Dreams that are completely obvious

I know, writing about your dreams is the ultimate in self-indulgence, but this one was just so strange.

I'm on a cruise with my sister and parents. The ship has docked and I'm not packed up. Although I only want to have a carry-on with the things that I brought, my family members insist on me packing all sorts of crap that they brought with them.

I'm frantically trying to pack my clothes in my carry-on and I'm leaving behind full bottles of perfume because the TSA won't let me carry them on. I don't want to check a bag. As I'm trying to get my stuff into my bag, my family is hassling me to add more things, things I don't want.

I'm also concerned because we're being hurried off the boat and my cabin steward, although being nice, is trying to get me out too. I'm worried about tipping him and I have $50 that I keep trying to give him, but every time I go to give it to him, he goes off somewhere else.

I should also add that the ship is kind of old and funky, not nice like cruise ships I've been on.

My sister is trying to help me, but she's bogged down in wanting me to save things I don't want too.

So, I think we're talking about Baggage here. My dad is a complete pack rat and my mom is totally sentimental about everything and my sister feels guilty about not wanting things so she keeps them in her garage. Me. Screw that, I don't want anything weighing me down.

My mom called last week asking me what of her jewelery I wanted, since they were doing their will. I know it was impolitic, but I said none. Then she says, "What about those pieces I got with you in Korea?" She meant the weird orange stones, a pendant, ring, bracelet, who knows what all else. She had an outfit made to match, so she can go out looking like the Great Pumpkin or something. Okay, sure.

She did ask me to bring back her wedding china when we drive back to Dallas next. I'm glad to do it. I've had it for about 12 years and I've never taken it out of the quilted containers. I'm too scared to use it and honestly, when do I entertain such that what I prepare needs to be served off of bone china?

She offered me another set of china (in her travels she's collected two more sets.) No thanks. The regular ceramic plates I bought at Target for $20 for a service for 6 is just fine for the likes of me.