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I'm a wife, mother and grandmother. I'm opinionated. I contradict myself frequently. Most of all, I love my kids. I believe in them. I fight for them. They're weird and wonderful. If you want to know more, here's a bunch of other stuff from my old site.

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Archive for the ‘Kauai’ Category

What a Trip

  • by Marisa
  • March 9, 2007

No matter how well you plan for a trip, there’s always something unexpected. At least it seems that way to me. And I did plan. I even planned for the homefront while I’d be gone. I had ten 5-dollar bills all ready for Boomer for his school lunches. I picked up dog supplies, like food and treats, so Belle would be taken care of. I even left money with my mom for food and stuff.

I didn’t plan on the weather. I didn’t plan on it starting to snow just as we were leaving for the airport. I certainly didn’t plan on spending an extra half hour in the plane at Pittsburgh as they de-iced the wings.

Yes, that’s what happened. Of course, I’d rather they de-ice the wings that try to take off with frozen parts that could cause a crash. It’s just that when you have a one hour layover between flights, in an airport you’re unfamiliar with, 30 minutes late is very bad. When you’re in the back of the plane and are almost the last ones to get off the plane, that shaves a few more minutes from the time.

As we entered the airport from the plane, we heard our flight to Lihue being called for “Last call for boarding.” We had to sprint from Concourse B to Concourse A. With two carry-ons each. With a baby in a stroller. Yes, we made it.

But things weren’t completely bad. Brit and I didn’t have seats next to each other but the woman next to me offered to trade seats with Brit. That was especially nice of her considering Brit’s seat was in the very last row and didn’t lean back as the others did. Where ever that woman is right now, we thank you. You made the flight bearable. Bless you.

We had an extra seat on the second flight so Kendyll had more room to get comfortable. She also slept quite a bit. There were several really nice people around us. All in all, it was a good flight.

I still have one more complaint about our trip but that gets its own post. It wasn’t that big a deal, just irked me.

Countdown to Hawaii

  • by Marisa
  • March 6, 2007

I’m going to try really really really hard to finish my packing today. No, seriously. I’m going to do it no matter what. My carry-on? Don’t even talk about that. It isn’t on my to-do list today. I’ll worry about that late tonight.

Chris and Leah will be here this evening to stay with Boomer. Brit, Kendyll and I will go to my mom’s so we’ll be closer to the airport. I may not even go to sleep and I want to keep Kendyll awake, too. We’ll see how that goes.

I spoke to the animal control guy this past weekend, too. Since I won’t be here I’m a little concerned about Belle getting out. She’s usually pretty good and hasn’t given us a problem for quite a while but if someone doesn’t close the door all the way, she may run off looking for me. (She loves me. :) )

Jim, the Animal Control guy told me not to worry. He’ll make sure Belle is fine and if she gets out, he’ll just bring her back. And to think, we used to not be so fond of each other.

Which reminds me, the county is supposed to be opening a new animal shelter less than a mile from my house. I wonder if they’ll be hiring? I think I would enjoy working with dogs and I could probably force myself to tolerate the cats as well. Hmmmm… an interesting thought.

Packing And Unpacking

  • by Marisa
  • March 4, 2007

I have packed my carry-on every way possible. And then I unpack it. I just can’t seem to get it right.

I love everything about traveling but I just can’t seem to successfully pare down those items I want to carry on the plane. I didn’t use to be so picky. I had been a lucky traveler. My last trip to Hawaii, though, changed that.

When I went to Hawaii with Boomer, Maggie and Levi in 2005 we got there before our suitcases. Since I’d made the trip so many times without a problem, I decided to pack extra reading material rather than a spare outfit. It was an uncomfortable 36 hours as we waited for our clothes.

Interestingly, I have loads of extra room in my suitcase. I have learned how to pack light for Hawaii. Less really is better. It’s just that darn trip over. So many things could go wrong. You just don’t know what you might need.

So now I’m going to unpack my carry-on and start over. Again.

Packing and Overpacking

  • by Marisa
  • March 1, 2007

I must have been a boy scout in a past life. I’m always prepared.

It was understandable that I’d overpack the first time we went to Hawaii. We didn’t know what to expect. That explains the massive amounts of clothes and shoes that never got worn. It does not explain why I continue to overpack for Hawaii. I just do.

Whether I’m failing miserably at paring down the variety of eyeshadow shades in my makeup bag or insisting on bringing not one, but two First Aid Kits, my mind just can’t let go of the “what if I need it” mentality.

The biggest challenge this time, though, is Kendyll. We didn’t buy her a ticket since she’s just a year old. But we can’t take a suitcase for her, then, either. We’re going to split her clothes between Brit’s bag and mine so we can load one suitcase with toys. The last checked bag goes to the carseat.

