Well, good morning all.
It’s currently 50F and cloudy outside. We’re supposed to receive peeks of sunshine starting in the afternoon, and our expected high temperature is around 62°F. Yesterday was quite lovely, though!
Nellie, I’m so happy your eye has returned to normal! I see they expect around 3500 people to attend today’s demonstration at the Capitol.
Missred, I think I missed if there was a diagnosis? I’m sorry you were locked up in hospital, but relieved to know your sister could come and help and that you’ve been sprung.
VanGo, I’m keeping my fingers crossed that things come through for you.
I know there is much, much more to address. Life and work continue to be nuts.
Today’s agenda calls for obtaining a pedicure (coming up on sandal weather!), dog food from Mud Bay, and the fixings for Easter dinner. I will make tater salad, which I haven’t made since last year. I haven’t decided on the protein yet. Ham is okay, but not really my favorite. Still, I may get a small spiral ham. My son is coming up for Easter dinner, so I want to ensure we have something decent.
Following the pedicure and errands, I’ll attend to laundry and roll-sucking.
Now for the big news. I haven’t shared it with anyone except my husband and kids.
I will soon join the rest of the RDOS folks here. I will get to practice for a few months, but by October, it will be official.
This is not how I wanted things to go, and not how I envisioned leaving federal service. This decision has not sparked joy, and I’m still coming to terms with it. The constant bombardment became even worse, with pretty much daily threats of RIF and more. Given that they had pretty much taken all my autonomy and a good portion of my duties and moved them to national employees, I didn’t think things looked good for people like me. They did this to all folks who hold my position title.
I only just found out on Thursday that there may not be a RIF after all, but the threat of hubs remains, which would mean moving. And, the RIF decision depends on how many people actually sign the agreements to leave by the end of the month. While many expressed interest, many have not officially signed. And, even if I didn’t take this, the rest of my team did, including my boss, which would leave me alone to handle the state and several others that have had their entire admin team wiped out. There is also the whole Schedule C thing, where I would potentially become an at-will employee, with no civil service protection. FUCK that.
Anyway, I feel ashamed of having accepted this. Logically, I know I shouldn’t. I’ve served this country for 42 years, which is no small feat. However, I had to make a decision that allowed me some control over both my current and future financial situation. Several times, I spoke with a financial planner, and we arrived at numbers that look like they’ll work. If not, I guess I’ll find employment to help out.
For now, though, I’m just going to “be.” I’m not making big plans. I’m going to enjoy the first summer I’ve had “off” since I was 10 years old. I’ll dig in the dirt, plant my flowers, tend to my lawn, and take a couple of small trips (maybe); I dunno. I’m not going to commit to anything. I need to decompress.
So, there you have it. I continue to thank those of you who are going out there and protesting. You all rock!
and that’s gonna be wonderful drizzled over it.
