5am

It's nearly 5 am and I cannot for the life of me go back to sleep. I've tried listening to my audio book. Normally a Godsend in keeping out the mind's incessant chatter, focusing on listening to a story instead, it often lulls me to sleep. Maeve Binchey's novel, Finding Frankie, is a heartwarming tale. Weaving stories of everyday working class people and their lives in Ireland. Nothing fancy or extremely deep but not fluff and fantasy either. It leaves me feeling soothed especially when the audio book reader has a lovely Irish brogue and whimsical tone. I read numerous types of literature but for today this is what I am drawn to when a lot of stresses are surrounding me. Another great author but of a very different genre and style of writing is Chris Bohjalian. The Double Blind especially I didn't see the end coming! I was quite surprised but left with such food for thought long after the last page was turned. I see he has a new one coming this month that I will have to check out. Our local audio library is my favorite place though I wish the selection were more. Especially with the Thursday Next series of books. Only some are available in audio and that's disappointing. I could purchase them but our finances say otherwise so I am happy to have what I do.
   
I received the new laptop battery and installed it. I've only charged it partially so until I give a good twelve hours I reserve judgement on whether it's a success. Tomorrow we leave to return to my husband's family home. His Mother is being discharged to home I'm told from hospital. They have found an in home physical therapist to work with her so she doesn't have to go into a skilled nursing facility after all. Yesterday she was able to get up twice on her own and that's a good beginning milestone. I really don't know how things are going to go but being the anxious pessimist I am, it's probably best I stay mindful of not ruining today but worrying about tomorrow. Or so I've been told ;)
The extended family christmas was already scheduled for this weekend so there will be quite a few of us converging on the family home. Chaos is not my forte but I am trying to let it go. Considering I'm up so early, unable to sleep, just might show I'm still very much a work in progress.