And the answer...........well, that varies by the day.
Recently we have dipped our toes back in the roiling waters of real estate, and are even taking the serious and necessary step of getting pre-qualified. The big question isn't what we can afford, which I know regardless of what we qualify for, but rather what we want and what we are willing to settle for at said affordable price.
What we know for certain is that the market is still not very settled. Depending on the relative optimism or pessimism of the person you ask, we are either at the bottom and starting to slowly rebound or still careening towards the abyss. What is a fact is that prices are less than they were 2 years ago, sometimes significantly so. This opens up areas we were not able to consider previously.........though we are still severely limited in our purchasing power in said areas. We have to decide things like: Is it better to be on busy street in a desirable area, or better to be in a less desirable area instead? Is it better to be close in, or have a nicer home? Is 1 bathroom okay?
Even once you decide on the where and the how, then you have to figure out the what. Such as, what does the house NEED to have and what would you LIKE the house to have and what could you care less about? Garage? Finished basement? Square footage? The list goes on.
Then, you have to decide not what you can afford, but what number you are comfortable with. Plus, here in Portland, houses next to one another frequently have incredibly disparate taxes (ranges from $900 to $5000/yr for similar priced homes). So matching priced homes can end up costing hundreds of dollars more a month.
All that remains certain at the moment is that we have a lot of time to decide and, based on what we have seen via open houses, that is a good thing since our price range seems to only include locations we aren't considering and, within the locations we are, a bunch of complete crap.
Still, its fun to look, though somewhat frightening as well. More to come as always.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
dumb
Do you ever just find yourself doing something completely absentmindedly dumb? I am sure we all do, just as I am sure we all fervently hope that the act itself proves harmless.
It is no surprise if you read this blog that my work has not been favorable of late. In fact, when I really think about it, it has been a bungled mess from the jump. I spent the first two weeks in the clinic trying to learn how it works: how to get meds, order supplies, chart, file, along with relearning a lot of skills that had moldered at my last job. Then I spent the next month + doing that while worrying about losing my job over paperwork. Finally, March hit and it seemed like finally, I had things largely under control (or what I could control anyway, we are and have been throughout, chronically understaffed with frequent defections), but then EPIC hit and it feels kind of like I am back to day 1 all over again. Only, now I have to figure out a whole new slew of things that I have neither the time nor inclination to even figure out who to contact to start the process.
For instance, we got a new label printer here in the clinic. Easy enough right? Wrong! We had technicians here almost daily, each with a very specific piece of the puzzle and none with seemingly any knowledge of the next link in the chain. First guy drops off the device. another one comes to look at where and how it might get plugged in. Yet another installs a cable. Someone else changes said cable due to some proprietary cable issue. Finally it is hooked up and working..............er, not quite. another gentleman comes in because now there is an error in how things are routed to said printer. This then involves a higher up from information services who ultimately deals with this for another 3 days before, viola, working printer...........er, kind of. It prints some of what we need now, but other alterations involving god knows how many other people are coming down the line. This would be fine if it weren't for seemingly everything happening in a similar manner. I get calls from pharmacy because we are both entering the same exact data and we still can't figure out who should be (which is rising up the chain there). My hand held medication scanners don't work and I have no idea who to call about them (so I enter things manually). We were given a desktop scanner and separate training for scanning orders, and then I get an email as to why we are scanning orders in the first place (from the person who is in charge of such things in the first place......which leads me to believe she should not be charged with such responsibility). I had a delivery of a giant blanket warmer and a number of who to call to deal with it, but then no one returns my calls so it sits exactly where it was dropped off last weekend. Somewhere in the midst of this, I am supposed to see patients, schedule patients, deal with MD offices, and learn our new charting system.
So, it comes as no surprise that I walked home on Tuesday night, started doing some dishes (we were going to a Blazer game so I wanted to have them done then instead of when I got home) and then realized that I had DRIVEN to work that morning because I thought I might need to go to Vancouver for training. Suffice to say I briskly walked all the way back to get the car (the advantage/disadvantage of living less than a mile away). Dumb dumb dumb. Of course, my brain is so thoroughly addled it is dumb but not entirely unsurprising. Now if I can just manage to not screw up something actually important along the way!
