Bumps on a Log

The BF's mother came to visit us for Easter weekend, which was such a treat. Typically holidays pass and I hardly even pay them notice. When you don't have family near, the idea of big celebrations and doing all those traditional things just isn't as fun. Having a guest made it feel like a holiday for once, which was really nice- even if we didn't do traditional Easter things. 

One of the days of her visit we drove her to Harpers Ferry, which is one of my favorite day trips in DC. We went a few years ago for an inaugural car ride in the BFs new car and had a fantastic day enjoying the little town. 

It was a bit more crowded and busy this trip, but we had a pleasant lunch and got some quality time out of DC (which we all know how much I enjoy that!)

What was really incredible was when we were walking from the car to the main street (you do have to park about 1/2 mile away) we walked along a stream/waterway area and I spotted a little turtle sunning on a log. A few feet further and we saw a huge turtle slowly swimming underwater! We were able to see 15-20 different turtles either swimming or basking in the sun on logs as we walked into town. 

My favorites where a row of turtles on a log that all lined up in size order! It was pretty stinking cute!

We walked around, hand lunch, checked out the historic church and then on the way back to the car, we saw that these bumps on a log had only attracted more friends! Still in size order too...

What is it like to Work from Home?

It has been about 7 months since I started my new position and have started working from home. I had a bunch of preconceived ideas about what working from home would look like and I always get asked some of the same questions I had thought about when I considered a work from home position. I figured I'd open it up and tell a little about my day-to-day and some of the realities of working from home.

Working from Home FAQs:

Q: "Don't you get distracted? I could never work from home because I would be doing laundry, watching TV, cooking dinner, etc.!"

A: Some days are certainly harder than others, but I am generally so busy that getting distracted isn't really a problem. I am sure it also helps if you like what you are doing. I also have enough work that if I do have an off day, I pay for it working late nights and early mornings to get caught up. A few months in you will get into a schedule that works best for you and if you want to contain your working hours to daytime- then you will easily be able to tune out any potential distractions.

Q: "Do you get to work whenever you want? I would work all sorts of crazy hours if I got to pick my schedule."

A: I certainly have a lot of flexibility with my schedule, but when you work in a customer/client facing role- you need to maintain hours that make you available to your customers during their hours. I do work some varied hours, but that is more to make sure I am staying on top of everything, but if I want to get a little later start than normal, then I just plan to work a bit later in the evening to make sure I get everything done.

Q: " Don't you get bored and lonely? I would miss working with people."

A: It is a bit strange sometimes. I've only met my co-workers a handful of times, and my manager and I have had to build our relationship through phone calls. That being said, I really enjoy the interactions I do get to have with people I work with and it is critical that you take advantage of ways to stay connected. Make sure you learn about people on a personal level, and pick up the phone for some of those items that could be done through email, but those interactions go a long ways. On the getting lonely piece. Nope, not at all. I talk to people all day long, and my productivity has gone through the roof now that I get to control when I talk to people and in what medium. Overall, this hasn't been an issue, but I do know I have to put in some effort to grow those relationships a bit more than if I were in a traditional office.

Q: "Do you go to coffee shops and work from there?"

A: 99% of the time I am camped up at my desk that I've dedicated for work purposes. Training myself to know that when I am sitting at that desk, I am focusing on work helps me distinguish between work time, and home time. Depending on your job, I am sure you could work from a coffee shop fairly effectively. My position requires a lot of phone time, and I don't think to have to talk over the background noise. 

There is my stab at some of the questions I get! I am sure I will continue to hear and think of others that I will share. If you have a question- leave it in the comments or email me and I will do my best to answer your work from home questions! 

Working From Home: Awkward Moment

Working from home certainly has it benefits.Like the best commute in the world. The dress code that consists of whatever comfortable items I want. A fridge, Brita, and snacks I don't have to worry about being clean or eaten by someone else. No shoes required. Multiple work spaces. And simple pleasures like a candle on a desk.

One of the drawbacks...the comforts of home and all the things that come with it. 

Let me explain. I am on the phone for approximately 3-6 hours a day depending on the day of the week.

My job is basically this and this mushed together...I kid you not. 3-6 hours a day of that. Yup. 

So I am on one of my many phone calls and out of the corner of my eye I spy a wiggly, creepy, crawly, icky thing scurrying across my wall. Ughhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Now normally, you tolerate it, keep one eye on it and then wait for an appropriate time to kill the sucker. 

