I've just taken a big scary step,

16 years ago

Ive been given a leave of absence from my comfortable,reliable well paying job of a gazillion years because I really just want to "dig in the dirt"and today I told yet another person that I just want to be a gardener and she said those magic words "We need a gardener"GASP, I said I'm a green gardener, rotary mower, she said they already have a person to mow ,what they want are flowers, lots of flowers,GASP!!!! This is a Victorian B&B with a little cottage on the property within walking distance of my house.

I will be talking "turkey" with these wonderful folks tomorrow....please hold my hand....I really want this, Martha

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Comments (45)

natvtxn
16 years ago
WOW! What a deal. Here, taken my hand.....
0
mora
Original Author
16 years ago
Got it LOL, thanks, M
0
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aftermidnight Zone7b B.C. Canada
16 years ago
OMG, Martha go for it. Working at something you love is something not many get to do. I'm holding your hand, got all my fingers and toes crossed for you too.
When we moved back here from Ocean Fall had to buy a car (people in O.F. didn't own cars), we bought a house, we had 3 kids 10, 8 and 6, money was tight (no money for flowers).
The phone rang one morning it was the owner of the nursery just up the street from us. The conversation went like this... Hello, I said hello, she said... a little birdie told us you loved gardening and that you knew your plants... I said I know about some plants and I do love gardening. She said how would you like to come work for us, it will only be the hours your kids are in school and on weekends for the next 3 months. She said hello, hello, hello, are you there. I was picking myself up off the floor, I must of sounded like an idiot, I think I choked out something about talking it over with DH and getting back to her and then hung up on her. I worked part time at this nursery until it was sold and then worked full time for the new owners. The new owners brought up the possibilities of me managing the nursery for them but I had to turn them down as it would take too much time away from my family.
Good Luck, I hope the job is as good as it sounds. I can see you doing the happy dance.

Annette
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solana
16 years ago
Martha: As they say in the ads, "Just Do It"! Leave of absence means you can go back to the cozy old-shoe job if you need to?

Best job I ever had was being hired on a mere phone call (friend who knew I had the grow bug recommended) to care for a 2nd-homer's gardens: here's where the key is hidden and, BTW, sending a check to buy plants. Lasted several years until floods washed out the bridges, gas prices put me too far away.

Don't be afraid to put your personal imprint on it unless they have strong opinions: a fresh eye with loving attention makes it fun for everyone.

Holding your hand with fingers and toes crossed,

Ana
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FlowerLady6
16 years ago
(((((((Martha))))))) Wow, what a wonderful opportunity, sounds serendipitous to me. You are in my thoughts and prayers. I'm sure you'll do just fine. You do have lovely gardens that you've created and that's what you'll do with this adventure. Have fun.

FlowerLady
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midnightsmum (Z4, ON)
16 years ago
I am soooo green with envy!!! Enjoy what is a fabulous opportunity!!! Both hands extended for holding!!
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keesha2006
16 years ago
Live that dream, life is short, don't someday regret not doing.....nothing is forever. Your choice need not be written in stone..if it doesn't work out, then you change paths and know you lived your dream, not just daydreamed about it. Imagine being paid for what you love, and the visual rewards immense. There are no guarantees in life..
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lorna-organic
16 years ago
I am so happy for you, Mora. (I know your name is Martha, but I think of you as Mora.) Some photos of your own gardens might be good inspiration for the B&B owner's to plan from. Here's to your success!

Lorna
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girlgroupgirl
16 years ago
GO MARTHA!~
Although I did not leave job, I did take one last year. I had basically been in "retirement" working here and trying to get our urban farm of sorts up and running. However, the new owner of the neighborhood hardware store was looking for people who would be interested in investing time into improving his new store and making it a nice center point of the community. They sought me out and hired me part-time and another local gal who does full-scale garden design on full-time. It is so much fun! Our garden center has doubled in size in the last year when many others around here are downsizing or closing. Instead we adapt and look carefully at client needs and wants and what is feasible for them. The flexibility and creativity you can offer your clients is so appreciated with gardening.
I wish you so much luck!

Girlgroupgirl
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todancewithwolves
16 years ago
WooHoo! lucky them!

Edna
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PattiOH
16 years ago
"Lucky them" is right!!!!

I'm sure we'll all be "tuning in" later today to find out how things went in the talk!

