I have a secret (until now)

For those of you who know me well, it is not so much of a secret as it is a fact. I have an addiction! Most people are addicted to a variety of things whether it be drugs or alcohol, but at least my addictions not harmful to me just confusing to others.

I am addicted to my hot water bottle. Funny thing is that I didn't realize this until the other night as I lay in bed half asleep watching TV when I realized my hot water bottle was getting cold and would not make it through the night. So I rolled over and batted my eyelashes at Brian who then said "I am not going to be an enabler". In other words, get your own ass out of bed if you want it filled up. Then it hit me, I am addicted. I have dragged my hot water bottle all over the world (literally) no matter what the climate as a just in case. I can be seen in the middle of the summer with a blanket and hot water bottle. I always blamed it on poor circulation or my father's addiction to heat...but as it turns out I may be at fault. ouch!

It started from a young age, when we lived in an old farmhouse. The house was large and our bedrooms were upstairs. So when we climbed into bed, I hated the feel of cool sheets. Yes I tried flannel sheets, heating pads and electric blankets, but there is something about the searing heat of a hot water bottle that comforts me.

Unfortunately this addiction has harmed another. Sometimes in the middle of the night I will roll over (unknowingly) and feel that addiction has grown cold so I push it out of bed where it then lands with a loud thunk on the floor. I have grown used to this sound and sleep right through it,unfortunately my husband startles awake and wonders what is going on...then curses my addiction as I lay soundly sleep. My addiction has almost killed him at times as well. He has forgotten about my pushing it out of bed (so it couldn't have awakened him for too long) and come around my side of the bed in the morning to say goodbye and hit the hot water bottle in his attempt to lean in, causing his balance to go a little askew as I giggle and tuck further int bed. Ahhh the price of love.

On the flip side, it is not all bad. My cat has now found the source of my heat and has decided that his spot on the bed is good but can be enhanced when he crawls on top of me and the hot water bottle. I do not complain about this at all, even though he adds to the weight on my already tiny bladder but with his heat and mine on other side, the hot water bottle stays warm throughout the night leaving everyone happy.

Over the years, I have had to replace the hot water bottles as they wear out. You can feel them coming to an end when the rubber gets thin and you knew it is only a matter of time before it will feel like you peed yourself in bed. This is a sad time, but as I trundle off to the drugstore to get a new one I feel a rush of excitement over the good years ahead. Let's face it, where else can you get and sustain an addiction for $9,99.