Do I tell her she will make mistakes?

I often wonder what I would tell the younger version of myself, if time travel were possible. How far back would I go? And what would I say, to the happy little girl that still feels like her childhood was idyllic.

Do I tell her she will make mistakes? I don't want her to be afraid or not trust her gut.

I could let her know that when she was in 2nd grade and that dark-haired boy that kept yanking her pigtails, was doing so because he liked her. I won't say boys are dumb. That's not true. But at *that* age, they often don't know how to show that they are fond of you. My mom set me straight on this, so maybe I won't have to tell her.

I think I should tell her that sunscreen is important. And that she is worthy of having herself surrounded by like-minded people, that truly care about her. I want her to know that real, true love, comes easily, and often without fanfare. It just *is*. That doesn't mean that relationships don't require work. It means the *right* relationship, is worth the required work.

I should probably mention that the circle of life can be hard to witness and accept at times. And that her grandma and 'Pap' are in a better place, until she sees them again. It's also really, really hard to lose a pet. She will learn to accept her new normal, but it's still hard.

Honestly, what I want her to know most of all, is that she has no reason to be hard on herself during anything *trying* that may be going on in her life. Don't freak out. Just breathe. You know what to do. You need to trust yourself and your decisions.

And finally, you will be lucky to grow up with a big, loving extended family that tries their best to keep in touch.
You'll fiercely support every single friend and family member, no matter what.
You will show up, and ask, 'what can I do?' when it's necessary. Because they do the same for you.

When you stand at the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, you will be moved. Enough so to write about it.
Just like seeing the turquoise water in Cancun, and the view of Hawaii from the top of Diamond Head. That you just climbed! And you thought you were afraid of heights, ppsshh.

Okay you're still afraid of heights. But you will logically talk yourself out of the fear, should you find yourself zip-lining in Jamaica. Trust me. You won't die above the jungle. Also, don't pull on the pulley. Your glove will get stuck and then you'll have to be rescued.

Be present in the moments. Even the seemingly insignificant ones. Please. They will soon become memories and I want you to be able to remember them fondly.

Oh and write in a blog. Then you can look back and read what your thoughts were, from years past.

I'm thinking of these things because I'm gifted with another year wiser on March 30th.

Thank you for being here friend(s), I'm lucky to have you!
Tiffany

P.S. Breakfast at Tiffany's continues with fresh fruit, protein, and a hand-written, carefully thought out plan, for world changing ideas. Or maybe just a short list, I never know for sure. 😁

Oh and the birthdays? Embrace, celebrate, and enjoy every last second of the celebration of you.

*picture at top, on left, me on my third birthday

You see, I care about you, and your life, and your days

Another Monday is upon us, and yes, we should be glad. I know, I know.

I KNOW.

During my morning work flurry (this is not a dessert at Dairy Queen, believe me) I glanced over at the pictures on my desk. And the calendar(s). Asking myself, 'where has the time gone?'
Moreover, 'where does the time GO?'

It occurred to me, that there are so many days in my life. I am grateful for every single one. I hope there are hundreds and thousands more.

I just need to make sure there is a large amount of life, too, in these days.

Now you go do the same, okay?

You see, I care about you, and your life, and your days.

See you soon friend,
Tiffany

PS This post was much like Breakfast at Tiffany's this morning. Brief, albeit quite useful.

"You cannot find peace by avoiding life."— Virginia Woolf

Last summer (2010) I stumbled upon a blog that had me so riveted I read every post written, from beginning to end, in one day. It was like reading a book I had just bought that I fell so in love with, I couldn't put the book down.
Her name is Whitney, and her story really does resemble a fairytale. Her bio begins with "I'm a 25-year-old former anti-romantic who followed my heart 4,757 miles to London to find my Prince Charming....."
That had me at hello. I told you I was a romantic at heart. (sshh don't tell anyone)

I've yet to meet Whitney but I know I will at some point, thank you social media. She lives in Dallas and we know some of the same people, one day I will be asking for her autograph.

