Thursday, January 14, 2010

What's On Your Nightstand

by Tawny

I love those teensy little peeks into character's psyches. You know the ones that they don't even realize tell so much about them.

You know the kind. Peek into the fridge to find a moldy piece of fruit, some dried up lunchmeat and a six pack of beer. Probably a bachelor who spends very little time at home and never EVER entertains there (outside the bedroom *g*). A glance through a heroines closet and you see jeans, neatly-pressed tee shirts and one single out-of-style suit gives quite an insight into her life, doesn't it? Especially if her roommate's closet is filled from floor to ceiling with shoe boxes and packed tight with designer dresses and sparkly eveningwear.

I love those little peeks, don't you? I love it even more when they make me think. You know, like that closet filled with blue jeans and plain white tee shirts AND the sparkly evening dresses. Now you know that heroine has a fun story to read, right? Just like when you read Anna Campbell's Tempt The Devil - the scene where Olivia and Julian first meet and Olivia is holding a fan covered in sexy images... you know this is one wild woman.

In my current release, YOU HAVE TO KISS A LOT OF FROGS in the Blazing Bedtime Story anthology, my heroine wears drab-colored button up shirts, loose slacks and very little makeup to work. But when she's away on what she 'thinks' will be a private weekend, she indulges in bright colors, filmy fabrics and sexy lingerie. What do you think that says about her?

So - in the peeking spirit, I pose you this question. Instead of digging into our closets (which always makes me think I need to be cleaning for some reason) Whats on YOUR nightstand right now? No editing *g*

On mine? My wedding photo collage and the poem What Is Marriage, some crystals and fairy statues, my contact lens solution, a reading light, two pens (but oddly enough, no paper), lavender-scented hand lotion and a stack of books: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, The Asperger Answer Book, Story, Getting the Words Right and Excuses Be Gone. (Can you tell that while I'm in writing mode, I tend to avoid romance fiction for bedtime reading?)

I'll pick two random commenters to win any books from my backlist.

116 comments:

Anna Campbell said...

Ooh, Tawny! I got all excited about your backlist and then I realized I've got everything! Sigh. Sometimes I'm still a blonde! ;-) Hey, thanks for the hoy out for TTD! I loved writing that scene - it was like he thought he was SOOOO Mr. Cool and she had his number right from the start. But of course they both have things to learn, don't they?

Anna Campbell said...

Wow, haven't had the rooster for an eon. So thought I'd stop there before someone sneaky snuck him away from me.

Anyway, to continue. My night stand is really boring. There's a tube of Crabtree and Evelyn hand cream. And a couple of books - a Laura Kinsale I'm reviewing for the Romance Dish this month, No Other Lover by Julianne Long, Untamed by Pamela Claire and Kathleen O'Reilly's new one. Oh, and a phone and a light. Pretty normal, really!

mariska said...

Ouch Anna !!! :)
Congrats for taking the rooster to Aussie *g*

My night stand, humm..let me go to my room first..Alright, I have some of my Boy's book, you know Children's books. My Hand and body cream, two bottles of Plain water, Transfulmin, a Waking the Dead by Kylie Brant and The Widow's session by Laura Brodie.

And Tawny, i really like to have one of your backlist if you don't mind :)

Jane said...

Congrats on the GR, Anna.

Hi Tawny,
I've got an tiny Ikea lamp, clock radio, lip balm, tissues, Vick's Vapor Rub, cordless phone and body lotion(Victoria's Secret Passionate Kisses.)

Michelle Santiago said...

hi tawny! congrats on the gr anna! stuff on my night stand: empty water bottle, a lamp, phone, an alarm clock, an ihome, pad of paper, pen, a small plate with Disney princess designs on them and on the plate are old receipts, a bookmark, and a sticky note with an address & a phone number on it.

have a great rest of the week everyone!

Renee said...

Hmmm, well my nightstand is currently in my 14 year son's room. It's supposed to have clothes in it, which I highly doubt. As to what is on it, a mini-fridge.

Now, if you asked what was on my computer desk, which kind of doubles as a nightstand, you'd find a lamp, a bible, a geology book, Lisa Harper's A Perfect Mess, Beth Cornelison's Danger At Her Door, Beverley Kendall's Sinful Surrender, an American Civil War paper doll book, my son's health book, hanging file folders, invoice books (tax time), and dog nail clippers.

