Kait&Jords Series of Unfortunate Events (aka, the wind storm of '06)

It's tuesday night. I arrived home to our chilly house late this afternoon, after 24 hours of complete (well maybe not quite complete, but quite a bit of) maddness.
I was in Courtenay for the weekend, staying with Ashley and visiting friends and attending wedding showers (such fun), and that sort of thing. Everything was just as lovely as could be until jordan picked me up on monday morning. The wind had picked up considerably over night, but neither of us thought anything of it until we were almost blown off the highway outside of Courtenay. Even then it didn't worry us, and we continued to French Creek where we met our dad, got some lunch, went shopping, and then around 3:30pm began to head for home. I was driving the van (which we picked up to bring home from my dad) and jordan was following me in his car. We did not get very far. By the time we had passed Coombs the wind was so strong that i almost couldn't keep the van on the road. There was also so much debris and so many branches all over the road that it made just driving quite a chore. Then it began to get dark, and the rain started to pour. We were just entering Cathedral Grove when we saw the first few trees completley fallen over, and my stomache began to sink. 2 corners into the Grove we were stopped in a massive line-up of stopped cars. By this point it was raining branches and leaves (which were constantly hitting the roof of the van and freaking me out) and we could hear trees snapping and falling in the forest. I looked up and the huge trees above us were bouncing around like rubber popsicle sticks. A huge tree next to the road began to crack and snap and we decided that it was time to turn around..theres nothing like the feeling of waiting for a tree to fall on your car. Anyway, with much difficulty we finally got both vehicles turned around and were headed back. We manuvered around at least 3 different spots where trees had fallen, completely blocking our lane of traffic. We had just passed Whiskey Creek when one such fallen tree surprised me due to the limited visability, and i had to stop suddenly, causing Jordan to run into me..The car was smashed, the van barely dented thankfully, and we spent the next 20 minutes transfering everything out of jordans car into the van..we left it on the side of the road and quickly moved on..it was quite unreal, the worst storm i've driven in i think..The road was blanketed with needles and bushes and in some spots even power and telephone lines were down all over the roads. it made me want to drive fast so nothing too large would crash down on me, but also slowly so i didnt skid out on all the rain and needles and mush all over the road. blech!
Anyway, we made it back to nanaimo where we found a cheap hotel and stayed the night. We thought our trouble was over when we stopped to check the damage on Jords car in the morning. It started fine, and besides smashed headlights and bent hood it appeared to be in working condition. We headed home, but half way back from port I noticed a horribly smell coming from the engine of the van and suddenly the temprature shot up and the check engine lights came on...great. just freaking great. so i stop, jord stops, we check the engine, the radiator is empty..of course. oh man. we put water in, and it falls right through and drips onto the ground almost as fast as we can dump it in.....reminded me of a certain night out up on a dirt road with a blue volvo. anyway..crappy sitaution, and yet again we spend 30 minutes transferring everything out the the van and back into Jords beat up car, and on we go...and then we find out that a tree had fallen onto Serge's tow truck..what? I know. insane...it was a crazy, weird 24 hours and my weekend was much longer and more frustrating then i hoped it would be. I dont know whats happening with the Van or how it's getting home.
but now we are home, there are 4 sleeps until steven gets home, and im trying to look on the bright sides of things. At least we have one semi-working vehicle, even though it has no headlights. at least a tree didn't fall on our van, even though it now has a broken radiator, or whatever it is..
hah. well merry christmas everyone, and i hope i can see you all over the Holidays. Im going to post this before the power goes out again, the winds supposed to get up to 120kph again tonight, and apparently we'll see 100mm of rain by tomorrow afternoon
lovies,
-kait.

Rain, Rain..i missed you!

I'm sitting here at my parents lovely and incredibly slow computer as the rain outside continues to pour..It's great really, and I forgot how much I missed it.
I spent the first 48 hours of being home in my pajamas, not answering my phone and hoping I could avoid whoever knew i was home for at least a few days. It was wonderful and I accomplished absolutley nothing (my bag isnt even completely unpacked yet!) but I am now well-rested and ready for the approaching christmas season, and all the visiting that goes with it. Speaking of visits, I had a wonderful one with Elysia, Kelly, and beautiful little Kayla yesterday.. I missed them so much! Im looking forward to spending lots of time with them this winter. Also, Im heading to Courtenay this friday to meet ashley for the weekend..To pick up my dress for the wedding, and attend her bridal shower..
anyway thats that for now, take care and i'll post next when I feel like braving the sluggish dial-up internet again... Love ya
Kait.

Vancouver snow light

5 sleeps until I go home, 16 sleeps until Steven comes home, and 26 until Christmas!!

This is the snowiest november I have seen in quite a long time. It was weird coming home from rainy gray scotland to the white wonderland of Vancouver.
The last few days I've spent here in Vancouver, at my lovley friend Ashley's home. They have been restful days, although I'm still not quite over my jetlag and have been waking every morning at about 5 am, and then I'm exhausted by 9pm. I'm doing a good job of trying to keep myself up late though, so hopefully it wont last long.
Todays excitment was a wonderful long shopping trip to Value Village, where we spent several hours gathering and trying on all kinds of funky and frumpy and warm and wooly winter clothing. By the time we were finished Ash's car was completely iced over and we spent several very chilly minutes attempting to clear the windows. We finally gave up and drove a few blocks before everything was finally defrosted. They say on the radio we're supposed to get another 10cm overnight, so we're hoping Langara will be closed so no one has to go to school.
Tomorrow is also my little brother Isaacs birthday. He's turning 12 I believe, and we're going to see the Human Body exhibit at Science world.
Not overly exciting, but this is my life at the moment. And I'm thankful for it. I love being home and with the people I love. Im thankful for my friends and familly, even more thankful than before i left I believe.. One of the best parts of hopping around the world is coming home.
As you can tell im getting quite sleepy. Although we rented a movie to watch tonight, we spent too many hours organizing and researching wedding options and details and now are headed to bed.
Here's an awesome quote I've been thinking about today:

"Are we not perhaps all afraid in some way?
If we let Christ enter fully into our lives, if we open ourselves totally to Him, are we not afraid that He might take something away from us?
No! If we let Christ into our lives, we lose nothing, nothing, absolutley nothing of what makes life free, beautiful, and great. No! Only in this friendship do we experience beauty and liberation...Yes, open wide the doors to Christ - and you will find true life."
-Benedict XVI

today I've been thinking about...

Home. An elusive word, isnt it? It could mean anything, depending on your circumstance, your childhood, your current location. To some people a home is a house. But what makes a house a home? This is something I've been pondering lately. To me, home means love. Not only cozy fireplace cuddles or hot tea and a good conversation, but the knowledge and comfort that comes with knowing it will never leave. That whenever your wandering self decides enough is enough, home will be right where you left it, in the hearts and hugs of those you love. Home is where your heart is...Such a cliche phrase, but before it was, I think someone got it right.