Every once in a while Whitney shares stories from other people who write to her. As Valentines Day 2011 comes to a close, I've just read one that reminded me that I need to stick to what I've recently said. Live life out loud. Get out. Do more. Say yes. Go go go and go some more.
It's been a great year so far, and there's a lot to look forward to.

If you are in a place where you need to be reminded how truly short life really is, read Whitneys February 14, 2011 post.

Go here:
http://www.fairytalebeginning.com/

You should probably have kleenex handy. I'm just sayin.

I hope you had a day filled with love. Mine had lobster tail that can only be described as succulent, a toast of champagne, a chocolate covered strawberry, warm hugs, phone calls from neices that I would hang the moon for, and an Elizabeth Barrett Browning sonnet that falls perfectly in tune with Whitneys post today.

"How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height my soul can reach, when feeling out of sight for the ends of being and ideal grace. I love thee to the level of every day's most quiet needs by sun and candlelight. I love thee freely as men strive for right; I love thee purely as they turn from praise; I love thee passion put to use in my old griefs and my childhood's faith. I love thee with the love I seemed to lose with my lost faith. I love thee with the breath, smiles, tears of all my life! - And, if God choose, I shall love thee better after death."



See you soon friend,
Tiffany
PS The Virginia Woolf quote is one I am giving a standing ovation too. It's true.

Forgiveness or forgetfulness.....which would you choose?

They say "don't look back". I don't ever know who "they" are when I make statements like this. Everyone in general, no one in particular. I've often given this advice myself to friends. But a thought occurred to me when I was writing the last post about my trip home to see my family. I wrote, "I could see the completely round sphere of yellow orange in my rear view mirror", referring to the sun sinking lower in the sky behind me, as I drove east. Excited for where I was going, I was driving forward to a destination I really wanted to reach as quickly as possibly. Obviously I was looking straight ahead, you can't drive looking backwards right? But, I still saw the sun, in my rear view mirror, it was beautiful.

My thoughts are these. Yes, we should absolutely move forward. See tomorrow, be excited about it if we can. If we're unable to, then we should make changes so that we can be. Look forward to the future and the possibilities it holds. But I don't think we should lose all sight of the past. The decisions we've made along the way, good and bad, shaped who we are today. New friendships and old ones, new jobs, or ones we've stayed in for a long time, relationships or marriages.....life decisions. These things encompass the sum total of our current identity. It's okay to read the last chapter, close the book, reflect, then place it on a shelf. But that doesn't mean the next book won't be written.

One of my favorite movies is "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind", if only for the intrigue it brings alone. It made me ask myself the question, "would you erase this if you could", referring to past decisions. If I'm being honest of COURSE there are things I would like to erase from my past, I'm human. But if I could only answer once, involving all decisions, friendships, etc, my answer was no then and still is. Even if some of the things are painful, I don't want to erase them. I learned from them. If I erase it, my knowledge goes with it, that wouldn't work for me. I need what I learned, for the next book.
I'm not necessarily trying to plug this movie, it's definitely different and probably not for everyone. A good friend told me that it's based on a poem by Alexander Pope, titled "Eloisa to Abelard". If I had been a "googler" back then, when I saw it, I would have known this. I was glad he told me, you know I went straight to google to check it out. =)
In Pope's poem, Eloisa is in anguish over the powerful feelings she still has for Abélard, especially in her dreams, and by the realization that for various reasons (I'm being vague on purpose in case you want to read for yourself) , he could not return her feelings even if he wanted to. And so she begs, not for forgiveness, but for forgetfulness.

Okay I understand why she would want this. How easy is that, to hit "delete" on memories that are painful. But to grow, isn't it better to just let that pain in for a little while, then release it? If it's handled that way, it's got closure written all over it.

"Those things that hurt, instruct" Benjamin Franklin

So I'm driving forward, looking through the windshield, towards tomorrow. But that sunset in my rear view mirror is pretty awesome, eh? Glance at it every once in a while, it's okay.

