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!