Puzzling out loud

First title choice: Letters to Tiffany, from Tiffany.

What I really mean: I'm talking to myself and blogging it.

Things that puzzle me:

Why is writing (or attempting to write) a haiku proven to be a "top 5" difficult challenge? A simple three line poem, with the first line having 5 syllables, the second line having 7 syllables, and the third line having 5 syllables. It can't be that hard, I say to myself. The key word is syllable. Tell me to write a 5 word, 7 word, 5 word poem, I'm done in a few minutes. Well that's me being generous with myself, but still. A syllable is a totally different thing. And the idea behind the haiku? Tacos. Totally Tacos. I love tacos! I yell to anyone that is listening, which at the time, was twitter. So yeah. Bottom line is, writing a haiku isn't easy.

Why oh why is packing a suitcase for an island vacation such a daunting activity? This isn't rocket science. You're going to a very laid back atmosphere, a vacation, filled with rest, laying in the sun like a lizard, the consumption of fresh pineapple and mai tai's, and ocean as far as the eye can see. Chances are you do not need 27 t-shirts, 17 pairs of shorts, 19 tank tops and 5 pairs of flip-flops. Step away from the pile of ridiculous and rethink.

Why do people not use the "silent" or "vibrate" option on their cell phones while in the office? Yes I liked the movie Jaws too, and you're funny for using that as the ringtone when your significant other calls, but seriously. I already feel like I'm swimming with sharks at work, don't remind me of this every time you get a call, k?

People screaming at their kids in public places. I don't understand this. I know, you're tired, it's been a long day, and they aren't listening. You've asked them repeatedly to do this, or that, yet they're climbing the wall or standing in other people's way or pulling all of the juice bottles into your cart at the grocery store. Please take a breath, count to ten, and remain calm. It breaks my heart to hear harsh words spoken to someone that has a three foot eye level to the world. Be compassionate, you created this marvelous creature that doesn't understand the rules yet.

I don't like checking the mail. I don't know why! I love receiving unexpected hand-written notes or pictures or cards from family and good friends. And this really isn't about "oh it's just bill's, yuck" either. I'm not sure what this is actually, I just don't like doing it. Maybe the internet has taken over since I pay just about every bill I have online. I'm thinking it's the junk mail. I find myself checking the mail and throwing eighty-five percent of it in the trashcan that is right next to the mailboxes. I thank you, apartment complex management office, for placing that strategically next to the mailbox area.

Traffic. Did your blood pressure just go up when reading that word? The driver that cuts you off, the speeding up so they can beat you to......what? Is there a prize where the stoplight is that I'm not aware of? You do understand that once I reach the red light just as you have, we are now even again if I change lanes, right? I always try to drive courteously. I use my turn signal way in advance to warn you of my intentions to avoid possible tragedy. Maybe one day we can all get along, behind the wheel. I'm waiting patiently for this day. Meanwhile I will still slow down and let you go first =).

Thanks for allowing me to ask my questions out loud, or "vent". The good news is, Breakfast at Tiffany's will be at home today, the first day of "vacation". Maybe we will have breakfast tacos! But I won't write a haiku about it, just sayin.

I'll see you in ten days! Would you mind watering my plants? Thanks.
Tiffany

I'm still me when I reach the destination

Change. Why do I have trouble embracing this? I almost always end up being happier after the change, whatever it may be. I've had the "thinking outside the box" idea on my mind today. My first thought was, but that's going to mean change. Ugh! Then I laughed and thought, why do you struggle with this so much. The inside of my box is FINE, I like it dangit! Damn comfort zones and the warmth they provide.

