Procedure

WAITING ROOM: Thursday morning came early, with a 5 a.m. alarm.

That's Christian's normal four days a week, so it wasn't unusual for him. And while I'm usually awake before 5, when the alarm goes off (thanks, insomnia!), I'm not usually up at that time.

Today was different, however, as we had to head to the hospital. Christian had a date with a surgeon to get a pesky, painful bump removed from his right hand.

Valley Medical Center is a pretty facility on a hillside in Renton, WA. I found it ironic that signs tell people to be quiet, but in the lobby there's a BIG water feature that pumps vast quantities of gallons per minute, making it pretty loud. 

Also in the middle of the lobby were a team of construction workers replacing enormous windows, and making hella noise while doing so.

The nursing personnel were friendly and efficient, and the anesthesiologist looked like he was about 20. (Funny how people start looking younger and younger as you get older and older.)

The patient is at home, resting comfortably, and is looking forward to getting that splint off - hopefully on Tuesday.

WINTER OF OUR DISCONTENT: This winter, coupled with the end of fall, has been one for the books so far, and I don't mean that in a good way. Most everyone has heard the phrase "Sleepless in Seattle," but our weather for months now has made it "sunless in Seattle."

Now, I know what you're thinking. It rains in Seattle. Duh. And that's true, of course, but the total amount of rainfall isn't the problem at the present. What is a problem is the fact that Seattle hasn't had an official sunny day since November. Really. It's true.

t's sunless in Seattle as city weathers one of the gloomiest stretches in recent history
By Pedram Javaheri, CNN MeteorologistIn fact,

To be a bonafide sunny day, it means the sky has to have one-eighth or less cloud cover. And our weather hasn't managed to muster that in months now.

According to CNN meteorologist Pedram Javaheri, "Just two days in December were even considered partly sunny and those days still managed to have an average of 70% cloud cover in the sky's above."

That has made for waaaaaay too many gloomy days 'round these parts.

January has also been dreary. As I sit typing on the 31st, every single day has been significantly cloudy.

Here's hoping for a brighter February.