Monday, November 20, 2006

Old Habits Are Hard to Break...

...but not impossible, I guess. I have been a nail biter since I was 2 years old, and now I only bite the thumbnails. Everyone is surprised to see actual fingernails on the ends of my fingers. So it is possible to change a habit. Now it is time to change another one--at least for a while. I have been married almost 37 years, and ALL that time I have slept on the left side of the bed. However, due to his hip surgery, Terry now needs to sleep on the left side of the bed because it is better for him to get up from that side. So I have been sleeping on the right side for the last week. Add that to the fact that I am going to bed on his schedule so I can help him into bed, and my sleep habits have had to change-big time! I am accustomed to going to bed at about 12:30 with a good book to read for an hour or so, but now I am staying up until 2:00 or so and trying to keep awake in my chair with no reading when I get to bed. I have been lying awake smushed to the right side of the bed in the dark for anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours. Then I end up taking an unaccustomed nap, which makes me groggy. I complain, but in reality this is a small sacrifice that I am glad to make for the time being to make life easier for Terry and to make his recovery go smoothly. I'm just glad that it's temporary!

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

You are so, so much nicer than I am. Really.

So, how do I stop biting my nails? Do I have to wait until I am old like you? :-)

Susie said...

I had to laugh at Alissa's "old like you comment" Someday they won't think they're so old when they're our age. (My daughter is almost 36 and has made similar comments!)
I have slept on the left side of the bed for almost forty years. I can truly see how difficult the change would be. Hope you're able to settle into a good routine soon and get some much needed rest!
:)

Motherkitty said...

OMG, Alissa, I can't believe you bite your nails. I used to bite my nails when I was a kid and suck my thumb. My mom used to put everything horrible on my fingers to make me stop but nothing helped -- until I decided to stop myself. Old like us? Just you wait!!! Nancy, don't listen to her about being old.

I've slept on the left side of the bed for all our married life (38 years) and it would be really hard to change at this late date. But, I know what you've sacrificed and why. I had my knee replaced in April and I slept in a hospital bed for several months. It was difficult giving it up because I got used to sleeping alone and enjoyed the electric controls. I can see how hard it must be for you to change your sleeping habits (not reading in bed -- I watch TV). Yes, napping in the daytime makes me groggy also.

Hope husband gets back to "normal" very soon.