Sunday, November 8, 2009

Lost Weekend


I've been reading through your comments from my last post, and I can't thank you all enough for your support. It really is frightening to be out there, alone in a stranger's home, and subjected to verbal abuse. This has only happened to me once before, but it always makes me question why I do what I do for a living. I don't earn any extra for this kind of work. I'd make the same to work within 4 walls. By yesterday morning, I'd learned the underlying cause of the previous night's drama was my good old pal, ETOH, or alcohol. Such a surprise, isn't it? It's always the female drinkers who surprise me, and really? I should know better. I should have suspected it in the first place, but I like to believe the more romantic notions of loss, grief and anxiety before I believe substance abuse. Note to Nurse Rudee: when ya gonna learn? Not everyone has normal methods of coping. All I can say is that trouble maker had to have some pretty good mouthwash, because I never suspected. Not even once, and thanks to an ex-husband, I've got a pretty sharp nose for drinkers.

I hear the weather was simply spectacular today. I wouldn't know since I spent the day sleeping. Awakening at dusk on my only day off, I felt I little better, but still not great. I've come down with some sort of GI bug and I didn't get a whole lot of rest last night. My son asked me if I felt bad today. He knew I did because he didn't see me knitting at all. He's kept me company all day and made sure my glass of Coca-Cola was topped off. He's a good guy.

The photo at the top is the fruit of my labors yesterday. I'm taking a Fair Isle class and making a hat. There'll be a total of 4 colors used and in the photo, you see the brown, yellow and cranberry. The fourth is purple. The yarn is alpaca with a twist and it's sooooo soft. I'm stuck where I am because I left the pattern in the yarn store and they're closed until Monday at 10 AM. Don't think I won't be pounding on the door at 10 sharp.

12 comments:

Rose said...

ooh, I love those colors! I went to The Mudhouse in Crozet and asked the girls behind the counter if they had an Aunt Ruth, but both said no (I think they thought I was nuts). Cool place though!
Hope you're feeling better!

Rudee said...

Isn't that a great coffee shop, Rose? I don't think my niece works the counter. She's the baker. If you had any treats, they were likely baked by her. ;-)

Jane said...

It looks really soft in the photo. Hope you are feeling much better today

Jeannette StG said...

Don't beat yourself over the head with it, Rudee -we all miss a diagnosis sometimes:) Sorry, you had to go through this. I like the knitting work - you're a very regular stitcher!

laurie said...

alcohol. man. the root of all evil. and yet i like it.
hope you're doing better. fair isle sweaters are fabulous. you'd better sell your stuff.

Stephanie V said...

I admire you for the work you do - I know I would never be as good a nurse as you are.
And your knitting is pretty good, too. Those colors are so autumn-y.

Celia said...

I'm sorry I didn't post yesterday, but it looks like you did have a lot of support out there.

Your project looks amazing!

It's pretty sad when someone can't control their drink.

Jane said...

Hat looks great. Glad you got some rest.

Brenda said...

Okay...now I am wondering how you are doing this hat. You have four colors, meaning four different yarns.....? I may have to go back and re read this...I sound like an idiot. Ha..

Rudee said...

Yes, Brenda. Four yarns. It's a Fair Isle hat. It mostly only uses 2 yarns at a time on any given row.

Rositta said...

I just caught up on your last post. You have a good son. I love your color work, it will be a lovely hat...ciao

Betty F said...

Well I hope you don't have to go back to that house. I know only when I can smell it or some one is unsteady.. I don't have a good sense for it. I worry about you going to strange houses and dealing with strangers all the time. Your son sounds so wonderful. What a gift. All my kids are wonderful of course, but your son reminds me of my youngest. Such a treasure. I'm glad you have him.