Quick Post Before Work

[qos]

10 hour workday yesterday, some of it put in at home. That's going to be the norm for a while, I expect. Just because I'm taking on a huge extra credit project doesn't mean I'm released from my daily responsibilities (either at the office or at home). And I'm right in the middle of a huge political tangle. Wish me luck. . .

My spiritual life is coming back to life -- more on that in a post this evening. I feel closer to the Divine than I have in years.

The Daughter is having trouble sleeping -- or rather, having trouble feeling that she's slept. She lays down, relaxes, and the next thing she knows its morning, but she doesn't feel rested and can't remember any dreams. Does anyone have any ideas on how to help with this? I know what it's like, but I have no idea how to help someone move back into a more restful pattern.

The journey of grief has shifted. I can now think of LM without crying, and I'm taking pleasure in the memories rather than having them exacerbate my grief (most of the time). I may start posting some, sharing some, to celebrate and remember. I miss him a great deal, but has absence no longer feels like a raw wound.

Comments

*hugs*

[unicorndelamer.livejournal.com]

Good luck with all the crazy work load. I know how much long work days can take out of a person. Just remember to keep taking time out for yourself so work doesn't become your life. Being a recovering workaholic, myself, I know what I'm talking about. I can't wait to hear all about this huge project once its complete and a HUGE success. Because, yeah, you're awesome and I know that things will turn out amazing.

Still keeping all my fingers and toes crossed for ya!

[oakmouse]

I'll see if I can come up with a sleep journey or something of the sort for your daughter.

(If I forget, remind me. We're getting ready to go away for four days and it may slip through the cracks.)

[royalbananafish.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry I missed you this weekend. In the end, I drove up Saturday, stopping at University Place to do a 10k in the light rain, and arrived around 7 p.m. Sunday we were all overtaken by the sloth and entropy monster and didn't even get out of bed until quite late. A and I went to Gnostic mass and then dinner, and crashed out.

Next time!

[qos.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry too. . . I felt bad that I'd never actually responded to your email to make specific plans.

Next time, indeed!

[amqu.livejournal.com]

Does daughter have sleep apnea? Is she tired during the day?

Regarding daughter's sleeping

[seauleja.livejournal.com]

You said she lays down and relaxes. How intentional is she about the relaxation process? I would suggest having her try deep breathing after she lays down.

She can try inhaling into her stomach, abdomen, then chest, the exhale the breath out in the opposite order--out from her chest, then abdomen, and finally stomach.

See if she can do that five times in a row, then eventually work up to ten.

After the five (or ten) deep 3-step breaths, here's another step. Inhale deeply, then completely relax your body with a soft sigh, all in one releasing exhale. The sigh can be like a light sound of pleasure or satisfaction. Have her do this second step five to ten times.

Finally, she might imagine and envision what kind of dreams she would like to have, to what extent she will remember them, and how she would like to feel when she wakes up in the morning. I usually drift far off into sleep before I get too far with this step.

Well wishes!

[princesca.livejournal.com]

Hmm... some things that work for me:

A hot bath right before bed, with lavender bubble bath or bath oil or what-have-you.

Lavender linen spray on the pillow at night.

A friend of mine 'weighs' her kids down with their favorite stuffed animals before bed. Their therapist said it helps them feel grounded, and sleep more soundly.

Typically, I do not remember dreams when I am not getting enough sleep. Since I've gone back to work, I can't remember a single dream. I'm either not getting enough sleep or I'm catching up. But when I wasn't working, and could sleep until I naturally awakened, I dreamt constantly.

Invent a little pre-bedtime ritual with her to Epona? :)

[princesca.livejournal.com]

Oops, I guess Epona wouldn't quite be right... well, (insert another goddess of dreams here).