Scenery Favorite
April 5, 2009
From the mind of stacie | Filed under Award Trips, stampin up
So “shutterbug” would be an appropriate word for me. Me and my SLR are fast friends! These are some of my favorite shots from our whole trip.
This amazing little area was right off the road. We had stopped to see some of the water recycling they have in action and were treated to this lush little view. I don’t remember all the details but they have an extensive water recovery system in place in this area. Along the side of the road there is a gulley of sorts. It’s concrete and open but sloped and curved so that all water ends there and then funnels into these tunnel pathways. So anyway we stopped to check out the water system and were rewarded with a little glimpse of paradise - nice trade!
And yeah, that sign does say “Danger - No trespassing” Unfortunately we didn’t see it until we had already crossed the bridge and came back 
Road to Hana continued
April 4, 2009
From the mind of stacie | Filed under stampin up
I have so many pictures from this day I thought I’d spread them out over several posts. I must say that I was so impressed with this trip. The road to Hana is a sight to behold. With over 600 turns and a whole lot of single lane bridges it’s like a constant game of chicken. The bravest driver wins and let me assure you that it isn’t the tourist going first through those blind curves! Even though our guide book said it was rude to use your horn I think that’s just the rule for tourists ;) Up around the Garden of Eden we were already pulled over checking out the scenery and we witnessed not only a fire truck but also an ambulance braving the traffic. I can’t imagine the traffic snarls a wreck on this road would cause but we later learned it was not a wreck they were racing to find. The Garden of Eden was closed when we arrived due to someone taking a tumble and injuring their leg. Although beautiful I can’t imagine living on this part of Maui and having an emergency - it’s definitely not easy to access.
More photos…
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- All the views were breathtaking
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- Roadside snack and sundries
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- One of many bridges
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- Captain Cook Pines
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- Rainbow eucalyptus through the windshield
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- I was afraid we wouldn't spot these beauties...
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- We rounded the corner and there they were!
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- Cows grazing in paradise
Believe it or not there are many, many more pictures! Hope you enjoy seeing the sights as much as we did.
Hawaii was fabulous
April 1, 2009
From the mind of stacie | Filed under Award Trips, stampin up
I really had hoped to update while we were in Hawaii but I was too busy! 
I’ll try to recap through photos…
We flew into Maui on Wednesday arriving about 4:30 local time. By the time we retrieved our luggage, rode the shuttle for about 2 minutes (where I insulted the driver), and then finally picked a rental vehicle it was about 10:30pm our time. We were brain dead to say the least - oh wait I’ve already said this once in a previous post - but did I mention that we were so out of it we complained that our jeep wouldn’t start? Um, it was already running, just so quiet we couldn’t hear it. The poor little chick helping us tried not to laugh but I was howling. We seriously needed sleep!
On Thursday we decided to take the road to Hana. Here are some pictures of that adventure…
First is the Historial town of Paia
The view was a little obstructed…
A little farther down the road - oh and by the way we are greasing it out on pizza while driving down the road - very healthy food choices so far!
World Windsurfing Championships held here - Hookipa Lookout
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- Hookipa Point
More to follow
Shameful, just SHAMEFUL
March 18, 2009
From the mind of stacie | Filed under Award Trips, stampin up
Yes, I am shameful. So sorry to not update in so long. Several things have been happening in our household that have left me a bit distracted. But I am away in paradise for the next several days so I may have time to go back and catch up - because OF COURSE I have pictures to share!
So I don’t have any projects to share - sorry - but I do have details about paradise and the preparations! I hope that will do for some entertainment
This week has been nothing less than a disaster. I won’t bore you with all the details but trust me when I say NOTHING - just so we are clear - NOT ONE THING - went according to plan. I did manage to be daring and spray tan - what an experience! But when faced with showing my alabaster skin to people I know (i.e. my SU sistas!) it was worth the adventure. Considering my summer clothing decided to shrink while hanging in the closet - wink, wink - I had to have a shopping trip which even though it was successful I did not find all the parts and pieces needed. Oh I was wrong - I did order swimsuits and they did arrive. So one thing did happen correctly and on time! I also was surprised by some new shoes. Have you heard of SwitchFlops? One of my local boutique stores have them and I fell in love. I can’t resist a gadget - combine a gadget with a shoe - oh my word I’m in heaven!! Of course they did not have them in my size so they called to order but was told they would not arrive before my trip. Surprise! They did arrive! So I guess I’m wrong again - two things were good. Anyway, if you haven’t heard or seen them here’s pics of mine…
The picture above is of the “Taylor” and then the additional straps. This is where the switch part of their name comes into play - you buy one bottom and then can buy straps to switch out to match your outfit. WAY COOL! So you can see the additional straps I’ve purchased.
