Uncle Sam's Cabin

FAA Furloughs and Flight Delays

2013-04-25T11:42:00.001-04:00

You know, it occurs to me that if the leadership of this agency can't figure out how to give employees one day off each week without completely screwing up the functioning of their agency maybe it's time to replace such obviously incompetent leadership with people who know what they are doing.

Flight Delays Increasing as FAA Announces Sequester Furloughs

House Republicans grill FAA chief on air traffic furloughs, flight delays

Thankful Thursday

2013-01-17T17:28:00.003-05:00

Today I am thankful for/that:

Friends who stop in with coffee, donuts, and meds when I'm sick.
The internet. I can do all sorts of research in my pjs from my sickie camp out spot on the couch.

What are you thankful for?

Fracking War in NY

2013-01-09T10:55:00.002-05:00

I wonder if the folks protesting hydrofracking in New York State know, or care, about this.

COVERUP FAILS: Fracking Safe in NY State, Says Leaked Report. “Thanks to a leak from an anonymous insider, we learned Thursday that a report commissioned by the State of New York has given fracking a clean bill of health. The insider ‘did not think it should be kept secret’ and released the document, which is now nearly one year old, to the New York Times.”

Gas Drilling Is Called Safe in New York (bit of an awkward headline but okay I can work with it).

"ALBANY — The state’s Health Department found in an analysis it prepared early last year that the much-debated drilling technology known as hydrofracking could be conducted safely in New York, according to a copy obtained by The New York Times from an expert who did not believe it should be kept secret."

NY State Health Department Report Says Fracking Could Be Done Safely

"A document from Governor Cuomo’s Administration assessing the health impacts of hydro fracking, written in early 2012, says the gas drilling process is likely safe if proper precautions are taken by the governor’s environmental agency.

The document, obtained by New York State public radio and other news organizations, outlines potential health risks associated with hydro fracking in New York. Those include possible exposure to chemicals used in hydro fracking, potential contamination of drinking water sources, and health impacts from naturally occurring radium that could be brought to the surface through the gas drilling process.

While the report says there are potential health risks involved in hydro fracking, it concludes that in each instance, proper mitigation measures that will be required by the state Department of Environmental Conservation will minimize any potential harm and reduce risks. The report, written in February of 2012, says “significant adverse impacts on human health are not expected from routine HVHF (hydro fracking) operations."

The report appears to have been intended for inclusion in the state’s ongoing environmental review of fracking. It also advises against trying to do a site specific quantitative risk assessment of fracking, saying there are too many variables and that too many assumptions would have to be made.

A spokeswoman for the DEC says the report is “outdated," and that no conclusions should be drawn."

I'm sure this will be explained away in short order as the DEC spokeswoman comment above suggests.

Thankful Thursday

2013-01-03T20:25:00.000-05:00

So we'll see if I make a blog come back in 2013 for now I am thankful for/that:

Warm wool socks. They kept my toes nice and toasty on this frigid day.
The Horde is fully outfitted with scarves, hats, gloves, mittens, and boots so I can say yes when they beg to play in the snow.
Inspiration.
Friends!
One more day to live my life.

What are you thankful for?

Thankful Thursday

2012-11-08T09:17:00.001-05:00

Today I am thankful for/that:

A visit from one of my favorite sisters. She helps me keep it real.
A really good visit with my adviser. Spring graduation is on the horizon.
No snow yet, my sympathies to those of you who got buried this week.
God is in control and in it for the long haul.

What are you thankful for?

Thankful Thursday

2012-11-01T09:18:00.002-04:00

Today I am thankful for/that:

Syracuse dodged a major bullet, or the bullet dodged us, with super storm Sandy.
We have the resources to help those now in need.
Election season is almost over.
I found my ASL class DVD! Now to catch up to the rest of the class.

What are you thankful for?

Thankful Thursday

2012-10-25T10:55:00.002-04:00

Today I am thankful that there was enough change in the bottom of my school bag to get a cup of coffee. Mmmmmm coffee...

What are you thankful for?

Thankful Thursday

2012-10-18T22:16:00.002-04:00

Today I am thankful for/that:

An extended visit from one of my sisters.
My sisters are neat freaks compared to me.
Sisterhood.
Being able to have conversation without using words.

What are you thankful for?

Thankful Thursday

2012-10-04T22:13:00.002-04:00

Okay, here goes. Today i am thankful for/that:

A good night's sleep. You can never have too many of those.
Family dinners. Can never have too many of those either.
New friends.
Bam Bam found my keys, that he lost, only took him a week.

What are you thankful for?

Thankful Thursday

2012-09-20T09:27:00.000-04:00

Back after a bit of a hiatus, today I am thankful for/that:

I'm learning ASL.
I'm learning about Deaf culture.
My ASL instructor is awesome.

Notice a trend there? So what are you thankful for?

