These are my Three Genie Wishes for today. That means they could be different for tomorrow. I’m rubbing my lamp now.
1. I wish that when I hit the pillow, I would fall asleep instantly!
Sleep has been a difficult issue most of my life, not made any easier by having two children. But when I was a kid, I was the devil’s child. You see, I didn’t sleep a wink. I was a parents’ worst nightmare. Now I understand completely.
My parents, frustrated, tired, and at the end of their rope, consulted with doctors. They doctors wanted to observe me for an entire week at the hospital, so my parents brought me in. My mother tells me it lasted only a couple of days, because she felt horrible leaving me there at the hospital all by myself. I was only two years old, for crying out loud! I believe the house was a lot quieter without me there.
When I returned home, it was back to my dad walking circles around our block, around and around to quiet me down. He was an English professor at a community college and told his students stories about me. In fact, everyday the class started with a story about me. A student would ask, “So what did Amy do this time?” Once he told a story of how, late at night, I busted into all of my siblings’ pre-made for school lunches (that would be 4 of them), and took one bite out of everything! Every sandwich, every Twinkie, etc. My brothers and sisters were not pleased. Yay! That was good work, huh?
Later, one of my dad’s college students turned out to be, lo and behold, my sophomore high school English teacher. When she took roll the first day of class, she paused and said, “Amy, I know all about you.”
Uh oh, I thought, and smiled at her. I recall that class was unusually difficult.
Seeing as sleep is a long-standing issue, I believe I will put item #1 on my permanent Genie Wish List.
Sub-wish 1a)
I’m going to add a sub-category here (You can do this; Genie doesn’t really notice). My wish 1a is to go back to the hospital and see what they did to me. I want answers…maybe that could explain things. You know, lots of things…
2) I wish to clone myself 20 times, no 300 times, so I can read everyone’s blog.
I’m feeling overwhelmed, pleasantly overwhelmed, but kind of crazy overwhelmed. Does anyone else feel this way, or is it just me?
Of course, if I don’t get #1 item accomplished, I can do more of item 2, reading more of my friends’ blogs. But then I feel overwhelmed, and…
3) I wish to finish NaNoWriMo.
Blogging friends, I have only 3,942 words remaining. That’s it!! I am so close.
In fact, I could write those words right now, but I’m so distracted….Oh, but I’m tired.
Maybe I should try to get some sleep…
What about you? Do you have Three Genie Wishes for today? I bet you do. What are they?
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photo credit: Maria Reyes-McDavis via photopin cc
Ah the sweet relief of uniterrupted slumber. What’s that like again? I’m with you on number 2. So many blogs so little time. As for number three I’m cheering you on with Pom poms. You can sleep in December 😄
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Thanks for all your support! You’re so kind. It seems a lot of us don’t get the sleep we need. Sometimes I wish I didn’t need sleep, but I tried that route, and I never function too good without it!
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I also feel overwhelmed, specially on Tuesday when everybody updates, there nights when I feel even a little anxiety.
sleeping for me is not an issue, thanks to Zeus.
As for the wishes, I want a butter garlic biscuit, a cinnamon raising bagel and being able to save the 3rd wish for later.
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BTW, you are almost done with NaNoWriMo, I told you before, I don’t know how you manage to do it.
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Thank you. You’d be surprised what a little goal setting can do. Besides, I really want to be a Winner!!!
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Oh, Leo, I love your wishes. They’re attainable! You should make it so. Go get a bisquit and a bagel. Lucky you, you can sleep. I didn’t realize Tuesday are update days. What else am I missing?!
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Am having questions about your second wish. Been twirling that around in my mind, too.
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Is that one of your wishes, too, then? It’s a tough one because it just is impossible to read all you want to read. There’s so many talented bloggers…so many blogs so little time.
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Genies don’t notice? I’ve wasted all these years not having a subwish!
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La La…pst…don’t quote me, but give it a go! Just be cool about it. The trick is to ask for something that you kind of asked for already.
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(oh thank you..shh…don’t tell anyone else).
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Amy,
There is a rumour floating around in the land of Magnificence™: A transcendental level of magnificence™ would exist. I had a dream about it last night, during the 30 minutes that our daughter allowed us to sleep. No, I am not suffering from dementia. My first wish would be to reach that plane of magnificence™. But I doubt a genie can help me reach such magnificence™. I fear they might be like the Renaissance White Baby Jesus… A myth, with blonde hair and blue eyes.
Le Clown
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Le Clown,
Who is starting such rumours? I’m not so sure Le Clown’s Magnificence™ requires a transcendental level of magnificence™. Hmm? But if it would improve your sleep, then I hope the rumour is true. I wouldn’t sell the genie short. You got to have faith, Le Clown.
