Good Morning, Sunshine

Alright, I'm just gonna say it: I'm a morning person. Now, I don't jump out of bed and skip my way down the hallway. But, I'm pretty much ok with getting up. In fact, it's hard for me to sleep in and I don't sympathize well with others who want to, just ask my little sister. Even though mornings are not torture for me, there are a few things I like to make them "just right".

1. Alarm clock - I am slightly OCD when it comes to my alarm clock. I've mis-set mine many a time and found myself driving to work like a crazy lady with no make-up and my hair in a ponytail! Not fun. So, now I maticulously set and recheck my setting of my alarm clock. I set a digital one and then just in case the electricity goes out in the night (it happens), I set my phone. I always set my alarm about 15 minutes early because I like to hit it a few times so I can snuggle into my pillow one last time.
2. House shoes - I have these great green, fuzzy house shoes that I wear ALL the time. It must be a hold over from my China days, but no respectable person wears outside shoes or goes barefoot in the house. House shoes all the way. I have to have these in the morning to keep my feet cozy when I get out of the shower. Plus, they just feel comfy and homey.
3. Suave conditioner - Because of my curly locks and the revelations I found in the book Curly Girls, I gave up shampoo two years ago. I've had soft, luscious hair every since. I wish. Anyway, conditioner is all I use on my hair and Suave is my brand of choice. It's cheap, it works and it smells good. Weither you're feeling tropically coconutty or sweetly lavendary, Suave has the conditioner for you! Well, for me anyway.
4. Eye lash curler / mascara - I believe in the woman's right to wear make-up. I like make-up. It makes me feel good about myself. However, if I had to do with just one item in my little black make-up bag, it would be my eye lash curler (and can I please have my mascara, too?) My eyes just need a little pick me up. Without it, I look like a 15 year old with an early onset of crow's feet.
5. Morning news - The early edition of channel two news is my only connection to the local world. I get a pretty good feel for what's going on globally from different new sites that I read. But to get the local flair, it's channel two for me. Julie Chin is my meteorologist. She's cute.
6. Coffee - You knew I couldn't end a list of must-have morning items without the oldie but the goodie. Usually, I don't get my coffee until I get to work and then I nurse on it for the next four hours - heating and reheating with each and every class period. But man, it's good. I neeeeeed it!

So, calling all morning persons (and those of you who are not) - what do you have to have to make your morning "just right"?