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As I've gotten older I've found that sleeping well requires work on my part. I need to be physically and mentally tired. A good hard days work usually takes care of the mental part, but I need to make sure I'm physically tired, too. Basically, I'm a better husband, father, friend and person in general when I work out. I don't have a specific routine that I follow all the time. I try to mix it up. But, my rule is to do something that makes me sweat everyday. It's amazing in modern life how easy it is to avoid this. For me, I don't drink coffee after about 3:30 in the afternoon unless it's a special occasion. The half life of caffeine in the body is about 6 hours. So, if I drink it later than that it messes with my sleep. When I was young I didn't notice it at all. But over the last 10 years with sleep tracking apps like the Fitbit, I notice that even if I don't wake up, my sleep is more restless and generally about 10-15% worse than if I abstain. I'm not a drinker, but a lot of people find that alcohol later in the evening really messes with their sleep. Forget the fact that you're going to have to get up a bunch when you drink. For a lot of people as those alcohols turn to sugars, it too causes issues. One of the most helpful hints that I do these days is that I walk for 30 minutes before bed. Not trying to exercise - just trying to switch phases if you will. No screens. Just walking and trying to be thankful. For some folks insomnia can have an underlying medical cause and mental stuff factors in a lot. I'd definitely talk to your doctor about it. And, don't discount the stress of the last year. Lord knows y'all have been through more than you should have, and I know you're likely still carrying a lot of that load to try and take some of it off of your wife. It's easy for that stuff to accumulate. Don't be afraid to talk to someone about that. You know where to find me if I can help.

Just ordered this. Have a few weeks before it gets here. Time to really see how many things I can screw up

I do workout regularly. A little over 2 years ago, in February, I weighed in at 298 on the hoof. I said that's it. I'm getting my arse out and getting some exercise. My friend and neighbor got me started at Planet Fitness. I've had knee issues, but decided the treadmill was my tool. My first day I turned it up to 15 minutes, 2.3 speed with no incline. I had to turn it off at the 5 minute mark. I could hardly breath. I went home with my tail between my legs. But, I stuck with it and six months later I was doing 45 minutes at 3 speed at a 6 incline. Over the course of that year, I lost 56 lbs. My sugar dropped from 7 to 5.3. Last year I rarely got to work out at all due to life, but about a months ago, I joined the local YMCA and I'm in the process of getting back into the swing of things. I'm still around 245 and didn't put much of the old weight back on, but my goal is to get down to around 200 over the next year. My knee is worse, probably from the year of treadmill I did, and now I'm only doing weights and swimming. I'm probably going to have a knee replacement next year and that is another catalyst to me losing all I can. I do love the YMCA pool and I'm doing laps every other day. I'm sure my sleeplessness is stress related, but I'm working on that also. I really appreciate all the ideas and replies and I am definitely going to pursue them all to see what helps. I was really just posting something at like 2am this morning out of frustration and boredom I guess, but it's nice to know people are on your side. That's another thing that makes this such a unique place.

Ok!!! Gotta ask.............Just how often do you spend time smelling your father in laws feet???????????........ Inquiring mind wants to know...............LMAO

I really wish TN would legalize medical marijuana. I'd much rather use that that some medication. Nyquil does some nasty things to my head. Also, THC is a hell of a lot healthier than alcohol. Just saying..

Just got a new Superior Mater series 50 from Parkers Safe, He even brought it out July 4th and set it up. After talking to another company in the area and going out and looking, They never returned the 5 calls I placed on getting other info. Ended up calling Arron, he was very pleasant to deal with over a few months as I was deciding what to get. Ended up with the SM50 and I'm very impressed with the quality and personal experience with Superior and Arron. A few thumbs up and Highly recommend him if you are looking for a safe.