Amy
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Ahhh! Sleep… That would be great
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Sleep is probably on everyone’s list, huh? 🙂
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You got this Nano thing, I’m sure of it. 🙂 Don’t give up! Almost there!
I know how you feel with keeping up with the blogs too. I feel like I miss a day and then I’m hopelessly behind, but I still want to go back through, since there are so many people that I really enjoy reading. Here’s praying you find sleep, time and inspiration.
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David, I did it!!! I’m a Winner! It feels great. I’m so happy I did it. I just want to tell how much I appreciate all your encouragement. It really made a big difference for me. Thanks for having the confidence in me! 🙂
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Yay! Congratulations. I knew you could. 🙂 Now you can always say you’ve written a novel. Is your story finished? Mine isn’t, but I was getting kind of tired of it so I’m going to leave it for a bit and then go back to it after my interest regenerates.
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Assa! Thanks! 🙂 My story has an ending on it but has lots of holes. I think it has some promise but needs to be developed better. I, too, will leaving it for awhile. I plan to pick it up again. Good for you. I think it’s good to leave it a bit and let things churn. Good luck with it.
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Sometimes I leave them a year or more. I’m going to start in on my Nano from last year. When I finished it then I was sick of it and thought it was terrible, but now that I read it, it’s not so bad and have some ideas. Time gives perspective. 😉
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Thanks! That’s a great idea to pick up last year’s NaNo. I know…I don’t think I’ll be ready to look at this one for awhile. But I don’t wait too long. I’m afraid I’ll never get back to it. I like the little video after you’re announced a Winner! I’m a novelist now. Congrats to you, too. But, of course, I knew you’d do it. It’s old hat to you!
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My genie wishes:
1) Finish cleaning out the old apartment so my mother stops harassing me about it.
2) Finish my current project for work so my boss stops harassing me about it.
3) Get a brainwave for my current novelling project, so I stop harassing myself about it.
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Hi Michelle. Oh, your wishes sound pretty intense. You’re very busy. I hope the good Genie will help you out! You deserve a break.
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Like you I am struggling with number 1 & 2. I’m grateful I didn’t attempt number 3.
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Michelle, as least we’re not alone in this. I’m learning most of us want more sleep. I think #2 is what it is. There are so many great bloggers, so little time to read. I want ten more hours in the day! That could be a wish, too. But that probably wouldn’t even be enough.
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I never appreciated sleep till kids. Now sleep is my favorite hobby. Except it only works during the day and not so much at night.
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I know Alice. Why is that?! One of life’s many mysteries. I can’t believe all the times I’m exhausted when I go to bed, but then I can’t sleep! Oh, so frustrating. I wish I could nap. I’ve always had trouble with that one, too.
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I am a self proclaimed genius when it comes to dream interpretation. but since you didn’t give me those, instead I offer this: Anxiety and Boundaries. Like most adults, you have too much of the first and not enough of the second. I know because I have been working extra hard on these and am happy to say you can deliver relief to yourself. I am in the process of sorting through the blogs too. You can only be true to you. And let go of the rest. That will help you rest. And a lot of strenuous exercise. I miss running. Love Ya’, Shalagh
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Hi Shalagh, Sorry I have no dreams to give you. I will keep this in mind next time I have one. You know you’re right. That makes a lot sense what you say about Anxiety and Boundaries. If you limit the boundaries, it should follow the anxiety will be less. Good advice. I haven’t been running at all, or doing much. That actually does affect me in a big way, so I guess I better get back to that. I hope you can return to it soon, after baby. Love ya, too. Amy
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Oh how I wish that I could get a decent night’s sleep, oh how I wish… that’s wish one.
Wish two: to be able to supplement my income with my book
and three: that my loved ones live long and prosper!
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Sandee, those are wonderful wishes! It seems like number one would be easier. I hear a hot stone massage works wonders, but I’ve never tried it. Best of luck with wish two. I truly hope that will happen for you. And, three, yes…that’s a great one!
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You may need to add another subwish:
2a) clone all those clones so you can reply to all these comments!
Best of luck with your NaNo – nearly there 🙂
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Thanks! You’re so right. Another subwish is in order! I hadn’t even considered the comments. Who can keep up!
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I’m sorry about your sleep problems, but the lunch story made me laugh. I guess at least if you have to suffer insomnia, you might as well be nibbling your siblings’ lunches!
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Thanks, Carrie. I didn’t hear about this story until much later in my life. I guess there are many more stories, but I’ve only heard a couple of other ones. My poor parents.
