Just a Little Obsesssive

I love my job. Since I started it nearly two years ago there has been one, count it - one, day that I hated it. Every other day I love it. I love what I do. I love the person for whom I work. I love my coworkers. Love, love, love it.

Back in 2010 I started working for the IRS. Talk about a soul-draining experience. Things didn't go well there, and in 2012 I found myself needed to find a new job. I am a professional historian, which means I am qualified to ask if you want fries with that, which I have done. But I really didn't want to go there again. So, with my DH's blessing, I started my own genealogy business. It was great. I loved it, and I sucked at the whole marketing a business. The genealogy was great. The getting clients....not so great.

Fortunately, I had begun working as a consultant for a Salt Lake City genealogical company (Legacy Tree Genealogists - the highest-rated for customer satisfaction!). Eventually they decided that they couldn't live without me, bought out my business and hired me on full-time. That was in April of 2015 and I have never regretted it.

The only problem is that I work from home. For most of you that would not be a problem. But you see, I am just a little bit of an obsessive. That means that I tend to work 12 to 14 hours per day. And then some on Saturday and Sunday. Not because they ask me to do it. Not because I need to get caught up. Because, if there is unfinished work on my desk, I have to finish it. And there is always unfinished work. Currently, I have projects in my queue that will keep me busy full-time through mid-January. Sometimes I am booked out two full months in advance. Business is boomin' and I am good at what I do.

But that means that while I am happily working away, Scott arrives home for lunch at 1230 and I am still in my jammies working away. Ditto for when he gets home at night at 2130.

Yeah, not healthy.

The only thing that gets me out of the house is when it is my day to take care of Leon. Or I have to go to the grocery store.

Recently I was asked to write about my hobbies and interests. I sat there for five minutes and could not think of a thing that I do besides work. I don't run anymore. I don't have time to read (for those of you who know me well, this will be very telling: I have Bruce Springsteen's biography sitting on my desk. It has been here since the day it came out. I have not cracked the cover yet.) We have given up Civil War reenacting (that is a painful subject still). I have no hobbies!

This also means that I get no exercise. And I eat crap at all sorts of terrible times.

Hooray for working at home!

Those of you who aren't obsessive don't get it. I realize that. You would walk into your office, do you day's work, and walk out without a second thought.

But work is also the place where I get my pats on the back. Every time I turn in a project the project manager tells me how wonderful I did. Managers frantically seek my assistance on other projects that went sideways. The owner asks me to be the liaison with other companies because of my knowledge and skills. Ego stroking to the nth degree here, so why would I want to quit? Especially when almost everything else in my life is a shambles.

But being here is a big help already. I am a bit competitive, so I want those points for exercise. That has gotten me exercising (although in truth, many of those points are related to mucking out a stall....what do you think? is it more like shoveling or raking?) And blogging has made me think about something other than work. The fact that some of you have commented on my blogs gives me the positive feedback I crave.

Joining one of the challenges (Zen Fitness for 30) has also helped me look for other things to do. Last night instead of working I spent the evening making a felt Christmas tree for our grandson to play with on Saturday when they are coming over to help get the Christmas stuff up. Jeremy will be on the roof with Scott, which makes me feel a zillion times better about that part of decorating.

So, thanks to you for being here with me. Thanks to my grandson for giving me a reason to do other things. And a bit thank you with a smoochy kiss to AINTSKEERD for asking me to join her here again. Otherwise, I would be working right this minute.