I'm sorry to hear about your struggles. I know that not getting sleep breeds more anxiety about getting more sleep the next night, which leads to a sleepless night and then added frustration and anxiety for the next night.....and so on and so forth. I remember as a kid and a teen how much I looked forward to going to bed. I'd fall asleep fast and wake up refreshed. Then one day my senior year in high school, I woke up to ringing in my ears for no apparent reason, and I've struggled for years to fall asleep like I used to. While its never been the same, a few things have helped me in the past. I'd avoid alcohol. It does help you sleep, but not very well and can you can easily become dependent. Make sure your bedroom is for sleeping...not laying in bed playing on your phone/computer, not finishing up work e-mails. Go to bed at the same time and wake up at the same time. You won't be ready for bed when you first start doing this, keep at it and your body will adjust. If you take Melatonin, don't expect it to knock you out like your going for surgery. Make sure you have the lights out after you take it and are in bed. Light is a natural killer of melatonin. So if you leave a light on, it won't be effective. Give yourself permission to not be tired right when you go to bed. Do what you can to relax and free yourself from the anxiety of not falling asleep instantly. Deep breathing, praying, or counting sheep. I'd say the biggest thing is get into a routine. It will feel awkward at first. Maybe even for the first few weeks, but stick with the process. If you wake up in the middle of the night. Write down what you are thinking about and once you do so, its on paper and you can deal with it the next day. Don't let your mind keep thinking about it after you have it written down. Sometimes my mind just runs and it prevents me from sleeping. Hopefully you get some relief. I wouldn't expect anything life changing at first, but over time, i'm sure it will get better with better habits. Sweet Dreams! lol

I've had sleep issues off and on most of my adult life. Like Mac, I find exercise of any form helps, but I'm bad about getting it in. Also, this time of year tends to mess with me big time. The long daylight hours, the heat...I just never sleep as well in the summer as I do in the late fall or winter no matter what. Melatonin helps, but like others, I don't want to become dependent on a pill to sleep. I only use it when I've been worn down from a night or two of 4-5 hours or fitful sleep, or a Sunday night before a miserably packed day at work.

I have to take meds to fall asleep and have for many years and don't like it. However, listening to these things have helped me fall asleep quite a few times with no meds. They definitely do not help you fall asleep 100% of the time, but when they are playing (even when taking meds), I can tell it was a better quality sleep in the morning. Don't understand the how or why, but they do a number on me. And, I have to have the tv or radio or something on, so it might as well be something relaxing

Your wallet lighter

Back when I was fishing a lot I didn't have any problems with sleeping. Was up at 4 AM every day and on the water by daylight. Fish 5 to 6 hours , come home get the boat ready for the next day, eat supper and in the bed by 10. Since I have quit fishing and my body has made the adjustment I begin getting ready for bed around 8, take all my night meds turn on the TV in the Bedroom, watch news and weather and then roll over and go to sleep until my first of at least 4 nature calls wake me up and I am able to go right back to bed and back asleep in a few minutes but instead of waking up for fishing at 4 AM I wake up at 8:30 cause Kasey has paws on the bed telling me she is ready to go out. This has become my routine for past 5 years and i have learned to turn off cell phone because people that don't live on my routine will call and I then can't get the same night sleep I am use to. I hope you get your problem fixed soon Randall. It sucks to have to go through a day feeling sleepy and no energy but not being able to sleep. Good luck getting help my friend.

Bourbon?

Try Valerian Root. It smells like my father-in-law's feet, but it's a natural sleep aid. http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-870-valerian.aspx?activeingredientid=870

My last 2 have been Spikes and BCM Anderson and Aero Precision ... that being said, both have been BCM BCG, BCM gas system, BCM barrel... I prefer BCM parts, they work

A fine example of having skills beats throwing money at a solution more often than not. Not that I have some magical skills, but I am cheap as hell.

Sig srd556 QD.

Bought two guns in 3 days, both are chambered in 6.5x55. On top we have a Norwegian Krag Jorgensen. Best I can tell it's a model M1894 that's been turned into a civilian target rifle. The rear sight has been removed and a new handguard has been put on it. Not exactly sure where someone would have found a handguard this style that fits the rifle so nicely. The barrel and receiver match, along with other parts such as the barrel bands. But the stock and bolt have different serial numbers. Also what's odd, is the buttplate doesn't have an opening for storing a cleaning kit, even though the wood underneath it is drilled out.... But the buttplate matches the stock numbers, so who knows? Currently, it has a Lyman 57 SME peep sight. I looked into getting a rear sight and returning it to it's original configuration, but that will cost around $500 to do so, so for now, I'll just enjoy it as it is. The rifle on the bottom is a Swedish m94 Carbine, and it's my favorite of the two. Sure the rifling of the bore is a bit worn, the sling isn't leather, and the slide on the rear sight needs a new spring, but it's just such a cute little fellow. It's a cock on closing bolt, similar to the Lee Enfields, smooth operating, easy to disassemble/ clean, and coming in at 37 inches overall, it's a handy size. Seeing that the Norwegian Krag's aren't able to handle the higher pressures that the Swede can, I'll have to shoot up some of my commercial brass so I can reload for the Krag as safer pressures, but that's no big deal. Hope to get these both printed on paper relatively soon. I'm sure the soft recoil of the 6.5x55 will make both of these sweet shooters.

