Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Eating My Words

I had another post in mind to write, pictures edited and computer ready to roll ,when I read a new comment from Camille on my last post.  And it made me stop and think about how lucky I am to do what I do in an unstable economy.

 TheVintique Object wrote:
I've only ever made corsages and boutonnieres for weddings, so I can only imagine the scrutiny and hand cramping over homecoming flowers. Goodness.

On the other hand, it's nice to have the business, no? My friend has a flower shop in San Francisco and reports that more than half have closed in this recession.
Camille
October 18, 2011 5:34 PM

I work in a company town, and that company is the government and those jobs come with many benefits. Benefits for both government employees and those who serve them.

Because of the "company" I  can work in a small shop with excellent, albeit expensive, health insurance half of which is paid for by the owners. I can have 2 weeks paid vacation and  other bonuses too numerous to mention.  But that birthday cake from my favorite bakery is a big one.

I get 2 lattes from Starbucks delivered to my work table daily.  One AM, one PM.  

I get to do arrangements with the freshest flowers and order what's new from around the world.  If a customer brings in containers for a party I can say " I don't know how much it might cost to fill these, do you just want to leave your credit card number and I'll run it through when I'm done"?  And the customer says"Sure".


I can own a little house on a florists' salary, though I do rent out the 2nd bedroom to keep the balls spinning in the air.

The last two times we have been crazy busy at work I've said to our flower cleaner, Celinda, " Esta loca" and Celinda says to me " Good, Jane".


Celinda and Camille are both right.  It's good to be busy.  And now all I have to do is keep repeating this mantra when the 3 wedding, 1 BIG homecoming dance hits us this weekend.

 Buena. Bon. Prost. Good. Words to live by.

Thank you for the gentle kick in the rear.


Posted by flwrjane at Tuesday, October 18, 2011
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18 comments:

  1. AnonymousOctober 18, 2011 at 6:53 PM

    amen . . . well said.
    It would do us all good to look at all we truly have and be thankful.

    Just focus on the bath at the end of that busy day!

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  2. helen tilstonOctober 18, 2011 at 7:24 PM

    Wishing you continued success and happiness.
    Helen

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  3. helen tilstonOctober 18, 2011 at 7:24 PM

    Wishing you continued success and happiness.
    Helen

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  4. BonnieOctober 18, 2011 at 7:36 PM

    Beautifully written post. I second what is said above. I might add the book awaiting next to the hot bath:) Bonnie

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  5. Denise | Chez DanisseOctober 18, 2011 at 8:57 PM

    It's a good life, Jane.

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  6. An Urban CottageOctober 18, 2011 at 9:15 PM

    I love Camille. She's a gem.

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  7. the gardener's cottageOctober 18, 2011 at 9:31 PM

    ditto to sarah and steve. you and camille are 2 of my faves in blogland. well said jane. well said.

    xo

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  8. flwrjaneOctober 18, 2011 at 10:11 PM

    Sarah, Yes it does do a person good. And I'll keep my eyes on the bubbles.

    Helen, Thank you and thank you again:)

    Bonnie, you all know me too well. Never bathe alone, always bring an author1

    Denise, It is and it's good to remember.

    Steve, I think I met her at your house.

    Janet, Thank you, thank you. What a great reminder that comment was.

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  9. Sara LouiseOctober 18, 2011 at 10:55 PM

    Nice! I need a little kick in the rear myself. Best of luck with the business :-)

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  10. MadeliefOctober 19, 2011 at 1:35 AM

    Dear Jane,

    It's good to realise how fortunate your are. I think doing it now and then makes you into a happier person :-)

    Enjoy your flowers!

    Lieve groet,

    Madelief x

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  11. rachelOctober 19, 2011 at 3:55 AM

    A nice thoughtful post, Jane.

    Here, people are a bit sniffy about having a Butlins holiday camp in the town; I just think how my mum made a good, if extremely hard-worked living as a seaside B&B landlady, and that if it wasn't for holiday-makers, such little towns would die....

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  12. MiseOctober 19, 2011 at 4:40 AM

    It's a nice perspective on the business, Jane, and you always come across as such a wonderfully industrious person that it may be the case that a quieter life would not suit you anyhow.

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  13. Sweetgum ThursdayOctober 19, 2011 at 2:57 PM

    How very lucky to have found what you love to do and be able to pay the bills doing it. That's the ultimate combo, so enjoy.

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  14. Raindrops and DaisiesOctober 19, 2011 at 3:28 PM

    I am so glad that your business is doing well and making you happy.

    x

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  15. webbOctober 19, 2011 at 4:51 PM

    It's nice to be reminded how interconnected we all are. Some of our "companies" are smaller and provide fewer ripples in the economy that yours, but you are helping Starbucks TWICE a day (I am way jealous of that!) and those baristas are sending their dollars back around in another cycle of spending, so we are all helping each other .... as we can. A good post and a good reminder. xoxo

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  16. Jane FlanaganOctober 20, 2011 at 9:29 AM

    Yes, very good to be busy. And - even more - to love what you're busy doing. But you're still allowed have moments when it's stressful and you need a break, knowing that you'll come back to feeling happy again.

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  17. AnonymousOctober 20, 2011 at 10:55 AM

    It IS good to be busy during this rocky economy. I bow to my good fortune that I'm even still in business.
    I sit in my shop on a slow day like today, confident that it's just a lull and take in what I've created.
    That said, it's a tough business. An occasional whine is a relief when I'm beat too!!! So, thank you Jane for whining and inspiring!!

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  18. JenOctober 21, 2011 at 5:49 PM

    It is good to be in a company town, especially when that company is the government and won't go out of business. I'm so happy that business is good for you! And it's okay to complain about it too, because you do it with warmth and humor and style (your style). And we're in your corner.

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