Gov't Shutdown- Latest Developments

**Latest** Visit this article for more information on the continuing resolution agreement made tonight, just 1 hour shy of the shutdown deadline. 


**Breaking News** As expected, another temporary stop-gap agreement has been made with an agreement for the full fiscal year expected to be reached by next Thursday 4/15/2011.**

As the clock ticks down to the final hours of negotiations, many American people are outraged,
and rightly so!

The effect that a shutdown will have on our economy will not be a good one. In these vulnerable economic times this is the last thing we need, and I can only pray that the officials in D.C. can come to an agreement within the next 2 hours. Politics aside, here are some of the latest developments as well as some new bits of info that you can use in the event of a shutdown:

--USAA and Navy Federal Credit Union have both stepped up and are providing assistance to military families affected by a shutdown. Please visit their websites or call to find out how they can help you. USAA offers emergency assistance loans, and NFCU has said that they will deposit the full paycheck into service members accounts for the 15 Apr. payday, and will take back their advance once backpay is reinstated to the service members. 

-- There are emergency assistance programs for every branch, I have listed the websites below for your reference:

Army Emergency Relief 

Air Force Aid Society

Navy-Marine Corp Relief Society

Coast Guard Mutual Assistance  

Here are the facts as we know them

Some of the programs that will be affected:

- US National parks will close.

- Museums will close.

- New applications for social security will not be processed.

- New applications for Passports will not be processed.

- New mailed tax returns will not be processed.
- Veteran benefits are at risk of being paid late or not at all.
- FHA Home loans and small business loans will not be paid.

- On base childcare facilities are expected to remain open, call yours to verify.

- Most on base commissaries are claiming to close, but call your local commissary to verify.

Any government employees deemed "unessential" will be asked to stay home without pay. Right now there are an estimated 800,000 people that fall under this category including the US military members (except that military members will not be allowed to stay home, but are expected to continue serving without pay). 

**It has also been released that the President as well as Congress are considered "essential" and will still continue to be paid through any shutdown.

**New Development: It is now confirmed that in the event that the Government does shutdown, all Military Death Benefits will be withheld until an agreement is reached. This means that if a service member is killed on duty while a shutdown is in effect, the service member's family will not receive the death benefits assistance they are entitled to for funeral expenses.

What is being said by officials now is that MOST LIKELY the only resolution that will be reached tonight is another temporary stop-gap to last until next week until a further resolution can be reached for the rest of the fiscal year. Another temporary resolution will prove to be just that, temporary. What we really need is for our elected officials to put their big boy britches on and get the job done for good.

I will continue to update as this situation unfolds.

If you have anything to add, or have any questions, please feel free to leave comments below.

Finding Myself...

Last night as I sat on the bleachers watching my little brother Cody at his baseball practice, I couldn't help but wish Chris was here. Chris loved helping Cody with his baseball stuff...

The first few days were definitely the hardest but everyday is easier and easier. I don't miss him any less, but I am finding myself in this time alone. I know who I am, but now I have the opportunity to spread my interests, try new things, etc.

Just as I was thinking about him, my phone rang. Seeing his name on my cell phone caller ID made me get instant butterflies...I wasn't expecting a phone call. In fact, I was prepared to not receive any calls at all....so this phone call was like a gift.

He didn't sound good. His morale was down because of his lack of sleep. He promised me he was hanging in there though and told me not to worry. The phone call was very brief but was very helpful. I needed that.

I reluctantly hung up with him knowing that it could very well be the last call that I get for a long time. I prepared myself to not get another phone call.

I woke up this morning and started watching CNN and their coverage of the possible government shutdown. If a shutdown happens, my family will very much be affected and put in a rough place. We have been great at saving but with my recent lay-off,  we have needed to rely on part of our savings. Now add a shutdown to the mix, its all about very very bad timing.

Chris of course has not received his first military paycheck yet, and thanks to this possible shutdown, it is now unclear a to when we will receive his first paycheck...so you can imagine the stress we are going through right now.

So as I sit and watch the news unfold, it happens again-- The phone rings...ANOTHER GIFT!

I got butterflies again as I answered the phone. He was in MUCH higher spirits this morning. I couldn't help but smile as I listened to his voice. We talked about measures to take and assistance to seek if the shutdown occurs, talked about his moral, how he's feeling, and whats next, etc.

I didn't know it when I answered the phone, but I really needed this phone call.

Again, I am going to prepare myself to not hear from him again. If I expect not to hear from him, and then I DO, thats such an incredible surprise! It makes me feel good.

These two phone calls, while very different, both give me hope that I can make it through this. Every day is a struggle, I just have to take it 1 day at a time.

Tomorrow a.k.a "D-Day"

I am getting my information for this post from THIS USA Today Article.

So if you are keeping up with the latest developments in Washington like I have, you may know that if an agreement on our fiscal year budget crisis is not reached, the Government and most of its agencies will shut down beginning tomorrow night at midnight.

What does this mean? According to the USA Today article it means several things:

Firstly, All "essential" government employees (including the men and women on active duty) will be required to attend work even without compensation. Any employees deemed "non-essential" would be furloughed and not able to attend work and would not be compensated for this time.

I guess it is a relief that the mail system will not be affected....but what WILL happen is that National Parks and Museums will close! 

A possible shutdown will cost the country money, although it may save more.

Military pay WILL be back payed, but still....can YOU give YOUR landlord an IOU? I sure as heck can't!

What really ticks me off is that Congress and the President will of course, STILL GET PAID. But our men and women fighting the 3 wars overseas? Nah, make 'em suffer!

There are several other factors to the shutdown. Read the article in the hyperlink above if you are interested.

According to another article HERE As of tonight, (Thursday 7th) the House of Representatives have approved a stop-gap budget bill to fund the gov't 1 more week and to approve military pay for the rest of the year....HOWEVER, the Senate opposes it and Obama has vowed to veto it, concerned that it would only prolong the need to reach an agreement 1 more week, something he wants to avoid. I think they SHOULD sign the bill and let military pay go on for the rest of the year.

I am really concerned about this. Let's hope our officials in D.C can pull their heads out long enough to save us from this crisis.

How would YOUR life be affected if the Government does shutdown tomorrow?

Keeping it Together...

Well, another day down! 

Iv'e come to realize that the days aren't so bad...It's when I am getting into my giant king size bed all alone that I really feel it. 

One of the things that Chris did before he left was got me a soldier build a bear, and recorded a message into it. I am probably going to wear that poor button out listening to his voice! LOL

One of the things I have been doing to keep me busy is getting back into my graphic design! It's truly a passion of mine and it helps the time pass by.

Also, MANY trips to the gym.

What are some ways YOU make the time go by when your spouse is away?

After much deliberation.....

Well, my husband is gone. :( I wont say when exactly he left but he is gone now and to be honest, I am finding it hard to cope these first few days. I don't know what to do with myself! It's been a lot of sitting around for now.

I know things will get better. I know I will survive. I pray for strength and peaceful thoughts.

On a lighter note! 

After much deliberation, the husband and I came to an agreement on his PCS wish list.

PCS Wish List:

1. Ft. Carson, CO

2. Heidelberg, Germany

3. Ft. Jackson, SC

4. Schofield Barracks, HI 

5. Ft. Huachuca, AZ

So thats it!

If you have any information or experiences in any of the following places, please let me know!

{ps: I could really use some words of encouragement right now, I'm pretty down!}