Yeeeeeeeehaw!

I got a call from my interview saying that if I could pass a computer test, they could offer me the job. So I went in, expecting to take a test on using the computer. It was a paper-and-pencil, multiple choice test. Anyone who knows the difference between the cursor and the telephone could pass this test. Anyway, I got the call on Friday offering me the job and I accepted. I start orientation on 9/11.

It couldn't have come at a better time. Friday at my current job was horrible. I was working with a man who outweighs me by over 100 pounds. Apparently he had fallen before I got there, and the fire department had come and put him back into bed. Or maybe not. (I found out later that it had, but only after everything else happened.) Both hubby and wife are confused and they disagreed on whether this had happened or not. When I got there, we went into the bathroom to do a sponge bath and to use the commode. Problem is that his wheelchair doesn't fit into the bathroom, so he has to use the walker. Everything went well until he was almost back into the wheelchair. Then his knees began to buckle. So I'm wedging my knees under his butt and leaning against the wall to support me. I send the wife for the neighbor. Even with the neighbor's help, I can't get him back into the wheelchair. Eventually, we lowered him safely to the floor, and I called the fire department again. They got there and called an ambulance. We ended up in the ER at the patient's request. Here is where it gets weird. Everyone yells at me for calling for help to get him off the floor, like there was really another choice. The daughter (out of state) yelled at me multiple times. The nurse from hospice yelled at me. My office yelled at me. The only people who didn't yell at me were the firemen, the paramedics, and the folks at the ER, all of whom agreed that I had done exactly what needed to be done.

To make matters worse, I sprained every muscle in my body letting this guy down onto the floor in a safe manner, but no one cared. I couldn't get my office to send someone relieve me. They kept saying someone was coming, and no one ever came. The ER nurses kept trying to admit me to the ER because they could see I was in pain. I finally called my office and told them I was leaving due to being in so much pain that I was throwing up, even though the relief person hadn't gotten there yet. At which point they admitted to me that they had cancelled the relief person. What???!!!!! I cannot believe them. I was going to continue to accept fill-in shifts from them on the days I wasn't working at my new job, but that isn't going to happen anymore.

I must have enough gray mixed in with my red hair now that it is moderating my temper. I didn't say anything angry to anyone, despite everything that went on. I had to do a lot of anger work this week, while applying ice and hot packs to the sore muscles. I've been miserable all weekend, but I am feeling a bit better tonight. I'm supposed to work a shift tomorrow, but if I wake up stiff tomorrow, I'll let them find someone to take that shift. It'll be hard for them to find someone since it's a holiday, but I find myself lacking any motivation to go the extra mile for them anymore.

Anyway, on to something more positive - my new job! I am going to be working overnights at a domestic violence shelter. I'll be taking crisis phone calls and helping women who qualify to come in and get settled, while referring those who don't to other resources. I am very excited about this. I never had to use shelter services when I went through hell with my husband, but I did have a case manager from this same organization. My neighbor works for them, and Gumbo and I volunteer at one of their other facilities. The organization has a very high standard for their programs and I am very happy to be coming on board.

I'll do 40 hours of orientation to the company, then some on-the-job training so that I know what to do once I am alone in the office overnight. I am very excited. This organization provides a lot of different programs, adult and juvenile, so there is a lot of potential to work extra hours and move up. I start orientation on 9/11. I'll be busy that week, but this week, I'm only working 8 hours, so I should be able to heal up the muscles.

Thanks to everyone for the encouragement last week while I was doing the interview.