Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Z is for ZZZ's @ Life is Good

Wanna grab some zzz's? I do. I've always been a fan of the nap as a favorite pastime, and usually have slept pretty well at night. Lately, though, since my chronic illness, I've started thinking more and more about sleep. And naps. To me, there are three levels of sleep. The catnap, the planned nap, and the going-to-bed-for-the-night sleep.

I'm an excellent cat-napper. I know that a lot of people can fall asleep in the car, or watching TV. No problem. That's JV cat-napping. But can you fall asleep at work? I did. Not that I recommend this, mind you. It's just that my body is very good at the power nap. Give me ten minutes, and I can be asleep in thirty seconds, and refreshed when I wake up. This particular incident happened on a lazy, hot afternoon. No, it wasn't donuts or Wendy's, this was during my glamorous job at the liquor store. I was working the day shift, had finished all the stock work, and my required two cases of “ringing”. (To save money, all Bud cans were bought by the case, and we put our own six-packs together with those plastic rings. There's even a special tool. But it's mind-numbing work.) I settled myself on the stool by the drive-up cash register, and waited for customers. Wasn't long before I was nodding off. I tried valiantly to stay awake, but my body won. WHACK! My head hit the window. There was a car sitting there, and its driver saying, Miss? Miss??? I have no idea how long I was out for, but man, that was embarrassing. And I had a lump on my head for a while.

Planned naps are much more satisfying than cat-naps, though. Throughout my life, my napping has ebbed and flowed according to my kids' schedule. And alas, there were many years when they were too old for naps, but too young to be left in front of the TV for me to nap, so I suffered. Napless. This isn't true anymore, so I'm again indulging in naps. Besides, one of the many doctors I've seen for this lung crap said get more rest. I am taking that to the bank. Naps are best when you slip onto your own bed, with a fan for white noise (and heat relief in my case), and strict “do not disturb” instructions. Some naps are so satisfying that I wake up completely disoriented as to time, day, and where anyone else is. Ahh, refreshed for cooking a good meal and hanging out with the boys without yawning the evening away.

But even with a nap, there's still the need to get a good night's sleep. I've slept in tents, campers, on picnic tables when the rain wouldn't stop, and on the floor at a friend of a friend's house when the snow kept me from going home. I've done couches, during childhood been forced to sleep with my Sissie who is in constant motion, or now that I'm an adult, with one of my sick children. But the very best sleep is in my own bed. We have a Tempur-Pedic clone from Costco. It's amazing. Firm, yet giving, so good for bad backs (The Engineer's.) And I only need four pillows. Yawn. This is making me tired. G'night, sleep tight! 

This post has been brought to you by the letter Z.  I'm an Alphabe-Thursday student and Ms. Jenny is our teacher.  Head over to her "off on my tangent" and enjoy the fun!

29 comments:

Jenny said...

Awww....what a cozy stop on our little journey through Alphabe-Thursday's letter "Z"!

I am always ready for a nap...My favorites are when I am determined NOT to fall asleep, and I wake up twenty minutes later all cozy and relaxed!

This was a cute use of the letter. I wouldn't have thought of this!

You are really a zippy contributor each week to this meme!

Thank you for participating!

A+

I need to go lay down now, though. ha!

jeff campbell said...

Has all this classwork made you tired? Methinks it has...me too ;-) Very nice post...Peace

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

I cannot seem to nap unless I am sick or have taken some form of medication that made me sleepy which is exactly what happened today. I took two sinus pills thinking they were the non drowsy kind and I was fighting sleep all afternoon and finally gave in and took a little nap. Good post.

Brian Miller said...

i think i need a nap now...lol. totally off topic but saying you slept on picnic table brought it to mind...took a group of kids camping once...another counselor (a manly man) said he would sleep on the picnic table that night because he wanted the full experience...about 3 AM we woke to squealing...he had woken and had a raccoon sitting on his chest...he never lived it down....

Jacque said...

All that talk about sleep is making me sleepy! Great post!

