08/20/2007

4:18AM

I'd rather be sleeping, it's true. I'm tired...yawning, in fact, as I sit down to type this. The Jones' Hotel, in an apparent effort to be Biblical, seems to have 'no room' tonight. Who is the visitor? Oh, no visitor...it's just the regulars taking up more space than could possibly be deemed 'their fair share.'

Usually I'm a sprawling sleeper. I confess to taking up more than half of our bed. I find, however, that it doesn't bother me if everyone else is cramped for space. Now that the situation has been reversed, I'm a bit perturbed. Nick isn't technically sprawled out, but he is sleeping too far over. He has crossed the line between his territory and mine and is occupying a good portion of each. I investigated to see if there might be enough room for me on his side of the bed. It was to no avail...there was not quite enough space. I would have to be content with the downsizing of 'my side.'

I finally got to sleep. I had to overcome claustrophobia first, but sleep did eventually win. For a time. Early, early in the morning, the cat decided that she, too, should have a spot on the bed. Hopping up and scanning the situation she concluded that the only place where there was room for her was directly on top of ME! I wake up when I feel her leap onto my side and wiggle her way into the crook of my arm. I finally make it back to sleep--cat in arms and all--when, wouldn't you know it, I wake up needing to use the bathroom. I get up and head groggily for the restroom. At 4:18AM I returned. There should have been a neon sign flashing over the bed in annoying, buzzing red letters that read "No Vacancy!"

Nick had migrated further toward 'my side' of the bed, and the cat...the small little kitty cat...was laying with each paw stretched as far out as it could go. For such a small animal, she was managing (almost as if on purpose) to occupy the entirety of the remaining space. We made eye contact, the cat and I, and I tried my best to send this subliminal message: "You are replaceable. SCAT!" If she got the message, she didn't acknowledge it. Sleep deprivation is starting to have ill effects on me, so with complete disregard to respect for animals and humans, I plan to head back in to MY bedroom, toss the cat on the floor, scoot my husband until he moves over, and then, having reclaimed my territory, I plan to SLEEP. Thank you very much!