Getting it together

There was a funny old saying: "Once I got it together, I forgot where I put it."

And I do have those days. I have days when I can't remember why I went from one room to another, or crazy days at the day job editing and days where I am so far behind where I would like to be on my second book.

But there are things that, if I do them, make me feel like I have at least part of life together. I was talking with a friend about this the other day ... when parts of life are together, you somehow feel like the rest of it is in place.

Understand that the Food Network is not coming to my house, nor are the Southern Living photographers. I do not have an immaculate home and our meals aren't gourmet. But these things do make me feel like everything else will turn out OK.

• Coffee in the maker before I go to bed. Then all I have to do is turn the coffee maker on first thing and voila: coffee. A shake of cinnamon in the grounds is a nice touch, or a spoonful of hot chocolate mix stirred into my coffee mug. Mmmmmmm.
• A loaded Crock Pot. I do write a lot about these little appliances, but they are a mother/editor/writer's best friend. Load them and then do whatever. Dinner will be ready. We had peas and mashed potato casserole left over from Thanksgiving, so I popped in some rolls last night and put a meatloaf into the Crock Pot. Dinner was super easy, which was good because I had a couple of stories to write that afternoon at the day job.
• Dishes in the dishwasher. A pile of dishes in the sink just drives me crazy. I could have the rest of the house in trainwreck mode, but having an empty kitchen sink makes me feel better. Weird, but true.
• Making my bed. Yes, I know I will mess it right back up at night, but getting in a made bed just feels fresh. 
• Getting up early. If I can get going about 5 or 5:30, I have the bathroom to myself before the kids get up. I have time to dress and not be in a hurry. I can write on my other day job, the super early one of writing books, for a good 45 minutes to an hour. I can drink my coffee and eat breakfast. And I am awake and in good shape when it is time for my kiddos to get going. If I don't get that time, I feel like I am running behind the rest of the day.
• Clothes in the wash. They don't have to be put away, but I feel better about life if my kids have clean folded blue jeans and there are fresh, folded towels in the bathroom.

What home chores make you feel better once you do them?