Good luck, Martha!
Patti
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Eduarda
16 years ago
Dear Martha, I'm reaching both my hands across the Atlantic for you! I agree with Flowerlady, that indeed sounds like serendipity. Oh, I can well envision all sorts of good things you can do with a Victorian B&B cottage garden! I hope you use your signature plants - the LUPINS you grow better than anyone I know. You go, girl! And I need the link to that B&B ;-)

Eduarda
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mora
Original Author
16 years ago
Ah gee, you folks are the best! How wonderful to wake up to such kind and encouraging words(not that I slept much)LOL.
I'm just waiting til a reasonable time(6am would have been a tad rude) to telephone and then I'm heading over. I feel like a kid going for my first job. I'll report later :0) M
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natvtxn
16 years ago
I am so glad you were hired. Was there any doubt?!
I must say I, too, am green, blue, yellow, purple, red, etc with envy.
I never liked working, but did when I had to. Had I had a job I loved to do, it would have been a lot "funner".

Yes, a link to the B&B would be nice.
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mora
Original Author
16 years ago
Yes oh yes, I took some pictures of my garden over and they said yes. Here is the B&B...M

Here is a link that might be useful: Ashlea House
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Vikki1747
16 years ago
Martha, What a dream come true!! I'm so happy for you. I noticed that the Ashlea House web site doesn't have a picture of the "grounds" of the house. I'll betcha by the end of this summer they will have redone that home page to include beautiful pictures of all your handy-work. I wish you the best of luck.
Vikki
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DYH
16 years ago
Martha,

Congratulations! I don't know your age sweetie, but doing what you love will make you happier and healthier! I wish you all the best! The B&B is so lovely and I'm sure your gardening there will be delightful and fulfilling!

Smiles,
Cameron
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georich5
16 years ago
Martha,
AIR HUGS to you!!!!
And a bunch of smiley faces!!!
georgeanne
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Eduarda
16 years ago
I can hardly wait to see what you are going to do with those terraces in front of the house, plus that *gorgeous* gazebo, which I'm already envisioning decked with hanging baskets draping with flowers... :-) I'm such a sucker for old houses, you seem indeed to have made a dream come true!

Eduarda
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memo3
16 years ago
Congratulations Martha!!!!!
What a gorgeous setting to work in. I'm so very VERY happy for you.

MeMo
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todancewithwolves
16 years ago
*LOL* Martha! I'm imagining you sneaking over there in the wee hours of the morning making plans. Guests looking out the window saying "who's that lady lurking around the grounds?" *LOL*

I enjoyed browsing the website. Such a darling B&B. Never heard of Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers, they're a beautiful breed!!

I am sharing your joy as well.

(((HUGS))) Edna
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midnightsmum (Z4, ON)
16 years ago
OK, had a look at the site and they definitely need help!!! I love the mascots - I want one!!! Before and after pics, for sure.

Too much fun!!
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Steveningen
16 years ago
Way to go Martha! I'm so happy for you. I'm sure it was a bit sad to leave your old job, but look at what an amazing door just opened for you. You are going to be part of the history of this beautiful old property. A couple of years from now guests from all over will be talking about your garden. Who knows, maybe I'll be one of them.

Congratulations!

Steven
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natvtxn
16 years ago
I have a mental picture of Steven telling Mora what should have been where, not where, etc. Generally giving her a hard time before finally telling her who he is. LOL
Just don't wear that orange hat, it will be a dead give away.
We are all soooooo thrilled and proud for you.
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mora
Original Author
16 years ago
Ha, ha Nat, Steven would never find me in the fog!
As you can imagine I have been studying any pics I can find on the net and the most recent show those terraces completely occupied with shrubs, lots of juniper and little pines. My job is to get flowers in there so I have my work cut out for me.
I think you all should book in for early spring and we'll all go shopping, wouldn't that be fun? You could help me identify all the shrubs which mostly are a mystery to me at the moment but hopefully not for long.
The second project is the little cottage on the adjoining property which is being eaten by a couple of giant junipers which thankfully are coming out. I picture a butterfly and wildflower garden all around the front, lots of hollyhocks and....well you know, our kind of stuff,LOL
Thanks for being pleased for me, I must confess to having to keep a little fear of becoming overwhelmed at bay but thats only to be expected until I can really start digging in the dirt, I'll keep you posted, Martha
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girlgroupgirl
16 years ago
That is an absolutely GORGEOUS place!! WHAT A GREAT JOB!!!
We will all help you with shrubs. That will be fun.

GGG
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mora
Original Author
16 years ago
I cannot thank you enough for that offer GGG, now what is your home phone #, ah just kidding, well not really, I am going to be asking for a lot of help! M
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todancewithwolves
16 years ago
Oh those cursed junipers! I took mine out with a rope tied to BIL truck and it took the bumper right off with the dreaded juniper. Underneath were hundreds of black widows...okay I exaggerated....maybe 50 or so.

I've seen junipers trimmed up to look like bonsai. Really cute idea in case you need a plan B.
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PattiOH
16 years ago
Congratulations, Martha!
This is going to be FUN!!!
I can hardly wait for you to get started!

