In a blink...

Well shit...

I swear it was just yesterday that I wrote my last blog post but its been almost two months (a busy two months for sure, but this time of year is ALWAYS busy). Let me remind you all that my memory is not the greatest and I don't write down everything that happens to me on a daily so I'm just gonna "hit the highlights" of the last two months of 2023.

I've been working at the hospital, trying to prepare for my transition from night shift to day shift (technically it's a "mid" shift, but whatever...) and I'll be honest, I'm terrified. I like to think that I'm the type of person that can adapt and change but in reality I fucking HATE change (say what you will about me mentioning astrological signs right now and how goofy you may think it is but I genuinely think it's a Taurus thing. UGH...I physically cringed as I typed that out). What's even funnier is that I've considered (and still do occasionally consider) travel nursing. What kind of person, that despises change that, much would even consider doing that?? A crazy person that's who...

I like consistency in my day/life/everything (which I have no fucking clue why not only did I choose nursing as my profession but emergency nursing is beyond me...I'm a glutton for punishment/stress/anxiety/fatigue I guess) but...that's not always going to happen. I'm also smart enough to realize that without change we will become stagnant and complacent and as much as I hate change I hate the thought of that more...So I'm trying to psych myself up for dayshift. I believe the pros outweigh the cons in this situation. I officially switch on January 4th so there's equal parts excitement and anxiety coursing through me right now.

Thanksgiving was good. It's one of my favorite holidays (as is Christmas) and although I don't cook extravagantly (nor do I cook everything...I mean there's a Honey Baked Ham store for a reason people; for God's sake y'all use it too before they close down and this lazy bitch has to learn how to cook a juicy ham and turkey without burning the house down!) I still do cook. Our Thanksgiving is typically pretty small with less than 10 people in attendance (this year there was only 7 and I was grateful for everyone that was there and also those who couldn't be there) but there was still a boatload of food prepared and left over.

We had homemade: mashed potatoes, baked mac n cheese, green bean casserole, deviled eggs, sweet potato soufflé, and cranberry sauce. The cranberry sauce is my absolute favorite. I found the recipe online a few years ago and since then it has been everyone's favorite that has tried it (https://www.momontimeout.com/best-ever-cranberry-sauce/). And hopefully you gathered that because I mentioned the HBH store above that you know that's where our ham and turkey came from (it was delicious btw). We chowed down on all the Thanksgiving goodness and if I recall correctly we all ended up taking a nice, long nap. ZzZzZzZz....

I decided too that because money was tight for everyone this year that it would best if we didn't exchange gifts (fortunately everyone was on board with that recommendation) and that for Christmas we just go eat Chinese food so that's probably what we'll do tomorrow. But I mention that now to say that we didn't do any black Friday shopping and honestly I don't feel like I missed out on anything. I remember going a few times in the last 10 years and it was fucking miserable. I mean yes, I recommend you go at least once in your life to see what it's like but I don't think it's something I'd want to do every year.

The rest of November and the beginning of December were pretty uneventful. Around the middle of December though Austin had his quarterly meeting out in California and I decided last minute while he was going to be gone that I wanted to go see my nephews in Missouri. So, Johnathon (my brother) and I took the l o n g a s s d r i v e to the "Show Me" state to see his boys. When I tell you, you don't realize how old you've become until you have children in your life (whether they're your own children or your nieces or nephews) I mean it. Michael turned 16 this year and Christian turned 13. Well, Mike turning 16 was trippy for me because I was 16 when he was born. And I swear it was just yesterday that I graduated high school but in fact it will be 15 years this coming May (WTAF)...

Any way...We had a blast visiting them. We went out to eat, went shopping, spent time with John's friends, we went to see Wonka (which was such a good movie, I 11/10 recommend; John and I were crying and I'm pretty sure Mike and Chris were laughing lol. Timothée Chalamet was a great Willy Wonka). I wish we could've stayed longer but that just means I'll have to make sure I save up so I can go back again (hopefully soon)! After we got back I worked some more and now I guess that catches you up and brings us to today Christmas Eve/Christmas Day. Since I worked Christmas Eve Eve (12/23) I didn't get off till 7am 12/24 I was tired so I took a lil nappy nap in my car before driving home. Normally, Austin and I would go to see his family today but since I worked he drove down by himself.

So after I awake from my car slumber I decided I wanted a charcuterie board (no idea why but that's what I woke up wanting) so I had lunch at one of our favorite restaurants and then went home to sleep some more (I swear I'm like a fucking bear that hibernates in the winter). I wake up close to midnight and see a message from my brother asking me if I was going to read my nephews their Christmas story, 'Twas The Night Before Christmas. I can't recall when I started the tradition (or if I was even the one to initiate it) but I want to say it was at least 8 years ago. I would call them (since they live over 9 hours away) and I would read it to them. It has since been my favorite holiday tradition (and probably always will be). So Johnathon and I called them (my 16 and 13 year old nephews) and I read them the story in the most exaggerated Christmasy way to which they laughed and joined in on the reading. And I loved every part of it. My hope is that when they're grown and have their own kids that they read the story to on Christmas Eve, that they will call me afterward and let me read to them, no matter how old they are...Time truly is a thief; and it's often not realized until many years have passed. And it's apparent to me, now that I'm older, that they pass in a blink...

Morals of today's story:

• If you're gonna "back blog" at least keep a mini journal of the things you do that may be interesting to blog about, because you will never remember all that...at least I don't

• Change, although scary, is often a good thing. There is a little lobster story regarding stress that you should look up. It's good.

• Night shift truly sucks, physically, mentally, and socially...but everyone is more like a family on nights. So some good has come from it and I will miss all my night crew fam.

• Try new things. You may not think you'll like the weird homemade cranberry sauce but I'm telling you it's amazing.

• HBH store Ham and Turkey is just superior. Sorry.

• Christmas can still be Christmas without presents if you celebrate with the people you love and who love you.

• Make sure you have a solid playlist or a good conversationalist when going on long trips (I'm terrible because I almost immediately fall asleep, sorry Austin).

• If you haven't started traditions in your family (they don't necessarily have to be just for Christmas) do it now, you will thank me later.

• If you're too tired to make it home, pull over and go to sleep; just make sure you're in a safe area, your doors are locked and you have something to protect yourself with.

• Don't work yourself to death, take your PTO, spend time with family and friends.

• Enjoy time with your loved ones and don't EVER wish that time away because before you know it 10+ years will have passed and you'll be wishing for it back...

Thanks for reading. Follow along and grow with me.

-CJ