Work related change I reallllly struggle with. I get inside that niche and become comfortable, I don't want anyone messing with it. It's lovely in there!  But of course, I eventually learn that the change was a good thing. All of a sudden I know ten things instead of nine. My skill set is broader, my elastic mind is stretched, (sometimes to the point of breaking), but I'm sayin.  It forces me to embrace, rather than to fight, whatever work related change has come my way. Sometimes I do this begrudgingly, but I have a friends voice in the back of my head saying, just embrace it. Wrap your arms around it, you're going to be so fabulous at this. (Hi Vanessa, I can still hear you).....
During a conversation with a coworker, he mentioned the "after we broke up she changed her hair color and style" thing. I'm not sure if I've ever done this, because. Well see above. I dont like change!  That doesn't mean I've always had the same hair style. (Just sayin). But that kind of change comes on my terms, not someone elses. And I do understand why she would want to do that. Friends have told me about this idea in the past, mentioning that it just made them feel better to be a little different after something like that happens. I get it, nothing wrong with that.
Decorative changes I don't seem to struggle with as much. I recently got the bright idea *cough, to paint an accent wall in my living room. It was called radicchio. If someone had said, hey try this color, it's called radicchio, I would have immediately said no.way. I don't want a purple wall in my living room. But this color wasn't purple. It was more like a very light poppy, at least on the card it was. Fast forward a week, guess what color that wall is today. Cafe Au Lait. So yeah. I spent money on two cans of paint because I so didn't like that color after I painted the ENTIRE WALL. Sigh. "Don't be afraid of color" they always say. Well I'm not, but let me just say this. Be very selective mmmkay? Because poppy makes the room appear half the size.

I think what I need to do is relate change to growth, rather than something negative. *Cliche alert* "everything happens for a reason". That sort of thing. I remember when I moved from Columbia (MO) to Dallas, on the drive down I was mentally screaming "why am I doing this?!" Because they know me well, my close friends were amazed, they couldn't believe I was moving to another state. Now that I'm here I know I could live anywhere. Moving across state lines is not that big of a deal. I'm still me when I reach the destination.

This is true in relationship changes as well. I know it sucks to have things not work out the way you thought they would in the beginning. The flipside of that scenario is when two friends that were friends for a very long time, suddenly call me with a wedding invitation. (hello When Harry Met Sally) =) Love. it.

“The key to change... is to let go of fear.”-Roseanne Cash

Okay I hear the message Universe. I'll work on not being afraid of change. I promise I will.

Breakfast at Tiffany's has to be something completely different today, it's all about change right?

See you soon,
Tiffany

PS Oh but the coffee has to be Starbucks, let's not get ridiculous.

For Jenna The Amazing

GIRL. POWER. Is what I'm sayin today.

In knowing my love for all shades of pink, ("my culuhs are blush and bashful"-Steel Magnolias) my sister wrote on my facebook wall that she bought my niece a pink softball glove, to which I replied "every girl needs a pink softball glove".
This is Jenna, she is the epitome of girl power. I love this picture of her because it shows that there is no better way to play softball; pigtails, pink softball glove, cleats, and total concentration in her expression. She's in the game!
I started thinking about what it must be like to grow up as a middle child. I went straight to the subject and asked her how she felt about being the child in the middle, growing up between an older brother and younger sister. Her first answer was, "Good." It made me laugh because I realized that you can't put someone on the spot like that, you have to give them time to think about what you're asking. She did think about it, and expanded a little. "Well, I help my mom take care of Julia. I help clean and fold laundry. When we go outside to play I watch out for Julia". Julia, aka Jewels, is baby sister. And a love she is. What I sensed from Jenna's thoughts was, "I am a caregiver".
I read an article "Middle Child Syndrome - Fact Or Fiction" ( found here http://tinyurl.com/yyw75qn) that stated: Middle children tend to be the family diplomats. They dislike conflicts and seek fairness and justice. They’re “people pleasers.” I think Jenna definitely seeks fairness and justice, she is absolutely not afraid to speak her mind when something isn't going as well as she would like to see it handled. I love that about her. I'm constantly saying "you go girl" in my mind, since I don't have the luxury of seeing her on a daily basis. She can bake cookies, kick a soccer ball across a field, wear a tutu and her hair up in a bun, and ice skate for the first time by herself with no help. She's not afraid to try anything, I can learn things from this girl!

My next source of opinion was my middle sister. She feels that the "middle child syndrome" is mostly a formed idea from everyone else, because she didnt grow up feeling different because she was sandwiched in between myself and our youngest sister. When talking to people about her view of things, she often heard "oh that's probably because you're the middle child". When you're young you just think "oh" and move on. The "I can do everything better than you" stance she took at times came from "the middle child seeing the older sibling do what they do, and then forming the idea that they can do it better". That makes them self confident. Having a younger sibling also means they get to be the boss of them, what fun for a kid right? A "self imposed bossyness" she called it. That made me laugh out loud and I'm quite certain my youngest sister will comment about this. I agreed with her regarding "the parents are more relaxed with the second child, so they learn to do a little more for themselves than the eldest sibling would".

