Oh, I hate having those kind of dreams!

We all have them, just some folks do not recall their dreams. Me? Unfortunately, often I do remember mine and today was no exception. The dream took place after being awakened by the thunderstorm which moved through here in the early hours of the morning. I went back to sleep, of course. Dreams seem like they last for hours but according to experts, are only moments long. Mine went on far too long and got more frustrating as it went. Frustration is often the theme of people's dreams, running to catch your ride to work, racing against time to get something done, and so on. I was getting ready for a party (go figure!) and running out of time!

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Mom likes to mention helping us get ready for a party many years ago in WI when we (former spouse and I) had moved into a new house in Indian Bluffs, not quite finished, but were having our contractor party anyway. While Mom ironed the curtains for the family room, I think, others were scurrying about to make things ready, including mounting the bar top in the kitchen. It was just too much for Mom, all the hustle and bustle, thinking we would not make the deadline for the party, that she had to go home! And guess what----we made it! We had our party and it was wonderful!

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My dream this early morning ended before the guests started arriving but was pretty much the same scenario---getting a house ready for a party. After I woke up and was thinking about it, no mention was even made of food and drinks at all. Just everywhere I turned there was dust, layers and layers of it, my nemesis. My former spouse was in the dream as was Justin, who was not the least bit helpful in conquering the mess. There were piles of clothes around, with no hope of getting the piles removed, it seemed. I spent most of the sequence in my nightie, and even though it was nearly time for the guests to start showing up. I am like the bride who gets married with her hair in curlers so she looks nice for the reception!

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At one point my former spouse said he was going outside to tidy some things up and I insisted we get the inside ready first because you can't see outside at night! In one hallway in this house which I did not recognize, Justin had taken my painted canvases and stood them on end along the wall. And the dishwasher tray for silverware strangely enough was on the outside of the door, where obviously they could not be washed. But the tray was packed tightly with plastic ware with what appeared to be icing on them, and looked gross. Just before I woke up, it was time for the party, I was in my nightie, battling to get the forks washed for the party! Whew! My heart is pounding and I am still tired!

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These days when I have a gathering, it is much less stressful because, I believe, I am the one in charge. If I want to prepare things ahead, I will and do. Even the feasts for holiday dinners, I make as much ahead of time as possible to avoid the chaos. No one ever complains or is critical, to my knowledge, and it makes for an easier time for me. This I love to do---having the feasts in my dining room. Which brings to mind Linda and Lynn's upcoming visit! We have plans to hold a dinner, a "Julie and Julia" dinner where the guests bring menu items from Julia Childs' cookbook! This was Twila's idea and I hope it will fly...I had better get busy putting a bug in people's ears so they can make their plans ahead of time. My idea was to make the raspberry creme dessert as seen in the movie but I might have to tackle the meat dish so Twila won't have to try to transport it. No worries, I can do it!