What's on your Tuesday Menu, RNYers?

Goooood Morning, Kids! Ready for another episode of: As the Public Schools Turn? Well, at 2pm, we had a staff meeting (more than 50+ people crammed into a small space, btw...argh...) to tell us that as of that moment, we were authorized to work from home. They told us we could take any equipment we wanted and go. 5 minutes later, everyone was literally disassembling the office, grabbing monitors, staplers, etc. and running out the door. We are not coming bac****il April 27th. Just wow--48 hours earlier, we'd be told it was impossible for us to work from home, they would never ever authorize it, and we'd be punished if we tried. My head is spinning. I wasn't prepared for them to change their minds, so I don't even know if I grabbed the files I needed. And I certainly don't have any sort of a WFH plan set up (space, schedule, etc). So I guess that's where I need to start today. Does anyone have any tips and tricks for successful WFH strategies? I've only done it on sporadic sick days, never as an intentional long term work plan.

Accountability: Great! Not enough movement, but I will make up for it today! I am excited that I am gaining about 4 hours back a day from not commuting, so I am going to throw myself into some new exercise routines.

QOTD: Are you an introvert or an extrovert? I am definitely an extrovert. I don't really like walking into rooms of strangers and being "on", like I used to, so I feel like I am skewing more introverted than I used to be, but I really need to process my thoughts and feelings by talking to other people and just generally get a lot of energy and happiness from being with others.

I'm glad they made the decision to do the right thing. Everyone that works from home longer term will find what works for them, for me here are my tips:

1. I always shower, mascara, earring and business casual clothes. I do a lot of video conferences so that's one reason but also it helps me differentiate between work and crap I usually do on the computer.
2. If I have a repair person/appt at the house, I block that out on my calendar as tentative - depending on the repair/meeting, you can quadruple your stress by trying to multi task that way.
3. I don't feel guilt about throwing in the laundry, loading the dishwasher, walking to the mailbox when I get a chance.
4. Have clear(ish) boundaries about when you start/stop. If you're not mindful, it's really easy to find yourself working 15 hours on the regular without even a potty break.
5. Do have video conferences to catch up with your peers; also, if you have an instant message tech, use it as a virtual water cooler - open it in the morning with the colleagues you work/chat with most and keep it going all day -- it becomes your hallway conversation. (Assume everything on chat is recorded). Also keep in mind that your going to lose nonverbal cues for the most part so keep in mind tone in email is primarily in YOUR head. As people lose those cues/face to face connection, there's a heck of a lot more "reading into it" than there should be
6. check the background of any room you are working in, on camera, before the meeting. Also, if you use zoom, make your settings so everyone starts on mute and can either switch themselves off (or use the space bar push to talk function...push and hold space bar takes you off mute, release space bar is back on)
7. i mostly work in my office but will move to the kitchen island so I can stand, I rarely have the tv or music on but that's personal choice.
8. someone shared that if you have cats, put a heating pad at the edge of your desk -- it will let them be nearby but not on your laptop.
9. if your internet is shakey, use your cell to call in to meetings vs your laptop. Also, earbuds with a mic can be a huge help.
10. message me if you need any help/tips/human interactions. Having someone you can roll your eyes with (virtually) is a sanity saver.

OMG Jen this is like the top 10 guide to working from home. I completely 10000% agree with every single one.

Julia, I cannot BELIEVE they stuffed 50 of you in a room (probably 7 people got infected during that meeting) but I am so glad that they are taking precautions. Flatten the curve...

I second every single item on this list. For real. I get up and shower and put on make-up and get dressed (though I tend to be business on top, leggings on the bottom lol - comfy but alsooooo hard to know when the waistline is spreading!). The only things I would add are:

• Since you live with Grim - figure out the new "normal" - ie Kris used to just walk into the office while talking, not realizing I was on a call. Or, sometimes we think that if the other isn't on the phone, we can interrupt, when maybe the other is doing really focused work.
• Take a lunch break! I am so bad at this, and I need to get back to this. I used to get up, get my lunch, and watch a rerun of King of Queens (22 minutes). Now, I stay hunched over my computer and desk while I eat and it's a terrible habit.
• Schedule your exercise, so that you don't sit at your desk for 12 hours a day (this is another "do as I say, not as I do"). Put things in your calendar (ok, we can't go to the gym or anywhere, but maybe schedule walks? Playing with cats time? FaceTime with mom time?).

I find that video calls (we use Zoom) and IM (we use Skype) are a major part of my day. It keeps me connected and sane.

I am glad you are home and safe!

Thank you! I made a daily schedule for myself planning for a 7am - 3pm work day with a lunch break and a hard stop at 3pm for exercise. If I can do this, I will be nailing work-life balance better than I ever have... ever. I'm kind of excited!

I used to think because I am such an extrovert that working from home I would die...but I LOVE it and can never go back to a daily commute and being in-office full-time...

Thank you! Love this list. I tried to set up a little work space this morning, and made myself a tentative schedule, but I am sure I will need to continue to adjust both as time goes on. LOVE the heating pad idea, lol. So will Fezzie!

This is fantastic detail for people WFH. I am going to copy and send to my DD.

Qotd - I am an extrovert, I can be on at the drop of a hat, need to see people and interact. I can get some of that virtually though. I do need some quiet time periodically though!

Last night they announced Colorado closures of restaurants, bars, gyms, theaters, casinos or 30 days starting today (all restaurants to takeout/delivery vs full closures) and govt offices like DMV until April 18...which is just realized is 30 days. This crazy year is zipping by.

I'm still hoping Pilates stays open, it's capped at 12, but I suspect last night was my last aerial yoga for a while. Guess they'll communicate today one way or another. I have the elliptical and all the stuff I do in the hotel room plus except for some snow in the forecast, we are having a lovely March. We have not had our big spring storm yet but I'm sure it's coming!

menu today is

b - grain free English muffin with peanut butter

l - leftover chili

d - leftover chili

s - half and half in my coffee, light and fit greek

936/63/36

Have a great day all

Good morning menu friends! Got the word late yesterday that the work project in Louisiana is cancelled due to school closings since it's affiliated with the state children's home and school. We may stay here another week to do some extra drop in work and then head to our project in Illinois at the distribution center where we work often early. It's a construction project and there is bound to be some prep work to do. I'm disappointed because it's a beautiful camp but it is what it is. QOTD an introvert. I'd rather spend time with family and have no real close IRL friends. Accountability was spot on food and stepwise yesterday and I avoided all the sweets here too. Weight is 120.6 today. Miss Lily and I will get a good lunch walk and a nice longer walk after work,whether I want to or not. It's been a challenge with the rainy weather but so far we've gotten our walks in. Here's the food plan B 1/2c steel cut oats with protein and peanut butter L 3 oz roast beef and cheese 4 oz whatever protein hubby cooks. I will avoid extra bites and get in at least 100 ounces of liquids too. Have a great day full of healthy choices everyone!

I hope you are able to continue doing your good work, Karen! Be safe out there!