Top Ten Reasons I Love Working From Home

So aside from my quick anniversary post, I've been spacing on blogging.    Sometimes I don't have anything to say [ok, admittedly for a chatter box like me, that's pretty rare] but most of the time I am unmotivated to put it down into a coherent format.  You know… to actually write!   I'm reading the archives of one of my favorite blogs and came across Top 10 lists, which she was running about once per week.   That seems manageable.   I can write a list.  I love lists.  So to kick things off…….

Top Ten Reasons I Love Working From Home

1) No commute
I work ten steps from my bedroom.  One flight of stairs from the kitchen.  I cannot even calculate how much money and gas I have saved by not driving to work.  The downside is I don't have time to read on a train [loved that in DC!] but it's a small price to pay.

2) Casual clothing
I am sitting here in a tank top and shorts.  Barefoot.  No one knows and no one cares.  I am comfortable!

3) Lazy Head
Messy hair, glasses, no makeup.  That sounds like me when I get out of bed.  And also when I start working at 7am.  I do always make myself  look presentable by 8 am in case I have to answer the door.  But presentable to answer the door is a tad different than presentable at the office

4) Saving Time
When I was in NY last week, I went to the office.  You know, working next to people.  Human interaction!  I had to get up earlier so that I could get dressed, fix my hair and makeup and eat breakfast.   And, you know, get to the office!   I also had to spend time driving back to the hotel.  Not a ton of time but when you work 5 days a week, these things add up.

5) Unlimited access to tea
I know, you can make it in the office.  But it's different in your own kitchen with the canister of teabags and the sink right there.

6) Less interruptions
We use instant message to stay in touch, but an IM is different than a colleague at your desk.   I can ignore it for a few seconds without being rude!

7) Quiet
I spent a lot of time on the phone.  All of my teammates do.  When we sit in close proximity it gets LOUD and can be hard to hear.  My home office is blissfully silent except for my own blabbing.

8) Space
My desk is small, but the office is spacious enough.  Anyone who has studied with me since the mid 90's know that I tend to spread thing out on the floor in a circle from where I am sitting.  It's a hazard when working in a traditional office.   It's no biggie here.   Well, unless the cat decides to nap on a binder, but that's another story

9) Flexibility
Last Thanksgiving I actually worked part of a day FROM THE CAR!  I kid you not.  I had a live chat with a guy in Africa while Michael drove north on I-95.  Very Marty McFly/ Back to the Future.  I need a laptop and internet to work, and can work anywhere.  I don't even need an office!  

10) Saving Money
This relates to several points above, but I don't have to buy gas for my commute, I don't have to buy business appropriate clothing [or take to the dry cleaner].   I don't have to buy as much make up or hair product because I don't 'get ready' every day.  Some of these are obviously more minor than others, but a penny saved is a penny earned! 

Happy 4th Anniversary

Our anniversary falling on a Thursday night means nothing crazy over here.... just an evening of watching the Indians game and eating ice cream.   It's part of the routine, but isn't that what it's all about?  The little things that are part of your day-to-day that make life happy, and uniquely you.

All I know is that four years ago today, two high-school sweethearts got married.   It was a picture perfect weather day, the church was beautiful, and the flowers amazing.   Everyone we love was there, and they all had fun at the reception.

THAT is what it's all about, too.