I got an email yesterday from faithful reader Amanda who wrote:

Hey Jess–I have a detached garden office that could be insulated a bit better (it’s on the list of home improvements) and just discovered I need to move insulating to the top of the list pronto–we have mice! They actually shredded one of my client reports for a nest in the wall, and have been sneaking in after hours looking for food. Any suggestions for getting rid of them?

Fortunately (well, more truthfully, unfortunately ) I’ve had a few run ins with the little guys myself and though I used to use sticky traps, I finally found something that seems to work without needing to kill the pests. I installed multiple ultrasonic rodent repellers according to the directions (which help you locate them strategically. I haven’t had a problem since.

If you’ve had an unwanted officemate, how did you uninvite the little guy?

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But, I have a friend who was recently horrified when she visited me at the office and discovered that I leave the boob tube on all day. “How can you work with the TV on like that?” she demanded. “You’d be so much more productive if you turned that dreck off!”

Okay, so I added that last part–she’d never have called it dreck–but her tone was one of absolute abhorrence. Which got me thinking: I know I’m not the only gal out there who likes to work with the TV on and if you’re in the same boat, I’d love to hear what you watch while you work.

Old movies? Talk shows? TV shows on Hulu.com or DVD? Game shows like me?

I figure one of the biggest benefits to having a home office is getting to choose your own music or background noise. So, tell me, what’s your poison?

Since I’m a fast typist (100+wpm), it’s important to me that the keyboard not hold me back. It’s also important that it not look beat up too quickly–which, since I do a lot of typing… That definitely happens (I’ve rubbed off half the letters on my Mac Laptop’s keyboard…).

The Vaio comes with a really excellent keyboard–it has just the right amount of spring, and has enough extra keys to let me control the computer from a distance (but doesn’t have so many extraneous keys to distract from the keys you really need). I’ve had it for well over a year and its still going strong. It does take (4) batteries which is a little annoying, but I use rechargeable ones so that at least I’m not tossing them regularly, and I’ve found they last quite long–probably at least 3 months with near-constant use.

So, tell us about the keyboard you use right now–is it awesome? Annoying? Are any of the keys broken? Sticky? Keyboards are an oft-overlooked office tool that make a big difference in both typing speed and efficiency (when I’m using a sticky keyboard, typos become way too common). And I’d love to hear about your favorite!

But, when you work from home, especially when you run your own business, you can feel glued to your desk. Not only does your energy flag, but your productivity and creativity can both suffer if you don’t take breaks.

So, today we’d love to hear your favorite break traditions. Do you enjoy breaking at 2 for tea and a magazine? Do you break when the kids come home for some milk and cookies? Does the dog demand a daily walk at 4 that gets you off the computer and out into the neighborhood?

Share what takes you away from your desk regularly–and if you aren’t taking enough breaks, why not share a new break-taking strategy you’ll be putting into place?

So, today I’d love to know what your must-have office tool is. Is it a label maker? A favorite pen? A funny eraser?

Cast your vote below and check back to see if there are any great office tools you’ve been missing out on.

So, what’s your favorite music to work to? Classical? Pop? Old fashioned rock and roll? We’d love to hear your top artists, too!