“Sometimes I dream of a place in France, or maybe it is Ohio, where people live in big houses with peeling white paint and grow herbs in the backyard next to the swing set.” ~ Unknown

I cut this out of a magazine about 10 years ago.  It has hung on my refridgerator in our last three homes.  We were always in the process of a renovation.  It has been the perfect reminder of the conflict between my dreams and the reality in which I lived.

I used to think to myself, “Someday you’ll make it to Europe,” a depressing thought for many years.

The other day I looked at this picture in a new light.  For the first time in ten years it is not a depressing thought.  The truth of  “blooming where planted” finally sunk in.  I recently have found so much joy in relaxing into the flow of my life.  I love my relationships, my new job, my small “old” house, etc.  I realise that I don’t have to struggle to realise my dreams.  I have found joy right where I am planted.

I am a dreamer and still dream of traveling to Europe.  I still love big old houses (with peeling white paint) and growing herbs in the backyard.  However, my dreams are no longer depressing thoughts, nor is there conflict between my dreams and the reality in which I live.  Finally I realise that my dreams will come to me in time and my heart really longs for joy and contentment in the present, “maybe it is Ohio” for now. 

ps….I wish I knew the author of this quote…wonder what kind of life realisation inspired the quote.

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This year could not have been planned…my focus board and goal setting were useless! All I can say is that God has blessed me. In letting go I gained much more than expected.

On January 17th I launched DoingLifeBeingTiff. I was desperately seeking purpose in “to be or not to be”. Over the course of the year I shared with you this crazy journey in true Tiff style…transparently.

At the beginning of the year I read Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat Pray Love. Jeff and I took a trip to Chicago in March to hear Gilbert speak.  I love her take on the creativity mystery. Fearing she would never write another book that anyone would care about after Eat Pray Love , she had a revelation. Creativity comes to you, not by forced effort, but by a collaboration with a spiritual force.  (I prefer to acknowledge God as my force.)  People often question: “Should I be afraid that I will never amount to my potential?”  and “Is my best work behind me?”  No…we are not the center of the universe.  Our “work” doesn’t come from us.  We should, however,  show up and dance what ever dance we feel compelled to dance.  OOH…I LOVE THAT!

This concept inspired me to hit the road and embrace adventure. I was hoping to “find” Tiff.  Riding the Harley with Jeff  allowed me to escape into my alter ego…bad ass Tiff. I also had some great travel adventures on trips to Texas, Memphis, Mississippi, and New Orleans. @SoulTravelers3 convinced me that I could afford travel by letting go of stuff. So…I sold my car to pay for a month long trip to Costa Rica.  I learned to be independent and adventurous on this trip, but was disappointed that I did not receive a divine revelation or direction for my future.  UUGH.

One of the biggest highlights this year was the people I met and the people I reconnected with.  Thanks to Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and blogging, I now have some amazing new friends.  I have been so inspired by their journeys.   I am struck by the way people are brought together to collaborate on projects.  Just like Julie in the movie  Julie and Julia, careers have risen out of the social media phenomenon.  Just another confirmation to me that I should ”put myself out there” (as Jeff and I refer to it) and allow the networks to collaborate, so to speak.

At the beginning of the year I began to  follow a great kindred spirit, Freda Mooncotch.  I have had a great year following her journey of healing and “slowing down to the speed of life” as she puts it.  I even had the opportunity to meet with her on my trip to Chicago.  I’ve learned so much about the power of our thought life through her journey.  She is another great example of allowing life to take shape and not allowing insecurities to derail your journey.  Thanks Freda for being so transparent!

After almost a whole year of trying to figure out what I am supposed to “do”, I had a job land in my lap.  A colleague and friend from my real estate days contacted me for an inside sales position.  I am so grateful to have a job in our current economy and plan on saving lots of money for my passion…you guessed it travel. 

