good afternoon, come in to my office . . .

Greetings all,
Do you remember having an office job??  Or, an office??  Or indeed, a job!!  One where people would knock & wait to be asked to come in, not burst through a door open or closed, whether you're on the phone or deep in thought, squealing "muuuum . . ."  I haven't been in a meeting, board room or office chair since 2001 . . . & with a sewing machine on my desk ever since, i find different pockets & places to do the business-of-family administration.  These days, when all is quiet, i use the kitchen counter. 

 I pour myself a drink, light a candle, grab my note pads, phone, calendar & pen, flick through a cookbook & today . . . fill out orthopaedic hand surgeon paperwork. 

 Then label a million back-to-school-books/ folders/ stationery & wonder why i chose to have children with a man with such a long surname.

 Ponder the fruit bowl, needs some effort.  I want to get back into a routine of going to the fresh food market on Thursdays, farmer's markets are a chore on weekends with sports.

 My last paid employment (before sewing at home) was at a fuel farm, as an oil barroness, managing commercial services for the entire Northern Territory.  Yes, i used to be someone, meeting VIP oil, energy & gas executives from around the world & fine dining with my trophy husband!!  I was the only girl & heavily pregnant with twins when i finished - they were born the day after i left . . . sitting in my huge leather office chair in air conditioning was the only place i was comfortable, so i worked until the last moment.  I really enjoyed my work, the truck drivers (who drive those long road trains) would bring me homegrown mangoes & knock off early on Fridays for drinks.  As i had my first daughter months after finishing University, this was my ONLY proper full time job, then i retired aged 26, a mother of 3. 
I used to spend my afternoons checking transfers of millions of litres/ dollars worth of fuel & liaise with head office in Melbourne over the dozen departments i headed.  Now i spend my afternoons sorting laundry & preparing dinner before the school run.  I've never worked harder in my life, but i know what i enjoy more (i love housework, i find it relaxing).  My husband misses the grid girls though.
I love looking back & remembering what i used to do.  I remember all my part time jobs, Uni & high school so vividly.  I love listening to my eldest talk about her days/ friends/ classes & now (as she's in year 8) about how cute the little year 7s are!!  I have less than 10 years left in this school mother game, i honestly think life speeds up the older you get!!  I've designed an office nook in our homestead plans, i don't want an official office, just a little space, maybe behind doors, perhaps sound proofed??  Love Posie