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Sleepless in Ann Arbor
By Nancy Lindquist | March 28, 2007
I didn’t sleep last night. It’s not unheard of. I have a lot of sleepless nights. I don’t know why, but lately stress in my life guarantees zero sleep for me.
Right now the RT convention has me all stressed out. Will it be worth it? Did I spend my money wisely? Will my son get over not having me home on his birthday? It swims around in my brain like a barracuda, looking for a shiny watch, robbing me of my, much needed, rest.
My husband asked me why I lie in bed when I can’t sleep? Simple, nowhere to go. My oldest, after several months of sleeping in his own bed, has migrated back to the couch at night. He’s got to knock that off. We’ve been working for years to get him out of the family room at night. So far his resistance has been incredible. I’ve tried all sorts of inducements, nothing. He likes to sleep on the couch and that’s that. Since he used to sneak into my bedroom and sleep on the floor, I’m not unhappy with the couch compromise. Especially after the night my husband and I decided to have a little nookie and didn’t know he was there. He snored during foreplay and alerted us to his presence. Thank goodness. That’s not how I want him to learn about the birds and the bees.
So going out to watch TV is not happening. What I do is lie awake in bed, stare at the ceiling and try to lull myself to sleep by making plans for the future. It’s usually a nice way to head off to dreamland. Not when I’m having insomnia. Then, pleasant thoughts about hopes and dreams turn to worry and concern that will not shut down, no matter what I do.
Did I spend too much on this, will there be money for that, did I eat too much today? On and on. Ugh.
These things usually come in month-long spurts. I’ll sleep, but only for an hour at a time. Not long enough for REM. Yes, my doctor knows all about it.
Now, I’m dragging butt today. Something I can’t afford to do. It’s not the end of the world. I will be fine. It is more than a minor inconvenience, and it stinks. I need a nap. Yawn.
March 28th, 2007 at 9:25 am
I can certainly relate to your post, Nancy. I have trouble sleeping and think about all kinds of things. Also one of our handicapped daughters sometimes sleeps on the couch instead of going to her room at night. I feel so sleep deprived at times. I haven’t gone to RT but I’m sure you will benefit from it. Enjoy yourself - you deserve it. You work so hard!
March 28th, 2007 at 1:13 pm
Hey Nancie, a topic near and dear to my heart!
Insomnia runs rampant on my mother’s side of the family. Some of my RA meds can really wreak havoc with my ability to fall and stay asleep.
Re: your son - How about moving the couch into his bedroom?
March 28th, 2007 at 1:16 pm
Maybe you should move that couch into his room. LOL.
I generally don’t have much trouble sleeping, but I’m a very light sleeper and wake constantly (unless I’m using a sleep aid. LOL). But I’m one of those people who have little trouble falling back to sleep.