OT - NO POLITICS Turn back the clocks edition

[caz16]

 

[Bruinaura]

Last weekend I finally got enough boxes cleared out of the garage.

If it fits, it sits!

It was 38 degrees outside when I left for work this morning. But not in my car!

I love having a garage!!!!

 

[TD Charlie]

Last weekend I finally got enough boxes cleared out of the garage.

View attachment 935953

If it fits, it sits!

It was 38 degrees outside when I left for work this morning. But not in my car!

I love having a garage!!!!

I’m jealous!

I have had one car garages at a couple places I’ve lived, but part of the deal being of the male species is that my car was rarely the one tucked in at night.

No garage in our new house, but a garage at both rental properties we have. My old Chevelle will split time between the two garages.

We will see how it goes, but I can see us getting a very large car port in the near future. Something nice that we can close in slowly as the years pass

 

[Alicat]

I miscalculated how cold 30 degrees feels here. Brrrr. Remote start on the car is great but walking to and from the car, no matter how short, was less than pleasant with a hoodie and puffy vest.

The positive is that I have substantial allergy relief and can stop using my eye drops every day.

 

[Ladyfan]

Last weekend I finally got enough boxes cleared out of the garage.

View attachment 935953

If it fits, it sits!

It was 38 degrees outside when I left for work this morning. But not in my car!

I love having a garage!!!!

When I was home shopping (many years ago) a garage wasn't a top priority ...My condex has one and I am so thankful!

 

[Alicat]

I’m jealous!

I have had one car garages at a couple places I’ve lived, but part of the deal being of the male species is that my car was rarely the one tucked in at night.

No garage in our new house, but a garage at both rental properties we have. My old Chevelle will split time between the two garages.

We will see how it goes, but I can see us getting a very large car port in the near future. Something nice that we can close in slowly as the years pass

I've seen some people here build a car port like a pergola so it looks nice but protects their cars.

 

[Bruinaura]

I’m jealous!

I have had one car garages at a couple places I’ve lived, but part of the deal being of the male species is that my car was rarely the one tucked in at night.

No garage in our new house, but a garage at both rental properties we have. My old Chevelle will split time between the two garages.

We will see how it goes, but I can see us getting a very large car port in the near future. Something nice that we can close in slowly as the years pass

My parents had a garage, and we always had the cars in there growing up. But the whole time I've lived on my own, I've never had a garage until now. While part of me would like to use it as extra storage, the reality is I need to just get rid of a bunch of stuff anyway, and I'd much rather have my car out of the elements.

 

[Bruinaura]

When I was home shopping (many years ago) a garage wasn't a top priority ...My condex has one and I am so thankful!

Me too!

 

[TD Charlie]

I've seen some people here build a car port like a pergola so it looks nice but protects their cars.

One of our neighbors has a nicer looking car port with decorative posts, some woodwork that matches the house, and matching shingles over it. It looks fantastic.

My parents had a garage, and we always had the cars in there growing up. But the whole time I've lived on my own, I've never had a garage until now. While part of me would like to use it as extra storage, the reality is I need to just get rid of a bunch of stuff anyway, and I'd much rather have my car out of the elements.

Even if we never got snow, it’s worth it to avoid an icy windshield every day.

 

[Johnny Upton]

I’m jealous!

I have had one car garages at a couple places I’ve lived, but part of the deal being of the male species is that my car was rarely the one tucked in at night.

No garage in our new house, but a garage at both rental properties we have. My old Chevelle will split time between the two garages.

We will see how it goes, but I can see us getting a very large car port in the near future. Something nice that we can close in slowly as the years pass

I definitely have garage envy too. I never thought I needed one until I lived in the sticks and my car got assaulted by a zillion acorns and other debris. If I was a rich man I’d build an addition that included one. Alas, I’ll have to stick with my $179 car cover for the winter.

 

[RoccoF14]

I manage a bunch of people, it's easy. I let my people run when I think they can, if they flame out than they are out. It has left me with an incredible team of people and I don't micromanage their time or work, and they become really honest with me. Doctor's appointment? That's not PTO. Something going on at home? Let me know if you need help or if it's going to impact work. Just struggling with a new assignment? Lets try to figure this out together.

