earplugs and sleeping pills

I have already told everyone my obsession with earplugs; I really can't live without them. Well, I forgot them on my trip to Chicago this week. I wasn't too panicked since most hotel rooms have a great background noise fan that does the trick... most hotels...

I got to the hotel Monday night which was right off I-80 and had a room facing the freeway. Ugh. Lots of noise. I immediately (after going to the bathroom, turning on the tv and drinking the complimentary water) went to turn on the fan. It did not have one! It only came on when the heater or air conditioner needed to come on. I actually did try and set the room temperature high enough that the fan would need to stay on all night... hello, sauna! My second train of thought was to just keep the TV on and fall asleep watching TV... I don't do this well... the only time I do this well is about 9pm while watching a movie with EW. Third thing to try... putting the pillow over my head. Well, this proved to semi-work and although I didn't think I slept at all that night I woke up with memories of crazy dreams.

Hotel night #2. One would think that I would just stop by Walgreens and pick up some earplugs. Far too smart for me ;). I went to dinner with some co-workers and one of them was telling me how he takes Ambien CR while traveling; he gave me one pill to try. Do any of you know this pill? Have you tried it? Wow! I was out within 30 minutes and slept like a baby all night. I was a bit worried about the possibility of wetting the bed. I'm one of those who must go to the bathroom every night and thought 'what happens if I don't wake up for this?'. I'm happy to report it wasn't a problem. But what was interesting was my state of mind right before I fell asleep. I was texting with EW - I know, I know a bit junior high-ish but it works for us. We are both on the phone all day and sometimes we want to touch base without having to focus on a conversation. (note: this is not the norm) I got up the next morning and looked back at the text messages - man was I sappy! It was hysterical. I have yet to talk to him today to ask him if he thought I was being normal...