Just checking in . . .

for a few minutes before I get back to work. I'm sitting at the computer munching on a red delicious apple - from Washington, of course - and looking at pictures of the flood devastation. Rainfall records were broken all over the Northwest in the last few days, with as much as 30" of rain falling on parts of the Cascade mountains in 24 hours. I watched a video showing one couple's dream home that was almost finished - they were due to move in three weeks from now. Three days the river was over 70 feet away. This morning part of the ground floor was flooded, their vehicles were trapped in the garage, the foundation was washing away, and the house and vehicles are expected to be gone in the next 24-48 hours. In three days the river changed course and completely demolished the new retaining wall before reaching the house.

We have been safe and relatively comfortable here in Vancouver, receiving ONLY 2"-3" of rain in a 24 hour period from Monday to Tuesday. The road I drove back and forth to the retreat last weekend closed Tuesday. At 7:30 this morning there was an incredible rainbow arching over the Safeway across the street from our Operations Center - I was headed to the Starbucks there for coffee. There is sunshine coming through the west window of my office and blue sky is everywhere. Unfortunately this is only a short break - even worse rains are expected to arrive tonight and tomorrow. Roads to Mt. Hood are washed out, and Mt. Rainier National Park is completely closed due to road damage. Coastal highways are closed from mudslides. I pray the people in the worst areas remain safe, and follow evacuation orders without question.

Since the credit union is normally open on Saturday our "official" holiday is Saturday. Those of us who work Monday through Friday receive a "floating holiday". I'm taking mine tomorrow, and will spend the day quilting. I can hardly wait! Hopefully I'll have a lot of good progress on various projects to share with you tomorrow night.

************
Gratitudes:

1. Peppermint Mochas are back!
2. Sunshine coming through my window
3. My 20 1/2" square Creative Grids ruler - makes cutting appliqué backgrounds a snap
4. A hardworking, valuable partner in my department at work
5. People, for once, are driving safely and wisely in the torrential downpours we've been having

************