Observations ~
By Sarah | June 11, 2008
Three weeks into my new ”routine” (I’m using that term very losely at the moment – still hammering out the new routine details) and here are some things I’ve learned and observed. The Good.The Bad.The Different.
- Over-extended. Over-taxed. Streched way too thin. Boy, was I ever. Like streched to the breaking point. It’s funny how you don’t even realize it until you are outside of a situation.
- The house is never, ever “just so.” Now, not only do we live in it even more because someone is always here, I now work here too. The wood floors – don’t get me started (as soon as you sweep them they are instantly dusty. Again.).
- There is always work to do (see above). I’m starting to find the wisdom in scheduling down time.
- Want to make lists. No need to make lists. Must make lists. So.Easy.To.Get.Distracted.
- One thing I’m loving about working from home is being able to have random off days with my girl (talk about a very rare treat!). Monday we had crappy weather and Plucky girl didn’t have to work (no power at the coffee shop) so we were home, watched a couple old movies together, laughed and were just silly.
- I’m not sure why I thought this would change, but I still don’t know what to make for dinner each night. And, the pressure is really on now. Every day around 3:30 Mr. Plucky calls asking ”What’s for dinner…..” so, speaking of dinner – what is your favorite recipe/meal planning website?
- Not having to get dressed up every morning to head to the office is priceless. Now it’s lounge pants or cotton skirt and a favorite old tee.
So, all you work from home types – how do you strike a balance? Any advice?
20 Comments
mai on June 11, 2008 at 7:54 am.
working from home is so nice, isn’t it? i haven’t found a good routine yet, but i only work from home two days a week!
Monica on June 11, 2008 at 8:17 am.
As soon as I find mine, I’ll let you know! LOL I’ve been doing this since October and I have my really great, over-the-top, productive days and my “I’m not going to do anything” days.
I easily get side-tracked too. But when the pressure is really on and I have to meet a deadline, it’s nice to be at home working until 6 or later instead of at an office – wishing I was home.
Oh, and I still don’t know what’s for dinner either! Take-out!!
Karen on June 11, 2008 at 8:46 am.
Yeah, no balance over here either. Every so often, I write out a schedule for myself including hour blocks of time for everything I need to get done, with some knitting / TV time in the afternoon. I follow it for about a week or so, and then fall back into chaos.
As for dinners, every Sunday (okay, most Sundays) I sit down with the grocery store sale ads and plan my dinners for the week. This way, I have my plan for the week and can save some money by getting whatever is on sale.
Jodi on June 11, 2008 at 9:24 am.
I think it helps to figure out when you’re naturally at your most productive, and save that for “work” time. Don’t fight nature!
I love Cooking Light, and their website is fairly easy to search.
Marlyn on June 11, 2008 at 10:53 am.
For recipes/menus try Allrecipes.com.
You can enter ingredients, and it will give you a recipe. Or possible side dishes for a main course.
Emily on June 11, 2008 at 12:06 pm.
Oh i’ve daydreamed many hours about what it would be like to work from home with a flexible schedule and being your own boss! It must be a big adjustments so go easy on yourself!
Yes, what’s for dinner is the neverending question at my house as well. One of our favorite quick meals is lean ground beef tacos (I just buy the premade seasoning packets at the store), put the shells in the toaster oven for a minute to crisp, serve with sour cream and cheese….easy peasy. And then you can use the leftovers with a can of refried beans for borritos the next night. Good luck and let me know if you find a cool web site.
Veronique on June 11, 2008 at 12:27 pm.
I’ve found a solution for meals (if only for the summer): we’re getting all of our fruits and veggies from a CSA. No more shopping, it just lands on my lap!
I hear you on the wood floors… Where does this dust come from?!
Marisol on June 11, 2008 at 2:40 pm.
Lets see… I daydream about yarn and sock projects while at work and I surf on Ravelry and bloglines at lunchtime. I also try to work from home at least one day a week. It helps with the commute and to squeeze in things that need to get done around the house.
stinkerbell on June 11, 2008 at 3:00 pm.
I dont have any of the answers… I just know that I want to find that image you have up there in a plaque. Must find out more info about that one
stinkerbell on June 11, 2008 at 3:01 pm.
ps… the How to Eat book by Nigella Lawson is one of the BEST cookbooks out there will all sorts of options
Jennie on June 11, 2008 at 3:45 pm.
It’s all about list-making! I fight the urge to procrastinate-by-doing-other-things-that-must-be-done by designating a certain amount of time every day that I *have* to be in my office. For example: I’ll work from 10-3 in the office. I break up this time by doing something different for 15 minutes of every hour. Helps me a lot!
Lara on June 11, 2008 at 6:14 pm.
I try as hard as I can to find a balance but it seems as though something always suffers – I guess that is the way life is. I was cracking up at this post – especially about the part on getting distracted. I do the same thing and it drives me nuts!
Nicole on June 11, 2008 at 6:32 pm.
First, I love smittenkitchen.com for recipes. I’ve never been led astray from this site. Some are more complicated than others, but she will flat out tell you that. It’s great! Second, since I am not the most togther person ever, I started working with the FlyLady system. You can find her at flylady.net. It seems like common sense, but if it was, we’d already have done it. It’s a baby steps approach to things.
DMartin on June 11, 2008 at 7:15 pm.
Organization? Routines. I use what I want from flylady.net . I think she’s got a partner for dinner planning, but that side hasn’t interested me as yet! Good luck, and have fun.
Emily on June 11, 2008 at 9:35 pm.
hee hee… A couple of years ago I bought a dishtowel with that picture + caption … love it!
Rachel on June 11, 2008 at 10:25 pm.
Hmmm, well, I teach 25 private lessons at home a week and I have three children under the age of four. The best way to get caught up on stuff is to skip sleeping. And blinking. Maybe I’ll sleep some day?
Sigh, I’m off for another midnight feeding of the baby . . .
(Still, though, wouldn’t trade it for the world!)
Heather on June 11, 2008 at 10:27 pm.
There is no way to get everything done…I just take one day at a time and who really cares if I don’t fold all the laundry right away:)
As for recipes I like allrecipes.com too…there are alot of great things to choose from and alot of different ways to search.
Amanda on June 11, 2008 at 10:45 pm.
Sounds like you’re enjoying things – which is awesome. You’ll get your routine down!
lolly on June 12, 2008 at 8:44 am.
Such an enviable position! but I must say that I know I would get stuck in a rut and get so easily distracted (spending all day on Ravelry would be so easy!). I would need to put reminders all over saying “get dressed!” “go outside for a little while!” “maintain personal hygiene!”. Yeah, as much as I dream of it, I am not sure I could really do it without a heavy dose of self-discipline. Best wishes and good luck finding that balance.
Lin on June 13, 2008 at 6:39 am.
I find that I have to be really strict with the housework and home chores … in that they are not to be touched until I have picked the kids up from school. When they are at school it is work time and thats that! I eat my lunch whilst looking at knitty stuff on the computer and then have to get straight back to work. Of course this all falls apart in the school holidays and I am just in a right mess!!