Work From Home Blues

It’s 31 degrees out. And raining ice. School is out. My car is frozen shut and stuck to the ground. Thankfully, I can work from home. And I am grateful for it. But…

Listen, here’s the thing. I’m an introvert. I like my space. I like my routine. And this throws it off. All of it. Like, yeah, I can still answer the phone and update my spreadsheets. But there’s also my kids in the background playing video games (more like yelling over taking turns) or watching TV (again, more like arguing over what to watch). There’s my corgi who is currently barking at the ice hitting the window.

And as if my job wasn’t enough with calls, and jobs, and spreadsheets, and meetings, and reports, I have mommy guilt. It’s the guilt that says, “You’re home so you should be doing something domestic.” Like laundry, dishes, vacuuming, dusting. Because, you know, I’m not busy enough working. So naturally while I’m preparing a spreadsheet that needs to be done for a conference call in 30 minutes, I’ve also got a load of laundry in the washer and one in the dryer. I also have my youngest eating breakfast while working on his packet sent from school just for days like this.

And of course Lucy wants to go for a walk. How is it this corgi cam go from 9 pm to 5 am without a problem, but the instant I’m home she has to go out every hour? What is that?

And the dog is now barking at the car that is stuck in my ditch because they tried to drive in this mess.

Did I mention my mother in law lives with us? And watches my husband’s nephew’s kids. Meaning that even though the roads were bad, she drove out to get these kids and bring them here. And she is constantly moving and doing things in the house. Mainly the kitchen. So, here I am, trying to have a conference call with my big boss about nearly $100,000 worth of work that needs to be done at some locations we service, but in the background I have my mother in law busting out pots and pans to cook breakfast.

For the record, my desk is in between the living, kitchen, hallway, and dining room. Leaving me exposed to all the sounds of the house.

And now the dog is growling at her squeaky eggplant.

Did I mention my husband does IT for the same company I work for? So he is home, as well. And has the amazing talent of burping right as my phone rings. My headset is very sensitive.

It is now 6:38 pm. The day is done. And I’m tired. I’ve done 3 loads of laundry, folded and put away. I’ve also broken up 3 fights, walked the dog 5 times, and eaten my way in turkey and hummus.

I can’t wait to go back to the office. Back to normality and quiet.

Well, hell’s bells.