Dear Jenna
I love and adore you to the moon and back three times. You can do anything you want to do, and go places you haven't even dreamed of going to yet. When I miss you and the Jenna-ache occurs, I will call you and ask about your day, that always makes my day go better. Dream BIG, because you are destined for great things. And I am so glad I will get to see you achieve them, one by one. Rock on ballerina, you're awesome!

This post is dedicated to Jenna, with love

See you next time!

Tiffany

PS Are you a middle child? What was that like when you were growing up?

Sometimes, all a person needs is a little perspective.

I guess I should have saved the picture from my recent "Saturday 10" post for this one. But that picture was a combination of gifts from a friend, this one is just the book, that I want to review. Sometimes I see a movie or read a book and walk away from it "changed". It doesn't happen often, but when it does, it sticks.
I had no idea what "The Noticer" was about when I opened it to start reading. I purposely didn't read the back cover or the inside flap, I wanted to be surprised this time. Based on bits of information I've found online since I read it, it appears to be based on a true story. That alone blows my mind a little. I said out loud, "how can that be?!" Then I chastised myself. It CAN be, just because. Pretty authoritative reasoning, eh? Reminds me of the way moms say, "because I said so".
The main character, Jones he calls himself, "No Mr., just Jones" is a weathered old man, that appears to know everyone when he comes in contact with them. Not only does he know them, but he knows all about them. Their history, their memories, their current disposition (and the cause of that disposition) right when they meet; they are almost always in emotional pain. At the oftentimes gut wrenching point of  mental anguish and hopelessness, there he is. Seemingly out of nowhere he appears, and he needs only a few minutes to redirect their entire perspective on life. Sound a little crazy?
I thought so at first. But he had me from the first few paragraphs of dialogue.
"I am a noticer," he said. "I notice things that other people overlook. And you know, most of them are in plain sight."
Jones, with his old, battered suitcase, bright blue eyes, weathered skin, and fresh perspective, has the ear of everyone he comes in contact with, within the first few minutes of their conversation. If he were my friend, and you needed help, I would tell you this: "Please just give him a few minutes, you will be the richer for it afterward"
I wish I could talk to Jones, that was my first thought when I read the last page. But Andy Andrews does such a fantastic job of telling this story, that I felt like I already have. It doesn't matter if your life is worry free right now, you would still draw things from him that you didn't even know you needed.

The book is filled to the brim with quotes, I started writing some of them down then started laughing at myself. I thought, why am I doing this. This book is not going anywhere but on my shelf of favorites. It's so full of great things, all I will have to do from now on is grab it off the shelf. I love that.
I tell people often that I'm grateful. I'm human, am I always feeling the gratitude? No. But I try to because I feel better when I do.
"......but a grateful perspective brings happiness and abundance into a person's life." Page 13, last paragraph, last sentence. It was then that I knew I wouldn't be able to put this book down, and I was right.
So yeah quotes are cool, and new stories to read are nice, etc. But as the story unfolds and winds through the maze of each characters life that Jones befriends, I started noticing something. With different  perspective being the theme of this entire book, what I noticed didn't surprise me. It just made me not move an inch until I read the whole thing. I had to find out why.

What did I notice? How people saw him. Everyone's "perspective" of who he is, was different. Totally.fascinated.me.
What I find sad is that in today's world, most of us probably wouldn't give Jones the time of day, especially if we were driving and he asked for a ride. We would most likely be afraid, roll the car window up, mutter "crazy or bum" under our breath, and drive away.
Please note I am not telling you that you should let the next hitchhiker you see get in your car because he could be Jones. Be safe. We don't have a choice these days.

I'm sure you can tell I love this entire story, but a favorite part that stands out is when he teaches someone to defeat their fears with logic. Don't think I won't use that the next time I feel afraid of something. I also loved what he said to some kids about choosing their life partner. Where the hell was Jones when I was younger and making life choices?!

Notice me leaving the details out?

