Wednesday, March 7, 2007

Do you know what really lies at the end of the rainbow?  Why... coffee, of course!  I followed this rainbow and it ended in this coffee plantation.  Yes, Hawaii truly is paradise.

I took every opportunity to send pictures of my meals back to Dickidoo via my camera phone.  He called me 'mean' and 'cold'.  On the contrary, I was merely sharing my experience with him... with a healthy helping of envy!  Hahahahaha!

The food was heavenly and non-stop!  Almost every night meant a huge pot luck at one place or another.  Old friends and relatives kept making surprise appearances, some I hadn't seen since my own wedding 23 years ago.  Memories and laughter flowed like cheap wine that had us all heady with nostalgia.  One person would say 'Oh... remember when...' which would in turn spark another person's memory.  Too fun, too fun!

Having the entire family back together under one roof was like a trip back in time.  My parents are timeless, ageless.  They have changed very little over the years expect that my mother moves a little slower and her once jet black hair is now silver.  Daddy has a hairier face.  He still wears socks with his sandals.  (hehehehe).

It is the siblings who have changed.  We've aged, expanded (mostly against our will), endured our own hardships and successes, and yet when we all got back together we found that our paths still moved along the same direction.  We still smile easily and laugh spontaneously... especially at ourselves.  No wait, especially at each other!  And we all pack gas like tankers!  On the nights when we were all together at the cabin it sounded like the tuba section of a marching band.  It must be a genetic thing.

Nights were late and short.  Giggles filled the rooms as warning were issued about groping boobs and safe directions in which to point one's hiney when a natural gas leak occurs.  Mornings came early, usually with the first trip to the bathroom and once again the whispers and giggles would resume anew.  Before we knew it, it was time to go home.

But guess what?

The Dirty Dish Fairy followed me home!  And she bakes too!

My oldest sister Lisa came home with me and spent the past week spoiling us with her cleaning and baking skills.  She left this morning before sunrise.  Sadly I found myself staring at the half full pan of her luscious mint chip cookies, wondering how long I could make them last before begging her to visit again.

I only hope the Oompas have the fortune of a great relationship with their parents and siblings after they all grow up and move away.  It has truly been a blessing to my life.  Oh gracious, can you imagine Dickidoo, myself, the Oompas and their spawn all in the same house at the same time 10 - 20 years down the road?  I hope everyone brings lots of toilet paper... and there shall be absolutely NO BEANS on the menu!

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

 It sounds like you had a wonderful wonderful time.  Gee, my sister did mention something about a possible gas leak....now we know the cause.

                  Julie

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you spent a really fragrant time back home.   hahahaha!  Thank you for creating this lovely mind picture of your family get together.  I can still hear and see you all laughing and giggling fit to burst in your description!  hahahaha! I can guarantee I'm going to leave with a big smile when I visit with you...cheers!   Jeanie

Anonymous said...

Wow that picture was beautiful, it does not look real.  Im so glad you had a great reunion with your family.  Im sure you and Dickidoo will have many future reunions with all the oompa loomp's and all those grandchildren  :)
Tabatha

Anonymous said...

what a delightful entry!  i'm sure you're oompa's will share the same experiences with you and dickidoo a few years down the road...that's what you are enstilling in them now.  :)  love the top pic.
gina

Anonymous said...

I'm up for a Blog Crawl.  When can we have one?

Krissy
http://journals.aol.com/fisherkristina/SometimesIThink

Anonymous said...

LMAO!! I loved your telling of your vacation. Wonderfully hilarious. You know the old saying , the family that farts together, smells together lol. (Hugs) Indigo

Anonymous said...

Welcome home!  I loved reading about the wonderful time you had with your parents and siblings in Hawaii--what a warm and fuzzy feeling!  Know your family here on the mainland missed you and are glad to have you home but hope that you all can get together again real soon-it sounds like you had such an awesome time.  How neat that your sister was able to come home with you for awhile.

Anonymous said...

Welcome home Dorn!

Anonymous said...

great pictures:) glad your sis got to spend some extra time with you and Dickadoo and the Oompas:)

Deb

Anonymous said...

Oh, the absolute joy of your visit comes shining thru your words!!!  I love the pic of your mom sitting by you and your sis in bed!!!  How sweet!  Like you are little girls once more!!!!  

I hope you share more...

ps... I have no doubt your kids and family will be much the same!

be well,
Dawn
http://journals.aol.com/princesssaurora/CarpeDiem/

Anonymous said...

Looks like the garden of eden! I am sorry you had to leave.

Anonymous said...

What a great family!! I'm so glad you got to go and spend time with them all -- so cool!! Thanks for sharing, Dorn...

:) Carol

Anonymous said...

Jody-what great pics...I love the one with your sister and you and your mom!! Happiness is what I see...

We are glad to have you back tho.

Michele

Anonymous said...

i love hearing of other's family reunions.............especially since i have no family living other than my daughter.  if she doesn't get married and have at least one youngun then she will be the last of the line...........sigh...............

sounds so wonderful to hear of the great time you all had together.............

blessings,

regina

Anonymous said...

i am so glad that you got a vacation
and got to spend time with your family.
i love trips like that--where all it is, is more
memories for the future.  :] glad that you had fun
and enjoyed your sister being back with you too :]
hugs,
heather!

Anonymous said...

Oh, having met your wonderful family, I'd like to marry one of my girls to your kids so I could be part of the reunion, too.

Anonymous said...

Reading this entry has put a smile on my face.  I imagine much like the one you wore all during your trip!  So happy for you that all went well and everyone had a good time.

Anonymous said...

sounds like you had a great time.

Anonymous said...

Girl I love reading your journal, all the nicknames are just great and ven though some may sound harsh, you can feel the love come thru in your entries, Peace to you today and always, MISSY