It is no surprise if you read this blog that my work has not been favorable of late. In fact, when I really think about it, it has been a bungled mess from the jump. I spent the first two weeks in the clinic trying to learn how it works: how to get meds, order supplies, chart, file, along with relearning a lot of skills that had moldered at my last job. Then I spent the next month + doing that while worrying about losing my job over paperwork. Finally, March hit and it seemed like finally, I had things largely under control (or what I could control anyway, we are and have been throughout, chronically understaffed with frequent defections), but then EPIC hit and it feels kind of like I am back to day 1 all over again. Only, now I have to figure out a whole new slew of things that I have neither the time nor inclination to even figure out who to contact to start the process.
For instance, we got a new label printer here in the clinic. Easy enough right? Wrong! We had technicians here almost daily, each with a very specific piece of the puzzle and none with seemingly any knowledge of the next link in the chain. First guy drops off the device. another one comes to look at where and how it might get plugged in. Yet another installs a cable. Someone else changes said cable due to some proprietary cable issue. Finally it is hooked up and working..............er, not quite. another gentleman comes in because now there is an error in how things are routed to said printer. This then involves a higher up from information services who ultimately deals with this for another 3 days before, viola, working printer...........er, kind of. It prints some of what we need now, but other alterations involving god knows how many other people are coming down the line. This would be fine if it weren't for seemingly everything happening in a similar manner. I get calls from pharmacy because we are both entering the same exact data and we still can't figure out who should be (which is rising up the chain there). My hand held medication scanners don't work and I have no idea who to call about them (so I enter things manually). We were given a desktop scanner and separate training for scanning orders, and then I get an email as to why we are scanning orders in the first place (from the person who is in charge of such things in the first place......which leads me to believe she should not be charged with such responsibility). I had a delivery of a giant blanket warmer and a number of who to call to deal with it, but then no one returns my calls so it sits exactly where it was dropped off last weekend. Somewhere in the midst of this, I am supposed to see patients, schedule patients, deal with MD offices, and learn our new charting system.
So, it comes as no surprise that I walked home on Tuesday night, started doing some dishes (we were going to a Blazer game so I wanted to have them done then instead of when I got home) and then realized that I had DRIVEN to work that morning because I thought I might need to go to Vancouver for training. Suffice to say I briskly walked all the way back to get the car (the advantage/disadvantage of living less than a mile away). Dumb dumb dumb. Of course, my brain is so thoroughly addled it is dumb but not entirely unsurprising. Now if I can just manage to not screw up something actually important along the way!
Sunday, April 10, 2011
wash, rinse, repeat
I have been meaning to blog for some time, but it has been kind of a cycle of relative sameness (though not relative sanity.......which would actually be different I suppose), and I feel I am starting to repeat myself. But, the same themes continue to dominate.
The running theme of work being crazy remains. In fact, I just found out another of my co-workers is leaving who does primarily pediatrics which will not be easy to replace. I did not know her terribly well, but I understand she was quite excellent at her job and a very hard worker. She evidently was recruited elsewhere in the hospital because of this. What it means to me is that there are even less people to come and help.
So, what to do about it? Well, I contacted my manager and she agrees that something needs to be done to get me help. Of course, that can't/won't happen until they are staffed on the floor and that is obviously not getting any closer to fruition. So, I continue to turn down patients and potentially alienate referring providers. On one hand, I don't so much care because it isn't my business. On another, I do because it could mean my position fades into the ether. There is only so much I can do without help though.
The new computer system began last Monday and, of course, continues to have problems. I have no idea if I am doing things correctly or not either. I am trying of course, but I am primarily on my own to figure it out. I have to admit I am jealous and my clinic mates, the wound care nurses, have their charge nurse and a nurse from the northern hospital location who are well versed with EPIC sitting with them 1 on 1 all week long helping them figure out charting, ordering and the like. Meanwhile I get a few hours (over the week) of help from the EPIC tutors. I fully suspect I am doing some things wrong and others incompletely......but much like scheduling concerns, what the hell else can I do but the best with what I am given?
In other news, we have another litter of foster kittens. They are probably the least friendly bunch we have had, but are starting to come around. It is an interesting challenge in so small a space, but it feels good to be doing something nice.