You might think I'm a clutter junkie, but I'm actually really good (at least I used to be) at multi-tasking.

Tawny said...

LOL Anna... I could send you someone else's backlist if you have all mine ;-)

I'll admit, I loved watching Olivia call the shots, then lost control. Its so powerful to see those little insights into the characters that they think they are hiding, isn't it? And then watching those things shift and change the relationship.

Now -Congrats on the rooster :-) What's he going to do today??

You have a nice pile of books there on your nightstand, don't you? Hmmm, if I had to analyze it, I'd say you love to read.

;-)

Tawny said...

Hey Mariska :-)

My kids both have bottles of water on their nightstands too. I tend to drink it on ice, and my cat loves it that way and always knocks it over so I never take it to bed anymore. I should do the bottled water thing instead but, well, just never think of it.

Great books, btw ;-)

Tawny said...

OOooh, Jane, I love the name of your body lotion. Talk about an insight into the psyche *g*

Lip balm, tissues, Vicks. Got a cold??

Two weeks ago my nightstand was covered in tissues, cough drop wrappers and a bottle of cold and flu meds. Blech, tis the season.

Tawny said...

Hey Chelley :-)

I've got to ask... what is an iHome?

Tawny said...

LOL Renee. I think I'd love a mini-fridge as a nightstand. I might never leave bed :-D

I love your desk/nightstand list. And I admire that you can clip your dogs nails. Mine fight like crazy and I give thanks to the vet for being willing to wrestle with them for me *g* I'm fixated with your civil war paper doll for some reason and find it fascinating.

As for clutter... I am a great admirer of anyone who can keep it all straight. My form of organizing is to have tons of stuff, and a place for it all. Clutter? Nope... multi-tasking for sure ;-)

Donna MacMeans said...

I wish I had a nice pile of books on my nightstand, but unfortunately I can't really read in bed. I have a husband who sacks out pretty early so I read downstairs on a comfy couch with a teetering pile of books. But on my nightstand, I have...a bottle of water, my wristwatch with a luminous dial that I can see at night, my bifocals, my "TV glasses" (all long distance), vitamins, a couple of pens (and, yes, some paper), a tube of moisturizer, an sleeping mask (dh likes the TV on all night) and several bothersome tags removed from clothing purchases.

I should note that none of these things are in an orderly fashion as the stand is basically a very small round table, so it's all in a heap.

Anna Campbell said...

Tawny, you're so perceptive yourself at picking up those little clues! You think I love to read!!!! How amazing is that, snork! Actually that's only one nightstand - the other one (there's one on either side of the bed) has about 10 books on it and a box of tissues. It's kinda the B pile whereas I've told you about the A pile!

I've got the rooster doing housework today. Otherwise I threatened to turn him into a feather duster so he'd ALWAYS be doing housework here!

Minna said...

Hmm. A torch (in case of another power cut), tissues, nasal spray (this time of year my nose tends to bleed because of the dry air) and a book.

Minna said...

Oh, and a cellular phone.

Tawny said...

Donna, I keep threatening to get my husband a sleeping mask because - not always, but once in awhile - my reading light wakes him up and he wakes very grumpy and whiny (hey, I need to read to get to sleep *g*)

I have to admire a woman who can find just what she wants in a... how did you put it? a small round heap? *ggg*

Tawny said...

Anna, I should be the next Sherlock Holmes, huh? ;-) And your other nightstand just adds to that brilliant impression I have of you as a lover of good books *g*

We do have two nightstands but hubby hogs up the other one - although to his credit, he has my books displayed there :-) Along with army dolls, the Bose clock radio, piles of junk and a couple model engines.

Hmmm... you know, you could send the rooster here for awhile today to clean that particular nightstand. Its a total dusty mess :-D

Tawny said...

Minna, that's so smart to keep a light by the bedside just in case. I'm the one always stumbling through the dark, tripping over the dogs and banging my shins when we lose power.

PinkPeony said...

Hi Tawny! Congrats, on El Pollo Grande, Anna!

On my nightstand:
Kill For Me
The Historical Atlas of NYC
The Golden Age of Couture 1947-57
Breakout Fiction
Phone
Mickey Mouse alarm clock
Bottle of water

Helen said...

Congrats Anna and what do you have planned for him?

