All hands to frustration...

There was a "all hands" meeting at the Lab yesterday. What this means is the Lab Director holds a meeting and everyone has to attend or listen in their offices on the intranet. In the words of Joseph, "these are never good". Oh and it wasn't. Joseph happened to be near the auditorium where the meeting was being held, so he slipped in to attend. He jokingly said last nite as we ate our dinner, "There was about 600 people in the room. They could have locked the doors and handed out the pink slips right then and there." hahahhaaaaaa.....yes, I just said pink slips too.

So here is the straight poop about what is going to happen. Congress and the Dept of Energy (DOE) who runs the Lab and gives us our budget, have decided to cut the Lab budget, such that 10% of the regular work force will need to be laid off. It's called a "reduction in force" or RIF. Here is a new article about it clicky-click

There was a RIF in 2008, right before we had James no less. Most of the people that left during that RIF were people who just took their retirement, so no one was actually fired. This time around, that is not the case. Not enough people have retired in the last 3 years, so they are going to have to start laying off "regular workers". Regular workers are basically any staff scientist who is not a manager, not a post-doc (starving students who like to starve), not in craft services (janitors and the like) and not in a union. Which means Joseph is part of that group.

There are many reasons our budget is being cut. First, Congress has been ineffective at budgeting money for the last 3 years (See also Harry Reid and Steny Hoyer proclaiming they don't need a budget, but anyway). The Congress cannot seem to pass or even submit a budget in the case of the Senate in a timely manner. This means all government agencies, across the board are subject to operating on what is call "continuing resolution". I'd compare this to getting a pay day loan or using a loan shark. Instead of just passing the budget, we keep taking from lines of credit that we really don't have and we limp along.

Second, the DOE is misguided in its mission. They have been turned toward giving monies to green energy companies like Solyndra. I'm not sure if they've done this willingly or if they've been coerced, but at any rate, money is flowing into private green energy firms as if the DOE were some sort of venture capital firm. It's not, but that does not stop our President and his agenda. I'm fine with green energy being explored and developed -- with private money though. For the price of one Solyndra bankruptcy, we could have had a budget this year. As it stands we are almost half way thru the fiscal year and do not have a budget or money with which to work. Joseph has literally had to borrow and beg for post it notes the last six months. He and his colleagues are really good about helping each other and loaning the materials and equipment they have, but they still limp along. There is only so much you can do with spit, baling wire and chewing gum.

Third, our Congressional representation is totally ineffective. Our member of Congress, Ben Ray Lujan, whose daddy bought him his seat with union money and corruption, is a WASTE OF SPACE! He claims to be trying to "diversify" the Lab's mission, but really that is code for, "I sit on my butt and do what Nancy Pelosi tells me to do". He does nothing, he has not sponsored or co-sponsored any legislation that has benefited his district. He won't even hold town halls and his staff will laugh at you if you call them on the phone. Our Senators are also jokes. Tom Udall and Jeff Bingaman fall right in line with Harry Reid's shenanigans and do nothing for the state of New Mexico. At least Pete Domenici (our recently retired Senator) fought for our state, fought for funding and understood the mission of the Lab and how it's tied to our national defense.

And that is what it comes down to. The Lab and its mission are part of our national defense. If you like nuclear weapons are not, that is the truth of the matter. We are at a cross roads, and with this announcement, the powers that be, have made a decision on the direction our nation is going. While the rest of the world arms itself, which is BAD, we will slowly starve ourselves and watch our capabilities die on the vine. We will also lose the knowledge base of the brilliant people of LANL. That is something that no amount of money can replace -- it's food for thought. Somehow our President and his administration and those of his party, have the notion that if we are not a nuclear nation, some how that will inspire other nations into being peaceful. Well, it's not going to happen that way. Personally, I agree with Teddy Roosevelt's policy of "speak softly and carry a big stick". I don't want the US to warmonger and bully, but I also want the US to be prepared and strong!

