Sleep is sweeter when you earn it.

It has been so warm!  I would worry that this would mean I would have nothing to write about, but luckily, my ice-castle is impervious to 70 degree weather.  It's been pretty frigid in here.  Actually, the house is just catching up to the warmth today - but don't worry, Readers, temperatures are due to start dropping again tomorrow.
 
I had a whole different post that I was going to put up, but I can feel my toes today, so I'm feeling ambitious.  I wanted to tell you about how we've had to change our sleeping habits.  It's really easy to become bitter and irritable when you're not getting enough sleep because of a stupid self-inflicted challenge.  We've had to adapt to our new environment in order to not become raging crazies.  
 
Tip #1: Wear socks to bed.  Kelly practically gagged at the thought of this.  I don't get it.  I'm a pretty regular sock wearer.  But I know a lot of people aren't.  And to you, I say: Get over it, or you will lose the toes you so vehemently want to keep bare.  Probably.  I may be overreacting.
 
Tip #2: Put a fleece blanket under your comforter.  This is heaven.  If not for No Heat November, I would never know the joy of this combination.
 
Tip #3: Iron your sheets.  Don't laugh at me.  Kelly and Jes did.  But I know better.  It's even better than fleece.  It's like crawling into a dryer with all those warm clothes, except I imagine it hurts less.  If any less than half of you go and try this tonight, I'll be surprised.
 
Tip #4: Warmth in numbers.
 
This is how more than a few of my mornings have gone lately:

That's Jes' favorite spot.  I actually don't know how she manages to squeeze herself into the middle so consistently.  But anyway, this is what we've sunk to.  Huddled together under a fleece blanket and a down comforter, trying to coax the dogs up to cuddle with us, but they will not be coaxed.  First of all, Shanna refuses to cuddle because it is undignified.  Also, she hates her little sister, Emma.  I have seen them lay together maybe three times in the year we've had Emma, and Shanna pouted the whole way through.  Ever seen a german shepherd pout?  I have. 

 

 I can't say I blame her, though.  Really, who would want to cuddle with this?

 

(Answer: I do.)