Thursday, November 18, 2010

A different kind of anniversary

Yesterday was the 2 year anniversary of our house fire. The repairs have been finished for quite a while now. However lately I've found myself getting nervous at night again, and have begun sleeping with a night lite. Isn't that silly, but I guess it's a post traumatic stress reaction. As the weather gets warmer I sometimes need to sleep with an open window or the ceiling fan on over the bed. I'm such a light sleeper that any different noise, even an insect moving outside the window, can wake me with a fright. I dislike sleeping medications, so any suggestions about how to get to sleep and stay that way would be welcome !

The family wedding went very well, photos will follow soon, and the honeymoon couple plus one (grandaughter Miss Amelie) are in Fiji this week. I really miss having the baby around 2 days per week and can't wait for them to get back. I'm also going to put up my Christmas decorations before they return, I'm sure Amelie will really appreciate the 50 plus santa figures up on the entertainment unit !!

3 comments:

Magpie's Mumblings said...

I've never been through a fire (and hope I never have to) but I can understand that it would be very traumatic. I'm afraid I don't have any good suggestions for sleep aids...other than perhaps chamomile tea before bed. It's supposed to help with sleep.

Christine said...

Karen @ A Glimpse Into My Reveries has left a new comment on your post "A different kind of anniversary":

I can identify with your reactions to the house fire. When I was 13 my aunts house next door to us caught fire while I was inside (not hurt but terribly frightened). I was unable to sleep without nightmares for fear of not getting out of the house in time should our house also burn. Understand that this was waaaay before smoke alarms in homes.

Fortunately, my parents let me sleep on the livingroom couch across from the front door until I could sleep easily again (several months, if I recall correctly).

My suggestion would be to try a masking sound, such as the bubbling of a fishtank or a fan blowing gently. I know there are also commercially available white noise devices-even an app for my iPhone (which makes noise to cover up sounds) and black noise generating devices (which counteract sounds be making opposite wave length sounds to cancel each other out).

Christine said...

Karen, your comment "dissappeared" while I was answering the phone, so I've copied it to the blog. I've been sleeping lately with the ceiling fan on and that is helping me to sleep, it's been a very hot summer here in Sydney. Thanks for taking the time to make some suggestions.