As if topping on the cake, I can say that the BIGGEST blessing this year was a reconnecting with family.  Thanks to social media I am more connected with my parents.  (Funny, but true)  My parents and I joined Tastecasting this year and have seen each other more than ever!  Today I even became “friends” with my father-in-law on Facebook.  Got to love that! 

Change was a big theme of 2009.  I guess the biggest change came from the inside out.  I am so grateful and blessed.  I truly believe that God has a plan for me…that I don’t need to micro-manage.  So, I don’t plan on setting goals this year or “work” at finding myself…just hope to collaborate and dance with the creator!

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Big News…means big changes

Fancy Got A Job

Changes seems to be a reoccurring theme for me.  The latest change for me is a new job! 

I am so blessed.  I have for months wondered what I am supposed to do with my life.  I got nothing.  No big epiphany.  Just a sense that I was supposed to wait.  I am not a patient person.  Needless to say, I spent a lot of time complaining and pouting.

A couple weeks ago I received a call from a colleague in real estate, Wes Brown,  inviting me to interview for a job working with him again.  He is the manager of sales for The Hall Company, an Urbana company only blocks away from my house.  I loved working with Wes in real estate!  He is brilliant and gifted in sales.  Of course I wanted to interview for the job!

The interview process was funny…first interview I asked my husband what to expect.  He prepared me for the question, “What is your biggest weakness?”  My reply, “I have none!”  The question I actually got was, “Give me an example of a time when you solved a problem for a customer.”  I laughed and said, “Come on Wes!  I was prepared for my biggest weakness.”  Good thing I was good friends with the interviewer.  Second interview I asked my husband for any last minute advice.  He responded, “Only thing I got is…here’s your one chance, Fancy don’t let me down.”  That thought in my head is WAY better than imaging the audience is naked.  I smiled through the whole interview.

I was excited to hear that despite my interview skills I did get the job. 

So, life as I know it is….CHANGED.  I will love using my skills with customers again and enjoy the whole work environment.  We “laid the hammer down” with the kids in the form of a chores chart.  (we’ll see how that goes)  I’m thinking of a schedule that will work in exercise.  I will still participate in Tastecasting events.  However, the biggest adjustment will be to my travel plans.  No more taking off to New Orleans a couple times a year.  I will have to become the weekend travel warrior.  I’m in the hunt for weekend getaways and quaint B&Bs to stay at closer to home.  I will be blogging about new adventures soon!  Oh..we will travel still…just will be fewer trips and planned out further.

I feel very blessed and glad that I learned to wait.  Now I am a believer in letting good things come.  Finally, I didn’t get in the way.

admin Uncategorized New Job, The Hall Company, Weekend Travel Warrior

The world is just getting smaller everyday, Ya’all

Last weekend I was invited to sample some goodies from the Collin Street Bakery.  When I visited their website it dawned on me that I’ve been to the bakery.  What a small world!  The bakery that has been “Serving the Best Baked Goods Since 1896″ is located in Corsicana, Texas.  We have family in Corsicana and have taken the kids to the historic location on West 7th Ave.  Aunt Diane always brings the best baked goods to family functions. 

I thouroughly enjoyed the day of the tastings.  While the Collin Street Bakery is known for their DeLuxe Texas Fruitcake, my new favorite is the White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cheescake.  I learned there is more than one type of fruitcake.  My favorite is the Apricot Pecan Cake.  Jeff’s favorite is the Apple Cinnamon Pecan Cake.  In addition to what we sampled, the bakery also serves cookies, bundt cakes, breads, muffins and Costa Rican coffee.  This will make great Christmas gifts!  They have a 100% guarantee and can deliver straight to my home.  Although, our family wouldn’t mind if we took a trip to Corsicana!

Then I learned about Collin Street Bakery’s Costa Rican connection.  Now here is how the world gets even smaller for me ya’all!