(Please find out what you can about "Lynn's special breakfast beans". LOL
One guest said they are to die for! I can't imagine what kind of beans one would eat for breakfast. Pizza, yes, cold spaghetti, yes. But beans?)

You are going to do such a great job!
Patti
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midnightsmum (Z4, ON)
16 years ago
Maybe you should organize a 'work' weekend for your GW friends.....
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User
16 years ago
Just saw this thread. great good luck to you. The B&B looks wonderful and I bet you have the gardens looking smashing by summer. That gazebo will be such fun to do. I would love to come stay in that 3rd floor suite. What is the best time of year...July ? c
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lorna-organic
16 years ago
Patti, I make a pot of Boston Baked Beans every once in awhile, and eat leftovers on toast for breakfast. (Salem is my hometown.) In New Mexico, people sometimes eat pinto beans for breakfast. The favorite restaurant breakfast here is Huevos Rancheros, which consists of a steamed corn tortilla topped with sunnyside-up eggs covered with chopped green chili sauce (which comes in red or green color depending upon how mature the chilies were when picked), and pinto beans on the side.
Lorna
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thinman
16 years ago
Wow, it sounds like a great job, Martha. Congratulations to you! Ashlea House looks beautiful, but it could definitely use the Martha touch, and by that I mean you, not that less talented ex-convict on TV.

I am hoping that we will all be able to see pictures of your progress from time to time.

ThinMan
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BecR
16 years ago
Hi Martha, way to go!!! You lucky gal you.:-) and within walking distance, too!
I just love all things Victorian!!! The gazebo, the porch and the gingerbread on Ashlea house--soooooo romantic. And that view!!!

Can't wait to see the garden transformation! In fact, I have a book entitled "Creating a Victorian Flower Garden". A great read, and has some interesting hx info, photographs, drawings and designs, and plant lists! Let me know if you want me to look up something for you.

Oh, BTW, wouldn't it be nice to have some of those delectable sounding Ashlea B & B recipes to post here at our Cottage, as well.

Becky
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faltered
16 years ago
Oh Martha, congrats! What an awesome job!!! I can't wait to see what you come up with. We all definitely need to start booking rooms there to come up for a visit!

Congrats,
Tracy
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gldno1
16 years ago
Congratulations.....what a wonderful opportunity to get paid for doing what you love to do!
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natvtxn
16 years ago
You think maybe we are puting pressure on her?
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mora
Original Author
16 years ago
Golly, pressure is right...right on! I have discovered(uncovered lots of very expensive looking landscaper's material under most everything so I must think twice and cut only once, been pouring over pruning books and getting mentally prepared..who needs sleep anyway :o)
The best time to visit NS is Sept, so get your cute little butts up here then, we'll have a ball, I will try to get Lynne's recipes and report back, Thanks all, Martha
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irene_dsc
16 years ago
How exciting!!! Congratulations! What a wonderful opportunity!

And the owners didn't know what a marketing bump they would get just by hiring you!!! I can just see Steven playing a goofy trick on you...

And, I noticed they have a family suite! How cool! I've never been to Nova Scotia...
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natvtxn
16 years ago
Martha ~ I don't think I can make it. I just checked the milage and it is 2777 miles from San Antonio, TX to Lunenburg.

About 15 to 20 years ago my parents went to NS. They parked their RV on a shopping center lot.
A couple of boys were pitching a baseball and it hit the RV. Those boys were so scared and ran home. Daddy got the ball and walked to their house to return it. You have to have a mental picture of Daddy, 6 foot 4 inches, stetson hat, jeans and western boots. He assured Brian that no harm was done. They became fast friends. Brian was in awe of this tall Texan.
He said, are you really a cowboy? So daddy told him some tall tale about being a rancher, riding horses etc. None of which had happened since Daddy was a boy in Oklahoma.

Daddy got some texas thing (?) out of the motor home and gave it to him. Brian came every day to visit them. When they pulled out heading home, their last view was Brian was standing there with tears waving goodby.

He wrote to them over the next few months. The next Christmas the phone rang and it was Brian's father. He told Daddy that all Brian wanted for Christmas was to call the cowboy in TX.
Isn't that a great story? I bet to this day that little boy remembers his cowboy.
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mora
Original Author
16 years ago
I love that story, your Daddy sounds handsome and sweet.
Am I going to have to get Jay to round everyone up in the really big dory(except Kent,LOL)and sail you all up here? Martha
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natvtxn
16 years ago
Ok, I'm ready!
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mora
Original Author
16 years ago
Cool, maybe I could send something somewhat bigger(see my new post,LOL)M
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thinman
16 years ago
Hey, Jay can swing by Lake Michigan, and he won't even have to get out of the boat. I'll be packed and waiting on the dock.

ThinMan
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mora
Original Author
16 years ago
No problem T'man, your berth is secured, M
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I've just taken a big scary step,

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