We are also starting to play, in the most peripheral sense, at housing again. I really go back and forth. I think, if you can find a place in a good location with a potential upside, it can still be a good investment. However, it is a VERY particular type of property that fits that and I dont know if I am savvy enough to determine that. I do know that location seems to matter exponentially more here than it does in other places..........or at least that location is harder to pinpoint. In Florida, it is near/on the waterfront. Here, it seems to be more neighborhood specific and there are so very many neighborhoods. Trying to figure out what is 'up and coming' is the key. Plus, for us, it has to be walkable/bikable to work. Thankfully we are in an up and coming neighborhood already.
Also tried a few new places around here to eat. In simple synopsis:
Mothers bistro - Above average appetizers with some bordering on excellent (crab cakes) and exceptional bread/corn bread rolls. The main courses were good as well, but not excellent. Drinks were mediocre. Desserts were quite good. For the price (about $80 for 2 people), not worth it IMHO. Were it about 1/2 that, I would give two enthusiastic thumbs up.
Equinox - Granted we ate here for dinner and not breakfast which they are best known for, but I have to give them a half-hearted 'meh.' The burger was underwhelming, with the biggest disappointment being the bun itself. The salad was good, if small. There was just not much memorable about it and I see no reason to go back.
Montage/La Merde - I hadn't been in some time, so we went to the adjacent bar side for HH. Excellent deals on food (the spold mac was just as good as I remembered and the crawfish fritters were flavorful and perfectly crispy. Great drink prices and fun games as well. Well worth the trip out.
I really ought to get to doing something more productive. As always, more to come.
The running theme of work being crazy remains. In fact, I just found out another of my co-workers is leaving who does primarily pediatrics which will not be easy to replace. I did not know her terribly well, but I understand she was quite excellent at her job and a very hard worker. She evidently was recruited elsewhere in the hospital because of this. What it means to me is that there are even less people to come and help.
So, what to do about it? Well, I contacted my manager and she agrees that something needs to be done to get me help. Of course, that can't/won't happen until they are staffed on the floor and that is obviously not getting any closer to fruition. So, I continue to turn down patients and potentially alienate referring providers. On one hand, I don't so much care because it isn't my business. On another, I do because it could mean my position fades into the ether. There is only so much I can do without help though.
The new computer system began last Monday and, of course, continues to have problems. I have no idea if I am doing things correctly or not either. I am trying of course, but I am primarily on my own to figure it out. I have to admit I am jealous and my clinic mates, the wound care nurses, have their charge nurse and a nurse from the northern hospital location who are well versed with EPIC sitting with them 1 on 1 all week long helping them figure out charting, ordering and the like. Meanwhile I get a few hours (over the week) of help from the EPIC tutors. I fully suspect I am doing some things wrong and others incompletely......but much like scheduling concerns, what the hell else can I do but the best with what I am given?
In other news, we have another litter of foster kittens. They are probably the least friendly bunch we have had, but are starting to come around. It is an interesting challenge in so small a space, but it feels good to be doing something nice.
We are also starting to play, in the most peripheral sense, at housing again. I really go back and forth. I think, if you can find a place in a good location with a potential upside, it can still be a good investment. However, it is a VERY particular type of property that fits that and I dont know if I am savvy enough to determine that. I do know that location seems to matter exponentially more here than it does in other places..........or at least that location is harder to pinpoint. In Florida, it is near/on the waterfront. Here, it seems to be more neighborhood specific and there are so very many neighborhoods. Trying to figure out what is 'up and coming' is the key. Plus, for us, it has to be walkable/bikable to work. Thankfully we are in an up and coming neighborhood already.
Also tried a few new places around here to eat. In simple synopsis:
Mothers bistro - Above average appetizers with some bordering on excellent (crab cakes) and exceptional bread/corn bread rolls. The main courses were good as well, but not excellent. Drinks were mediocre. Desserts were quite good. For the price (about $80 for 2 people), not worth it IMHO. Were it about 1/2 that, I would give two enthusiastic thumbs up.
Equinox - Granted we ate here for dinner and not breakfast which they are best known for, but I have to give them a half-hearted 'meh.' The burger was underwhelming, with the biggest disappointment being the bun itself. The salad was good, if small. There was just not much memorable about it and I see no reason to go back.
Montage/La Merde - I hadn't been in some time, so we went to the adjacent bar side for HH. Excellent deals on food (the spold mac was just as good as I remembered and the crawfish fritters were flavorful and perfectly crispy. Great drink prices and fun games as well. Well worth the trip out.
I really ought to get to doing something more productive. As always, more to come.
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