How the "2009 Great Water Challenge" Chart Flipped my Kayak

I suppose the title is ominous and you have already figured it all out, all there is left is for the story to be told. It all started day before yesterday when my husband caught one of the kids pouring out the last of the juice in the pitcher. "How much juice have you had today?" he asked. This simple question also led to the tipping of my kayak.
Due to "no one" drinking all of the juice each day, I took it upon myself to measure out 7 portions of juice into cups. I found that it didn't amount to much per person. Then I made each child aware of how much juice 1/7th of a pitcher really is. It's less than half the size of the glass that we normally use! Add to that I refuse to keep cool aid or sugary drinks on hand.
Consequently, I have yearly put up a "Water Chart Challenge" on our refrigerator with prizes available. I have done this despite my co-workers warning me that I will deplete out my children's sodium and potassium stores and cause a hyponatremic and hypokalemic crisis. Yes, I live on the edge. Anyway, the idea of the chart is simple. For each measuring cup of water you drink, you may make one tally mark on the chart. Every one keeps track and its for the purpose of forming the habit of drinking more water at the beginning of summer.
The first time I made it, I made a 30 cups of h20 to 1 can of pop allowed ratio. Since we haven't been keeping soda in the house, I haven't had to include that. Each year, the kids try to out do each other. Usually we average 8 glasses of water a day which is healthy. It gets everybody drinking more water and for a 2 week period of time their systems get flushed out. None of my children have compulsive water fetishes, but if yours do, then by all means, don't do this.
And so, the challenge was on. This year, my husband participated for the first time ever. As I monitored the chart, I noticed he was neck in neck with me. Every time I drank a glass, he drank a glass. I began to feel a little too competitive. Finally I asked him, "do you normally drink this much water?". His answer "no". Well, the challenge was on and unfortunately I had drank a glass to keep up with him right before I headed out in my Kayak.
It was a beautiful day and I had worked all morning doing house work. The three eldest children were out working at a neighbors doing yard work. Moonbeam finally fell asleep and I shot out the door like a bullet. The river called to me like the pizza hut guy telling me "your orders ready". I'm there. So I headed out in bliss. Not long after that, my bladder began to scream "pull over old lady". I ignored her. Soon, she was threatening me in no uncertain terms. Being Memorial Day Weekend, EVERYBODY is up!! All the cabins that never have anybody in them are filled. I soon discovered that the river was much more populated than normal and there wasn't too many places a gal could, well... go.
I found a little inlet and took it. Unfortunately it wasn't the easiest spot to pull up to and over I went. My bladder didn't couldn't hold a candle to how wet I had become! Well, anyway the day was beautiful and it was a fun ride. I've been trying to dream up some exciting story about how my kayak flipped. So far I haven't come up with much since I'm a pretty lousy liar. I always feel guilty and have to tell the truth.
As I paddled back, I wondered what the neighbor would think. I use his yard to access the river. He is a very sweet older hermit type bachelor guy named "Mack". Mack loves to spend hours on the Internet researching conspiracy theories. He lives a recluse life, though does some over the road trucking from time to time. He is a wealth of knowledge. As I neared his home, I desperately tried to come up with a good story. Luckily for me, Mack didn't seem to notice. He even gallantly helped me carry my Kayak back to its resting place (while telling me about a tv show on the year 2012). Life is good, and I can't keep from smiling when I think about the adventure. That is, until I notice my husband is ahead on the water chart and I've gotta drink more to catch up!! I would say more about it, but uhh... I gotta go.