Tawny great post it really is interesting finding out what other people have in their closets and fridges isn't it.

OK my night stand has a box of tissues a hanky box that my aunt made for me when I was a little girl and I still use my light is actually attached to the bed head but is over the night stand on an extending arm and my book is still in my bag at the moment because I was reading it at work but it will be there soon and it is Pamela Palmers Passion Untamed the 3rd in The Feral Warriors series fantastic books.

I am really looking forward to reading your new book Tawny I love your books they are so full of energy and emotion they are awesome

Have Fun
Helen

Kirsten said...

A silver ring with small red stone I forgot to put on this morning.
Books: How to marry a marquis & A walk with Jane Austen.
Sleep mask, White with black eyelashes on it.
Chocolate wrapper but no chocolate & an empty botlle of evian. Both headed for the trash.

So what does this say about me I wonder.... Hopeful Romantic?

Julie said...

My nightstand has four tiers, so there's a lot of miscellaneous items on it, including:

~No less than 3 photo albums
~A bunch of framed photos of friends
~Cell phone
~Totoro house with a roof that opens up
~My diploma
~A stack of over ten books (all TBR)
~A stack of American comics
~Figurines

I don't really know what these say about me, lol.

hrdwrkdmom aka Dianna said...

Congrats on the GR Anna! Put him to work, if he finishes there send him over here. I think I need help cleaning my night stand.

Oh wow, what a question, I had to go look, (I might find a lost item that way). A large bottle of ibuprofen, Matter of Class by Mary Balogh, Reese's Bride by Kat Martin, Seducing the Heiress by Olivia Parker, Dirty Dancing dvd, Covet by J.R.Ward, Her Cinderella Season by Deb Marlowe, head band, hair combs, potato chips, VS Enchanted Apple hand and body lotion, bobby pins, 3 scrunchies, 2 nail clippers, lip balm, pen, no paper, Pride and Predjudice by Jane Austen, and The Last Rake in London by Nicola Cornick. I have a large night stand, actually it is a hospital bed table. Now the real kicker? I have a bookcase bed so if you want to know what is in there, it could take a while...LOL

Buffie said...

Hey Tawny! Really looking forward to reading this one as it sounds like your usual fabulous work!

My nightstand has everything . . .
two stacks of romance books (15 in all)
alarm clock
telephone
a bunch of pens
post-it notes
anti-aging chap stick
two pairs of scissors
4 paint color cards
a coaster and an empty glass from last night
pair of glasses
a couple of receipts
Mary Kay catalog
and a homemade wresting championship belt (yes, I am the Woman's & Diva's Champion at least per my youngest son)

Anonymous said...

Very interesting Rawny ! I'm one of those who believes one can truly know someone by paying attention to the details.
Now about that nightstand thing, well I don't have one (bedroom is not very big and we used the space for other things). Plus I don't do many things in bed beside sleeping and... you know... so I don't really need one. I read in my favorite armchair in the living room and I NEVER eat in bed ;-)

Laurie G said...

I only have a light and a radio alarm clock! Pretty unexciting. I never read in bed.

All of my reading books,pen and paper are on the table next to my reading spot.

Caren Crane said...

Hey, how did Anna get the Golden Rooster?! She'll have him out mowing the lawn or something. He flaps over there filled with dread of housework or a soup pot, methinks. *g*

Bedside table: Agatha Christie's "Then There Were None", Christine Wells' "Wicked Little Game", Laurie Resnick's "A Blonde In Africa", a blank journal (I keep thinking maybe I'll journal one day), the alarm clock, the telephone, a wonderful lamp I searched for over a year before finding (it was perfect for the faintly Moroccan decor), and a kaleidoscope.

The kaleidoscope is odd, I know. But it entertains me and makes me happy when I'm stressed out or sad. I found it at FAO Schwartz in Manhattan, which also makes me happy to remember.

Caren Crane said...

Julie, I'm intrigued by your Totoro house. "My Neighbor Totoro" has been a favorite in our family for many years. Do tell!

Deb said...

Hi, Tawny. My nightstand is boring. I actually have one on each side of the bed...Each is covered by a doily made by my mother, but the nightstand on my side has my reading glasses, one or two or three of the books I'm reading, and my alarm clock. If my daughter has been in our room watching t.v., then sometimes some little Pet Shop Pet toys might be left on it. Now, what's crammed in the drawer of it is another story! :)

Rebekah E. said...

