VOLUNTEERING TO A PAID POSITON

As we are getting ready to volunteer in the office, we soon learned that two paid park attendants that were hired never showed up for work.  So this makes it short handed for keeping this particular state park running smoothly.

Brian and I worked one day learning the ropes of assisting the office.  While talking to the one park ranger, I made the statement that I would be willing to work 40 hours and get  paid.  She said she would talk to the Ranger in charge of hiring seasonal and volunteers.

The following day (Sunday), we have a mandatory volunteer meeting  up in the office.  So Brian and I went early to finally meet our “boss”, Julie; which we haven’t met yet.  She is a very bubbly and easy to talk with person.  We found her to be pleasant and I think we are going to get along great with her.  Anyways, I told her that I would be interested in the seasonal full-time position, while Brian would volunteer for our site.  She liked the idea, but it’s not all up to her.  She needed to get with the Senior Ranger and the Park Manager.

We received word last night at 8:30pm that I was hired.  I think they are impressed with the 10 years of us working with the Corp and knew that I would be dependable and reliable.

As for Brian, they say he will be the “gopher” for everyone.  Basically he will be helping me out in the office-answering the phone, helping me with the window and what ever else needs to be done.

What about my foot?  Well went to the specialist yesterday (Tuesday), it’s not a calcuim build-up but a cyst instead.  I might away on it’s own or it might just get bigger.  It’s on the tendon and that is why I have discomfort the way I do.

There are two options of treatment:  1) go in several times, have them lightly numb the area and then use an 18 gauge needle to see if they could drain it.   There would be no guarantee it would go away or it could make it build up faster with more fluid.  It is very, very painful, but the down time is only a week.   OR 2) I can go in and have them completely numb my foot,  put a tunicate just above my ankle, cut above and below the cyst and then completely remove the cyst.  Down time is almost 21 days.  Well, not all the 21 days.  Once the procedure is done, I will have to go straight home, keep my foot completely elevated for 3-4 days; which means no walking what-so-ever.  Then I can be on my foot on and off, so long as I elevated in between.  I will have to have stitches in my foot for the 21 days. 

the doctor thinks the latter would be the better option, due to the size of the cyst and the hardness of it.  So I’m schedule for June 2nd to have the cyst completely removed.  The park rangers are all aware of this, and are very willing to work with us.  In fact a few have already offered to help Brian in keeping me down for the 3-4 days!!

I’m excited and looking forward to this new adventure.