Tiffany’s Corner

Well, it’s been quite a while since I’ve posted anything. I keep meaning to get on the site and tell everyone about my goingson, but then something or someone comes up and I get side tracked. Looking back on my last post, I can tell you that I feel like a lot has changed since that date. How? and Why? you might ask, well, I’ll do my best to explain with this post!

First of all, I know someone out there has been praying for me lately and I’d like to say “THANKS!!” and You’re a little sneak! Over the last month I’ve noticed that work has been getting increasingly easier to handle. Let me explain…

I have atleast one very challenging coworker that I have to deal with every single solitary day. In the past, I posted a blog about how we usually get along. Well, after talking to my notveryhelpful and totallyworthlessboss I realized that this same coworker was going to continue to get away with everything and that nothing was going to change. Since having that epiphany, I’ve done my absolute best to abstain from concentrating on every little thing she does that annoys the CRAP out of me. It’s been hard, but slowly I’m adjusting.

Since I’ve been doing my absolute best not to focus on her I’ve had more time to focus on the other people I work with. Guess what?! Everyone I work with is a slacker! At some point or another each and every person I work with, not excluding myself, is chatting with a coworker (and not working), surfing the internet, taking a long break, gossiping, humming or whistling, etc, etc…

For those of you who know me, you know I like rules, I like to follow rule and I like to enforce rules. I like to please my superiors, whether it’s my boss or my parents, by setting a good example. I think that’s what bugs the crap outta me about my problem coworker. She is the exact opposite. She thinks that the world owes her everything (she’s a DEMOCRAT, go fig) and why shouldn’t she do whatever she wants while she’s at work?! AHHHH!

But like I said…someone has been praying for me! Thank you Jesus! My job at work has gotten easier lately and little by little the tension between the two of us has dwindled to little if not anything at all. This past week was great. At one point, she even volutarily switched her radio over to my station (105.3)…that’s HUGE!

Okay, so besides that, this summer has been a blast. I’m so very unbelievable thankful to be out of retail! I had 4 long years at Freddy’s and I don’t miss it one bit. I still feel a bit wierd going into that store, but oh well. Each and every time I go in there I recognize fewer and fewer employees. It’s funny though, some of the people that I do recognize are new acquaintances, former Target employees that used to work with James.

Having a real job is awesome. Each Friday I clock out and look forward to a real weekend! During the summer it’s even better, cause you actually get to enjoy the weather! This September was awesome, the weekend of our Anniversary was just PERFECT!!!

Yep! James and I finally celebrated our 1 year anniversary. Can you believe it?! I can’t believe it went by so quick…seems just like yesterday. I am immensly happy, couldn’t have planned it better myself!

We went camping for our anniversary, at Mt. Rainier Nat’l Park. The weather was perfect, the air mattress didn’t have any leaks, the BLACK BEAR that wandered through the campground didn’t even see us….see what I mean by perfect?! This is so sweet, and pink, I’m making myself sick! Haha.

Oh yeah, did I mention that James sent me flowers, balloons, and a teddy bear at work (ahhh), the first time that’s ever happened! And he bought me an IPOD Touch. Whoa! I was so not expecting that! It’s great little toy. I’m quite entertained by it on a regular basis.

Oh yeah, in case you’re wondering, I got him a new camera lense for his camera. He’s aspiring to become a professional photographer. Yipee!

Well, I guess lastly I’ll tell you about my trip yesterday. I got to spend some time with my Mom down in the Marysville area. We met at this cute little cafe in Sylvana and then went shopping at the new Lakewood Center and Seattle Outlets on the Rez. What a great time! We had fun, but were totally exhausted when the night was through.

For a shopping trip, I didn’t make out very well, I came home with two pairs of shoes and a clearance shirt from Lane Bryant. But then today, I went to Labels and came home with 2 new pairs of pants and a new purse…so over all, I did okay!

Oh my goodness…well I promise not to let so much time pass between now and my next blog. I’d love to hear back from anyone and everyone who reads this thing…sometimes I feel like I may be just talking to myself! Ha! Love you all!