Your employees are adults, treat them that way. Granted my company has a pretty flat structure and I'm technically third in charge so letting a troublemaker go vs giving someone rope is truly within my power.

Well said, and I agree. I've been leading people for 30yrs. Both in the military and in the civilian world. Leading in the military vs the civilian world are two completely different things, so its not a one-size fits all approach. Bottom line, is that you have to know your people and their skill set in order to lead them effectively and you need to adapt your approach for each individual.

I'm a big believer in Situational Leadership. How I lead a tenured, highly skilled and strong performer who might be a little burned out, is drastically different from a new employee, who's eager to learn but still hasn't reached their peak potential. I've been lucky to have great leaders throughout my career and have learned a lot from them. One of them gave me his 3E's of leadership:

Educate: Set clear objectives on what needs to be accomplished and provide the support and training on how to accomplish them.

Empower: Once you've educated them, eliminate distractions, minimize the bullshit, and get the hell out of their way so they can do their jobs. Be a resource when they have questions or hit roadblocks and encouragement as they work toward the goal.

Expect: Monitor their progress and hold them accountable for results.

I think Goal Setting is very important. If you don't have an idea of what you want to accomplish, you're just spinning your wheels. I provide my team my own goals, and I ask them to do the same. Then we hold each other accountable. If its done with a positive intent, it can be a powerful tool.

 

[Bruinaura]

One of our neighbors has a nicer looking car port with decorative posts, some woodwork that matches the house, and matching shingles over it. It looks fantastic.


Even if we never got snow, it’s worth it to avoid an icy windshield every day.

Even just defogging or defrosting is a pain, trying to get the temperature just right and then to get enough of it clear for you to see where you're going.

 

[Bruinaura]

I definitely have garage envy too. I never thought I needed one until I lived in the sticks and my car got assaulted by a zillion acorns and other debris. If I was a rich man I’d build an addition that included one. Alas, I’ll have to stick with my $179 car cover for the winter.

I've done the car cover thing before, definitely not fun

 

[Ladyfan]

I manage a bunch of people, it's easy. I let my people run when I think they can, if they flame out than they are out. It has left me with an incredible team of people and I don't micromanage their time or work, and they become really honest with me. Doctor's appointment? That's not PTO. Something going on at home? Let me know if you need help or if it's going to impact work. Just struggling with a new assignment? Lets try to figure this out together.

Your employees are adults, treat them that way. Granted my company has a pretty flat structure and I'm technically third in charge so letting a troublemaker go vs giving someone rope is truly within my power.

Years ago, I managed a small group (new product introduction into Manuf). There were only 4 and 1 who was dotted line to the purchasing group. It was OK except two of them did not get along. I mean " He has a better chair then me...She got back from lunch 5 min late" Good Lord....We have work to do.

I preferred being an individual contributor.

 

[TD Charlie]

I definitely have garage envy too. I never thought I needed one until I lived in the sticks and my car got assaulted by a zillion acorns and other debris. If I was a rich man I’d build an addition that included one. Alas, I’ll have to stick with my $179 car cover for the winter.

My car gets attacked by the mulch beds around the house. I'm still not sure if I believe it, but Google tells me that the mulch grows a fungus that explodes to spread, and little black/brown dots end up all over my vehicle.

Tree branches and the like are a whole different ballgame!

 

[TD Charlie]

Even just defogging or defrosting is a pain, trying to get the temperature just right and then to get enough of it clear for you to see where you're going.

View attachment 935997

In high school I had a car with no heat. I mean to say the car came with heat, it just didn't work. It also had a tendency to form ice on the inside of the windshield. I kept a rag with me in the winter so I could manually defrost the inside of the windshield, and then pass it off to my passenger to periodically wipe the glass when it inevitably fogged up

 

[Bruinaura]

My car gets attacked by the mulch beds around the house. I'm still not sure if I believe it, but Google tells me that the mulch grows a fungus that explodes to spread, and little black/brown dots end up all over my vehicle.

Tree branches and the like are a whole different ballgame!

