Why not shoot for the moon?

This won't be a post where I discuss one of my favorite authors, Nicholas Sparks. I can do that at some point, but not today. We'll save that for later.
When I viewed my blog today, which is the quickest way to see if any of my "favorites" posted, I saw one of my quotes pop up on the bottom right side of the window. Not quotes by me, but quotes by others, that I've selected through GoodReads. I added the widget to my blog when I found out that the quote changes every time the page is refreshed.

"Nothing that’s worthwhile is ever easy. Remember that."— Nicholas Sparks


Of course I agree with him. But I am going to say partially. Ever easy? That seems locked down to me. I think there are times that we can make things harder than they have to be.
 
Are you an over-thinker like I can be at times? It depends on the subject. One of the main things I am constantly aware of is the feeling that I've offended someone. Not a fan, not in the slightest. I've been told to "relax" and "stop thinking so much" before. Well, I hear you friends, but I really do care about this.
 
Related to work, if someone is given a project to do, I've heard team members involved state this phrase on the conference calls, "let's not re-invent the wheel here okay?" An example of making things harder than they have to be in the office.
 
I like to pretend that I've lived in Dallas long enough to know my way around to just about anywhere within a 50 mile radius. But that's not always the case. I've taken the long way a few times, only to realize once I reach my destination that there was a much shorter, easier way, to get there. Live and learn as they say. Just an example of me, making the journey harder than it had to be. (I enjoyed the ride though)
 
I think what Nicholas is meaning, is this: "If it's something worthwhile, you're going to have to work really hard at it". I agree with him. It's hard for me to understand when someone doesn't give something they claim to really want, a hundred percent of themselves.
 
If it's important to me, I'm going to fold myself in the middle of it, and roll it all around me so I am the center. Then, I'm going to work my butt off to get it done. I feel better working this way, if I give it my best shot I know that I left nothing that could possibly unravel.
 
I believe there are people that are afraid to raise the bar too high. As if failure is inevitable before they begin. I've been in this place at times. I'm just slowly realizing that I don't care for it. Why not shoot for the moon? Why not.
 
This can be applied to relationships, work, even play. To my male friend who thinks he's not good enough for her. Ask her out anyway, you're going to surprise yourself. To my coworker who says, "I'm not smart enough to take this on!". Yes.You.Are. To a best friend who wants to play softball but says, "but I'm so not an athlete". So what! Get that glove on your hand and get out on that field, you enjoy playing.
 
Steadily raising the bar......I am.
 
See you soon friend,
Tiffany
 
PS I'm really into egg white omelets right now. If you want to try one, I'll make it for you. If that sounds like "not-so-much" to you, there's always pancakes. <--------see how easy that was?

In which, I get a root canal on a Friday

I don't know what possesses me sometimes. Yes I know, it's that time of year. Haunted spirits, ghostly apparitions, eerie music.....That's not what I mean though. I don't know what I was thinking when I scheduled a root canal on a Friday before noon.

Dentist: so hey when do you want to do this?
Me, clearly under the influence: HEY! HOW ABOUT NEXT FRIDAY, YAY!
?
Maybe I was looking for an excuse to stay home and do nothing on a Friday.

Dear Tiffany, you don't need an excuse. If you want to stay home on a Friday, do it. Don't be so dramatic.

The usual dread didn't overcome me until, oh about 10:30a when I needed to get ready to go. You know this feeling, right?
The common sense side tells you, "you won't feel a thing, be a good girl and get in there and take care of your teeth".
The panic, don't-make-me-go side tells you, "oh my God he's going to climb inside my mouth and wreak havoc on every root and nerve I have and I'm going to DIE.FROM.THE.PAIN!!!!!"

Don't be ridiculous I said to the latter. I won't feel it. I have a high threshold for pain anyway. Bring it, I can take anything you dish out! Suddenly I hear the theme to Rocky playing and I opt to wear work-out attire, rather than jeans, a t-shirt, and flip flops (my standard uniform when working from home).

Like everyone else probably does, I brushed my teeth twice as long before I left, flossed, rinsed several times with that refreshing mouthwash he gave me on the last visit, and.....off I go. Armed with coffee (so much for refreshing breath) my phone, purse, keys, sunglasses, and an attitude that spoke volumes about how this wasn't going to bother me in the slightest.

