Here are some simple work from home tips and how we manage to create a schedule that works for us. Literally. Here are my best tips—vegetable style.
This is now command central at our home.
It used to be used 1.27 times per month.
Now?
It’s used 1.27 times per minute.
We are all working from home. We are all studying and reading and learning and attending more Zoom meetings than we even thought possible. It’s the new normal. It’s the new reality. And to keep our sanity, this is how our house is structured now. All six of us have a separate workspace in the home. Mine is now in the upstairs bedroom. My husbands’ is in one of the spare bedrooms. My oldest son has the downstairs office. The other kids are in their bedrooms.
But this room.
The erstwhile dining room?
It’s a free zone where everyone can meet. A safe haven. If you want company you can bring your computer to this room and there will be coffee and music playing in the background and maybe a good-smelling candle burning and laughter.
Because here’s are four of my best work from home tips: stay organized, stay on task, don’t take yourself too seriously and always, always, always…
…always add the laughter.
This is my seat.
In command central, my place is at the end of the table here. And this is where I was sitting yesterday discussing my day with a cup of coffee and a piece of celery left over from a craft the twins and I filmed yesterday.
To make the craft? We needed celery. Not just one piece. Not just one stalk. Not just one bunch, but bags and bags and bags of celery.
After the craft was over, we have enough celery to feed a neighborhood. I cut it all up into pieces and put it in bags and filled the refrigerator drawer and told everyone that pretzels were out and celery was in.
And somewhere along the way?
I became a celery pusher.
Yep.
A celery pusher. I sold that celery like I was part of a multi-level marketing vegetable scheme.
I mean, we had so much and it’s so good for you and who doesn’t need a piece of celery.
I put out plates with celery and hummus and celery and peanut butter and celery and ranch.
All the condiments, all the sauces, all the time.
There is no shame in my celery game.
One of my best work from home tips? Eat your vegetables.
I wish I could type laughter.
Or eye rolls.
Because that was what was going on at this table yesterday afternoon.
It was full of corny celery puns.
You know.
The kind of puns you are not ever supposed to laugh at. The kind of puns that aren’t even funny.
But they are SO DUMB that I laugh anyway.
I can’t help it.
The sheer absurdity of a really good corny pun always makes me giggle.
Every. Single. Time.
I think my son started it.
He told me that he felt like I was “stalking” him and that I should probably “leaf him alone.”
And then?
My husband joined in.
He told us we were all working so hard that we deserved a “celery increase.”
I tried so hard not to laugh.
Truly.
This is a serious workplace and I’m trying to give serious work from home tips.
But when my husband said it he quirked his eyebrow and his eyes twinkled and he smiled that little half-smile with a dimple on one side that was so full of mischief that a giggle bubbled up inside of me that spilled out across the table.
I laughed so hard I almost spit out my coffee.
My best work from home tips?
- “Turnip” the music.
- Make sure to take breaks. Everyone will understand because we’ve all “bean” there.
- If you get in a “pickle” ask for help.
- Be respectful of other’s space because there isn’t “mushroom” around here.
- Don’t stress and speak your “peas” whenever you can.
So if you are looking for me?
I’ll be right here “planted” in this chair drinking coffee and laughing.
And now?
“Lettuce” all get back to work. 🙂
PS My son just informed me that LOL is so 2017.
Now the cool people type “ha ha ha.”
I thought you should know.
Just in case you wanted to take a “leaf out of my book.”
PPS If you want to see the video the twins and I made—you can see it on my YouTube channel here.
Best subject line ever
What a fun family you are! Beautiful display of flowers. Your dining room is absolutely gorgeous. xo
We just had a few minutes that made us laugh and made our day - our daughter just face timed us with our 4 and 5 year old granddaughters. They are out in a park, and now going for a hike. Their Dad is home working and needs a bit of quiet! They are so adorable and funny. Then we got your post - where do you get it from???? You brighten all of our days. Today is a remote virtual cocktail party and shrimp cocktail with our best friends. Very grateful for them. Keep laughing!
Love, love!! You and the mini-thistles are definitely three "peas" in a pod!!! xoxo
ha, ha, ha...I got it!😊😂
In case your family tires of your new job as a celery pusher, you can dice and freeze it to add to soups. When bell peppers are a good price, I'll buy extra onions and celery along with the bell peppers, dice everything and freeze it in gallon bags. Easy to grab the bag from the freezer and toss a couple of handfuls in for homemade jambalaya or soups.
We also have quart size baggies of frozen celery and bells diced and ready to add to a meal at a moments notice.
I’ve always typed hahaha because in the beginning of texting I thought lol was “laughing out loud”! I’m never current with any trend.
I typed that wrong I thought it meant “lots of love”!
Sounds like you all had a berry good time.
Ah, but you do type laughter. You see the joy in your life and share it with us all, for which I am thankful. Your blog is always such a breath of fresh air. I never tire of your stories about your romantic husband.
Great post! Where do I get the twins book? My granddauther would love it!
