I say yes, you say no, OR People are Strange

crazy4carrots

1Athena1

Something I just read made me "fantasize" about Obama resorting to emergency powers to increase the debt ceiling. I would love it if he did that. Congress --especially the House-- has to understand that the country has to move with or without it. Montesquieu did not foresee the creation of three branches of power so that one could fiddle while the other two had to work.

Speaking of the Juducial branch, Roberts again showed some statesmanship and urged a deal on the fiscal cliff. We only have a deal on taxes, but there is still no permanent deal on sequestration or the debt.

1Athena1

YUMM!!!

crazy4carrots

This whole debt ceiling issue makes no sense to me.  If Congress passes money bills, then why, when those bills come due, does Congress have the opportunity to refuse to pay those bills?  Is that really how the Constitution was written?  I thought there was something about the "full faith and credit" and that Congress has the "obligation -- no ifs ands or buts" to raise the debt ceiling to cover those expenses.

Please someone -- correct me if I'm wrong.  But this seems to be unique to the U.S.

Anonymous

I just schlurped all over linda's posted picture - tastes deeeeelicious!!! 

Kam - even better than Yaks - are "Everyday Traction Aids" made by duenorth. according to the thingie that came with them, there's a website:www.duenorthproducts, also a walking365.com.

They are much preferred by everyone who has lived in thsee Hilltowns much longer than I have, which is why I bought them - rubber thingies that fit onto bottom of boots, with overgown HUGE spikey thumbtack like thingies sticking out.  And the spikes are replaceable, and they come with extras.   Really think they were probably designed by crazy gollfers who didn't want to ruin their cleats, or give up golfing in the ice.   Will save you all from my opinion of golfing, that game where people run around with sticks trying to hit a little white ball into holes...

Chickadee

Just back from checkup. Another very BORING blood test. Nearly normal. So take that you nasty liver mets......Xeloda is sitting on your face....HA!



We even agreed to add another month between scans. Yea, an extra thirty days before I have to slurp that vile contrast.



Little miracles. She says if it continues she would consider going to 6 month scans.....one can only hope.



I'll have a slice of that Pavlova please.

Anonymous

http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/8/topic/798278?page=1#post_3358397

Found this on the Active Thread:

A lovely woman from CA, is now in Bethesda, MD for a clinical trial.  Probably means NIH, if anyone is in the area, maybe you could stop by & say hello. 

suzieq60

No use me commenting on the pavlova debate seeing I'm a proud Kiwi too. I just live in the wrong country

I did find this though : http://travel.ninemsn.com.au/airnewzealand/8435774/who-owns-the-pavlova-new-zealand-or-australia

It was 35 C yesterday - looking forward to a cooler day today. I even had a swim when I got home from work and it has to be really hot for me to get in the pool.

1Athena1

Yey Chickadee!!

RetiredLibby

Wooo HOOO, Chickadee! Dancing around in my chair in celebration of Xeloda kicking cancer butt! (as soon as I finish typing, I am getting up to dance around my office!)



Kam, I have been looking on OPM's website to see if I can find the answer to your question. I haven't found it yet - only something about lump-sum refunded contributions if you die in-service. Maybe you could find someone in Boyers, PA (where OPM's retirement specialists are located) to help you.



I did find this: http://www.opm.gov/retire/pubs/pamphlets/forms/sf2800-1.pdf



It may be the same thing that WR sent you. Look on page 5 about lump-sum benefit. But call Boyers or hit one of the "email us" buttons on opm.gov to see if you get an answer. Good luck! I am surveying my office now and starting to plan the cleanout!



L

Alyson

Thanks Suzie, I was going to make a similar comment re pavlova. It does seem to have been made here first but was publishised in Australia.  Not sure if the Canadians suffer from similar problems but things get invented or started here and next minute we find that they are Australian.

Suzie and I are actually on the same side, she is a displaced Kiwi.

Raining here but sticky hot, coolled things down for a little last night  but the humidity is back.

Gardengumby you make a comment about coffee. Coffee in North America is generally terrible.  The Aussies and Kiwis are the coffee kings. Starbucks has bluck muck, though the sound of the Cuban cafe interests me. The best coffee I had in the US was in a little cafe in Litiz PA, really good. I drink what we call a long black which is not an Americano. A long black is a very strong double shot with water on the side. If the coffee is good I don't add much water at all. (An Americano is a very weak black coffee). 

Talking about coffee think I need to go and find some. When I was teaching and before BC I drank up to 10 coffees a day (probably the cause) but since chemo I have one or two at the most so really enjoy my coffee these days. So I tend to wander up the road to the shops and have a coffee most mornings.

Anonymous

Yeah, chickadee - that's fabulous!  Looking foward with you to it being even l-o-n-g-e-r than 6 mths btwn scans.

bluedahlia

WTG Chickadee!

alexandria58

Hooray for boring, Chickadee!!!

Just noticed that Sandy relief got swept under the rug.  There are too many people still suffering out here.

QuinnCat

HL - finally talked to retirement counselor this morning.  Yes, it goes into same pool of money as 7% CSRS and since that is amortized over 310 months for me, it could likely go to my heirs....funny how BC colors all of these retirement decisions, as if I had not had BC before retirement I would be assuming I'd live forever (well, you know what I mean)! 

