Can't Sleep

So what do you do when you can't sleep?

Sometimes I listen to music, or read boring things on-line, in an effort to find sleep. But, my iphone battery is nearly dead tonight. So, I thought I'd get out of bed and charge it. Problem is I can't find a charger. Normally, not a big deal, since everyone in the house has a gadget and someone always has a cord or docking station handy, but not now. I "upgraded" to the iphone 5. I mock the word upgrade because it hasn't made my life better, or easier. Frankly, it doesn't do anything that the last version didn't do for me. I kinda thought a new phone would mean a new battery and less charging (since my 4 battery could barely survive a regular day on a full charge) but it really hasn't. Seems the battery life of a "5" and a 2 year old "4" are pretty similar.

Anyways, I'm rambling like a tired person.

The "5" has a new cord. Of course, so it fits nothing. Not compatible with any tool that came before it. So, to go with my new phone, I'm going to have to buy new docking stations, car adapters etc. Ahem... cash grab!  But whatever. I know the way the world works. I'd probably do it too if I owned Apple. Still kicking myself for not buying shares in that company when I was a kid.

Back to the topic. Can't sleep. Well, an hour ago, I couldn't sleep because the neighbor's dog, Buddy, was barking and barking and barking. So, I encouraged my husband to go see what that was about. He did and the barking stopped.  Nice.

Then the husband fell asleep instantly and snored like some chainsaw factory. Usually, earphones and music do the trick.... but you read the earlier paragraph. No damn battery power.

So, I wander around the house, looking for the cord and maybe a snack. (Since I'm up anyways.) And then I trip over a black dog in the living room, in the dark. Odd.... since my black dog passed away 2 months ago.

It's Buddy! The neighbor dog is fast asleep in my living room. Again, nice. Can you feel the sarcasm here? Ok, true, he's not barking anymore and he's obviously quite content because he's FAST ASLEEP and also snoring.  Obviously the two guys here have conspired to find an easy solution. Probably not the first time they've pulled this stunt either. But, the question remains... why is the neighbor dog sleeping in my living room?

So, here I am, writing. And I'm itchy. And I'm in denial about the source of the itch. I refuse to believe that peanut butter and I are not 100% compatible because I eat peanut butter all the time. I blend it with oreos in chocolate ice cream and eat it by the gallon. And yet, it does make me itchy. I know it. I hate admitting it, but I'm 98% sure that's the cause of this crazy itchiness. And I brought this on myself. I ate several. Ok, more than several, peanut butter cups last night. Hey..... I was doing kids with peanut allergies a FAVOUR by eating them all out of the box I bought, rather than giving them to small costume-clad children. It was a public service, of sorts. I took one for the team. Or a dozen.... or whatever I ate. Now my skin is crawling. I scratch and it's worse. I would totally go for a scratching post right now, or some fine grade sand paper. Oooooh, that'd be nice. And still I can't sleep. But at least while I type I can't scratch. So, that's a good thing.

I've finished my tea now, and the laundry is ready for folding, but I still have no resolution to my 3 bigger issues:  sleep;  itch;  dead battery. Huh.

Well, there's still the boob tube. I could go watch the last of the election race. That should solve one of the 3 problems. 'Night!

Halloween

Ah, another hectic event in the books. My boys had a wonderful time, but most certainly the best part was the participation of their grandparents.

For the first time in over 25 years my father had duties on Halloween night. The apartment he lived in since he and my mother divorced never did permit Trick or Treating. So the last time he participated in Halloween was by escorting me, when I was a child.

This time, he bought the candy and handed it out himself, at his new house.

As a family we had a "pre-game" meal, then got the kids ready in their costumes.  Grandpa and (new) Grandma were both instrumental in getting the kids dressed, photographed and prepared for the fun. I really don't think I could have done it without them. It was a total team effort to co-ordinate 4 detailed costumes, the two kids and all the Halloween "stuff".

I'm going to cherish the photos we took tonight. They bridge the gap between the generations. No doubt in my mind that they reminded my dad of when I was a princess a long time ago...for they, for certain,  reminded ME of when I was a princess.