So what does this mean for your favorite Atomic Family? Like I mentioned, we are potentially on the chopping block. Joseph, however, does not feel panicky or worried about this at all. Nor do I -- because I trust my husband and not my hormones. My panic and worry and ANGER, lies with the situation and the people that created this situation. I have faith that we will get thru whatever happens to us. So, what I'm asking you my dear reader, who is most likely a friend or relation, is to say a little prayer and do a little mitzvah for my family and my town and my friends. We need all the help we can get right now.

The other thing I will say, and I will end with this, and I am totally serious as well...Consider your presidential vote wisely this fall. We are at a cross road and every vote counts. Know the facts, know the people running, what they stand for and who they are and what motivates them.

And with that, I hope you have a fantastic day. :)

Two Dozen + a few

I'm a bit frustrated.

And a bit scared.

And a whole lotta tired.

I posted on my facebook status a few weeks ago that we have 26 kids listed on our class list for Sunday School for 2012. This is a combined class. Because that's how they've done things for a few years in our ward. I think sometimes our ward does not like change, and so things stay the same, that perhaps should change. But that's just my opinion.

Without being too critical, I mentioned my concern with such a big class to the Sunday School presidency BEFORE Thanksgiving. Nothing has been done. I know that because they're going to talk about it this week in their meeting, and I've been following up with them every week. I think the class needs to be split. There are many reasons why I think they've not acted. I'm not going to say them because it's not nice, what I have to say. And my deteriorating opinion of these men is not nice either. Not nice at all.

Really what it comes down to is this. I need the class to be split for my own sanity and well being. Joseph agrees with me, because he likes his sanity and well being as well. I just do not want to break in a new group of kids. I just don't. I feel like we've made so much progress with our current group this year, and things are good.

I realize that you have to know the bad to appreciate the good. But we've already eliminated so much of the bad and have worked so hard with these kids. They are so good right now, it brings me to tears every week that we get to be with them. They make me so happy and I love them all so much. I've always loved them, but we've had our moments. Oh we have had our moments.

I am afraid and scared to lose that. I am frustrated and afraid and scared that no one in the leadership cares about our opinion and our needs. I'm frustrated that their apparent solution to my request is to do nothing. I realize that you don't always get your way in life, but honestly, the pregnant lady should be getting her way, because I don't think my request is that unreasonable.

So, if you feel like doing a mitzvah, please say a prayer for us, so that whatever the outcome of this situation, we'll be able to weather it.

Don't Rock the Boat: My First Physical Therapy Session

I've mentioned it before (HERE and HERE, I have trouble with plantar fascitis. I've switched doctors (good, gooder, gooderest) and have had some electro-shock therapy (meh, not so good). My new doctor, Dr. W the funny Jewish doctor, decided to send me to physical therapy. I had my first physical therapy session today. It was not as bad as I thought it was going to be. My therapist is Sue. I think we're going to be great pals. Seriously, I mean that. She complimented me on my choice of sensible foot wear, and my super cute lime green messenger purse. Thank you, I love lime green.

We started out with her asking me about eleventyty-hundred questions. She also did some strength tests on my legs and feet. Apparently my right side is stronger all around. That is only the first of my problems. Then she had me pace the floor of the workout room about 20 times. She called another therapist in and they both evaluated me. "Crazy!" and "I've never seen such a thing." came out of both of their mouths, multiple times.

It's what we've expectected all along. I have Titanic hips.



No really, my hips rock back and forth like the Titanic about to sink -- never mind their titanic size. I think it's my Grandma Pearl's genetic gift to me, and to all of us Brinton girls really. I always thought my left leg was longer than my right leg. At least it felt like that, but it's not. They are the same length, but the left hip rocks and swings wrong because my right foot and arch are so high. I always said that right arch was like the Golden Gate Bridge, now I know it is. Sue was pretty astonished at the height of the orthodic. Golden Gate Bridge is all I kept telling her.

So, she gave me some homework, exercises to strengthen my hips and abdomen. I think I'm still suffering from having Baby James, but let's be honest, I never had abs of steel before I carried and had him. Then she gave my tootsies a nice little massage. Seriously, I was so zen, I almost fell asleep. I felt sorry for the lady next to me, she was squawking like a jay-bird.

