I'm sorry about your aunt, Suzi. It's so hard to know what to do when you want to help anyway, but even more so at such a distance.

*shoots a dirty look at Jilli's neighbors & encourages Jilli's subconscious to be more considerate*

Two months of hypervigilance, lights left on all night, and freezing at any unfamiliar noise gives me some insight, Jilli. I got a full night's sleep for the first time night before last--took me that long to unclench (H's been in NC minding his brother, recovering from surgery, and their mom, who needs supervision 24/7).

But we've done the emotional/operational/effective "take point" switchoff throughout our marriage. I've never considered any other way to be married, actually. I like being taken care of, especially when I'm flailing, but when I'm not, sometimes I need to be the boss. It's worked okay so far.

However, in tiny yay news, while I miss Pete when he's off at shows, this means I can burn ALL THE SCENTED CANDLES.

Two months of hypervigilance, lights left on all night, and freezing at any unfamiliar noise gives me some insight, Jilli. I got a full night's sleep for the first time night before last--took me that long to unclench

It's ridiculous, isn't it?! I sleep with a heavy croquet mallet by the bed when he's away.

It's even more ridiculous because I take not-inconsiderable meds to sleep, but I still lurch into groggy semi-consciousness at any noise.

I generally slept with a longsword in the bed when Hubby was away overnight.

It doesn't help that Vlad has taken to occasionally scrabbling at the bedroom door in the middle of the night, because he wants into the Forbidden To Kitties Room.

I don't sleep well when Tim is out of town, or if I'm out of town by myself. I slept fine when I went to my brother's place in 2016 and crashed on their couch for a week. I think my subconscious brain just doesn't want to be alone.

I think my subconscious brain just doesn't want to be alone.

The last time Pete was out of town for a month, one of my best friends came and stayed with me for a week. It made a lot of difference to my sleep.

I stayed with M last night. We went to Dave and Busters for his birhtdya and it was fun.

I thought I got off at 3:45 . And clicked out and went to leave and realized I work until 545. So now I'm on my break. I would have realized this if I had 1 looked at the sales goal sheet they give you everyday and 2 called tonsa y I was leaving like I'm supposed to.

M 's mattress is uncomfortable and for whatever reason I have to pee like 5 times a night when I'm over there. He is an octopus in his sleep and I wake up with arms and legs draped all over me. I like it but it takes me a couple nights to adjust.

I think I started having hot flashes. Work is hot but I get hotter than I should and 2 customers the past past week have asked me.

Is there by over the counter thing I can take to reduce them? I end up looking over worked because I'm red faced and sweating.