This is Jean, the owner of our floral shop in town. She is a wonderful person. Always so kind. Her husband passed away two years ago. She stayed in business. Then she had some foot surgery and it's becoming too much for her to be on her feet all day. The yellow sign says, Barney and Jean are retiring after 43 years of business. Barney is her dog. :):)
I had to go see Jean in person and give her a thank you note, for all the years of kindness. There were many times when I wasn't sure just what to order for funerals, that she has given me the right idea. At times, you may want to give more than flowers. We both had cried before this photo.
Here Barney , such a good dog. Some times you never knew he was there in the shop.
I bought this print of an old farm house, while I was there.
I put the print here on the shelf in the dining room , along with pictures of buildings in our town. I will think of Jean, Lee (her late husband) , and good old Barney, and how nice they were to our town. I will miss them, such good people.
Yesterday was a sunny day and kind of quiet for us. Ted repaired some things that had broken, shop vacuum, and his BIL's electric knife that they take fishing. Then he mowed and weed whacked. I painted some porch things. Fixed our lunch . Then I did laundry. All our chores are caught up here. :) Well except for that daily cooking and cleaning thing.
The sun is out today. Hope everyone has a good day back to work. I remember going back to work after a nice long weekend, that was always tough. I wish you all well. XO
Good Morning!! What a lovely thing it is to have such a long-standing town "institution" as that family and their flower shop. Just to call and not even say who you are---just Hello! and "Would you please make me up an arrangement for WMU/The Sunday School Luncheon/the funeral on Tuesday?" And they know who you are and just what you like.
ReplyDeleteI hate to see all these old familiar traditions change---the lady who had ours is my age now, and I don't know if she's still in business, or if she just passed on the name to new owners.
Having some more kitchen renovations today---two years ago didn't quite finish the job, so we're walking through cabinets strewed downstairs, and having it finished to a T this time.
Glad you had such a fun, productive weekend.
rachel
Rachel, Jean's flower shop was just as you said here in your comment. I know I will miss them something awful. I live outside town and it is handy to just call and say what you would like or even ask what she thought...and it was always perfect. Oh my gosh, I do not know if I could live thru another remodel. I Hope it goes quickly and ends up just as you wanted. Blessings to you, xoxo, Susie
DeleteSo sweet of you to go see your florist friend and thank her for all her assistance over the years. You both cried together, I know she appreciated you coming to see her. So she is leaving your town, too? Sweet little Barney does look like a good dog. I like your shelf and the print you got. It is sunny and no wind here today. I love it!
ReplyDeleteNonnie, Thankfully Jean is staying in town. She even gave me her cell number...so we will meet for lunch , once in a while. I am so glad you love sunny, low wind days too. LOL... I am thankful for every day of my life...but I now the ones that make me smile. :) Blessings to you, xoxo, Susie
DeleteTough time for her..I'm sure that shop and the people have been her life..Love the print that you bought..Barney seems like a sweetie..I'm sure he has been good company..I hope they enjoy their retirement..
ReplyDeleteMissy, You are right about that shop and the people going in and out being so much a part of Jean's life, especially after her husband passed. Some people told her she should retire and she told me, "I think I want to stay as long as I can...I'll know when I am ready." Too bad it took foot surgeries to make the time come quicker. Yes, that dog is so gentle, I am thankful Jean has him. Plus she still has children in our area. Blessings to you and your furry pals. :):) xoxo, Susie
DeleteSusie, I bet you'll miss your friend from the floral shop. This is a nice picture of the two of you. It's always hard to see our favorite business' close down. There was an angel shop here in town that I loved, and it closed down and really miss it. I'm glad that you got this old farm house print from her shop. Now, you will always have something to remember her by.....and her dog. It looks nice on your dining room shelf.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a wonderful week, Susie.
love, ~Sheri
ps the old farm house print reminded me of that old abandoned house in your town that you post about sometimes. Although this one looks in better shape. : )
Sheri, You know we connect to people in businesses in our hometowns. After a life time of seeing them...they become like family. Jean will be so missed . Funny you mentioned the old house. It is really looking sadder each day. I need to get some photos and post them. The roof has caved in now. Hope you have a fun week. Blessings, love, xoxo, Susie
DeleteYour new print looks perfect on that shelf! You were so sweet to say a thankful goodbye to your flower lady. There was a house a street over with an elderly couple living there and they had the most beautiful flower bed curving down their driveway. Their house was the same floor plan as ours. I saw her a couple of times as she was out watering or picking up the newspaper. I always MEANT to stop and tell her how much I enjoyed seeing her lovely garden....until one spring day I noticed she hadn't worked it so it looked rather shabby. Later that fall, she had spruced it back up a good bit. Nothing like its glory days but it was still pretty. the next spring it was shabby again and then one day I passed by the house and it was vacant. It continues to grieve my heart that I did not express my appreciation....that taught me a lesson I hope I never forget....