To guarantee the freshest pineapple and papaya for their baked goods, in 1991 The Collin Street Bakery founded Finca Corsicana a few miles from Mount Poas.  I’ve been in the area when I traveled in Costa Rica.  The pineapple and papaya in Costa Rica melt in your mouth!  In my opinion, this was a very wise business move for the bakery.  Not only did they insure the best quality for their baked goods, the 3000 acres pineapple farm has become a destination for tourists interested in eco-tourism.  I’ve written about Eco-tournism in Costa Rica.  I love the concept of visiting the farms and supporting the local communities!  In 2005 Finca Corsicana built a tourist facility to welcome visitors to their farm.  I have another reason to return to Costa Rica!

It was fun to connect with a company that has been serving our family in Corsicana for years and to learn they love Costa Rica as much as I do.  It is a small world!

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Countdown continues:  Fit at 40!

135 days….but who is counting?

It’s been four weeks since I declared to the world that I was taking the Yunbootcamp challenge.  I completed three weeks of boot camp instead of four.  But, I am not conceding defeat.

I learned so much from Jason Yun.  I highly recommend his boot camps and his nutrition classes.  I love getting his e-mails and his friendly twitts questioning my choice of brownies at Qdoba on election day.

I am learning to be fit at 40!  First, I have learned to turn around my metabolism by eating five meals a day, each containing protein and carbs.  I watch calories and nutritional value.  It sounds hard, but it really isn’t when you learn a few things.  I am also taking vitamins again.  I truly believe this has kept me healthy during the flu season.  I drink a lot of tea from Tehku (great substitute for soda and is filled with antioxidants).  Still can’t get myself to drink the needed water (UUGH). 

Secondly, I learned some new moves from Jason’s bootcamp.  I would still be a camper, but driving to Hilliard three times a week just is too much.  Out of every approach I’ve tried at becoming fit, I love Jason’s the most.  Using your major muscle groups together in intervals just makes so much sense to me.  Again…read his blog about it…he explains it much better than I ever could.  We are considering a YMCA membership again.  There is an interval class at 5:00 am that I think is very challenging and would help me push myself.

Learning more about my metabolism and a new fitness approach are just a couple changes I have made in my Fit by 40 quest.  I have learned that it isn’t as hard as I thought it would be.   I am excited what can happen in a few short months left until I turn the big 4-0!

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I made it!  My first day at Yun Bootcamp.  This is one of the trainers, Noah.  He led a great workout with simple moves that goes fast, and kicks butt!!! 

I love Albert Einstein’s definition of insanity, “Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results.”  It occurred to me that it is time to learn some new skills in both fitness and nutrition.  At a recent social media event I ran into Jason Yun.  Serendipity!  The teacher will appear when the student is ready.  You can’t help but notice his car plastered with, “Look better naked.”  Who wouldn’t want that?

Jason has some awesome info out there on fitness and nutrition.  I’ve spent the last couple weeks reading and making changes.  I love his info on changing your metabolism.  One of his big fitness tips is that cardio is a waste of time.  Really, makes sense.  Check out his web site…he explains it best.  www.Yuntrainig.com 

My quest for fitness has begun.  I already feel different…more energy and full of joy.  I am on a journey to change my lifestyle and stop the insanity!  But lets get honest…I care about looking good naked, but I can’t wait to look cute in all those clothes in my closet!!! 

Anyone care to join me?  Bootcamp…OOH RAH!

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A couple years ago I did something crazy in an attempt to deal with the turbulence that I was experiencing…I got a tattoo.  I thought long and hard about where to put it and what it should be.  I wanted something to represent a new phase in my life…I chose this butterfly with a woman (me) inside to represent coming out of my cocoon and being Tiff, with no hang ups and full of joy like God intended me to be.  I knew that somehow out of all the stress and confusion, I would emerge a better person for it.

Although the turbulence has lifted for the most part, l am still struggling with a 20 year old issues, mainly my weight.  This has recently weighed me down and has become a form of constant frustration for me.  So…I decided to tackle it before I hit the big 40.  Fit by 40!

