Routine

This post has started out like "Write and Rewrite." I thought I knew what I was going to write about, but have deleted it out of annoyance. 

I've had a lot on my mind since moving to North Carolina, and have started to slowly gather and sort all of my thoughts. 

The biggest thing on my mind has been routine. And how I am currently lacking one. 

I thrive on routine. It's a source of comfort to me. 

I enjoy knowing what's happening every week. I like to know what errands I need to run, where I need to be and when. It's calming. 

I've had a lot of change in my life the past six years, and having a routine is something that I have held on to, to stabilize me. 

You could also say that I grew up on a routine - that it runs in my blood. 

My Dad was the king of routine. Get up at 5:30, read the paper, watch a home improvement show downstairs, eat breakfast, read the Bible, go to work, take two 15 minute walks while at work, eat a bag of pretzels (the overly burnt/salty ones) for lunch in the car, come home, eat dinner, watch TV, bed by 9:30. 

I think that having a routine was comforting to him. He thrived on it. I always knew what he was doing every single day of the week. It was easy to plan around.

I've found myself in the same mindset the past few years - now, not to this extreme. We're talking about my Dad who had the same routine for 30+ years. And we're also talking about the guy whose wardrobe hadn't changed since college - no joke - more fun stories about that later though.

But after having a really rough past six years, I've definitely picked up on some of the habits.

I suppose I find that whenever a life changing event happens to me: having my Mom pass away, getting married, having my Dad pass away, getting a teaching job, having Dean, being a stay at home mom, I always resort to some sort of new routine. An idea that I have control over things in my life. Now, having control in my life - that's a whole other blog post.

The point being, I have a difficult time with change, so I need to find a way for myself to handle it. And that always seems to come in the form of setting up a stable, go-to routine.

The past three weeks I have been routine-less. Dean and I still go to the grocery store on Monday, but that's about it. Last week I spread out the laundry throughout the week - I'm typically a "get it all done in one day" type of a girl - and didn't even get to some loads.

I felt so off.

So today I decided that I need to get my act together.

I made Dean a doctor appointment for his 18 month checkup (he was sick when we were supposed to go before moving), called for a hair cut for him which he needs desperately, and am going to get him enrolled in gym class again.

It may sound stupid and petty to many, but just knowing that I have things to accomplish for the week makes me feel good and calm. It's something for me to look forward to.

Because being in a different state, 8 hours away from all of your friends and family, is hard. Ryan has been working long hours and when he gets home he goes to bed early because he's so tired. So I'm typically left to my own devices.

I need something. This routine will only last until August until baby Morrow #2 graces us with his/HER (clearly my guess) presence, but I'll take it!

So here's to getting my act together and being productive once again. Perhaps that means I should go shower...too much information? Nah. Ryan always busts me every time I shower 5 seconds before he comes home. I always say, better late than never, right?! And clearly watching Downton Abbey during nap time takes priority over showering.

-Beth