Someone said there would be bon-bons. I’m still waiting.
This is where I write.
See the table/desk and chair in the corner? That’s command central. That’s where the writing and blogging happens. That’s where I am right now.
It’s not too shabby, I’m not complaining. There’s a big bay window, inspirational dust under the couch and the requisite Golden Retriever. There’s even a telescope in case I want to spy on my neighbors (just kidding, sort of). There are Tiffany lamps and family photos. The railing borders the long hallway that connects the family room and kitchen to the bedrooms. When I write I’m center stage, even if I’m alone because frankly in this house there is no place to hide. I chose this location because by far the prettiest (and neatest) room in the house and I can be present, and not, all at the same time.
Ah, the beauty of working from home is unparalleled.
Unless of course I’m interviewing a Food Network personality over the phone.
You see, my dogs bark when I’m on the phone. Yes they do. So conducting a business conversation or interview is next to impossible unless I put them outside, lock them in a variety of bedrooms or use my alternate office space, which is where I was for 20 minutes on Thursday morning, sitting on the floor, door locked, fan on.
The glamorous life of a work-at-home mom.
Indeed.
Where do you write and can you lock people — or dogs — out?
(Since I’m not a writer, I just sit on the couch with my laptop (on my lap) and it doesn’t matter who makes noise or whatever.)
I like your office — especially the smaller conference room
.
That’s hilarious! Our phone gets staticy in certain parts of the house so I have to stick to the living room and bedroom. No leaning near the windows to admire the view or heading into the kitchen to graze. btw, I LOVE the tile in your bathroom!
*staticky?
Nice digs! The bon-bons (and your check) are in the mail.
For quiet, I hide in the bathtub, turn on the heater vent, and relax against the foam pillow with pen and pad.
Cathy: I do that too! That’s where I am now!
Melanie: Glad you like the tile in the, um, conference room.
Angie: I will be checking the mail for the bon-bons. What are bon-bons anyway?
For years I resisted owning a laptop, but then I “inherited” one from my husband. Ah, the joys of being portable! I can write from the recliner in my bedroom, as I am now, looking through the slider at leaves falling into the pool (there’s a job for the afternoon) or move into the dining room where there’s lots of space and light.
I don’t lock myself up, but I have been known to use my cell for conference calls and put the phone in the refrigerator.
My computer, journals, reference materials & keepsakes are all housed in a large computer hutch. When those doors are open, family knows I’m working. I think it’s important to have that space claimed, helping to claim your identity at the same time.
I have cats and they can actually be just as annoying as dogs when I’m on the phone. On one hand, there’s Sparkle jumping on my lap and trying to headbutt me. Then, there’s Binga yelling because she’s not getting any attention. When all else fails, all three cats start wrestling each other, running around and knocking over stuff.
Fortunately, none of them bother me when I’m writing – they instinctively know I’m viciously protective of my writing time. Unfortunately, my boyfriend doesn’t have that instinct and often meanders in, wondering why his internet is running so slow, or why he can’t resequence his set list in iTunes – the type of questions I can’t help him with, even if I were so inclined at that moment. And then he gets insulted when I start fuming at him. Luckily, this is his one major fault so I could do a whole lot worse.
My office is off the living room, and the whole area is basically my space, and the cats’. But there’s no door and no way to shut it off from humanity. I’ve often thought of getting a pretty screen to pull in front of the space where a door should be to signify “do not disturb.” But like any good writer, I’ve been procrastinating.
BTW, what are bon-bons anyhow? Low rent truffles or something? I know they’re aren’t truffles because you hear of people of leisure popping them like peanuts, and truffles are way too rich to do that.
P.S. I really like your house. Or at least the small part of it you’ve shared in this post.
Ha! The bathroom as an alternative writing space. I love it. Way to be creative. Your regular writing space, though, looks fantastic. No wonder it works so well for you.
When I really need to get work done, I have to leave…Peet’s or Starbucks is my workplace (with the headphones on). If I’m at home, the dog bugs me to death, in and out, in and out. The dryer buzzer goes off…the phones rings…the sink looks dirty when I get a cup of coffee. You get the picture.
Ah, the alternate conference room. I use it often. Did you by any chance hear the hysterical piece on NPR about how many people have dropped their cell phones in toilets? I’m sure home offices play a role in this increasing trend. Here’s the link: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=98132244
Amy, Love your piece on working at home. I work at home, too. Someday I hope to actually get paid for it as well! The conference room looks great. I’m sure there’s a huge conference table that seats at least 8 just beyond the range of the picture, right?
I like both – one’s a quiet spot for private phone calls the other is in front of a nice big window for boosting your creative juices! I’ve had a laptop since grad school back in 2003, so I’m loving that I can work / write from my family room couch, my bed (did that a lot last time I threw my back out), and when it’s warm here on the east coast from my back patio. The back patio is my fave spot. I love listening to Pandora with the birds in the background, watching my daughter play or having quiet, productive time alone out there. Just posted my home office pics on http://www.elebelly.blogspot.com. Thanks for sharing!
Susan, I didn’t hear that but am heading over to the link now.
Deb, Um, sure…a conference table and one of those easels with a big tablet with pages that flip over too. Uh huh.
Teresa, I’ll head over and see your pics! You have a lot of good spots it seems!
I make phone calls during my kids nap time and I also have to hang out in the bathroom! They have super sonic hearing and since I am supposed to be napping too (ha!), I have to make sure they don’t hear me talking.
Bon-bons here, dear: http://www.organicpassion.info/images/chocolate2.jpg
ROFLMAO! Amy, you just crack me up! That’s hilarious!
If I could, I’d write in the bathtub, no question.
In fact, I’d do all my writing in the shower, put in a little chair and everything. I could live in water, especially nice, warm, cozy water.
I write at Borders. I have a little office in my basement that I love, but which gives me asthma. *sigh*
Workout Mommy: Doing something when you should be doing something else. Sounds vaguely familiar
Angie: If that’s a bon-bon, count me IN!
Spy: I KNOW you’re not laughing at my alternate office!
I know you write a Borders. That is too distracting to me. You must be super-focused and unshakeable!!
According to wikipedia, “In Mexico, Bonbon is a commonly used name for cats.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonbon
Not sure how my cats feel about this.
The where is my biggest challenge. M/W/F in the morning I sit at the kitchen table in my in-law’s house because it’s closer to my daughter’s preschool than our home. On those afternoons I usually head to a coffee shop to work.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays I get to work from home, where I don’t have a desk yet so I set up camp on the couch.
My big goal for 2009 is to create a working space for myself. I think it will help me immensely! But if I can’t figure it out I’m just going to come work with you, that living room looks mighty cozy!
HOWLING with laughter. You and me have parallel lives, baby.
The bathroom is my throne room–it’s where I take the really important calls. ONLY–wait for it–now Demon Baby knows how to pick the lock. Swear. So NOW I go outside–in rain, sleet, cold, whatever, and walk around the house, where the only sound are honking geese and dogs barking. Very glam.
E
Where to work — great question. We live in Silicon Valley where we have 1200 square feet of gold-plated 1960s bungalow. I assume that to most Americans, that sounds small. Our place in New York city was 700 sq. feet so our new house seemed big (until we had 2 kids). I write in the kitchen/dining room while the chaos swirls around me. When I need quiet to “really” write (for a paid part-time job at a university), I go to the public library in their quiet zone. When I have to talk on the phone for work, I go out to the garage or the backyard. Somehow they always find me though…