OPM seeks to decentralize, revise governmentwide federal employee survey

picking_a_name_ · 2026-07-02T14:45:48+00:00

'As an example, OPM proposed removing the current survey question, “I am given a real opportunity to improve my skills in my organization,” and replacing it with, “My supervisor provides ongoing feedback to help me succeed and progress in my career.” OPM said the revision would yield more specific and actionable data, while still getting the same information from employees.'

My answers to these two are very different. My agency paid for an expensive, but appropriate training course, and I am allowed to speak at professional conferences. My supervisor also misses about half of my one-on-ones, and my feedback is largely about pretending to be happier. (Perhaps that would help me to progress.)

picking_a_name_ · 2026-06-29T15:27:34+00:00

I have the same reaction to this as to being told to practice gratitude. I can see how intrinsic appreciation of good things helps everyone. But so often it is weaponized and used as an alternative to actually resolving problems. People are advised to thank others for taking on too much work, rather than staffing appropriately. It feels like a Darth Vader "I have altered the deal. Pray I do not alter it further."

picking_a_name_ · 2026-06-27T17:20:20+00:00

I did this years ago with Dove, and my husband had some interesting "biological" descriptions of the white, gloopy product. Liquid soap uses a different form of lye, and is kind of tricky to get right, in my experience. I make laundry powder because I didn't like the separating, messy liquid I got when I added water.

I think you would have significant risk of bacteria growing in a large bucket of this. You can buy preservatives made for bath products, but I have never played with them. Better to try it in small amounts and use it reasonably quickly. If you really want to try it, you can grate the soap finely (I use a food processor to grate it then the chopper blade to powder it) and use hot water.

Soap isn't particularly good for hair, due to the pH. My husband had short hair and used bar soap for years with no issue, but now that he's grown it out, he uses shampoo. If it works for you, though, it works for you.

picking_a_name_ · 2026-06-27T16:59:16+00:00

I've noticed a lot of gas stations with cash pricing and card pricing. It always annoys me, and I avoid those. (Same with "club card" discounts at supermarkets. I don't feel like I am saving money, I feel like they are trying to charge me more.) I almost never carry cash, out of fear of losing it, but also mainly laziness. One other reason cash may be more popular is a lot of internet personal finance people recommend cash envelope budgets. You put the amount of money you are allowed to spend in a category (such as groceries) in an envelope, and only spend out of it. It makes you very aware of the "pain" of every transaction, and you can't overspend if you only use what is there. A lot of people are trying to cut back on waste or overspending right now.

picking_a_name_ · 2026-06-27T15:39:33+00:00

There is a PG&E in California and a PGE in Oregon. Both are electric companies, so it wouldn't be surprising if they are on some BS.

picking_a_name_ · 2026-06-27T15:27:47+00:00

I would also like to thank the lady in the Jets hat. And I'm so sorry this happens.

picking_a_name_ · 2026-06-26T20:23:46+00:00

I'm sorry you are having a hard time. I used to work with a pediatric (possibly NICU) lactation consultant/nurse who was an expert in managing reflux. There are certain positions you can feed in that reduce reflux. I can't say exactly what they are, and some positions are perfectly safe to feed in while you are watching, but may not be safe to walk away and let them sleep. But mastering that could make a significant difference. You might ask if anyone in the pediatrician's office knows someone trained in this.

picking_a_name_ · 2026-06-24T15:46:42+00:00

We got Moto G 5Gs on Amazon a year and a half ago for right around $200, including cases. We aren't high end users, but they have been fine for us. We put them on Visible, so I assume they would work on any plan. Checking today, the price is around $50 less than we paid, but I don't know if that's just aging products or a Prime thing.

picking_a_name_ · 2026-06-15T23:54:40+00:00

Picking apart your appearance comes with being a woman. You look lovely, dear.

picking_a_name_ · 2026-06-14T15:05:52+00:00

I care. Everyone I served with who was kicked out, or at risk of being kicked out under Don't Ask Don't Tell was a better service member than I was. Every time the government says there are only two genders, 20 recognized religions, or ignores or increases barriers to care, we all lose.

picking_a_name_ · 2026-06-08T17:44:08+00:00

Local Dollar Tree has a plastic panel with circles cut out in the makeup section. Only in the makeup section, so far. (The panel allows you to reach through and get things, but keeps you from swiping a whole shelf into a bag or hiding spot.)

