Challenge: Thursday, Rocktober 18th: You Want Something Done...

[maxlharris]

I guess you have to start the thread yourself.

Staff meeting today. Since I feel utterly disconnected from this staff, and only have 6 weeks left here, I really don't want to go. This has been the least productive 11 weeks I have ever had, even when I was depressed, unemployed, and didn't get out of bed.

Here's something funny though. In my effort to improve efficiency (Bachman Turner Overdrive would be amused), I have set up the following as an autoresponder on my work email.

Greetings Friends and Esteemed Colleagues,

Due to high workload, I am currently checking and responding to email twice daily at 11:00 A.M. EST and 3:00 P.M. EST.

If you require urgent assistance (please ensure that it is urgent) that cannot wait until either 11:00 A.M. or 3:00 P.M., please contact me via phone at (202) 403-1536.

Thank you for understanding this move to more efficiency and effectiveness. It helps me accomplish more to serve you better.

Sincerely,
Max HarrisI'm gonna put something similar on my personal email too. And my voicemail (except that no one leaves me voicemail hardly ever). But, I want to get in the habit of batching correspondence now, while the going is slow.

What do you do to clear space for the things you really want to do? What are you gonna do today to clear space for the important stuff in your life?

[gitfiddle]

Great plan, Max. Hope it works. It would drive me crazy. I understand the theory, though.

When there's something I really want to do, I skip the housework. :lol:

[Gaelen]

hmmm...Max, you're right.
I know this is a VERY talkative bunch; maybe everyone is just a little shy about starting the check-in thread each day?

C'mon in, challengers--the water's fine.

BTW...I am one of the few in my department who does NOT keep an IM session open (too disruptive when I'm editing or reviewing other documents), and I 'batch' email, but in shorter spurts. When I'm on deadline, I check email only first thing, at noon, and about 3pm. When I'm on a project that requires continuous effort, I limit email checks to on the hour, five minutes tops, and do not respond to anything that isn't urgent or mission critical. And when I have to have undisrupted time, our phones have a very cool feature that allows me to 'park' all calls in voice mail. Then I can collect messages on MY schedule, with one touch.

So challengers, what's up with the rest of you this fine Thursday?

[maxlharris]

Government Strikes Back:

A few weeks ago, I noticed I wasn't getting a couple emails that I usually get every day. Eventually, I came to understand that for no reason other than lack of logins, our helpful IT staff deleted the account. Apparently, they do this, regardless of the person or program, if no one logs in for 30+30 days. I work in a rotational program, and I rotate to a lot of different agencies. They are all on different computer systems, so I wind up forwarding the email from the base account (which apparently, I have to have) to the account I use for the rotation, especially since you can't log on to the system from many of these remote agencies.

Long and short of it is, they deleted the account that my supervisor says I have to have. Then, they give me a form to fill out to get it fixed. Then, when I get it filled out, they want it filled out differently, and a thing signed (that I've signed 5 or 6 times already) showing that I have had security training. UGH! I took said form. Got it signed. The IT folks say it's incomplete and has to be redone. I could kill someone. This is the second time in 7 days that someone here has either "policied" against me or "formed up" against me. It's no wonder that everyone hates the government.

My solution. Till someone tells me to reinstate the account, it's gonna get left dead. Why should I care?

[Dharmalisa]

When there's something I really want to do, I skip the housework. :lol:

You and me both!!! :D

I started simplifying my life 6 years ago, and it has pretty much stayed that way. One of my biggest tools is to keep things uncluttered. I was a pack rat for years, but no more. I regularly get rid of stuff and take to Goodwill. Keeps things 'lighter'. Also living in a townhouse is great for simplifying.

I am feeling really great food-wise this week. Cravings and obsessions are gone and I rarely feel hungry. It's a nice change.

[Ottawa]

Our interent was quite slow this moring but back to speed now.

Max,
Our policy is to give a response within 4 hours for email, and 30 minutes for phone but it has to be work time (i.e: 3:30pm email would not have to be answered until 11:00 am the next day).

