Or, that is, the back of my mind laughs absently as I think over the list of things that still need to be done, while I continue to write articles or perform other business- related tasks.

When I first started a home based business, I expected to work longer hours -- but I didn't realize that there would be so much to do *all the time*, and that the day could be filled with such variability. Business in itself takes a good chunk of the day... but when your office is your home, occasionally other things take priority.

For example... my four pets can really throw a wrench into my plans for the day. A couple of months ago, I was giving myself a pat on the back for a very productive month. I had managed to get lots of work done and was feeling pleased and confident. Then one of my dogs got sick -- suddenly, violently, and all over the carpet (completely ignoring the linoleum which was a mere 6 inches away). Unbeknownst to me, while I was gathering cleaning supplies, one of my two lovely little cats decided to see what the fuss was all about -- and experimentally dipped his paw into my dog's 'contribution', then left a couple of not-so-cute little 'cat tracks'.

I spent a couple of hours cleaning. Then a couple more hours resting after the ordeal. As for business? Well, that day it took a backseat. A couple of extremely long days made up for it.

Then there are the 'technical' problems to deal with. My business is done online, so it's also subject to the occasional 'cybergremlin' -- for instance, my Internet service provider was having problems one day and I couldn't connect. That meant I couldn't send out newsletters, answer email, do any research... the work just piled up steadily. I was still making up for it 3 days later.

But you know what? Despite the ups and downs of working at home and online, there's no way I'd willingly give up this lifestyle. Yes, I do get up at a time when most people are still slumbering peacefully in their beds. I also work many late nights, and sometimes I work every single day of the week. Some months I'm delighted at the amount of money my businesses have made; other months I can barely force myself to peek between my fingers at my income statements.

Yet I also have the flexibility to take time off. Many summer mornings you'll find me wandering in the beautiful park near my house with my pooches. Summer afternoons? I'm often outside reading a book.

So the next time the dog gets sick or I'm working 16-hour days, 7 days/week, I can think back to my days as a corporate worker-bee... and smile at my good fortune.

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Angela is the editor of Online Business Basics, a practical guide to building a business on a beginner's budget. It's received rave reviews for its practical approach and loads of free and low-cost options for fledgling businesses! Visit http://onlinebusinessbasics.com/article.html
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