We have to have watermelon with breakfast tomorrow, it's SO good.
See you soon,
Tiffany

"How happy is the blameless vestal's lot! The world forgetting, by the world forgot. Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind! Each pray'r accepted, and each wish resign'd ..."

Gonna riiiiise UP

Eddie Vedder has been talking (singing) to me all day. It's one of those days that begins slow, especially with the Daylight Savings Time kicking in, but builds momentum to an almost surreal feeling of "I think I could actually conquer every single thing that's wrong in this world today, BRING.IT"!!!!!

Such is the way of the world
You can never know
Just where to put all your faith
And how will it grow

Isn't that the truth? There's no guarantee that where you put your faith, it will then grow or return expected results.
I think they call that a "leap of faith", back to cliche land I go. But how true it is. I'm just now questioning what's worth the leap.

Gonna rise up
Burning back holes in dark memories
Gonna rise up
Turning mistakes into gold

But that "rise up" feeling is what I'm talking about, I've had it all day. It went MIA there for a bit, I was so happy to feel/see it again. I just read one of my favorite quotes from GoodReads (see bottom right side of blog)
"Tomorrow is fresh, with no mistakes in it." — L.M. Montgomery (Anne of Green Gables)
Even if there ARE some mistakes in it, I can turn them into gold. Tell me I can't, and I most definitely will.

Such is the passage of time
Too fast to fold
And suddenly swallowed by signs
Low and behold

Time flies, even when you feel as though its crawling. I received word from good friends that were kind enough to contact me in ways other than Facebook to let me know we lost a friend last week. I'm not holding many details, but just hearing the fact that she's gone was enough. When I got an email with just her name in the title, I knew before I opened it. She's gone too soon, if that doesnt bring ones perspective to a screeching halt I don't know what would. Suddenly those tragic things, those oh-so-important things, at the time, become transparent, a translucent clear color, almost immediately null and void.

Gonna rise up
Find my direction magnetically
Gonna rise up
Throw down my ace in the hole
 
I'm examining my magnet. I want to make sure it's attracting what it's supposed to, what is good for me. If it isn't I'm going to flip it over, I was obviously holding it incorrectly.  Then I'm going to use it like a compass, leading me on to some very promising days. How's that for a leap of faith?
 
Where is your compass leading you?
 
To my house for breakfast of course!
I'll see you soon friend,
Tiffany
 
PS The countdown to Hawaii is on. We'll discuss.

What you want, and what you need, there's a difference

Self satisfaction, where does it come from? I've been asking myself this question for several days. Obviously the answer is going to be different for everyone, we're all unique right? It seems to be a trend that we want what we can't have or what is hard to achieve. The impossible, is attractive in a lot of ways. I would like to know for sure, that I won't ever get so caught up in the unattainable, that I miss something lovely that's right in front of me.
Rarely do people take into account what they really need to be happy individually.
This can be applied to many things, career, possessions, relationships....
I have a friend that wants to keep climbing that corporate ladder, all the while complaining that the higher they go, the less fun their daily job becomes. I don't want to say that I don't have goals, and that my job is a perfect existence (we'll save that for another post, I can ramble on about it) but I'm happy for the most part, right where I am. Does this appear complacent? I'm not sure that I care if it does, I'm happy in what I'm doing. I'm good at what I do. Now feel free to ask me about this again soon as work is absolutely insane right now, not enough people to do the work. Yet another trend I hear.
I know a few people that are never quite satisfied with what they have regarding their possessions. That 52 inch flat screen isn't quiiiiiite big enough, lets get a new 62 inch. That brand new vehicle is so nice but I really want that one -------------->. Cell phones and furniture and laptops and jewelry and ......you get my point. Don't misunderstand, I am all for having nice things. But I don't want them to own me, I would rather own them, within reason. I also don't want them to define me. I would much rather be defined by what I say and do.

