For the first time in at least a dozen years, I did not spend Administrative Professionals' Day in an office. I did not receive flowers or go out for a nice lunch (good bosses). Nor was I entirely ignored or neglected either (bad bosses).
Today I worked outside moving tables, unloading carts and racks of annuals and perennials, tidying up the vegetable starts and herbs, and helping lots of customers find the plants they wanted. You see, I now work in a nursery & garden store. I gave up the whole office gig to try my hand at something else. This job is a wonderful opportunity to do something very different and to learn more about a subject that really interests me. Plus I get to interact with people who love plants and gardening. Every day I discover something new, memorize a few more botanical names, and learn tips and tricks from more experienced gardeners. I find my brain acting like a big sponge, just soaking up lots of info. At the end of the day, I am very tired, but it's the good kind of tired that comes from a day of working hard and actually doing something. I feel great!
Well... for the most part I feel great. I've been a little accident-prone lately and have some nasty bumps and bruises. It's amazing the size of a bruise you can get on your derriere when a rack full of gallon containers of lavender pins your feet, bowls you over, and pushes you onto the macadam. It's a good thing I'm a tough cookie. Hmmm.... maybe I should try out for roller derby after all! But I digress...
So, to avoid a photo-less post, here's one of my absolute favorite plants. It seems apropos, no? Enjoy!
Thank you to Rainy Side Gardens for the terrific photos of the 'Black & Blue' Salvia guarantica.
-- Wing Nut, the recovering Admin Professional
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20 comments:
Hooray for you, Wing Nut, for following your heart!!! Better a few bruises (ouch) than a lifetime of administrative tedium (ouch ouch ouch), right?!
I have always wanted to work in a nursery & garden store, doesn't everyone?
Unfortunately I'm sitting in an office right now. It's my lunch break, uh yeah thats it :)!
But, I have to keep on with what I'm doing, it pays the bills and I do love the people I work with.
Sounds like you've landed yourself a very good job, Wing Nut. And I like a woman who can accessorize; black and blue derriere with matching Salvia!
Well, what a wonderful job! You must be enjoying yourself, who wouldn't, even with the rack full of gallon containers of lavender having a go at you :-( I would love to do the same, but every day at a nursery would be just way too tempting for my wallet. I lack self-control and I could easily waste my monthly 'mint' on the plants galore.
Hi Wing Nut, you are to be admired for following your heart to the nursery. Your attitude sounds like the perfect fit for helping people who love to garden find the best plants and materials to plant them. I would have to make a rule for myself about the amount of money allowed for plant purchases, even with employee discounts. Or are you like the bumper sticker, 'Will Work For Plants' ?
Frances at Faire Garden
Good for you! Life is too short to be spent in an office. Enjoy your work, (do you get a discount?), and try not to stumble. I fall on my face all the time. Literally. A real klutz, my neighbor calls me. Love the deep blue hue.
Brenda
That's great! I've been told some nurseries take on seasonal help. That's what I would like to do to get my feet wet.
Hi Ben, yes, the admin tedium was destroying my brain, creativity, and positive energy. It was a very necessary, and perhaps overdue, change.
Hi Karen, I COMPLETELY understand the part about paying the bills. I think that's what kept me in the office so long -- a good paycheck and good benefits. But after years of being unhappy, I really needed to make a change.
Yolanda - thank you so much for the laugh!! I hardly ever think of myself as well accessorized, but now... :-)
Viooltje - it's very tempting to want to buy all the new things that catch my eye as they arrive. So far I think I've used some restraint and have not gone too far overboard. I do receive an employee discount, which helps quite a bit.
Frances - I'm not quite at the point of "will work for plants" but I can understand how easily it happens! Thank you also for the compliment. My bosses have also told me that I'm great with the customers. :-)
Brenda - I've been called a klutz all my life. I like to say that my mind is so busy & occupied that I'm unaware of my surroundings and that's why I trip or fall or bump into things. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!
Gardeness - I am seasonal help, but if things go well and they really like me, they may keep me permanently. Keep your fingers crossed.
Good for you! Following your dreams can lead to great happiness. I hope that you're able to stay on at your job.
It is so weird...I think we are living parallel lives...check out my post today...
Congrats on taking the leap ~ I admire you for being courageous enough to do what many of us long to do! I hope it works out permanently for you. LOVE the black & blue salvia too ~ what a spectacular photo!
Love the black & blue! I recently chucked the corporate grind for working in a nursery myself last year. The pay stinks and hot out there in the summer, but I love my job, hope to never have to go back to corporate america.
Great - We should all follow our hearts!
The Salvia is what I call a blue flower!
/Katarina
Hello
I came to say thank you for putting a 'Pick' on today's post of ESTHER IN THE GARDEN
I got distracted by the little notices asking 'What Spice Are You?' - and I've spent the last ten minutes quarelling with the upshot from the quiz it offers.
- Cilantro.
I'm in a bad mood and think nettle would be better (possibly crossed with Helebore).
Right. I'm off now to throw snails over my neighbour's wall.
Esther
That Black and Blue Salvia guarantica make me happy. It is just an awsome plant.
O wonderful, wonderful, and most wonderful wonderful! and yet again wonderful, and after that, out of all whooping!
Congratulations to you, Wing Nut! You're the BOMB!
I always say it's better to have a pain in the bum than work for one. Good for you working with the beauties. I would love to do the same, but somehow the chemicals used in most nurseries (sprayed and stored for purchase) are bothersome to me. Do you have the same problem?
Happy May Day to ya !
I put in Black and Blue last summer and love the contrast between the bright leaves & flowers.
Seeing yours made me run out and check on it ..lol it's getting ready to bloom hope mine gets as big as yours.
Thank you for the FAV'S
Cherry
I too love anything blue in a garden. Right now I'm enjoying the bluebells in England and can't get enough. Happy May Day! It's a holiday here.
Oh that Salvia is to much! I love it.
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