apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I usually ready the coffeemaker the night before, so whoever gets up first just pushes the button, and voila, caffeine.

He's up an hour before me, so he does the litter box, feeds the cats, watches the news while eating breakfast, cleans himself up, then wakes me up to make sure his outfit matches and casually heads out the door. He's strict to a routine.

I on the other hand stay in bed as long as possible watching Saved by the Bell, stand up in bed and turn on the fan light and when I bend back down I grab the pillows and comforter and make the bed. I shower, then brush my teeth while I pick out my outfit. I race to get myself ready the rest of the way, never doing the same routine, and grab a chewy bar and throw together a sandwich for lunch, racing the clock to hit traffic just right.

Thats where I lose my mind.

I like to start with a long cup of coffee and a check of the news online. Then, because I woke up a half-hour late, I run into the bathroom, perform my ablutions, jump into my ill-considered (given the weather report) clothes while cajoling my children to do the same, brush my teeth while cajoling my children to do the same and getting some toothpaste on my shirt, listen to my wife curse like a sailor when she can't find her keys or that I forget to put the trash out. Meanwhile I'm climbing into the car after having strapped my children down, and then yelling from the car to ask my already disgruntled wife (who's already had a similar morning) to get my phone which I've probably forgotten to charge anyway. Back outside, I climb into the car and drive us to daycare and work, my son clambering to listen to They Might Be Giants "Here come the 1, 2, 3s" while I insist on NPR. As the crying subsides I drop my wife at the hospital (and I get a kiss that says, "I'm sorry I called you names for not taking out the trash"), the kids at daycare, and then park in the commuter lot. The bus is late, but so am I, so that's okay. I get to work in time to receive a call from daycare that one of us--and I'm not mentioning any names, here--forgot to pack a bottle, so it's back home before the baby gets too upset.

Yep, I'd say I've got this thing called life under control.

If you divide these tasks between yourself and whoever else you're including in your post, it ought not be as difficult as you make it sound.

My morning sounds a lot like Chzzy. But- I have found that relaxing music- like Nakai- helps considerably to balance the moodiness and keep us present. Theres nothing worse that starting a day leaving your loved ones frantic and unsteady.

Most nights I make sure that my clothes are ironed and my lunch is packed.
Then I put together everything that I will need the next day in a tote bag next to my purse.
But I don't have children, so my mornings aren't as crazy.

I don't have kids, but I have a new kitten, and making time to play with her in the mornings is an absolute must. Getting ready is a challenge, since she is constantly at my feet. But her company is delightful.

I like the music thing...gonna try that.

Of course, every day isn't like that. But really what it comes down to is a complete lack of forethought. On the other hand, I'm really not prepared to be as organized as Abby is. Honestly, Abby, you're scaring me.

My mornings:

The Good: I get up a full 2hrs before I need to leave, get in the shower (shampoo, conditioner, shave legs, brush teeth), watch a 45 min. episode of show on TiVo while doing make-up, get dressed in clothes laid out the night before with acessories, make sure all my things are in my bags and make the 25 minute walk to work with time to pick-up breakfast on the way.

The Bad: Get up about 30 minutes before, no shower because anticipating my lateness I took one last night, brush through the hair, pick something out that sort of works (God bless you, jersey wrap dress than never needs ironing), screw jewelry, put on make-up and walk to work (please-no-rain, please-no-rain...)

The Ugly: Wake up with exactly 20 minutes until I need to be at work. Jersey dress, no make-up, subway ride....can't remember if I brushed my teeth...oh well, too late now.

No one gets it right all the time.