I think being happy requires knowing yourself. Sounds simple doesn't it? I've found that it isn't at times. But if you don't know you, how can anyone else know you?
I always tell my close friends that I wish for them, their every desire. I really mean that when I say it. But what I want to add, but don't, is:  as long as your every desire is good for you, and something that won't hurt you.
I think there is a “stereotypical dream” that we have regarding what we think our lives should look like and be. I can only hope that we all are paying attention when new and unexpected opportunities for happiness present themselves and not discard them because they don’t look like the stereotype we have envisioned for ourselves. There is an unfortunate idea that society and culture should dictate what our lives are supposed to look like. The result is a lot of unhappy people who got exactly what they "wanted".
 
I really do want you to have exactly what you want out of life. Just think about what you really want, and no matter what it looks like, go for it like there is no tomorrow.

I will too.

Breakfast tomorrow should be omelets I think, a variety of whatever we want, mixed in one pan. Just like life.
Until then,
Tiffany

And now a word from our sponsor

I think commercial breaks during my favorite shows are uncool, well except for the one that makes me laugh or the one with a fabulous song in it. And with Tivo/DVR now available we don't really have to endure those much anymore, right?
What about your life though. If your life is one long movie, and it pauses to hear a word from your sponsor, who would that be?
Let's see:

1.a person who vouches or is responsible for a person or thing.

Well that's me. I am responsible for me, I can vouch for me as well. You can trust me, I won't lie to you and I will support your dreams and wishes, it's how I roll. (unless you dream of robbing a bank, then I may have to rewrite the code, just sayin)


2.a person, firm, organization, etc., that finances and buys the time to broadcast a radio or television program so as to advertisea product, a political party, etc.

My place of business finances my time to broadcast. I'm not independently wealthy unfortunately, I have to work for a living so where that paycheck comes from is my "organization" sponsor. Those lucky peeps, they get to sponsor my movie!

3.a person who makes a pledge or promise on behalf of another.

I'm very lucky in that I can think of a lot of people off the top of my head that will vouch for me with no question. I hope you have people like this in your life, it's a good feeling to know that people believe in you. You already have at least one, because I believe in you.

4.a person who answers for an infant at baptism, making the required professions and assuming responsibility for the child's religious upbringing; godfather or godmother.
 
I don't have godparents. If I translate literally, my mom would be who answered for me at birth. She's one of my biggest fans, and I love her tremendously.
 
*Definitions provided by http://www.dictionary.com/
 
If I paused for a commercial break during most mornings, you already know Starbucks would be my sponsor. It's one of my favorite places to be. I love walking in there in the morning with most of them knowing who I am, and usually knowing what I want before I do. It's that whole "you want to go where everybody knows your name" thing. Who doesn't like that?  
Another sponsor would be twitter because I adore it. Tweeting, one of my favorite activities. But actually this one has no time frame, because I'm random when I tweet. It could be 6am, but I try to refrain from tweeting anything that early, I don't want to wake up any of my favorite twitterites. Social Media in general is an interest but I don't become consumed with it. (I gave Facebook up for Lent, remember?)
P90X, yet another sponsor. This would be an early evening sponsor, unless it's yoga. I seem to have no issue doing yoga in the early morning hours. Most of the time anyway =)
Music would be a 24 hour sponsor, depending on my mood you might hear Eddie Vedder, or The Fray, or Imogen Heap in my life "background", how's that for a leap? There's very little music I don't like. I don't know what we would ever do without it, it adds so much color to the day.
This blog is definitely a sponsor, albeit a slightly new one. Yes I know, it's been in place for over a year now, almost two I think? But I didn't give it much attention for quite a while. I think it has become one of my best friends. See people? I listened to you when you were telling  me to blog, some of you were even rather pushy about it. I'm glad you were, sometimes I need to be pushed. I can be so stubborn (don't tell anyone).
Texting. I still say I'm the queen. A lot of my conversations are through text. I don't want it to replace that verbal communication totally, but sometimes a text is all I have time for, I'm sure you are in the same boat I am.
Books are a definite sponsor. I think they're embedded in my makeup, I LOVE to read, always have. I can thank my mom for that, she read to me every day when I was little. I can still hear her voice, as she turned each page, she made the story unfold in a fun way. (hi Mom-waving)
Movies, ah I love them too. My philosophy is "the book is always better" but I love watching movies. Especially if I fell in love with the characters in the book, that I can now see come to life on the screen, with their stories set to background music.
 
