The Culprit
I know, there are people who endure sleepless nights because of pain, hunger, lack of adequate shelter, a crisis in the family, etc. I know I have thousands of blessings that I can count. But I have to tell you, when you're sleep deprived, rationality does not necessarily reign supreme.
I am tired. Actually going to bed at 10 PM, which isn't always the norm, I expected to get a good night's sleep. Doesn't that seem reasonable? BUT, You-Know-Who has been so clingy ever since about November, when there were other people in the house and it was very busy around here.
Now, Lionel, who used to be somewhat content to lie at the foot of our bed or between us, has taken to literally (and I do not use the word 'literally' carelessly) wrapping himself around my head and trying to rest his chin on my head or in my ear.
Yes, sane people would simply close the door and keep the cats out of the bedroom. I don't remember ever claiming sanity, so you can't fault me there. I do feel a little sorry for the cats because they live upstairs during the day and only get to spend time with us at night. (Remember Bridger and Misty? They intimidate the cats in a major way.) So at night, after I've cleaned the litter boxes and given the cats fresh water and additional food, I climb into bed and pretty soon I feel the pitter patter of huge cat feet on the bed, walking toward my pillow.
Oh NO! Pleeeease, Lionel. But he's very needy right now. I truly don't think that I got as much as 20 minutes of uninterrupted sleep last night. Something has to be done. I hate thinking about it, but I hate being dead tired and cranky (oh. I didn't mention cranky?)
I need to go take a nap (now that he's sleeping for the day). I will spend time praying for others who actually are suffering things like persecution, imprisonment, poverty, and hunger. And I will try hard not to feel sorry for myself.
And don't worry about Lionel. It's just that he and I have to agree to a better arrangement.
21 comments:
I sleep with 3 little dogs...need I say more?
I get it...totally. ;-)
Lionel is so cute, I wouldn't have the heart to keep him out of the bedroom either. My toy poodle London, is right next to me all night. I hope you got a nap this afternoon.
When we got our cats we create trained them. It was not bad for them they had plenty of room and each cat their own create. I studied until early morning and went to classes all day. Had to have my sleep. We brushed them, clipped nails and gave extra treats on the weekends. They were also out of their creates to play with cat toys all day. When I was at home and not asleep they played outside of their create. If you cannot work it out with him give this a try.
Lionel...a great name for a cat. My cat sometimes sleeps on the foot of the bed, but I can't sleep if she's there. I can't imagine one wrapped around my head!
I've been meaning to write and thank you for the London Advent Calendar. I've had so much fun with it. I'm still working the puzzles and looking at it even though it's weeks past Christmas. I've used it more than my daughter! Thanks again!
Oh Judy, this is why we get along so well! Believe me, I feel your pain! My problem is 2 50+ pound dogs, though! What are we going to do with us animal lovers?!
Hi Judy,
Sam said he would take Lionel a few nights for you. :-)
Just got home yesterday and my older cat, Babe, was all over my bed last night. I finally just pushed him off and that was hint enough so that he settled down beside my head and slept. He's very clingy this year - that is something considering that he is a ferrel kitten that I adopted when he fell in my window well 16 years ago.
Your Lionel and our Ginger must be cut from the same cloth! Although Ginger doesn't wrap around my head, she's right there next to me every night. Love your felted bag; it turned out great! It was fun catching up with you; it's been a crazy week here. Not much blogging time. Happy 2012!
Thank you for feeling my pain!! And still, I'm going to reject Sam's offer to take Lionel, even for a few nights. ;-) I did get a nap on the couch this evening and now I'll go to bed and see how the night goes. There is one more factor I hadn't considered, so I hope my remedy there helps the situation: At the end of summer I had brought in all my herbs and placed them on the window seat in our bedroom. Lionel had loved lying there and now it's all covered with plants. I took most of the plants off today and put a comfy polar fleece blanket on the window seat. I'm hoping that it's irresistible to Lionel! :-)
At least your head's warm! Ah--ah--choo!
I'm still always shocked when I see a picture of Lionel cause he looks so much like my Bailey!! I keep thinking - how did she get a pictures of my cat? lol
Oh, Judy, I can totally sympathize with you! My other cat Savage had me up at 3am yesterday. And I've tried shutting the door - they just scratch on it!!
One might think that cats, with their great affinity for sleep, might respect the need for others to join them in that pursuit ... but one would be wrong. Remember, it's always about the cat, the cat's needs, the cat's wants, the cat's desires, the cat's whims; we are just here to serve! Good luck with getting at least a little bit of rest ... :)
I'm allergic to cats so could never have one sleeping by my head. I can be around them for a while as long as they don't climb all over me but animals are funny and always seem to gravitate towards the person they shouldn't : ) Hope you get a nap today!
He loves you, and it sounds like you love him, even if he is disrupting your sleep. Hope you caught a nap and that your night was better. Lionel is a cutie.♥
Thanks for your helpful comments. Last night was MUCH better, and now I feel really stupid for thinking that I could cover one of Lionel's favorite resting places with pots of herbs! Lionel still spent a lot of the night on my pillow, but he also spent time snuggled up on the polar fleece blanket on the window seat, now that the herbs have been moved from it. I had a great night's sleep! :-) It's amazing what better sleep I get when the cat is not licking my forehead!
I love cats :) I use to have a few back home in Sweden. And Gizmo, the black cat always came into my room in the mornings, walking all over the bed. Hope you will have some nice sleep tonight :)
Enjoy your day! Eva
One reason I have Mordecai, he doesn't move during the night!! Hope you get some rest!!
:)
Well it sounds like someone really likes you! But I would close the door! Enjoy your day!
Oh, Judy, I just wish I lived nearby so that I could come over regularly and shower Lionel with so much attention he wouldn't bother you!
PS It doesn't look like you are using the new Blogger "threaded comment" feature. Since the rollout of the new feature on the 11th, I haven't even been able to access my blog! So I couldn't post today. And I don't even think anyone can comment on an older post, I'm not sure. Very frustrating!
Lionel is such a beautiful cat. I wouldn't have the heart to not share my space with him. My hubby would definitely not agree. After our Oliver, there will never be another cat in our household. :(
My better half used to say that there'd be no animals living in our house, but now Tuppence curls up next to him each night and Lionel next to me. This is why the simple answer, which would be to close the bedroom door to them, wasn't in consideration. :-)
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