When I was teaching and single, I never drank coffee. There wasn’t much time in the morning and I preferred a cup mid-afternoon to combat that slump. When Frank and I got married, I started drinking a cup because it was already made. Though, really it was just about half a cup before I’d dash out the door. I have vivid memories of one of my elementary teachers having coffee breath and I did not want to be remembered for that attribute, so once I brushed my teeth and left the house, that was it for the day.
Now, staying home with the girls, I enjoy 2 cups each morning. No matter the chaos of bright-eyed girls running around, I’m usually able to enjoy those two cups in relative calm – not needing to gulp them down or scald my mouth.
The other day I wanted to get just One Thing Done before breakfast. It needed my attention and would have taken less than 10 minutes, uninterrupted. Of course, the moment the thought crossed my mind, my two interruptions swarmed and I had to put the project aside.
It’s easy to get frustrated with lack of alone time and even more frustrating when the things I need to do aren’t for me, but for commitments I’ve promised to others. I envision a quiet house, a slow rise and cup of coffee, and breakfast before the day begins.
And then I think, In what world?! My job right now is the girls. And when I had an “actual” job that morning only existed on the weekends. I guess I have this vision of being retired mid-thirties, enjoying the luxury of time I haven’t worked for.
So today, I’m grateful for preschool that starts at 9:00 and is only 5 minutes from our house. For time to enjoy 2 cups of coffee, even if the environment around me is swirling. And the reminder that I can slow down in the midst of chaos.
What is your morning ritual? Do you ease in or get up and go? Are you a coffee drinker?
Linked with Kate Motaung’s Five Minute Friday, a time to write without editing. Today’s prompt is “slow.”
Annie Rim 
Ah, the slow rise on a Saturday with a cup of coffee to enjoy, sitting reclined under a throw in my Lazy Boy chair with my cat purring on my lap watching Food Network. That right there is bliss…though I can’t tell you the last time that happened.
It’s the idea of being able to do it that makes it so lovely, though!
Lovely post, Annie. I used to love coffee…up to 18 cups a day. That did take a toll, and I can no longer drink it. Ah, well.
My day starts at about 3 am with Bella The Miracle Dog deciding it’s time for her to go out, have breakfast, and start raising Cain with the other dogs. (Bella has privileges, as she was recovered, broken-backed, from a water-filled ditch and is now learning to walk again. She’s a 10-lb Toto-like terrier.)
She does need support whilst performing her morning ablutions, and that’s my job. One does NOT implore barbara to rise at that hour. Well, not more than once.
And so goes the day, from that start.
#3 at FMF this week.
http://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2017/02/your-dying-spouse-276-journey-to.html
I would be a jittery mess at 18 cups!!! 😉 Sweet Bella….. I’m sure she’s so grateful for you & Barbara. And so goes the day, indeed.
Slowing down in the midst of chaos….so needed for most of us.
Easier said than done… 😉
You are doing the right thing to have a bit of calm within the storm. Once I started working the routine I had changed with getting myself and my girls ready to start the day. Then they became teenagers and the routine has settled in with their independence 🙂
We watched a friend’s 9-year-old the other day and I was amazed at how independent he was!! I think I’ll be so surprised at the day they just get up, get going, and are out the door without me. (A reminder to savor these nonstop days!)
I’m so not a coffee drinker. I love fancy coffees–lattes, mochas, etc. It really is ok to slow down. I’m in the 6 spot this week.
Whole30 made me a black coffee drinker, which I never ever thought I’d be!! But I still do love a cafe au lait!
I love that you are able to enjoy two cups of coffee in the mornings. 🙂 And I have to say, I LOVE that pic of your girl. Such a classic expression. Even with my boys at the ages they are, it’s hard to get things done. They enjoy talking with me. I don’t know how long I’ll have that gift, so I try to engage when they want to talk, even when it’s inconvenient for me. But, I need to set some boundaries so I can get my stuff done too. Sigh. Motherhood is such a delicate balance of things that need doing and children who need our presence. 🙂
And I’m most definitely a coffee drinker. Though, for my health, I usually have 2 cups in the morning (One early morning, like 5:30, and one mid-morning), and a cup of tea in the afternoon. I’m an up-and-at-em kind of gal. Always have been. 🙂
Right? When Bea snuggles in and wants to read, I’m reminded that she’ll be gone all day long next year. And that’s it. So now, when I had a morning with Elle, just the two of us, we read (and reread!) Dr Seuss and trotted and “conversed.” I got a little antsy but remembered that this is how we build into our kids.
For me it’s tea but I remember those days, and they fly so fast. Can I tell ya what’s weird?! Having coffee with your offspring… unreal. Cheers to second cups wherever! 🙂
That will be so crazy!! (I remember my mom saying something similar the first time we went out for a beer together.) Hoping these days will build a relationship that we can have a few cups of something together one day… Thanks for stopping by!
I love my two cups of coffee also! I usually enjoy at least one of them, too, during the 22 minute Daniel Tiger window! 🙂
Ha! Exactly – those 22 minutes are golden for a hot, slow cup of coffee.
Saturdays and Sundays are when I get the relaxed slow pace of sipping a cup of coffee, reading, and relaxing. Weekdays, it’s get up and go, but I do get my cup of coffee around 5:30 or 6:00 at work.
Your midmorning cup at 6:00, right? 😉