"Old Hag's Syndrome" Sleep Paralysis?

I've been having these weird sleep episodes for three nights this week and it has never happened to me before. I've never even heard of it till I "Googled" it finally this afternoon after having a terrible episode last night. The nickname for this experience is.. "Old Hag's Syndrome"? It has been very vivid and quite creepy to me to the point where if it happens again this weekend I'm going to the doctor! It feels like a blurry, noisy, suffocating, "crushing" heart attack that you are very aware of but cannot move. Once it stops you realize that you are completely fine and that you know that no one is in the room but... Wooaah! It is freaky me out!!! I know I'm a little qooky but I have not gone off the deep end yet. Has anyone ever experienced anything like this ever before??? Here is the definiton for this condition...

Sleep paralysis is a condition characterized by temporary paralysis of the body shortly after waking up (known as hypnopompic paralysis) or, less often, shortly before falling asleep (known as hypnagogic paralysis).[1]
Physiologically, it is closely related to the paralysis that occurs as a natural part of REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, which is known as REM atonia. Sleep paralysis occurs when the brain awakes from a REM state, but the bodily paralysis persists. This leaves the person fully conscious, but unable to move. In addition, the state may be accompanied by terrifying hallucinations (hypnopompic or hypnagogic) which cause an acute sense of danger [2]. Sleep paralysis is particularly frightening to the individual due to the vividness of such hallucinations[3]. The hallucinatory element to sleep paralysis makes it even more likely that someone will interpret the experience as a dream, since completely fanciful, or dream-like, objects may appear in the room alongside one's normal vision. Some scientists have proposed this condition as a theory for alien abductions and ghostly encounters.[4]
The paralysis can last from several seconds to several minutes "after which the individual may experience panic symptoms and the realization that the distorted perceptions were false" [5]. When there is an absence of narcolepsy, sleep paralysis is referred to as isolated sleep paralysis (ISP)

Yarn in Richmond

So Saturday night, we met at the flat for a nice dinner and headed out to see Yarn play. The band was really great, we highly recommend them. In the morning, we went to breakfast to a cool place, walking distance. Thank you guys for such a good time! Thanks much Wayne and Susan for letting me crash at your place!

~ Vickie ~

Happenings in Richmond this Sat.

Hi Friends Of Jay.

Join us at Cary St. Cafe this Sat. night for a really good blue grass band, YARN. John Crouch turned us on to these guys. They are awesome, and should be playing at bigger venues. They are out of NY. I'm not sure of the time...check it out...I'm thinking 9pm-ish.

C&J

UPDATE: no siding this weekend!

Some people have been asking and calling me this week. We will NOT be helping Jay with his vinyl siding this weekend. Jay will be out of town and wants to (obviously) be around to help/"supervise". He has decided to put things off till later! We have got Jeni, the master of vinyl who has instructed us on the proper techniques so I will alert people later who are interested in helping him get his house sealed up. Billy Rice indicated about 10% is up already but the rest is exposed. I think I have all the tools so if Jay is willing I would love for a group of us to come over and help him out of a jam! I will find out and keep people abreast of any news??? All I know is I would not want my house unsided as well as being injured and not being able to protect your home from the elements. Vickie, Billy, linny, C&J and some others have expressed interest in helping so let me know if you are willing and I will try to coordinate???

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY & HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARY

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY TO FRIENDS OF JAY MEMBERS AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MARY!!!

Wishing everyone a special day of love and joy! Mary, hope your birthday is special! Wouldn't you know that such a special lady would be born on the day of love!

Mary, Mary, quite UN-contrary...

Happy Birthday, Valentine Baby! No one can believe your age, you youthful goddess. Must be the good karma. We all love you!

Thank you all!

I absolutely had a great time seeing everyone this past weekend! What a great group of friends! Every person that is added to the group contributes so much life and fun to our parties! Keith, for example with his slide show, Vickie teaching me to downhill ski, James with his music and the girls music as well, and everyone with all their God given talents makes me so happy when I see everyone together! We all are such individuals and all so talented- it is AMAZING! I could have "group hugged" around Pete's stove forever Saturday night! I miss you ALL already and look forward to many, sunny, fun times ahead! I am thankful for such great friends!!!



Love to all!-Nathan Arizona



P.S. As we said skiing Friday "keep on the sunny side(slope) always stay on the sunny side!"

Blackwater Falls 2008

Here's a few more memories of good times shared. What a fantastic time we had! Blackwater Falls continues to be one of our most favorite spots. Hope everyone made it home safely through that blizzard!

Blackwater 2008

So I was lame enough to forget my battery charger at home which means I have to rely on all of you guys for pictures... Beware though of what you put up... As you know, I have powers... LOL Anyways, here are a couple of pics provided by Keith. The falls were not frozen... and we got a snow storm just before leaving... I am sure some of you managed to get some last minute skiing done! Keith, the last batch didn't save on my flash drive so I don't have the ones from the Burrito place.

I hope everyone made it home safely!

~ Vickie ~

A Rose by any other Name would smell the same.

Wayne: All I said was, " you mean you don't have any Chardonnay? and the fool said I insulted his wife and threw me out.

Sorry, I wanted to be a bit "cheeky" on your birthday!

Who knew that now your cute, tiny, butt would be a force to be reckoned with!?!????

I luv you sis! Happy Birthday!

P.S. I think we both were looking for our kayaks in the tub even then!

Hudson vs Machine...Happy Birthday, Hudson!

Wishing you many "peachy" birthdays!

Carolyn