Why, on days where you're not headed towards the most fun thing in the world, is the weather just beautiful? Coincidence I suppose. But seriously, today was gorgeous. Bright sunshine, perfect temperature, low humidity, not a cloud in the sky.

I'm going to an endodontist for this adventure, one I've never seen before. After I turn around twice, I finally find the office, conveniently nestled in between an insurance office and a funeral home. Trying not to notice the irony, I go in and before I can say a word the receptionist says, "Are you Tiffany?" I was thinking oh hell am I late? Have you been watching out the window for me to get here because I'm holding up patients?
Me: "yes"

"GREAT! Just sign in right here for me please. I'll need your drivers license, insurance card, and I'll just give you this now so you can start filling out the 8-pages of information we'll need".
She gave me a laptop people. Look how far we've come. Gone are the days of clip-boards with a chewed off pen attached to string so you won't steal it. Now they hand you a $400 device that will make your life so much easier.
I fill out the paperwork, sign the last page like I'm in kindergarten writing with crayons (every time I sign something electronically, the signature looks like I'm on medication but ran out of it 3 days ago). With a sense of accompolishment I take the laptop back to her. She said , "GREAT!" (very cheery people for those that are about to send me to a dungeon where they pull my roots out from under my teeth with wire instruments).

"Okay now we'll need to get your picture".
?
Me, to myself: "Am I in the right building? is this the CIA? are they going to ask me for fingerprints? what the H?"
I smile at a box so tiny I don't see how it can capture even one tooth much less my whole face. She then cheerily tells me that "Amanda" will be in to get me soon. I turn to sit down, but before I can, "Tiffany?"
Good grief people, can I have a moment to collect my thoughts here? Sheesh.
I smile at her, "right this way" she says. Oh God, now my turn has come. It's the moment of reckoning, the one where you think about every transgression you've ever participated in since the 5th grade.
She is a REALLY happy person. I also wonder about her degree because she looks to be about twelve years old and should be wearing Mouse ears......"M....I....C....see ya real soon!"

She has me put my purse in the corner, and lay back in the chair. Then she lays the v e r y h e a v y blanket over me that protects you when they do x-rays. The contraption she has me bite down on, in awkward positions in my mouth, can only be compared to a wire jigsaw puzzle. But this is the easy part so I'm almost asleep I'm so relaxed. The dentist takes your blood pressure now, so we do that. I'm "surprisingly normal" she says. I said "well, I normally don't have high blood pressure". She said, "yes but people are nervous when they come in so we expect high readings".

No sooner than we were done with all of this "easy" stuff then here he comes, the tooth adonis himself. See what I did there? Keep reading. Okay yes, I'm going to say, the man was very handsome. But he's about to put a chainsaw in my mouth so I don't care how cute he is. He shakes my hand, I notice he smiles with his eyes. Love that.
He wastes no time in getting right down to it. Looks over the x-ray, tells me that the tooth he will be working on is this one <-----------he points. And while he's working I will feel nothing. If that is not the case, I am to tell him so, and he will make it so I don't. I am now noticing the most awesome accent I've ever heard but I can't put my finger on it. He asks me to lay back, the chair is now leaning waaaaay back. Amanda puts clear glasses on me so I don't get any "liquid" in my eyes.
He says, I'm glad they're clear, you can still see her blue eyes through them.
sigh. "You're going to hurt me aren't you. You're now flirting because you know I'm about to be writhing in pain at your hands" I didn't say it, was just thinking it.
He asks me to close my eyes before I can see his hands, smart move Mr. Endodontist, you don't want me to see the needle the size of Brooklyn do you. He places the numbing Q-tip in there for a minute, then explains that he wants me to breathe and it may be a bit uncomfortable for a minute but he wants to get me very numb. Several shots later, I can already feel the side of my mouth tingling then fading to nothing. He asks, "comfortably numb?" I started laughing, with MY MOUTH OPEN (not attractive) and he said, oh are you a Pink Floyd fan too?
I love him.

He taps my cheek gently and asks if I can feel it, I can't thank God.
They begin their descent underneath my temporary crown. As he begins he says "so you're probably trying to figure out where I'm from huh"

Why. Why do dentists do this. I can't have a conversation when my mouth is clamped open and is dry because the sunction artist has the hose hovering over my tonsils.

