Changes

The rest of December was pretty much dedicated to Christmas-related social commitments. I was on call the 22nd and ended up being called in at 11 (was still in bed) until the end of the shift. A little late for trivia but I made it lol. Ashley and I did our annual night before the night before Christmas on the 23rd. We ate Tremont, drank hot chocolate, listened to Christmas music and opened presents, and just hung out and chatted after the kids went to bed. And of course, we ran outside in our bare feet into the snowy side yard and back to the porch. Yessss. I had to work Christmas Eve day but I was able to get out an hour early despite ortho having a super busy day. At 3pmish, there were 6ish rooms running and they were all our service. Karl had a scary hip revision but it went well, thankfully, which is why I left early. I really wanted Chinese food but the wait was 2 hours at China Station so I grabbed a pizza on the way home to enjoy while I burned my Christmas Eve candle and watched National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Love that freakin movie and it's not Christmas without it.

I worked on the 25th from 7 to 3 and we were busy all day with hips, a nail, and some bleeding tonsils. It was stressful being the only ortho person on but it made the hours go by quick and I was on the road to Claremont for dinner before I knew it. My mom made our typical roast beast with all the fixin's and I ate a lot of food. Good times. I think my favorite part was giving Simone her VW bus tent lol. The next day, I was off and had a dentist appointment and I went to the Minckler household to visit, open presents and we met Jesse at Tremont for dinner. Us gals went to Coacoa Froyos for dessert then to Maddy's private gymnastics lesson. I headed home after a little pit stop at the Goss'. The next day at work, I was able to relive Xmas dinner for lunch and, at the end of the day, was offered to have the following Monday off. Score! Automatic 5-day weekend.

On the 28th, I went to Scott's work holiday party in Ascutney. Interesting night. I met a lot of people and had wayyyyy too much to drink and spent the entire next day hung-over. One of those days where NOTHING gets accomplished aside from a shower. I hardly take naps but they sure are fantastic when hung-over...and also after not really sleeping much the previous night.

Straying from how I've spent the previous two NYEs (drinking alone at home by choice), I actually met people out. I was invited by Hannah (one of Scott's roommates) to the Windsor Station and headed there after NYE dinner at my moms. It's a cute little establishment in downtown Windsor; they had a band playing. Dayna met me there and we got to finish out 2013 there. We started 2014 by playing beer pong at their house but we should have just gone home because it ended up being awkward due to alcohol-related drama.

The first weekend of the year, Scott and I had a date night. We went to Gusanoz and saw Anchorman 2. Really funny movie. He is a really sweet guy and we have a good time together but I just feel indifferent; no romantic feelings. I don't know if he's just not the right guy or if I'm just dead inside. My intention was to let him know how I feel but it didn't happen because I am a coward. The next day, Dayna and Jeff came over and we finally made our gingerbread crack houses then went to trivia without a reservation...unsuccessful. We ended up going to Margarita's instead.

On the 9th, I kicked off one of my "mini-vacations" by shadowing in the ICU for a couple hours. An interview followed and it went well so I accepted a position as a staff nurse in the ICU. My tenure as an OR nurse is officially over a week from Thursday. I am taking 2 glorious weeks off before I begin. At this point, I'm mostly excited to start this new chapter, however, it is 100% different than the OR and daunting so I know I'll feel more nervous as the date draws closer. I am going to learn so much and it's kind of surreal that I'm taking this small step towards a possible goal I've been considering for years now. One day at a time.

On the 10th, our department had our holiday party at the Fireside Inn. Always a good time. I started telling my coworkers about my imminent career change. Dinner and the company were good, Dayna and Bonnie talked it out, and Dayna and I had a DD. We went to SH for a drink after then called it a night. The next night, I brought my Christmas present to myself to the Goss' and we enjoyed it together for the first time. I do not regret that purchase at all. It was a pretty foggy drive home. The next day was trivia, preceded by Chinese food and a scorpion bowl for 2. On Monday, I went to Ctown and hung out with Simone so Heather could get some stuff done. I just love her. We played in the tent and had snack time together. She gave me unprompted hugs for the first time...the first one lasted 15 seconds or so. So darn cute.

The next day, I had a dentist appointment to begin the Invisalign process and my third drum lesson. Yes, I am taking drum lessons. I bought drum sticks and maybe I'll even buy a drum set someday. Now, I just have to get my ass in gear and practice at home. It's pretty fun. Life is too short not to try new things. I wish I had started this years ago. Maybe now, I'd be in a band.

Yesterday, I went to Keene for Colton's 2nd birthday party. They are still getting settled in their new house, which is really nice and spacious. I wasn't able to stay very long because I had to travel (in the snow) to Ctown for Emilee's birthday dinner at New Socials. Dayna was my date. Dinner was fun and we were all supposed to go to Time Out after but we sat in the bar with Dulcy waiting for Emilee and Jesse to stop fighting and come in. Turns out, after calling her, they left to go home. Nice. A wasted evening. I should have stayed in Keene longer and gone home from there and I really need to stop making time for those who don't have time for me. It's a new year and lots of changes in different areas of my life are going to happen.