Hahaha! (Can I write it like that?) :)
Hilarious 😂. Love that we are all getting some laughs even though it’s been tough!!! Thanks for the corny jokes, Dad jokes.....we all are needing 💜. Our kitchen table has hosted more family dinners recently....used to be I’d take a poll in the morning as to who would be around for dinner. Now I can guarantee that 4 of us will be here every night and sometimes it’s all 5 🥳. Our youngest (20) is in charge of the meme for the day....lots of laughs and stories, and that’s a really good thing 🥰
I still think Mom is going to celer-brate when this is all over :)
SO CUTE! DENTON! I AGREE! YOU REALLY NEED TO POST MORE OFTEN!
STOPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP! Love, mom
I love puns! Wish I were at your table....eating celery. BTW- how LOUD was your table if everyone was crunching at the same time?Ha Ha Ha! :) Hummus and celery=best snack !!!
Oh my goodness! This hit home for me, we are a punny family! My oldest is non-stop with them, he thinks in puns! They are usually so bad that we groan, but can't help but enjoy it! Such great times!! Thanks for sharing!!
PRETTY, PRETTY, WHITE VASES! May I ask where you found them???? Laughing out loud over here! Especially about the "mini thistles".... pretty clever!!
It ain’t necessacelery so!
Ha ha ha!!! Still like LOL You are such a radish! 🤣 And sooo fun! I would love to eavesdrop on all the laughter in your home! And if someday your dining room is missing, I might just happen to know where it is! 😍
Ha!! You can also cut up the celery really small and freeze it for chilli, etc.
Great post!!! A set of good chuckles and inspiration as we all muddle through! Keep your family close and safe KariAnne! And eating their veggies! Obviously, you are a sage woman and can pepper your posts and life with sweet and savory posts for us all! 🥬🥒🥦🥕
Ha ha ha! Orange you guys cute!!!
I love how your family has so much fun together...the video was great!
Ha Ha Ha!
KariAnne, you and your family are "THE BEST"! Just keep all that laughter coming!
This made me laugh. Have a great day!
ha ha ha!! Really - with spaces? Don't those kids know you're not supposed to waste time?! :) Thanks for the cheery advice KariAnne! 💛
I'm a trend setter! I've always used ha ha ha. How cool is that? It was fun reading the comments today. My boss has been sending "dad jokes" in his emails. They are truly groan worthy. You would love them.
“Orange” you thankful for family to “Ha, ha, ha” with? Love the craft you and the girls filmed! Stay safe!
That's funny! I especially liked almost having coffee come out your nose. Just typing that made me giggle! Have a giggle full day! But watch out for that coffee.....It kind of hurts when it comes out of your nose! ;)
I tend to be a deep thinker but when it comes to humor give me a corny joke or silly pun and I am laughing away. Thanks for sharing yours : ) Laughter is truly a medicine.
Celery is also good with salsa❤️. I always feel and hear the laughter when you post.
Ha ha ha,!
The celery printing idea is so cute and this is the perfect time for people to buy the twins crafting book. Beautiful house and fun humor thrown in. Blessings to you and your family. Take care..
Very punny post! Love it!
Hahaha! You are the best. Can imagine how busy it gets around your house with all of you there! You didn't mention your pets, but I know ours are taking up the space too! Thanks for making me hahaha!
I could feel the joy from you as I read this. Thank you so much. And. I am so jealous of 6our flower arrangements. They are so beautiful. Are those real flowers?
Well, ha ha ha. I'm so glad I'm back "in." You guys all must have slept on a tack the night before...that's what my Mom always said when we came up with a bit of sharp wit. Sounds as if you are having fun and making the most of being quarantined. I'm actually enjoying having a valid excuse for doing what I enjoy doing anyway...staying at home, being my introverted self, reading, crafting, enjoying some old t.v. shows I can now stream on my computer, cooking a bit, walking with masks with a friend down the hall. The skies and air are so clear! A message from the earth. I think there are many lessons to be learned during this downtime, not the least of which is to enjoy every moment and be thankful for your good health if you still have it.
I am a laugher. I laugh a lot. I haven't laughed in a few weeks and I needed to read this post!!! Thanks for the laughter. Oh and by the way, your rug just makes that room sing:)
Hahahahahahahaha - oh let the giggling commence! I sure needed that. Thank you! Give those punsters a big hug from us! Going over to see the crafting vid with the twins now. ♥
Your girls are precious. I can’t believe how grown up they are (and how long it must mean that I’ve followed your blog in order to recognize that! Haha! (*Note- no LOL) Love this simple craft and will be using it with my little one. ♥️
Great workspace ideas! And thank you for the fun!!
Watched the video! The girls are just precious... I know you're one proud mama!
With an studio art major here and me trying my hand at painting and computer in between the paint tubes...let's just say we eat all meals in the kitchen and considered the mess a new artistic table decor.
Lettuce not forget that laughter is the best medicine.. So we should turnip the corners of our mouths often. Hahaha. Happy Easter to you and your lovely family. May the reason for this holiday fill your hearts with wonder for the sacrifice He made for all of us.
Thank you for lightening my morning, KariAnne. You did find a way to type laughter! Good for us.