Getting Back to Routines

A year ago at this time, I was dealing with a major health issue and surgery, which thankfully corrected, is seems so far, the issue. It was in that week, and the weeks after before I returned to my 60 hour work week that I knew a change needed to be made.  I was getting up before 5:00, cramming any last work  that was still lingering, or setting something up for when I got in the office. I would then be in the office, or about town in meetings from 8:00 until 5:00 or 5;30, followed by a long commute home, lugging additional work home most nights, starting up again about 9:00 until I collapsed with exhaustion. Weekends were better, but I found myself being e-mailed frequently, particularly the weekends after my boss had been out of the office, as her catch-up became my catch up. I changed jobs in March, and while I still have a completely crazy busy work day, it for the most part stays there.  From 8:00-5:00, nine out of every 10 days in the pay period, I give it my all, and the remaining time is mine and my families. 

However, I feel like I spent the first several months wondering what to do with those extra hours. I realized in hindsight, I was a bit of an adrenaline junky, getting my fix from the hurry hurry go go, and my mind wasn't yet making the change. I settled into appreciating more down time, more attention to hobbies, but I still was missing something.  What I think I miss is the morning jump start that set my day in motion. While a year ago, the jump out of bed was forced to make sure one more load of laundry, three more e-mails, and a report were dealt with, I now have the luxury of using that same early morning time, that routine, to focus on my transition to the new day.  I was doing this regularly this summer when participating in the Rise and Write facilitated at  Out of the Writers Closet.  I'd look for those prompts, reflect a few minutes, and dive in. It felt good, and it gave the spaces in my mind a tenant. While I may not write each morning, and those of you reading might be thinking, "thank you", I am reclaiming the 5:00 a.m. spot for me. Who else has dealt with major change in time, in a good way, and how did you reframe the way you shaped your days?

Room Spillage

Welcome to my homes conservatory. No wait, welcome to my office.  Actually it is my main floor living room, and there has been a whole lot of it going on in this room.  Lately we have had a bad case of room spillage.  DD#2 has a concert coming up in a few weeks, and unusual for her this year, she is giving practicing  a lot of attention. Rather than practice in her room, among her own chaos and clutter, she says she can focus better downstairs.  I've continued, sans lower level refurbishing and clutter still from the older kids, to plant myself on my chaise sofa with a laptop, because getting to the office armoire is an obstacle course.  

The living room was meant to be my oasis, the one room in the house that at any time I could feel comfortable having a friend over to sit and chat and not worry that they will find a crusty bottom mug, or a smelly pair of socks in a corner.  I could curl up on this same chaise with a good book and a cup of tea, and not worry about tripping or stepping on something when I got up. Now I have sheet music, file folders, and USB drives cluttering the floor, tables, and couch. I need a house top to bottom intervention, but for the upcoming weekend, I need to take this room back.  I know there are immaculate homemakers out there that not only understand a place for everything and everything in its place, they actually follow the mantra.  I am not one, and at 49, unlikely I will ever grow to be so.  I'm just looking to get back to my own bit of calm.  Who else faced room spillage, but lived to conquer it?

Pretty Places Part II-In My Own Back Yard

Friday night I blogged about coming across pretty places when you aren't expecting anything, such as I experienced on my recent work trip. Then there are places that are soothing, enjoyable,  and best of all, can be a regular part of your day.  The adult reading nook at my local library fits that bill. That is it in the top picture.  The light is great.  My  little breakfast spot on my back deck-nothing fancy but it gets the right light in the early morning.  I love my wicker bench on my front porch.  It's an excellent reading spot, early afternoon and then early evenings once the sun is behind the trees.  The spot in my living room that I typically sit, legs stitched out, working from a lap top, is pretty to me, even if my kids hate the cinnamon color accent wall across from it.

Best café for breakfast-sans snow!

Stretch and read or work.

Great natural light.

At my office we have a memorial tree and bench for two former coworkers.  On a warm day, it is nice to take a break from the computer screen, walk around the building, and take a short respite in their space.  Even in some of the grungiest places I've lived or worked, I found a little slice of pretty to take a break, get my thoughts together, or just decompress.  In college it was the back stairs that overlooked the fossil and mineral case  in the science building.  When I lived off campus so packed a lunch, I often ate my lunch there instead of the crowded student union. Light, even if the florescent hallway light,  shining off the rocks and minerals in the case was calming.

What about your pretty places?  Are they shared by many, or your own find? 

Tea Time

I am a coffee drinker.  Make no mistake about that.  I sometimes wake up and the thought of a steaming cup, with a splash of cream or milk, is all I can think about. With trying to keep the budget in check, I use my wonderful Keurig, and most of the time a reusable  basket filter.  A coffee house coffee is a real treat, but more so because it means I am out for coffee with someone, it doesn't necessarily taste better.   The Keurig is also great for just getting a hot cup of water as well without the hassle of heating up the tea kettle.   Nine time out of 10, I am reaching for coffee.  For the 10th cup though, a tasty tea is what I need.

My tea of choice is Good Earth Spicy and Sweet.  You can get it both in a caffeine free, but also in a black tea base, which I prefer.  It is my beverage of choice for late afternoon meetings like todays 3:00 version.  The rich scent is soothing, and the smooth, but kicky taste wakes up my taste buds, which then wake up my mind. Spicy and Sweet is my beverage equivalent to comfort food.  It feels like the tough love hug from your best "tell it like it is" pal,  soothing to the soul but with a jolt of reality.  The tea bags have pithy little quotes as well.  At Kate's bookshelf, she wrote a whole post about the quotes. Kate's bookshelf

I like other teas as well.  A hearty Earl Gray or a chai tea with sugar and milk have their moments.  I have some loose tea leaves of chai and orange concoction that I like brewed, then over ice. I've not been able to tolerate chamomile, no matter how much someone tells me it will be  good for helping me relax.  A coworker brews a strong pungent tea, native to her Argentina.  I probably come across as ungrateful when I  politely decline her offers of a cup. If the smell is pungent, I can't imagine the taste being better. 

I sent my daughter boxes of Spicy and Sweet when she was a student in England.  I carried more on the plane to her when we visited. She found many of her English and Indian friends developed a liking for the Good Earth brand. My son would raid my GE tea supply when he came home from college for his take back care package, and even his last visit in May, I stocked up.  I guess he can't find the brand in Florida.  I'll be travelling myself for the next three days for my job.  I'll pack along, as I always do, a few tea bags, ready to brew before retiring for the night.  

So I put this question out there.  What am I missing in the world of true tea perfection?   Are those of you from tea centric countries  silently shaking your heads at my preferences?  And a final question, why is supper called "tea", even if no one is actually drinking tea?