That's because I want you to read this book. =)

The people Jones helps range in age from teenager to geriatric. It doesn't matter how old we are. "Sometimes, all a person needs is a little perspective"


Have a great weekend friend,
Tiffany

PS I think in the "different dialects" portion of this story, I'm mostly a canary. Definitely

Oh my Tiffany has an opinion!

Social media etiquette on the brain this week. I have a scheduled "Social Media Session" with a best friend soon. I'm looking forward to walking him through Twitterland and whatnot, but I feel obliged to state in print that I am no social media expert by any means. I'm just someone that enjoys using social media. Where I work we call that an enduser. I'm definitely the enduser here. I've never been to any events that the Social Media Club of  Dallas (awesome venue by the way) has had, I think I've had it in my head that these were for people that actually work in Social Media, and I still may be right. I need to research that more. I would love to meet some of my social media friends that I've had the pleasure of connecting with. I just need to be intelligent about it, and do it in the right setting.
I've read a few articles this week regarding Facebook do's and don'ts, watched a few video's even, where I ended with the same thought every.single.time. Wow. I know some people that need to read / watch this! Yes, I posted them, and can only hope they get read. The thing is, etiquette is just that. It doesn't really have to be labeled Social Media etiquette, common courtesy doesn't just apply to the internet. But when drilling down to specific social websites, facebook, twitter, myspace (isn't myspace dead?) =), etc, I feel I should clarify that I am talking about how one handles themself in these settings. Bear in mind these are just my thoughts as I see things occur on a daily basis. I am fully aware that this is your social media page and you have the right to do with it what you will. I don't pass judgement on anyone, and I'm not attempting to tell anyone what to do. Thus begins my first, more than likely controversial, blog post. I'm gonna get real in here folks, it's time.

Let's review shall we?

Friend: I am really sorry your ex is a horrible, ugly, mean, vicious, attack-dog type of person. Placing these thoughts on the internet is not going to solve the issue, rather, it's spreading a negative vibe from your page all the way to where your furthest follower resides. Some things are best left un-typed.

Friend: I love that you are very interested in my status updates, so much so that you click "Like" on every single one, and comment every single one with your thoughts. I appreciate your efforts. However, please be kind to others that also want to share their thoughts in my comment thread. This is not a contest to see who can get attention faster, or who is smarter, or better. Attempting to make my friends feel inferior is not a good way to remain friends with me. I've graduated high school, I don't want to go back, okay?

Friend: I've asked, very kindly mind you, that you to keep your comments rated PG in my comment threads. Whether you agree with my request, or think it is 'stupid' or not is irrelevant. I so don't want to be rude and drop you from my friends list, but I will if I have to.

Friend: I will apologize now for clicking ignore on your 'please be my neighbor in farmville' request. I'm not interested in playing this game, but I don't mind if you want to play. I do like the new privacy setting that Facebook has offered me, wherein I can hide the game posts from my newsfeed, rather than hiding your personal status updates. I like you, I do want to know about your life, I don't necessarily want to know if you're in need of a tractor. All I ask is that you don't repeatedly send me facebook emails asking me to join the game. I've politely declined once, be nice. I was.

Friend: I've managed to avoid political discussion in social media settings because that is my choice. As well as you bashing our president being your choice. Sending me a facebook email, telling me that I'm afraid to speak my mind is not necessarily going to warm me to you, if that is your goal. This would fall under, "to each his own". And I believe I am speaking my mind right now, in this blogpost.

Friend: I really do want everyone to get along. Call me disney-esque if you must, snow white, whichever character you choose, but I am, and will remain, steadfast in my want of everyone being civil to one another. When I see you and your ex bashing each other in your comment threads I say out loud, "why?". Why do this in view of your social media friends? Does it solve anything? Are you cool now? My answer is no. But you decide.

The above could fall under the first "Friend" I write about, the only difference is it's a conversation between the two people, not just a status update. I am also aware that I don't have to follow either person. Just let me vent a little, this is Tiffany speaking her mind, because she's been accused of being afraid to do so.

The following status updates are what I am going to stay away from in this post. Why? Because they fall under these two categories: 1) I dont have to follow them 2) it's their social media page.
But in the staying away from I mean I'm not going to get into a paragraph discussion about them. But I will list them out just so I can see them for myself in print.