Then there’s the question of carry-ons and diaper bags. Sheesh! This is getting complicated!
I have my rolling computer case and Brit has a back pack. One of us will have to take the diaper bag as a purse I suppose.

If we make it through the packing, we’ll be ready for a vacation. Wake me up when it’s all over.

Vacation On My Mind

  • by Marisa
  • February 20, 2007

This year I have a place to stay if I go to Hawaii. Next year I may not. Since I really love to travel and I’m always dreaming of being someplace warm and sunny that begins with an “H” and sits in the Pacific Ocean, I tend to spend time making lists of online sites that will get me where I need to go.

I would love to island hop in Hawaii but I still want my primary place to be Kauai. It’s where my soul belongs. I’ve stayed on the North Shore but I’ve traveled to the other side of the island enough to know that it’s just as beautiful. In fact, I’ve heard it called the “sunny side” of the island.

That’s why I was threlled to find a site that lists vacation rentals by owners. And one was listed for Poipu, which is on the south shore. It can accomodate up to five and even has a crib. How perfect is that?

I think I’ll drive by this place when we get there, just in case I need a back up place next year.

This is a sponored post.

Opposites Attract

  • by Marisa
  • February 15, 2007

Something that most people don’t know about me is that I once appeared on a talk show with my husband. No, it wasn’t Springer or Maury or even Oprah. It was a local Pittsburgh talk show and the topic was lighthearted and fun. It was “Opposites Attract” and the audience agreed that my husband and I were definitely opposites.

Brian would rather be mowing the lawn than sitting in front of a computer. In fact, he’d rather be doing anything physical than being inside. I’m okay outside as long as I have my laptop with me or I’m at a beach.

That’s another thing. I could live in a tent on the beach but Brian likes the mountains. So while I’ve spent time researching housing and jobs in Florida and Hawaii, Brian has been looking into the blue ridge real estate market. We just never seem to be on the same page.

And that’s the great thing about the Hawaiian Island of Kauai. It’s a huge mountain surrounded by the ocean. It satisfies both my love of the water and Brian’s need for rugged wilderness. Now, if only we could afford to live there.

Five Thousand Miles

  • by Marisa
  • January 30, 2007

That’s just about how much distance is between my husband and me right now. He and Nick are in Hawaii. Nick has already called to tell us everything went well on the flight.

They also had a layover in Phoenix and really liked the people they met there. After they finish in Hawaii, they’ll go back to Phoenix to do some stone work there. By then, the weather here should be much better suited to construction and masonry. Thank goodness! It’s a snowy mess here now.

And that brings me to todays gripe session. Why can’t I be a stone mason and go to Hawaii to work? I don’t want to be here! I don’t know if I can wait til March for my trip to my island paradise.

I think a cup of Kona coffee is calling my name.

And The Countdown Begins

  • by Marisa
  • January 28, 2007

If all goes well, in less than 24 hours my husband and son will be enroute to Hawaii.

I say “if all goes well” because right now, the first leg of their trip may have some problems. They’re traveling on standby and it looks like the plane is full. Darn. They may be able to switch to a red-eye, which Brian actually prefers. That way, he can sleep on the plane and have enough of a layover in Phoenix to check out the stone job there and give the homeowner a price.

So today I’ll be tying up loose ends, finishing the packing and getting the flight straightened out. Everyone say a prayer, cross your fingers, light a candle or whatever, that this all goes smoothly.

Ten Days To Take Off

  • by Marisa
  • January 19, 2007

Brian and Nick are going to Kauai. It’s all set. They’re leaving at 7:45am on January 29. Their return is for March 27 but it may have to be changed. When they leave Kauai, they’ll go to Phoenix to lay stone on a house there. Jesse met this guy on the flight to Kauai this past week. He and I have been emailing each other and he called me today. Seems my boys are traveling stone masons now.

I think my husband and sons should be home in time for Easter, or close to it. And of course, Brianie, Kendyll and I will be going to Kauai ourselves in a month or so. Maybe we’ll get to see Phoenix, too. Wouldn’t that be fun?

And now Brian wants his own website. He wants to advertise his services around the country. This should be interesting.

Jesse Made It To Hawaii

  • by Marisa
  • January 15, 2007

He’s safe and sound on Kauai. But of course there was a twist in the flight. There always is with my family.

Jesse got to the airport a little late and was really rushing to get to his gate. By the time he got there he discovered that the flight had been delayed an hour because of the weather. (No kidding. Who do you think had to drive through that fog and rain to get back home?)

Anyway, Jesse finally had a chance to catch his breath so he looked down at his tickets to get a mental picture ofhis itinerary when he noticed that the ticket was not for Jesse S. but for Josie S. Jesse made it all the way through security and to the loading gate with the wrong ticket!

When he showed the USAirways people that they were shocked. They immediately printed out the correct ticket for him and took care of everything for him. But still. What kind of security is that? Can those TSA people even read? Sheesh!

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