If I could take my room down to about 60F when I sleep, I would. I'm so close to backing this thing: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/smartduvet-breeze-dual-zone-temp-self-making-bed-home-innovation#/

http://forums.roadbikereview.com/wheels-tires/rear-spokes-breaking-252935.html

A good wheel builder should be able to replace the spoke, and solve your issues. They need to take the tension down, and then bring the tension back up with the new spike in place. Good wheels cost a fair amount of money. I'm 250 riding weight. I haven't broken a spoke since I went with DT Swiss alpine 3 spokes, and stans flow wheels on my mountain bikes. My road bike has DT double butted spokes laced to a DT512 rim, with a DT 350s hub. I built one MTB rim, and had a wheel builder do the other 2. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Best zombie movie ever made is "The Return of the Living Dead" and the only gun in it is a P-38.

Here's a novel idea: read a book. A proper book, not something on an electronic device or listen to a recording.

Well said. I'm young compared to most of the members here but I've noticed that in the past 4-5 years I don't sleep nearly as well as I used to. My late 20's haven't been good to my quality of sleep. No lie, I actually slept through my parents security alarm going off once. If my sleep habits have deteriorated this much in just a few years it's really going to suck when I get older.

This is why I have a love / hate relationship with internet purchases. Shipping on returns / exchanges / warranty work. $6.45 priority mail, no big deal, just more time. Sounds like they'll repair / replace, I would if I were selling holsters at this price point. Good luck, hope it is resolved peaceable.

My latest Form 4 submission.

Never tried it, but you aren't the first one I've heard with this opinion.

Did the cops at least let him take it to weigh in before they hauled it away? Sorry - I and my often dark sense of humor couldn't resist.

Ain't no such thing as plenty big

Try Melatonin, its a dietary supplement found in the vitamin aisle. It doesn't make you sleepy, but it will help your brain to flip over to fall asleep mode. Told a friend about it a few weeks ago for his wife, and she said it changed her life.

Man, I totally understand. Luckily I'm past it now, but a couple of years ago when I was recovering from a shoulder injury, I commented to my wife that I totally understood how people got addicted to painkillers. It's not even that the pain is so bad - it's wanting to be able to sleep more than about 3 hours at a stretch. Have you talked to anyone about it?

Howdy Lee

Ain't no such thing as big enough.

Remember the silioutte of Alfred Hitchcock as his show started in years past? I posed for that.

My wife will be going to London the first week of September and is really cutting into my gun purchasing here. Long story short, her sister went to UT and became close friends with a British exchange student with whom she has remained friends. Said Brit is now getting married. My brother in law can't go due to prior obligations and so the sister-in-law decided to ask my wife and I said yes for some reason, we aren't big travelers and its a great opportunity for her. Don't know why anyone would want to leave our farm in Fayette County for any reason, but that's just me. Probably the wrong day to post this, sorry, but King George still sucks! Anyone been recently who has some advice? What things to bring? Should we purchase the all access travel pass for tube and certain attractions? What places to see, places to avoid, any general tips besides the obvious, why the heck would you go there.......

This tidbit is not London specific, but don't wear worn out shoes, and be sure she wears good socks (if she wears socks). I did a lot of walking in DC last year and had painful blisters. I figured the worn out shoes were better than buying brand new ones, but I'm not sure that was right. Gel insoles did help.

Then both of our wives are in agreement about each of us. I just wish the front of me was as flat. At least I have built in insulation I guess.

