I’m Moving Into Office Space? Say It Isn’t So!

Change happens – sometimes fast – sometimes slow.  For me lately, it’s been coming at the speed of light!

In September I rented a furnished Lake House in Gaylord with intentions of living downstate during the week and enjoying weekends up north for the winter.  I’ve so enjoyed my up north time – but instead of being satisfied by the weekends – it only makes me want to be up there more!

I fully intended to stick to the plan – but this week, something changed.

Together with my nineteen year old son, I made a big decision:  I’m moving back to Gaylord full time and he will be moving in with his father for the rest of his college years.

I’m a bit dizzy.  I’ve done a LOT of moving lately.  From Gaylord to Lansing, from Lansing to Portland and now back to Gaylord.  Every move had it’s purpose and now that those are complete – here we go again!

I’m a bit tearful.  My baby is moving out!  I can’t think about it too long before tears make their appearance.  My son has lived with me full time since he was born.  He’s never been with his father for more than a week or so in the past.  This is a huge change for both of us!

Even though it makes me feel sad, it’s time.

I have to tell you – I’ve got the best son in the world.

He’s never been in any trouble.  He doesn’t drink or smoke or do drugs or treat young women with disrespect.  He’s smart and funny and enjoyable to be around.

As any mother with an adult son living at home will tell you – even the most amazing sons can end up driving their mamas a bit loopy and that’s certainly true for Sean and I.  He’s an adult, coming into his own, needing to stretch his wings and take control.  The very best thing for both of us is for him to take his testosterone over to his dad’s house where it is better understood

I know this – I accept this – but I’m gonna cry about it anyways.

I’m VERY excited!  I’m moving on to a new phase in my life.  I’ll be ‘on my own’ for the first time in over twenty years.

So how does all this lead to Office Space?

I’m giving up my downstate apartment and will be living in the Lake House full time til mid-May.  The Lake House is fully furnished and there is ZERO room for my stuff, let alone room for my home office furniture.  This presented a huge problem for me.  Add to that the issue of not being able to get fast internet at the Lake House and I thought my move would be impossible.

Then, I woke up from a dream in which I’d just rented office space!  I was shocked!  Office Space? Not ME!  I’m a Work at Homer!  But, with just a little consideration I realized – it’s perfect.

One of the things I’ve so loved about the last two months is that there’s been definition between ‘work days’ and ‘off days’.  Upnorth, I relax.  Downstate, I work. Moving up north full time seemingly erases that definition – but with office space, I can still have that clear line of separation.

We hit Gaylord on Friday to scout out office space.  Some places were too big, some were too small, some were too awkward to get to and one was just right!  I chose space in the North Star Center.  It’s a converted hotel, which means that every unit has it’s own private entrance and bathroom with up-close parking.   Another plus is that it is barely a mile down the road from the Lake House

The move will happen fast!  Just three short weeks to purge and pack and paint and clean… I’ll be settled in before Thanksgiving.

This will change how I work (no more PJs – at least for the next six months!)  and I’m a little nervous about it but I’ve decided to approach it as a fun experiment.   I sincerely doubt that I’d want to make it a permanent arrangement but I’m willing to make the best of it for now.