Beneath the Wraps

            It is really a sad thing to have finals right after a two week vacation.   Instead of having just one assessment or assignment - all of it is expected from here on.   Every week will be the same.   That is fine for the times I have just one class, but it seems quite challenging this particular week when I have two and have not bounced back with my mind.             Theoretically I should be working on my assignments or posting a comment to a fellow student on discussion, but I first need to clear out my brain.   Perhaps if I brainstorm here I will have   a better understanding about what to write for my class assignment.             We're supposed to set goals on improving our self-management.   Yesterday's daily check point had us watch a video on sleep hygiene.  ...

As mentioned in a previous post, Jenna’s favorite princess is Merida.   She loves her because she seems somewhat unkempt.   She doesn’t like to follow the rules if it seems to take away from the freedom of being her.   Jenna and Merida have a lot in common.   But I think she has way more in common with Princess Melody. Princess Melody is the offspring of Eric and Ariel from Little Mermaid.   Ariel was a mermaid who wished to have legs while her daughter was opposite – a human who wished to have fins.   If Jenna could live in the water 24/7, she would.   She has always liked water. The last area where we spent the night was in Beaverton.   It had a fountain and it had a pool.   Unfortunately the pool does not open until Memorial weekend – and only if the weather permits.   Jenna was very disappointed with our second choice of lodging.   Roland and I were both very tired by the time we checked in. ...

            We had asked Tony and Rochelle to house sit – not that our house needed sitting, but because we wanted them to have time to themselves and we thought that would give them the opportunity.             After they arrived, we watched Walt Disney’s Into the Woods .   I was quite surprised when Ester joined me in the recliner.   She didn’t watch the entire movie, but she was in the recliner long enough for pictures.               Roland slept on the couch and I slept on the recliner while Tony and Rochelle took Ester in our room.   My, she was loud.   Enthusiastic.   Not even close to sleepy.   I don’t know what her parents did to hush her.             I don’t know why I woke up just before 4:00. ...

            I have always had allergies.   It doesn’t matter what time of year.   When I was still in school, I had trained myself to fall asleep in a somewhat reclined position – that way my sinuses didn’t drain directly into my throat.   Thus I have actually spent most of my life sleeping propped rather than sleeping flat.   Roland sleeps flat.   Over the years it seems that only one or the other of us can be comfortable in bed.   But not both.             The last three or four years I have complained about the air quality in this house and I have suffered with painful sinus infections the last two or three years.   Before that I had believed that suffering a sore throat was the worse thing – worse than headaches.   But not worse than being so disoriented that I cannot think or function.      ...

I take Highness for a walk He’s notorious for wanting attention after we have all gone to bed I want to wear him out I’m already worn out Roland and I are on the couch watching Shark Tank I suggest we finish watching in our room He let’s the dog out just before he comes into the bedroom to join me “What are you doing letting the dog out?!” I think. Now one of us will have to get back out of bed to let him in. I can’t remember which one of us received that honor. I am asleep I missed the end of Shark Tank I actually don’t remember turning on the TV maybe Roland did It’s 2:00 in the morning when I can hear Highness whining “Go lay down!” I say Sometimes that works Highness ignores me and continues whining.   I let him outside. I have two pillows in my hand. I sit on the couch in a reclined position. I don’t know how long I have slept when I hear Highness bark again. He has stayed out longer...

--> Nearly every morning Roland gets up at 5:30.   More than not I’ll get up at that time too (provided I’m not already up – due to not being able to sleep in my room) as he needs to be to work by 7:00 (or at least it is the time he chose to be there) but does need to be to work on Wednesdays until 11:00. On Saturday we usually go to the Church to clean.   We try to be there by 8:00 (at least for this month) and then we have the garden at 9:00 (which changes to 8:00 next month – but I think it should already be at 8:00 and then changed to 7:00) and on Sunday he’s got meetings which generally   start at 7:00 or 7:30.   Roland’s usually up by 5:30   regardless.   But I like to stay in bed as long as possible – especially when I haven’t slept well the night before. I didn’t seem to have any troubles whatsoever when Jenna and I were watching one of her TV programs yesterday.   After missing practically the entire program (one I hadn...

So often sitcoms will portray the girl as the snuggler and the guy as the one who needs the room. I don’t have a problem snuggling when we’re both awake -  but when I’m in bed asleep (or trying to) I would rather not deal with that extra weight crushing my bones, leaving indentations in my body, actually making it hard to sleep.  Roland’s a cuddler.  He’s been extremely tired all week – and very much in the middle of the bed (note it’s NOT a king size bed) leaving enough room on his side for another person while my arm dangles over the bed.  His head like a bowling ball on my shoulder.  I could actually tolerate all of it except for the dangling arm.  It’s annoying when I look at all the room to the other side of them.  I actually wonder if there might be more room on that side.  Probably not.  If I could just take my arm off, there would be plenty of room. Jenna likes to cuddle as well.  It worked out bette...

She came to me the other night. "What is that noise?" "It's the fireworks (all month long)" "I can't sleep." That was in her bed in her room fan going didn't drown out the noise. Tonight she is in a tent in the backyard next door Flashlights going I can hear her friend talking and his Nana asking why don't they all go to sleep. I let Highness outside before I went to bed. He usually returns in less than an entire minute. But he's out there lying down. It's been almost thirty. He must be taking comfort in the voices of Jenna and Trume. Hopefully I will have more details tomorrow about this exciting campout.