Monday, February 27, 2006

Can different species co-exist?

Last week I was busily washing dishes in my dreams. Pile and piles of plates, dirty glasses and crusty pans were lined up awaiting a washing. Suddenly the light came on and I was abruptly awakened to my husband telling me about the Winter Olympics and a car accident in southern Utah.
Mind you, the dream about washing dishes was not the most interesting dream I have ever had; it’s not even in the top ten. But while DH was talking I was still trying to come to terms with the fact that I wasn’t going to get my dream kitchen clean.
“Blresgs.”
I said, as he talked about downhill bobsled and a woman pregnant with twins.
“Slegreh?”
It was a classic moment of two different species trying to communicate with each other.
Species #1 night owl, that would be me, is completely unable to focus until at least 8 a.m.
Species #2 morning lark, as exhibited in DH, is unable to function after 8 p.m.
I usually feel chatty at about 11 p.m. This is not popular with my husband, as he is usually snoring by the time I climb in bed and start telling him about tomorrow’s weather report.
Since DH goes at 7:30 a.m. and returns at 5 p.m. that leaves a window three hours when we can actually talk to each other with both sides comprehending the conversation.
We have two children; the oldest is an owl, the youngest a lark.
After fighting the oldest every step of the way to go to bed every evening, the youngest was a refreshing change of pace. He quite cheerfully tucks himself in bed at or before bedtime, only requesting that one of his parents “check on me” before drifting off peacefully.
Alas, he’s right there with daddy at 6 a.m. ready to start the day. Meanwhile the oldest child and I are burrowing under the blankets, hoping if we ignore the day it will go away and let us sleep.
I suppose morning larks and night owls can peacefully co-exist. But it does take a lot of tolerance on both sides. I’ll never truly understand why DH and youngest son think getting up with the sun is preferable to staying all cozy in bed drifting along with your dreams.
But they will never understand the frustration of laying in bed in the dark, wide awake and restless, willing sleep to come.

8 comments:

marci lambert said...

just want to say thanks for leaving me a comment today. i think you are fab, too.

Anonymous said...

But Oh! Those delicious late night/early morning hours of peace and quiet! Almost worth the 3 hours of grogginess in the morning. I just want to know why early rising is considered a virtue! Seems unfair to me. I am very productive late at night, much less so From 6-9 in the AM.

Anonymous said...

I am giggling at this, because as I read it, it's 10:33, DH is upstairs snoring so loud I can hear him over my MP3s, and I'll be up for at LEAST two more hours!

Anonymous said...

A vote for late nights!!

Anonymous said...

Love your analogy. You're a great writer, and your blog always makes me smile. Btw, my dh and I are both night owls, but that has its issues too... like neither one of us wanting to get up in the mornings with the kids! LOL.

Anonymous said...

How about the night owl who has to get up at 5:00 AM to get to work? Now that's a problem!

Anonymous said...

I just love this!!
Being a morning person, I can totally relate to DH.I am worthless after 8:00 also, sometimes earlier. LOve your style of writing!

Anonymous said...

Me, Owl from day I came out! I,ve had an early thirty shift 5:00A M. Some days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Others anywhere from 6:00 A.M. to Noon. and sometimes esch of those start times in one week. Not a good idea. I have now been changed to the 11:00 A. M.- 7:30 P. M. shift, almost every day. PERFECT