Yep!  Like I said, I think it's just one of these things that's meant to be.  I'm very happy I got the job though; I did my 'I gots me a job' dance all through the house yesterday afternoon.  I should record myself doing it and put it on youtube sometime so that everyone can have a laugh over it...

Thank you very much. I appreciate your sincerity and enthusiasm!

Me too.  I think that it will be, that's why I waited for something like this to come along.  I'm capable of doing all kinds of jobs, but not many of them are as fulfilling as this one is.

I really wish you lived in my area, or should I say my in-laws area.  They had supposedly hired someone a few weeks ago and it fell through.  At this point my father-in-law is in serious need of assistance, and I fear that one day his demands and reliance on my mother-in-law will result in both falling down and breaking something rather than just him (he has broken his arm twice recently )

He won't sit still and can't walk without a walker, and barely makes it with a walker and lots of help.  It's a sad way to see life ending.  He's headed to the hospital next week to get the broken arm operated on even though the doctors originally didn't want to operate because he's so relatively week.

I wish they'd clear the blockage in his carotid artery at the same time.  That would help him immensely, but the docs have basically refused to touch that area for fear he'd die during the operation.

The hire that fell through was for (by memory) $100 per day for 7 x 12 care.  Sounds like similar pay scale to what you mention here Dharma.  Doesn't seem near enough, but then again for people on fixed income, it would add up quickly.

I'm hoping that my in-laws keep trying to find someone, and I hope they get someone that cares and will do a good job.  My son helps them as much as he can, but he has college classes and has to get away from the house every now and again to keep his sanity.  Lots of little nit pickin' things my father-in-law still fusses over (he claims to be near blind and unable to read books/newspapers, but then points to the carpet and complains about a microscopic particle of lint that needs to be picked up) that are not easy for my son to deal with.  He's scatter brained (my son that is) on his own, and can be a tad sloppy, but my in-laws are such neat freaks about some things it's driving him a bit crazy.

Ah, getting old truly stinks.

Thanks!

Done!  And for future reference, the gmail addy is the best one to use.

Me too.  I'd be more than happy to help.

A lot of times people have difficulty accepting that they can't do the things they used to; they refuse to accept that they need help getting around or help caring for themselves.  It can be quite a blow for them and they see it as a loss of dignity.  It's a tough thing to come to terms with, and relatives of the aging sometimes see their refusal to accept help as stubbornness or as plain and simple bloody-minded, when in reality it's simply a defense mechanism.  Often it takes an outsider, someone who doesn't have any emotion invested in the situation, to help the aging person come to terms with their need for assistance.   

It does add up pretty darn fast.  Even if the people needing care have medical insurance, they're only alotted a certain amount per day for extended care.  It's hard to find good help; it's hard to find people who will invest emotion and create a relationship with their patients and be compassionate and caring for $8 an hour - which is why I got hired so quickly, I think.  The fact that I do just that for free with hospice really spoke volumes about my attitude towards the elderly and infirm - or at least that's what my new boss told me.