Today was my first day back to work after 10 days of family travel, and boy did it go wrong. Now, I’m a huge believer in vacation. It’s important to take time away from your work–mentally and physically. I’m also a huge believer in the value of travel. Seeing new things and meeting new people and understanding different cultures just a little bit more helps me to be a better writer, speaker, and consultant. I usually come back from vacation excited to get going–I truly love my job!–but today was a disaster. Learn from my mistakes.
I scheduled a dentist appointment for my daughter.
She starts school next week and I didn’t want her to have to take time off school to get a tooth filled, so I took this appointment time. Boy, was that dumb. Having to stop work to take a kid to the dentist threw my day off kilter by 10:00 am. Don’t schedule things on top of your normal work day for your first day back.
To keep reading, click here: I Had a Crappy First Day Back at Work After Vacation. Here’s What I Did Wrong.
FRUIT FLIES: get 2 or 3 jars / bottles at least 6 inches high and with a relatively small opening. In one of the bottles put some pieces of fruit, a bit of tomato, and similar. Let sit out all day (and night) and when there are 10-15 flies in the bottle, put your hand over the opening, take the bottle outside, and let them go. Bring the bottle inside and repeat. After a day either clean out the bottle and start over, or plug the opening, throw the bottle away and start again with a new bottle (they lay eggs in the bottle). Of course there should be no exposed fruit in the house. Or you can just cover / seal all your food and the flies will die out in 2or 3 days.
Thank you!
You’re gonna have one nasty electric bill coming up.
I swear by orange juice and apple cider vinegar in bottle or cup. This isn’t a catch-and-release method, however, just a catch-and-get-rid-of method. If you use a cup, cover it with some kind of cling wrap (I use the Press ‘N’ Seal stuff, because it sticks) and use a toothpick to make holes in the top. The flies can get into the holes, but they can’t get back out. You can also use a soda bottle if you cut it in half and then turn the top upside down and place it back inside (to create a sort of fun down into the bottom of the bottle). You often don’t even need to cover this with wrap, because they usually can’t make it back out.
I’ve used both of the containers with a little bit of OJ and vinegar, and it always draws the fruit flies in. My friend says that she just uses OJ with a little bit of dish soap (instead of the vinegar), but once mine worked, I just stuck with it.
I forgot a link that I usually send to people who are trying to get a picture of what I mean for the cup: https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-get-rid-of-fruit-flies-super-simple-diy-trap-182504
And a link to what the soda bottle looks like when in use: https://picevo.me/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/homemade-fly-catcher-homemade-fly-trap-duct-to-kill-bees-in-control-plug-in-wall-tips-for-you-homemade-fruit-fly-trap-soda-bottle.jpg
I am surprised that you didn’t have everything pre-organized even for pre-vacation checklists, along with making sure that all doctors’ appointments were not scheduled during your work schedule.
Vacations are wonderful but just like working,you need to plan the days and after with as much detail as you put into a work schedule. That is why I took mini-vacations over prolonged two-three week vacations. Too much planning—no relaxation.
As to the fruit flies, make a solution of white vinegar, dish detergent and water and put into a spray bottle. Spray all exposed surfaces and wipe down. I assume that you threw out all the bad food in tightly closed containers. You may need to go through the pantry and wipe down everything there,too. Hopefully you store grains and dry stuff in sealed containers. It will take about two-three weeks to get rid of the infestation and any eggs that may hatch but this solution will discourage them from staying around. Fruit flies don’t like the scent of white vinegar, plus it’s a disinfectant. You only need a few drops of dish detergent in the solution. Make everyone help you as punishment for the fridge being left open since “I didn’t do it and I don’t know “ are the culprits.
Diets. Don’t talk to me about diets. I’m on two diets now; I wasn’t getting nearly enough food on just one. 🙂
Glad you survived your post-vacation stress!
You mean a horde? 🙂 #compulsiveeditor
Gah, that stinks–literally! The floors in my house are uneven and once, my freezer wasn’t shut all the way and silently opened overnight. I had to toss everything in it the next day. >:(
I’ve found that building a little time in before I have to go back to work is a huge help. If I can manage it, I try to add an extra day in between to get back on track. If not, then I try to at least not come back too late so I can get a good night’s sleep. And yes, cleaning the house before I leave is a MUST.
I try to always put clean sheets on the bed before we go away. Somehow it makes returning feel a little less rumpled.
Also a fan of vinegar traps for fruit flies – I find apple cider vinegar (just enough to cover the bottom of the bottle or jar) with a drop or two of dish detergent works best. Cling wrap over the jar, or make a paper funnel if the jar/bottle is tall enough.