Tuesday, December 1, 2009

in. need. of. sleep...

My inner clock is all messed up.
It's usually pretty 'on time', but the last month or so it's been off like a 17th century pocket watch.

Some of this I blame on the time change.

When it gets pitch black at 5:30pm, it makes my body go into sleep mode. We wrap things up for the evening and hit the pillows. Unfortunately when you go to bed at 9, I then wake up at 4...and that ain't good for my daytime productivity.

Or the delicate skin under my eyes.

When your ex-husband stops by and says, "You look tired..." , that isn't something that you like to hear. "You look fabulous!" would have been much better. Especially since that particular day I felt alright. I wasn't tired...yet.

Some of the sleep issues are stress related. Minor, mind you. But stress nonetheless. I wake up wondering about schedules and appointments. Thinking about what needs to be done and timelines to do it in. And about this....




Remember that project that I started, instigated really, with that mighty swing of my sledgehammer? Yeah. So this is where we are now.
The upside of this dusty mess is that by Christmas my daughter will have a brand new BIG room, complete with walk-in closet and futon for her posse. We've done our shopping at Pottery Barn Teen and picked out new bedding. She's chosen the wall colors and I'm having a custom headboard built. The carpetings been ordered and the new blinds. If all goes well, they should all arrive and the project will continue along as planned.

If not, well...I'll have something else to lose sleep over.

And until then I managing to lose sleep over not having it done. Either way, it looks like I should invest in some Tylenol PM....

:-)



58 comments:

  1. I hate it when people say I look tired and I'm well rested! My sleeplessness started a few years ago. I thought it was premenopause...Doc said it was called having teenagers! I still haven't recovered! BTW, the room is coming right along!

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  2. i absolutely despise time change too.

    you've got quite the workload there missy. good luck. if i lived near you, I'd help you.

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  3. Heh.....I got the "Are you okay, you look terrible!" comment the other day...and I felt fine (and thought I looked fine)!
    E-gads.
    Can't wait to see the final stages of the renovation! Before and after pics are such fun!

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  4. Great project! Looking forward to seeing the finished job.

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  5. I am sure you looked fabulous...what does he know! LOL.

    Tylenol PM actually works great...as does Melatonin. Hope you get some rest.

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  6. He said "you look tired"? Bleck...why do they feel the need to say anything? They should just be mostly mute around us I say. Better for everyone. Most guys never say the right thing anyway, so they should REALLY try to not say the "WRONG THING" to ex's. :)

    Good luck with your room....don't stress....life is too short to stress out. Especially this time of year. You want to enjoy and bask in the warmth of the holiday season. So promise me you won't let it whiz past ya. ok?

    ~hl~
    {www.hoscorners.blogspot.com}

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  7. I can't imagine that big project at Christmas time. There is so much to do already. I feel tired reading about all that you are doing. It will be nice for your daughter though when it is finished. Hope you have a wonderful holiday season.

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  8. Kudos to you for starting such a big project this close to the holidays. But there's never a perfect time;something's always happening. And what a great Christmas gift!
    Water, drink lots of it!
    A lot I know; the bags under my eyes could be used to pack for a 2 week vacation....

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  9. You poor thing. Renovations are so stressful. Sending positive thoughts your way to see you through. :)

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  10. In my opinion saying "you look tired" is the equivalent of "you look like shit". Really? Thanks.

    We are planning to start a small reno project between Christmas and New Year's. By then, I'll find swinging a sledgehammer therapeutic.

    Good luck on getting some sleep. Remember, the reno will get done - eventually, so try not to stress it.

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  11. Sounds like somebody needs to recombobulate her clocks!lol

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  12. I always look like shit through lack of sleep, even when I feel OK. You sound like you need a nice holiday matey, somewhere sunny with warm water lapping at your feet...... Damn, I need a holiday now.

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  13. hope you don't mind, I linked to your essay from my blog today. It was just along the same subject line as my topic of choice. Thanks so much!

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  14. My mum always tells me what her grandmother (whom I am a visual clone of, apparently) used to say: "the eyes are scared, but the hands are doing". Sending lots and lots of energetic vibes your way, Nancy. Put on some cheerful music, grab a cookie, and get going - YOU CAN DO IT! And if, by any random chance you don't, well... SO?! I mean, seriously. :o)

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  15. I know exactly how it feels to lose sleep over unfinished projects. Every time I look at my pile of linens, that should be in the linen closet, hubby has yet to build. I groan!!

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  16. I'm tired. I'd like to think I still look fabulous though - so if I'm actually having a bit of a shocker on the face front, would you be kind enough not to mention it?

    Ta.

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  17. OH no! Sleep is a must. Just take Benadryl...it is the same medicine that is in Tylenol but withou the pain killer.

    much love

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  18. That project looks very intimidating. Keep your head up, work hard, and invest in some good under-eye concealer as an early Christmas present to yourself :)

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  19. good luck getting some shut-eye. i would love to have a 17th century pocket watch (even if it didn't keep great time)!

    so would it have been better for the ex to have said, "you look *like you're feeling* tired"

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  20. Wear some gorgeous sunglasses when around others (see Audrey in Breakfast at Tiffany's) and journal like crazy....it's the only thing that quiets my mind enough to go back to bed and rest. Failing that I'm sure you have a favourite coffee shop...flat white your way through the flat white of these times. Good luck and I hope your body clock resets itself.

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  21. Hey Nancy, the change of clocks always messes with my head, I wish they'd scrap daylight savings. Keep forging ahead, your urchin will thank you when the posse tell her what a cool mom she has ;> Indigo x

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  22. Don't worry, I bet soon you'll be sleeping longer than ever!

