My plea to the weather Gods

"Snowpocalypse!"
"Snowmageddon!"
"Catastrophic Winter Storn Headed Your Way!"
"Colossal storm for Midwest, Northeast"



All of these headlines/catch-phrases I'm seeing today really make me want to go build a snowman. Or make snowangels. Or build a fort.

So, this post is for you weather gods, are you listening?

I don't want anyone to be stranded in dangerous conditions. Or anyone to be hurt in any way due to weather-related traffic incidents. I just want you to very gently drop pretty snowflakes alllll over the Dallas-Ft.Worth area, mmkay? Drop them until we have enough to go sledding in it.

I'll pay homage to you, light candles, utilize the fabulous fireplace, I'll even build a snowgirl that looks just like me, and put a pink coat on her with pink accessories.

She.will.even.have.eyelashes.

I'll stop and get necessities with all of the other 80,000 people in my neighborhood, and go on home to be ready for the gift you're going to bestow on North Texas.

I'll see you soon!
Sincerely
Tiffany

PS And for breakfast tomorrow we'll make snow ice-cream!

Keeping the Faith

In my attempts to keep the faith, I feel like I have to write out loud. Glancing at the Dallas skyline at sunset moves me to do so, see above.

It's been a long month, this January 2011. It's not like me to feel "not myself", at least not for long, or to not be able to organize my thoughts within a 30 minute timeframe.

I've been thinking lately about how much time really does fly by. The company I work for has been doing reduction in forces (RIF) for the last 6 years or so, becoming pretty aggressive over the last three years. I refuse to start worrying every time we get the announcement that yet another RIF is on the horizon. What is worry going to do for me? Absolutely nothing. It's a total waste of time, and that's a pet peeve of mine. I don't like wasting time and energy on things that don't deserve it. So, I, like my team members, wait. We keep working, pretty hard actually. But all the while, we wait. At some point this RIF will affect each one of us.

I'm sick of cancer coming into my family. There, I said it. I actually complained. I won't dwell, I've posted about this more than once. I just wanted to say it out loud one more time so cancer and I are clear. I don't LIKE YOU. And I want you to disappear forever. I want the powers-that-be to find a cure for you so you will evaporate into the abyss.

I still want to get rid of at least 30% more of my "things". I haven't had much time to organize, what I normally do in January, after the Christmas decorations are taken down and stored away for next year. My mom came for a very long visit, she leaves for Florida at the end of the month. I'm out of my routine at the moment, and that's okay. I know the time will come when she won't be able to drive halfway across the country to visit my sisters and I. I am relishing the time with her. But I have to admit that I need that routine back so I can get organized and do some down-sizing. I'm not crazy in that I will give all of my stuff away, I do need some of it obviously. But the extras that sit on a closet shelf that have no sentimental value? Yeah, they're going.

I don't like to wish time away, or live in the past either. But two things are on my mind of late. The trip I was fortunate enough to take, to Paris, in September of 2009. And the trip I'm looking forward to in October of 2011, an 8 day cruise through the Cayman Islands, etc. Oh Paris. I swear I can still smell you, and I will visit again one day. I really miss you.
I want to enjoy every.month.of.2011. I really do. But I have to be honest and admit that I'm longing for October just a little. Probably because we're having some chilly weather here, without snow so I'm not enjoying it as much as I would be, if there was a snowman right outside my bedroom window that I had just built. I don't mind winter or cold air, frost on the windows, etc. But I feel like I can't get warm lately! And that's WITH a fireplace. If I think about August, and that extreme Dallas heat that I don't care for, all of this whining goes away. I don't mean to whine. I just want some beautiful snow =)

So, I'm keeping the faith. I won't be affected by the RIF until I absolutely have to be. When that happens, I will find something that fits me so well I will have no choice but to jump aboard, and start a new work journey. Change is good, my reminder.
Cancer will have a cure one day. I'm leaving it at that.
My closet and apartment will be so organized by Valentines Day that I will be amazed.
Dallas WILL get snow before Winter 2011 ends.

And finally, I will be on my first cruise, with great friends, during my most favorite month of the year. October. Until then, 2011, I will lick your face I will enjoy you so much.

