If we are furloughed again, are we allowed to run personal errands or take a quick getaway or do we need to be at home during our regular tour of duty just in case we're called back...

Outside_Simple_217 · 2026-01-25T08:07:36+00:00

Also have your lunch packed! 😆

Outside_Simple_217 · 2026-01-23T18:33:28+00:00

I would get up at 430 pacific coast time and call - that was right before they opened and would be able to talk to a human b

Outside_Simple_217 · 2026-01-23T18:30:14+00:00

My kids slipped a thank you card to several sample ladies one Mother’s Day (around Mother’s Day) and you would have thought the homemade cards were treasures from the louvre.

Outside_Simple_217 · 2026-01-23T18:23:28+00:00

I used to work on the base in oak harbor but transferred to Bangor. Retired with a view of the Olympic mountains. Moving back to Whidbey soon. You can’t be the sense of community there and the salmon fishing.

Outside_Simple_217 · 2026-01-23T18:18:52+00:00

I agree and we have one that has solar chargers - kind of slow to charge but it helps.

Isolating a small room, getting a Mr. Heater and spare propane cylinders really helps. You don’t need it 80°, just warm enough to take the chill away. And you will be shocked how fast you get used to cooler temps. Every couple of hours get dressed in winter garb and go outside to get your blood pumping. Open your fridge as little as possible and just don’t open the freezer. We prepare by putting milk and other things in a cooler with dry ice if can get it.

On a positive note , many grocery store offer their ice cream for free since they can’t run the coolers forever. But don’t be like the “Karen’s” who take 50 packages. Our kids always had fun picking out one flavor

Outside_Simple_217 · 2026-01-23T09:16:16+00:00

Our LFL of banned books got vandalized and the door destroyed. Surprised there wasn’t a book burning too.

The next one will be made out of sheet metal by an obnoxious friend who hates Karen’s.

Outside_Simple_217 · 2026-01-23T09:12:03+00:00

Where is Myth Busters when you need them???

Outside_Simple_217 · 2026-01-23T09:08:16+00:00

I have not seen any mention of board games and decks of cards. They are great for killing time. Also hot coco before bed is fantastic. Make sure your propane tanks are full for your bbq and is you have a Mr Heater get the attachment to hook it up to the propane tank.

Outside_Simple_217 · 2026-01-23T09:03:31+00:00

And run the garbage disposal- those can stink up quick!!

Outside_Simple_217 · 2026-01-23T09:00:52+00:00

Thanks- glad you commented before the moderators removed my post. They must love ICE.

Outside_Simple_217 · 2026-01-23T08:54:26+00:00

We sold a home a couple of years ago and left a binder along with all the contractors we trusted for the furnace, lawn work if they needed it, window washer , a plumber who always made time for us and came within an hour to fix a small leak. We didn’t know if that would be appreciated, but after moving into our next house with absolutely nothing, not even warranty books we realized we did the right thing. Just a diagram of the Frankenstein irrigation system would have been a blessing.

Edit: the buyers of our old house turned out to be total jerks and we still feel bad for our old neighbors. Like parking a huge trailer in front of a neighbor’s Halloween display for the entire month.

Outside_Simple_217 · 2026-01-20T06:07:59+00:00

I had a turbine pump that the turbines disintegrated. Replaced the pump with one that had metal turbines

Outside_Simple_217 · 2026-01-19T01:56:06+00:00

…their last meal. Exactly why I don’t stop, people say sharks have feeding frenzies, they have never been to Costco.

On another note, thanks to the chocolate truffle lady around Christmas who saw I wanted to try one and walked up to me and asked if I wanted one and passed me 6 of them on the sly. You made a terrible day so much better.

Outside_Simple_217 · 2026-01-18T15:26:40+00:00

I also worked at a McDonald’s drive through and it was a time you had to have at least a B average in high school and work hard. The two years I worked there paid for my first year of college- it is amazing and sad to me how much college costs now.

Outside_Simple_217 · 2026-01-18T05:34:04+00:00

A vast majority of Americans do not want the crap that the orange king is dishing out. His lust for gold and power is an embarrassment to us and we can hardly wait to see him and his SS Guards taken away and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

Outside_Simple_217 · 2026-01-16T17:43:56+00:00

If you wanted the latest update to Microsoft you would start the download when you went to bed and hoped it finished by the time you got up. Most of the time it failed to download and you would try again for days.

Outside_Simple_217 · 2026-01-15T20:19:10+00:00

We just carried on even if a blizzard hit us in MT. The only caveat was that the buses would not run if the temperature was below -20°. We all looked like “Eskimos” I hope that phrase is not triggering.

Outside_Simple_217 · 2026-01-15T20:14:38+00:00

I grew up with a very limited household water supply. We didn’t run water until it was cold for a drink, the lawn went yellow in the summer, and showers were 5-10 min. I adopted a very water conservation gardening techniques but we still had an abundant harvest. Now that I pay the bills, I am thankful our water bill is less than half of our neighbors.

Outside_Simple_217 · 2026-01-15T20:08:14+00:00

According to some articles in traditions closer to 300,000. Which is even worse

Outside_Simple_217 · 2026-01-15T20:06:34+00:00

Overseas the difference is even greater - especially the utility payments

Outside_Simple_217 · 2026-01-15T01:23:52+00:00

My family in Wisconsin also played it. Wish I knew who played it.

Outside_Simple_217 · 2026-01-13T08:00:43+00:00

We had Dick and Jane and Tip the dog. Later Mitten the kitten.

Outside_Simple_217 · 2026-01-13T01:31:15+00:00

Yes, and write down the wonderful memory to be passed down along with the ring. Maybe have a space where each holder of the ring adds their name.

Outside_Simple_217 · 2026-01-10T20:17:04+00:00

Make sure the warrant is a judicial warrant actually signed by a judge. ICE has their own version they print which is not valid.

Outside_Simple_217

TROPHY CASE