I've been twice and wouldn't hesitate to go back. 1) when crossing the street do so only at crosswalks and even the be ready as the sign should read "Run like hell" and "Don't even think about stepping off the curb". The cabbies will try and run you down. 2) Carry money, credit cards etc in your front pocket only. Don't carry a bag or purse if at all possible. 3) My bedroom in my rv is bigger than most hotel rooms there. 4) The prices are relatively the same number as they are here. Ie a bottle of coke is 1.99 here and there but the exchange rate will get you. There is more to see than she will have time for. It is a great place to visit.

There is a lot of good advice already in this thread. I fly regularly to Europe for business. Here are some additional points: Check with your bank ahead of time that your credit cards work. Many banks default to blocking international transactions these days. VISA is more accepted than American Express. Bring multiple credit cards in case one doesn't work. Check with your bank ahead of time if you can open up a second savings account, put $1,000 (or less) in it, and get a VISA debit card for it. This is the easiest way to get cash at a foreign ATM (or at a Travel Exchange) and, if the card is stolen, you can only lose what's in that second savings account. Check with your cell phone provider for an international option. I have Verizon Wireless and with the TravelPass, it's a single $10 per day charge for using voice, text or data (when you actually use it). The usage is counted toward your normal plan allowance. I don't make calls every day and I have data roaming manually switched off on days that I don't make calls. This is a good option for emergencies, as you have your normal US phone number and don't get charged with outrageously high roaming fees. As for flights, don't do any hops in Europe. Fly directly from the US into Heathrow and back. Hops in Europe just complicate things when there are delays. Also, make as few hops as possible in the US. While the ticket may be cheaper, your travel time will be correspondingly longer and your risk of missing a connection will be higher. I usually like to take the last flight out to the UK as I am not landing ridiculously early, but the risk is that I may miss that flight if there is any delay with the connecting flight in the US. I really try to avoid landing at 8AM and not being able to check into the hotel until 2PM. I typically want a shower once I land after a longer flight. On the way back, don't take the last flight out of Heathrow, as any delay with that one will likely make you miss your connection in the US. I typically stay at least one night per year in Atlanta because of that. Plan enough time for changing planes and possible delays. On the way back, understand that at the first US airport you may be waiting in line for immigration/customs for a while, then for your bags, and then for the security check. Arrive at the airport early enough! On the day before and on the day of your flight, track your scheduled flights. There are apps for that. Check on the airline Web site what and how much luggage you can bring. For carry-on luggage, check the regulations for liquids. Pack light! Use roller bags and small backpacks. Think about taking a small backpack as a day pack for sight seeing, preferably one without zippers (such as a drawstring bag with wider/thick strings). This backpack is not for valuables, but for water bottles, tourist guide, rain jacket, or umbrella. Check the weather report before you go! You may need an umbrella or some light rain jacket, or not. Fly with comfortable walking shoes. You will walk a lot in London anyway. I use the Merrell Moab Waterproof shoes, because they are light, comfortable and waterproof. Get a UK travel power adapter. It's 230V/50Hz over there. Understand what you can bring with you that works. Most laptop/phone chargers do work. Don't be that guy: Don't arrive with a gun in your carry-on at the airport security check! Seriously though, check all your clothing and bags for anything gun, such as ammo and brass. You are going to the UK and you do want to come back with no problems. Premium economy is well worth the money. Understand that alcohol can be up to twice as potent at altitude in an airliner! Sleep as much as you can on the plane and then just stay up until it is bed time in the UK. Plan ahead, so that your travel is relaxed. It is amazing how many people do everything last minute and then complain about how stressful everything is. After landing in Heathrow, you can take the Heathrow Express to Paddington Station and then continue with the subway to where ever you need to go, or take a taxi. Taxi is quite expensive though. Check out the Visitor Oyster card for paying for transportation. Alternatively, some US credit and debit cards support the contactless payment system the London transport is using. maps.me is a free offline map for phones that may come in handy for navigating though the city without using cell phone data. Google maps does support downloading maps for offline use as well these days. For sightseeing in London, again, plan ahead. The London Tower is a must. If you visit the Tower Bridge Museum, you actually take the Tower Bridge foot path above the draw bridge. Windsor Castle is outside London, but easily reachable by train from Paddington Station or by coaches run by tourist companies. Westminster Abbey next to Big Ben in central London and Saint George's Chapel in Windsor Castle outside of London have the burials of the kings and queens. Speakers' Corner in the northeast corner of Hyde Park may be fun too. There is lots of other stuff to see and do. Read up on history before you go to make it more fun. I am talking about Jack the Ripper, the Great Plague of London and the War of Roses. Watching a few Monty Python, Simon Pegg and Guy Ritchie movies may also be a good idea. LOL. Not to scare you, but to prepare you, think about possible emergencies and how to respond. Do you have the phone number of the US Embassy? May be you want to register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) of the State Department? I always carry a trauma kit with me. TK4 tourniquets, some gauze, dressing and bandages. I also have emergency medication and a boo boos and ouchies kit with me. I have prescription medication with me for more than a week after travel ends, just in case the Icelandic volcano is acting up again and I get stuck in Europe for a week, again.

