show me: something relaxing

A couple of years ago, I struggled with some wicked insomnia. It was NOT fun. I've always been able to lay down, go to sleep, and never awake again until someone (hubby, for example) or something (alarm clock) woke me up. I have no idea what happened that particular summer, but a sleep-deprived woman does not a happy mom make.

My mom shared with me how rubbing a couple drops of lavender oil onto the soles of ones' feet at night will put one to sleep. Well, I decided to be that one and promptly bought myself a bottle of lavender oil and began rubbing it onto my soles. And it worked! Gloriously well. No grogginess the next morning. This stuff rocks. And it smells nice. It's funny though, when you put it on, you don't feel sleepy. It just helps when you go to sleep and stay asleep.

I also read most nights before going to sleep. Because I love to read and because it helps to shut down my wildly swirling thoughts. Otherwise they bounce around my brain like popcorn kernels exploding into puffy white goodness. Hard to sleep when that happens.

The rundown on my ultimate relaxing into sleeping comfort:

Lamp for reading (or other seeing purposes). I also have the back-up reading light. For when the tiny, little halogen bulb goes out and I can't find the appropriate replacement for a couple of weeks, even though I try multiple stores. Or something like that.

Stack o' books. Cause I might be in a different reading mood than last night. Not usually, but it does happen on occasion.

Chapstick. It's dry in Colorado, my friends.

Nail clippers. They're actually baby clippers. Once used for babies that lived in my house many years ago. They still live here, only they've grown. A lot. Baby clippers are great for cuticle problems.

Foot cream. Once again, it's very dry here.

Peppermint body butter. Probably doesn't bear repeating.

Tissue. One at night, one in the morning. It's a routine.

Electric blanket control. I go to sleep last. It's my job to turn it off. We're kind of old-fashioned with our single-control blanket.

Foot file. Did I mention just how dry it is here?

Atomic clock. It's good to have one somewhere in your house. At least when Daylight Saving Time comes and goes, you know ONE clock is accurate. Sometimes the alarm actually wakes me up, too.

40th birthday flowers. Because they're beautiful, purple, and they make me smile.

Pen. I might want to draw on hubby's face while he sleeps, um, write a note to self that could get lost in dreamland.

If we still lived in our last house, this would've been a much simpler post. A photo of my very deep and awesome tub, a book, bubble bath, and a candle. End of story. But we don't live there and my tub here is shallow and lame, so you got the long version.

Since tomorrow's just a picture of me, there should be no need of a story.

Go here to see the rest of the relaxing shots in Robert's "Show Me..." project. Tomorrow's the last day. It's been a fun project!!