Congrats on the GR! I have a toy Gorilla that I have a since I can remember, a small box with junk in it, three candles, and two magazines.

Joan said...

My Lord people! How big ARE your tables?!!

I'm one of the plain people. Phone, alarm clock, lamp tissue and nasal spray. And yeah, a rosary and small bottle of Holy Water dropped there after my last trip on a plane....but it comes in handy after a nightmare!

I can't read in bed anymore...those pesky things called bifocals makes it challenging.

Now my KITCHEN table that's a different story.

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Hey Tawny! Fun post!

Anna, you make that bird work for once. He's put on some weight over the holidays. Grins.

As to my bedside table, it's an old dresser and it holds the phone, a tissue box, clock, two coasters, a big photo of hubby and the boys, lotion, a trash can (because if it's on the floor the young dog gets into it), Canfield's Success Principles, Carla Neggars Cold River, pencil and pen cups (jammed full of pencils and pens), new, blank pad of paper and miscellaneous gear in a bowl. The Misc. pile includes screws, a small allen wrench, a finial, a birthday card and some hershey's kisses. Grins. The kissers are too old to eat, I should throw them away.

Not very exciting.

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Buffie, had to LOL about the women's Diva Championship belt. On any given day, my bedside table is home to the WWE Championship match, but the "ring" is clear at the moment. Ha!

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Caren and Julie, what are Tortoro houses?

Inquiring minds...

Louisa Cornell said...

Anna got the chook! He is in for a busy day I'm sure!

Neat post, Tawny!

My nightstand? Let me see. A box of tissues (yes, I have a cold.)Bottle of Zycam. Bedside lamp. Flashlight. (I live in the country. The power goes out on whim.)My cell phone. A copy of Masters of Bedlam by Scull. Oh and a bag of doggie treats. They are doled out at bedtime after the dogs put their toys in the toy box.

Christie Kelley said...

My nightstand is pretty dull today. I have a stained glass light, my iHome and a phone. That's it, really! I'm just glad you didn't ask what was in my nightstand because going through that would have taken me all day!

Gannon Carr said...

Fun blog, Tawny! Hmmmm, on my nightstand you'll find my zen alarm clock, a lamp, some crystals, notepad and pen, a copy of Deb Marlowe's HER CINDERELLA SEASON, hand lotion and foot balm. That's a lot! LOL

Anna, don't let that GR get up to any naughtiness. ;)

Renee said...

Tawny, I home school my kids and we've used Tom Tierney's paper doll books for a look at the different styles. They're kind of neat as there are styles of the different classes along with descriptions of what is being worn. I've found it useful for my current writing project.

I guess I should admit to a secret obsession for paper dolls. When I was little I loved my Holly Hobby ones.

Laney4 said...

Hi, Tawny!
Thanks for letting us know where you'd be today! You sure "get around"!
Big lamp to use when DH at work, low small lamp to use when DH sleeping, and booklight when I can see well enough to use it.
Sudoku puzzle books and lots of pens (some working and some not).
Clock radio with large red digital display so I can see in the middle of the night, and small battery-operated alarm clock in case of power failure.
No books. I keep my books in my gym bag, in my purse, or in the bathroom, depending on where I am going to be at that time of day (as my books move around with me). When I get near the end of the book and can't put it down, THEN you'll find it with me in the living room probably, where I'm curled up with a blanket and a good lamp.

Andrea said...

Hey, Tawny! Congrats on the new release! Sounds hawt!! On my nightstand, I have:

~desk lamp
~phone
~picture of my kids
~picture of my husband
~small basket holding a pen, a pencil, lotion and Chapstick
~my current review book
~review notebook (for taking notes)
~book light
~alarm clock
~and probably a little dust - LOL

Unknown said...

Congrat Anna on getting the GR feed him lots of Tim Tams today!

Great post Tawny, lets see whats on my night stand. Hand lotion, lip balm, small lamp, alarm clock, tissues and thats about it. I don't read in bed so no books.

CrystalGB said...

On my nightstand, I have two books, a lamp, an ashtray, two alarm clocks, two remotes, a flashlight and one of my kittens' toys.

Buffie said...

