Loving the change of scenery

We've been home from Maui for more than a month now, but there's no denying that the island feeling tends to stay with you for awhile. Basically what I'm saying is that I have no trouble reliving those memories now so I can bask in that easy-paced lifestyle once again, even if it's just for a few moments.

One of the things I love most about Maui is its mountainous terrain. Coming from Florida where our house, and the majority of the state for that matter, sits literally just feet above sea level, it's nice to see a change in the landscape. And there really is nothing like seeing that morning sun peek over the top of Mount Haleakala or see the golden colors of the setting sun reflecting off the mountain's face come evening. Talk about breathtaking!

Another favorite of mine is the island's different microclimates. My parents live along the beach where warm days and mild evenings are the norm, and yet just a short, 10-minute drive up-country and the temperature change is unmistakable. In fact, a light jacket is usually called for. This is the part of Maui where you'll find cut-your-own Christmas tree farms, while down by the beaches you are resigned to purchasing a pre-cut tree at Home Depot.

Evidence of the climate change exists in the plant life you'll find as you explore the higher elevations of Maui. While visiting up-country, my mom has stopped in at the Ace Hardware only to discover that some plants she admired would not survive in her beachfront paradise. Disappointed, yes. Enough to relocate up-country, heck no.

What I find entertaining is that on an island encompassing just over 700 square miles, residents and even frequent visitors get attached to one section. Those who live in Kihei hate the busy, touristy feel of the west end, while those who like the bustling west end dislike the more subdued feel of south side.

I suppose I can't say much considering that we have friends who live in North Naples, just 10 miles away from our house, and we always say we could never live up there where it's so busy! And yet, they think we live out in the boonies. I suppose it's all relative.

25 days on Maui

I was under the impression that my honeymoon at two weeks long would probably be the longest vacation I would ever take during my working lifetime. Obviously I was wrong.
25 days in Maui! Crazy, but true.
Of course, this wasn't to be a true vacation. See, my parents live on Maui and have for the past six years. Unfortunately my mom's health has taken a turn for the worse and my husband and I knew it was time to come out and lend a hand. Thankfully, a combination of our presence and medications from the doctors have put mom back on the road to better times, which we hope will last for a long time.
Not to brag or anything, but this is probably my sixth visit to Maui since our honeymoon eight years ago, which entailed a week on Maui and a week on Kauai. When you come to the island so many times, you begin to see things that you normally wouldn't as a one-time tourist.
For instance, in Kihei, where my folks live, it's fun to see the peacocks cross the main road. In fact, you must always be on the lookout for them because they'll walk across whenever the urge strikes and drivers, who are only traveling a modest 30 mph, stop in awe as these cool creatures strut by.
It is worth the drive up-country to visit the Maui School of Therapeutic Massage up in Makawao where students studying massage offer one-hour massages for $30.
On the way over to Kihei and Wailea is the SPCA, a fairly non-descript building where you can visit all the cute dogs and cats that are up for adoption. In fact, on this visit we actually got mom and dad to adopt the cutest cat you've ever seen. It will be good for them to have a cuddly creature around the house to keep them company once we have left.

Airport comfort. An oxymoron?

I'm not sure if I've just been traveling too much this year or if I've just turned into one of those weird people who notices fun and unusual things in airports now.

Then again when you are forced to spend nearly four hours in the Dallas-Fort Worth airport, it is hard not to notice all the cool stuff.

For instance, let's say you suddenly have a craving for an iPod Nano. Or maybe you have an iPod but you want better earphones. Or you desperately want a pair of those iTheater glasses. If you are traveling when this desire strikes, don't worry. The Dallas airport has a vending machine for iPod products. How awesome is that?!

All you do is pop in your credit card, punch in your selection, and out pops a new iPod or a new iPod accessory. It's almost better than chocolate except it will put a bigger dent in your wallet.

Thankfully, my iPod is fully equipped so there was no need to splurge. What we did splurge on, though, was first-class seats. No, not first-class seats on the plane. We can't afford those even though flying first class would be on my bucket list, if I had a bucket list. These first-class seats were comfy, leather massage chairs in the terminal that only cost $5 for 15 minutes.

We had three hours to kill so what's 15 minutes and $5? Plus, as you sit there having a massage, you can also put on the headphones and select from a variety of soothing tunes. It's a great place to grab a power nap.

Another great place to stretch out in Dallas is in the terminal chairs themselves at your gate. Believe it or not, they have a selection of chairs around that come with foot rests. What an incredible idea! To my surprise and my luck, not all of these chairs were taken. For the life of me, I couldn't understand why anyone would pass them up. I didn't waste any time snagging two for us while we waited for our group number to be called. My hope is that maybe more airports will add this luxury.

As you can see, I get excited by the little things in life. A little extra bit of comfort goes a long way in my book.

Happy Halloween!

Halloween is my husband's favorite day. This year, since there's been talk of trying to sell the house, he is going all out (more than usual) with the decorations.

Since we moved into our development eight years ago, we've become known throughout the neighborhood and the neighboring neighborhoods as the scariest house. He's done everything from chasing screaming kids down the street with a chainsaw, to jumping out of our hurricane debris pile as a mutilated creature, to placing himself in his handmade electric chair (that was the year the kids felt they got some much-deserved vindication).

This year, there's a six-foot devil greeting trick-or-treaters by the mailbox, mechanical creatures that moan and light up and whose heads turn around, and a black tunnel the kids have to wander through to receive the night's greatest reward: candy.

In the past, we've had some kids who won't even venture up the driveway, sending their parents up instead, who are in awe of what he has created, to get their candy. Others have spilled their entire pillowcases of treats on our sidewalk in their haste to get away.

It's always fun to see the reactions and just how scared everyone gets when you blast some spooky music and shine some strobe lights on the yard. Of course our yard is full of tombstones with skeletons and monster hands escaping the earth. That might have something to do with it.

Not only do we have tons of scary do-dads, but we also have a ton of candy in preparation for the Friday night onslaught of greed. Our first year here we had no idea what to expect, but part way through the night as the bowl ran low, Wes was forced to make a candy run. We've since upped our candy count.

This year, since it is on a weekend night, we are expecting a few hundred visitors. Hopefully they make it up the front walk so we can get rid of all the candy!

Sweet escape

I’m one of those people who love to read bumper stickers stuck to other people’s cars, but will never stick one on my own car. Yesterday I saw a great one that said: Escaped from Wisconsin!
Of course the notion is relevant because most people come to Florida to escape the cold and bitter winters of the north. And yesterday, and the rest of this week for that matter, the weather was, and is, supposed to be particularly gorgeous.
The thermometer has finally dipped below the 90 degree mark and, more importantly, the humidity is all but gone. In fact, today we may not even reach 70 for a high and we could wake up in the 40s tomorrow morning. For myself, whose blood like water, this is sweater, boots, and heavy jacket weather.
Despite the chilliness, there’s a palpable energy in the air that comes with the change of weather. It reminds me of that first day up north when the blast of cold, winter air dims to a light breeze and suddenly the sun is shining bright and the warmer temperature allows you to turn off the heat and roll down the car windows.
That’s what yesterday was like here in Southwest Florida. Except instead of the heat, I turned off the air-conditioner that’s been on non-stop since probably April, opened up the windows, and turned up the radio. Everyone else must have felt the same way because drivers were driving crazier than usual.
I, for once, was content to drive behind every slow poke, relishing the sunshine, the bright blue sky, and the wind through my hair. I did everything I could so my day stuck in a windowless cubicle could start later than normal.