Which brings us full circle. Just thinking about who your sponsors would be, and what music plays in the background of your life story. Right now my background music is REM-"The Great Beyond"
 
"I'm breaking through, I'm bending spoons, I'm keeping flowers in full bloom, I'm looking for answers from the great beyond"
 
And there you have it.
 
Tomorrow for breakfast we're having yogurt and fruit. Okay?
Until then,

Tiffany

"We all go a little mad sometimes"

And you thought I was just doing my thing, quoting a movie. Well yeah, it's from Psycho. Norman Bates scared the hell out of me, I don't know about you.
But seriously, don't we all go a little mad sometimes? Crazy, fast paces we walk, oftentimes RUN, lives filled so full we sometimes don't know what the date is. Appointments and plans and phone calls and working and driving to this place and that place and ..and....and....
Don't let that pace run you down. I feel that sometimes. Then I get that stop.the.world.it's.spinning feeling and I know it's time to take a breath or three and have extreme quiet. Me time. I know people that can't put their foot on the break, even have trouble coasting for a while. Everyone is unique, we're all made differently, thank God or this would be a very boring world.
I'm always in awe of people that tell me they don't require eight hours of sleep, how is this possible? Won't that eventually catch up with them? is what I'm thinking, but not usually out loud.
Now don't get me wrong, I love being on the go at times. I love plans being made at the last second that seem to just fall into place right when they're supposed to.
Oh but the slowing down. I love that too. I have no problem waking up in the morning on the weekend and keeping it quiet for hours, bringing the day in with my thoughts, peacefully. Sometimes I read before I even get up, really like doing that.
There are also days that I wake up with the need for music, and conversation, right away. You wouldn't believe how fast I can clean this house when I'm singing, I'm just sayin. If the sun is shining and the windows are open, it's on.

Tomorrow is Saturday, remember that running around I just mentioned? It's one of those kinds of Saturdays, where you pencil in the parts of your to-do list that you don't have time for during the week.

But it's SATURDAY. I scheduled fun too, it's necessary!

I hope your weekend goes exactly how you want it to.
Much love,
Tiffany

PS Definitely Cafe Brazil for breakfast. The coffee, oohhh the coffee, amazing. Not to mention the food. I'll see you there!

All I can say.....

"Is that my life is pretty plain...."

Inspiration brought to me (and now you) by Blind Melon, "No Rain". I always forget about this song until it comes on the radio, where I then go, oh yeah. I like this one.
I'm not saying this is my life theme song, because not every lyric has a perfect fit. But, seriously, my life is pretty plain. I like it plain. Some may label it borderline boring. I don't feel bored though.

"I like watchin' the puddles gather rain" Absolutely fits. I swear I should have been a weather girl, as much as I am obsessed with the elements and what is happening outside my window. I love thunderstorms, especially spring thunderstorms; lightning, rolling thunder, and the smell it all creates. I don't want to be the one that ends up on the news because I've stood underneath lightning with no cover and it ended badly per se. But I LOVE watching it snake across the sky. Natures paparazzi I say. Sometimes I want to get out IN those puddles and make the biggest mess. Why not?

"And all I can do is just pour some tea for two" another perfect fit. Do you like tea? I love it. Especially when I make two cups, one for me, one for you. Tea goes so well with good conversation.

"and speak my point of view" there's that good conversation. Well I assume speaking my point of view is good conversation. Being a good listener is half of the art of good conversation. I can always tell when someone isn't listening when I'm talking, because they're thinking of what they want to say next. And that's okay. I'm probably babbling anyway, I do that quite often. "Babbling brook" my best friend calls me, but he says it with love so I think he actually enjoys my nonsensical babbling. I love getting different viewpoints on life, and I am always grateful when someone share's their stories with me. Sometimes that sharing brings vulnerability, which can be endearing.