"My job and manager totally suck and I hate them"
"My kids are horrible heathens that should be placed in the corner and fed bread and water for a week"
"I've just posted a picture of myself and best friends getting wasted in the bar, click Like!"
"I can't get a date no matter what I do, nothing works out for me, doom and gloom at every turn, the sky is dark in my world and everyone hates me"
and my personal favorite
"I've just posted a thoroughly embarrassing picture of my friend without their permission, take a look!" (but I'm not in it, wouldn't want to embarrass and humiliate myself, would I?)

Well then. I don't know about you but I feel better already. I've pushed and shoved the "be yourself" "be true to yourself" "to thine own self be true" mantras to you on so many occasions I've lost count.

I believe this post reveals my thoughts on what social media etiquette means. I really appreciate the fact that I have the means to say what I want to say, in my own words. I also appreciate you stopping by to read what I've discussed today.

I've had friends tell me that they don't understand why I don't speak up more.

“He who does not understand your silence will probably not understand your words.” Elbert Hubbard

I don't know if the above quote is entirely true. You've understood everything I've said today haven't you?

When I return to work after this week of oncall, working from home, I will enlighten you on the haunted elevator. It's like halloween! But without the candy. (sigh)

Until then,
Tiffany

P.S. I'm just kidding about myspace being dead. It's a very cool way to check out new bands, or music in general. It's there for whatever one wants to use it for, and that is a cool thing. You will notice that Twitter hasn't been mentioned much in this post. I adore this social media outlet by the way. But Twitter is simple. If you don't like that 140 character update you read, just click Unfollow. I love my twitterites, they're pretty awesome.

Saturday 10

I'm doing the "these are a few of my favorite things" thing again. It's Saturday, I choose this day happily as my favorite day simply because it's comfortably sandwiched in between Friday, not a bad day in itself, and Sunday, still a day away from work but closer to it than Saturday.
Saturday, is like a blanket to me. The one you wrap yourself in, get comfortable, and read your favorite book. Nothing can touch you on Saturday, it's there for the taking, the "I get to do whatever I want" day.

I'll begin with that.

My 10 favorite things this week:

1: Saturdays! You'll find me at the pool today, I love you Dallas spring weather! Hold me.
2: Knowing that my house will be full of friends tonight. It's game night at Tiffany's, a not intentioned, fast becoming ritual that sprung out of nowhere. LOVE.
3: Twitter. You're often times inspiring, a lot of the time hilarious, always connecting to cool people, social media outlet that I've grown to love.
4: Purchased plane tickets to far off island destinations. Aloha! That trip can't get here fast enough. Dear Hawaii, I'll be kind. I can't speak for my travel mates, who may take advantage of your generous nature.
5: Starbucks. I can't ever quit you, my love. We may grow into different people along the way, but we'll always be together, discussing life while the hot water drips through ground coffee beans through a paper filter, into my cup. Friends for life we are.
6: Sleeping In. Because I can. No alarm clock, just waking to the sound of a dove cooing outside my window. I enjoy this every weekend lately, what with this warm Dallas weather. Windows open, I feel like I wake up in some sort of paradise.
7: Friends that care so much they go out of their way. I had a yucky day at work Thursday. Just a PLEASE LET ME GO kind of day. Friday, a coworker and awesome friend brought me a book, a lovely card, and a way cool coffee mug with my favorite Alice in Wonderland '10 quotes on it. Just because she noticed my Thursday sucked, she made my Friday fabulous. Can you say grateful? (thank you Melanie, you rock)
8: Unexpected phone calls from old friends. I love this.
9: Going to sleep knowing I did my best. This is more powerful than most realize. If you know you tried, gave the day your all, do you sleep like a baby? I do. This is that "at the end of the day" cliche. I like.
10: Quotes. No matter the source. It could be a favorite movie, a book, a celebrity, a poet....I love them.

"When you can live forever what do you live for" — Stephenie Meyer

What's your top ten this week?

Enjoy your 2nd weekend of April 2010,
Tiffany

PS Haunted Elevator, I haven't forgotten. It's just creepy! I've been taking notes too. Share soon.