So, my new theme song is this:



Seriously, Don't Rock The Boat Baby! And if you feel like doing a mitzvah for me, please pray for my feet to get better so I can live my life again.

Calling Customer Service

This is going to be one of those 'Bee in my bonnet' posts, it's also a post that I didn't know I was going to write when I woke up this morning.

Saturday we went grocery shopping at Smiths, the only grocery store in our small town. While checking out Joseph pointed out that there was a magazine with a pornographic cover gracing the check out stand. Thank you, but I do not want to see a very pregnant, very naked, Mariah Carey, posing as some sex kitten in heat with her arms conveniently draping across her breasts. Oh and did I mention it was right at toddler eye level too? Joseph was very upset that James saw it. I was too.

We turned the magazine around and I mentioned it to the manager, who was also checking us out. She just looked at the offender and said, "Oh, normally I catch those kinds of things." And continued on like nothing was wrong.

I had to go back to Smiths today for somethings I'd forgotten on Saturday. There was the offender again, all over the racks, still at toddler level.

I didn't even mention it to the weekday manager who was checking my purchases. Why mention it again, obviously the people that manage the only grocery store in our town do not care that they are supposed to be a "family" store.

So I called Smith's customer service and was told that my complaint was being forwarded to Corporate HQ. I hope they call me back, I really do. It's bad enough to have to sit and look at celebrity gossip rags at the checkout, but to have outright pornography is just beyond what I can deal with. We only have Smiths, ONE store in our town to shop at. It would be different if this was a large metro area like Mesa or SLC. I'd just go to a different store from now on. But I can't, so this is a nit I have to pick

I mentioned this to my mom, who was understandably horrified. She posted it on her facebook, and my cousin Tate mentioned he'd seen the magazine on the rack at Fry's in Mesa.

If you have time today or tomorrow. Would you consider calling Smiths Customer Service (888-876-4847) and/or Fry's Customer Service (800-828-5235) and ask them to remove this week's issue of "Life & Style" magazine from the racks because it's pornography?

Thanks.

A foot update

A quick foot update.

I talked to Uncle Cameron on the phone last night. He says my PF is just being PF. (YAY me!) He felt that I need to get some new othodics altogether. Joseph also thinks that as well.

Joseph also gave me a blessing last night. What it boils down to is that I need to be patient in my trials, but the Lord will make my burdens light if I let him. It's always hard to give up the things you have, even your problems. In many ways I think I'm still like kid gripping on to everything I think is "mine" for dear life; because what I if give it up and there is nothing to replace whatever it was? Which when you think about it is really stupid. I should be saying, "Sure Lord, you want my problems, you got em...here they are, they need a nap and a snack too."

And this is the really silly part of all of yesterday, when I cry and feel sorry for myself but know I need to pull it together, I listen to Christmas music. I know, I know, it's probably really silly. And I stopped watching Glee a long time ago, because the story lines were getting raunchy and stupid, but I still love the music, so I always have that on hand. The Gleeks sang "Welcome Christmas" from The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, in their Christmas episode. It's the song the Whos of Whoville sing when they stand around their Christmas tree. It was just very beautiful and very hopeful for some reason. I needed that yesterday. (You can listen to it HERE )

So today, I search for a new podiatrist and one that can do a plaster cast for orthodics. If I can't find that then I'll be coming home I guess and have Uncle Cameron fix me up.

I tell you, the fun never ends around here, it never does!

My poor feet

I don't have much to say, other than my feet are killing me. Literally.

My plantar fascitis flared up right after Christmas, I have no idea why. Today was especially bad. I felt like I was walking on broken glass for most of the morning. My feet are properly taped right now, I just got done icing them and now, I'm elevating. Monday's are hard, coming off of Sunday. Sunday shoes have never done my feet any favors at all.

I'm debating what to do. My podiatrist here in town, Super S, is great, but I don't think he can help me anymore. He just tapes me up and sends me on my way. It works for a while, but then the problem comes back. I'm trying to decide if I should get some night splints, to keep my feet immobilized at night, or try and new doctor, which means lots of trips to Santa Fe.

