Rachelle, aka Magpie Girl, started *8 Things to quiet her "monkey mind" and I embrace it for much the same reason: therapy! If you're looking for a place to keep your lists, you might want to consider *8 Things.
Today? I've chosen to share the *8 Things I love about mornings:
- Silence: I do my best to wake at least an hour before I have to wake anyone. That usually gets me up at the latest 5:30AM (now since we've had to get Cole's hockey bags to the school rink by 7AM) I enjoy the silence, or should I say, the non-verbal sounds in the housed!
- Hot Coffee: I'm a bit particular about my coffee. I like it hot and strong. I have it with a scant teaspoon of Plantation sugar and a bit of half and half. I never drank coffee until I started working full time and have only just cut back to 2 cups a day. I don't drink fancy coffee. I prefer the real deal.
- Virtual Check In: I read all of the e-mails that came in overnight. Some days are busier than others. Every day I appreciate my note from the universe, guaranteed to put a smile on my face! I also follow a number of blogs, too many, and I check my google reader and start my day inspired and itching to create!
- Breakfast: I loathe this part of the morning, but I am starting to see the benefits (I'm down 20 pounds since September 1) as I have been following the advice of the great Dr. Mehmet Oz. I've automated breakfast. I hate breakfast food, so I have a turkey sandwich: organic granary bread, shaved smoked turkey, dijon mustard; and, a half pink grapefruit. Might sound terrible to some, but works for me!
- The Drive: to school with the kids. This is done in two shifts. Claire and Cole are off to their school for 7AM; and, Chloe and Caden are off to their school for 8:40AM. The timing is not ideal. Such a big gap in time almost guarantees the youngers are late, argh!
- Walking: I try to spend an hour on the elliptical or walk down to the harbour each day but it usually ends up being a half hour or so. I'm a big believer in using exercise to clear your mind, release endorphins, get those creative juices flowing - I wish I remembered that when I'm too lazy to lace up my sneakers!
- Shower: what beats a shower? Nothing!
- The View: love my daily dose of Whoopie and the ladies. So many different perspectives. I laugh, I cringe, I cry. The perfect talk show. No matter what is going on in my day, I do my best to schedule around my 11AM appointment with my girls.
Mornings are my favourite time of day. I love beginnings :) Even though my days now start in the dark, it's still lovely, so peaceful and calm. A few more weeks to hear the waves crashing before the lake freezes enough that we can't hear them; the whitecaps will always be out there, but as the winter wears on they will be farther than my eyes can see.
So, though being rudely awakened by a loud alarm, in the dark, and getting out of a warm bed; having to yell (yes, loudly and repeatedly) after waking children nicely the first, second and sometimes third time; being yelled at back; and, the insistence that everyone reluctantly eat breakfast really stinks, there is plenty in the morning to enjoy.
What's the best part of your day?
