Tuesday, January 4, 2011

More Adventures In Wonderland


Sitting at work in the aftermath of Christmas.  Work has slowed down to a whisper and I'm forced to answer the phones to keep busy.

Conversation #2 with a customer :

May I help you?

I'd like to send flowers to my 9 year daughter at  her elementary school on Friday.
She's about to become a big sister and I want her to think it's still all about her.  She's been an "only" for 9 years now. So I want a flower arrangement, something bright and a balloon that reads" Congratulations on becoming a big sister".

We don't have a balloon like that, how about a You're Special balloon?

Yes, ok and maybe some candy and a stuffed animal and can you get it there first thing Friday morning?  Now I have to take this other call, it's my anesthesiologist calling back and I'm having contractions right now.  I need to get the C section scheduled and flowers for my daughter ordered today.

Um. sure.

Phone rings again, I'm waiting for some screams but we continue calmly with the order.

I should have taken another weeks holiday.  I'm not ready for this yet.

21 comments:

  1. Hey, Alice - what's that flower in the pic called? It's breathtaking!

    S
    xo

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  2. Silly rabbit, it's an ornamental cabbage.

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  3. Now come on, be honest what would you have to amuse us all with without phone calls like this!
    On the other hand what a gloriously organised and put together Mum!! xoxo ~ J

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  4. Yeah, but who sends flowers to an elementary school. Bet they (the teacher and administration) will just love that! And, what's a little girl got to look forward to if she's gotten delivered flowers at nine? How about a balloon and a stuffed animal? Not meaning to hurt your business, Jane, but really???

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  5. i'm with webb. it's kinda cute but geez mom.
    on the other hand, you and your cabbage are adorable.

    xo
    janet

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  6. I'm in agreement with Webb, too. Spoiled kids, anyone?

    OK, now the name of that ornamental cabbage, Jane.

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  7. Exactly Ladies, this is one entitled area we service here!

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  8. Karen I believe it's a Dynasty White. Pretty heavenly,huh?

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  9. That's so funny! But I really appreciate that mother's love for her first daughter ordering flowers through contractions like that! :-)

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  10. Love the gorgeous ornamental cabbage but... hmmm not sure that the daughter will LOVE the gift of flowers (even though they are not just ANY flowers of course by Flwrjane!). Methinks that the Mother will have her work cut out later on when home with new babe! X

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  11. Hi Jane,

    What a special start of the new year :-)! You have the strangest customers in your shop. You must be walking around with a smile on your face all day?!

    Lieve groet, Madelief

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  12. i LOVE your customer stories. so funny/bizarre/how do you put up with some people?

    xo Alison

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  13. You sell balloons?

    Does this mean that you have a huge tank of helium.......?

    xx

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  14. Sara Louise, I know, I know but I still wanted to shake her.

    Madelief, I know I thought "all about her" on Friday .Saturday comes the fall from grace?

    Alison, Thanks, Now I think to myself. I'm writing you up! This thought stills my tongue.

    Miss P., Yes we do. It's ginormous. What I wish we had is a tank of nitrous oxide.

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  15. Hi Jane - While I understand and applaud the woman's desire to make her daughter feel special (as an "oldest" I remember how it felt when someone smaller and cuter came along!), flowers delivered to her in elementary school seems a bit over the top. Where is the little girl going to put them while she's in school? When I had my second, I got my first born daughter a Cabbage Patch doll and she was happy! What a fun job you have! Karin

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  16. I could feel myself beginning to tut disapprovingly there..... I was 7 when my first baby brother came along, and 9 when the next one came, and I was THRILLED - real live dollies! I was just the right age for them, and didn't need flowers or sympathy for either occasion. (My poor sister arrived when I was 3, though, and I don't think I was at all impressed by her.) You are very patient and forbearing, Jane.....

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  17. Your customers sound like very special people, very open, very confiding, charmingly prescriptive in their requirements. I tried to keep that sentence very positive. Now I feel a phone call to you coming on. I'll be needing a wreath for my head, and needing it quick. I may also tell you about my mythical special dietary requirements. Hell, why not?

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  18. Fun post i enjoyed reading this one as well as the looking at lovely picture. The story kinda touch me since i never had any siblings ever. Yeah, well anyways love your cat so adorable!

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  19. Thanks to Kristin at "My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia" my first ever link party for Cottage Flora Thursday's is up & running! Inviting you to come over & link a cottage garden post you may have & please advertise "Cottage Flora Thursday's" on your post that you link!! & don't forget to become a follower of my blog !!!

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  20. I think my daughter might be mortified with embarrassment if I sent flowers to her school. Should I worry about that? You just begin to think you are doing okish as a mum and then an alpha mum goes and raises the bar!!! Sweet thought, though, i guess! Your shop sounds fun/surreal! xx

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