I Remember When ...

... I could simply go to bed when I so chose. Now, it's a production that takes time.

I took this picture once I organized myself for bed on Christmas Eve when we slept over at the kids' place. My camera was near at hand, and I couldn't resist.

Starting on the far left are two types of sleeping pills — melatonin and a prescription. I find that with both (and both are fairly mild), I can often obtain a decent nights sleep — but not that night, of course.

Then, there comes my iPod, which gives me something to do in the event that sleep eludes. It was well used that night. In front of it are my hearing aids.

Next, comes both hand lotion and lip balm. It was a dry night, and they both got used.

Don't forget the hanky and two types of eye ointment. I use the stuff in the tube when I go to bed and use the drops during the night if needed because they are much easier to administer in the dark. My eyes get horribly dry at night to the point where I sometimes think that the lids may stick to the eyeball.

On the far right are two kinds of cough drops: one more for the throat and one for the cough. These are not a constant in my life, but when I do come down with something or other, my throat is usually the first part of my body to be hit. And I was under attack over Christmas.

Finally, at the front is my trusty magnetic flashlight, which can be awfully handy when I'm searching for one necessity or other in the dark.

At home, these items are spread here and there, but when they are assembled together like this, they highlight how pathetic I really am.

It was a long night, made longer by the fact that I was determined to stay in bed so that the kids could wake us in the morning proclaiming that Santa had been. When Danica bounded in, it was like being released from prison, I tell ya.

At home and after several more bad nights, I am almost delirious to report that I slept for about ten hours last night. I don't think I have slept that long in more than a decade. I did have my usual restless period from about 3 - 4. Sometimes, it forces me to get up, but last night I was able to stay the course and get back to sleep.