This week is my busiest yet which helps loads with IF although I missed my lunchtime workout yesterday. My coworker avoids leaving our room and very few clients ever come to where we work. We track our jbs and he currently gets one for every four of mine and does not seem to like the clients. He really likes web surfing.:mad:

I lost another pound and have upped my hand weights by 10 pounds and added legweights for abs Vees. Wife was late getting home last night from a meeting so I worked out to "1408" and continued into another about escaped prisoners when she came home giving me an incredible workout with some DOMS today. It was not a great workout movie since there were some scenes that I lost concentration on. My favorite workout movies have a driving score, lots of action and require little concentration (Resident Evil 1 and 2 are great).

[Feelix]

I am having a great day. Pattern's are on sale at Hancock's (http://hancockfabrics.com/), I went to the gym and had a good time in my class AND Stew is in the crock pot.

Here is to success!

[Anniesnan]

Carol - I think wer'e secret sisters. I will skip housework, too;)

E-mail: at work, I'm required to check minimum of once per day. Optimally 2x per day. I haven't had a minute to check it yet today. My lunch I finally took an hour late - but couldn't afford a repeat of yesterday.

Truly crazy week at work so far this week.

My voice mail on my cell phone has a message that says:
If I didn't answer the phone, don't leave a message. If you really need me, beep me. (and I don't leave my beeper number;)) So only people who have my beeper number already can beep me. And I don't listen to my voice mail. If they can't follow simple instructions, their message is definitely not worth listening to:tongue:. Of course, dh will then purposely leave me voice mail, usually saying, what do you have a cell phone for if you never answer the darn thing????

Simplify rules - declutter as much as possible
handle papers as little as possible (and when not possible, neatly pile them:tongue:)
don't assume things (good, bad, indifferent - don't borrow trouble, it'll find you...if someone doesn't ask for whatever or put conditions on something, follow Dr. Joy Browne's saying and be stupid and cheerful)

[oceanblueLA]

My favorite workout movies have a driving score, lots of action and require little concentration

Wow... I've never worked out to a movie before. I listen to podcasts or the news or an HGTV show if I'm on the treadmill. I'll have to try that. Not sure about scary movies though Randy... I'd always be stopping to watch.

It's NOISY here today. I'm having exterior doors replaced and the crew was supposed to be here for two days, but some of the hardware got screwed up -- wrong color -- so they aren't doing the front and kitchen doors, just the dining room doors. What an ordeal. It would have been better to have them here and be dusty and noisy for 2 days in a row. I wouldn't ordinarily mind but I have a huge deadline coming on the 31st that I cannot miss. And I need to be working everyday until then to meet it. I never would have scheduled the doors to coincide, but the deadline was a surprise. At least it wasn't a baby. ;-)

Were I eating off plan, the stress would have flipped me out by now... BE QUIET I'M WORKING!!!!! Instead, I pleasantly remind everyone there are bottles of cold water as I grab one for myself and head back to my office.
The wonders of a no sugar diet. I am thankful. So are the workmen.

Have a good day!

[Ammy]

I actually like housework :o, especially when I have other things to do.
Every Saturday we clean...I like to get it done right away (like while the coffee is brewing), GF likes to wait until she's actually awake :confused:, what's up with that??

And when I'm stressed, I REALLY clean. Last night I vacuumed all the hardwood floors, cleaned the litter boxes, vacuumed around them, took out the garbage, did dishes, cleaned the counters, etc...I was very frustrated from a thing that happened at work right as I was leaving...
My GF joked that she was going to stress me out more often!:eek::p

Anyway, I'm here Max and all. Since I'm not really participating in the challenge this month I feel like I shouldn't start the thread :confused:.

[gitfiddle]

...GF likes to wait until she's actually awake :confused:, what's up with that??
When I lived alone I'd make sure I had my running shoes on and was halfway down the block before I was fully awake. If I thought about it, I'd find an excuse. Like with housekeeping, the first step is the hardest.

I know that scrubbing floors or walls or crusty soup pots is a stress reliever. Decluttering is my goal, but I live with two distracted pack rats who can't see something out of place, even if they trip over it! The Flylady has given me some good hints so that things don't get too bad, especially in the bathroom.

