Summer Mornings

*Beep*Beep*Beep*
My first thoughts upon hearing the alarm are (in the following order):
1. Already?!
2. I just went to sleep!
3. What time is it?!

Then, I reach over to the nightstand without opening my eyes and hit snooze. The noise continues. I slowly start to become conscious and realize that it is not MY alarm going off - it's my boyfriends' alarm. I open one eye to look at the time on my clock.

4:30 a.m.

Wait. What? 4:30 in the bloody morning?! I groan, roll over, and nudge push Mike. He makes a feral noise at me before reaching over and silencing that awful noise. I start to slip back into my unconscious state. I am floating on a quiet cloud over beautiful turquoise water. The sun warms me. The 40 pounds I need to lose are no longer there. My golden skin glistens in the sunlight. There is no humidity in this special place so my hair lays perfectly straight down my back.

*Beep*Beep*Beep*

Oh for heaven's sake. I still have another hour before I have to get up. Why is this happening? I nudge push Mike again and open my mouth which seems to be stuck with an imaginary glue.

"Baby, get up - time for work"

The groan and the choice swear word that follows as he gets out of bed are normal to me. I get it. I will be doing the same thing in about 45 minutes. I start to slip back into my dream land as I hear the shower start. Unfortunately, I cannot return to that dream land, just the total black abyss that engulfs me. Next thing I know, I hear a belt being tightened and I roll over and open an eye. The only light in my apartment comes from the bathroom and I can smell the wonderful masculine smell that comes after Mike's shower. I smile a little.

Then it hits me.

Wait a second. I don't have to go to work today.... It's summer vacation! Another smile followed by a slight frown. Then why am I awake?!

I am awake to make sure my sweet, groggy boyfriend gets up for work. I am awake to mumble a few words of encouragement about his day as I see him out the door. I am totally going back to sleep after he leaves.

I swing my legs over the edge of the bed and sit up. Grope around for my glasses on my nightstand and put them on. Stand up. Walk to the refridgerator. Get out a Red Bull. Put Red Bull on the counter. Wipe sleepy crust from my eyes. Walk into bathroom. Look in mirror.

So sad. I look like I've been run over by something. Sleepiness can be cute, right?

Swish water in mouth. Walk out to living room. Silently watch as Mike puts on his work boots. Walk Mike to door. Remember Red Bull and tell him to take it. Give him a closed mouth peck without breathing through my nose. I know my breath must be funky. Open door. Say a few words about having a good day. Smile a little as I close the door and lock it. Walk slowly back to bed. Lay down. Wait for sleep to return.

Damn.

I'm wide awake. How is this possible?! It's 5:30 a.m. IN THE SUMMER!

Last summer, I was just going to bed around this time after a full night of partying, hanging out with friends, or drinking. Or a combination of any of those things. Last summer, I prided myself on just waking up around the time I would be finishing my work day.

Not this summer. This summer, I am waking up at 4:30 in the morning. And not going back to sleep. Because I have my apartment to clean, coupons to cut, recipes to look up, dinner to cook, trashy reality shows to watch (I have to DVR them because I don't want to force Mike to lose his man-card by making him watch them with me). And you know what?

I wouldn't trade this for anything.

Except maybe a few more minutes of sleep.....