photo credit: @uns__nstudio via Unsplash
END OF THE SHUTDOWN?
The Senate has approved a continuing resolution to reopen the government and fund much of the government through Jan. 30. The U.S. House of Representatives still has to pass the legislation, and then Tr*mp has to sign it. The funding package includes the reversion of RIF (reductions in force) layoffs, protections against further layoffs, backpay for all federal employees, and funding for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) through September 2026. However, it does NOT include an extension of subsidies for ACA (Affordable Care Act) health insurance premiums, which is why we had the shutdown in the first place. All the Dems got was a “promise” from Republicans to vote on it later (undoubtedly with crossed fingers behind their backs). Not sure what the strategy is here, but I might be back at work soon. (Yay?)
OPEN SEASON
Speaking of the ACA health insurance subsidies, I am not sure how it directly relates to the health insurance I get through my employer (the government – ha!), but it’s open season, and my health care premiums will go up 16% in 2026. Obviously, this is not as bad as some of the predictions for the health insurance plans through ACA, but it’s definitely a lot more than I want it to be, and definitely a lot more than any COLA (cost of living adjustment) or raise – if we get any – can compensate for. It all seems like such a big mess. Are you worried about health insurance costs?
SECRET SANTA SWAP
I posted a brief poll last week to gauge your interest in participating in the Secret SANta Swap again. It was a 50/50 split between people who absolutely want to participate this year (yay!) and people who are still undecided (which is fine).
I am absolutely willing to host for seven people, but if previous years are any indication, a few more people will get FOMO and decide to join at the last minute. All this to say, it is happening. Be on the lookout for the sign-up post soon.
A JURY SUMMONS
I received a jury summons for early December in the mail yesterday. It’s the last thing I needed this year. I have an annual check-up at my doctor’s office scheduled for the first week of December, and I do not want to have to postpone that. The first time I was summoned a few years ago, – mind you, there is no jury duty in Germany, and I had no idea what awaited me – I almost ended up as a juror on a drive-by shooting case. I was terrified, to be honest, but luckily, I was ultimately dismissed. I hope I won’t even have to report this time.
TURKEY TROT
I signed up for our local turkey trot again this year. Our Turkey Trot here in Sacramento is the largest in the nation. After skipping the run last year (but I still donated!), I felt that this year it was more important than ever not just to donate, but to physically show support for the Sacramento Food Bank and the good work it’s doing in our city. Will you join a turkey trot this year?
I am doing NaBloPoMo this month. 30 blog posts in 30 days. Come join me. #nablopomo2025
Links to the Participants List. Happy Writing!
J
November 11, 2025 at 3:33 pmI’m so glad that this stupid shutdown is coming to an end. People are suffering. But without any concessions, it feels like the entire thing was pointless. Maybe it brought the issues of health care and affordability to people’s minds, and let them know where Democrats and Republicans stand on these things. I’m glad you will (hopefully) be back to work soon.
Regarding health insurance, I feel very fortunate. My company pays 100% of coverage for employees, though if I had to cover Ted and Maya it would be very expensive and that coverage went up quite a bit. Ted works for the county, and currently they are getting their Kaiser coverage covered at 100%. So only Maya will be hit with increases. She lives with us, so she will be able to afford it. Health care increases are so stressful, there have been years when I have lost sleep trying to figure out how to pay for it, for sure. And that’s with a full time job employer coverage plan.
I’m undecided on the SANta swap. I spent a lot of time and thought decluttering my house this year, so clearly I do not need a gift. But it’s so fun to shop for someone!
I have been selected for Jury Duty twice and found the process really interesting. Having said that, I would not like to be on the jury for a violent crime. Scary! One of mine was a guy who broke into a car, the other was drunk driving, with no collision or injuries, so very low stakes.
I have never participated in a Turkey Trot, though I have cheered Ted on! His running days are behind him, though, so not trotting for us. I do donate monthly to my local food bank. Their services are so vital for so many.
San
November 12, 2025 at 1:29 pmSo, your company pays 100% (no premiums for you?), but you’d have to pay if you wanted family members covered? It’s so weird how it is different with every employer!
Anya
November 11, 2025 at 4:30 pmYou should do a post on your opinion of jury system vs lay judge system (or maybe I’m the only curious one?). I’ve always wondered if there’s a better alternative to juries, that’s a Russian style kangaroo court. I, for one, do not consider the average American eligible for jury duty to be my peer, in any sense of the word.
Yeah, I’m always worried about health insurance. We have open enrollment starting next week, so I’ll have to tear off the band aid soon enough. I’m lucky that I get to work for a company that offers good benefits but for the first 15 years of my career, healthcare coverage was meh…and I worked in healthcare haha
Anya
November 11, 2025 at 4:32 pmThat should say “that’s NOT a Russian style kangaroo court.”
