Memories, Dreams and Cash

I just yawned. 

I think I am officially having a boring summer. And this boredom becomes more evident as I see others around me headed to beaches, reunions, cruises, dream trips...all those super awesome fun summer activities that I am not privy to at this time.

Aren't we supposed to go somewhere?  See someone?  Do something "out of sight!?"

Here lies the problem...all of these things cost money.

I have none.

So I have done the next best thing to actually going somewhere...I pretend I am going.

Just the other day, I planned my trip back home to Alaska.  I had decided to bring the two youngest and Sommer (she babysits) along for the journey. We would spend a few weeks visiting my brother Matt and his family. We would help them move in, maybe paint a room or two. We would eat at our favorite places, climb our favorite mountains, stay up into the wee hours of the endless summer nights and watch the sun not set.

It really sounded great...until reality quickly set in after I decided I would check how much a ticket costs these days.  Yikes!  $900 a pop.

Nope, it wasn't going to happen.

A few weeks ago, I decided it was my turn to do as many as my friends do and pack up the car with all the kids and drive the 35 hours to visit my parents in Utah. It just seems everyone does that...they leave their crazy (boring) lives for a month and simply HAVE FUN!  I visualized a trip to Lagoon, BYU, more hikes, more eating...the works!

It really sounded great...until reality set in after imagining what a 35 hour drive would be like. I mean, I can barely stand a 2 hour car ride.  And gas?!  Shoot, gas would cost a small fortune in my big guzzler.  What about my old, barely surviving Suburban? It mocks me every day or two by withholding cool air conditioning and replacing it with hot, hot blowing air.  Really nice!  Totally love it.

Nope, that wasn't going to happen either.

Even a trip to the beach is out.  I mean, to rent a house for a week costs a couple grand.  I totally should have made a few friends over the years with beach houses...dang...too late.  And one hotel room is completely out of the question. Five growing kids and a mother that likes to sleep in peace and quiet just can't survive in a closet.

And so you may think I have been moping around each day as my dreams are dashed one by one.

Nope...well maybe a little.

But these dreams are something I have actually already done. I have been blessed to make the journey to Alaska (multiple times), travel to Utah and to spend beautiful days on the beaches of Hawaii,  Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina.

And I cherish those memories and hold them dear...especially when I am feeling a bit bored.

So thankful for memories, dreams that come true...and a little cash to make it all happen.