Sunday, May 16, 2010

Tangled Messes

I can't believe how busy I've been at work lately, and I am not certain why. I've run myself ragged for the past two weeks, clocked in about 500 miles between visits and nearly 8 hours worth of overtime. It's exhausted me and that's why I haven't been around.

In yet another effort to get off my night shift, I applied for a mid-shift position, and no surprise, didn't get the job (my night shift territory is incredibly difficult to replace). I don't think covering all of the city, except two zip codes, sounds all that glamorous in the want ads. I found out I wasn't even considered for the coveted spot Friday evening and spent yesterday hosting a pity party for myself. I didn't even get out of my pajamas until 9 PM. At that point, I couldn't stand myself anymore and finally took a shower, stopped spitting nails long enough to eat a little food and settled in with my husband to watch, The Two Towers. Leave it to Tolkien and Peter Jackson to drag me out of a funk. In an effort not to feel too pitiful, I consoled myself with the knowledge that they hired from outside the organization and this pissed me off. Anger is a useful tool that I can use to galvanize my plan forward. Perhaps it's time to get back into a facility and work those 12 hour shifts in a safer environment. Working 3 days a week is sounding good again, even if I have to go back to working weekends and holidays.


Due primarily to the condition of my thumb, spinning yarn is on the sidelines right now, so I missed circle yesterday. Again. I won't miss it next week. I have been knitting and making progress on the feather and fan shawl. I'm into the second repeat of decreases and now that I'm losing stitches, the rows are going much faster than they were a week ago. There appears to have been an incident with the creamsicle colored yarn that I spun. Apparently, the long snouted, four legged beast that lives in my house, mistook it for a ball. In the photo, this was one ball that he tore into two balls. I can't decide if he was in his glory having two balls, or if he is some kind of yarn genius. I don't know how, why or when, but I know he's the guilty party. Everyone else knows better. I wound my last hank of the yarn this morning and I'm hopeful what's remaining will suffice to the end of the shawl. If not, I'll have to try to untangle the mess he made of the other one to see what's salvageable.


Bad Leocifer.

I'd been hoping to use what was left of the hand spun to do the crocheted border, but it seems I'll have to go to plan B and use either the angora, or a pumpkin colored worsted weight Manos . There I go getting ahead of myself again. I still have an extraordinary amount of work remaining on this shawl, not the least of which is weaving the ends in and finding a way to anchor the ribbon yarns so they don't unravel. I'm thinking I'll tack them down with a needle and thread.


Check out the home improvements of my newest neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Robins. They moved in to the space on Thursday and have been doing home improvements ever since. Trying to be a welcoming new neighbor, I left a few yarn offerings. They liked everything I left and incorporated the pieces of yarn into their nest. I'll be able to check out my shawl no matter where I am, now.

I hope you've all had a better week or two than me. Don't feel sorry for me though, as I feel I finally see the light at the end of this very long tunnel.

20 comments:

clairedulalune said...

so good to hear light is at the end of the tunnel Rudee! sorry to hear about your working week. I love lord of the rings DVDs. Big fella got me into them! by the way, thank you so much for the rest of the words to the Journey song. I was thinking about that today when I walked into a restaurant and it was playing! freaky! Hoping for a better week for you!

Stephanie V said...

I think the robin family will have their own fiesta with those happy yarn colors.

Does Leo know that they've moved in?

Rudee said...

Stephanie, Leo is fully aware. He doesn't like it, but it seems they don't fear him through the glass.

Rose said...

Glad you're doing better; hope the work situation improves too. Robins' nests are pretty messy aren't they? Although the yarn perks it up a bit.

Gail said...

Will it solve the problem with the yarn if you store it in front of the mirror?

The right solution will come, just in time.

My sister leaves items for the birds and also places her dryer lint in a basket for them. I think they fight over that.

Glad you are feeling better, next time you have a P-party, you need to invite some of us.

Finding Pam said...

I hope you have a better week. The shawl is turning out so lovely.

I still don't know how you work those late hours.

I loved the nest and your yarn.

Anonymous said...

I too am glad to hear the light is coming hear the tunnel. You will enjoy the robin family. I noticed the comment about the dryer lint. That is a good idea. be safe.
QMM

CT said...

Wow! I love how the shawl is coming along! and the nest! It looks so cute

I am a BIG fan of Tolkien too!

Joanna said...

That nest is so darling! I hope you have a better week ahead, Rudee.

Silliyak said...

I think I can speak for Leo, yes, he enjoys having two balls (of yarn) And my word verification is "ghtsm"

Jane said...

That is going to be one cosy nest! Glad to hear about the light at the end of the tunnel, always a good sign

Lisa L said...

i think your idea of working in a facility again is a good one. they hired from the outside? outrageous!

debra said...

the nest is a beautiful sculpture, Rudee! I love leaving things for the birds this time of year, including dog hair---lots of dog hair.xo

The Crusty Crone said...

Back in my working days, someone gave me some advise. If you don't want to get stuck in a job, don't do it well. (I think husbands have this lesson down pat.)

I hope things work out for you.

(I will always be amazed at nests... how do those creatures get everything to stick together? And they do it without fingers!)

Rositta said...

I've been wondering where you were. I think that working 3 days a week and maybe some weekends beats feeling unsafe but it's your choice. I have a Robins nest in one of our trees too and I hope they all hatch. I forgot though to put out yarn ends and now it's too late. I love the way the shawl is turning out, it is very pretty...ciao

Celia said...

We have a robin's nest too. She's sitting on the eggs, but no babies yet.

There's certainly safety in numbers with working for in facility. Keep us posted with your decision.

Brenda said...

Sounds like it is time for a change. I sure hope something suitable comes soon for you Rudee.
Leocifer...ha made me laugh!

Anonymous said...

That's a lot of hours working, hope you manage to get some rest inbetween.

Don't like nests at all, we have so many here on the farm, and quite a lot in our chimneys which really annoy!

CJ xx

Anonymous said...

Sorry to hear about the work situation, but maybe there was a reason for it. Maybe something better is coming your way and you don't know about it yet. You certainly deserve it. Keep seeing that light, for brighter things to come.
What you do with yarn, is like a miracle to me. I want to take up knitting so badly. That is on my To Do list, I'm just not sure how to go about it. I think it would do wonders for my mental health. You, thou, have an amazing gift and talent. I keep thinking of Ruby....

The birds at my house always make a nest in the same spot, every year, right at the front door. If I put out hanging baskets, they go in there too. When I go to water them, they scare me as they fly out at me. Enjoy them, just not the mess!
XXXXXX

SkippyMom said...

I know it isn't what you want [ultimately] but i think it would be so much better for you to be in a facility and working those shifts and you would be fabulous at it too....

The robin's nest is awesome.