I kind of shrug a little, like, "maybe". Confession, I wasn't. I did wonder about the accent, but my current concern is when the first nerve was going to stand up and say, get out of here before I kill you.
He went on to say, "well I'm not going to tell you. I want to see if you can figure it out. I will give you one hint, I don't speak Spanish and I am not from Spain or Mexico".

So I have an assignment now? Will there be a test at the end? Can I just concentrate on breathing through this?

He continues on, telling me how great it's going and asking me if I'm okay. I truly did not feel anything but slight pressure through out this entire procedure. It took about 25 minutes total if I'm calculating right.
When he was done, he said that he wanted me to sit there for a few minutes and take some Advil (that they provided). He then explained that medication wouldn't be necessary after, as in, no antibiotics, and no pain meds.
My heart sank. You mean to tell me, that when this "comfortably numb" wears off, all I have to take the edge off of this gum/root massacre is ADVIL?
But I want the good stuff. I immediately go into a slight pout that I was hoping went unnoticed. He laughed and asked if I got my way with that often. aHA!
He said, listen. I'm not a fan of pain medication unless it's absolutely necessary. I want you to try ibuprofen or advil and let me know if it's too bad for you to handle. I will call something in.
Fine!
He shook my hand again and said "you did great today". "If you need anything at all please give me a call".

Right as he was leaving I said, "Greece".

He turned around, stunned, and said, "no one ever gets it right!"
=)

Well I am here to tell you, it didn't get me pain medication, and I definitely felt like I needed it when the numbness wore off. But I took more ibuprofen and am happy to report that all is well in the land of Tiffany.

But would you mind picking me up for Breakfast tomorrow? It's still Breakfast at Tiffany's if I'm with you, and I don't think I'll feel like cooking.

See you soon friend,
Tiffany

PS Floss. After every meal. And see your dentist every 6 months for your routine cleaning/check up.
Okay?

Refresh

I just commented on a favorite blog of mine, http://www.serenitybohon.com/ (please visit, she's a breath of fresh air), discussing the "refresh" button at the top right of my browser window.
I clicked the button, and there was a new post for me to read on Serenitys blog. YAY doesn't encompass how I feel about that. Or her for that matter. My family received a real gem when she married into it, let me just tell you.

I like the word refresh.

It's been a long week as far as work goes. Add some new rather excruciating workouts in the mix, and me breaking a rule and going to a movie on a "school" night, and.....well, I'm rather tired. I couldn't say no to the invitation, we saw Case 39. But I'll review that in a future post.

I've often thought of Fridays five o'clock hour as, exhale. Hello weekend. As I drove home today in the bright, fall sunshine, I left my windows all the way down and drove like I was in a convertible. It felt like it to me anyway. My hair was all over the place, but I didn't care. Flipped the radio on, of course nothing good was playing. Switched to the CD in the player and sang along with John Lennon. "you may say, I'm a dreamer. But I'm not the only one......" (may you R.I.P. John, you would have been 70 yrs old today)

As I got closer to home, I felt the need for total down time. Yes I have laundry going, and "smells good" things cooking, and probably a movie in the near future. But for me, this is down time. It's been a while since I've stayed home on a Friday night. Quite frankly, I think I should continue this trend. Saturday has all kinds of possibilities if one wakes up,

"Refreshed"

I'm looking forward to sunrise, I hope I don't sleep through it.

I hope you're having an awesome Friday. And the weekend brings a wish or three.

See you friend,
Tiffany

PS #Mizzou you can stay undefeated, let me see it. KC Chiefs, so can you. LET ME SEE IT. I'll make you breakfast, I swear!

Top Ten on a Saturday

I woke up wearing pigtails, giggling. I have no idea what I was dreaming about but whatever it was, made me smile so lets assume I was walking the streets of Paris or some such fabulous adventure.

My top ten favorites of the week:

1. This GORGEOUS early fall weather. Dallas, I forgive you for the triple digits. You make up for it so well in October, nicely played.

2. #Mizzou bye weeks, #Chiefs bye weeks. I know right? Sounds weird. But I want my favorite teams to get some rest. And this allows me to wear my longhorns shirt, HOOK'em!!

3. Nieces in shining pink football jerseys who are named after me, and are adorable.

4. Haikus. I've somehow developed a love for these 5 syllable, 7 syllable, 5 syllable little stories. I'm in awe of people that can write one in 60 seconds, it's amazing.