"But it's not sane, It's not saaaaaaane" well who said I was sane anyway?

Definitely having tea for breakfast tomorrow. Earl Grey? Irish Breakfast? English Breakfast? You choose. Then we'll sit on the patio and watch the ducks use my pool for their "pond".

I have to work at noon, so we have a nice morning planned. See you then.
Tiffany

American Idol.....inspiring?

I know. I KNOW. But let me explain. I can't believe this happened, but it did. I had an inspirational moment occur when watching.....wait for it.....American Idol. Oh you probably guessed, it's the title of this post.
Was I inspired by Simon and his rude but dead on reaction to someone's voice singing whatever song they were inspired by? Uh no.
Randy 'from the dawg-pound' Jackson's laughing at someone's pitiful attempt at Somewhere Over the Rainbow? Nope.
Kara's hipster attempts at critiquing each person with flair? This is a big hell no because she's my least favorite judge. Don't misunderstand, she's a great lyricist. But I disagree with her often in her judging....

This sliver of inspiration came from someone that auditioned for the show, and made it through to Hollywood mind you, and we knew she would because she was interviewed before they showed her audition and there were no "antics", she was portrayed as a nice, normal human being.

She said: "You can't just take all of the no's all the time. Sometimes you have to turn the no's into yes's"

This can be applied EVERYWHERE in life, oui? *warning, I may slip in and out of French at regular intervals, being a Francophile.

What I gleaned from this one sentence is as follows:

Just because you are turned down for whatever you are trying for, does not mean that you can't keep reaching for what you want. Keep. Going. Have the "everything happens for a reason" attitude. Yes I know, it's a cliche. But one I believe in, wholeheartedly. Maybe your presentation needs tweaking #business. Maybe the person you think you like isn't ready for what you are ready for, or isn't the one for you and you just can't see it #relationships. Maybe the book you're writing needs more editing #dreams. Maybe the interview didn't go well because there is a better job waiting right around the corner #career.

If you say you can't, you can't. If you say you can, you most defintely can, and eventually will, given the hard work required for anything worth obtaining. My grandpa used to always say, "nothing in this life is ever free. If they tell you it's free, there's a catch". Pap, I listened to everything you said. (I wish I had written down more, but I remember).

If something isn't working for you, try a different approach. Don't give up, just be smart about it. There is, of course, always a time to know when to fold your hand, right?

Back to work tomorrow after this lovely four day weekend. I won't say tomorrow is my Monday though, I would never cheat Tuesday like that! TODAY was my Monday, and it was very relaxing. I hope yours went well.

Breakfast at 7a, be there.
Until then, sleep well friend
Tiffany

Kites rise highest against the wind, not with it. -Winston Churchill

Where do you live?

"I know you work in the real world and you're very good at it. But that's work. Where do you live, Linus?" Sabrina Fairchild

Another favorite movie of mine, Sabrina (1995) In a conversation with Linus Larrabee, an overly-serious older brother of the guy she thinks shes in love with, she asks him about the way he's living his life. I loved this conversation because it inspired me to ask myself the same question, and continues to inspire me to ask others.

I know a few people that live inside of their work, leaving no room for play. I also know a few that are like Linus's brother David, who live quite the opposite, inside of their play, leaving very little room for work. Oh to have THAT luxury, right?

I think adding playfulness to work is my happy medium (remember me mentioning that sense of humor I'm so fond of? I take it with me wherever I go).

I could answer the question in a more creative way, like "I live in between the lines" But that invites interpretation doesn't it? In between the lines. Where one can see both sides. I think I should be braver and step outside of the lines once in a while. A work in progress I am.

Living up to my potential is tiring people! =)

Where do you live?