Every Day I'm Hustling

2012-07-29T22:01:00.000-04:00

I've neglected this blog a bit as I've been working on building my modest business empire. Check out one of my latest ventures and let me know what you think. I'm always looking for good ideas and ways to make things better. Club Adventure CNY

Parenting Autism Research

2012-03-23T21:19:00.000-04:00

Attention parents of adolescents with ASD in CNY and the Capital Region! Here's an opportunity to talk to researchers about parenting autism, stress, and services. Check the link for more info.

Thankful Thursday

2012-03-01T17:19:00.000-05:00

Today I am thankful for/that:

All of the helping hands that are helping to pick up the slack while I'm knocked out by the flu.
The girls have turned into great little nurses and even the boys check up on me with a concerned look on their faces. The baby just wants to jump on me like nothing is the matter though.
Hubby with a constant supply of ice water and ibuprofen which has been the majority of my sustenance since Tuesday.
I thought to ask for help this time.

What are you thankful for?

Perspective

2012-02-29T16:22:00.000-05:00

A little perspective for us as we shuffle along on this mortal coil.

Via the Anchoress.

Thankful Thursday

2012-02-23T08:32:00.000-05:00

Today I am thankful for/that:

Reminders that there, but for the grace of God, go I.
Sunshine! It does the brain good.
Giggles.

What are you thankful for?

40 Days of Anticipation

2012-02-22T09:49:00.000-05:00

Thankful Thursday

2012-02-09T21:01:00.002-05:00

Today I am thankful for/that:

Gentle thoughtful reminders when I forget something.
A pleasant and productive IEP meeting for one of the kids.
My too smart for my own good kids.
Opportunity.
The sparrows who sang this week like it was spring time.

What are you thankful for?

About Those DSM V Revisions

2012-02-06T18:47:00.000-05:00

I wrote this back in 2010 to comment on some of the resistence I was seeing to the upcoming changes in the DSM. Recent reporting has brought the issue to the forefront of the public mind again and I think this is worth reading and thinking about. Resisting the "Taint" of Autism."

Where's the data?

2012-02-02T18:26:00.000-05:00

There's been talk recently that autism spectrum disorders, namely Asperger's Syndrome, are over diagnosed. I'd really love to see some data backing up that claim.

An Over Abundance of Autism, Or So They Say

Thankful Thursday

2012-02-02T14:13:00.002-05:00

Today I am thankful for/that:

Please who believe in me.
Friendship.
Unconditional love.
New challenges and adventures.

What are you thankful for?

Thankful Thursday

2012-01-05T21:12:00.002-05:00

Today I am thankful for/that:

Work. My to do list runneth over.
My children, even on their worst day I'm thankful they are here.
My husband, even on his worst day I'm thankful he is here.
My life, even on my worst day I'am thankful I am here.

What are you thankful for?

Back When I Knew It All

2011-12-24T11:04:00.000-05:00

Apparently I have joined the ranks of the know nothing old fogeys. I guess some folk just need to reinvent the wheel for themselves.

Thankful Thursday

2011-12-22T20:27:00.001-05:00

Today I am thankful for/that:

One more day.
Patience.
Providence.

What are you thankful for?

Thankful Thursday

2011-12-08T13:05:00.001-05:00

Today I am thankful for/that:

- The personal computer
- The internet
- Wi fi
All of which allow me to be very productive without getting out of my pjs or my bed.Yeah, I said it.
Progress!
Inspiration.
The kids, even when they are fighting and screaming and being extra defiant.
Modern medicine. I'd probably be dead without it.

What are you thankful for?

Tales From The Crib

2011-12-02T17:18:00.004-05:00

Things said in my house of late.

Me: Okay ladies! To your rooms.
Big Haired Toddler: Mommy, there aren't two girls rooms! There's just one girls room.
She said it with that tone of voice that says, get on the ball lady you should know this.

Me: What's on your face?
Big Haired Toddler: Makeup.
Me: Where'd you get it?
Big Haired Toddler: The kids' bathroom.
Me: Is there any left?
Big Haired Toddler: Yeah.
Me: Go get it for me.
Big Haired Toddler: Why?

Daughter: Mommy there's no room in this drawer.
Me: Well, we'll just have to get rid of some stuff.
Daughter: Uh, that's a you option. That's not a me option.

Baby: "Roar! Roar! Roar!"
Ever since he figured out how to do it he just goes around the house roaring for no apparent reason.

Big haired toddler reassuring me that the "makeup" on her face is really marker, "Trust me! I did it to myself!" Oh I believe you dear.

Son: [singing] Boyz in the sink! The boys are back! Boyz in the sink! The boys are back!
Daughter: Stop it, you're bringing back bad memories. Psych, just kidding.
Son: You mean I'm just irritating?
Boyz in the Sink for those not familiar with them.