So Much To Be Thankful For

I got a job!

I've been saying, singing and laughing these words since yesterday afternoon. I got a job! With the recommendation of a friend from the clothing shop I work at (she works part time evenings) I had an interview yesterday morning with her day job, a women's clinic that houses five doctors, all Ob/Gyns. I got a desk job taking and scheduling doctor's appointments. From what I've heard from my friend, it's a great place to work, very friendly. It's been around for over 30 years, the doctor that opened the doors is still the managing doctor and many of it's employees have been there for over 10 and as many as 25 years. That says a lot. The pay is decently more than $7.25 an hour (thank you Jesus), the hours are 8:30 ~ 5 five days a week (thank you Jesus) and it has great insurance and 401k (thank you Jesus!!).

I got a job!

Last Friday I took a bad turn and hurt my knee at work. They were short handed at the shop (very typical) so I agreed to stay an extra 4 hours giving me 11 hours, 3 1/2 on my bad knee. It was really painful. I'd turned around, but my right knee and foot didn't. That's all I know. The next day I went in, though it was swollen and very painful, because, again, I just couldn't leave them short handed. However, when we ended up with 5 employee's on the floor I asked a couple of times to go home and was told no. Finally I told them I was in too much pain and would work the remainder of the shift behind the register where I didn't have to walk much. The next two days I lived and slept with my knee in ice. The swelling has gone down some, but it's still painful. Nothing like it was, but it catches when I walk and pain shoots from my knee to my hip and my ankle. The girl that got me the interview at her office called me and told me I should file for worker's comp. I don't think I've ever called in sick at a job till this week and know little about worker's comp. I asked my manager, my co-manager and the assistant manager...no help. They couldn't find the forms, didn't know what the procedure was...so finally on Tuesday (after 4 days) I called the worker's comp department of the company that owns where I work. Very, very, very helpful and extremely kind. They told me exactly what to do and not to worry about anything. I love good people.
The thing is, I'm so sorry for leaving the shop short handed. I hate it. I know my accident is putting everyone else out, I'm a burden and I absolutely hate that. I'm so very sorry. But, the more I try to put weight on my knee, the worse it is, so I can't work on it. My manager told me to take 4 ibuprofen and come in on crutches. She was probably right, and I desperately need the money, but if I'm feeling in my gut that I shouldn't (and can't) do it, I listen to my gut.

Tuesday the doctors office called and asked me to come in Wednesday for an interview. I've had so many interviews, I don't tend to get excited. I finally got in to see a doctor and they took x-rays. Everything looked good, no broken bones, etc. They told me to stay off of it completely for a week or so and when the inflammation had gone done more they would do an MRI on the 28th unless it was healing on it's own. They said they thought I'd torn a ligament. So, with the help of pain pills, I had a good interview. Loved the people there. About an hour later they called me and asked if I could come back in immediately, that the managing doctor was there and wanted to meet me.

I loved this guy. Reminded me of Ed Asner. A very 'in your face' kind of honesty; he was me in about 15 years in a man's body. He asked me direct, to the point and on the spot sort of questions. I loved it. My kind of guy. After about 20 minutes of this, he asked me if I had any questions for him, and I said 'yes, are you going to offer me the job?' That, he said, clinched it for him. I got the job. I start Monday.

I got a job!

I didn't call the shop, it was late afternoon and I didn't want to ruin my manager's Thanksgiving. But I've got to call them in the morning. I'm not looking forward to it. I can work a few nights a week for them...my friend does it. It's just going to have to wait till my knee heals because I don't want to do any further damage to it. She was begging me yesterday to work Saturday, even though I was told to stay off of it. I'm going to try if at all possible, but telling her that she's down another employee (we've lost a few this past two months) is going to break my heart.

I've tried to call, email and, in one form or another, let everyone know who has prayed for me that I am THANKFUL. It's been so great around here this past day. Casey came home yesterday afternoon after I found out I got the job. We were talking about how blessed we are, how we have so many things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving! He was telling me how all he could think of this week as he was registering for classes for next semester was how blessed he is, how everything is covered when all his friends are writing checks with their or their parent's money. All I can think of while he's telling me this is how blessed I am to have a child who recognizes, and acknowledges, how blessed he is.

I hope each and every one of you has the most wonderful Thanksgiving. I am so very thankful for all of you. Thank you for lifting me, and my family, up. Prayer is an awesome thing. Thank you.

I got a job!