The Joy of Working From Home

There are times working from home is wonderful. I can sit in my sweats all day and if I'm having a bad hair day, well who is going to see?

Unfortunately Friday was not one of those days. Hubby's office was closed due to electrical issues in the building. Great for kids and adults who want a day off and do not have to get out of bed. Lousy for someone (like me) who still has to work.

The day started well. I woke up in the wee hours knowing that hubby would not be heading to work after all. Whoo hoo! Spending more time with him than normal is okay by me. Sneaking back into bed with my icy hands sliding under his butt, I nuzzled his neck and whispered "Unplanned day off baby. Wanna celebrate?" Okay so I was a little later starting work than normal. Shhh I will not tell if you won't.

Normally after hubby leaves for work at 6:45 I sit down at the desk and open my emails to see what I need to address. It is balls to the wall for me then and I dive right in, not breaking until hubby does. Since I didn't get started until 7:15 I was behind. An hour after I begin I hear:

Hooooonnnneeeeey. Where aaarrrrrre youuuuuu?

I'm in the other room working baby.

But I'm cold! Come warm me up!

Normally he wouldn't have to ask twice, but since I have a job that needs to be finished ASAP I have to decline. I promise to finish quick as I can and then we can play. He comes in pouting in that oh so adorable way he has. Talk about cheating! Forty five minutes later he is warm again and I get to sit back down at the computer and get something done.

Want some coffee honey?

That would be great sweetheart, thanks.

You hungry? I can make us a big breakfast.

Mmmm no I'm fine, thanks.

Are you sure? You've had a lot of exercise lately. You need your strength.

Of course this is said with a wicked gleam in his eye and an even more wicked wink. Concentrate, do not look at him! Reading new messages I hear the clanging and banging of dishes in the kitchen. When the whistling starts I put on my headset and tune out.

Menf, N rftk lsklw rnsg!

Takes off headset: What did you say?

Here, I hope you enjoy this!

Looking down my sweetheart has placed a platter the size of Montana in front of me heaping with all my favorite breakfast foods. He's great, but if I eat even one quarter of what is before me I would be out like a light! Giving him a big kiss I dive in as I work

Are you going to eat that?

I am eating hun.

Oh. It doesn't look like you are. Why don't you stop working and finish it?

In a minute sweetie. I need to concentrate on this.

Okay.

For a while all I hear is the sounds of cleanup going on, both in the kitchen and in the bathroom. I am finally getting to the point where everything is coming together and I hear:

I'm bored.

Why don't you watch a movie?

Nothing sounds good.

You could always read one of the 20 books you have stashed in the closet and haven't begun yet.

Nah I'm not in the mood to read.

Okay. Why don't you get online and do more research for your next book?

I guess.

All of a sudden Annie Lennox is singing two feet away from me. At high volume. I look over and see hubby bouncing to the music.

Ralph?

Yo, Ralph.

RALPH!!!!!

Sorry, did you say something honey?

Yes I did. Can you plug in your headset and listen to that? It's a little too distracting.

Ooops! Sure I can. Love you mama!

Love you too. And it's a good thing because about this time the headache that has been building decides it likes sitting right behind my eyes and isn't going anywhere. I am not saying hubby is a headache, but trying to work while he is around is not easy.

Grace?

Mmm hmmm.

Whatcha doin?

Working.

On what?

This ad for a holiday sale.

Can I help?

Thanks hun, but I don't know how you could.

You could teach me.

Mmm hmmm, but not now. Maybe later.

If you showed me how, I could help you.

Uh huh.

How do you get your ideas?

Um, they just come to me.

Kind of like writing?

Mmm hmmm.

Grace?

Yes papa?

I love you.

Love you too honey.

Grace?

Yes?

I'm bored.




Before I decide to open the sliding door and throw him outside with the dogs, I went to the closet and pulled out the kids' old toy box. I dug around and took a few things back to the table.

Here.

What's this?

Drawing paper, colored pencils, construction paper, glue, scissors and glitter.

What am I supposed to do with this?

Make me something.

What?

Whatever you want. You're creative.

Okay.

Peace and quiet finally descends. Occasionally I hear a snicker but as long as he's occupied I'm not worried.

Hey lover, want to see what I made?

Sure honey. Let me save this file first. Okay, what do you have?

As I look down at the paper my mouth drops open. He leans over and whispers in my ear. The pounding in my head hits a crescendo.

You know what they say the best cure for a headache is, don't you?

I quickly closed my laptop and grab his hand. I guess me taking a day off too wouldn't hurt anything.