you'd catch glimpses of turtles.  (We heard...but we didn't)  This restaurant was super cute.  Quaint. Stylish and sweet.  Good wine is the key here.

 Funny thing, this second day on the island where we'd hear "Aloha"...often.  Especially walking the hallways at the resort.  Little did we know that this very glass would have such meaning later, through the next 8 days.  It's a word that means...hello.  greetings.  blessings. thank you. love. respect. kindness.  So many meanings rolled into 5 letters.  And boy did we practice Aloha. 

The man that made this awesome trip come true for this girl.  Aloha

We'd soon walk up the street filled with cute stores, coffee shops, the famous Cheeseburger in Paradise restaurant....to this place.  Click on the picture to read more.  To say this tree was gigantor is an understatement.  I kept thinking how much my parents would love it.  The history. The meaning.  The story.  The transients that hung out underneath.  One in particular that was the typical Hawaiian Big Guy, with eyes filled with history.  Probably a saddened past.  But there.  He was in fact intoxicated on "something".  However he sat there on a bench that he knew all too well, and told his version of the story.  Some people looked at him like he was a freak.  Sad to say. Some stood listening.  I listened for a minute.  To him, this was important.  And to me, that's important.  Something in this world of his, that did in fact have meaning.  

Oh man, how bad my jet lagged body wanted to climb. ha.  or swing.

Take note to the whiter skin.  Day 2.

On our way back we pulled over....looking across the water at Kihea.  A place we'd stop by often to pick up sandwiches and salads at a place called 808 Deli.  Amazing food.  Homemade. Simple.  And made with love. We'd carry it through the resort like bosses, right down to the cabanas.  Ha.  What? 

 The birds are so different in Maui.  The typical sparrows are everywhere.  So much that signs are posted to "please help Hawaii, and don't feed the birds"-  (one landed on Bill's water at a restaurant...ballzy stinker) But the other birds were so interesting.  Like this beauty.

 And of course this fine fellow.

On our way back the sun was shining, the fog was lifting from our eyes with each passing hour.  Bill had grand plans for our adventures each day.  Stay tuned for my post on Monday's afternoon.  And of course with each passing day....

Happy Sunday Morning kids. 

I hope your coffee was delish, or your cuddles were cuddly.  That your animals know you love them. That your time with your family is known to be precious. 

Are you getting ready for your week?

I know this girl has to bust a move.  Like seriously, another full week lies ahead.  I do plan on a family dinner tonight...hoping the entire family is under one roof.  The sun shines for us tomorrow. 
And that you fellers are planning to go somewhere.

You can book 10 month ahead.  Just plan it.  Do it.  Go somewhere. 

Chow for now.

Mama Lisa