Hi there, guys and dolls! What a day I’ve had. You know, not all Workday Wednesdays are the same. This one certainly had its highs and lows. Settle in for my bumpy ride!

All was fine and good when I arrived this morning. Brrring goes my telephone and there’s Gloria from the switchboard, frothing at the mouth with boffo news for me. She had heard from Debby, who heard from Debbie that Suzie heard from Susan that I was being praised from the big boss for my stellar work habits and attendance. And, there was mention of a raise!

Glory be, I almost dropped the phone. A raise? Unheard of in our office. Why, with all the talk of ‘always room for improvement’ and ‘work hard to climb that ladder’ it was unheard of to simply receive a raise without crying, begging or lying about a sick mother (it has been done, just ask Trudy – how else do you think she got that snazzy new car…). Well, I was tickled pink! Oh, what would I do with my new found fortune?

The next thing I knew, I found myself standing at the window of the local fine jewelers on my lunch break. And then at the counter. And then, trying on some oh so precious rocks. I will say, they did become me! And why not, I say? Charge it, I’ll wear them out the door!

I must say as I walked down the street, the sun glinted off my gems, blinding all who came near me. I felt pretty darn glamorous, I must say. Like a million bucks! Just like my new raise would have to be to pay these suckers off, but that’s okay, I’ll do it over time, it’ll be worth it. After all, did you hear I’m getting a raise? Sorry, had to say it again.

Back to the office I get, and the big boss is standing in front of my desk, all pleased as punch with himself. He says he wants to talk to me. Well, I’m all for that! And he starts praising me, my punctuality, work effort (I don’t think he’s been paying attention around the office, but frankly, who has…), all that good stuff. In the meantime, I’m still just dazzled by my new trinkets and almost listening to him.

Anyhoo, eventually he gets to the part about rewarding me for such exemplary performance, and steps out of the way and reveals what I’m getting. A new typewriter….Whaaa? Not a raise, a danged piece of office equipment.

Fortunately, the jewelers were still open by quitting time. They were quite moved by my sick mother routine, followed by the unlashing torrent of tears (thanks, Trudy – the emergency coaching lesson in the ladies’ during afternoon coffee break paid off…) and bye-bye jewels and hello, keys….

Gotta go, ribbon’s tangled again in that new infernal piece of um, I mean, the terrific new machine!

Thanks for reading and stay tuned for more posts. And don’t forget to give my Poppy Cove Mysteries a try if you haven’t already.

Toodles, Barbara Jean