All the fitness gurus say the number one step in the fight is to get your thinking straight…develop your “why”.  This morning I had the opportunity to speak with Freda Mooncotch and Annika Schahn on Freda’s Fireside chats.  They speak and coach on Principle Based Psychology and Mental Well Being.  I love this topic because I am convinced that our thoughts really control our reality.  Not a new concept, the Bible talks about taking captive every thought and being transformed by the renewing of your mind.

The conversation was extremely helpful in connecting some dots!

The realization is that my weight is a symptom of a deeper thought.  As I spoke with Freda and Annika some obvious issues surfaced in my mind.  I want to be Fit by 40 in order to enjoy life…doesn’t everyone want that?  But the fact that I have no clue what to do with my life keeps me in a constant state of agitation.  This effects my weight in a couple different ways…

1. I eat to “self medicate” and to quiet my thoughts.  I am guilty of the late night binge just so I can go to sleep.

2. I don’t exercise because I feel the need to work towards being productive.  Somehow taking the time to exercise is not productive and therefore not enjoyable. 

Turns out excercise could have given me time for clarity…I should have listened when I got the slight urge to take a walk.  It could have been the very activity that would allow me to slow down my thoughts enough to have some realizations about my life.  So, this morning I took a long walk with my husband.  I am blessed with an extremely supportive and patient husband!  I’m already having some insights!!!!

I am excited about this journey.  I’ve heard it described as peeling back the onion.  I don’t have to deal with this issue by doing something radical like getting a tattoo or commit to some fad diet (which is an outward - in approach).  I can work from the inside out.  I will continue to quiet myself down and uncover the underlying thought that is making me agitated.  And I believe I will emerge with less hang ups and full of joy!

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My cute little dress

Two years ago I met one of my lifetime goals…wearing a size 6 jeans…I know… pure vanity.  Fast forward to today…back to a size 12 jeans.  So, why did I bounce back to my “fat jeans”?  What was my mind set when I lost all that weight?  I know I am not the only one who struggles with this issue.  I don’t want it to define me or be about vanity.

OK...it is relative

I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about it…well lets be honest…stewing over it.  Everyday getting dressed is a melt down.  Again, I know -vanity.  A reality that I continually tell myself is relative.  Is it really something that we as women (and vane men too) must be consumed with?

As I approach my 40th birthday, it is time to come to terms with this issue.  I want to spend the next season of my life Being Tiff without hang-ups.  So, as I obsessed with this…I had a realisation.  I want to be Fit by 40.  It needs to be another aspect of Doing Life!  Yes, it would be great to be a size 6 jeans…but more importantly I want to be healthy.  I need to learn about my metabolism, my mind set that causes over-eating, fitness…stop the yo-yo between jean sizes.  It has to be a lifestyle. 

I am on the search for tools.  I follow people on Twitter who are fitness gurus, nutritionists and who focus on the thoughts that cause over-eating.  Lets face it, fitness isn’t my passion and counting calories is certainly not my expertise.  I have six months to my 4oth birthday.  I welcome any help or thoughts.  I hope to put as much effort into it as I put into travel (ya’all know how much I love travel).

Not just a silly 20 year old hangup or for vanity alone…I want to develop a healthy mindset and lifestyle that will give me energy to pursue my passions and the next decade.  Fit by 40!  - Doing Life Being Tiff

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Two passions, travel and coffee…

Spending a month in Costa Rica taught me one thing for sure, Costa Ricans are fiercely proud of their country. It is Pura Vida! From the top of the Volcanoes to the beaches on either coast, it’s no wonder why tourism is one of the top industry in this picturesque country.

One of the newest forms of tourism in Costa Rica is the agro-ecotourism. According to a recent article in the Costa Rica Reviews, over 3,000 make their living from rural-community based tourism in Costa Rica. This kind of tourism is right up my alley. I prefer authentic, non-commercialised destinations and mixing with the locals. The idea of combining this kind of travel with another passion of mine… coffee, got me hooked.

