My goodness, what a mess. I’m so ashamed. I now realize that I have apparently been breaking the “regulations” for years now, though minor, regulations are regulations…. shame on me.
The guilt just overwhelms me to the point that I’ve just turned in both my purchase and travel cards and am in deep depression.

For the remainder of my employment with NOAA I promise to do the correct thing with regards to purchases.
If I run into a problem, say a needed bolt for the Fisher Porter or other COOP equipment, and don’t have one in the truck. I will NOT stop at the nearest hardware store. I’ll return to the office (even thought it may be over 100 miles away), look through the supply system until I find a proper bolt and order it. When it arrives I will return to the COOP site and install it.

I’m old. I don’t mind waiting weeks to repair a piece of equipment that should have taken a few minutes with common sense.

Oops, I mentioned that C word didn’t I forgive me once again.

Rest assured I will comply fully henceforth with the policies directed down with regards to purchase items. (I’ll have to, I no longer have a card). And again, please forgive me for my past transgressions.