The sleep hygiene handout my doctor gave me when I was suffering the worst of my insomnia (aka before the Ambien) recommended no caffeine at all, and no alcohol near bedtime.

recommended no caffiene at all

That's just crazy talk!

Well, Yesterday and today I've had half my usual coffee in the morning. (One big cup instead of two.) Maybe I'll try that for a few days, and if it doesn't help I'll cut out coffee entirely.

There's one co-worker that I occasionally hug after a vacation week or somesuch (we've been friends for over 20 years), and longtime business associates/friends from NYC and Florida that I always hug on the rare occasions we meet in person. In theory I'd be fine with hugging any of the relatives I work with, but none of us are touchy-feely people outside of family gatherings.

I've still got 22 hours of PTO left, and I don't know when I'll be able to take them. My boss is taking today and Friday off, so those are out, and starting next week, my other co-workers are taking off at least some if not all of the days until the end of the year, so those are mostly out. I'm going to see if I can get in a half day on Thursday with possibly a few more half days next week.

25% off sale at Borders.com today. Doesn't look like we have an affiliate link there though.

Usually the 24th is a work day, but we're furloughed the 24th and Jan. 4th this year, so that whole stretch everything is closed (and they turn off the power and lower the heat and basically shut all the way down, the whole campus.)

Huh. We're off the 24th and 25th, open 28th-30th, forced vacation day on 31st, closed on 1st. Most people are taking the 28th - 30th, but I am not, as previously noted.

tommyrot, did you post that coilhouse link here? B/c now I have a fantasy RockLove shopping cart that has $277 worth of jewelry in it, damn you. And I'm in serious lust with Blue Anchor, as well. Speaking of, check these out for your favorite True Blood fanatic... [link]

We're off starting the 23rd, and don't come back until the 4th. And we're complaining because it's only 12 days. Like flea's U., the heat is off during that time. Spoiled!

tommyrot, did you post that coilhouse link here?

Yep.

B/c now I have a fantasy RockLove shopping cart that has $277 worth of jewelry in it, damn you.

Buuuyyyyy eeeeeeeet!

So if I'm having trouble sleeping at night due to free-floating anxiety issues, should I drink less coffee, even if I only drink coffee in the morning?

This is why I've basically given up caffeine (I'll sometimes have an ice coffee on Friday's/the day before a day off from work), and it's definitely helped.

On the alchohol front, my doctor told me that while the initial effects are depressive to the system, the alchohol will convert to sugar eventually which can also affect sleep. Didn't really stop my level of drinking, however.

On a grammar note (per a recent conversation here or in bitches) was that a correct use of effect and affect?

And we're complaining because it's only 12 days.

My university sucks. ::pouts::

Buuuyyyyy eeeeeeeet!

Hmph. Not until I get my flex reimbursement and see what money I get for Xmas. And even then there's no way I can buy it all. I'll have to remember that site for Valentine's Day.