Don’t get me wrong, I loved the adventure of zip lining through the rain forest in Monteverde, the relaxation of lounging on the Playa de Tamarindo, and all the wild life at Manual Antonio. However, you can’t drive through the mountainous areas of Alajuela, Heredia and Monteverde without recognising that the coffee industry is important Costa Ricans. Iwanted to learn more.

I scheduled a tour at Café Britt, a famous coffee roaster located in Heredia. Honestly, I was a bit worried that it would be too commercialised. I signed up for the coffee lover’s tour which included a tour of the processing plant, lunch and a barista demonstration. I was not dissapointed.  The facility at Café Britt is gorgeous with murals everywhere depicting rural plantation scenes. The staff is bilingual and very knowledgeable about their industry. I was entertained as I learned about the coffee industry, history, the harvesting of the coffee bean , processing, coffee cupping and brewing. One fact that I discovered is that coffee is only harvested in the dry season. I happened to visit in July, the wet season. Although, I didn’t get to see the actual work at the beneficio Tierra Madre, the processing plant, it was fascinating. The beneficio offers a breathtaking view of the areas that the coffee is harvested; such as Poas, Tarrazu and Tres Rios. I definitely learned a lot about one of my passions, but it left me with a thirst for more.

I have a lot to learn about fair trade, coffee plantations and farmers.  As I traveled throughout Costa Rica I noticed many coffee tours advertised and saw acres and acres of coffee trees growing. I want to return to Costa Rica in the dry season to find rural-community based plantations in action. Coffee and tourism gives a new meaning to Pura Vida for me! Stayed tuned, I am busy researching my next agro-ecotourism adventure to Costa Rica.

admin Uncategorized adventrue, agro-ecotourism, Alejuela, beneficio Tierra Madre, Cafe Brit, Coffee plantations, Costa Rica, fair trade, Heredia, Manual Antonio, Monteverede, Poas, Pura Vida, rural community-based tourism, Tarrazu, Ticos, Tres Rios

Getting ready for my big trip….Costa Rica for a whole month!

I’d say this is a trip of a lifetime, but I’m not sure it will cure my wanderlust…might even create a bigger appetite for adventure.

By my friend Sherry’s definition: This is definitely a trip not a vacation. A vacation is sitting on the beach doing nothing but relaxing. Actually, it is called a gap trip with Real Gap.  I will be in language school in the mornings and working with abandoned children in the afternoon. I wish I had spent a little more time brushing up on my Spanish…but jumping into something is my usual MOD. Friday, Saturday and Sundays will be spent exploring and yes, hitting the beach to do a little nothing.

The big joke within my family is that Tiff is going away to “find herself“….Jeff jokes about Tiff finding Paco (I hope after 20 years he KNOWS that he is all the Paco I can handle)….the truth is that I’m not exactly sure what I hope to “find”.

I have had several people tell me that I will come home a completely different person…Hope so!

I DO BELIEVE that travel expands your horizons and gets you away from your comfort zone in order to really see life in a new perspective. Reality is that once I get back, I’m going to have to” find” a JOB. I hope that my great adventure will give me a new outlook on my purpose…. at least give me a good next step.

I also hope to establish some cool relationships with International friends, love on some children who need it, experience the culture, learn to hold a conversation in Spanish, visit a coffee plantation, enjoy my adventurous side - zip lining through the rain forest, call on some couch surfers for coffee dates, and just be open to what Costa Rica has to offer, AND…. loose 20 pounds. I am glad I have a month!

I expect that this trip will be a springboard for further adventures, but hope to gain a deeper understanding of travel and what it adds to your life. I would love to take you along… Stay tuned to see what I “find”.

admin Uncategorized Costa Rica, finding myself, International friends, orphanage, spanish, travel, trips, vacations