I just got off the phone with the HR person. It is now finalized and even negotiated paid time off to visit when my family comes later this summer; this has been planned for 10 months, their coming to see me, which is once a year. She asked me why I applied if I knew I would be needing this time; I explained that positions like this did not come open very often, that I did not want to lose out on this opportunity to work with them, and really, the time is a miniscule blip in the scheme of a long and devoted career commitment to them, and hopefully if given the chance, they will consider it that way too. My T & I were also concerned about, after not working for so long, not being able to have a moment to catch my breath. Being low man on the totem pole,it would be awhile before I would be able to get vacation time. It might be exactly what is needed to ease into things and a good time to negotiate this.

I will start later in July because I still have to do a physical and drug screen; there were not that many appointment times available to get this in with employee health, so that is why the delay.

Just am so relieved though and excited. It would be nice to start sooner for the pay and benefits but this time will give me a chance to review some material before starting besides have a bit of a summer vacation, in addition to getting some home projects done. Unfortunately I hope the time won't work against me to psych myself out; it took so much of my nerve to apply in the first place. Hopefully doubt won't set in about the realities of working again. Oh my, I have a job. I'll just try to focus on enjoying the rest of this time off in the interim though.

Thanks again for your support. Means a lot! Wishing you well. Take good care meanwhile.