Is it Better to Say Nothing at All?

Last night's Bachelorette continued to tell us why it is the best reality show on TV (at least until Big Brother starts up again next week). It was hometown visit time for Jillian, with all of her potential husbands taking her to their respective cities to meet their families.
The first hour and a half were nondescript with Jillian having 4 lovely visits with the families of Jesse (winemaker), Michael (breakdancer), Reid (boring guy) and Kiptyn (8 pack). The fun evolved when Jake (pilot, kicked off from last week) returned to tattle on Wes' sketchy motives. Was it just me, or was the scene showing Jake crying on the balcony rail reminiscent of Jason's(the most recent Bachelor) crying scene when he sent Molly packing on the second last episode? Jake's confession to Jillian regarding his knowledge of Wes' girlfriend fell on deaf ears and Wes ended up in the Final Four.
Remember when I wrote about Ed leaving the show to go back to work (weak)? Well lo and behold, guess who shows up on Jillian's doorstep right before the rose ceremony. It was Ed asking for another chance - which she gave to him by rewarding his less than spectacular departure with a rose. That left Kiptyn, Jesse, Michael and Reid vying for the final two roses. In the end Reid and of course 8-pack Kiptyn ended up with roses. And then there were four...riveting stuff...
So was it better for Jake to let her know about Wes' sketchy agenda, or should he have left it up to Jillian to figure out? When an injustice is done, we have two choices; to speak up, or say nothing at all. I'm glad he said something to her, yet it has a vibe of sour grapes... Only time will tell...
Spruce news...
Pat, Meryl and I arrived back in Calgary on Sunday night after a lengthy delay in the Dallas airport. It never fails - just when you are exhausted and anxious to get back home, mysteriously, the plane needs an essential part like a wheel or something in order to get up in the air. Anyways, we made it home safe and sound and hit the ground running yesterday. It's amazing the difference a week makes - particularly when that week falls at the end of June and the sun is at the peak of its heat capacity. The plants are looking spectacular with a little bit of rain and a lot of warm sunshine.
Canada Day weekend (although it begins on a Wednesday) will see all annuals go on sale, along with shrubs and selected trees. It is a fabulous time to fill in your beds with colorful annuals, or to add some nice shrubbery along a fence or the foundation of your home. This is also the beginning of the 'staycation' season, which will see many people spending their holiday time prettying up their yards. The Landscaping Division is seeing an influx of people asking for designs in order to implement the perfect plan for their backyard oasis' (oasees??). If you are looking for an excellent spot to pick up everything you need to do this, Spruce is definitely the place (shameless plug)!
Get Gardening, and Happy to Tuesday to all....

On the Road with Spruce...

Well here we are in beautiful Dallas, Texas for the Dallas Trademart Giftshow. Meryl, Pat, Tim and I took Spruce on the road to do a little shopping for the store. The last couple of days have been busy checking out millions of square feet of product. Everything from outdoor living stuff, to unique giftware, to furniture and rugs. Last year, we were in Atlanta and discovered many one-of-a-kind products and had great success with everything that we bought. This year is no different - we have discovered hundreds of items that will set us apart from all other retailers in Calgary. Pat and Tim have been busy spending time with reps and negotiating pricing and terms. It is aften a daunting task when you are buying things that will show up anytime between July and January. I was a little taken aback by the Christmas tunes that were playing in many of the hallways!

We work hard and play hard, so at the end of the day we head out for dinner to discuss all of the days finds, and sometimes try to solve the world's problems. The picture above is one that Tim will probably regret posing for, but we thought it was funny that he was between two hooters...ha, there's a joke in there somewhere - I'll let you firgure it out! It has been great getting to know Tim a little bit better - he has been a fabulous addition to our merchandising team at the store and now he gets to think about everything that we have bought and come up with a design theme for the store. We are even thinking forward to the 2010 Home and Garden Show, where some of the new product line will be showcased.

I can't believe it's Friday already and I haven't updated you on Bachelorette. I know, you are disappointed in that, and I truly apologize. It was an exciting episode that brought the group to Emerald Lake, Banff and Lake Louise, while travelling on the Rocky Mountaineer Train. It was so nice to see our mountains shown so beautifully for millions of people to see. Keeping it brief, we still believe that Kiptyn is the front runner (great shot of the abs as he was slipping into the hot tub). Freaky foot fetish guy - Tanner P was sent packing (thank you, there is a God!) and pilot Jake packed his bags as well. This leaves her with 5 guys that will take her to their hometowns next week, It was finally revealed what a weasel Wes (country singer guy) is, and it looks like he may get called out next week.

Well, I better head over to the Market Centre and meet Meryl and Pat. Tim left bright and early this morning back to Toronto, where he will be heading to Cambodia until the end of July. Sounds like it will be an exciting, eventful trip for him and I wish him all the best!

Enjoy your weekend - it is a sweltering 102 degrees here today, but I figure it was snowing back home 3 weeks ago, so I refuse to complain!

Kisser or a Hugger...

