Well...

We had a department meeting today about all the things going down at my work. Due to the economy and Washington cutting back nursing homes aren't making much money. Even if they are not for profit. Most people can't afford to pay to stay at a nursing home when their Medicare days are up. Even if they don't have a qualifying hospital stay they can't afford to stay at a nursing home as private pay for long. The charges quickly add up.

There have been layoffs and tightening of the belt. Luckily the business office won't be affected. Although during our department meeting todya we found out a few new things. I had to miss the first half has I had to go to a Medicare meeting but I got the run down on a few things.

My work is going into a forlough and instead of cutting people or doing a wage freeze (or were we going on one? I can't remember) each employee is giving up 3 hours of work. I don't know if this is weekly, by pay period or just once a month. Our COO did say something about it being every 3 weeks so I'm thinking it may just be once a month. Honestly I'm not worried. It'd be nice to have a little more time off. :)

The one thing I'm not happy about is they changing benefits. Their health insurance (in my opinion) is crap. I do NOT like deductibles. They are the first company I've been at where I didn't have the option to pay a higher rate to have no deductibles. My last job I was paying $300 a month to have no deductible, $20 office copay and resonable dental insurance and prescription coverage. At my current employer I pay $300 a month to barely cover anything. I only get 3 office visits a year covered at 100%, I have a $500 deductibe. So does my son and my husband which is $1500 a year. YUCK!! Once my 3 office visits are used up other visits are only covered at 80%. I do NOT like that! I want insurance that will cover me. I may start looking at individual plans. Let me rephrase that. I AM going to be looking at individual plans for my family and see if I can find a decent one and we may be going that route.

Also, this has helped me get in gear and write a book. I have always loved writing. I'm a bit rusty and am thankful for my friend who is going to help. I'm very excited and am eagerly getting some words down on paper. I was thinking of writing a little bit everyday and maybe be finished by winter. But with what is happening and with Daddy only having 3 months left of unemployment I'm going to kick it into gear and try to be done by Fall. Maybe middle Fall.

I will keep you all updated on how it's going and would appreciate any prayers.

I also ask you take a moment and pray for some of my coworkers who are working their last week this week. They are great people and will be missed.