I found this on Google and might keep it. I like it.

It was our second date. We were watching tv and getting to know each better. Suddenly John turned to me and asked, "What's your morning routine?" I really wasn't prepared for that one. At the time, I was a fraternity House Mom, and my main morning routine was making sure that I was up, dressed, and visible by 8:00 a.m. That was when the magic happened. I was ready for deliveries, meetings, inspections, disasters and whatever else came my way. My most memorable morning was when I stopped the firemen from breaking our front door with an axe because of a malfunctioning alarm. I was really glad I was right there in the room when they came to call! That was really the only routine I had at the time. And coffee.

But I guess that is the first time I realized that morning routines were something people thought about. Now it has become quite a thing. Of course I googled it. And I found out that there is quite a variety of routines that are popularly followed by those with much more discipline that I have or even want.

Becoming even more intrigued, I checked with YouTube. Do you know how many videos there are of people brushing their teeth? Hundreds, at least.

There is a difference between a morning routine and a morning ritual. A routine is a set of actions and habits one does in a fixed order right after waking up. A ritual is made up of slow intentional acts. I guess it is the difference between putting a coffee pod into the Keurig, and fresh grinding the specialty coffee beans, and then adding spring water to a French press coffee pot. And then taking the time to watching it brew while meditating.

My mornings are based on whether I'm going somewhere or if I am staying home. If I'm going to be home, I am lazy, but I could probably turn coffee into a ritual. If I have to be somewhere early in the morning, my routine is pretty streamlined. I like to get ready as quickly as possible. My only hint for this is to decide what I will be wearing the night before. Actually, that is pretty good advice. 

Some of the morning routines that I read about lasted more than an hour with plenty of time for grooming, prayer, inspirational reading, and exercise. I was surprised at the people who liked to begin their routines at 5 a.m. I've never been secretive about the fact that I am truly a night owl. I am sincerely trying to change that but it isn't easy to do. I know I'm not ready to be up at 5:00, unless it's for an adventure.

I recently heard this little story. Grandma was staying with her nine-year-old grandson and trying to help him get ready for school. Finally, he looked at her and said, "Gigi, you are interfering with my morning routine!" I wonder if he is on YouTube.

Messages in the Night

Last night I woke up with a sudden profound thought and knew I should write it down because I wouldn't remember it in the daylight. I try to keep a pen and notebook on my nightstand for just such moments. I had the pen, but I needed to get up anyway and look for the notebook. I actually have three pens that light up for writing in the dark. They are kind of fun. One has a white light, one is red, and the third is blue. So here is my very important thought:

"Life is all a muddle lately." 

And I guess it must be, if it is waking me up in the middle of the night. I'm working on a couple of projects, and they are keeping me over-absorbed. And as a result, I have a bad case of bathtub in the hallway syndrome. Some of you may remember, and some might not, but many years ago, when my children were small, we were always in the middle of remodeling some part of our very old house. We decided to switch the small laundry room and very large bathroom which were next to each other. We had a cast iron clawfoot bathtub and had to move it into the hallway while waiting during several decorating delays. The wallpaper was late and then the rolls didn't match so it had to be ordered again. The plumbing took some time. The laundry room needed to be finished first. There was just one thing after another. It took forever and we were always tripping over and around the tub, which was right in the middle of the hall. The longer it lasted, the more I talked about the tub. For some reason it became part of every conversation I had. No matter who or what or where, I complained and moaned about the bathtub. And ever since, I think about it whenever I am feeling totally overwhelmed by a little situation. I was definitely in a muddle.

I really need to take some time and put away Summer and get ready for Fall. It is official, after all. I am bringing boxes of autumn decor up from the storage room and slowly getting things out. I don't think I go overboard, but I do like this season. Nothing is photo ready, that's for sure. Reminds me of the bathtub.

Is It Wednesday?

I was just sitting here thinking at my computer when John said, "Hey, where's your blog?" I can honestly say that I completely forgot that it was Wednesday. I'm not sure what that means, but it doesn't sound good to me. I've had a lot going on lately. Two family funerals, a trip to North Carolina, a little bit of illness (all recovered now) and just generally trying to keep up with the world. My youngest sister lost her fiance after a long battle with cancer. And my cousin drowned accidently while out boating on the river. Both were 63 and should have had many years ahead of them. As usual, I still think that Life likes to trick us.

My sister Stephaney was here for a few days and had a booksigning for her just published book. It's very exciting to actually see it in print. It's called "Atlanticville-An Island Memoir" by Stephaney Oberon and is available on Amazon. It's a book of essays about her time living on Sullivan's Island in South Carolina. The cover is a replica of an old matchbook cover. My daughter Meg made pretzel cigarettes for the occasion because of the cover. The pretzels are dipped in white chocolate with red edible glitter on the ends. They were really very cute. She made them for another party once and someone thought the vintage ashtray was actually for stubbing out real cigarettes, so that is a consideration.

I don't get to see my three sisters very often, so it was great to visit with them twice in two weeks. I talked to Stephaney a few months ago and she told me she was writing a book. I have been writing a book for about twenty years and not getting very far. I've done quite a bit of writing but putting it all together cohesively has been the problem. If you have been reading my blog for any length of time, then you know I have a tendency to jump all over the place. She really gave me a boost and has been willing to help me ever since. I have become much more dedicated to actually getting mine finished, although putting it all together is more intensive than I thought it would be. I am really enjoying it now and can finally see it coming together. 

 

I've been traveling this week. I spent a few days in North Carolina visiting my three sisters. The reason for the trip was my brother-in-law's funeral, so it wasn't really a time for fun. But anytime I can see all my sisters at one time is a good time. It is also overwhelming. So today I am putting away laundry and not doing much else.

I feel very close to my sisters even though I don't get to see them often. The three of them were born within a five-year period and have always been a part of their own little world. I am several years older. I moved away and got married when Shawna (the youngest) was only three. They have always been "the girls". I've always been the older, normal sister.

 Everyone in my family has a story. There is always something happening. Now one of them is in the absolute unorganized throes of moving and is more scattered than anyone should ever have to be. One has just published a book. (Not me, but I am now working on mine more seriously than ever.) One has just lost the love of her life after a long and terrible illness.  And I am more normal than I even was before. I don't mind being normal, as long as I can also be funny, creative, and whimsical.

As sisters do, we are always giving each other advice. And not often listening to it. As the oldest, I also think I am the wisest. Not always true, of course. They have a lot more life experience then I do. And they have lived and loved in lots more places. I'm the one who has barely moved outside of my original neighborhood. They have all lived on the east coast for many years, and in many different circumstances and places.

Here is my advice. 1. If you are scattered and totally discombobulated, make a list. Concentrate on three things only. Then move on. Do not try to do everything that is in your head at the same time. 2. If there is a secret, make sure that only one person knows it, or it won't be a secret anymore. These things always come out at funerals. Or at the receptions. I still remember the time that we all found out at a funeral dinner that a long-time married aunt and uncle were first cousins.

After the funeral, the rest of the trip was very quiet. No one really wanted to do the usual shopping and visiting we usually fill our time with. We actually binge watched tv, and it was just what everyone needed. We chose a show called "Bad Sisters". It is quite a dark comedy drama, and there have only been two seasons. Two of us made it through all eighteen episodes. It is set in Ireland and involves five sisters who are unsuccessfully trying to commit a terrible crime. Anyone with sisters will identify with parts of it. Hopefully, not the murder parts.