Jeanne -- I knew you would get a kick out of the homemade Championship belt. Some days I have to wear it around the house :-)

Joanie -- I see you have a bottle of holy water by your bed. I have a small bottle of water I collected from the Jordan River during our Israel trip, but I keep it in the living room next to some of our momentos from that trip.

Pissenlit said...

That's a very good question...what IS on my nightstand?? LOL Hold on, let me go check...

...Eep! A mess! Okay so, at the moment, there's my old radio alarm clock, the cassette I took out of it and don't use anymore, Charlaine Harris' Grave Sight, Simon R. Green's Daemons are Forever, Mark Del Franco's Skin Deep, a recorder(the Baroque kind), a button that recently fell off my flannel pj pants, a pair of scissors, a pair of tweezers, a tiny porcelain cup usually for my rings(um, not quite sure where I last took them off in the house...), a heart-shaped stone box for necklaces and bracelets, my mp3 player, a calculator and pen set, one of those strips of velcro used for tidying up cords and cables(last used as a bookmark), and a huge tangle of 4 costume jewelry necklaces, 2 bangles, a lace cuff thing from a costume, 2 hairbands, and 2 large bobby pins.

That totally says I need to tidy up my dinky little nightstand! Ha!

Pissenlit said...

Jeanne, for some reason, it's piqued my curiosity...what did the finial originally decorate? :D

Tawny said...

Hey Pink ;-) Is that Donald Maas' Breakout Fiction? I'm going to see him speak toward the end of the month, I hear he's awesome!

I love that you have both historical research and a Mickey Mouse clock *g*

Stacy McKitrick said...

On my nightstand:
alarm clock/radio
box of tissues
nail clippers
paper & pen
lamp
bottle of lotion
and dust!
(my watch is added when I go to bed - that way I know where to find it)

No books, though. Never could read in bed - it's just too uncomfortable.

Susan Sey said...

Hi, Tawny!

Great topic today! Does it reveal anything about me if I tell you I gave up a traditional nightstand years ago for a little bookshelf? The only thing on my nightstand therefore--aside from a lamp and a basket of orphaned socks(damn laundry)--are books. Most recently I finished Diana Gabaldon's Outlander, so that's on top. I've just started Susan Gee Heino's Mistress by Mistake, so that's in my gym bag, & next up is Barbara Kingsolver's The Lacuna.

I love reading right after Christmas. All those lovely gift cards to the bookstore. :-)

Tawny said...

Thank you so much, Helen :-D You're the best!!!

I'm with you on how fun it is to peek. I mean, I don't want to peek at the BIG life stuff (except with characters in books, of course *g*), but those little peeks make such interesting character studies.

My famed (because Fo said so) detective powers tell me you're sentimental, love to read and have great taste in reading materials *g*

How'd I do?

chey said...

My nightstand
clock
cd/tape player
flash light
bookmarks
kleenex
lip balm
2 kinds of hand lotion
2 coasters

Tawny said...

Kirsten, it definitely says you're romantic and have a great sense of humor :-) I love the eye mask - it sounds adorable.

Tawny said...

Julie, that says a lot, don't you think? Friends and family are really important to you. You're proud of your accomplishments and have a great respect for the written word in all its forms :-) You love to read (yay) and surround yourself with things that make you feel happy.

Anna Campbell said...

Guys, I highly recommend housework for the rooster (you may need to use the feather duster threat!). He's tired out and sitting on the sofa watching the cricket and drinking beer. And burping - he's such a bloke! His little pop belly is poking over the top of his tight little cotton shorts. It's kinda cute but kinda revolting!

Anna Campbell said...

Wow, what a fascinating list! I'm really enjoying the peek into your lives. Think we ALL like to read ;-)

Gannon Carr said...

If I had to add the contents of the drawer of my nightstand, it would be a very long list! LOL

Beth Andrews said...

I don't have a night stand on my side of the bed, just my dresser. Currently on top of that dresser: a framed painting my son made years ago, four earrings, one ring, a pretty blue bowl and my alarm clock :-) Boring, huh?

p226 said...

You guys really want to know what's on my nightstand? I assume on any given night, right?

Whew, here we go then.

Alarm clock.
My wallet.
Benchmade Griptilian (knife)
Sig P220 with nightsights.
Two spare mags for P220.
Surefire E2D LED flashlight.
Sig P239 with nightsights.
One spare mag for P239.
Cell phone.
Car keys.
Remote control for TV.

