Making a list

My wake-up-and-get-going routine starts here, with you. I make coffee, let the dogs out and back in, feed them and park my ass on a Swiss ball in front of the computer within 10 minutes of waking up. Every morning. I open a new blogger window and start typing as soon as I've sifted through my e-mail. Sometimes, as I did this morning, I read your blogs before I start writing. I'm in a calmer, less anxious mood this morning simply because I read Jonathan's thoughts from last night. Thank you, Jonathan, for a nice, centered post full of gratitude for what is.

I have a lot going on today, and having a lot going on is not usually how my Mondays go. In chronological order, my list reads:

• balance the checkbook
• paying bills
• make a shopping list
• run four miles at a 14:01 pace
• shower
• dress for a trip to town
• drive to that town – an hour away
• go to the dentist
• go to the grocery
  
• go to a sporting goods store [for new running shoes]
• go to a bookstore
• go to a couple of craft stores
• go to Target

It won't break my heart if I skip the bookstore or Target. The other stops are more important, and some – the dentist and grocery, for instance – are essential.

Today will be the most moderate temperature – mid-40s by mid-afternoon – we've had in a couple of weeks. I'm tempted to rearrange the schedule and put the four-mile run last on the list so I can do it outside. But self-knowledge is a wonderful thing. I know from past experience that when I've been on the go all day, I want to relax when I return home. Gearing up to go for a run is not likely to happen after a full day out and about.

It feels so good to write all this down. I'll be able to come home and check off what did get done, figure out what to do about what didn't get done and reset for tomorrow. While there always is a tomorrow, we're supposed to have that good old wintry mix overnight and I imagine I'll be spending Tuesday indoors.

Starting with you.

Seventy-five days until race day.