My internet research tells me that being overweight is a cause of PF. I know, I know, I've been trying to lose pounds for, forever. It's a wicked catch-22. Being on your feet make your feet worse, which means you cannot exercise, which means you stay as fat as you are.

This would not be a hard thing if I was at home and Uncle Cameron right down the street either.

Anyway, if you feel like doing a mitzvah, please remember me and my poor feet in your prayers. I am really hurting right now and could use any and all intervention on my behalf. Thanks.

One of the least among us.

We've all seen people on the side of the road begging for money. Some of them have signs, some of them have dogs, most of them look like they've seen rough days. I know in talking to many people there are mixed reactions to these folks. Some people give them money, some don't, some judge, some don't.

Joseph has always had a soft spot in his heart for these kinds of people. Usually he has some cash stuck in the car somewhere (no more than $20) that he keeps to give to people in need. Usually every time we are in The Capitol City that money gets given away. I have witnessed how this money has helped people for the good. One time in particular, we'd just gotten $20 out of the ATM to go and see a movie. We were in the parking lot going into get some lunch before had an a woman approached us asking for $17 dollars. She needed just that much to get a motel for the night. At first we both said, "Sorry, can't help", then we were hit upside the head with the spirit of compassion. I quickly dug in my purse and told Joseph to go back and give her our $20. Later as we were eating, we both mentioned how we knew that if we had not helped her, she would have had to sleep in her car, in a parking lot and that she would have been harmed. It's very humbling when you have those realizations of the magnitude of your actions on others.

With that all said, you might have seen this youtube clip of "The Golden Voiced" homeless man named Ted Williams:



This video went up yesterday January 4, 2011. It's already had over 5 million hits. Today Ted has been offered several jobs, a home, a chance to go home to Brooklyn to see his mother and a new start in life.

What a blessing for Mr. Williams, and another testimony of the power of one. When we give what we have, be it money, service, time, talents, we bless the lives of others. "If ye have done it unto the least of these, my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

The other thought I've had about this today is the 'power of one'. One person looked past the dirty facade and saw the person, the man, the child of God underneith. Are we doing that?

I challenge you, to follow the spirit, to find those in need, and to try and find ways to bless their lives for good.

Hootenanny, MacGyver and a tender mercy or five...

The Former Fat Chick, who I follow on facebook, asked the question today (1-1-11), "In one word, how do you feel about this year?" There were lots of optimistics, hopefuls, exciteds and the like. I put down HOOTENANNY. Why, you ask?

You all know it's my favorite word in the world (need I remind you all, Bjorn from ABBA was in the Hootenanny Singers...hello! Bjorn from ABBA!). But after our New Year's Eve, hootenanny was fitting. And after everything that can go wrong, does go wrong, you can't cry, because you cried all your tears earlier in the day trying to fit all the oranges you picked at Grandpa's into the car to come home, and there are serious snow drifts in your parking space when you pull into your cold dark street at 9pm, and your small child is working on the next ear infection and he's not happy at all, and the hot water heater froze over and the one hope you had of having a nice hot shower and washing off all of the unspeakable germs that said 2 year old picked up while rolling around on the floor of a truck stop restroom in Lordsburg, NM off his little body are gone, all you can do is hootenanny. (And Allyson, you thought Max falling asleep on your home bathroom floor was gross, imagine my stress at the truck stop...oh for all that is good and holy!)

But seriously. We had miracles on Friday night, because all of those things did happen. Not even kidding.

We got home and our hot water heater was in the process of freezing and it was about 1 degree above ZERO and falling fast, and it was New Year's Eve, and our hometeacher and the Elder's Quorum President were no where to be found. There was no hope, or so it seemed. The day before I'd felt like we were heading for a whirl-wind in the next 24 hours. I just prayed that we'd have the mind to face whatever happened, and the spiritual direction to get thru it. Well that totally happened.

