The Office (because Kelly asked the question)
A little more random than we usually do around here . . .
This is my office.
Kelly just fixed hers up and asked, “What is your office like?“
I was loading my gear for an up-and-down day — checking out a wind damaged roof at one house and slogging through a basement full of water at another. I looked down at my stuff on the driveway and thought, This is what my office is like.
I smiled, thinking that with Spring making an appearance at last, I’ll be out of my other office a little more often.
It’s humble, and it’s messy. But since my office doubles as the guest room and triples as my closet, I thought I should at least put my laundry away.
Welcome to the nerve center of my claim work, where I prove up my insurance geek credentials every day. Lots of piles, lots of books (you can’t see the rows of insurance and law textbooks in this shot) and everything up off the floor. (I don’t want some grizzly old adjuster coming in after our 87 inches of snow finally melt and drain into my basement wondering why I didn’t have the sense to keep my claim files from getting wet.)
Seems a lifetime ago I worked long days in my cubicle habitat. But it’s not been so long since I carted my professional life home and unloaded it down here.
I’ve grown comfortable in this place. Here I sigh in relief after delivering good news and take my lumps from unhappy folks when I give them bad news. I read and write in this room. I’ve leaned back in the orange chair with my feet on that desk to talk to some of you on the phone. (No small feat, I’m telling you.)
I start every work day bent at the side of this bed, the same one where the boys and Lane sit when they pop in to visit during snow days and they’re out of school.
It’s a bit of a self-contained little world down here.
But on sunny days like today, I’m content to get out and work in my other office.
Awwwh! You’re fun! I like your outdoor office. Though I could see how it might be cold sometimes…
2011/04/06 at 9:30 PM
It’s fun to get to see a little bit of your life in pictures Lyla. I like your office – nice and homey and welcoming.
I also like the idea of an outdoor office. Can’t beat that!
2011/04/06 at 9:42 PM
Lyla:
Offices take many forms and I’ve had many over the years. My current office is a straight chair and an old table. All the trappings of a regular office have been boxed up, dismantled, detached, unhooked,so that the office could revert to its original purpose function (a bedroom).
During my eight years working for a local bank, my office was moved 7 times. Even back then, in banking, it was necessary to be a moving target (smile).
A spacious corner office with all the latest technological gadgets may be nice but it is the person in the office that counts. The office itself doesn’t produce anything.
One of President Lincoln’s generals always signed his dispatches, “Gen. ________, headquarters in the saddle”.
Lincoln once confided to one of his advisors. “That’s the problem with Gen. _____, he has his headquarters where his hindquarters should be.”
Keep up the good work, no matter where your desk is.
Dad
2011/04/06 at 10:21 PM
Dad, I learned the piles from the best…
2011/04/07 at 10:25 AM
I came over from Kelly’s… I like the boots, tote, bag, ladder office the best. (Your boots are really clean though)
“Humble and messy” — that describes me pretty good.
Blessings.
Simply Darlene
(aka A Simple Country Girl)
2011/04/07 at 10:08 AM
Well, in my defense, I only use those boots on the rooftops. It’s cleaner up there.
The others have their share of mud and poo on them.
2011/04/07 at 10:12 AM
Cool tools of the trade!
2011/04/07 at 11:42 AM
Some days I dream of an office that’s all organized and color-coordinated and looks like something Martha Stewart would want to run right over and photograph to showcase in her magazine. Alas. Love your dad’s perspective and am happy to know I’m not the only one with piles.
2011/04/07 at 2:06 PM
there are sure a lot of people with car offices these days…with all the wireless gadgets and all. perhaps some car designers could come up with a desk top instead of a glove box or something.
2011/04/07 at 8:43 PM
Love this. I work in husband’s office because all my “stuff” is in my (literally) closet-office. I’m curious–what other everyday research tools are in that stack besides Strong’s.
I’d like to add to my collection but wouldn’t know where to start.
2011/04/07 at 9:57 PM
My office is my lazyboy. At least u have a desk
2011/04/08 at 12:11 AM
I have two!
2011/04/08 at 7:56 AM
I love this peek into your life.
2011/04/08 at 10:24 PM
I love the Strong’s. Cool.
Where’s the iron door?
2011/04/11 at 3:25 PM