Creatures of Habit

Many of you know I have two cats. My little babies. And by little, I mean 17 (Blue) and 20-something (Jack; he'd kill me if I told you his real weight) pounds. True to what I've always heard said about cats, they are definitely creatures of habit. They each have their 'spot' on the couch, sleep on the same part of the bed each night, groom themselves at certain times of day, etc. I have no need for an alarm clock, due to the fact that, if I am not already awake, at precisely 8am the two of them sit on either side of my face and proceed to meow incessantly until I get up. As if to say "We are hungry. We know you hear us. Don't make us get physical with you.". Imagine a cat the size of a small child 'pouncing' you in the chest. Now that's a wake up call.

So anyway, after starting my day this morning by feeding the previously mentioned heathens (I say that with the utmost love, really), I went about my routine. And as I stood there in the bathroom, freshly showered and moisturized from head to toe, I had the realization that in this aspect I am not that much different from the kitty cats. Just about everyday I do the same thing. Get up, walk into the living room, turn on the local news program, feed the cats. Scoop out the cat box, go potty myself, then shower. Towel off, moisturize, apply deodorant, brush my teeth. Get dressed, check email, pack my bag for the day and head out. It was quite startling when I realized that this routine doesn't vary at all. Same thing, same order, day in and day out. I could probably do it blindfolded, although cleaning the cat box might be questionable.

I wonder what would happen if I decided to change it up one day. Of course some of these things are non-negotiable. If I don't feed the cats within a few minutes of getting out of bed there would be a rather unpleasant uprising. And moisturizing before showering just doesn't work (trust me, it's happened before on a morning after I've had a little too much to drink the night before). But everything else in my 'routine' is fair game. I could be a rebel and brush my teeth before I shower. Or feed the cats before I turn on the morning news. Or pack my bag then check my email then shower. Oh the possibilities...

Now if anyone needs me, I'm going to go walk in a circle three times before I sit down.