When we found that our hot water was out, I knew I needed to get online and send an email to the RS email list. Now, if you know me, I don't like to ask for help. It's been very hard for me to trust people in my ward (I have my reasons, but those are for another day). But I knew the solution to our dilemma was to be found in our ward members. An email was sent, and within 5 mins someone called. She didn't know about water heaters, but she offered to start making phone calls. That's what I needed, someone who was rational, and thinking and sane to make calls. She called the church building (where there was a party going on) and the Bishop was the one who answered the phone. He just said, "Ok, we'll get on it." Within that hour, a brother from the Elder's Quorum who is from Wyoming and knows how to do cold in style, came over and fixed our problem with a space heater and a light bulb. Totally MacGyver'd it people...totally. Our parents also started the family circle calling and Joseph's brother Morris called and walked him thru things till Bro. MacGyver got to us.

Bro MacGyver told us though the wind had been blowing at 40-50 mph the whole day, and the high temp was only 13. Seriously, are we in Alaska or something? (I know Kirt you mock me, as you have actually lived in Alaska, but anyway....). Our poor water heater in its little closet on the back porch just couldn't stand it and it froze in protest. With in 10 mins of the MacGuyver fix we had some hot water. The hope of a shower returned and all was going to be well in the world. Joseph even got the car unloaded and the driven safely into a snow drift till morning.

Now, you all know I am a high maintenance gal...makeup, hair...it's the whole business with me every day, without fail. There are seriously 5 times in my adult life I have not gotten ready for the day. However, serving a mission in Bulgaria taught me how to bathe out of a bucket of water, how to get by with not washing your hair for 8 days, how to squatty-potty with out spilling and how to make due when there are not a lot of options. I seriously didn't mind putting on a few pots of water to boil and washing off in the sink on Friday night. It was just that on top of everything else and the unexpected nature of it all that made me, and Joseph too, feel more crazy than we needed to be. Like I said, I'd had my melt down earlier in the day, I didn't really have anything else inside of me.

So back to the hootenanny.....it means to have a good time. We weren't having a good time last night. But, we did get thru it and we're fine. And even if our pipes had burst there is always the Comfort Inn...heck we were already packed! It reminded me of The People of Alma in The Book of Mormon.

Mosiah 24:15 "And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord."

The Lord didn't take away their trials, he just helped them bear their burdens and provided a path for them to find resolution. We were provided with some very tender mercies to help us get thru an unexpected trial last night, and I am very thankful for the people in our ward that helped us, and for the fact that my prayer to get thru the whirl-wind was answered.

And that's why I said, hootenanny. If we can get thru this, we'll be ok in 2011.

Answer to a prayer

Remember a a while back when I mentioned my friends the Nikovi family and how they were trying to get back into the habit of going to Church?

Well, prayers are answered, and I have to thank God and facebook for this, because that's why it happened. God because he makes all things happen, and facebook because that's where we've been able to reconnect. Bobi informed me that she's been going to church every week with her family and that she really likes it. She said, it was hard at first because she's forgotten so much and that she felt a bit out of place, but that after she's there for a while, she settles in and knows it's the right place to be.

I can only hope that this resurgence of their faith will last and that they will continue to go and partake of the goodness of the Gospel. I'm going to keep praying for them, and you can too.

:)

How the hometeachers saved the day...

The following is a true story.

Joseph went to California yesterday for some top secret meeting. I'm pretty sure there are no women in attendance at this meeting. If there were, it would not be in December. With that said, neither of us wanted him to go. We both had foreboding feelings about the whole thing. He was upfront about it, I was not.

He left yesterday, and then it started to snow. All the weather men said this was going to be THE STORM OF THE CENTURY (that needed some reverb for full effect). Well they were right. It started to snow yesterday, and it snowed, and snowed and snowed. Here is where I will say as well, I have no romantic notions about snow, winter wonderlands, Jack Frost, Suzy Snowflake, or any of it. Snow is a pain in the you know where and as my friend Reva says it's "fluffy pieces of evil."

Then I noticed something that I had done that would have dire and unfortunate consequences. I left James' antibiotics out on the counter the whole day. Were they spoiled, or had they just lost potency? The pharmacist didn't know. (And here is where I will say, 'you are the PHARMACISTS, you are supposed to know these things!). So I called the doctor's office. The secretary said, she'd have the on-call staff call in a new Rx for us. But how to get it? The snow was still coming down hard and fast. At this point, I knew I was not getting out of my street. What to do?

