Aloha from the Cheddar-lands!

The wife and I just got back from Hawaii.

For those of you thinking, "I didn't know they were going to Hawaii," I say to you:

"Neither did I."

Our dear friends Master Reiki and Blue Eyes invited us to go to their "compound" in central Wisconsin for the weekend--a kind and generous offer. We packed our bags, kissed the dogs good bye and stood in the driveway, awaiting our ride. We thought we were going to the Land of Cheddar....but, when they pulled up, they got out of their Lexus and held up signs about our "flight" to Hawaii and handed us real flowers.

I have to say we were momentarily very confused. Hawaii???

The wife and I really, really wanted to go to Hawaii for vacation but the economy and my lack of "funding" prohibited this activity. We've been a lot of places but never to the Hawaiian Islands. Master Reiki and Blue Eyes knew of our desire and of our inability to make the vacation come to fruition....they took matters into their own hands and gave us what we wanted--a trip to Hawaii......

....Wisconsin style.

From serving peanuts during the "flight" to greeting us with leis once we arrived at the Compound, MR and BE were over-the-top tour guides. They decorated the Compound with palm trees and tropical fruit. They played real Hawaiian music on the stereo. They fed us Hawaiian themed food, complete with real, organic pineapple. They put Dove Dark Chocolates on our pillows when we turned in for the night. And......
....they hula danced in grass skirts and coconut bras.

If that's not a friend, I don't know what is. I know I wouldn't dance in a coconut bra for just anyone.

They fed us food until I thought we would explode. I'm serious. I was nauseous from all the food they kept shoveling our way. Thank god we didn't have to put those hula skirts on.

On our way home, we had a "lay-over" for Breakfast at a local diner. Priceless.

There were huge perks to vacationing in Hawaii, Wisconsin: no sun burns, no jet lag, no credit card bill bigger than the house. The best part, of course, was having a weekend with our dearest friends. We'll never be able to thank them enough for making our dream come true.


As for the dogs, we decided to live on the edge and let them stay at home alone over night. No kennel, no on-site dog sitter, no hanging out with Cool Mama. Instead, Cheeseball Neighbor and ChiSky Grrrl offered to let them out morning, afternoon and night. Although very nervous to do that, I knew the neighbors would give our dogs the love, food and potty breaks that would be needed.

(That's Lucy contemplating the meaning of a perky potholder, right before we left for our trip to Hawaii.)

Of course, do you think the neighbors did "just" that? No, the dogs also got to go on an unplanned vacation. Freckles Warrior Princess and Lucy Bark of Poteidaia weaseled their way into their house and into their bed! Next thing I know, we are getting text photos of our dogs sleeping in a bed with ChiSky Grrrrl. Those naughty pups spent almost the entire weekend hanging out at the neighbors' house (and most probably terrorizing poor Cheeseball Dog, who is terrified of Freckles, the big meanie sausage that she is).

Since the dogs have not been awake for one minute since we've been home, I assume they had an awesome time on their vacation.

More wonderful friends, more acts of kindness. How lucky are we?

Lucky squared. That's how lucky we are.


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