Here is another bottom called “Cork” with one of my new straps “Stella”. So fun and cute and they match my pjs! Also note the fancy design my pedicure chica decided to do. She was too funny, she glanced up and said “Okay, so we do a little design since it’s a Hawaii, right?” How could I resist? Now I feel all special because I have silver glitter polish and rhinestones on my big toe - my girls went gaga over the jewels that night. And of course now they want jewels too!
Today we flew in to Maui. WOW what a long day! We arrived at 4′ish local time which would translate to 9’sh pm home time. The “short” 1.5 flight to Dallas was no biggie. We left Dallas a little later due to some troubles with the video system (i.e. movie system for passengers - all else was fine) on the plane. Upon takeoff we were told the system would not work at all. But at that point we didn’t care - we just wanted to GO! The flight was 8.5 hours give or take a few minutes. Let me just say that’s a long time to be stuck in a small seat on a very large plane. All in all it was not horrific. The preteens in the seats behind us were well-mannered. The older couple in front was kind and although technically challenged, not bothersome
Of course I have pictures en route - did you ever doubt it? I think the girls will love them. For those of you who fly a lot you may snooze at them and that’s totally okay!
First sliver of view of the CA coastline…
More water….
With wing detail for a little perspective…
The ocean from 30,o00 feet - the white specs are the crest of waves which looked like ice…
Then while well “out at sea” the clouds looked like they were sitting on the water - again like ice…
Our first view of Maui…LAND HOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
Maui…
No more pictures - I really should have taken one of the baggage claim area. It is open air! So we were immediately immersed in salt air and felt like we had officially arrived in paradise!
We went to rent our vehicle which of course was a little hassled (I don’t think I’m able to rent a car without hassle - I’m a jinx.) But it turned out perfectly in the end. We have a brand new (only 4 miles on the odometer) Jeep Wrangler hardtop. By this time it’s 10:30pm our time and we were brain dead. However, I had forgotten my contact solution so we had to make a pit stop before finding the way to our Inn. K mart it was - a hat, a bag (I forgot to mention my purse strap broke before takeoff in Nashville), some beach “slippers”, contact solutioin and sunscreen decided to become ours and we were off. Sustenance was none other than the great arches! We were exhausted and it was the first drive through we came upon. They have banana pies - eeewwwww not for me. Oh and prices are higher, I think the med fries were $2.25 or so.
We found our Inn with no problem and let me say I’m very impressed. More on it in another post though.
Aloha to you all and MAHALO (thank you) to all my clients who helped me earn this extraordinary trip - I appreciate you so much!
Valentine Treats Round 1
February 12, 2009
From the mind of stacie | Filed under Family, Holiday, stampin up
So today is party day for Mackenna (age 3) at her “school”. We have the cheetos ready to go - gotta love her teachers they let me sign up first this time so of course I went for super easy! Next we need valentine treats. Patrick offered to buy some when he went to get the cheetos. STORE BOUGHT VALENTINE’S?!? How dare he insult me like that! How dare he take away the creative opportunity for his child! Shame on him…what WAS he thinking?
Here they are in all their glory and YES she did help with assembly. Yes, some of the hearts are a little off center, well downright crooked, and I did NOT adjust them. I’m growing people, I’m growing!
I flipped one over so you could see the back - the flowers as she calls them - too cute of her! They sent home a list of names but I um, well, the dog ate them. What? We don’t have a dog! Well, now that you mention it, you’re right. Hmmmm, guess I lost the list. Who cares? They are THREE for crying out loud! They just want the sucker and will have this paper shredded in 0.3 seconds flat!
I also made a little, let me stress little here folks, something for her teachers. I usually don’t do anything and then I feel tremendous guilt when I see all these fabulous mom’s bringing in flowers and candy and whatnot so this year I have a gift. Don’t laugh too hard…
It’s one of those acrylic magnetic photo frames jazzed up a bit. Yes, I considered adding ribbon but I couldn’t find a place where it didn’t monopolize the whole frame so I gave up. So it’s not flowers or candy but they know I adore them and I take care of them at Christmas enough to last the whole year. I will not feel guilty and you can not make me!
And of course I can’t leave you without showing a picture of a little something else I helped to create…
Isn’t she a cutie?
Ingredients: Riding Hood Red cardstock, Candy Lane Designer Series Paper, Crafter’s tool kit, Pink Pirouette cardstock, Riding Hood Red ink, Circle Scallop punch and Large heart punch.
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