It has been a pleasure meeting you and reading your posts during the Alphabe-Thursday meme. I hope that we both can continue doing so.

God Bless...

mrs. c said...

It sounds like you are a "nap expert"! I have not ever been a good napper but as I get older I tend to fall asleep in my chair. Your bed sounds so comfortable.

Viki said...

Right now I'm in the habit of taking naps which haven't been working out too good for me. I love the nap but I don't seem to get much done after it and I stay up late and get up too early Ugh!! Great Z post.

lissa said...

four pillows? I don't know how you can sleep with four pillows. I only use one. great Z post

Unknown said...

I always catch a cat nap while my son watches his video on construction equipment before his nap. I don't plan it. The movie just seems to lull me to sleep sitting up beside him.

Terra said...

I never was a good napper. I wake up GRUMPY. But your stories are fabulous

Red Couch Recipes said...

I really enjoy a good nap, especially on Sundays! My husband, not so much! He thinks naps are a waste of time...oh how much he is missing! Joni

Templeton's fury said...

Napping heals my soul :)

One Photo said...

I never nap - apparently the older you get the more likely napping is to interfere with a good night's sleep and I already have enough trouble with that :-)

But I love your stories!

Unknown said...

i am a good sleeper too...i amaze people when i say, i can nap on the couch all day and still go to bed and sleep through the night. too much sleep? what is that?!! there is nothing like a comfortable bed though..i will give you that!
zzzzz.....

Amanda Lee said...

Ahhh, there's nothing like a good nap! I can't nap for too long, else I'll bee groggy for the rest of the day, and then not be able to get to sleep at night. But a quick nap can sure take the edge off a long day!

Lola said...

Hi again!

Super ‘Z’ post – I think we've all earned a Summer break after 26 weeks' work!!

Have a great weekend,

LOLA:)

PS Mine this time is HERE. Hope you can join me!

Unknown said...

All this talk of sleep has made me very tired. I wish I could go back to bed but it's off to work for me!

I am so glad I found you through Jenny's meme as it is such a pleasure to come visit you!

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

There is nothing like a 'dead to the world' nap on a lazy afternoon. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

~✽Mumsy✽~ said...

I'm doing catnap now as I'm getting older! Five minutes or less usually did the trick for me..I woke up completely disoriented for the first two seconds..

Great post!

Pondside said...

I'm a good napper too - and a great believer in the value of a little zzzzz in the middle of the afternoon. Unfortunately, I'm usually at work in the middle of the afternoon - small problem.
I've enjoyed your contributions to the alphabet fun - I hope you'll stick around!

laterg8r said...

i love a good nap :D

Theresa Plas said...

Naps are the best!!!! Happy Z day to you!

Susan Anderson said...

I'm not a big napper, but I do love my tempurpedic bed! And if I could nap as easily and well as you do, I'd like that too!

=)

Jo said...

oh i do love a good nap, and all this talk of sleep has me yawning ... in a good way ... sweet dreams to you!

Cheryl said...

I can't stop laughing. I'm sorry your lungs are whacked and I hope you get better sooner than later.

My mom and brother can both do the nap anywhere, any time. I hate them. I'm an insomniac. Oy!

Personalized Sketches and Sentiments said...

haha! I am a great fan of napping!!! My family say that I have car-induced narcalepsy! I can't help it, but the motion lulls me right to sleep! Oh! Goodness I can imagine you nodding off and whacking your head at work! haha

Blessings & Aloha!
I hope you picked up a Bloggger Buddy award (aka blog hug)...but If you don't just know that I do thank you for stopping by & commenting...

The Muse said...

:)
A little lullaby for z...
:)
Just thought i would pop back again and say happy day!
but, shhh, I'll whisper :)

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

http://jingleyanqiu.wordpress.com/lovely-blog-award-plus-sunshine-comments-award/

two awards.
Happy Saturday!

Life@Cee said...

Histerically funny. Wish I could have been there for the bump on the head. Unfortunately I may end up with a bump of my own since I'm getting veerrrry sleeeeepy.
Cee