Shana-na-na-na-na-na-na-na...

I used to love change. Now that I'm a little older, going through the motions of predictability throughout my day tends to comfort me. Don't get me wrong, if the Publisher's Clearinghouse people came to my door with flowers, balloons and a gigantic check for ten million dollars (do they even do that anymore?)...I would welcome that surprise of change. Thursday, however, I got change of a different kind.

The unfortunate reality of the troubled economy reared its ugly head at my company on Thursday. It started like a normal Thursday. I woke up thinking "I wish I could go back to sleep...I'm SOOO tired". I got into work about ten minutes late. I filled up my giant cup of water and made my breakfast burrito. Talked to my coworkers Tina and Judie for a few minutes. And then started my work. It seemed like a normal Thursday.

Suddenly, Tina, my sweet friend and anxiety blocker in human form, was missing. Her purse and coat were gone, but her lamp was on and cell was on the desk. After about an hour of trying to figure out if Tina had gone home sick, we found out the devastating news...lay offs had struck not only our company, but right down the hallway...TINA!

I believe it was announced that fifty-nine people were laid off Thursday. On top of that, we were told that all employees would be getting a pay reduction for one year...or until the economy turned.

Change happens...change happened...and it will happen one day again.

Tina will be missed. The sting of pay cuts will linger for a year. Will I survive this round of change?

You know it!