There are a lot of trees in my yard and neighborhood, and often I come home to see small branches/twigs all over the driveway. Makes me kind of nervous for the first major storm. I really don't want a tree landing in my living room.

 

[Morris Wanchuk]

The only proper car port when on the South Coast is one with a grape vine. @TD Charlie

Bonus points for a bathtub Mary

 

[Kate08]

The only proper car port when on the South Coast is one with a grape vine. @TD Charlie

Bonus points for a bathtub Mary

Ah, Bathtub Mary and *Insert Saint of choice* on the Half Shell.

Those plus some creepy plastic woodland animals adorned my grandparents home in SOMERVILLE. There are no woodland animals.

 

[Bruinaura]

Mmmmm..... chocolate.....

View attachment 935905

Good timing, our broker just delivered a box of Belgian chocolates to our office.

Mmmmmmmm

 

[Morris Wanchuk]

Ah, Bathtub Mary and *Insert Saint of choice* on the Half Shell.

Those plus some creepy plastic woodland animals adorned my grandparents home in SOMERVILLE. There are no woodland animals.

My grandfather has Mary, the three Fatima shepherds, and some sheep with a flood light.

Anyone remember the Mass Pike Mary between exit 8 and 9 going east?

Massachusetts Turnpike Madonna in Warren gets new keepers

Elmer J. and Diane Fontaine asked the sale of their property include a proviso that the shrine be cared for by the new owners.

www.masslive.com

 

[Fenway]

Peanut Butter Beer?

 

[McGarnagle]

I manage a bunch of people, it's easy. I let my people run when I think they can, if they flame out than they are out. It has left me with an incredible team of people and I don't micromanage their time or work, and they become really honest with me. Doctor's appointment? That's not PTO. Something going on at home? Let me know if you need help or if it's going to impact work. Just struggling with a new assignment? Lets try to figure this out together.

Your employees are adults, treat them that way. Granted my company has a pretty flat structure and I'm technically third in charge so letting a troublemaker go vs giving someone rope is truly within my power.

I prefer to let employees do their jobs and not micromanage too. Every employee is different and has different strengths though, you just have to recognize them.

I have one direct report currently and I'm pretty hands off and let her do her job because I trust her to get it done. Only have to occasionally explain changes in protocol, train on a new thing, or make decisions of importance when something new pops up. I had another team member earlier who was a mess and needed handholding on just about everything and whose work I had to doublecheck for mistakes constantly. That one got let go a few months ago and even though we haven't replaced the position (we do borrow a guy from another team who's taking a kind of hybrid role between departments, but it's still more in the training stage), but even though we're technically undermanned and dividing that workload up, I actually have more free time than before because I'm not getting interrupted with "I need your help" every twenty minutes and not having to review all her work and correct the mistakes constantly.

I don't mind helping people when they're learning something new, but I value efficiency and hate backtracking and repeating things over and over.
This is my first role where I'm overseeing a team and I try to be easygoing and low pressure so the hardest part is when I have to be a disciplinarian and give warnings or set boundaries. We had to write up that one employee a few times for both performance and unprofessional behavior several times before we wound up firing her, and I dread those conversations.

Peanut Butter Beer?

View attachment 936019

Peanut Butter stouts are pretty common from what I've seen in microbreweries. Pretty good too.

 

[Kate08]

Peanut Butter Beer?

View attachment 936019

It's very popular.

 

[RoccoF14]

This is my first role where I'm overseeing a team and I try to be easygoing and low pressure so the hardest part is when I have to be a disciplinarian and give warnings or set boundaries. We had to write up that one employee a few times for both performance and unprofessional behavior several times before we wound up firing her, and I dread those conversations.

I don't think anybody likes having hard conversations with people who aren't cutting it. But dealing with underperforming individuals is one of the most important things leaders do. The key is catching it and addressing it early, before it gets out of hand. Some leaders will avoid that conversation and hope it goes away, and it rarely ends well.

I've put people on Action Plans, and in a lot of cases, the individual has corrected their behavior, kept their job and thrived. As a leader, that's incredibly rewarding.

....I've also had to show a few to the door. But when I did it, it was with a clear conscience that I did everything within reason to try to help them first.