As a bit of background to today’s post, the company I work for in Victoria recently did a major upgrade of their phone system – and in doing so they were given a bunch of added capabilities, one of which was the option of connecting IP phones into the system for use by remote employees (AKA Yours Truly).
So today’s happiness is brought to you by my brand new IP phone! It was set up in my home office this week and the final programming was finished yesterday, so I was able to start using it properly today – and let me tell you, having this new little device at my fingertips is terrific!
So why on earth did a phone make me happy, anyway? I think it’s because the whole work from home thing is something I absolutely LOVE, and I hope to continue working for this company for the foreseeable future, and having this added means of communication available only helps to make things tick along that much more efficiently for all concerned. Now that my direct line rings through to me at my home office instead of going straight to voice mail, it’s helping me to be more connected with and accessible to my co-workers and our clients, even though I’m physically located across the country from them. (Realistically, I know there will be days when I’m stressed out with deadlines and that ease of accessibility WON’T feel like such a good thing, but for the most part I expect it to be a positive feature!)
Honestly? Not a day goes by that I don’t feel truly blessed to have the gift of a job situation that works so very, very perfectly for me. By working from home I can live anywhere… and by choosing to relocate to a city with a low cost of living I can reduce my work hours and have more time to pursue non-work interests (like blogging, and tangling, and iPhoneography, and, and, and…!).
I am fortunate indeed to work for a group of people who are so supportive, flexible, and accommodating – who go the extra mile to make this situation work for everyone. I never forget it, but this new phone is another happy reminder of the fact.
→ The 100 Happy Days web site
→ My 100 Happy Days posts
What made you happy today?
Please share!

My company handed me a lap top, then a smart phone. Those are really nice to have on the road and at home. But, now, they have access to me twenty four hours a day. Still, it’s all good.
Myke Todd recently posted… Stolen (Sonnet for Lainey)
Twitter: alphabetsalad
November 7, 2014
My co-workers are REALLY good about contacting me only during my office hours. They’re pretty great. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Blissful + 100 Happy Days – Day 56
Twitter: sanchlivinglife
November 6, 2014
That’s so great that you’ve got a work situation that suits you so well. I’m currently wishing I could work from home or at least closer to home. Sydney traffic is a nightmare!
Sanch recently posted… Getting a summer body and why it annoys me
Twitter: alphabetsalad
November 7, 2014
It really is a nice treat to have such a short 😉 commute!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Blissful + 100 Happy Days – Day 56
Twitter: gottgreen
November 6, 2014
Hi Laural! Congratulations for all your posts about happiness. And WOW–making it to day 55 is awesome! I’m currently doing 30 days of gratitude as part of my Annual Gratitude Challenge and just coming up with a list of 10 things to be grateful is definitely a commitment–and I’m only on day 6 so far. Keep up the amazing work and STAY HAPPY! 🙂 ~Kathy
Kathy recently posted… 3rd Annual SMART Living Gratitude Challenge 2014…Ten Things of Thankful TToT
Twitter: alphabetsalad
November 7, 2014
Thank you so much, Kathy – all the best to you with your gratitude challenge!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Blissful + 100 Happy Days – Day 56
Twitter: shilpaagarg
November 7, 2014
Aha! That’s nice. Glad that your work from home is working so beautifully for you and that you have such supportive people to work with! Very cool, Laurel! 🙂
Shilpa Garg recently posted… God is a Gamer
Twitter: alphabetsalad
November 7, 2014
Thank you, Shilpa – I do feel very fortunate!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Blissful + 100 Happy Days – Day 56
Twitter: nabanita21
November 7, 2014
I wish I could work form home too….It would make me so happy too!
nabanita recently posted… Dear Central Incisors
Twitter: alphabetsalad
November 7, 2014
It’s a great lifestyle if you ever get the opportunity!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Blissful + 100 Happy Days – Day 56
Twitter: Bh_vya
November 7, 2014
Wow.. you must be so excited!! As for me, I am looking out for that opportunity that would let me work somewhere closer to home, one wherein I wouldn’t have to get stuck in traffic jams for hours together.
Bhavya recently posted… What Role Would You Play?
Twitter: alphabetsalad
November 7, 2014
I must say, I definitely don’t miss the bus commute I used to have!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Blissful + 100 Happy Days – Day 56
Twitter: ellytreehugger
November 7, 2014
Laurel, you are so fortunate to work from home. Wish I would be so lucky! 😉 And you forgot at least two other advantages though they maybe posted in another blog post of yours: one you get to avoid commuting in cold and/or wet winter weather AND you get to be with your two boys! Yours cats are boys, right? 😉 <3
elly stornebrink recently posted… Me? Professional Blogger? And You?
Twitter: alphabetsalad
November 7, 2014
There are definitely MANY advantages – and I actually did write a whole post about them in the past! And yes, both the cats are boys. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Blissful + 100 Happy Days – Day 56
I don;t remember when I was the last time I used a telephone. In this age of headphone and video chats, telephone is lost somewhere. I would love to have one in my house. Somehow it feels like home.
Rajlakshmi recently posted… The curious case of Terrifying Typos
Twitter: alphabetsalad
November 7, 2014
Unfortunately a phone still seems to be a part of our industry, but maybe some day it will be gone!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Blissful + 100 Happy Days – Day 56
I jus abs luv Workg from home! I know wat u talk of having the right infra in place… make life so much easier
Twitter: alphabetsalad
November 7, 2014
It really does!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Blissful + 100 Happy Days – Day 56
Twitter: SusanF_mt
November 7, 2014
You are not the only person who has found happiness in a phone. You are in good company with probably every kid/teenager and adult who gets their first smart phone! 🙂
susan – ofeverymoment recently posted… Bananas on the Counter and Apples in the Fridge
Twitter: alphabetsalad
November 7, 2014
LOL, very true indeed!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Blissful + 100 Happy Days – Day 56
Twitter: katelu79
November 7, 2014
that is a major support for work from home! Your company is a keeper. Today I’m happy because it was just a nice day with my little girl 🙂
Twitter: alphabetsalad
November 7, 2014
I agree! And that sounds like a lovely day. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Blissful + 100 Happy Days – Day 56
Twitter: KaaSerpent
November 7, 2014
I’ve never gotten the hang of working from home. My company allows the software folks to work up to two days per week (as long as they aren’t both Monday and Friday) from home. I’m the only person in > 150 people not to take advantage of it (I get weird looks). I just . . . can’t get into the ‘work’ frame of mind unless I go through the commute and the ritual of unpacking the laptop and such.
I wish I could. I’d like my commute to be 20 feet. 🙂
Gary Henderson recently posted… NaNotWriMo 2014, Day 7
Twitter: alphabetsalad
November 8, 2014
I can totally see that! It’s nice that you have the option, but great that you know yourself well enough not to exercise it. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Blissful + 100 Happy Days – Day 56
Twitter: Gofashiondeals
November 8, 2014
That is pretty cool! Got to love that long morning commute and fighting for that cup of coffee in the morning in the “breakroom” 😉
And nothing is better than having two fluffy furry office mates. Cats are good for that.
Stephanie recently posted… Happy Saturday, Coffee and frozen over mani.
Twitter: alphabetsalad
November 8, 2014
I totally agree. Best addition to the work environment ever!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Blissful + 100 Happy Days – Day 56
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