I went back in the 90's as a student. One advice would be to send extra cash into your credit card if she will be using it. That builds up you usable limit. Currency exchanged done by the credit card are at the $1 million dollar rate. That is much better than the exchange fees around London. Be sure to get some cash though. I ran into several open air stall markets that had great stuff. Also, prep for rain. It is not as bad as people joke, but it is a rainy place. And in the event you take a cab, be prepared for it not to be cheap if you go any distance. While there if she can sneak north to Sccotland, I would suggest it. I regret that most. It is only about a 3 hour train ride through beautiful country. Once you are across the pond, you might as well. I would love to go back, but it would be different now with all the security and such. When I went the worst thing they had hasseled me about was if I declared the $10 I had in my bags when I returned. Oh, last thing, if you go through Charles de Gaulle Airport in France, be prepared for it to be a pain. I have been there 2 times with round trips and all 4 times were stupidly hard to deal with. They taxi you around for 30 minutes after landing, then you have to go entirely across the airport to your next gate with whatever layover time you have left. Otherwise tell her to enjoy the crap out of it. Eat different food and visit erverywhere. London has a different vibe than any other big US city I have ever been in.

Going to the UK is as close to going anywhere in the US as it comes (outside of driving on the other side of the road). London is a big city, so standard big city rules and precautions should apply. If she hasn't traveled a lot, then I would encourage her to study a bit of the layout and landmarks. It will make it easier to get around. As they know someone there, it may not be an issue at all. As to the flight, it's not really that long if she is flying from the east coast, maybe 6 hours. I agree to stay up if at all possible once you get there. Eat before you get on the plane and skip the dinner. Sleep as much a possible on the flight, it will make it easier the next day. Outside of that, just have fun. Lots to see around London.

For building I've switched to Aero Precision. For buying I have a LWRC that is a really, really well made rifle.

It has been years... geez, decades, since I was there. Back in the 80's. There was this hole in the wall fish and chips joint right across the street from the Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington. If I went back, I would check to see if it was still there. It was fantastic!

I wonder if you could use a concrete sander to smooth it out a bit. I am not sure I would do a slurry simply because I think once we get some rain that freezes, I bet it will chip like crazy. I would probably sand it a bit and seal the heck out of it and call it good.

That's a cool looking jam system you got there!! It's been awesome around here to. My Mother told me they spent around $400.00 on fireworks this year. That's one of the things my Dad does for the boys every year. They're 10, 8 and 6 years old and the oldest got his first deer rifle this year, a Ruger .243, and he is ready to hit the woods with Pap's!!!

Don't sleep until it's time to sleep where ever you're going. Jet lag for me was always worse coming back. Everything costs more there, so be ready for that.

Went to Europe once. It was cool, but I like America better. Tourists are heavily targeted by pickpockets. Make sure she has some sort of secure way hanging on to her valuables. They can unzip and button like nobodies business so it needs to be more than a purse with a zipper. Let her go and have a good time. Plan something cool for yourself while she's gone!

Look into upgrading to premium economy or higher if you're a baller . We went to Israel this past December, and that made the flight bearable. Likely will be overnight I'm guessing, so take what you need to get some sleep.

I have no advice to offer as I've never left the conterminous US other than to visit Hawaii and the Bahamas but it sounds like a great opportunity and am a bit envious. Sounds like you're going to be among some everyday people and not just touristing as you go. That's very cool.

If Trump would stay of Twitter and Golf Course he would plenty of time to do his job.

Many have some type of outdoor or marine grade carpeting on the top. I still lay on old blanket over the top of that.