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  23. That sleepless thing is so frustrating! You worry about deadlines and the next day you're too tired to make good progress. Tried melatonin and other things, but even a small dose left me foggy the next day. So I've had to cut out caffeine except for chocolate (not giving that up no matter what).

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  24. Yikes! no wonder your sleep is messed... big (fun?) project, changing clocks, Christmas prep, work, ex, etc. Look after you. I have a great view I can share :).

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  25. Good luck with the project! I know what you are going through...we've been renovating for a few years ( the whole house)

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  26. You could also try Gravol. Sleep well friend. Can't wait to see pics from your project. Your daughter is a lucky girl.

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  27. Ha. Next time your ex (or anyone!) tells you that you look tired, raise one eyebrow or wink or otherwise look mysterious and let them wonder what you were up so late doing! I can almost guarantee you won't hear that comment again any time soon... :D

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  28. By Christmas, eh? That's a good time table. I guess it's easier to do more work when you don't have to worry about waking up a 2 year old or a 5 month old. Keep it up!

    -Joshua

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  29. God bless Tylenol PM... And it's maker.

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  30. I want to get in my jammies the minute I get home, but I don't want to get up till at least 8:00 either. But it sounds like you are getting lots done, anyway, with the big renovation. That's enough to make anyone tired!

    And what is it with exes and moms that say you're looking tired, huh? Just don't say it. Ever!

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  31. Well at least you've got something done.
    Never mind your ex, I'm sure sleep or no sleep, you manage to look fabulous!
    :D
    xoxo

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  32. You look tired? Hah! Who says that? A classic case of forgetting to think before we speak. Best wishes to you my friend.

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  33. Do not care what "he" said! But I know it is hard! I suggest you take a hot bath, drink some wine and play some lovely, light music before you will go to bed! Definitely the most important is never stress yourself too much! Trust me! You look fabulous!!

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  34. I absolutely hate it when someone says to me "You look tired" especially when I'm not. They might as well have said "You look like crap." At least that's how I take it.

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  35. Hope you get a good sleep pretty soon..=)

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  36. I hope you get some rest - I hope that messy project is further along then it looks.

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  37. Why is it that the DEstruction part is so much more fun that the CONstruction part? There's just something about a sledge hammer!

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  38. can't wait to see the finished product!!

    oh.
    and.

    WAKE UP!

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  39. Fantastic, I hope it works out the way you have planned.

    Try a nice 'hot' soak in bath salts before going to bed - the heat will relax your muscles. I guarantee you'll have a great sleep.

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  40. When my son was younger, we used lavendar linen spray (and Benadryl). Sometimes it works.

    Love the construction, though. Oh, to take a sledgehammer to some of my walls...you've got it made.

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  41. i totally understand what you are saying about your inner clock! mine as been bizarre as well! i was just thinking how messed up my body has been lately, but anyways i'm new to blogging i am going to follow you maybe you can stop by my blog sometime http://hotpinkconverse8.blogspot.com/

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  42. I cannot wait to see the after pics...If I started a project of that magnitude...well started is as far as I would get:)

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  43. I can TOTALLY relate. I hate the way it gets dark early now. I don't know why they can't just leave well enough alone and leave the time where it is. Once it starts to get dark, I'm ready for bed as well. Hopefully we'll all get back on track soon.

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  44. I'm solar powered. I'm not liking the shorter days of winter. Hope you're able to get some sleep soon. Ignore the ex.

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  45. Nancy, I am happy to say I have something waiting for you at my place...please drop by

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  46. Whenever I don't wear makeup, people used to say to me, "Are you sick?" LOL! At least now my face is tan from being in AZ and I can get by with just some mascara and liner if I'm lucky.

    Take it easy and don't stress too much. Try to take time for yourself every day, even if it's 20 minutes!

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  47. Next time tell the ex you are tired- of him! I too hate this time change, ready for bed a t 8, but by bedtime I've gotten a second wind and can't fall asleep.

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  48. My boss always says I look tired but yesterday she surprised me and said "you look refreshed" - whoa!!!

    Hope you can find a way to get a good night's rest..

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  49. Pfft. There's a delicate, diplomatic way to tell someone they look tired....but I'm too tired right now to think of what it is.

    What a beautiful mess! It means change for the better....and as long as you know it's not gonna stay that way, what could be bad???

    This is the....storm before the calm? No, that's not right....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

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  50. my my... hope the room gets completed soon. Do upload the pics once it is done.. :)

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  51. I feel like the hibernation inclination takes place within all of us this time of year. Even from the usually warm climate of SW Florida, I can feel the urge for sleep from deep within. I wish I could blame it on an unusual work load...

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  52. This is just my viewpoint and not absolute truth...

    Remodels are far more stressful than people think. I have seen it take a big time toll on people but I would not diminish how it might be for you. You are a bright woman that I am sure has seen adversity before and delt with stress before I would use the skills that you have used during high stress situations for this time.

    Kindest regards,
    Tom Bailey

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  53. Blimey! Good luck with that!

    Clair :)

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  54. You are like the coolest, bestest Mom Eh-VER! What a lovely roon that will be when it is all done!
    Pottery Barn Teens? Wow, we are so behind up here in the north. Do they have such as thing as PB Toddler down there too? :)
    Reno's are hard work and so stressful, so go easy on yourself. Have a great weekend! - G

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  55. Hi! There is an award for you on my blog:)

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  56. I loved this. If anyone tells you to take a bath, get more exercise, blah blah blah.. they may not get it.

    I, myself have been in need of an Ambien from time to time. When all else fails, Ambien loves you. And so do I.

    xxoo

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Do it. Do it NOW!
:-)