Well, here it is - the update. Last night on the Bachelorette, Jillian took her men to Whistler, B.C. It was absolutely stunning - Whistler, I mean...well, I guess the men were too! Front runner still seems to be Kiptyn - he's a kisser - as are Wes, Jesse and Michael. Tanner, Jake and Mark are huggers. Jillian sent hugger, Mark packing at the end of the episode, so I guess she likes the kissers.
Turmoil of the night was when Ed chose to leave and go back to his job. I think that if a place can't get along without you for 6 weeks out of a year, then they haven't structured the company properly. It brings up an interesting point - when it comes to relationships, do you choose your job or your loved ones. For myself, being in the garden centre business, I frequently choose work in the height of the season. It has taken the people that surround me 4 years to come to terms with it, but I think now they just accept it and wait for October to roll around so they can spend some time with me again. Its finding that balance the continues to elude me...
It was another fantastic weekend at Spruce - it was super busy with people looking for plants and giftware to 'Spruce Up' their yards (ha!) Most popular items that I saw flying out of there were the Blue Moon Wisteria (new Wisteria that is hardy for our climate - I bought one, so I'll let you know how it does), the mini Clematis vines (so cute!) and of course, the huge trees (for that instant mature look for the yard). Annuals were a big seller too - perhaps it was the three days of frost earlier in the week that brought people back in to fill in their pots up again! Anyways, it was a busy day Monday for all of us trying to order more stock for this week - both Pat and I put in huge orders for plants and giftware. If there's a recession going on, we certainly aren't seeing it at Spruce...
Have a fabulous week!

Suddenly the Week is Gone...

Wow, blogging during the busy season is tough - there is so much going on, but you have no time to write about it, and then before you know it you have forgotten what you were gonna write about! Meryl offered to be a guest blogger, but I haven't yet trusted him with the HUGE responsibility. I have tried to write a Bachelorette update, but everytime I sit down to do it in the evenings, I realize that my Bachelorette file is at work (yes, I have a file - this is serious stuff).
No Bachelorette update today, but will raise my glass to the Pittsburgh Penguins - exciting game tonight to win the cup over the Detroit Red Wings. It doesn't matter what sport, job or event it is, it always chokes me up when you see people fighting for something that means so much to them. When what you are doing is your passion, it is interesting to see what you are capable of. It's like the garden centre/landscaping industry - it's not for the faint-of-heart. In the height of the season, it is not unreasonable to see staff work seven days a week and possibly 10 hours a day. The only thing that makes that possible, is if it is your total passion (or you need to support a spouse and 4 children, and even then, you may lose your mind by the end of June!) It also helps when you can look at the people standing next to you, and feel admiration and friendship, knowing that they are going through the same trials and tribulations!
The perennials, annuals, trees and shrubs continue to roll off the truck. It is awesome to hear the oohs! and aahs! when plants get unpacked and placed. Judi (our supervisor of Perennials/Annuals) brings a sample upstairs everytime an exciting, new plant arrives! It's wonderful when the seasonal workers share the passion. A job is far more rewarding when you are doing something that excites you. I love the feeling of waking up and being excited to get to work - I have the greatest job ever!
Much happiness....

Time...

• We never have enough time
• Time goes by so quickly
• Time is money
• Waste of time
• Time after time
• First time, next time, last time
• Good time, bad time
• Time's up

The reality is that we always have time; we just choose not to use it wisely. Maybe that's why I haven't posted a blog for a few days!

When we don't plan ahead, often we have to make up precious time. Or, we don't have time to wait for things to come to fruition. We are seeing evidence of that at Spruce these days. We brought in some very mature shrubs - Ninebarks, Lilacs, Dogwoods, Junipers - and they are flying off the lot. These are the extra large shrubs that can give you the instant gratification as if the shrub had been planted for 3 years - they are amazing and everybody wants one!

It is always interesting to see a homeowners reaction to a newly planted landscape. As a designer, I try not to overplant initially to allow room for growth. Many clients look at the initial planting and are bewildered as to why there are so many empty spots. I ask them to trust me and give me a call 2 seasons later. It seems that you see the fruits of your labors in the third season, at which time they understand what the vision was. I have had the privilege of returning to many landscapes and seeing the smiles on people's faces when all of the plants have begun to really settle into a healthy growth pattern and start filling in those once empty spots.

You may have nothing but time, or perhaps you have no time at all; maybe it's all in how you view it...

The Update...

Gripping ep last night on Bachelorette. It was an evening of anger and jealousy in the house. What did they think they were getting into when they signed up? There was an enormous amount of kissing last night, but the one that stands out was the kiss from Kiptyn. Grace and I looked at each other and agreed "That was a Different Kiss"! Oh my, a good kisser AND an 8-pack...hmmmm. On another note, if I hear Wes' country song one more time, I may lose my mind. Front runners: Kiptyn (oh my), Ed (the dark horse), Robby the bartender... Also, my prediction...Juan will be the next Bachelorette!
I'm off to Spruce for another fun-filled day. I have to get my head wrapped around where I am going to find room for 180 flats of perennials and 200 Spireas that will be arriving on Friday - they're gonna love me...
Happy Tuesday!

It's the Small Victories...

Today, Grace and I made it from Sundance to Jimmy Condon Arena in 11 minutes flat. Many of you probably have no idea how awesome that is. We were running late because as usual I was delayed at the store and had to come home and throw a dinner together before she goes off skating for the evening. I didn't speed (well, maybe slightly...), but I hit every light just right and she made it there with 10 minutes to spare. It's the small victories...
The day at Spruce was great - alot was accomplished by everyone. The shrub/tree lot looks fabulous. It was a cold day, so everyone out there banded together and reorganized everything and it looks spectacular! The perennial lot was buzzing with activity with everyone organizing the new plant deliveries and getting everything re-alphabetized. Thanks to everyone for all of their hard work today! I managed to get through all of my meetings this morning and plant orders were done this afternoon. It all went as planned! It's the small victories... it was a good day.
Don't forget... Bachelorette update tomorrow... I know, you can't wait...