As I mentioned last week, Louie and I were going overnight all the way to Fashion Island, approximately 4 miles from our house, to the Marriott to get away alone for a whole night. After messing around with the Islands Hotel and my Living Social voucher and checking all the other suggestions I received from my readers, I realized I may have Marriott points accrued from the past 10 years. Much to my surprise I was only 8000 points short of a free room and I was able to buy those point for a mere $100!! So after all my haggling, and time wasted trying to find a great deal, one landed in my lap. Yay me!
I spent Saturday morning frantically getting my whole house in order as if I was leaving for a 2 week vacation abroad. Seriously, the anal Virgoness in me can be so annoying at times. Once Lou’s Mom arrived and we went through Tiara’s routine with her, We finally left the house at 2:00 pm sweaty and exhausted We quickly escaped before anything could happen to change our minds.
Oh, I forgot to mention Lou spent the entire morning checking over Tabitha’s car before she drove it to San Barbara for the night. She kept insisting her car was perfect and he wasting his time, but apparently when he checked the oil, there was no oil on the dipstick. 3 quarts of oil later, it was finally reading an acceptable level. Thank Goodness Louie was so paranoid about checking her car because I am pretty sure the engine would have died on the road, unless he had put in all that oil and filed the tires with air. Gotta love teenagers!
Anyway once we arrived at the Marriott there was a rather large line for checking in because the next day was the Susan J Komen race for the cure, so we were surrounded by a bunch of excited women, which was fun. I came up with a plan prior to us checking in because I hate to admit it but I have real issues with hotel rooms. I have yet to accept the first room we are given every time we stay overnight. I know, such annoying princess behavior, but I can’t help it.
“Ok, Lou, I will wait on the chair and you tell the guy your wife is super picky and only likes rooms with lots of natural light.” His response “Ok, love, got it.” He is super patient with me in this regard. He knows I am a freak and just accepts it. After 15 minutes we get our key and head off to find the room. As we get off the elevator, I am feeling a little uneasy about the direction we are heading. I keep telling Lou, “Oh this is going to be it on the first try. I know I will like this room.” I am saying this but I know I am lying to myself. He opens the door, I walk in and instantly know, it is never going to work. I turn to look at him and I say “Humm, I think they showed us this room before and I hated it. Sorry, but I can’t stay here.” He picks up the bags and back to the lobby we go.
I resume my spot on the chair while Lou gets back in line. I then remember that the rooms I like in this particular hotel are to the right of the lobby way past the banquet rooms. This Marriott has several towers and I always get confused which tower I will actually stay in. You think I could remember this information, but no. I convey this information to Lou so he can tell the hotel worker. Twenty minutes later we are heading to the second room which was now in the tower I liked. In we walked and it was perfect. Super light, airy and had a view of the bay. Thank goodness, I pretty much resign myself to accepting the 2nd room so I always pray it will work.
After checking out our room we decide to head down to the pool. I personally hate swimming in pools and never lie in the sun but Lou loves both of these activities. Luckily enough, the only 2 chaises available were in the shade. I plopped myself down, then tried to figure out what to do with myself. My mother had suggested I have a drink during the day and be fun but I just couldn’t decide what to drink. I am such a creature of habit I am lost when I am out of my routine. I headed off the gift shop, to buy a magazine and a frappacino with whip cream. Once I resume my spot on the chaise, I try to read but am distracted by all the people laying around by the pool.
I mean is this what everyone else does on the weekends? Parents sitting on lounge chairs watching their kids swim while sipping on an alcoholic beverage? I can so do this. This one really sweet, quiet boy kept trying to go in the jacuzzi and his Mom kept reprimanding him to stay out “because it was only for adults.” Really, let the kid go, who cares? It wasn’t too hot. I was so fascinated by how easy and relaxing it seemed for everyone, when suddenly Lou returns from the pool and says, “This relaxing is killing me, I feel like I am going to throw up. We have to go do something, I feel sick.”
” Really, Lou? I am just getting the hang of this relaxing thing. Fine! Lets go get dressed and walk around Fashion Island.” And so we walked and walked and finally ate dinner at this cute cafe and then returned to our room. Once back in the room, I eventually got him to relax but let me tell you it wasn’t easy. I had to pull out my wifey tricks!
I hope you all have a relaxing weekend between soccer and flag football games because I know I won’t. Back to the grind!
xoxo tiffani
