General Badness

You know, this week has been a little rough?

Big Boo-Boo's - it was bound to happen. I love the waves, and I respect the ocean. As I wrote last week, I sit and watch and wait for the waves. It's one of my favourite parts of this little journey. The other day, there was no waiting - simply since the waves were so big on the south shore. So, while Neil played it safe boogie boarding in the run up - I paddled out to the big ones with the boogie board and make some rather successful attempts at riding them. They were so big and powerful (well for me), that catching them, dropping a knee and riding them through the tube were easily achievable. And then it happened. I paddled out to the next one, thinking "oh yah!!!". I turned, caught it and realized that I was about a foot too far in front of it. And these shore-break waves are pretty powerful. I was perched on top staring down at the trough while it proceeded to drop me about 5 feet right into the washing machine that is the break. So at the end of this not-so-gentle cycle, I've got beach-rash under my chin about 1.5 inches long and a slightly torqued knee. But it looks worse than it is. My knee is fine, nothing a bit of TLC during intense yoga poses won't cure; and my chin makes for some great embellished stories to those who ask...

Cold - on Maui? Yes, we all have them. In some form or another. Graham and I have sinus pain and headaches. Taylor has a dry cough and Alex regularly asks for medicine. Karilyn and Neil are fairly healthy, but not 100%. Nothing like being hot with a cold.

Unprecedented Rain - earlier this week, we had the biggest rain storms and state-wide flash flooding. It rained hard and solid for about 36 hours. And not just light Vancouver-style rain. Huge raindrops that unrelentlessly pelt you into submission of staying inside. It was so dark and the thunder and lightning were intense. But what did we do? We stayed inside all day, listened to Christmas songs and decorated our tree. A green cotton cut-out decorated with ornaments we all crafted together with pipe cleaners, construction paper and beads. And as we sipped our rum and eggnog, we were thankful for this excuse to stay inside - instilling a reminscence of home at this time of year.