HIEEEEE
I was in Fairway the other night... (and for those of you located outside NYC; Fairway is a small tri-state area franchise , and there happens to be one located not 5 blocks from me in Red Hook Brooklyn. This mirage of food - what with it's international delectables, cheap olive oil, plethora of nuts and other sundries - not to mention a cheese section worthy of my attention 5 days a week - comes with a price. That price is not being able to cross the street in my neighborhood on a sunday afternoon when I'm just trying to walk the dog and have to watch yuppie mobiles from park slope and beyond terror through our tiny hamlet on their way to enjoy the same god-given right (for now) of shopping for groceries but must they drive 50 miles an hour on Van Brunt Street and must they careen their shopping carts down the dairy asile as if no one else is browsing for keifer? Am I ranting again? Sooo SORRY!!!)...and a toddler in a shopping cart suddenly blurted out "Daddy that lady does NOT look happy." There I was, just trying to buy buckwheat. (I have crazy ideas about buckwheat, you don't even KNOW!) The girl's poor father was mortified but I was suddenly enlightened - what a better way to remember to hold steady, even in the supermarket and remember my recent mantra: After thirty - always be smiling. ALWAYS be smiling. When you're in your early 20's frowning can be cute (I would argue that's how I landed Eric) but now a days too many grumpy looks are governed by gravity. Plus, I'm a Finn - we frown professionally and sadly are not known for aging well. Except you dad!!
This was going to be a post about how you should come to our store to stock up on last minute gifts. But really what you should come out for is to witness Eric and I getting along again after a fairly epic argument that ended with Eric sleeping on the couch earlier this week. It's been a long stressful year. Being in business with your spouse is tricky. My mother got me a book years ago called "Entrepranurial Couples." It's laying around somewhere. She asks me where it is once in a while; and I remind her that the author was once in business with her partner and now they are divorced. You think they would keep that off the liner notes.
Just when my wedding season rolls to a close, his retail soap sales skyrocket. We're on different planes. The stress of the season ends up coming home with us. Resentment ensues. We do the very best we can but it's not always pretty. I'm crazy about Eric, but I'm also crazy about my work and the result of that is complicated.
Where am I going with this? My head has been in the clouds the last few days. I'm not editing. But I did just book a flight tonight. Separate vacations. Tonight we have to pull it together and go to another holiday party. Good nite.
22 comments:
Love this beautiful & thoughtful post. I can totally relate to various bits of just owning your own business & how great it is to remember to smile more! I love the idea of smiling from every part of your body-- NOT easy! that will really show you where tension lies.
I can even relate to the whole Fairway madness on Sundays (yep, I live in that building.) Best shopping - any weekday after 8, but the crowds can be entertaining too.
So all of that before we even discuss the flowers... which all I can say is Wow. That is a whole new twist on Holiday perfection.
thanks :)
The visit was useful. Content was really very informative. From www.rightshopping.in
Oooooh, I feel you on this. We've been circling like two growling dogs,hair standing on end and tails in full puff for months. Throw in a few time sensitive projects that require us working just feet from each other for many,many days in a row and BOOM! it's not pretty ;)few understand what it takes to balance it all.
I had a boss once who told me I needed to smile more and that I needed to act more happy with the customers. I quit a few days later.
Sadly I now have a pretty deep scowl line between my eyebrows.Maybe I should have taken her advice. :)
Wow. I love your honesty. I am seriously sitting here, on a Friday night annoyed and irritated beyond belief with my (wonderful yet equally stubborn) husband. Awesome. Thank you for reminding me I am not the only half of a married/startup-self employed couple out there who feels this.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
All of the arrangements are beautiful. Such wonderful frosted colors.
I usually opt for a stone face. Neither frown furrows or laugh lines. It's worked for me.
Don't worry; be stone faced.
I just wanted to let you know how much I look forward to not just your beautiful photographs, but to your writing, thoughts and views. I've been enjoying your blog for over a year now and I love your honesty about the frustrations, joys, highs, and lows in your life and business.
Epic arguments can make the future sweeter. Exhausting, though and scary.
You are adorable!!!
I love, love, love your blog and was sad to hear that you've had a rough time lately. Speaking from my own experience, my husband and I remodeled our house in a very similar manner to your farm, and it was one of the most challenging times in our marriage, but now that it's done, we hardly remember that friction. I've spoken to other couples who experienced the same thing. The weight of the project starts to seep in, consciously or subconsciously.
Wishing you all the best for the New Year!
Ps-Turning 30 next year and Iove the idea of always smiling!
Moving into the future with your own individual projects is one thing, it's wonderful when you have something peaceful together, a place you can meet in the middle so to speak.
But then when the thing you have together is not at peace it's beyond stressful. It's a very thin line to cross. I think it's hard to find a place to land without feeling alternately guilty, resentful, and wiped out.
You will get to the peace again, maybe you can find an interim place together. One designated night you both take a break and breathe? You two will find your way.
Thanks for being real. I love your art, photography, ideas, wit and tirades. Plus, your flowers are the bomb.
My friend JB thought you were on a White House TV special about Christmas tree decorations. After some discussion, we think it was your Brooklyn colleague who uses logs, moss and flowers.
Little Flower School in Petaluma looks amazing but too rich for my blood.
Umhum. I too work with my husband and I absolutely hated his guts two days ago. But now I love him again. It's just the way it is. He is sometimes a absolute asshole and on other occasions it's me. It's worst when we both behave like silly kids. Doesn't happen often and we really truly love to work together and wouldn't have it any other way. I love how refreshing your honesty is and you photos are stunning.
You are absolutely the most gifted florist and photographer I have ever seen!
You may not realize just how much your beautiful work can lift an ordinary person's day. Thank you.
p.s. I have worked with my husband for 30 years. Just have to take the good with the bad and roll with it...
FAIRWAY!!!!
I've announced, more than a couple of times, how much I miss that fairyland. What, with all the crazy agressive grandmothers and impatient moms-with-todders up in Harlem.
I can understand. I miss all the Brit food especially. HOB NOBS. Yes, I said it. Delicious. (and their cherry smoked ham. mmm)
miss you sarah....why don't we live down the block from each other? we still would probably never see each other!
Man...for me the down season is just as rough as when it's on. It is THE great balancing act and you guys have a lot going on. So hope you can buy some tasty cheese at fairway and hug eric.
i'm here when you're ready for italy.
I love, love, love so much your world. Your photos fill me. Thank you for poetry. Fanchon Lorne
I love the honesty you present in your posts, beautiful images of flowers, of your developing farm, and uncensored outpourings. It takes some bravery to share that with the world, but it really is amazing and wonderful, thank you. And I really hope one of these days I'll have an excuse to enjoy my very own arrangement... a girl can dream!
Useful content or information is described by this post.....and a great collection of flowers is looking wonderful that is shown in this post.
flood damage clean
I really enjoy reading your posts. Your honesty is refreshing. Everyone in the blog world displays a happiness that is edited and you dare to show that you too have your ups and downs despite a very successful business. Bravo to you and to much happiness and success in the new year!
It is known ergo baby carrier to be the most important keep cycle in the world that gives little one solutions. They have ergo baby nz got retailers an internet-based retailers that will help in giving a unique as well as exciting browsing knowledge with regard to their people. It possesses ergo baby carrier nz salea state-of-this-art newborn personal computer registry services that delivers a lot more comfort outfits infant desires. Baby Third People also has a Single ergobabynewzealand.com parent's area that will attends to toddlers' necessities.
Rarely find this decoration like this at my places
Post a Comment