Am I on vacation or am I at work? Today we have so many amazing options. First thing in the morning I hike with my dog (usually by walking down to the end of my street and on up into the rocky foothills to the south of us) for an hour or so. Then, it’s back into the office with coffee and yogurt to check email and prioritize the day’s tasks, both professional and personal.

This is where the lines begin to blur a little… there is laundry waiting and that beautiful (?!) feather duster from Flylady.com close at hand… apple trees and tomato plants just outside the window. Two cats and a dog asleep on the floor under my drafting table. Ah! There is the task list for the day, and it is all (mostly) work, other than a haircut for son #3 at 3:00.

What is the point of all of this? Gratitude for living in a place where you can largely choose how you want to work and where. Gratitude at being surrounded by a loving family and supportive spouse who understand that there are many ways to contribute to the family financial and psychological coffers, and that one of these is by being a working-at-home mom. Gratitude for my wonderful clients who take what I have to offer seriously and return month after month with challenging, interesting projects.

Presently, though, the most compelling activity is the waiting game we’re all playing; awaiting the birth of our first grandchild, Tessa.