QuinnCat

Chickadee - so glad for your great checkup.  Another cruise on the horizon?  Maybe you should celebrate and make a Pavlova.  The fruit is usually summery, but kiwis will definitely work!

HL - I will have to clean out of my office when retired.  Between the short notice, holidays, snow days, it's been hard to get to work and have the needed people available.  I finally got the paperwork Fed Ex'ed just now.  One more piece of paper and I'm done.  Tomorrow is my last day.

RetiredLibby

(((((Kam))))) Lots of change, lots of stress ... But new vistas on the horizon. Wish some of us feds were closer to help!



L

River_Rat

Chickadee, yay!  Doin' a happy dance for you!

1Athena1

Sending you a hug too, Kam.

A thought struck me and this is in pure ignorance, as I know nothing of the fed system: Is there a fed union or liaison group that provides support or resources to retiring emplyees? Maybe you have looked into this already, so it may be a silly suggestion. You know, some sort of transition program to weather this change a bit for you?

Sandy: Trust the House to refuse to govern - in more ways than one. Losers!

CherrylH

Good news, Chickadee!

QuinnCat

Thanks all....Athena..interesting idea.  We do have a program, forgot it's name, where we can get 6 free counseling days (for anything!), but I imagine, while an employee.  They supply us Retirement Counselors (from or Department's Service Center) that are available to us and she's already told me to call her anytime after my last day (for instance, I want my tax statement before Feburary!), though I'm officially transferred to OPM after my last day.  (OPM is the same agency that will manage the ACA Health Exchanges, btw.)

Uh, I can still change my mind until COB tomorrow.  

pupmom

Chickadee, that's awesome! Nasty little mets, BE GONE!

RetiredLibby

Kam, there is NARFE (National Association of Retired Federal Employees). I don't belong (active duty can belong, but I haven't gotten around to joining although a couple of friends have). They actually may have a group in your area.



L

QuinnCat

NARFE - I'll put that in my notes.  I'm sure I'd know all of the retirees around here.  Other than joining for lobbying purpose - no get togethers for me!!!  I really want to start a new life without thinking much about this place, if that makes sense.  Hiking, skiing, yoga, quilting, drawing, reading, humane society....a minimum of travel.

RetiredLibby

It absolutely makes sense, Kam! I have considered joining DACOR (Diplomatic and Consular Officers, Retired) because you can join even if you left the Service, but I left for many good reasons and the friends I want to keep in touch with are the friends I am currently in touch with! Lots of new stuff to do and see and accomplish now! (If I had a tail, it would be wagging furiously - I am SO excited to retire myself!)



L

kayfh

Alyson, of course. We are the mouse to the USofA's elephant. Just as New Zealand is Australia's mouse. Mice can be sneaky and VERY powerful (if only in their own minds). ;-)

Belinda44

Chickadee, great news!

Kam, good luck with your last day at work!

Alexandria, Governor Chris Christie (who showed great leadership during the Sandy crisis) is sooooo mad about the situation!

From an article, here is some of what he said today in a press conference.....:

"* “66 days and counting. Shame on you. Shame on Congress.”

* “Unlike people in Congress, [governors] have actual responsibilities.”

* “[Boehner] hasn’t lost all credibility, but right now I think what happened last night was absolutely uncalled for. And I’ve been given no credible reason why.”

* He referred to “the Speaker’s irresponsible action in not moving on anything.”

* “Our people were played last night as a pawn, and that’s why people hate Washington. Last night, my party was responsible for this.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2013/01/02/chris-christies-howard-beale-moment/

And rumors are swirling that Boehner will be resigning.  Have no idea if true or not.  Will be very interesting to see how this plays out.

kayfh

Oh yeah. You are right about the coffee. Best coffee I have ever had was ANYWHERE in Australia, I haven't had NZ coffee (yet). Though. Sometimes I wonder if my brother (Australian citizen) has warped my perspective.

Alyson

Wish I could make all of you a pavlova  but Kam don't cut up Suzie and me, we're Kiwis, the green furry fruit are kiwifruit - I know you call them kiwis but it did look funny when you said kiwis were good on a pav.

I took early retirement 4 years ago but have had no pension at all. I cashed up my governemnt pension for a deposit on a house years ago. Luckily we are in a situation where I didn't need to earn and of course most health costs are covered by the state. I will get my superannuation when I turn 65 - every one gets thats no matter what you earn. Of course if you are still earning it is taxed at a high level.

Not going for coffee as I have DGD and DGS but coffee is coming.

gardengumby

I think I'll be retiring this year, too.  I'm hoping for October or November, but it will depend somewhat upon what the next "deal" is that happens.  We can afford Cobra prices for insurance - (barely), but not so sure about  post-Cobra.  If I retire in September it'll be 18 months to Medicare as things stand right now.  If they move Medicare to 67, then not so sure what will be affordable - and I haven't yet seen anything about the insurance exchanges/help from ACA. 

walked into town this morning and shopped a little - bought my hubby a pair of shorts and t-shirt - and a hair-stick and dress for me.  Think I'll go down and visit the pool now.  Gawd, I HATE the thought of going home next week....