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