Friday, May 2, 2008

Flower Update

You think being in the floral business is all fun and roses, huh? (After you've cleaned out your first nasty, slimy flower bucket you'll change your mind on that one.)

Anyway, found a shipper/wholesaler out of LA who SWEARS he can get my flowers to St. Thomas for me. I just completed my order and now I'll be keeping my fingers and toes crossed until I see everything with my own eyes.

I woke up at 5:30 this morning, not because I had to but because my heart was racing and my stomach was turning, worrying about this and various other business things. I actually have a very stressful job. I don't just fondle daisies all day long. I'm starting to wonder how much longer I want to do this, how much longer I want to deal with this stress. When I woke up at 5:30 this morning, I thought, "great, it's starting." "It" is the stress that consumes me and keeps me awake and runs through me with a constant humming every May through October (aka wedding season). It's that I'm responsible for so much. Everything must be perfect and arrive on time and be just as the client imagined (or better) or else. You know, I deal mostly with brides and they are so "Oh my gawd everything has to be perfect for my Very Special Day or I'm going to just die!!" Which, I totally understand since I was once a bride myself. But, it's unnerving, you know? And I'm the kind of person that takes it all to heart. I take it on myself that it must be absolutely perfect and exceed expectations, or I'm not doing my job. And, the hours are long, the work is physical, and I almost never have a free weekend to spend with my family or see any of my friends (who have normal jobs and DON'T work on the weekends) every spring, summer, and fall.

But then, I do love it all the same. Look:

9 comments:

sarah23 said...

Your work is beautiful!! I hope you'll post more at some point. I also hope that everything makes it to St. Thomas as planned. :)

Nadine said...

The flowers are so pretty! I get the bride pressure, one of my first jobs was at a bridal registry in probably the richest area of Canada. holy bride-zilla. It inspired me to be the mellowest bride ever, dh and i eloped in antigua, it was laid back and romantic, perfect.

Hope all goes well with St. Thomas.

Kami said...

I want more pictures too. I love the ring "pillow". Very cool!

elizabeth said...

Oh, those flowers are gorgeous. I especially like the little ring bearer's pillow-I've never seen anything like that.

Char said...

Oh Frenchie, you are SO talented! Those arrangements are spectacular. But I can so relate to your quest for zero defect, so to speak. It keeps me awake at night too... And then I get annoyed with myself for worrying about it! I've had to recite Matthew 6 v 25 to myself on numerous an occassion: "Do not worry about tomorrow, for today has enough cares of it's own." Don't I know it! haha.

But, you are one exceptionally talented woman. Really! Those flowers are gaaaawwwwjus darling! :o)

Bee Cee said...

This takes me back to my wedding in February. I remember talking to the florist and thinking "this must be stressful" the pressure to get everything perfect.

Your flowers are beautiful, I am sure that you have made many brides feel over the moon on their big day.

Tiff said...

Those pics are just gorgeous! Kick ass!! :)
I am sorry about all the stress...fun times. I hope you make it through the wedding season unscathed.
(Yes, I will definitely let you know next time we are in the bay area)

JJ said...

let me know if you didnt get another comment from me--i think blogger may have eaten it=(

Frenchie said...

JJ--
I think Blogger ate it...;0'