5. Forgiveness and reconnecting with old friends.

6. Have I mentioned October yet? My favorite month of the year, and with it brings Halloween, my favorite holiday. I love Thanksgiving and Christmas too, but Halloween kicks it off at the end of my favorite month, and during my favorite season, fall.

7. Random text messages that make me laugh out loud.

8. Quiet Saturday mornings with the windows open, a great day stretched out in front of me....

9. Friends making plans for a cruise next year, and including me.....

10. Coffee. In large quantities.

I hope you have an awesome weekend my friend. Breakfast? I'll see you there.....
Tiffany

Do people come to you for advice?

I love to read. It's part of my daily routine. Sometimes I read in the morning, this usually happens only on the weekends. Through the week I read before I go to sleep. I've been reading more today because I woke up to pouring rain splattering against the windows. I so love these kinds of days. I stay quiet, and don't necessarily reach for a book right away. What better time to gather your thoughts than in the morning when it's silent, except for nature having a party outside your bedroom window?

But this morning I was reading a quote someone sent me, along with the question, "what do you think about this?"

"Advice is what we ask for when we already know the answer but wish we didn't.” Erica Jong (American writer and feminist, 1942)

The first thing I did before I pondered the quote was research who said it. From info I found online, I loved that the person who asked me what I thought about the quote was a guy. (A few of the male friends I have aren't into feminism, just sayin)

"Erica Jong-novelist, poet, and essayist-has consistently used her craft to help provide women with a powerful and rational voice in forging a feminist consciousness. She has published twenty books, including eight novels, six volumes of poetry,six books of non-fiction and numerous articles in magazines and newspapers such as the New York Times, the Sunday Times of London, Vogue, and the New York Times Book Review" (review taken from http://www.ericajong.com/abouterica.htm)




"Impressive" I mused to myself. At least I'm impressed. I like poetry, love reading books and short essays, articles...... and have to admit I don't mind a feminist opinion expressed with gumption. I'm not a soap box type of person, but I admire those that speak their minds, and aren't afraid to do so.

What do I think about the quote.....I pondered while laying there listening to the rain. There is probably some truth to it. I am sure that I've formed an idea of what I want to do, before I've asked someone for advice. Even if the idea was small, and undecided. I think we reach out to others for advice to see if they provide a perspective we haven't thought of.
I do agree that there are those that ask for advice because they're looking for one person to tell them an alternate version of reality, regarding the situation.

I have to say though, that sometimes we really don't know the answer. We seek others opinions because we don't know which way to turn. I've often wondered if I offer the wrong advice to someone, and it doesn't turn out well for them when they follow it, how will that make me feel in the end? With that thought in mind, instead of saying, "Do this", I say, "Let's look at all sides of the issue first".

Do people come to you for advice? I think it's a compliment in a way. Your opinion is valuable to them, and they trust your instincts. I'm grateful for anyone that comes to me with, "hey, what do YOU think?"

Here is my advice for this weekend:
Embrace everything great, let go of everything negative. Then hug those you love, and tell them that you do. That they're important in your life.

I think Monday will come with a smile.

See you soon friend,
Tiffany

P.S. I had brunch with friends this morning, I found that their company is what made the food so tasty. But the homemade bread? to.die.for. =)

Who really inspires me is the friend that pushes me to be better....

You know what inspires me?

Art. Looking at beautiful paintings, portraits, photographs, chalk drawings, sand art (while walking a beach).

Music. It can totally change the mood of my day. I rely on it much like an old friend, because that's how I perceive it.

Random Acts of Kindness. Even if they're not random. Just acts of kindness period. Especially when done with no expectation of a return.

The weather. Autumn breezes....Winter snow. Icicles melting from awnings as Winter fades and Spring peeks around the corner, bringing rain that flows a clean scent through my open windows. A Summer sun making the surface of a pool glitter like diamonds.

Nature. If you ask me if I'm a bird watcher my first inclination is to reply with "no". Because who has time? But I do have time. And I do watch them when I can. Butterflies mesmerize me. Sometimes this nature watching is on t.v. but that's is SO not a replacement for being out in it. But to see an Elephant pounding through the jungle, trumpeting loudly, I either have to go on African Safari or turn the t.v. on. I guess I could go to the zoo. Hmmm.

A tide rolling in from the shore. I think this is nature and weather combined.

Quotes. Ah the written word. I love it.

