08 February 2012

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

20 comments:

KL said...

Posie, you've made me laugh. I really needed to today. "What do you do?" questions leave me feeling irked. I'm VERY happy being a stay-at-home mum,(I was a working single mum once and THAT was HARD!) but when I answer such inquiry I feel often dismissed; mostly by other women's reaction. I was once a SOMEBODY too. A VIP. I completed my Masters qualifications. I was very successful in the corporate world. Once upon a time....
x KL

Felicity said...

A sound-proofed internal locking office sounds like bliss and I can imagine your office space will not only be gorgeous but totally organised.

Your life/lives prior to this one sound amazing but I can hear the real joy in your words when you share your love of family life and your fabulous role as busy Mum.

Happy day Wonderful You!
x

Valspierssews said...

I remember very well my first job in the holidays before going to Uni. It was on the wool counter in Waltons. I loved it. My first pay was $41 in a little cash envelope. That was a looong time ago. I am 57 and retired with no children at home. It feels good. You are fortunate to get out early. Work stress is a real monster.

Jan Maree said...

Oh to be able to design my own office space.....I don't think I would like to do over my time in the services before my kids were born, (not that I would do anything differently) but i know there are stages of their lives that i would like to spend with them again - more playground time, more reading to them at bedtime, more playing lego and doing craft - all those things ended too soon...

Red Revival said...

Lol... Sound proofed- Love it! I'm with you though, I'm sure no one would believe me now that I used to be a Foriegn exchange and bonds trader who worked in 500k parcels all day every day... Seems like a different lifetime now...

All For Love said...

Um Posie, you ARE someone, you're just awesome. Whilst your old career did sound very important and interesting, I think your current one is every bit as wonderful. Loving your office, thank you for the guided tour. Always love learning more about your story Posie :o) xo

Sindy said...

As I sit here taking a break from reviewing a proposal for a $50m financing of a parcel of aircraft, I am very grateful to share in the feeling that there is another life. I do enjoy my job immensely, but I know that at some point in the next 10 years, I intend to open a jam shop in a small village somewhere (obviously one that is frequented by rich tourists to buy my jam)...

TexWisGirl said...

i enjoyed this look into your life (both past and present - and a peek into the future, too!) :)

Sarah @ Modern Country Style said...

I have felt like that soooo many times. I sometimes say that I'm a producer and director...and then mutter under my breath "of children"!!!

Sarahx

Margie said...

A sweet post of memories and motherhood.

The Moerks said...

I have a little space up in the attic, and I could go up there and do stuff by myself. But, I always end up at the kitchen table, in the thick of things. I prefer it that way.

deux chiens et un garcon said...

I love hearing your stories and how you blend the old life with the new.
how resilient you are.
x

One pair of Hands said...

Nurturing the future generation is a pretty important job. You're someone alright. Just imagine how much space the sign on your office door would take up if you listed your job title there.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for your information!

alison@thisbloominglife said...

It's hard work being the Director of Operations of a household isn't it? From experience, adding farmer just adds to the chaos (not that I'd swap it of course)...and to the person that created contact and the fad for covering school books, shame on you!

Mel@Georgica Pond said...

Just wanted to say thanks for your lovely comments yesterday, and I don't know how you do it! Life is such a juggle! Mx

Maxabella said...

I'm thinking about transferring to the kitchen counter myself... seriously. x

admin said...

life certainly does speed up as we get older!! I am finding that & always working out how to slow it down......?! you are still a somebody & a very special mother to your beautiful children x

furniture removalists said...

"Nurturing the future generation is a pretty important job." Agree.

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