How was your morning? Is there something in your morning routine that makes you smile and/or should I say, giggle?
I am a morning person. And I know you night people hate us. We pretty much do jump out of bed with energy and desire to check things off our list. I start babbling to anyone who will listen (actually listening is not a prerequisite). Now morning people definitely have a downside–afternoon slump, nighttime social life is practically nil etc. But I don’t want to focus on that for now.
I love getting things done before the rest of my family wakes up. Before most of the country wakes up. I love driving to work toward the east and watching the sunrise. Every time I see a beautiful sunrise while driving, I’ll look around at others in their car to see if they see it. I’m amazed that no one else around me is in awe or even notices the beauty. I want to roll down my window and point to the sky but I’m afraid they might think I’m a loony.
Now one thing that I’ve been doing for years during my morning routine, that I didn’t even NOTICE was bringing me down, was watching the news while dressing. Even 15 minutes of the news, for me, is like watching a balloon deflate slowly. The life just comes out of me. But what can I do? I have to watch the news. I have to know what’s going on in the world. And I’m certainly not a news junkie. I don’t go crazy on Facebook or Fox/CNN because I know I’m not the type of person that can handle 24 news without it affecting me. Heck 15 minutes affects me.
So….I found 2 ways to fix that!
One….I actually found a “Cliff Notes” for the daily news. It’s called theSkimm. Perfect for me. One page. Nothing emotional. No photos, no angry rants. I read it, get in, get out…bing bang boom! If I want more information on something, I look later on. I know that’s not enough for everyone–but that’s why we’re all different. But it works for me. I’m not as “heavy” on a daily basis as I was before. (Yes, very easy for me to make a weight joke right here but it’s toooooooo easy 🙂
Two…I love this. I’ve started using my inversion table.
You know for upside-down ab workouts. Hahahaha. No–for low back stretching. It’s part of my morning routine. And my little puppy dog, Beaux always comes to lick my face. My face is right at his level now. And there’s nothing I can do about it. Totally makes me start giggling. Every morning. How’s that for a great start to a morning? Giggling because your dog is loving you, or getting depressed watching the news? Your choice.
Now obviously, the dog licking is not everyone’s cup of tea (following will be a funny story about the dog licking). But find something that makes you smile–sunrise, fresh air…step outside, in your robe for 10 seconds and breath in the fresh morning air (if nothing else you’ll help your neighbor with their morning smile seeing you in all your morning glory. Whether you’re a …..
or…..
Who cares! You’re neighbor needs something to make him smile too! Don’t be selfish 🙂 Just DO Something that makes you smile during your morning routine.
And just to finish with a funny story – Dog licking is not all giggles and smiles of course. Normally it drives me crazy when he licks my face. But when you’re in the upside-down position and can’t do anything about it…and all he’s doing is loving you…..you have to just let it go and embrace it. BUT, his tongue got into my nostril ( I guess I should be happy it wasn’t my mouth, which has happened more times than my husband’s tongue has gone into my mouth I’ll tell ya!!!) And I could tell he went into the cat’s litter box. Yep-kitty poop scent (and whatever else) was in my nose. How do I write the next sentence? Do I need to write the next sentence? And my little Beaux-Beaux is sitting on my lap at this very moment while I type this, looking at me, going “what, what, did I do something?”. Actually what he’s really thinking is “your typing is bothering me, can you type quieter?”.
Go and find something to make you smile and possibly giggle withing the first hour of the morning. It will make and everyone else you meet that day happier!
Remember,
ITLBOK, Really
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OK maybe this smile is a little over the top….you might get put in the loony bin if you look like this at strangers!
than a circle. That’s what I look like running around the house!
Ahhhhh, the joys of having young adult kids in your life. No more worries, no more being concerned about their actions or decisions. Just basking in the awareness that they’ve absorbed all the knowledge that you’ve given forth. You can now enjoy conversations with them about philosophies of life, PBS and the wonderful upbringing they had. 
I strive every year to be that person. I also give up every year after one or two 5 minute sessions. Just the thought of sitting for 5 minutes trying to empty my mind makes my stomach queasy. During my first session, which is orientation, 27 people introduced themselves, saying why they are there…I am the only one admitting I DON”T WANT TO BE HERE and my heart rate is running at maximum speed. I’m sure I’m the only person who’s heart rate goes UP at a mindfulness class! The instructor is already calling me her “challenge” student. Is that code for “remedial”?
(Bob Gathany/bgathany@al.com. (this is a photo of Katherine before her weight loss-sorry Katherine, I couldn’t fine a more recent photo) Katherine credits the music of 2CELLOS with helping her lose 100 pounds since she heard the cellists open for Elton John’s concert in Huntsville on Sept. 12. 2012. She told me, there is just something about the way they play their music. Since then she has lost about 100 pounds. And she’s not the only one. She has started a fan club, http://everything2cellos.com/ and has heard from other people the same thing. She is serious when she says the 2Cellos has changed her life. Another thing I thought was cool, the 4 woman at the table, were from different continents! They became friends through the fan club. They have gone to 100+ (between them) concerts and now meet up with each other! Talk about hands around the world! Sharing the love of music!
And a old speakeasy with yarmulkes hanging on bar stools.

and treadmills at desks. Maybe we need something like this for toilets now. Stability/toilets, (Balancing is good for the core)
!!
Yes that’s me in the boudoir with rose petals. And yes, I admit I am a miracle of science. Of course, some of my friends (husband included) would like to say that it must mean if I don’t poop, I must be full of sh*#.
I jumped! I mean I jumped!!! Why on earth would anyone want to see that!!
And now I have to admit to my young cute doctor that I used a self tanner on my body that morning and didn’t wash my hands well enough. So now this cute intern or whatever he’s called-knows the shape of my non existent poop and that I use self-tanner. ( I might as well talk to him about my period and sexual positions, and by the way, what’s your name again? I’m thinking can I please just leave the office now? ) He grabs a pile of purple latex gloves, walks over and drops them into my lap. “Here use these next time so your hands won’t get orange”. Every time I see those purple latex gloves in my medicine cabinet I think about that appointment.