We did it. Thanks to the kindness of friends we survived the Smowmagedon that was Valentine's Day.
Thursday, Elle and Gus shoveled me out of the house and I hitched a ride with a co worker in an SUV driven by her husband and filled with her children, both ways. They picked me up at 11:00am and dropped me off at 8:30pm. Elle had made chicken noodle soup for dinner.
We drove throughthe storm, fought to find an open Starbucks, stripped off layers of scarves and hats, gloves and coats and got to work.
Our driver armed himself with a shovel and set off to deliver the goods.
For once everyone was home.
Friday we showed up bright and early, picked up our knives and sent flower stems flying.
Five delivery men, with the hearts of cowboys, riding steeds with 4 wheel drive.
Five designers high on caffeine.
Four women working retail. Making loose bouquets, ringing up cards, herding children and answering phones.
Bleary eyed we ate salad and pizza for lunch. There were two kinds of homemade cookies for snacking and a local restaurant sent over boxes of cake.
Starbucks sent a box of croissants and glazed donuts.
Florists may not get flowers but we certainly get sweets.
At 6:00pm we closed the doors. One more day of work awaited.
Saturday, loads of Valentines party work to do. Centerpieces, buffets, a briday bouquet, Monday morning office deliveries.
Adrenline all gone. Moved as if under water.
Sunday, home: bed, books, House Of Cards, heating pad doing double duty, lower back and shoulder, cats snoozing, my own deep nap, cups of mint tea, Thai delivery.
Bliss.
That was the week that was. Though I'm happy it's over for another year, I'm still extremly grateful for all the care extended to us, the florists. We may not write the songs that make the whole world sing, but on a good day we can put your love in a vase. And we thank those who notice.
Now you know more about the floral business than you ever wanted to.
How was your holiday?
Five drivers? You are the VD champions!!!
ReplyDeleteCrazy right? But we deliver to DC, Maryland and Virginia, so when you go the distance you gotta have the troops. We pay by the piece so they are all eager to get each run done and fly back for another. We're so lucky, they take time off from their real jobs every holiday to come in and make it work for us.
DeleteMy granddaughter, Emily, made her big entrance into the world at 5:30 in the morning on Valentine's day, all 10 lbs., 8 oz. of her! She looks like a 3 month old, lol!
ReplyDeleteS
xo
That's a big entrance indeed! Hope it was a C-Section. Congratulations to all. Best Valentines present ever!
DeleteDear Beach Bungalow,
DeleteCongratulations, new Grandma!
Welcome to a delightful new, pressure-free version of parenting. Thats quite a big "bundle of joy," for sure.
Diane
in Denver
aka GrandDee
(of three)
Congratulations! Pretty name.
DeleteYou are officially an honorary Canadian Mountie, well done! Congrats to Beach Bungalow, 10 lbs. 8 oz.??? Ouch!
ReplyDeleteI know....nice gift for the grandparents. Hell for the mom me thinks! Makes my VDay look like a walk in the park!
DeleteWELL DONE YOU. While you are lying there exhausted think of how much pleasure you have created.
ReplyDeleteAnd congratulations (and ouch to the new mum!) for Beach Bungalow's Valentine present - how wonderful!
Holding that thought in mind! It got me through the day also. Glass half full here.
DeleteJane... I am exhausted just reading about the work to deliver love to all those folks! Sweets for the flower shop...now that is brilliant! Sugar rush can help you through the day. Hope you can relax, rest, and rejuvenate today! Congrats to BB and family on that sweet Valentine bundle of joy! Baby Emily will always have a birthday filled with love!
ReplyDeleteI have a massage this afternoon. Looking forward to being able to use my arms again:-)
DeleteA VERY long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, I was a shop helper on Saturdays, V-day, and Mother's day. From that experience, I learned that however glamorous the floral busio had looked to a 15 year old, it was NOT all Jane Austinish-arranging-flowers-while-having-a-cuppa-and -contemplating-life, LOL.
ReplyDeleteGlad you could get all your orders taken care of despite the wretched weather.
Thai food that's delivered always tastes best, doesn't it?
Yes it does and I have leftovers. Monday night is looking good too!
DeleteActually it's fascinating!
ReplyDeleteWell thank you. It's fun to do too, stress and all.
DeleteI agree with LPC, it's fascinating! Thank you for letting us have a peek at the florist's life on Valentine's. It sounds physically exhausting but rewarding in the end.
ReplyDeleteWhen the phone doesn't ring with complaints the day after... then you feel rewarded!
DeleteThank goodness for Sunday, but even more so, thank goodness for florists.
ReplyDelete:-))
DeleteFully agree with all above! As a floral recipient occasionally, i keep thinking of all the people who you & your colleagues have made happy on these special days. One quick question, you kept mentioning all the men buying for all the women. Nice enough but rather traditional, no? Do ANY women come in pour acheter les belles fleurs pour les gentilhommes? It is the 21st Century, non? Enjoy the massage & bet you will sleep well, encore ce soir.
ReplyDeleteDiane in
(warm?!?)
Denver
Some women but not as many as usual. Apparently the other half of Arlington was at the airport hoping to fly to warmer climes. This did not work out. No flights. They came in on Saturday for flowers:-)
DeleteA heroic bunch you are. I love all the details.
ReplyDeleteThat chicken soup must have tasted delicious!
It was just what the heavens ordered/ Don't I get the best roommates?
DeleteHeavens, you deserve a good rest - and your massage! "We can put your love in a vase" is a great phrase! X
ReplyDeleteLet's brand it!
DeleteI'm pitching in with a big shout for Gus, the shoveler par excellence.'And Elle, who surely helped.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous tulips, to close.
He looks like he's just shoveling his way through the snow doesn't he? Mr Burly Man.
DeletePhew!
ReplyDeleteI know. I got tired just writing about it.
Deleteyou spread love and happiness...that should make it all worth it. :)
ReplyDeleteI had the worst migraine ever, stayed only 1 hour..just long enough to take my own flowers home!
Oh I'm so sorry to hear that. I had one on VDay once but a Doctor friend called in a prescription and within the hour I was able to proceed.
DeleteDoesn't always work out that well though.
Hope you're feeling better and that it didn't last too many 24 hours.
Hugs.
Bless you! I do hope you are taking a day off. In the meantime I stand and applaud you.
ReplyDeleteYes Sunday and Monday. The massage made it all go away:-)
DeleteWow! You really do spread the love. Is Mothers Day the same sort of pace? Enjoy your well deserved massage. I need one, just reading about your schedule.
ReplyDeleteAnother year done. Is this the busiest flower holiday?
ReplyDeleteLove the photo of Gus!
I know he's so butch right? Mothers Day is busier but we don't care. We have peonies and it doesn't snow!
Delete