Try and stop me.

See you soon friend,
Tiffany

PS This Saturday brings a waffle brunch at Tiffanys. You DO like waffles, don't you?

We don't have all of the answers, do we?

When I hear several people saying "I refuse to go see that movie!" adamantly, I privately lean towards the conversation to see why they are so against whatever movie they're discussing. Sometimes I agree with their thought process, but I have to tell you, it's rare.
My mom will tell you I was born stubborn. I don't like to be told what to do, how to think, etc. Don't misunderstand, I minded my manners when I was growing up, and I followed the rules at school. Most of the time.
When a friend says to me, "you will hate this movie don't go see it", I have to know why. If it's really just based on their likes and dislikes, and it still sounds intriguing to me, I'm going to see the movie.

When I first heard about Eat, Pray, Love it was through a book recommendation from my sister. I really was listening, but at the time didn't make a concentrated effort to purchase the book. I seem to have this running list going in my head, "I want to do this, see that, go there, read this, buy that, hear this" etc. It's endless, and sometimes fills my head with so many thoughts I'm left with, "if I don't start writing this down it's not going to happen".

So I didn't buy the book. And still haven't, but, I will very soon. I will remain steadfast in my idea, that the book is always better, and should be read before the movie is viewed. But I stepped outside the box and watched the movie first this time.


I was with friends getting ready to watch the movie, and I remember thinking, "open your mind Tiffany". It seemed as though when the movie was released the reviews were mixed. There are actually quite a few people that refused to go see it. But I will say this, those that loved it really loved it. I just wanted to have my own opinion, so I cleared all thought, and pushed play.
My friend told me that the movie made them "want to make some big changes in their life". I've seen many movies that made me want to travel. This one was no exception. I'm not in an unhappy marriage, I'm not unhappy at all really. It's rare actually for me to be not content. Yes I'm the "count your blessings" type, I'm not unhappy to report that to you. But who wouldn't want to go to a different country, live like they do, eat like they do, and breathe in their culture? *I'm raising my hand*. I don't want to stay forever, I just want to go.


Okay, so.......a married woman realizes how unhappy her marriage really is, and that her life needs to go in a different direction. After a painful divorce, she takes off on a round-the-world journey to "find herself".

I think this happens quite often doesn't it? Um no. Unfortunately a lot of marriages do end in divorce. People find themselves unhappy in their marriage and they don't know what to do about it. Etc etc etc.
But not many people have the luxury of taking off on a spiritual journey to the likes of Italy, India and Bali. But let me tell you this: it.made.me.want.to.GO.

When Elizabeth Gilbert came to learn her lessons and understand herself, and forgive herself at the end, she summarized her thoughts as these, labeling them "The physics of the Quest":

If you're brave enough to leave behind everything familiar and comforting, which can be anything from your house to bitter, old resentments, and set out on a truth-seeking journey, either externally or internally, and if you are truly willing to regard everything that happens to you on that journey as a clue and if you accept everyone you meet along the way as a teacher and if you are prepared, most of all, to face and forgive some very difficult realities about yourself, then the truth will not be withheld from you.

I wasn't sure if I would enjoy this movie, but I did.

We don't have all of the answers, do we? I don't think so. But I think most of us are on a quest to find them.

I think the real key is, the answers to which questions? Isn't the question more important than the answer?

See you soon friend,
Tiffany

PS I really think an Italian breakfast is in order soon. If we can't get to Italy just yet, my kitchen will have to suffice. How about Lemon and Basil Eggs over Foccacia? go here  http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/lemon-and-basil-eggs-over-foccacia-recipe/index.html

Nine weeks really isn't that long when it comes to a lifetime

"Nine weeks really isn't that long when it comes to a lifetime" -Serenity Bohon

I've already told you about Serenity, and the cancer battle she's fighting right now. But I have to write a little more. She probably doesn't know this, but she continues to teach me, every day, about what's important and what isn't.

I hear people at work complaining about mundane things. "I hate my hairstyle". "He doesn't like me". "I wasted all of this time and the sale I found didn't produce the 90% off that it promised". "Why can't I have a new PC?!!!"

