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    See More:   My Life

    Last Modified: Sep 24, 2018 by Tara Ziegmont 4 Comments

    Working Utopia

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    I homeschool, mother, and do housework in the daytime while Joe works. Joe fathers, cooks, and does housework in the evenings while I work.

    From a chair in the living room.

    It's crazy and hectic.

    Most of the time, I love working from home, but it has a whole slew of challenges.

    My job - my consulting, my blogging, and my work at AboutOne - relies entirely on my having a reliable internet connection. No internet, no work.

    Late yesterday morning, my internet connection went out. I rebooted and massaged {read shook, jarred, and tapped} my wireless router. Nothing.

    I called customer service, and they talked me into disconnecting my home phone. {How weird is that?} They said they'd put in an emergency order and hopefully would get a technician out to me this week.

    {gulp}

    I knew I had a couple of posts written and scheduled {thank you, Jesus} and I didn't have any consulting appointments scheduled for the early part of the week, so those fronts could stand a blackout.

    Unfortunately, however, my boss at AboutOne depends on me getting my work done. I can't just skip a day without careful planning ahead of time.

    What can I say? I'm valuable.

    And modest.

    working utopiaPin

    Anyway, I had to make other arrangements for my work time as I couldn't manage everything I needed to do from my iPhone.

    I decided to go to McDonald's. They have nice music, free Wifi, and cold drinks.

    I found the only visible electrical outlet in the entire store underneath a booth occupied by some angst-ridden teenagers. I ate a sandwich in an adjacent booth, waiting for them to vacate.

    Once they were gone, I was ready for working utopia - no kids climbing on me and making demands, no television, no cats sitting on my laptop, no bedtime drama. Just me and my laptop and my distraction-free brain.

    Cue the productivity music. Momma's in the zone.

    Shortly after I sat down, a family with a 2-year-old (I know because she told me.) sat down in the booth next to me.

    Shortly after that, some rowdy teenagers came in.

    Shortly after that, a family with 3 badly behaved kids {named Montana, Rebecca, and Tori} arrived and stayed to eat, and I was shocked by the kind of language people use in public.

    Clearly, I spend a lot of time hanging around with people who are just like me.

    Not so at McDonald's.

    About two hours into my office hours, I looked up to see my youngest running toward me, squealing. Joe followed with my friend.

    I greeted them, puzzled.

    So nice to see you! I'm working. Come back another time. {Things I wanted to say but didn't.}

    They sat down.

    HELLO! I'm trying to work here! {I didn't say that either.}

    And started chatting.

    I left my comfortable chair to sit in a McDonald's booth so that I could work! Here! By myself! {Also unsaid.}

    With me.

    I give up. Tell me about your day. 

    We had a nice conversation. I hadn't seen my friend in a couple of months, and I always really enjoy her company.

    Nonetheless, I was happy to see the whole crew leave. They had to pick up Daisy Girl Scouts a quick 20 minutes after they arrived, and I was free to get back to work.

    Almost every day, I see a photo on Instagram of some work-from-home-mom working at a coffee shop or fast food joint while I'm working in madness, and I am jealous of her quiet work time. Her grass looks so much nicer and greener than that under my feet.

    Today, I realized that there is no such thing as working utopia.

    The mom in the coffee shop has just as many distractions as I do in my living room.  Their names are different, but they are no fewer.

    I'm almost glad that my internet went out so that I could have this experience.

    Almost.

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    1. Cindy says

      December 04, 2012 at 3:10 pm

      What you need is a good set of earplugs. Try it and see if your McD's experience improves. 😉

      Reply
      • Tara Ziegmont says

        December 04, 2012 at 4:12 pm

        Sadly, I'm back at McDonald's because my internet still isn't fixed. I should've stopped at the drug store to get some. I'm pretty good at getting in the zone and blocking stuff out. I have lots of practice at home. 🙂

        Reply
    2. Leslie Maddox says

      December 04, 2012 at 6:01 pm

      Also, the woman in the coffee shop really needs to use the restroom but she's waiting until she gets home so that she doesn't leave her laptop unattended. I know, because I've been that woman.

      But I will say that working utopia exists. It's called "my parents are out of town so I left the kids with hubby to housesit for them and can work for hours and hours without distraction and can even use the bathroom anytime I want."

      Reply
      • Tara Ziegmont says

        December 04, 2012 at 6:08 pm

        I know! I took my laptop and phone and purse to the bathroom with me after asking friends on Facebook what I should do. That's something you wouldn't think of until the urge strikes. 😉

        Reply

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    Harrisburg PA mom blogger Tara Ziegmont
    I am passionate about helping women to care for themselves and their families physically, emotionally, and spiritually by making time for what matters most through a combination of delectable recipes, Christian inspiration, and family fun. If you're tired of feeling so weary and uninspired, you're in the right place. I'm so glad you're here!
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