Fedora said...

LOL!! Anna, I think I'm in the same boat! And I'd LOVE to be blond :)

As for what's on the nightstand, aside from the reading light, about a jillion books, a handful of cough drops, a partly used sheet of stick-on earrings (my daughter's!), and some kleenex...

Hope the GR's behaving for you, Anna!

Virginia C said...

Hi, Tawny! On top of the nightstand is a lamp, tissues, phone, stack of TBR books, clock, and a picture of my beloved angel-dog, Max. In the drawer of the nightstand is a jar of Vicks Vap-O-Rub so that I can breathe easier, flashlight, candy stash, pen and note pad in case inspiration hits, and a phone book. There's also a lot of other miscellaneous stuff which apparently has a deep meaning and great value. I say this because that stuff has been in there for years, and I can't seem to throw it away : )

Joan said...

Zen alarm clock Gannon?

How does it wake you up?

"Ommmmm..become one with the alarm...ommmmmm..."

Joan said...

Dear God p226!!!

No nightmare would DARE come at you!!!

p226 said...

Yeah, breaking into my house at night might be a very bad idea. My whole family can shoot like nobody's business.

Leslie said...

Tawny - interesting question. I love peeking into peoples closets etc. Oddly enough the one thing I don't have on my nightstand are books. Only when I've gone to bed is the book I'm currently reading there. But during the day on my nightstand you can find: lamp, phone, clock, picture of the kids, a candle and tissue box. :)

Congrats to Anna for grabbing the GR!

Lady_Graeye said...

My nightstand is a mess! It has a ton of books- too many to list, eye glasses, a booklite, a tylenol bottle, snack like candy bars for the middle of the night munches, a bag of Hall Refresh drops-strawberry flavored, Burt's Bees Wax lip balm and a glass of water at night

Heidi Ruby Miller said...

Tawny:

Great idea for a post.

Beth:

I don't have a nightstand either.

~Heidi

jo robertson said...

Great topic, Tawny!

Ah, my nightstand -- a huge box of Kleenex right now since I've been sick, the latest William Monk book by Anne Perry, a pen, and a coaster. However, on my floor, is the real stuff -- printed draft of my current writing project, appointment book, several magazines and sox.

Congrats, Anna!

jo robertson said...

Ouch, Donna, can't read in bed?? Bed's the only place I read. I always feel like I should be writing if I'm not in bed, tee hee.

jo robertson said...

Caren, I think the kaleidoscope is a wonderful treat to have on your beside table. My high school yearbook was called The Kaleidoscope and that brings back fond memories! Most of which, howeer, I wouldn't want to repeat :-D

jo robertson said...

Oh, Renee, I'm a closet paper doll lover too! I have many of Tom Tierney's paper dolls because they're so accurate. I pretend they're for research, but secretly I love them. When I was a girl I had to make my own paper dolls from the Sears catalogue and "real" paper dolls were a treat!

jo robertson said...

Wow, P226, you have all that on your nightstand? My husband dumps those kinds of things on the bathroom counter, well, not the sigs. He probably wants to keep those out of my reach!

Tawny said...

WOW Dianna!!! That's one big night stand full :-D Just reading that list tells me you are one BUSY lady!!! And how did you end up with a hospital table as a nightstand? Does it go up and down?

jo robertson said...

I got impatient for the answer as to what an ihome is, Tawny, so I looked it up. We're probably the only two techno-challenged people who don't know the answer (g).

Apparently is a clock radio that's compatible with an ipod or iphone.

Hmmmmm.

Tawny said...

Awww thanks, Buffie :-) I had a fun time with this story - writing shorter was a challenge, but the Frog Prince fairy tale was such a kick.

I LOOOOOVE your homemade wrestling woman and diva belt *g* That is so cool!!! And I have to ask... how old is your chap stick if it needs anti-aging benefits *beg* (and what colors of paint? I adore paint).

Tawny said...

*g* Emmanuelle, it sounds like you have your bedtime priorities solid!

Tawny said...

Laurie, I actually know quite a few people who don't read in bed either. Me, I need to unwind and if I'm not in bed, my unwinding will inevitably lead me to doing something that'll wind me back up.

Tawny said...

