Working From Home

"I need to work from home today." Why does this phrase terrify me and send me into a fit of guilt?

I needed to work from home today for a number of reasons and I feel so guilty, why? I work really hard at work when I am there and I really could use the quiet time to actually get some work done. Yet, I still feel guilty. I sit here in my home office/bedroom surrounded by my desktop, laptop, cell phone and landline phone terrified that someone would think that I am not working enough at home. I have become extra vigilant at answering my e-mails and calls, hyper sensitive that someone will roll their eyes when they say, "Oh, she is working at home today." Maybe because that is what I do when someone tells me "Joe" is working at home.

Wouldn't it be nice if I could be carefree and not feel the guilt of not being there in the office. How do others do it? We all know the office slacker..... He or she is always having childcare issues or household/car issues and is at home doing their work; are they really? Do you too picture them at home watching Ellen Degenres, eating ice cream, laughing at those of us at work?

All I know is that I am working hard and that my dog, who is snuggled up at my feet, really appreciates that I am spending the day with him.....