Furloughed Fed

My good-bye post as the Furloughed Fed. Today, I went back to work. After being gone — and not even checking emails — for 16 days, it felt like my first day on a new job. Where to start? What to do? But I’d say my first day back was productive. My Desk, 8:15 a.m. […]

For me, one of the most disheartening aspects of the federal government shutdown has been people’s reactions. Not their reactions to the shutdown itself, but the lack of empathy for the workers who suddenly found themselves furloughed.       Today, as we’re nearing a close, one of my Facebook connections posted the following: ZOOK- […]

Furlough Report, Days 10/14 and 11/15 Theme: Laura, Laura, Laura With the furlough hopefully drawing to a close soon, I decided yesterday and today were the perfect days to spend extra time with my daughter. That said, even before the furlough took effect, yesterday (Columbus Day) was slated for a Family Fun Day. By that, […]

On my last day in the office, there was a lot of talk about unemployment in relation to the government shutdown. We knew we could file, but I think all of us hoped we wouldn’t have to, that the shutdown would be short-lived. As we go into Day 8/10, it’s clear that short-lived is not […]

So how else am I spending my furlough days? In the kitchen. I’ve always been an avid baker. Peanut butter banana chocolate chip bread (with bourbon baked in). Chocolate chocolate chip walnut pecan cookies. Limocello cheesecake. Baked french toast casserole. Bacon chocolate chip cupcakes with chocolate ganache. I’ve even gotten to the point where I […]

If you’ve read my bio, you know that I have a master’s degree in writing and am a published author. (My publications include a short story in “Enhanced Gravity,” a short story in Gargoyle magazine, and a short story in “District Lines.”) But the truth is, despite my passion for writing, I don’t write enough. […]

Maybe not a debate exactly. Dilemma might be a better word. I read a newspaper article early on in this whole furlough situation where a parent referenced having already taken his daughter out of daycare to save money during this uncertain time. As a single mother with a daughter in daycare, his statement honestly confused […]

I’ve been working since I graduated college in 1998. I started my first job one week after graduation, and since that time – for 15 years – I’ve been employed. I’ve had small breaks between jobs – maybe a week here or there. But I’ve never left one job without another one lined up. I’ve […]