Sep 17, 2009

Posted by Serenity in photos, what's up | 8 Comments

Hello, Humans, I’ve Missed You

dsc04528Be forewarned, this post may not have a point of any sort. It is basically an excuse to post this picture of little Nola Serenity, my namesake. Which my sister says has backfired a little bit because she usually only uses the middle name when Nola spills her potty chair or climbs the stairs. I don’t care in the least though. Just look at the Audrey Hepburn hair on that little sweetie. And she has my name. And when she sucks her thumb and nuzzles her face directly into the skin along Charity’s neckline, I feel pretty sure reproduction is the only reason to live.

I started a new adventure this week. I’ve been working from home for ten years now. And oh for the days when I only did the work part about three hours a day and the rest of the time I just cared for my house and my babies. I didn’t get the Sunday night blues even one time back then. But neither could we afford the food and clothing for three children on a schedule like that, so I’ve beefed up the hours since then. And occasionally on Sunday night, I’m blue.

Working from home has a few cons I won’t bore you with, but one tiny one is that occasionally you go completely insane from living only in your own head all day long. This laptop and my own brain – those have been my coworkers. The laptop  has lots to offer – cool blogs, tweetdeck, email accounts. But in that sense it’s like the coworker who never lets you get anything done. It’s always walking by with donuts and celebrity gossip and INSIGHTS INTO YOUR SOUL that you just can’t ignore. My own brain, on the other hand, is an emotional roller coaster that would really rather be writing a novel, you know, if she’s going to be hanging out at home anyway. And she is ridiculously self-absorbed.

So while Jake takes on the adventure of pre-school, I’m taking on the adventure of actually going to work. And I’ve discovered that at least for those almost-three hours, work can be cool. Everything I’m supposed to be writing about? It floats around me in conversations and telephone calls from these people we call coworkers, which is practically a new concept to me. And it’s one I can’t help but like. At least for now, because I can feel the insanity fading.

Now, go ahead, tell me in the comments section that the appreciation of coworkers goes out the window in, like, a week. I can take it. I’m used to huge climbs and then plummets in ecstasy. And if you warn me, than I might be able to fend off the effects for a couple weeks at least. And, also, buy an iPod.

  1. Laptop and Brain vs Responsibility and Money. Epic battle. I hope you come out on top, my friend.

    That picture is so adorable. She really does have Audrey Hepburn hair!

  2. It’s so funny how as you are entering that world I’m leaving it. I’ve been in the same office for over 13 years. I watched our department grow from knowing everyone and going out with them regularly after work, to not knowing the new people’s names until they’ve been there at least 6 months. Now I’m sitting in my cramped little office space, staring at the back of the bathroom vanity through the doorway that they never closed up when they started renovating this rental house. Dreaming of what my NEW house will be like, and my NEW office space in a room that doesn’t have to double as ANYTHING ELSE AT ALL! It gets to be just my office…

    So as you enjoy getting to talk to actual people in person, I’ll figure out how to adjust to talking only via instant messenger or telephone. I am already missing the presence of walking up to someone’s desk and saying “Enough back and forth in email, lets sit down and figure this out in person.”

  3. I’m with you, Carol. You need a pretty office space. It helps immensely.

  4. Tell you coworkers are awful? Nah, remembering I work with good people is the only thing that keeps me sane sometime (even on the days when those good people may be the main reason I’m losing it). Good luck.

  5. I LOVE my coworkers. Especially the ones that read this blog :)

    Seriously, I’m glad you are getting this reprieve. Now you really do have the best of both worlds.

  6. We are too fond of people watching in general to mind co-workers, no matter their disposition. If you love them – GREAT! If you don’t – you can just recite Grandma’s mantra: “they must have had a rough childhood” and MOVE ON! : ) We really are made for the people connection. It is good for us and makes us appreciate personal time that much more. Did you watch the new NBC show “Community” last night? Loved it – perfect example.

  7. I happen to love my coworkers. Of course, they are an exceptional lot so that’s probably not a good example.

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