ReplyDeleteLinda, Your story of the people in the cute house, made me feel sad. I have seen just that kind of thing. We used to see a frail little man in Bob Evans restaurant. We always called him Tweety bird. Then I started seeing him carry a bag around with a tube running to it...made me want to cry, for I knew he must have been ill. Then we didn't see him for the longest time.(Mind you , this is when we ate there lots , when we worked) . I asked the waiteress what happened to Tweety bird, because I did not know his name ...she knew right away who I meant...she told us he had died. I felt so badly , as I never ask him his name or hug him . I am thankful I did smile his way. But it's sad all the same. Do you feel we can almost become family by association ? I do . And I miss so many of our towns people. Blessings to you and LD...you are family , you know. :):)Love you, xoxo, Susie
DeleteHi Susie, It's always sad when a well-loved business decides to call it quits. The painting you bought is lovely and looks so good in your DR. I love the photo of Barney, too. He is a faithful companion to her.
ReplyDeleteWe mostly did projects @ the house over the holiday. We are still having lots of rain. I sent you a private email with a link to lemon bee balm!
Mildred, I am going to miss Jean. It was her and her husband Lee for so many years. I know her heart was heavy having to retire. It was because of her feet hurting, that she has decided it was time to retire. I have a things for old houses and barns. :):) We did lawn chores and many things we had put off due to rains...so glad we are getting on top of it all now. Blessings, xoxo, Susie
DeleteOh, what a sweet lady, I'm sorry to see things like this happen. Will someone else take over her shop? Yes, you will miss her. She sounded like she'd be a good friend. Not much going on here yesterday here either. But today was BUSY from 7 in the morning until 7 tonight! Wow...but the day went fast. Not sure that was a good thing or not...ha!ha! It already seems to fly by!!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Gert
Gert, At one time Jean thought she'd sold the shop...but the lady buying it, found out her mother was very ill and she backed out of the deal. Jean is just closing it for now. Oh I know about days that fly by...I feel my whole life is doing that at times. Wishing you a great day with sunshine. Bless you , xoxo,love, Susie
DeleteSusie, the photo of Jean and you is lovely. I'm quite sure she appreciated your visit and thanks. I hope Jean will enjoy retirement, that she has plans to do things she was able to do while running a business. 43 years is a long time to have a business. I applaud her success, and kudos to you for reaching out to her. I love the farm house print! xo
ReplyDeleteHi Nancy, I think Jean will always stay right in Tipton, as she has children here. Oh yes, 43 years is a long time to work...she loved it. Pretty flowers and nice people everyday.Maybe that helped . She lost her sweet husband two years ago...he always did the deliveries. I am going to miss their sweet shop and all the kindness they shared with everyone. I do love the print I chose...I think my daughter is wanting it...so funny. she has some smaller ones in her kitchen. Blessings, xoxo, Susie
DeleteSusie, the little girl is a school picture of Nel. She had curly hair too. I wanted to put one up of Jess, but she doesn't like too many pics of her on our blog hehehehe. I have most of my photo albums in boxes still from when I moved, and I really have to get them out cause once in awhile I like to see pictures of when the kids were little. Have a blessed Wednesday, Susie.
ReplyDeletelove, ~me
Sheri, I am laughing...no wonder the picture looked like Nel...LOL If I go thru photos of my daughters and their children when they were small...oh gee, I can start crying. I have many boxes of photos. Blessings to you, love, xoxo, Susie
DeleteHi Susie. It sure is hard to see old friends move on, but there will always be new ones although they can never take their places, just new wonderful times. She sure resembles a SIL of mine and her name is Jeanne also..Have a good rest after catching up on MOST of the chores..Happy Wednesday..xxoJudy
ReplyDeleteJudy, More and more I miss the people of my hometown. Also the people I worked with for years. Our lives continue to change. I had a good break in our routine today. :) Blessings, xoxo, Susie
DeleteWhat a lovely story of friendship Susie...I adore the picture you chose...wishing you a very blessed week ahead.
ReplyDeleteThank you Betsy. I will miss Jean...it's been really sad since her husband passed away. They were just the sweetest couple. She would make up the flower arrangements and he would deliver them. I hope a new person will take over the shop. Blessings, xoxo, Susie
DeleteI know Jean and Barney appreciated your visit and kind words. It's nice to have a floral designer who takes a special interest in your orders. Glad you are all caught up on your housework. Have a lovely evening.
ReplyDeleteKaren, I am going to miss just calling the floral shop and letting Jean make the perfect arrangement.. Then visiting with her when I would go in to pay my bill. :) .Blessings, xoxo, Susie
DeleteThe picture of the old farmhouse is so nice, just the kind of house I'd love to see inside. I bet you've imagined what the rooms would look like. It will be a lovely reminder of Jean. I liked reading about her and wish her happiness and rest in retirement.
ReplyDeleteHi Dewena, The a show on TV where old stone houses are restored...this picture reminds me of those houses. I am truly going to miss Jean. She is a wonderful person. Blessings, hope all is going well for you. xoxo, Susie
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