March 11th, 2024

Guest Hostess!  Wow!  That sounds fancy doesn't it?  Well in truth, it kind of was :)

Awhile back, my friend Debbie asked me if I would do a favour for her.  Of course I would.  The favour turned out to be helping out at the annual Venice Area Garden Club's annual garden tour. At first I hesitated...what exactly does "helping out' entail?    Hostessing is all they wanted of me and I suppose I could do that.  Probably. 

So of course I said Yes with the following caveat., "And I hope I don't embarrass myself or you"  I was assured that I would be fine.  As the date approached, I started to get nervous.  I didn't want to do a poor job of it. I'm not a member of the club y'see and I don't know much about Florida gardening.  What if someone asks me a question?  Yikes!  I am the sort of person who, especially if doing a favour for someone, always wants to do the Best Job Possible.  My Dad always said to do every job as if you were signing your name to it, no matter if you are taking out the garbage or scrubbing the bathroom floor, do it in such a way that you are proud of the results.  

I have always tried to live by that rule.   I seriously work hard at never (or at least rarely) half-assing anything.  I really and truly make every attempt at being my best self and doing the best job possible at everything I do.  And since I knew nothing about my role, very little about the garden club and absolutely nothing about the home to which I was assigned, I guess I can be excused if I say I was a little nervous.  Debbie reassured me that I would be fine.  And I am grateful for her faith in me.

The woman in charge, Linda, reached out to me and the others working at the event via email and kept us apprised of the goings on .  She was amazing with her level of informational detail and I was very grateful.  But it's still not the same as actually being there and having done the job.  The great unknown y'know?  

Since I am not a member and therefore do not own the official uniform which member are required to wear, I was told to wear black pants and a white top which to me always looks like waitstaff.  But sure, I can cobble that together.  Actually the memo said black pants, shorts or skirt and white top.  So I perused my closet.  I do own one pair of black shorts.  They are old, have at least one bleach stain and the hem is getting a little raggedy so, nope, I wouldn't be wearing those!   So I looked at my black skirts. I have two but they are both very "business" looking which makes sense because they are leftover from my working days. And quite honestly, one of them is now a wee big snug.  I can get it on and zipped but I'm not positive that breathing would be an option. Soooo long pants it is!

I knew I would be slathering myself with sunscreen of course, and wearing a hat so I fiddled around with hair-friendly hair styles for awhile.  On an average day, when I am just doing housey and yard stuff or hiking with Joy I don't much care how I look.  And that's exactly how I appear - as if I don't much care.  On this occasion, I would be representing an organization - one I honestly don't know much about - so I absolutely wanted to represent myself and them well.  Therefore, I made much more of an effort than usual.

Next up was walking over to the address to which I had been assigned to find out how long it takes to get there.  I knew that parking would be an issue so one less car is a good plan.  So I timed myself there and back, averaged the two and then added a few extra minutes just in case.  In case of what I don't know, but as we were instructed to be there no later than 9:30, I left at 9:00 exactly.  30 minutes is more than enough time.

Finally the big day arrived.  I was as ready as I would ever be.

I showed up with a nervous smile exactly as planned, a tiny bit early and the place was already buzzing with activity.  I attempted to jump in and "help" wherever I could.  Eventually things were very nearly in place and the boss, Linda, took us on our own private tour of the garden before assigning us to our places.  I was on ticket desk. The desk was actually a card table but ticket table doesn't sound quite right.

The instant we were officially "open' (actually before we opened - there was already a crowd by opening bell) an absolute torrent of people showed up.  It was like Niagra Falls.  They just kept coming!   I kept wondering where do all of these people come from?  There were no breaks, there was no pause, it was just a steady flow of humanity.  Most of them quite pleasant.

To my relief, and surprise, I picked up on what I was supposed to say and do rather quickly.  I sold tickets, answered questions, directed people and kept track of the things I was supposed to keep track of.  I smiled and greeted and tried to be as charming a hostess as possible. The time flew by.

Later that evening, I got a lovely e-card from the boss thanking me (and everyone else of course) for our efforts.   I was so impressed that, as tired as she must  have been by the end of that day, she still took the time to send those ecards.  Very sweet.  I am also sure that everyone involved in this yearly event was glad it was over and absolutely exhausted!

If I understand correctly and I think I do, the money raised by the Garden Club goes to a scholarship program.  A Very Worthy Cause!

So that is the tale of Sam the Hostess!  Kudo's to the VAGC!  Awesome job ladies!  I look forward to finding out how much money was raised this year.  (It'll be in our local newspaper soon - which is one of the things I love about a local paper)

​Hope all of you had a spectacular Weekend too!