New Blog Location

Hi Gang~
The blog is moving...please bookmark it! www.peregrinapapers.blogspot.com
I was having some login and permission issues with this account...plus I thought it was a good time to change my title...since I chose this one when I was truly feeling exiled to the uttermost upper midwest. While WA is (at times) a different planet, I feel a bit less of an exile here. Just time to move on, I guess.
I look forward to posting more...I really miss the creative process of writing these rambling bits and pieces.

I Love Craigslist

I love selling stuff on Craigslist. Of course, I am only selling so that I have $ to pay for my loveseat that I want to get for my new apartment (whenever that happens!). Here's the loveseat I want. It's from IKEA. I love them too. When mom comes later this month, we will make one of our legendary treks down there, where I will proceed to drool over everything in the store, and end up leaving having spent fewer than $40. Until I have my new apartment.

Then. I. Am. Buying. A. White. Loveseat.

Which I never would do unless I were single!

While I am not looking forward to the added expenses of an apartment, I am looking forward to taking all of my decor out of the boxes and actually having some "me" in the place. It will be like Christmas!

Now, If only I could find this loveseat on Craigslist...

The Latest at Work

We've had a little upheaval lately at work. The hospital, like many other businesses in the area, is having a hiring freeze...and a budget crisis. The joy of working for a non-profit hospital, is that as more and more people lose their health care, more and more come in for "charity" care. Which means our numbers go up, as does the work load. The flip side is that income is down, which means budget cuts.

It seems as though my job is safe. Relatively. But we will also be "bidding" for shifts based on seniority after the schedule is streamlined and reconfigured. And my schedule will look different. I'm actually excited, as this might be my chance to get to swings. We shall see, and I should know something by the end of the month.

All in all, I am just so thankful to be in health care right now. And to have my job!

Living in Washington

There are many things I love about living in Washington. When the sun is shining, there are few places more beautiful. After work today, on the way home, I took a trip down to the beach. (With a quick stop at Whidbey Coffee in downtown Mukilteo, where they make the best 16 ounce triple Americano ever.) It was just over 50 degrees outside, but you would have thought it was the middle of summer. Families were there, on the playground, collecting shells, skipping stones, and eating ice cream. Northwesterners, more than anywhere I have lived, have a real appreciation for the outdoors, rain or shine, but especially on days like today.

It's Tax Time Again

I just wonder...does seeing someone standing on the side of the road in a doofy costume make you want to have that business prepare something as important as your taxes?

One very important thing is accomplished, however...I am more and more thankful for my job!

Quote of the Day: Louis Pasteur

Let me tell you the secret that has led me to my goal: my strength lies solely in my tenacity.
~Louis Pasteur (1822-1895)

The Beach Last Evening

It was terribly windy last night. Still is, for that matter. But the clouds were just lovely.

It's so loud down with the wind howling and the waves hitting by that you don't hear any civilization. And if you look in just the right direction and squint a bit...you can miss the houses and imagine how awe-inspiring the Pacific must have been to Lewis and Clark when they first saw it.

Note to Self

Dear Self: Don't leave home without your camera. That's when you will find the perfect photo opportunity and the light will be spectacular. That's when the sun will be shining on the water, the animals in the fields (I was driving through a rural area) will be posing near the fences, and the old barns will be beautifully backlit.

The Lighter Side of My Favorite News Story this Year

Even the Cats are Smarter...

It's 2:21 am. I am up, because I am headed into work for a 3:30-7:00 am shift. That's dedication! Or, because I am practical, I look at the $...that's my gas budget for the month. I really didn't get too excited about the 3:30 start time, or the (only) 3 1/2 hours available, but, oh well.

When my alarm went off at 2, neither of the cats moved. I just got the evil eye(s). "Hey, stoopid...it's 3 hours too early! We're not budging, and you had better be here at 6 when we want our breakfast."