Soulmates, Muses, Friends

A best friend and I talk on the phone a lot because we live in different states now. She's the kind of friend where geographical distance means absolutely nothing. Telling her what is happening with me and my world is my comfortable, 'feels like going home' place, where there is nothing but unconditional love. You know the old saying, most people have a lot of acquaintances, but can count their true friends on one hand? Well she counts as two fingers, one wouldn't be enough. I could rob a bank, she would drive the getaway car. Don't worry, we're not planning a Thelma and Louise trip across the country. (Um, unless Brad Pitt is in my script, thennnnnn maybe we will, just sayin) If I call her and say "I'm an idiot" she will reply with "then so am I". She won't tell me I'm not one if I've done something stupid, but she'll join me. My point is, and I'm sure you get it already by now, she is the kind of best friend that I hope everyone has at least one of, in their life. We begin the conversation as though we're already in the middle. I can get a three word text from her that makes me laugh out loud for an hour.

Todays conversation included something we talk about a lot. Muses. What is a muse? One definition reads,
"the power regarded as inspiring a poet, artist, thinker, or the like"
When people question why others come into their lives for a short time, I often say, "maybe you were their muse". You inspired them, to be better people. To become who they dream to be but are afraid to try to achieve that dream. You gave them confidence, made them believe in themselves, boosting their ego enough that they took steps they were afraid to take before they met you. The "short time" part sucks, especially when you become attached to someone. But if I'm right, sometimes your story is just written that way.

Then there is the soulmate conversation. I read something once that I've kept since I saw it the first time, it was a different perspective on what I had always thought a soulmate was.
(Excerpt)
Elizabeth Gilbert writes: ""People think a soul mate is your perfect fit, and that's what everyone wants. But a true soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that is holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life.
A true soul mate is probably the most important person you'll ever meet, because they tear down your walls and smack you awake. But to live with a soul mate forever? Nah. Too painful. Soul mates, they come into your life just to reveal another layer of yourself to you, and then leave....."
 
Sounds like a muse to me in a way. The muse isn't supposed to fall in love with who he/she is inspiring. They are to just "inspire", and not overstay their welcome. I don't know if I'm in total agreement with Elizabeth Gilbert, but I really like this part "the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life."
 
Which brings me to friends. A true friend won't lie to you. If you ask them if the new haircut is becoming, and it truly isn't, they will tell you the truth. Let's hope that truth has kindness in it =). I know the good friends that I'm blessed to have well enough to know who wants the real truth and who wants the inspiring words that will help them get through whatever tragedy they may have going on at the time. I'm not saying the inspiring words are lies per se, but raw truth needs to be administered in small doses, depending on the receiver.
 
BEST friends will say, oh honey, it will grow out, don't worry. (lol and yes I am, laughing out loud for real)
 
I'm lucky, I think I've had a very nice combination of all three, four if you include best friends. Whatever role anyone in my life plays, I'm grateful they are here. I usually learn something about myself, that's what it's all about......
 
So the thing is, there are going to be times when you feel like there is a big question mark hanging above things that happen, people that come and go, relationships that shift and change and take on new roles......don't question all of these things. Let some of them just, be. And learn.
Okay?
 
“It's always been a gift with me, hearing music the way I do. I don't know where it comes from, it's just there and I don't question it.” Miles Davis
 
The next time you have breakfast at Tiffany's, remind me that I have to tell you about the haunted elevator at work. You think I'm kidding don't you.
Until then, sleep well friend.
Tiffany
 
PS This post is dedicated to Muffin, thank you for throwing pom poms in the air every time I do something. Oh and sorry about telling the interwebs your childhood nickname that still follows you around. (LOL I can't wait to get the text about this one)
 
 

 
 
 

Be you, no matter what

"Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square hole. The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can't do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do."— Apple Computer Inc.