"I am the greatest, I said that even before I knew I was" Muhammad Ali

Books. The Noticer.....The Last Lecture....Tuesdays With Morrie.....do you have a few hours while I compile my list?

Movies. Quotes falls within this one. Movies like Nightmare on Elm Street? Not so much. I love scary movies, but they don't inspire me. But those like The Kite Runner, or Ray....The Soloist....Into the Wild, do. I'm leaving about four hundred out......


You know who inspires me?

The person who fights cancer, HARD, and wins.
Someone brave enough to take leaps of faith to make positive changes in their lives, for a brighter future.
The student putting themselves through school with no help.
The parent who lost a spouse that has to continue with life, raising kids and making sure love is always present.
The parent of a handicapped child.
A person who is comfortable in their own skin, and it shows with ease.
The person who puts their hand up and says NO.MORE. to the abusive relationship they're in.

Audrey Hepburn was an actress, but also a UN Goodwill Ambassador. I've always liked her. That is inspiration on a large scale, but it doesn't always have to be. It can come from family and friends who do small things as well. If a neighbor has surgery and needs their lawn cared for while they're recuperating, the person who steps up to help without being asked .....yeah, that person inspires me too.

Who really inspires me is the friend that pushes me to be better.

That's the friend I'm going to have breakfast with this week. Is it you?
See you soon,
Tiffany

We remember......9/11

"We saw the worst of our enemies and the best of our nation. America was attacked, but the deepest belief of our democracy was vindicated, that our greatness and strength is found in the character of our citizens." -Laura Bush

"We will not hunker down behind walls of mistrust and suspicion, instead, the nation will resist those who sought to divide and demoralize us. We will stay true to our traditions at home, as a diverse and tolerant nation. We will not give in to their hatred" -President Barack Obama

From New York

NEW YORK — A day of mourning for nearly 3,000 Sept. 11 victims began with moments of silence and tears near ground zero, as observers braced for protests over a mosque planned blocks away on what is usually an anniversary free of politics.

From Ground Zero:
"Let today never, ever be a national holiday. Let it not be a celebration," said Karen Carroll, who lost her brother, firefighter Thomas Kuveikis. "It's a day to be somber; it's a day to reflect on all those thousands of people that died for us in the United States."

Twitter feed:

@heykolls "I'm not a crier and am rarely serious. But 9/11 changes that every year"
@savageink "Peace."
@maybarakat "9 years ago our entire world changed.Still no words to describe the loss.Gone but never forgotten.We think of you everyday.#neverforget 9-11"
@ItsThingsInLife "#neverforget any of us could have been them 9 years ago.R.I.P.#neverforget to get up every 9/11 thanking god you're alive and have a family"
@TheGaGa "2,993 confirmed victims. The youngest was 2 years old - The oldest 85. 3,251 children lost a Parent. September 11th 2001 - #NeverForget"
@wittyclevername "Remembering all of those we lost 9 yrs ago, and the brave men who have fougt to keep us safe. Thank you #neverforget"
@MarnieNichole "Where we once were divided, now we stand united. We stand as one, Undivided. #neverforget"
@chriscturner "Enjoy your football today, but never forget the importance of this day. #neverforget"

Facebook:

"Michelle Obama and Laura Bush together.........very nice"
"Much love for those who put their lives on the line for us every day. I could only be so lucky to join them, in any capacity. Remember 9/11"
"Today is 9/11. I am reminded of the ones we lost and the people that fought for our freedom. Thank you to all those that serve and protect"
"Heading to scott AFB to the air show. I cant think of a better way to honor the heroes and the fallen than spending the day with the military"
"Reflective. Sorrowful. Grateful. Forgiving. God bless us all...ALL of humanity"
"No matter what's going on in our Saturday I think everyone is remembering.....9/11/01"
"Life is precious. 9/11 taught us that. Live every day with love, faith, gratitude, passion, and purpose. Never, EVER, stop telling the ones you love how much they mean to you!"
"Thinking of the families that lost loved ones on September 11, 2001 and how they don't have to be reminded of this day...I am sure it never leaves their minds. For that, I pray for sweet peace to envelope them today..."
"Flag at ground zero"

My thoughts are these:
When tragedy strikes, whether it be our nation as a whole, or on a personal level, we, as Americans, and as human beings, band together to form the most protective shield we can, out of love.