Caren, that is so awesome that you keep a kaleidoscope by your bed!! Your lamp sounds gorgeous, too. So you ensure that you're surrounded by beauty and art calms you, right?

Tawny said...

Heeeheeehee, Deb, wouldn't it be even more interesting to peek into the drawers??!!??

My daughter tends to leave her Littlest Pet Shop animals everywhere EXCEPT my room. For some reason the dogs think if they are in my room (where they sleep at night too) they are fair game. Anywhere else in the house and they totally ignore them.

Tawny said...

Rebekah - that is so cute that you have your gorilla there by your bed :-) Are the candles scented? I do love scented candles, and they are so romantic.

Tawny said...

*g* JoanieT, it sounds like your flying ritual is pretty interesting - probably as interesting as your kitchen table, huh?

Tawny said...

Jeanne, that is a fun collection of stuff. I'm giggling over the old kisses, and the trash can *g*

I love The Success Principles, its such a great book. I'm also impressed at how prepared you are with your blank notepad and bunches and bunches of writing instruments ;-)

Tawny said...

Louisa, I hope you feel better soon!!!

I had a bag of dog treats on my dresser for a long time :-) Same theory, except my dogs are still slobs and won't put away their toys, but they do come to bed on time and go 'straight to bed, no wrestling' *g*

Tawny said...

Christie, you're the second person to mention an iHome. What IS that???? I have to know :-D

Tawny said...

Gannon, I love the sound of a Zen alarm clock. It sounds so peaceful and gentle. Add in the crystals and you have a very soothing sleep energy thing going on.

Tawny said...

Renee, I loved loved loved paper dolls when I was a kid. Loved, I tell ya!!!

I homeschool, too, but I never thought about paper dolls for it. Now I've got the itch to go find some. What a fabulous idea! I'm going to borrow it, okay?

Tawny said...

Hey Laney ;-) On top of getting around today, I had an appt for my daughter and a vet appt as well so I'm running way behind - but am so so glad you stopped by!

Your nightstand sounds fun - I love that you have multiple light sources. I have to tell you, I tried my first soduko puzzle today while waiting for the kiddo and I suck at them *g* I admire anyone who does them on purpose regularly!!

Tawny said...

Shhhh, Andrea. We don't see the dust ;-) Otherwise I'm in trouble. Somehow, I never remember to do my nightstand when I'm cleaning.

Yours sounds very organized :-) And the little bit of dust aside, it sounds very tidy, too!

hrdwrkdmom aka Dianna said...

Tawny said...
And how did you end up with a hospital table as a nightstand? Does it go up and down?

Yes, when my aunt had her stroke I got it at a medical supply place to make it easier to feed her, then when she passed my mother started using it. When mother passed I put it away for a while and then brought it out recently when I was laid up with a bad back.

Tawny said...

Virginia, your nightstand sounds quite tidy *g*

Tawny said...

Crystal, your nightstand has a Noah's Arc feel to it *g* Two of this, two of that...

Tawny said...

WOW Pissenlit!!!!

Just HOW big is your nightstand???!!!??? I'm giggling that you seem to use whatever's handy as a bookmark. I've been known to tuck change, hair bands, unused tissues, etc in between the pages to mark where I'm at if a bookmark isn't handy ;-)

Tawny said...

No reading in bed, huh, Stacy? I'm finding out here today that quite a few people don't.

Your nightstand sounds quite tidy, except of course for the dust *g*

Tawny said...

Susan, that says you are one smart cookie!!! I'm all for anything that enables the book addiction ;-)

And don't you hope that science will progress enough that they'll find the opening to that alternate universe where all our mismatched socks are now living?!

Tawny said...

Chey, bookmarks but no books? *g*

Tawny said...

Anna, omg what an image of that chicken!!!! I can just see him, belching and lounging.

Tawny said...

Beth, I would NEVER call you boring. Never.

So tell me, do the four earrings match?

Tawny said...

Aww, Drew, I think its sweet that you have your hubbies pic there on your nightstand :-)

I'm laughing about the tweezers on a chain. My daughter is the same. And she is always losing those suckers!!!

Tawny said...

Ack. No. Lets not talk about the drawers. I'd have to share what an unorganized slob I can be :-D

Tawny said...

ROFLMAO.