I LOVE this. If you are different, be different. I dare you. I want you to be YOU, no matter what. Don't imitate so you'll fit in. Don't agree with what someone says because you think you don't have any other option. If you disagree, then disagree! You have a right to your own opinion. You have a place in this world, like everyone else.
I jokingly call myself "crazy" sometimes. I've done things that make me shake my own head when I think about them later. Perfect I am not. But I will never claim to be. It's taken me a long time to learn and understand that being myself  is better than being a follower, especially when you really don't want to do whatever it is the people are doing that you're following.
I'm not really crazy by the way. =)
I have acquaintances that I see are afraid to speak their mind or give their opinion of whatever is being discussed at the time, for fear of being ridiculed or not "fitting in". It's okay to want to be liked, I get that. We all want to be liked and fit in to a certain degree. But be brave people! You count too. I have to be fair and say that I've fallen into the very thing I just described several times. I'm not an attention grabber, I never have been. I don't have to have "the floor" or do all of the talking, or provide every opinion I have, it's just not my thing. I really like hearing what others think about things, their "take" on life and everything it entails.
I recently had dinner with someone I don't know that well, obviously thats the point of having dinner. Just sayin. Good conversation? Hmmm. Well, it was fine. But I found myself thinking, almost immediately, why are you asking me questions when you're not letting me finish my sentences? I've never understood why some people do this. It's not courteous first of all, and secondly, it makes it apparent that the person doesn't really want to know the answer, they're just going through the motions of what society has deemed a good way of getting to know each other better, dinner and conversation. I remember smiling and thinking, good God I could just answer everything with MAN I LIKE PICKLES and I bet he wouldn't notice. (lol) I didn't laugh out loud then but I am now.
I think it's really cool when I see people have the gift of being in a conversation with someone, making the other person feel like they are the most important person in the room. I've seen this many times, and I so enjoy bumping into it, especially by accident. It's almost like seeing a random act of kindness, another love of mine. Doing something in which there is no return, other than the knowing that you helped someone today.
I wake up every day hoping I can be better than the day before. I fail sometimes.

But on the days I succeed? They're like receiving these every day:

I think tomorrow we should have some kind of eggs for Easter brunch at Tiffanys, it's tradition!

I'll see you soon,

Tiffany

The end of Innocence?

I immediately started humming the song by Don Henley/Bruce Hornsby but thats not what I'm writing about today. Although this line from the song, "Didn't have a care in the world" would absolutely fit.
Somehow one of my 90 mile per hour discussions with a best friend today led to the "remember when" and "what was your most favorite Christmas gift you received when you were growing up?"
I have a two word response for that question. Barbie. Dreamhouse. It had an elevator in it people!
I explained that I also had a Barbie townhome, so of course I hooked the two together, therefore having a makeshift Barbie Mansion. I placed them right next to the Christmas tree, and pretended that I had the biggest Christmas tree in the entire Barbie neighborhood. Of course the kitchen didn't have a "toy" oven in it, it had one painted on the inside of one of the townhome walls, where you could clearly see a painted apple pie in the oven. So the poor thing could only cook that one lone pie, over and over everyday. I KNOW she got tired of that. You really had to use your imagination playing with Barbies (since they can't talk), apparently MY imagination ran rampant from the time I got up in the morning to the time I went to bed (and still does at times). I think it's because my mom read to me a lot when I was growing up. I'm surprised kids today can't make a live doll with the way things are going, like in the movie "Weird Science". #quote "Making a girl. Actually making a girl. Like Frankenstein... except cuter" This would fall in the "and we'll be flying through Space like the Jetsons soon" statement.
I remember this particular Christmas so well, and I know my sister does too (hi Melissa) because she got a speed buggy. Oh how I wish I had that picture of her sitting in it <-------I'll get a phone call about this statement with possible death threats. =) She also got a Sit 'n Spin, we made ourselves so dizzy with that thing. How does one come up with genius ideas like that. "Hey, wouldn't it be fun to sit indian style on a sphere with a round handle in the middle so you could spin at high speeds until we fall over?!" YES! Lets do it!. (seriously?) We got sleeping bags that year too, I think we slept in the living room by the Christmas tree that night and for the entire week after Christmas.
Nostalgia at its best, remembering these things.

I dont think I'll ever see the end of innocence. I don't want to anyway. Yes we grow up, become adults, hopefully more mature than when we were younger, learning who we are and becoming the best version of ourselves if we're lucky. Those stepping stones of childhood, as we move along our paths, encountering different circumstances, are an absolute necessity in helping us reach our destination. I look back on them sometimes, and find myself grateful for them.
Whatever your story is, I hope you have favorite memories like these.

Four day weekend commencing.....now.

 Have a great weekend, and a very happy Easter!

I'll see you soon,
Tiffany

Note to Sara: yes you were there, but you won't remember this Christmas, you were just a baby. =)