I know exactly what you mean. Only difference is I wake up from them (or think that I do) and tell myself that I am dreaming and need to get up, but I'm too lazy and find myself going back to sleep...starting at the same place. Not continuing, but like you said, kind of. And then half wake up again. Those are not usually nightmares...just nuisance type dreams where I just wish they would stop. Dreams are definitely weird and thought-provoking at times. But the one I mentioned above REALLY stuck with me because I was SO convinced I had gotten which was a dream and which was awake reversed and now I was going to die. UGH!