That Blinking Noise

Did you know that blinking actually IS a noise?

Well, truth be told I didn't either.  In fact, I can specifically remember a number of times when I have corrected my three year old when he said "Mommy, I hear that blinking noise!"

"No, honey, you SEE the blinking light."

Nope. My three year old is right.  It actually is a noise.  A panic-attack-inducing-find-me-a-xanax-now bona-fide noise.

Let me explain.

The husband is safely back home tonight after a week on the road.  This also means that all white noise and ear plugs are now back in use to help drown out the snoring that is comforting - albeit annoying and insomnia inducing - which also returns with his homecoming.

The aforementioned insomnia is exacerbated by the fact that I just HAD TO HAVE a Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte for dessert tonight.  At 9:00 p.m.  After not having caffeine for the last three weeks.

I have given up the caffeine for a number of reasons, two of which are directly related to high blood pressure and some not-so-fun anxiety that tends to creep in when said bp gets too high.

As an aside, I would like to take this opportunity to thank my parents and their wonderful genetics for this lovely little glitch, for without you and your DNA, surely none of this post would be possible.  You gave me many gifts in my life for which I am very thankful including but not limited to a bad kidney, crappy eyesight, and a gift for sarcasm that few people can truly appreciate; however, this is one hand-me-down I really could have lived without.

Well, the caffeine-snoring-too-many-things-on-my-mind-too-much-noise-in-the-house mess led me to be wide awake nearly five hours later than I have been going to sleep.

It also made me feel the need to check the kids, and the doors, and the dogs nearly half a dozen times over a four hour period between 10 at night and 2 in the morning.

And just when I felt confident that everyone was safely snuggled in for the evening and perhaps I was finally sleepy enough to drift into dreamland, it happened...

That Blinking Noise.

Between the ear plugs, the snoring, and the fan next to my head the sound barely registered.  It was a light "clunk" kind of noise.  Just once... just lightly... but also just enough.

I shot up in bed.  I heard it again.  Twice.  Very quickly.

I thought to myself, Oh. My. God.  My kids are being abducted by aliens and I'm going to be blamed for their disappearance because I mentioned to my dad to let me know of any circus openings that he might come across. You know, just in case Ringing Brothers might be interested in a three year old with a mohawk act.

I ripped out the earplugs, realized that Chewie the Killer Shih-Tzu was still sleeping at my feet (jerk) and surely I had nothing to worry about.  Besides, the "clunk" noise was gone.

After taking a deep breath, convincing myself it was too chilly to get out of bed again, and attempting to re-deafen myself I laid down and attempted to summon the sandman.

But a few minutes later, I heard the "clunk" again.  Twice.  I sat still, waiting to see if Chewie would leap to protect us.

And as I waited, willing him to get up and show me some sign of life, it occurred to me... the "clunk" coincided with my "blink".

Blink. Clunk.
Clunk. Blink.
Blink... Clunk...
Clunk... Blink...

So as you can see, there were two very important lessons learned tonight:
1.  Pumpkin spice lattes are off limits.  Period.
2.  There is a blinking noise.

Love, hugs, and blessings,
The Mama