Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Dogs should sleep inside - IT'S COLD OUT, FOR GOD SAKE!

This is a picture I took last spring in Florida while visiting my dad. I blew it up, framed it and am giving it to him for Christmas.

The beautiful thing about insomnia is that it truly gives you that time to think that you rarely get in a busy, normal day. Since I believe I've only slept for and hour and a half, since I went to bed last night at 10:25, I've had lots of time to think about our upcoming trip to the midwest. I thought of a great gift idea for my friends back home, but don't have any time left to buy them, nor room to pack them. We are leaving after work today to fly to Minnesota. I've also been able to remember that I forgot to pack a gift for Ella that I left in the trunk of my car. Good thing it's large and heavy because we have six or seven suitcases fully packed at this point. I'm sure I can squeeze in a toy ironing board with an authentically heavy toy iron.

It also allows you to keep track of things. For instance, I now know that my furnace makes a clicking noise, followed by a whirring noise before revving up into full "blowing" mode. I also know that it comes on about 3 times an hour. I know that before 12:40 am, I coughed approximately once a minute. After that time, the number significantly reduced until about 4:30 am when it started to increase again.
Another gift that insomnia has given me is the gift of patience. Since last summer there has been a dog in our neighborhood that barks excessively at night. I used to think that it was our next door neighbor. I like my next door neighbor - and his dog - so I used to try to ignore it. One evening, though, the dog was barking so much I ran out in the back to track it down. I live in a neighborhood with tiny houses. There are literally about seven yards in very close proximity to me. It could've have been coming from anywhere. I narrowed it down to the neighbor behind my garage. The one with the tall, white plastic fence. I can't really see their house so I don't know, when I drive down their street, which house it is exactly. Over the last few months, now that my windows are closed and I am back at work desperately coveting any and all sleep I can get, I am still awakened by this dog a few times a week. Each week I get more and more upset about this dog, but have yet to do anything about it. Well, this past night, I was able to listen to this dog bark - on average - 40 minutes an hour. As I listened to him/her bark, and bark, and bark, I found myself completely amazed by the energy this animal exhibits, yet also wondered WHAT THE HELL his/her owners do to sleep through all the racket. The latest conclusion I came up with (around 4:30 am) was that they must work the night shift.

One thing I have definitely inherited from my mother is the ability to worry the night away. Any and all anxieties circumvent in my head at night. I have been pretty sick with a terrible chest cold/flu thing since last Friday. I did work yesterday, but wasn't able to do much of anything to prepare for this trip, or Christmas, over the weekend or Monday. All of our packing occurred last night, so I'm sure we have forgotten a million things. Thus the insomnia.

The silver lining in all of this is pretty silver. Our original plan was to drive to Minnesota. We would take two weeks so that the drive wouldn't become the vacation. Life happens and things change. My new job had a shorter holiday break which didn't allow me to take off for two weeks. Chris' job never coordinates with him taking off two weeks, so we decided to fly. However - I had already "purchased" a ticket with frequent flier miles. The ONLY seat available for me was in first class. When we went to purchase three more tickets, we were able to get them on the same flight. Unfortunately, my husband (who had to work really late, but is still slumbering quite peacefully right now) will be back in Coach with my two-can't-wait-for-Santa-to-come-so-we're-going-to-be-EXTREMELY-high-strung-and-full-of-energy-until-he-does-children.

Because I'm pretty sure I was Catholic in a past life, I'll probably switch with him half way.


10 comments:

Me said...

You and I are 2 peas in a pod. :)

I also was just thinking to myself this morning that the hours between 3:30 and 6:30 go AMAZINGLY quick. I am a little sad about that fact though.

:)

Dave said...

Just make sure you get really housed on the free first-class booze before making the switch. Enjoy your vacation!

Anonymous said...

I always feel so sorry for dogs that are left outside by themselves. They're pack animals, and when they're away from the pack they're really unhappy.

I'm envious of your MN trip--I kinda wish we were heading that direction too. But this is the year for Christmas in PA so we were just there at Thanksgiving.

I'm with Dave--have a few free first-class drinks before you head back to coach. Have a good trip and a wonderful Christmas!

Oh--and try to get some sleep. :)

Kate Giovinco Photography said...

I love love the catholic comment that is so something I would have said!

Have a great holiday! Enjoy yourself and your family! It will be nice to get together!

Anonymous said...

have a wonderful time Carol.

B.E.C.K. said...

Ah, you're so right about insomnia giving one the chance to think quietly for a change. That's why I'm commenting on your blog at about 3:46 a.m.

I can't stand even waiting ten minutes outside in 45-degree weather for my son's dad to arrive, so I can't imagine leaving a dog outside all night in your winter climate. That just seems grossly inhumane.

That's nice of you to think about switching seats with your husband halfway through your trip. Just make sure you enjoy the heck outta the first half of the trip, though. ;^)

Psycho Kitty said...

xo

Anonymous said...

Safe travels back to MN. How long are you going to be here?

I've been puttering around way too late at night. My parents arrive tomorrow and I still have to clean the kitchen, bathroom, do the floors and dust. What have I been doing all week!?!!?

Kate Giovinco Photography said...

Merry Christmas to you and your family!

I hope you have a healthy and happy holiday!

BarkingDogATLAS said...

Is your neighbor's noisy dog getting you down? Too much barking? Post it here at the Barking Dog ATLAS.