Since I don't have to work tomorrow, lets go somewhere for breakfast. Its still Breakfast at Tiffany's if I'm with you.
Until then, sleep well friend
Tiffany

Cold winter days

Since you're visiting for breakfast, we now have two choices. We can either sit by the fire and get that movie marathon going, or we can organize my closet, AGAIN, for the 3rd time in two months. I know, its a tough decision.
I don't know what it is about these cold winter days that make me want to organize and throw stuff away, but the idea hits and I run with it every time, always asking the same questions; 'WHY do I still have this? WHY did I not throw this out the last time I organized?'
And the inevitable always happens, my hand brushes across a photo album. An hour later....
I think our "life" closet needs cleaning too sometimes. It's okay to keep the tri-sig jacket from college hanging in there, even though it hasnt been worn since then,it has memories attached to it. But, if your closet is like mine, I'm sure you have things you don't need, that you havent touched in months, thats taking up space without providing quality to the space.
Turn the light on and take a look in there....see anything that you can get rid of?
Its like a clean slate in a way, give it a go.

We really need to meet like this more often, blueberry muffins were delectable, thanks for bringing them friend.

Tiffany

My friday favs.....in list form

<-------My namesake, who is not afraid of color.


One of my favorite bloggers, check her out at www.amyvenezia.com, does a "Top 10 Things she loves on this Friday" sometimes, and I always enjoy them.
I'll share my favorites with you today, because I know you're dying to know. Right? (I know, right? practicing that east coast accent). And that would be number one. Enjoying my own sense of humor. I've always enjoyed it. Especially when I make my best friends laugh until they can't breathe.
#2) I woke up to the sound of rolling thunder and rain hitting the window. The curtain was open just enough to let a sliver of light in, not bright light mind you, there's no sun today. Those small, whisper-quiet moments, are when true clarity comes for me. Whatever thoughts I have shoved way back into the recesses of my brain, come forth and make me think about them. And I love that. Even if some of them are hard to think about. *just sayin
#3)I love wearing pigtails, when one can have the luxury of working from home, one can do these things.
#4)I love that my laundry is almost done. Yet another luxury of working from home.
#5)The first text I received this morning was from my sister, with a picture of my niece, and namesake, Julia Christine, aka "Jewels" with pink sunglasses on and a little bit of sass showing through in her smile. Saying I love/adore her doesn't cover it. I'm taking that little love to Paris one day. *see her above
#6)Kind words. I.love.them. I am SO grateful everytime anyone takes even a few seconds to say kind words to me, or anyone for that matter. I have a bucketfull already and the day isn't over. "I'm a better person for knowing you" Does it get any kinder than that? I dont think so.
#7)Knowing that there are books on my shelf waiting for me to read them, LOVE.
#8)Tonight there will be a "Wolf Moon". I love the moon, I speak with it on occasion, we're tight.
#9)"Unassuming". I love this as a trait. When a man appears to not even notice how awesome he is. Pretty attractive quality in Tiffany's world.

and finally
#10) I love believing in tomorrow. No matter what, the promise of tomorrow brings all kinds of possibilities.

What do you love?

Tiffany

P.S. Coffee. It isn't just for breakfast anymore. =)

Broken Glass

A friend came to me today with: "I'm broken". In emotional pain over family issues. I know this friend well, so my response came to mind almost immediately.

Well, when we break, guess who is there to pick up the pieces of glass. Friends. The forever friends we're blessed with. Don't feel alone. Sometimes I feel like broken glass. But it's so SHINY. And imperfect. It even catches the sunlight in a dazzling way, our imperfections. They're what makes us unique.
Ask yourself what you want, and make a list of what's going on, and what you want fixed, and what you want to let go of. Then, on the "I want this fixed" list, decide how you can go about doing that. If you try, anything can happen. On the letting go list, extend your arm out in front of you, open your tight fisted grip on these things, palm up, let.them.go. If you don't, that hand won't have room for all of the good stuff that wants to land there, its too full of the stuff not worth holding on to.
After an apology of "I dont want to be a dark cloud" I felt compelled to say, 'you're never a dark cloud to me. I see your light even when you don't. Which is why we're friends for life'.