P226, I misread your list the first time and saw nightsights as nightshirts. I wanted to know why you put jammies on your ammo :-D

Before we moved and I shoveled off the layers of 'stuff' from my husband's nightstand, his list was similar to yours. But I hid it all and haven't told him where it is in the new house *g* Hey -we had company for almost 2 months... I wanted it tidy.

Tawny said...

LOL at the blonde wishes, Anna and Fedora.

Fedora, I remember those stick on earrings. My daughter used to put them on her face.

YAY for the jillion books :-) I love seeing those teetering piles of reading materials *g*

Tawny said...

Virginia C, I am laughing so hard. I love that you have that stuff that is apparently so vital that you have to keep it, but have no clue why. I have a whole drawer of that :-D

Thats sweet, too, that your angel-dog is right there to watch over you :-)

Tawny said...

Leslie, thats cool that your book changes out daily *g* When I'm writing, I rarely read fiction (unless I'm in the beat-head-against-wall-until-ideas-break-loose stage like now, when I read outside the romance genre) so I always have a pile of non-fiction books to switch around to. Your way is tidier for sure!!

I love seeing candles on the nightstand. It just sounds so romantic!!

Tawny said...

Mmmm, Lady Graeye, don't you just LOVE Burts Bees lip balm? I have it stashed everywhere (except oddly enough, on my nightstand).

I'm getting hungry reading all the candy stashes on nightstands.

Tawny said...

Thanks, Heidi :-)

Tawny said...

heeheehee, Jo, you noticed I didn't ask about the nightstand drawers OR what's on the bedside floor? Mine are so often a mess. For awhile, I had one of those little round tables with a cloth over it as a nightstand and man could I stash a bunch of stuff under that baby!!!

I hope you feel better soon ;-) And thanks for looking up the iHome. I was trying to figure out how an i anything had gotten past my notice. I'm addicted!

Tawny said...

Dianna, that is so handy! I'll bet it makes life much easier, too.

Pat Cochran said...

Hi, Tawny,

On my night table: Katherine Hepburn's Me, the novel Galveston
which I'm making my way through,
an acrylic painting instruction
book(I dabble), a Valentine's Day
card made in elementary school by
DD#2(she's in her 30s w/ boys of
her own), a 1987 edition of HQN's
Heart To Heart newletter, a napkin
from DS#2's wedding w/ their names
imprinted on it(their 19th anny is this year), letters that I'm going
through to see if any are keepers,
and a plaque in honor of my newspaper days.

Pat Cochran

Gannon Carr said...

Zen alarm clock Gannon?

How does it wake you up?

"Ommmmm..become one with the alarm...ommmmmm..."


LOL, Joanie!!

The clock chimes very softly and increases volume every few minutes. Much better that a loud alarm. :)

Tawny said...

Wow Pat :-) You're so great at keeping track of those wonderful memories. Do you scrapbook? It sounds like you'd be fab at it -both in the honoring those special memories and in your artistic nature :)

gigi said...

Interesting post.

What is on my nightstand...
a lamp, an answering machine, digital clock, crystal coaster.
It the middle is some Mineral Ice a flashlight and a box of Kleenex.
Very boring stuff.

I have all my books in a cute sunflower basket by the bed.

Renee said...

Tawny, how cool that you homeschool. My favorite subject is history. :) And the paper dolls are great! Like Jo said Tierney is really accurate. I use Dover for a lot of stuff, coloring books, etc. They are fab!

Renee said...

Tawny, how cool that you homeschool. My favorite subject is history. :) And the paper dolls are great! Like Jo said Tierney is really accurate. I use Dover for a lot of stuff, coloring books, etc. They are fab!

Tawny said...

Gigi, I love sunflowers :-) What a perfect place to put your books!!!

Tawny said...

Renee, we've homeschooled for (counting on fingers...) 13 years now :-)

I'm ashamed that we never incorporated paper dolls before - but we definitely will now :-) Thanks for the recommendations.

Anna Campbell said...

GR is begging, BEGGING, I tell you, for someone else to take him on tomorrow! Good luck!

Tawny said...

Donchya just love it when a guy begs, Anna???

Julie said...

@Caren: Yey, I love Totoro as well! Miyazaki can basically do no wrong. ♥ Have you seen Ponyo yet?

@Jeanne: I can take a picture for you, if you'd like. :) My Neighbor Totoro is a Japanese animated film by the amazing Hayao Miyazaki.