I'm laughing at the last one, because I too, need a new work PC. I'm constantly saying out loud, "Fortune 500 company I work for, yet my PC is so two thousand and late". It sounds like a plane reving its engines when I turn it on.....but I digress.....

What's important? I've been asking myself this more and more lately. Does it matter if I'm wearing the right outfit? < No>. How about my hairstyle, does it matter? . Do I need to check out the After-Christmas-Sales because that that thing I don't need but must have is more than half off? . Do you care if my purse matches my outfit? I would say no, but maybe you do. I am now saying, that I don't care. None of these details matter in the grand scheme of things that we call life. Do they? Of course they don't.

What matters to me:
How you treat those that you love, and care about. Selecting goals, deciding to take action, and reaching them. How you pass the life test presented to you. Did you say Thank You when someone held the door for you? Did you listen when a best friend poured their heart out regarding a hurtful situation in their life? Did you do the right thing when you found yourself in a situation where what you did wouldn't be known to anyone but you? Do you have kids? Do they know you love them unconditionally? Are you patient? Do you show this patience with complete strangers that cut you off in traffic? When the sunset produces the most awesome tapestry you've ever seen, do you notice it?

I could go on for days. I think my bottom line is, does "this" really matter is being applied to my life daily now. We all encounter small irritations. Stuff that means nothing, really, in the long run. A  coworker that irritates us to no end. A parking ticket we feel we don't deserve. An irritating, nosy, inlaw that will not stop with the endless questions about our day. A class we signed up for, tried to pass but failed, leaving us with a disappointed feeling. But does it matter? Maybe it does on a personal level, albeit a small one. I don't want to take away from the everyday "nothing is going right" feeling we all get at times. I hear ya, life sucks sometimes.

But have you ever signed up for 3 rounds of chemo in the hopes that once you finish, you will never have to consider the thought again?

I haven't and I hope I never have to. I say that I understand, to anyone that has to go through something like that, but do I? Not really. I know it's hard, but have I experienced it? No.

My thoughts are these:

Live in the moment. Breathe in the tiny things. Say yes instead of no. Be brave. Be proud of your accomplishments. Say "I love you" when you do, and mean it. Donate the "stuff" you don't need. If you like ice-cream, go get some.

In a waffle cone.

Just live out loud, is all I'm sayin, okay?
I'll see you soon friend,
Tiffany

PS I may be wearing a "fight-like-a-girl" t-shirt at breakfast. If you want one, let me know. I have connections. =)

Addendum: please visit http://www.fightlikeagirlcancershirts.com/ for the awesome design of this shirt, and other goodies. It's a great sight, filled with hope and well.....FIGHT.

"You just happened to stumble upon Nicholas Sparks while shopping?!"

I've been receiving emails asking for me to share more of my everyday ME in here, so dear reader, I hear you, how about this?

I won't say this is my absolute favorite Christmas gift because that's not fair to all of my other lovely Christmas gifts and the people that gave me those lovely gifts. But I am here to tell you, this one made me scream. As in yell loudly while jumping up and down. A new vehicle in the driveway with a big red bow? No.
Plane tickets to Europe?
Sadly, no.

So, in September of 2010, I was talking to my sister on the phone. This would be the middle sister, previously mentioned a few times here and there throughout my postings. She's excitedly telling me that she has her Christmas shopping DONE for myself, my baby sister, and my Mom. "I don't like you" I said. I was kidding, but rather jealous that she was done and I hadn't even started thinking about it. I found it curious, as she usually never starts that early, nor would there be something she was dying over, that would be the same item for all 3 of us. Very curious indeed. But I'm not one to spoil Christmas by asking a ton of questions in the hopes of figuring out what in the world she purchased. I'm a very patient person. (Unless I need coffee)

Christmas morning dawns.....not at the crack of dawn mind you, we slept in. As I'm mixing my Mom's mimosa recipe (yes I will share) my cell phone rings, thus beginning the myriad of calls I knew I would have throughout the day. I love Christmas.

