Gail's Ireland pictures and Christmas eve 2008

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EMTing It Up

I finally started working as an EMT and I think I am done with my training. We had a long week and a half of orientation where we mostly sat in a classroom and learned about the company and other stuff. Then we each had to do at least 40 hours of training on the road. So, over the past week I worked 5 shifts as a third rider in an ambulance. They were all on paramedic ambulances so we responded almost exclusively to 911 calls, but none were too serious. I didn't get to see any cool things done, but it was good experience because I won't be on paramedic trucks when I'm working on my own so I will be mostly responding to minor calls anyway. We responded to a couple of car crashes where people didn't get hurt badly, some chest pain calls, a couple diabetic crises, some psych calls, and other random stuff. I was incredibly nervous at first and didn't really talk to the patients and messed up getting vital signs and pretty much looked like I needed a lot more training. Then, it started to click and I got more comfortable, stopped messing up, and now I think I'm ready to be on my own. I even got to drive fast with the lights and sirens to a couple of calls, that's pretty fun except that people don't move out of the way for ambulances and even cut us off sometimes. So, now that I am officially working on ambulances, watch out if you have an emergency in Springfield! Maybe you'd get lucky and David and I would both respond, haha.

I also started my internship at Tapestry Health, but I just started this week so I am still not sure exactly what I'll be doing. I know I'll be working with their case manager who helps HIV positive people in Springfield find primary care physicians, money for their meds, food pantries, and other things they might need. I'll probably help him with some administrative stuff and hopefully end up helping with his clients a bit. I'll also be helping out with outreach events when I can. Everyone I've met there so far is really nice and its pretty laid back. I think I'll like working there.

So that's the update on my life. I can't wait to see everyone for Christmas!

Not a Scrooge

So, last year I was told if I didn't embrace Christmas this year, I wasn't going to be allowed to come home and spread bad Christmas joy to the baby (ahem, Peggy). So this year, I've been TRYING to do just that, in Claire's honor. That means I decided to get a grown up Christmas tree! A bunch of my girlfriends from MA came down last weekend and we went and picked and decorated a tree on Saturday. It was fun and I must say it does smell delicious! This weekend I was a good little bargain shopper and got 95% of my shopping done and wrapped and everything is happily under the tree. Check out my festive apartment below:

Here is my tree and all of Claire's presents...maybe next year I'll work on getting better ornaments...

Here is my festive bookcase...can't you feel the Christmas spirit RADIATING from the picture?


And last but not least, a close up of my festive table which 3 people should be happy about. Sister P - Look at my festive nativity scene! Pegatures - the candle stand you got us look very nice. And last but not least - Kristin - your most favorite picture EVER! proudly displayed in my new festive frame...
I have a few other random decorations around but I won't bore you with all the details. I hope everyone had a good weekend and can't wait to see everyone next week!

Santas got a big belly...

....and she loooooooooves to rub it! This is her newest bathtime trick.

Getting Down!!

Gail, thanks for reminding us all of this wonderful site. Check out Elf Yourself for some holiday entertainment. I would love to see some of you dancing around the screen! In the meantime, here are some of our favorites showing us their moves.

Don't forget to share your creations with all of us!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Thanks Claire!!!!

So, just curious if anyone else is sick this week. I'm not sure if it really was miss Claire that decided to share her cold with everyone but it sure feels like it!

I was out of work for a day and a half and still don't feel good. I went to the urgent care place near me and got some drugs and am now trying to get rid of my cold and sinus infection before my 6 friends come for the weekend tomorrow!

Mere and Dan aren't feeling well, Kristin is just starting to recover sick, Peggy is starting to come down with someone and Peter is also starting to get sick. I would steer clear of 60 Wishing Well for a few days!!!

How is everyone else this week?

Thanksgiving recap

Well, I guess I should post some of the photos I took over the past weekend while we were visiting Western Mass for Thanksgiving. Andrea, Meredith, Claire and I drove up from Hoboken Tuesday evening to avoid the massive travel day that is the day before Thanksgiving and we made it with little to no traffic, but the only thing that went wrong was the Claire had a pretty major breakdown in the car. After stopping and changing her, we were good to go.

Wednesday was pretty quiet for us. I slept in (surprise, surprise) while Kristin went to visit a customer and Meredith and Claire tagged along to hit up the outlets to return some stuff Meredith bought the previous week. The best part of the day (for me at least) was going to the best place in West Springfield.....Town and Country! We actually had a mission this time - to buy enough beer and wine for the Christening party. I spent the most I even had there and the place was PACKED! People were definitely not cutting back for Thanksgiving this year.

Wednesday night Meredith, Kristin and I met up with all the other cousins (minus Dave and Andrea) over at Erin's new place and then we went out to Carrigan's to celebrate Liz's 21st birthday. We all know she had a good time and get nice and "happy". And here's to next year.

Then the big day.....Turkey Day. As is the normal Thanksgiving morning in Wishing Well Way, we made our way down to the annual Rousseau Thanksgiving Breakfast Feast. This year, Rose was feeling under the weather, so Skip had all the cooking duties to himself, and he did great. The mimosas (right Andrea?), wine, OJ, and vodka was flowing and fun was had by all. Then after getting back to Casa Robillard, we quickly got our way out the house and over to Jean's for the big Feast. I ventured out side to check on the dogs - Molly and Tucker were just chilling out there.




Jean was hard at work in the kitchen with help from all.



And here is the star of the show!!



As always - all the food was amazing and everyone was stuffed when the forks stopped moving and people pushed away from the table. This being Claire's first Thanksgiving, we decided it would be a good idea to introduce her to green beans on this festive day. To say the least, she was not a fan.







Big Grandpa Calnen was in his glory as usual when Claire came for a visit. He's going not going to know what to do during Christmas when he has two great-grandchildren looking for his attention!








In our on going Thanksgiving travels - we were on our way over to Mary Ellen and Mike's place for dessert (like we needed any more.) Paul was happy that everyone was together.

This is the part of the story when the camera made its way to Meredith and I'll just post the pictures. Claire was passed around and Meredith got some pretty good pictures with everyone.












Well, that's it for now - we'll post the pics of the Christening once we get them from Marianne. We had a great time with everyone on Thanksgiving and the cousin's night out on Wednesday. And here's to the delicious lunch we had with Nicole, Petra, Andrea, Amy, Kristin, and Meredith at Opa! Opa! Maybe we'll hit up a different place next year.

Yet Another Birthday!

Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday dear Mandy,
Happy Birthday to you!

We hope you are having a wonderful day...