Tu Est En Retard

(As my non-French-loving Daughter would say)

What she means, when she says this, is "You are slow", to infer that "You are stupid". Although, she may think she's saying "You are retarded".

It's her little pet phrase for her brothers.

All that to say- What the heck am I doing up?!

I woke up at 7:30, and got up to eat an over-ripe banana that should have been put in a loaf, and to take my pill (500 mg, twice a day, with food) fully intending to go back to sleep.

An hour later...

See, the problem is, at 7:30 in the morning, in the summer, when it's been raining at night and the sky is all cloudy and the day looks gloomy, and three quarters of your children (and current house mates) are teenagers, and the other quarter is a teenager wannabe... well- 7:30 in the morning is the only time the house will be quiet and peaceful all day.

It's a little hard to willfully sleep through that.

This is the only time of day that finds me not looking for the Shalom in the Home Rabbi's number.

This is the time of day that I can sound pretty convincing as I tell myself we're definitely not Dr. Phil material; fully functional all the way.

See the other problem is, that while Randall's away, I tend to be up far too late. There's this whole "keeper of the house" thing happening. Someone has to make sure everyone is tucked up in bed and the house is locked up for the night. After the noise and flurry of the day it seems to take a little longer to wind down, when I'm here on my own. It takes longer for the dust to settle and the quietness to steal back in. For my spirit to relax enough for my body to follow suit.

So, 8:45 finds me at the computer, watching people driving past on their way to work, breathing in the humid, but cooler morning air from the open window, thinking... I'm getting really hungry... I should go cook that bacon I took out last night, and make some good for ya whole wheat pancakes... or a couple of eggs... and some coffee... or good, strong tea...

I'd tell myself I'll have a nap this afternoon, but I know I won't.

Ah, well. Breakfast first.

No, shower first. Then breakfast.

Then maybe rearrange the living room furniture or clean out the bedroom closet.

Or read that new book from the library.