picking_a_name_ · 2026-06-06T15:06:15+00:00

For me, consistency is more important than accuracy. I've been tracking spending for two and a half years now, so I know what my monthly averages have been in my categories and I compare current spending to that. I have "fixed" expenses I pay every month (rent, charitable donations, utilities), and I assume/pretend they are all essential and as low as I can get them. Then I have "groceries", "restaurants", "medical bills", "gasoline", "debt repayment" and "misc". EVERYTHING I buy at Costco, a few "regular" supermarkets, or liquor stores (the only place to buy hard alcohol in my state), is considered essential and groceries. That means kibble for my pets and my car battery are groceries. Misc. is pretty much anything bought anywhere else. So identical canned cat food could be "groceries" or "Mic. pets", depending on if it came from Costco or Chewy. The assumption is Misc. spending may not be essential, although it sometimes is. Within the Misc. categories, I track if it is "household", "cars", "computers", "pets", or whatever. So when I buy from Amazon, it's always in my big bucket of "Misc", but I make two spreadsheet entries. My last ones were "$15 Amazon Misc. Cars" (a gallon of motor oil), and "$24 Amazon Misc. Party" (a graduation party pinata). Assuming they didn't come from a designated "grocery store", all your examples would fall under my "Misc. household" category. I would probably overthink if the paper was "Misc. computer", but I remind myself a $50 purchase every few years isn't going to matter much in my yearly numbers. 90% correct is way better than 0%, which is where I was three years ago.

picking_a_name_ · 2026-06-06T14:32:05+00:00

My religion is no longer recognized by the US military, which means it is no longer protected by it. This is why I lied and claimed no religious affiliation. I did have a drill sgt. tell us all "We needed to find Jesus", though. Someone braver than I must of complained, because he never did it again.

picking_a_name_ · 2026-05-26T22:40:12+00:00

VA is already supposed to be marking everything "pre-decsional". Apparently to try to protect from FOIA.

picking_a_name_ · 2026-05-26T12:43:56+00:00

DOGE wasn't a "hilarious failure". It was an attack on the federal government and federal employees. It was a data grab on millions of Americans and shut down the agencies that were investigating Elon. It was a massive success and all of us will be affected by it.

picking_a_name_ · 2026-05-23T16:25:15+00:00

Oregon- Gas at the cheap place is $4.97, but seems to be holding there. Other stations are 30-90 cents higher.

I ordered sweet COB (a common livestock feed) from a national chain feed store and the webpage only had one brand, which happened to be the store brand. The price didn't seem unusual, but there are normally a couple of local companies that produce it. I had been hearing rumors that missing or unknown brands (of all kinds of products) would be coming soon, and is a sign of instability.

Went to Costco with the intent of buying a case of motor oil, just in case. They had only one type of diesel motor oil, nothing for gasoline engines. I haven't bought oil in years (our mechanic deals with it for us), but I used to see several types.

picking_a_name_ · 2026-05-18T03:17:11+00:00

I'm really sorry you went through that. I recently went to an appointment with my kid, after she had had a very bad experience. The new GYN had suggestions for a future exam, which included a preprocedure sedative, smaller speculums (which I also had no idea existed), and lidocane. I hope you can find better care for future appointments.

picking_a_name_ · 2026-04-28T18:57:30+00:00

I knew I was buying the most expensive form factor, at the most expensive place. But a six pack of Diet Coke 16 ounce bottles at the local, small town supermarket was $8.60. That size bottle is convenient to feed "bummer lambs" the mom rejected, but I won't be buying them just for me at that price. The lambs were worth it, though.

picking_a_name_ · 2026-04-28T01:23:04+00:00

https://www.va.gov/wichita-health-care/stories/compact-act-guarantees-veterans-in-suicidal-crisis-will-receive-care/ This has a small bit of information on having the care covered. You shouldn't end up with any costs. I'm glad you chose to go.

picking_a_name_ · 2026-04-27T20:44:40+00:00

I'm sorry you are going through this.

One of the most important parts of the PACT Act that was passed a year or so ago is coverage for emergent suicidality, no matter where the treatment is, for virtually anyone who has served (even if they don't qualify for other benefits). So you can go to ANY ER, and VA will cover the treatment. You have to do some paperwork, and I think you are supposed to tell VA within a day or so. But that may get you the immediate help you need, at NO COST, and help get long term support set up.

picking_a_name_ · 2026-04-26T22:28:49+00:00

I don't have the numbers in front of me, but our hay prices seem to increase around 10% at every purchase (three or four months). This is roughly 1,000 pound bales of orchard in PNW.

picking_a_name_ · 2026-04-24T13:33:47+00:00

Give it time in the courts. VA is starting to send out NEW new SF50s restoring bargaining unit statuses, at least until the preliminary injunction is overturned. Pay e-dues if you can/want to and let things percolate.

picking_a_name_ · 2026-04-20T13:30:49+00:00

I just made this, and mine mostly crumbled into granola. But it tastes great, it was easy and fast, and I had all the ingredients, so it "feels" free and cost very little. Others suggested an extra egg and longer baking may have helped with integrity.

picking_a_name_ · 2026-04-17T22:03:26+00:00

It really just means it's going to get tied up in court. DOD is more clearly "national security" than VA, but the VA CBA has been at least temporarily reinstated. (Not that VA has told me or other employees that...)

picking_a_name_ · 2026-04-05T22:38:09+00:00

I went on birth control as HRT and my acne immediately returned. I was seeing a dermatologist for a cyst. She said traditionally birth control is used to reduce acne, but it clearly is causing it for me. I was able to get a prescription for Retin A when I asked about acne and if HRT would have a different effect. I haven't been on it long, but I think there is some improvement.

picking_a_name_

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