Do you have room to accept all of the good stuff that wants to come your way? Do some house cleaning, make room. It will blow you away.

Until next time,
Tiffany

The sun is setting on 2009 yawl

From the "Letters to my fam" Series

While I share my usual ramblings to my family lets have coffee shall we?Good morning mi familia. I seem to wake up before the crack of dawn when my house is silent. I dont mind the quiet but the quiet itself seems to wake me. I've got a meeting scheduled with the workout room in a little while, I'm feeling the pull to nature's prozac, cardio! I've already started making a mental list of what I want to do in 2010, too early? Nah, there are 5 days left in 2009, I'll make the best of them but I am very ready for the New Year. Lots of things to look forward to, a possible trip to Hawaii in May (crossing everything I have that this trip includes me getting on a plane headed west), getting my kitchen ready for new appliances and floors, (mom will you believe this, they've sent me a note saying its scheduled for march, I know I know), work is going to be interesting as my "team" is gaining 4 new members, not a bad thing given these times of layoffs and whatnot, my workout zone needs me to get back in it, hence the workout room today, lets see......personal growth. Well I always do that. At least I think I do. We all do, without even meaning to, unless we're sleeping through the days and not paying attention. Mom got me "The Last Lecture" by Randy Pausch, for Christmas. I've almost read this entire book in two days. I'll finish today. This will be one I keep, its going on "the shelf". Only my favorites go on the shelf. Or books I havent read yet. Or books given to me as gifts. What I mean is, the luxury of having a Half Price Books nearby is that I can get a few books for ten dollars, read them, and then sell them back and get more. But if they fall into those 3 categories, they stay with me. I will now share what we all would like to know, so that we can wake up fresh each morning. I hope everyone had a delightful Christmas, and you're still enjoying the weekend. Monday calls early, I suppose I'll answer.

http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/beauty/10-ways-to-wake-up-beautiful-439583/

Love to the masses,
Apiphany

And a word from Randy Pausch:"The brick walls are there for a reason," he said during his lecture. "The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something

Wear Sunscreen

Mary Schmich wrote this and gave it as a speech to a graduation class, I pull this out all the time and read it again.

Wear Sunscreen.

If I could offer you one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proven by scientists, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience. I will dispense this advise now.

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth. Oh, never mind. You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they've faded. But trust me, in 20 years, you'll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked. You are not as fat as you imagine.

Don't worry about the future. Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things the never crossed your worried mind, the kind that blindside you at 4:00pm on some idle Tuesday.

Do one thing every day that scares you.

Sing.

Don't be reckless with other people's hearts. Don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.

Floss.

Don't waste your time on jealousy. Sometimes you're ahead, sometime's you're behind. The race is long and, in the end, it's only with yourself.

Remember compliments you receive. Forget the insults. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.

Keep your old love letters. Throw away your old bank statements.

Stretch.

Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives. Some of the most interesting 40 year olds I know still don't.

Get plenty of calcium. Be kind to your knees. You'll miss them when they're gone.

Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll have children, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll divorce at 40, maybe you'll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary.

Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much, or berate yourself either. Your choices are half chance. So are everybody else's.

Enjoy your body. Use it every way you can. Don't be afraid of it or of what other people think of it. It's the greatest instrument you'll ever own.

Dance, even if you have nowhere to do it but your living room.

Read the directions, even if you don't follow them.

Do not read beauty magazines. They will only make you feel ugly.

Get to know your parents. You never know when they'll be gone for good. Be nice to your siblings. They're your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.

Understand that friends come and go, but with a precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle, because the older you get, the more you need the people who knew you when you were young.

Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard. Live in northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft. Travel.

Accept certian inalienable truths: Prices will rise. Politicians will philander. You, too, will get old. And when you do, you'll fantasize that when you were young, prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders.

Respect your elders.

Don't anyone expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund. Maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse. But you never know when either one might run out.

Don't mess too much with your hair or by the time you're 40 it will look 85.

Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia. Dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it's worth.

But trust me on the sunscreen.