Aha Moment

or Too Much Information, part 2
or Oh My Goodness! How'd That Happen?, part 3
or Slow and Steady Decline, part 4

I used to not understand why sleep aids are usually attached to Tylenol or Advil.  I suppose other than the fact the manufacturers wouldn't make as much money if they were selling only one product, why not just let people know that the Benadryl they have around for bee stings and allergic reactions is the PM part, and they can use it as effectively as an antihistamine as they can a sleep aid. No analgesic necessary.

I didn't understand until yesterday, that is.

Ouch.

As I tossed and turned in my oh-so-comfy bed I was aware of every cubic inch of my body. Two days back to school--after a summer of doing nothing--and my body felt it. Acutely. Every step I took on those terrible floors reverberated somewhere in my body. Every oppressively hot breath I took in found a cell to cry out in pain at night.

Seriously, I was a mess. As I stretched my left leg out, my right knee cracked. ( And those weren't the only sound effects going on every time I rolled over to try to get more comfortable.) My hips ached. My neck hurt. I was physically fatigued from head to toe and I was too aware of my aches and pains to give in to my sleepiness and, well, sleep.

So I say to the makers of Tylenol PM and Advil PM: I understand now. I'm sorry I doubted you.

PS We may become good friends as I readjust to being back at school.