Except this foul creature was looking awfully close to scuttling down the wall and IN TO MY BED.

Yup. Nope. Not Ok.

So I asked if I could put the call on hold for one moment. Pilfer through my closet and find a shoe, drag my night stand over to give me a leg up to the height of the scum sucked and then beat the crap out of the wall and the bug. 

There may or may not been a few $!#*&! going on as well, because that guy was BIG! and FAST! Yikes.

After rendering him immobile and deader than a doornail. I go back to my desk pick up my headset...flip the phone back on, and resume the call. 

The other end of the line.....was silent. Until..."Are you ok?"

oooooohhhhhhhhh no. 

"Oh my, you could hear that."

"Ummm, yes."

"Oh goodness, yes I am fine, there was errrrrr a.....well there was a bug...and I errrrr.... killed it"

Unstoppable laughter. 

So we all had a good laugh. I hung my head in embarrassment and cringed as I knew the bottom of my shoe would need to be cleaned. 

Working from home>Working from an office (even if there are bugs)

The Great Expectations

I had grand ideas for 25 was supposed to hold. It felt like a pivotal year when I thought about growing up. I suppose we each have the years that we place some sort of arbitrary value or weight on. For me it was 16, 21 and then 25. 

I honestly hardly remember turning 16 or what my expectations were about that year of my life. I do know I was awkward, painfully shy, and brainwashed by a bunch of Disney movies that had me thinking that I new Jeep, parties, and a magical romance was in my immediate future. 

anyone? anyone else remember this?

Lucky me, I never got mistaken for a famous pop princess, or had my best friend confess undying love. Alas.

Expectations for 21 were pretty shallow and predictable. By the standards of what I expected and what occurred-- pretty spot on. A fantastic display if expectations and reality that year. Granted, when you are in college, living with your sorority sisters, and just about to finish your final ten weeks of college- life is pretty stinkin' great. Luckily, that "mind eraser" beverage I down around 1:30am on my birthday was temporary in nature. Ha!

Twenty Five was the year of the "adult". With high hopes, and a head filled with anticipation and expectation, it was easy to see how what I had thought, and what was real- were way way way off. I didn't have a nice wardrobe, or piles of heels. No tiny humans, no house, no new car, and I certainly didn't read the paper with any regularity! 

After I grieved, mourned, accepted, and moved on, 26 and 27 flew by with little thought, little expectation and no comparison to what I thought, and what was real. 

Now I am 39 days out from facing 28 head on, and with a level of confidence that is foreign to me- I can say I am having a mini-freak out. Talk about expectation and anticipation! 

I mean, surely I was supposed to have the "4 D's" checked off at this point?!? Wrong. As of right now, I have a dishwasher, that's it. No Dog, no Dryer, and certainly no Diamond. Not to get all serious and emotional, but holy lord does that freak me out. I'm leaning on my crutch of humor right now to joke about my wrinkles, quickly dwindling egg count, and being in a nursing home when my kids go to college. Which is all just a very clever way to cover up the fact that I am feeling like I may just be one of those people who doesn't get married, or have kids and starts dressing her dogs like children so she can buy cute clothes. It's a tad bit terrifying (and a dash of mortifying as well). It is all in my head- thank goodness, making it easy to remind myself that everyone build up expectations and time lines for themselves and I am not the first, nor last to have to throw my timeline completely out the window and remember that I am ok, and that what comes, is what is right.

via

With 39 days left on the clock, I am trying to remember it is normal to let go of expectation and accept your own personal truth. I may need a few bottles of wine and my humor crutch to get through it, but once on the other side, I am sure it will all be just fine. 

These Are Some of My Favorite Things

♥ I admit that I actually really love bull riding. Even more than cheering for the riders, I really like to cheer for the bulls too. If a bull could win an Olympic medal, this one would have won several golds. 

♥ No arguing with my desire to move. I clearly have my priorities and preferences on point. 

♥ Clearly talent runs in this family. Love this delicate and affordable jewelry. 

♥ I can't tear my eyes away from these beauties. Get on my feet now! I'll take these too. 

♥ Some inspiration for some baking. Not only have I not been blogging, I haven't been baking either. Adult life is hard. 

♥One of my best friend sent this article to me, and it is the truth. Even more truthful...I have those friends. 

♥ My least favorite time of the year in DC is upon us (basically from April-October I HATE living here even more than normal), but perhaps we will get one more chilly evening where I could make this.