RIP Gracie

Little Grace Durfey was sent to kitty heaven today after she was found to have a lot of fluid in her belly. Prognosis was poor and she was suffering so my mom quickly made the decision to let her go. Poor little witty. I wonder what Sammy is going to be like without her. I will always remember the summer of 05 fondly for several reasons...one of them being the addition of little baby witties to the household. I loved them and it was so much fun going home when they were there. I felt like they were partly mine for the brief period of time I lived with them until I moved out. Sammy used to play with pens in my lap as I studied for the NCLEX. Gracie grew into a very timid, nervous butterball who hid whenever there were extra people in the house. Up until the last time I saw her, it was exciting every time she emerged from her hiding place to let me pet her. I have a cute video from right after Thanksgiving of Jeff, Simone, and me hunting for her in the basement with Jurassic Park music in the background. I always wanted her to come home with me and now I'll never see her or hear her chirp again. Very sad day. I'm hugging my little fluffy guy extra tight and trying not imagine what it would be like without him.

Everybody headed to Nashua 12.14 (luckily someone switched with me so I could have the day off) to celebrate the end of Faith's teenage years. There was the usual crowd, including Ray and Tracey, John and Marlene, an older lady friend, snacks, booze, football, macaroni and cheese, and of course cake and ice cream.

On the 21st, I met someone at Ramunto's in ctown for a "date"...not a bad time. On the 23rd, after I woke up from my post night shift nap, I headed to ctown again to hang out with Ashley and the kids to do our annual night before night before Christmas. We played, I gave the kids their gifts, ran out in the snow in our bare feet as they watched from the porch (Grace told us we were crazy lol). They had dinner (it took our family size lasagna hours to cook lol) and then it was bedtime. Maria fell asleep pasted to me with her arm around my neck...I'm her favorite. We had adult time for a few hours before I headed home. I headed to my mom's for Xmas Eve chinese food, hung out for a bit then headed to Pine Grove St. after Simoney fell asleep. I made overnight french toast while they set up their tree and we went to bed after National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Keeping with the grand tradition of not being able to sleep anywhere but my own bed, I was awake a full 3 hours before Puffles and Simone dragged their asses out of bed. We opened presents, played a little bit, ate breakfast then headed to the Susan homestead after we got ready. We had a new guest this year...Ray's 99 year old mother so we kinda had to behave although she's hard of hearing so we didn't have to behave too much. It ended up being a typical holiday get together complete with a delicious roast beast dinner.

My friend Kelly came over for dinner on the 30th. I tried a new chicken crock pot recipe but I wasn't a fan of it. We went to Gusanoz for drinks afterwards and had a good time catching up and laughing. Dayna and I got all dolled up and headed to Revolution Cantina for dinner and New Socials for drinks NYE. We left a little after 11 because I had to work day shift NYD (gag). Originally I was working nights but switched with someone because I didn't have nor really wanted plans. Going to work on 3 hours of sleep S.U.C.K.S.

The first weekend of the year was spent not working, enjoying a worthy burger and beer, finally getting my bureau mirror hung (thank you, Chris!), and trivia...pub style. I had a dinner/movie date Tuesday with the same aforementioned gentlemen but it was divulged to me that he chews tobacco. Deal breaker. I thought I may have been on to something. I will never date a guy who chews or smokes cigarettes. Thus, my single cat lady life goes on as usual.

Yesterday, after some frustrating miscommunication, I headed to Ludlow to hang out with the old ladies. I swung by and grabbed Granny and arrived at Cora's by 530. We enjoyed some cocktails, ate beef stew, polished off a bottle of wine (gotta remember Oak Leaf sweet red), chatted some more, and enjoyed Dazzle cupcakes and ice cream. Sometimes it's difficult to relate due to the large generation gap but I do enjoy spending time with them. It's really unfortunate how terrible their childhoods were but it's interesting to hear stories from that time. I encouraged them to start writing this stuff down but Cora pretty much said no one would believe them. I don't think they're getting the point. Oh well, I'll keep trying. I should just record the stories. Anyway, I told them that I want to visit where they grew up in the springtime. We left about 1130, I dropped Granny off, and I headed home in subzero temperatures. So thankful for my warm car and its new winter tires and battery.

As of noon yesterday, the invisalign process is complete. I am so excited to have my teeth back...mostly. The extra nubbins were burred off, polished and I got my supply of nighttime retainers. I was told to wear them at home during the day for the next few months...I nodded my head in compliance but was really thinking HELL NOOOO. I'll wear them at night and that's it, I've had enough. Although, this morning, I woke up and my top teeth were throbbing with pain so I promptly got up, removed the retainers, and went back to bed. OVER IT. Also, done with this entry. Meatloaf and bed are calling my name. This sad day needs to be over...also the next 3 days.