December 28, 2000
We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.  Ours was-no snow but diving was good and our friends one boat over had us over for turkey dinner so I did not have to cook!!

Life has been a lot of fun.  Jim is actually relaxing and we have met many very nice people.  The wonderful people who had us over for Christmas have five children and have been cruising the islands for the past seven months.  Unfortunately they will be returning home January 6.  I hope that they will visit us in the future.

I have met a great massage therapist who specializes in Rolfing.  I am in heaven!  By the way, my neck is good considering the torture it has inured!  Anyhow, Vickie and I are doing a trade so I am enjoying working again.  I have also seen a few of her friends and family.  Tomorrow Jim sees her-see I told you he was learning to relax!!

My earrings continue to sell so we ordered a kiln and soon will be fusing on the boat.  I have several orders from different shops throughout the islands so watch for an addition to the web site that includes my jewelry!!!

We are currently residing in Caneel bay, St. John. This is a place you need to look up on the net!!  There is a wonderful resort here with a great staff that happens to love cruisers.  The hiking is wonderful with beautiful views at the tops of the "mountains"-they may not be high like home but they sure are steep!!!  There are wild donkeys and the most beautiful caterpillars.  Not to mention very interesting flora.

The day after Christmas was very traumatic.  Christopher was riding in a friend's dinghy when the driver lost control, Chris flew out and was run over by the propeller!!!-deep lacerations on his forehead, right upper lip, and lower lip and chin---he is ok, a bit swollen and feeling  very fortunate to not have lost and eye or worse!!  He was also blessed to have one of the top facial plastic surgeons in the country stitch his face back together!!  THANK YOU  DR. HANNA!!    He was gracious enough to work right here at the hotel on his knees in his swimming shorts while Chris laid on a cocktail table.  What a wonderful man-if you need a face-lift he is your man!!  In addition, thank God Jim brought the extensive medical kit.  We had most everything we needed and what we didn't have we had things to punt with.  Dr Hanna does not think he will have much if any scars in a few years.  Please send your thoughts and prayers for Chris' recovery and for Dr. Hanna for being such a gem.

We will be staying here for the New Year and then will meet Gary and Linda Lott in the British Virgin Islands on the seventh.  We will stay in the BVI for a month diving-(Poor Chris just was appointed dinghy man!!)  Early February we head down island to St. Martin to meet Mary Ann, Jim's mom.