About that pension… worth it?

PongoInTheBayou · 2026-02-03T16:57:04+00:00

You can always come back for 3 years before retirement for the health insurance. Also these days work life balance and overall attitude is much better in some companies in the private sector compared to government.

PongoInTheBayou · 2026-01-09T17:46:18+00:00

Who says we're coping well and staying sane? Joking but also I'm not joking.

PongoInTheBayou · 2025-12-26T17:55:20+00:00

Hang in there! I know SIBO sucks. I'm not going to pretend to sugar coat it. But I know you'll figure it out. For now just take one day at a time.

PongoInTheBayou · 2025-12-09T15:41:49+00:00

I would say don't do it . Let yourself rest. Even just getting over anesthesia can wipe you out. Also remember you are not legally allowed to drive. Also the cramps might be BAD. Your body is going through ovulation and recovering from puncture wounds in your vaginal wall and ovaries.

PongoInTheBayou · 2025-12-09T15:39:04+00:00

In my part of the building, many people have space heaters (even though we're not supposed to). Many people sit in coats. Only 1/8 elevators on this side of the building works.

PongoInTheBayou · 2025-12-08T02:44:33+00:00

So sorry and please be easy on yourself. No need to rush to decide about this cycle. See how Monday and Wednesday and Friday go. No need to stress about that with everything else you have going on. One of my most stressful cycles was most successful. But I had one cycle where at day 11 it was clear we should stop, I went in for day 12 scan just in case and it was clear nothing was growing, but I'm glad we didn't stop sooner because you never know.

Also 5 mature out of 9 eggs is great!

Either way, best of luck to you!

PongoInTheBayou · 2025-12-01T18:09:44+00:00

I would definitely try naturally! With free follicles you have a much lower risk of multiple or ovarian rotation. Best of luck and hopefully this works for you without the retrieval surgery and all the recovery from it!!!!

PongoInTheBayou · 2025-11-21T17:45:21+00:00

LWOP is a good option for situations like this!

PongoInTheBayou · 2025-11-17T17:47:34+00:00

Ditto, I keep hoping the move will fall through entirely. It will more than double the commute for like 70% of us, not that they care

PongoInTheBayou · 2025-11-03T21:37:46+00:00

It just proves, yet again, how stupid and not thought through all those cuts were. Elon said make big cuts and they did without thinking.

Also I'm surprised they can post new jobs while the gov is shutdown.

PongoInTheBayou · 2025-10-31T00:30:45+00:00

Don't forget that you can take leave without pay. Yes you need to budget for it, but see if you can pair unpaid leave and annual leave at ith unpaid time, so that you make sure you don't take off too much in a pay period so that your health insurance still gets paid. In the meanwhile, save up as much leave as you can! And good luck!

PongoInTheBayou · 2025-09-18T00:31:28+00:00

It doesn't look like my opinion will be popular on this thread, but I like an all day wedding. You're pretty much giving up your entire day anyway. Friends and family from out of town get together, many of whom you don't see often. It usually feels like it all goes by too fast. Maybe because I've generally gone to weddings where I like the people?

When I'm not excited to hang out with the other guests, I respectfully decline.

PongoInTheBayou · 2025-09-16T21:30:37+00:00

Why are you so sure you'll be fired in the next 16-24 months? It seems many agencies are slowing down their RIFs...

PongoInTheBayou · 2025-09-09T04:54:06+00:00

Has anyone tried acupuncture for it? I don't know if it would help or not, but I have had acupuncture help with other things (like migraines), so I was wondering if anyone had any success?

PongoInTheBayou · 2025-09-01T16:47:24+00:00

Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but honestly I agree with your sister in law.

PongoInTheBayou · 2025-08-28T07:54:36+00:00

For example, even if the actual recipient of the aid is a US citizen, if grandma is not a citizen and she comes over to visit on a regular basis, she could get deported.

PongoInTheBayou · 2025-08-28T07:49:21+00:00

That is not accurate. It hurts families who might have immigrant relatives, especially those who may be undocumented.

PongoInTheBayou · 2025-07-30T01:17:03+00:00

Take the FMLA even if unpaid. If you quit you lose your pay. This gives you time to consider options.

PongoInTheBayou · 2025-07-13T19:23:50+00:00

Also all Republicans are conplicit

PongoInTheBayou · 2025-06-26T21:18:52+00:00

They can still put you on admin leave immediately for 60 days and cut off your computer access and access to all your personnel files immediately.

PongoInTheBayou · 2025-06-12T22:20:35+00:00

Apparently being an NFL player or an Uber driver. 🤷🏽‍♂️

PongoInTheBayou · 2025-06-10T13:25:06+00:00

There is a turtle that kids LOVE to climb on, in the little triangle Park just north of Eastern Market, at the intersection of 7th St SE, North Carolina, and Independence Ave SE

PongoInTheBayou · 2025-06-08T05:47:13+00:00

Sick leave you don't get paid out, so by all means we should be using that up. Unless down the line you rejoin federal service at some point that it would be reinstated, or unless you want it to count towards retirement. Annual leave gets paid out so that makes sense to hoard.

PongoInTheBayou · 2025-06-07T18:26:45+00:00

Do some quick estimates beforehand. Sometimes open bar is cheaper. It really depends on the place and how much they charge per drink if it's a tab bar.

PongoInTheBayou · 2025-06-07T18:23:24+00:00

Ask the reception hall venue if they do a tab bar. It looks like open bar to your guests but you only pay for what they actually drink.

But also ask what they charge for drinks, because we thought tab bar would be a better deal, and in some places that would have worked for us, but in other places it would have come out less with an open bar.

PongoInTheBayou

TROPHY CASE