San
November 12, 2025 at 1:30 pmI agree with you, I also do not consider the average American eligible for jury duty to be my peer and therefore are not a fan of the US jury system.
Stephany
November 11, 2025 at 5:25 pmI am so mad at the Democrats for caving and getting NOTHING in return. What was all of this for?!?! It sucks.
Our company just got sold, so I’m waiting to find out what kind of health insurance they offer/rates. I’m very nervous. It seems like everything is increasing and if it’s not increasing, it’s because the coverage is terrible.
No turkey trot for me! I’ve done them in the past, but haven’t gone to one in quite a while.
San
November 12, 2025 at 1:31 pmI hope the new company owner will offer good healthcare options for you! Fingers crossed.
Tobia | craftaliciousme
November 11, 2025 at 10:24 pmI am somewhat happy you’ll be back at work but it seems like it was all for nothing really?
Don’t get me started on healthcare insurance. They keep raising the contribution assessment ceiling AGAIN and it’s hitting solopteneurs hard. I have to earn above in order to get all costs paid but raising it will leave me with nothing. I am over 1.200€ or so next year. Not sure how long that’s even feasible because my clients sure won’t pay me more. It’s a struggle that’s grinding me down.
San
November 12, 2025 at 1:31 pm1.200€ per month??
Catrina
November 12, 2025 at 12:48 amI love that you’re jumping back into the Turkey Trot this year, San!
That Sacramento one sounds massive, it must be such a fun crowd. I guess there’s nothing like a good community run to reset the vibe after all that shutdown chaos. Are you going to run it with a time goal in mind? Will your husband be running it, too?
San
November 12, 2025 at 1:32 pmThe Sacramento trot really is so much fun (and it goes through my neighborhood, so it’s really easy to attend. I probably won’t go for a time goal, but I am probably doing the 10k instead of the 5k (which mostly taken as a walk).
Nicole MacPherson
November 12, 2025 at 4:53 amThere’s no jury duty in Germany? I am curious as to how the judicial system works! I suppose I could just look it up.
I answered “maybe” on the Secret Santa but I think I’ll throw my name in, and see if any other Canadians are in – if not, no big deal.
San
November 12, 2025 at 1:36 pmNo jury duty in Germany. You can sign up to be a juror, but people are not randomly recruited. If you click on the link in my post and scroll all the way, I explained how it works.
Ernie
November 12, 2025 at 5:58 amI’ve never had jury duty. Coach has been summoned multiple times. So weird. I hope they don’t need you. I am not planning to do a turkey trot. I run, but never have participated in a race. Fingers crossed that they end the govt shut down. So frustrating.
San
November 12, 2025 at 1:36 pmYou never had jury duty? You just haven’t been summoned at all? Interesting!
Lisa's Yarns
November 12, 2025 at 7:51 amI am glad the shutdown is coming to an end. It seems like it was not worth it since the Democrats didn’t get what they wanted. But now when those premiums increase, American citizens will know who to blame. I wish that could have been part of the negotiations, but I think of all the people going without paychecks who are living paycheck to paycheck and feel like ending it was ultimately the right decision. I do not like that government employees are the pawns in all of this, though!
I’ve never been summoned for jury duty! Phil actually wants to be summoned. I’m happy to never do it!
I’m doing a 10k on Thanksgiving around the local lake. I am not well-trained for it since I’ve had a bumpy fall but oh well! If it’s not feeling it, I can always cut it short (5k is one lap, 10k is two laps).
San
November 12, 2025 at 1:37 pmYou have never been summoned for jury duty? Wow. How is that possible? I’ve been summoned three times now (since I became a citizen!).
I love to hear that you’re running the 10k on Thanksgiving day, just because it’s a nice tradition.
Jenny
November 12, 2025 at 8:31 amYes, I’m worried about health care! Right now we get our insurance through my husband’s job, but he wants to retire soon (one more year of teaching after this one). He’ll be eligible for medicare, but I won’t be. We’ve got a lot to figure out.
Yes, it seems like the whole shutdown was for nothing- but I’m glad you’ll be back at work soon (I mean- hopefully.)
NOOO, not jury duty!!! You might remember I had that over the summer. Mine was for federal jury, which meant I was “on call” for two weeks. I never got called in, but it sure messed up my work schedule. Good luck with it.
Thank you for hosting the Secret SANta swap! I’m excited about it.
San
November 12, 2025 at 1:38 pmGah, why is health insurance so complicated in this country and coverage so fragile. Sigh.
Michelle G.
November 12, 2025 at 4:44 pmI find the whole health insurance thing so upsetting and scary. I’m glad the shutdown is ending, but I’m so disappointed in how it went. Sigh. I’ve been summoned for jury duty way too many times! But I’ve never had to serve, thankfully. I think I’d find it really upsetting for a lot of the cases on trial.
Sarah
November 13, 2025 at 10:39 amI am doing my first turkey trot– can’t wait!