Good morning, sunshine...

Okay, I admit I am not a morning person. Not at all...! But ever since I started my new job, I've been getting up really early... like 5:00. I've never had to get up so early before.

Contrary to what I thought it would be like, I really enjoy my early-morning quiet time. After the initial pain of dragging myself out of bed, I find it's actually quite pleasant... Well, at least after my diet Coke kicks in!

The secret to my early-morning success... Going to be early and waking up gently. Let me tell you, it is so much better than being jolted out of bed by a blasting alarm, then heading straight into the bathroom to get ready for work. I even bought myself a gentle alarm clock. (I like the birds and the wind chimes.) And I allow myself plenty of time to wake up doing things I love.

I can hardly believe it myself but I actually look forward to mornings now. I start out by reading blog and Facebook updates and checking my e-mail. I visit Joel Osteen's page and, if I have time, I sit in the recliner with Scooter and Bug and watch Creflo Dollar until I have to get ready. (And Reba, if there's time... Barbara Jean cracks me up!)

After that, I make lunch, start a pot of tea, start the car (if it's frozen), take a bath, put on make-up, hair, clothes, jewelry, then it's out the door, drive an hour, park... You know the drill.

So, there you have it... a non-morning person's surprisingly enjoyable morning routine.