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Congratulations with the novel writing! Nearly there! I’m struggling just to get a short story written by the end of the month! Been on it for over a week! Yeesh!
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Thanks! Best of luck with your story. All writing is challenging, no matter what the length is. You can do it!
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I know – you’d think after succeeding with my own novel in JulNoWriMo that a few thousand words would be easy. But the deadline is looming and the will is diminishing! Well done you anyway 🙂
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I wish I had a magic genie lamp right about now! 🙂
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Yes, mine comes in handy! I hope one magically appears at your doorstep! 🙂
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I hope so too!
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I was a wonky sleeper when I was a kid, too, although probably not as wonky as you. I used to have really, really vivid nightmares that I thought were real even after I awoke. Not fun at all! So far, my daughter is an excellent sleeper, but now that I’ve said that, she will likely never sleep well again. hang in there with NaNo. You’re so close!
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Hi Emily. Yeah, I’m the wonkiest of them all. I’m just guessing, although your troubles sound pretty difficult, too. Yikes. That does not sound fun at all. I’m glad your daughter is not experiencing that. My youngest son, like me, resists sleep. My older falls asleep in seconds. Thanks for the encouragement!
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I’m pretty sure sleep ran of with dignity, and now I have neither.
TOO MANY GOOD BLOGS. I know. I napalm my wordpress emails everyone in awhile (like, when they hit the 200 mark) and just start over. You’re not alone. Stay strong.
I wish for sleep. For a ripe avocado. And for cleaning faeries.
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Hey Sara! That’s a great line…sleeping running off with dignity, but I’m sure that’s not true for you, Sara. I’m sure you’re most dignified. The sleep well…we can keep wishing I guess. I know there are so many great blogs I think my eyeballs are going to pop out of my head. I guess there’s no avocados in O’ Canada, huh? I’d mail one to you if I could….Cleaning faeries, yes, that’s excellent and on my list for tomorrow.
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I think we all need a sleep genie? Maybe a giant blog sleep in..
and go girl on the writing!Cheering for you
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Thanks, Audra! Yes, definitely…a sleep genie. That’s a superb idea. Giant blog sleep in, even better! That’s goes on my list for tomorrow. Guess what?! I completed the NaNo. I did it!! Yay, I’m a winner! Thanks for cheering me on. I so appreciate it.
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winner winner chicken dinner.. awesome job dudette
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Yay!! I got a poem…Thank you!
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I was like you as a child and would never sleep, even into my teenage years. I know now why – sleeping is a bit of a time waster (I only sleep now for about 5 hours a night) and there is SO much I could be doing instead of sleeping 😀
My three wishes – to eat chocolate right now *ah – that feels better* start another novel *ah – done* and to have three more wishes *ah – hide those for later*:) woo hoo – I love genies!
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I feel that way about sleep sometimes, too. I get a big burst of energy right before I go to bed, and then I realize all the many things I didn’t get to that day! Dianne, all your wishes are granted…wouldn’t that be nice. I like your last wish. That’s very clever. That’s another one for the permanent wish list. 🙂
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1. Wishing that wishing for an endless supply of wishes wouldn’t seem greedy.
2. Well… now that we’ve resolved that first part…
I’m constantly feeling overwhelmed (if that helps, B.F)! And I’m certainly not that close to NaNo-ing a novel! Congratulations! That’s SO cool! I knew you would do it, B.F!
🙂
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Well, SIG, it doesn’t surprise me that you came up with such a nifty idea…an endless supply of wishes! Problem solved. That would solve problem #2. Thanks for all your support!
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Amy, I wish for number one as well! My son is almost four and STILL doesn’t sleep through the night. I’m beginning to think I need an IV of caffeine. The other night I was so tired I put a carton of milk in the freezer! 🙂
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Oh, I know it seems like they’ll never sleep through the night, huh? I wish we could buy those at Starbucks…an IV please. I hope you can get some sleep soon! Hang in there.
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We are the same person, seriously. And EXCELLENT job on NaNoWriMO! You can do it!
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A clever and interesting post. Pillow again! Put it under your ankles – better, and keep a small wooden block for a head rest…! Oh yes…the cloning thing…..absolutely…
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Thank you. If only I could be cloned…Speaking of pillows, I’m going to hit it now, or you know, lay on it. Under ankles, huh? I’ve never tried a wooden block. Is that really comfortable?
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No rally – under ankles very important – if you keep each foot higher than your heart – lying down of course, then you’re giving yourself therapy – best way for good circulation. Wooden block….well…um…not great!
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