Agnes, I love the "cheerful and stupid" thought. I'm going to have to work on that. I'm already training myself not to respond to every crisis in the office. We *may* be related! :D

Sarah, you are so put-together! :)

At least it wasn't a baby. ;-)

Good grief, what a thought! You're right though, it puts things into perspective! :lol::lol::lol:

[Ottawa]

I wasn't going to post this but it will be part of my dinner and is something that I have have wanted to eat since seeing the B&W movie below when I was a kid. Dates me a lot and I was not into my teens when I saw it.
http://www.lastoutpost.com/ProteinPower/JTCE.JPG (http://www.lastoutpost.com/ProteinPower/JTCE.JPG)
In the movie there is a giant mushroom forest. They also eat mushrooms much of the time (Mushroom steaks, soup, porridge, etc.).
Since the movie I have always wanted to try a large mushroom “steak” as portrayed in the movie.

Now to the story ... A friend at work called to say they found "one".:exclamation:
I knew what he meant since my calendar popped up a reminder two weeks ago to call him and see if there were any up in the bush where we sighted them before, but there were not. He knows the story and last year we were too late. They were soft and brown and do not last long (few days).

Today he called and said that there is one nearby, in the forested part of NRC and we went down and I picked it. Tonight I'll cut off the outer skin and slice it into 1 inch slabs and cook it in butter with a little balsamic, Lea and Perrins, and some seasoned salt.

Here is the Puffball (http://www.lastoutpost.com/ProteinPower/Puffball-s.jpg) they found.

[Gaelen]

mmm...mushroom steaks is one of my favorite vegetarian entrees. ;)

[Ammy]

WOW!! Puffball is a good description!

You look GREAT Randy!!

[oceanblueLA]

I love portabellos so I'm sure I'd love a mushroon steak. But I'd be terrified to pick one and eat it. Report back, Randy, and let us know how it was!

[Shadow]

Amy - I'm with you! I'd far rather tear into the house work before I'm awake enough to know what I'm doing :lol:!

[Anniesnan]

Evening, everyone!

I actually have some time, now:D. I am looking forward to an evening of scrubbing:tongue:.

Amy - I like some cleaning and it is de-stressing, but, if I'm short on time and given a choice of computer/cleaning, reading/cleaning, I"ll pick whatever isn't cleaning:D.
Ever since dh quit his 2nd & 3rd job and doesn't work week-ends anymore, my cleaning routine is shot.
He's like you - he will clean the upstairs bathroom before he gets downstairs ...
I'll wake up, smell bleach and be like, wha' r you doin'??? Tryin ta torture me or sumpin'?
He'll say, "go have your coffee" and "now I know why I don't get up early every day".

He also cleans "backwards". I start with putting on my coffee, then putting on a load of wash, then cleaning the sink/stove/countertop of whatever he didn't get the night before. Then I cook my breakfast and have it, leisurely. Dishwasher goes on when I'm done and I can start cleaning on my second cup of coffee, but it's sacreligous to do anything else first:D

Then I sweep out upstairs, extra clean around the cat's litter box and douse the upstairs bathroom, sweep down to the first floor (we have all hardwood floors except bathroom), sweep out first floor bathroom, switch laundry...
this is all done to either a rock station blasting on the radio or a TLC or HGTV show (Clean Sweep works well:tongue:)

anyway, you see, it's a specific pattern, perfected over 30 years of week-ends...
but I try and keep my mouth shut ... he's helping, and doing a lot (even if it's not quite the way I would do it).

I'm on plan so far today, and plan to keep it that way:D

[Ottawa]

I love portabellos so I'm sure I'd love a mushroom steak. But I'd be terrified to pick one and eat it. Report back, Randy, and let us know how it was!

My wife loved it and I thought that it was OK. I put Worcester sauce on my half and it overpowered it. I should have done some cut up onions, etc., and made up a gravy.
I'll try again next year.:)

The puffball made 4 thick cuts and here are three big slices (http://www.lastoutpost.com/ProteinPower/Raw.JPG).
This is one in the fry pan (http://www.lastoutpost.com/ProteinPower/cook-PB.JPG), just flipped and seasoned. They browned up nice (darker than picture) and shrunk in thickness a bit like a soufflé and were a little less firm. I cooked it all up since they do not store well.

Today is almost a yes but I'm under on my protein target so I'll take a NO. My numbers work out a little better if I increase my eating window a few hours.

