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             We arrived home at 7:30 p.m. and I spend the next hour dressing him in his pajamas and watching "Bob the Builder," then I read a book before bedtime and listen to his infinite list of reasons why he should stay up "one more minute." .

             From 8:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m., I lay with him for 30 minutes every night, as he tosses and turn, talks and sometimes cries, because he hates going to bed. .

             I finally slipped out of his room at 9:00 p.m. and then called my mother and talked to her until 10:00 p.m. Then from 10:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., I get on the computer and check my online courses and complete any projects that are due. From 11:00 p.m. until midnight is wind down time for me. This is when I watch television, read a book and play with the dogs. If I'm caught up on my projects then I can spend more time with the dogs. At midnight, I go to bed.

             I am very aware that I am a routine person. So much so, that I no longer need to set my alarm clock because I automatically wake up every morning at 7:00 a.m. and spend the next half hour in bed, gathering my thoughts and planning my schedule before I get physically out of bed. Even my dogs know my ritual and when I am completely dressed, they immediately head for the door to go outside and in less than 15 minutes they are scratching at the door to get back in. .

             When my grandson came to live with me nine months ago, it took an adjustment. I learned that it is easier to dress him while he is still in bed and by the time I have finished, he is awake and ready for breakfast. I have learned that he does not like breakfast that much, so fruit is all he generally wants. And he likes to pick out the color of his vitamins every morning. When I drop him off at Daycare, he always gives me a big kiss and hug before I leave. This, I have learned, is one of the perks of being a grandmother. Although I was uncertain about my ability to care for him since I had been an "empty nest" mother for several years, I found it much like riding a bicycle, and my mother instincts kicked in like clockwork.