Early bedtimes are all the rage

I was tired. I was worn out. I was walking in my sleep. That's why I went to bed before 8 p.m. Saturday night for the first time in my life. Don't call me lazy. Don't call me a slacker. Don't call me boring. Enough is enough. This girl needed some sleep.

I told you life at Chez Ragged was exciting and cutting edge. Going to bed early is the new black. Didn't you know?

In truth, it had been a stressful week. I had gone to work at 5 a.m. Saturday, putting in a full day before Cynical and I headed 75 miles away for a little shopping escapade. Add all that up and you have one tired Ragged.

If it's possible to have a favorite month, October is just that for me. We decided to celebrate the advent of autumn with this little trip despite the fact that the laws of sleep were working against me.

Stormy weather didn't rain on our Saturday as we made our way to our old college town. We kicked off our day with a stop at the yarn store; a girl is never too tired for yarn, right? (I was lifeless as I gazed at the beauty before me. Realizing that I needed some pep in my step while perusing the store, Cynical made a trip to Starbucks for sustenance.) After I loaded my haul into the car, we headed to the mall. Sleep deprevation set in and I found myself seated outside Dillard's with all of the abandoned husbands waiting for Cynical while he shopped.

A quick dinner at my new favorite restaurant, a few book stores later and we headed home. For the first time since I was four years old, I went to bed before 8 p.m. Yes, 8 p.m. And I have to admit that I literally slept like a baby, a baby on Benadryl. This kid was out, O. U. T. out. I am not ashamed. I am not embarrassed. I am rested, rejuvenated and ready for the week.

Shot the above photo of a Praying Mantis perched on the shoulder of Cynical's brother-in-law during their visit on Sunday. Trust me, I was a much better hostess with 12 hours of sleep under my belt.