I was away from home traveling for work for five days, and I am happy to be back home.  Home is a one bedroom condo in northern New Jersey.  More importantly, home is where my dog is.  When I was younger I never dreamed of a husband and children.  I dreamed of a dog.  Penelope is my three year old chocolate and tan miniature dachshund, and she is one of the greatest gifts of my recovery.  Penelope and I moved into this little first floor condo two and a half years ago.  Around nine months ago I bought the condo from my landlord.  It is a small place, and it needs work, but I am fortunate to have it.  Quite honestly, I never thought I would have my act together enough to own a place on my own.

I woke up to a happy wagging tail and dog kisses.  Penelope helps to keep me on schedule.  I wake up routinely just after 7:00 am every morning.  Penelope seems to know to wake me a minute or so before the alarm clock rings.  Waking up at a set time, even on days off is an important for me for several reasons.  As an active alcoholic, I kept to no particular pattern, and often overslept to fight off the hangover I was frightened to face.  I stayed out late, slept late, and napped often.  I did what I wanted when I wanted.  When I was actively compulsively overeating, I would typically wake up late because I was always tired, especially from sugar and carb crashes.  I would wake late and rush out the door, almost always skipping breakfast.  In recovery, I wake up on time, take Penelope out to do her business, and make breakfast.  I eat breakfast every day, and I stick to the food plan given to me by my nutritionist. I also use this time to plan my meals for the rest of the day. I always pack meals to take with me when I am going out.  I eat every 2-3 hours, so this definitely takes organization and forethought.

I also use this time to reflect on the day ahead of me.  I look at my schedule and see what needs to be accomplished.  Preparation and planning are important in all areas of my life, and not just planning my meals.  My addictions love chaos and disorder, so I do what I can to avoid disorganization and poor planning.  I fought structure and organization for years, and now I see them as part of a peaceful life.

I took off from work today, so most of the tasks on my list were household chores.  My priority for the day was lots of cuddling with Penelope.  Mission accomplished.