Working from Home in August

So I have this new contract, and I'll be working from home for the next month. Everyone says "How exciting!" and "We're jealous!" - Well, let me tell you the truth about it.

Working from home means yes, you can wear a tshirt and jeans or even your PJs for that matter, if you're not worried about anyone coming by. It means you have full access to snacks in the kitchen, which is both good and bad.

It means you have to be your own boss, be disciplined, and "get 'er done". Which I can do. But let's face it, being tied to the computer for 8 hours a day while others come and go ("Wanna go see the grandkids?" "Want to go to the store with me?") is no fun.

But the money coming in is nice, and while you're sitting at the computer, it's so easy to pop over to Amazon.com and get yet another toy for the little people. (Which you know will thrill their mother.)

It's hot outside, so you're thankful for the air conditioning, and you drink tons of water. If you like bottled water, like me, that means *someone* has to haul cases of it inside. Enter the husband. His job is to "lift heavy objects" and feed me when I'm working. That's only fair, isn't it?

Somehow, however, every summer I end up at home alone with some home-improvement thing going on while I work. And that's interesting, too. Having people go in and out of the house tends to zero out the air conditioning. And all the hammering and banging going on just doesn't help the creative process - or any kind of thinking, for that matter.

But I am thankful for the chance to work, the ability to pay for these small and often necessary home improvements, for having a supportive spouse, for grandchildren that still seem to like me and live within driving range, and for a mind and body that haven't completely failed yet. (Some parts work better than others, though.)

I tried retirement - twice. Made it almost a whole year one time. Took up pottery and made 200 pots that year. (That should have told me something.)

I like working. I like being around bright, energetic people. I like having my experience appreciated and even sought after. It's stimulating.

And though I complain about the noise and heat when things are being done here in the house, I'm always thrilled with the results afterwards. And hubby likes that I pay for it.

But, hey, it's the weekend - my day(s) off! Time to go see those grandchildren!

How about you? Are you semi-retired? Have you worked from home? How was it?