Total: 1356 IF 23/1
Fat: 108
Carbs: 35 - 12 =23
Fiber: 12
Protein: 67

[Claudette]

Hi, ya'll,
Busy day today. Tonight went for a hair appointment, trim, etc.

On plan today.

Alittle sore, so today was a rest day exercise wise.
Will hit it again tomarrow.

I have learned to simpify by de-cluttering. Makes life alot easier. As I am still unpacking boxes, as I re-sort, if I don't need it, out it goes to the Goodwill box.

Looking forward to a great weekend.

Claudette

[Rhyme'n Reason]

Hi, all--

Randy, if I liked mushrooms, that would look really appetizing, but unlike my husband, I just can't swallow them!

Today is a yes for me--everything according to plan.

I actually had a couple of hours to sit ALONE in my classroom at my desk and focus a bit. I still had work left to do, but my brain just died. After staring at my lesson plans for 10 minutes with no progress, I decided it would be more time-effective to go home and get some rest. I can do in 30 minutes tomorrow what would have taken me another hour and a half tonight.

Have a great Friday, everyone.

[Anniesnan]

Hi, all--


I still had work left to do, but my brain just died. After staring at my lesson plans for 10 minutes with no progress, I decided it would be more time-effective to go home and get some rest. I can do in 30 minutes tomorrow what would have taken me another hour and a half tonight.


it seems like,the last few months, that has happened to me more than once:D. It's been better lately, since I've been doing very regular exercise, but you had to see the condition I left my desk in. One of my employees asked me if I wanted him to leave something (that I'll need today) on my desk. I said, what are the odds I'll find it? He looked and said he's never seen my desk looking like that before.

I'm much better focused in the AM and hopefully there will be no "crisis" today.

[Anniesnan]

I had a good on-plan day yesterday.
Got most of my house scrubbed well, so on Saturday, we can do a lick and a promise:D and be set.
2 "big" (work clothes) washes done, all towels drying right now, whites soaking
I made it an easy Friday morning for myself, too -
recycling garbage is out
regular garbage is out
nothing in the kitchen to clean before making breakfast:D

I have NOT had any coffee yet, though and I woke up last night every hour on the hour ... midnight felt like 4 AM. 5 AM felt like midnight:eek:
so I am not starting any post;)

[maxlharris]

Despite going out for Tex Mex and semi-mindlessly eating chips in a haze of whining and complaining about life (I'm a real party sometimes and am lucky to have a DW who loves me anyway), my carb number was alright (protein shake + hot wings + steak + chips & salsa... it's a living, and there's an actual vegetable like substance in there) and the protein was fine. So, the steak is alive at, er, uh, 13? Will have to look back and see that.

[maxlharris]

Day 12 was a yes. Not 13. That's today.

[Ammy]

Then I sweep out upstairs, extra clean around the cat's litter box and douse the upstairs bathroom, sweep down to the first floor (we have all hardwood floors except bathroom), sweep out first floor bathroom, switch laundry...
this is all done to either a rock station blasting on the radio or a TLC or HGTV show (Clean Sweep works well:tongue:)

I have my routine as well. My GF first cleans the sink. You should always clean the sink LAST cause you end up dirtying it again.
She'll also sweep the floors before she cleans the counters!!! WHAT??:eek:

I also have to have some noise on...radio, tv, book on tape...something. And when you do something that makes noise as well (vacuum) then you turn it up the radio/tv REALLY LOUD!!!!!! :D

[hawk]

I have special ring tones on my phone for my parents and my husband. If I am busy and the phone rings and it is not one of their ring tones, it does not get answered. I am really busy today and not answering the phone unless it is one of them. My husband will probably be the only one who calls, so all the other phone calls can just wait. My mom will only call if it is an emergency. My kids text message me.

[gitfiddle]

Agnes, retired husbands are counterproductive sometimes. Mine always wants me to go somewhere with him, which really cuts into the housework. I hate the mornings that I wake up and really feel like cleaning--but have to go to work.

I'm a YES for Thursday.

After having a calf muscle workover on Wednesday, I could feel the muscles begin to tighten up again. I spent the better part of an hour walking slowly, making sure each step was heel to toe to get full range of motion. It hurt at first, and then about halfway through I realized the muscles were stretching back out and it felt much better. Progress!

[Shadow]

Today was a yes :).