It's Melissa. "Don't open your gift before Mom opens hers. You HAVE to open them at the same time. Otherwise she will know what she's getting and you just have to do it this way, mmmkay?"
"Yes, I hear you" Now I'm REALLY excited!

So we sit down to begin the gift ceremony, clutching our pretty pink/orange mimosas. I'm not going to lie to you, there was no decorum on my part, I ripped that box open like the winning lottery ticket was inside. I saw the gift before my Mom did, so I patiently waited until she got her box open. She opened it v e r y s l o w l y......patience people. Patience.

When I saw that she could see it, we both yelled yay! at the same time and pulled the gift out of the box.
If you know me at all, you already know that Nicholas Sparks is one of my favorite authors. His latest book, Safe Haven, was what was inside the box and I was thrilled. As I'm pulling it out of the tissue paper, I notice that it has a yellow sticky note on the front. I glanced over at Moms to see if hers had one too, it did.
It read:
"Make sure you look inside on the first page!"

My thoughts immediately went to "I bet she had it signed!" , then, "how did she do that!?" So I slowly open the book, and I can already see his signature on the inside.

But here is where the REAL fun begins. I screamed, when these two things slid out of the book onto my lap:

After composing myself, I grabbed my cell phone and called her immediately. As she answered I was already yelling, "OMG WHERE DID THIS HAPPEN?!!!!"

She explained that she went shopping one day in Vero Beach, and there he was doing a book-signing in one of the bookstores. I was like, "you just happened to stumble upon Nicholas Sparks while shopping?!" This sort of thing never happens to me. The unfortunate part is that she forgot to get herself a signed copy.

So Nicholas, if you're listening, I plan on meeting you one day, so I can return the favor to Melissa. I promise I won't faint. Or paw at you. Or drool. Or stammer.

Okay I might stammer, but I promise it won't last long.

See you soon friends,
Tiffany


And now for the Mimosa Recipe:

2 cups of Cranberry Juice
2 cups of Orange Juice
Mix in a pitcher, place in fridge if not cold (it needs to be cold)
The Martini & Rossi (or whatever kind you choose) Asti Spumonte  needs to be chilled as well.

In a glass, pour the juice mixture, filling half of the glass, then top the other half with Asti Spumonte.
It's such a pretty drink, and quite refreshing I must say. Holiday Breakfasts at Tiffanys always include this sparkling glass of awesome.

Chasing the beautiful

I was getting ready, somewhat frantically, for a get-together at a friends house on New Years Eve. Somehow the day slipped by quickly and I realized I didn't have much time left before I said I would be there. Although a somewhat chilly day, it was still a pretty one. I noticed when I left that the Dallas sky wasn't going to disappoint me. Lately, we've been having some of the most gorgeous sunsets I've ever seen. Like sherbet ice-cream, or streaks of pink/orange paint. I really needed to stop at CVS before I moved on to the party, but once I got in the parking lot, I realized that painted sky was behind trees and I could no longer see it. I wanted to take a picture of it, but I couldn't from where I was parked. So, even though I was running late, I turned the car back on, backed out of the parking space, and drove towards the beautiful colors. I was trying my best to find a good spot where I could park, and then take a picture.

I don't know what it is about sunsets but when you are trying to do something like this, in a hurry, they seem to move faster. I needed it to slow down for just a second so I could get this picture!
Sadly, I couldnt find a good place to do so. I was finding myself getting further away from the street that I needed to be on to go to my friends house. I tried the high-school parking lot, thinking it was open enough, but the streaks of awesome were just beyond where I could capture them with a camera.

I sat there for a minute, kind of laughing at myself, and thinking, "are you nuts, you're gonna be late, let's GO!"
I also thought, "I think we all do this". At least I hope we do. We see something fabulous in front of us, it may be just beyond our grasp, but we gravitate towards it in the hopes that we will come face to face with it at some point. Even if the journey can be long, or we're "running out of time", we try like hell to get to it anyway.

It's okay if we don't always make it. It's in the "trying to get there" that can be really fun.

And the best news of all?

There's always next time.

See?

May 2011 be your best yet. Happy New Year my friend.

Tiffany

PS Chase the beautiful......it's worth it. Sunrise breakfast tomorrow? See you there.