Routines

I saw this “survey” on someone else's blog and thought it looked like fun.

What's your morning routine?

Mon-Wed-Fri I wake up @ 5:30am, stumble to the bathroom, take my thyroid meds, put on workout clothes, and stumble to the treadmill. 30-40 minutes on the infernal machine while watching morning news or reading something on my Kindle. Shower, breakfast, try to be out the door by 7:30 but more often closer to 8. Tue-Thur I slap at the alarm at 4am, whimpering a little, get up, wash my face, put in my contacts, put on workout clothes, and leave the house by 4:30 to drive in to Dallas to meet my trainer at the gym for torture session (I mean workout). Weekends, sleep until I wake up (unfortunately usually before 6am), wander around the house trying to wake up, wander out to the barn to feed the horses and check on the chickens, wander back to the house, force myself onto the treadmill for 30-40 minutes.

What's your bedtime routine?

Take out contacts, wash face, put on PJs, climb into bed and read until I can't keep my eyes open. M & W evenings I pack my gym bag before I go to bed so I don't forget something when I depart, bleary-eyed, at 4:30am for the gym.

What's missing from your daily routine?

Free time (during the week).

What is a habit you're working hard to develop?

Writing more.

What is a habit you're working hard to break?

Eating too much junk and wasting time on TV.

At your favorite restaurant, do you always order the same thing or do you try the special?

Pretty much always order the same thing, unless I'm feeling adventuresome. Then I try something new (and usually regret it).

What things do you buy at the grocery store every single time you go?

Post Selects Blueberry Morning cereal; Dannon Activia yogurt; fruit; salad stuff; raw almonds; cheddar cheese sticks; grape juice.

What would someone close to you say is your most annoying habit?

Pointing out all the ways something can go wrong or someone can get hurt. (In my defense, though, I can't help it. I'm a lawyer. I spend my workdays thinking up all the things that can go wrong with a deal and then finding ways to protect against them.)

Which outside forces have the biggest impact on your routines?

My job and my 50-mile commute.

Describe the person you know who is most driven by habit.

I'd have to say me. I like predictability. Unexpected change of any kind throws me off. My unfortunate motto is “We fear change.”