I decided to pray. I believe in prayer, and I believe in praying specficically for the things we need. Even though Heavenly Father can read our minds, he needs us to be specific. I learned that in Bulgaria, and it's stuck with me. I asked for help and I asked to know who I should call for help. We have no hometeachers, or at least we have no reliable hometeachers. And my visiting teachers are two very faithful but older ladies with some physical issues. They had come earlier in the day and had almost met their doom on the snow covered stairs. I was not going to contribute to their literal or figurative downfall. As soon as I said the amen to my little prayer, the face of Matt Nelson popped into my head. Joseph has faithfully hometaught the Nelsons for the last 6 years. It's a good thing too. They have a child who is on the same medicine as James. Abby brought over a shot of antibiotics in her 4WD truck. They are also going to go and get the new prescription if and when the Children's Clinic feels it benevolent enough to phone something into the pharmacy.

Here is where I am going to rant a bit about hometeaching...it's always bothered me that we have never really had reliable hometeachers. We've had some over the years who've come semi-regularly, but it seems when we get them, they get reassigned quickly and we never hear or see them again. I know people are busy, we are all busy. Hometeaching does not have to be a major production. Seriously, come once a month for a half hour, don't even feel obligated to bring a message or treats, just sit and get to know the people you teach. Talk to them, know their names, know their story, KNOW THEM. And in my opinion when it comes down to it, the Prophet and the President of the United States are really the only ones that get to use the "busy" card with a pass, because they really are busy. The rest of us need to just get it together. Not to mention the fact that hometeaching is part of the oath and covenant of the priesthood. It's part of the sacred duty of those holding the priesthood. Joseph is convinced that the second question brothers will be asked at the judgment after they account for their family, is an accounting of their hometeaching. I have to agree. Sadly, our ward is dismal in the hometeaching department. But I am thankful that Joseph takes his responsibilities seriously.



So the morals of the story are these: Men never plan a business meeting in December, because your wife will inevitably need you. Always do your hometeaching because you never know when that service will be repaid. Always say your prayers because they do get answered, even quickly. Finally, ask Santa for a snowblower for Christmas, because baby we need one today.

Mitzvah Request

Busy, busy here in the Atomic city. Cousin Kirt will be here within the hour. We seem to be the jumping off place for wayward boys headed east....

But on to serious things. If you are interested in doing a mitzvah, my friend JoDee Schramm, was in a horrible car accident on Saturday. She was helping push another car out of some ice, when a third car hit her. She has several shattered/broken ribs, punctured lungs and some serious internal bleeding.

JoDee and her family moved from our ward last year, but they are still very dear to all of us here. So, if you could remember her and her family in your prayers, and if you are near an LDS temple, please put her name on the prayer list, (or if there is a prayer list at your church) that would be great.

Another mitzvah request

Thanks for stopping by today.

I have another request, even if this is Sunday or Monday.

My friends the Nikovi family are going to go to Church again tomorrow. If you feel like doing a mitzvah, will you please say a little prayer for them. They went to Church last week, and liked it. The ended up at the wrong branch becuase they've not gone in such a long time.

My prayer this week is that they will get to church and hopefully the right branch.

Thanks.

Say a little prayer...

All jokes about Dione Warwick aside here, if you've stopped by today and feel like doing a mitzvah (a good deed) please say a little prayer for my friends the Nikovi family.

They're going to go to church tomorrow for the first time in a long time. I just wish I could be there with them. (They're in Bulgaria)

But in short, the Nikovi are some of my most favorite and beloved friends from my mission. I had them blessing of meeting them right after they were baptized and taught them the new member discussions. They are so great, and I love them like they were my own family. They were on fire, but somehow lost their way. I hope this is teh beginning of a new chapter for them. The Church needs them back.

Anyway, so please, say a prayer for them, and that they will want to keep going back. Thanks. :)