     I had a very interesting few days at work last week. You see, we normally have 3 people in the front office, last week we were down to two. Everyone needs a vacation, Lord knows I’ve taken a few. That’s not the issue.

     The issue is that I was a little concerned about having to work alone with my not so favorite coworker. She’s not all that bad, she’s just not someone I could get along with for very long outside of work. For those of you who don’t know me, I’m quite regemented. I like order, stucture, rules, and organization.

     This woman has been on The Price is Right. She comes to work every day with a Quad-shot from Starbucks. She greets everyone who walks through the door like they’ve been gone for the last three years on a deep sea voyage. She has 13 brightly colored picture frames on her desk. Nuff said?! Okay. I thought so.

     I was kind of dreading this past week because I was sure that at some point I would completely lose my mind, reach for my seraded letter opener, and run full force in her direction. Luckily, for both of us, that didn’t even come close to happening.

    Instead, a totally unexpected and somewhat amazing thing happened. We got along! She didn’t annoy me. We worked pretty well together. We were able to keep the chaos at a minimum and help each other out! We both reached for the phone when it seemed like it was constantly ringing off the hook. We covered each other’s lunch breaks. We offered to help each other out when we couldn’t figure out where something was or what we were supposed to be doing.  We both came in a little early or stayed a little late to manage the extra work that needed to be done. All in all, the week that I had been dreading for quite some time just flew by, with little incident or mishap.

     Now, I’m not saying that all of a sudden we are BFF or that we had a slumber party and braided each other’s hair. Not even close. But ya know, it was okay.

     And ya know why it was okay?! Because I was soooo busy I didn’t have time to judge her (as often) or focus on the little things she does that annoyed (and still do) me.

     No one is perfect. It is so easy to focus on someone else’s shortcomings and flaws. Their sins, if you will. Everyday we (especially me) spend so much time judging others, we don’t take the time to judge ourselves.

     As a Christian I’m easily labeled as someone who is overly judgemental. Sometimes (too many times) that is the case. I think everyone would benefit from a closer relationship with Jesus Christ. I think everyone should obey and appreciate rules. (My Dad was a drill sergeant.) But me quoting scripture and throwing a Bible in your face is not going to make you scream, “Sign me up!” If you’re not ready, you’re not ready. If anything, I will most likely push you even farther away.

     The sad thing is, some of the people (like me) who are so Hell-bent on judging others and pointing out all their short-comings could really benefit from turning some of that energy on themselves. So, with that being said, I’m going to close with a few Bible verses. I know, I just talked about not throwing a Bible in your face. That’s why I’m warning you now…if you don’t want to read them, quit reading right….NOW!

Matthew 7

Judging Others

 1“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

 3“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

For those of you that did read to the end…take care and enjoy the rest of your summer!

I know you’ve missed me, so here I am!
I have to apologize, sometimes I just get to busy with life, or too lazy to get on here and post a blog. I’d like to share a few pics with you from a hike we went on a few weekends ago. It was a little wet out, but that’s the best when you go hiking in Washington, right?!

We visited a trail just a few miles from my parent’s house in Darrington/Arlington. The trail was 1.25 miles each way, pretty easy with a few hills. The trail takes you past Boulder Falls, you don’t get to see that waterfall, it’s somewhere below the trail (you can here it!), but you do get to see this beautiful one. We sat on a little bench and ate our sandwiches admiring this lovely scene.

 And finally, here’s a pic of James and I at the base of the falls returning to our car. This was a pretty short hike, we had plans to meet up with the rest of my family to celebrate my sister’s husband’s Bday. Happy Bday Ben!

After visiting with the family at Britt’s cabin, we ventured outside to play with the dogs and throw the frisbee.

After wearing out the dogs, Brittany discovered a little baby duckling all alone in the grass. We just had to pick it up and pet it real quick before returning it to it’s very angry momma!

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Okay, I’d like to try something new here. I know, from watching the traffic on my website, that business has been slowly increasing over the past few months. Yay! I’d really like the chance to get to know some of the people reading my little rants and looking at my pictures. Please, take a moment and leave me a comment. If there’s something you wish I would talk about, please tell me. But most importantly, before you leave please answer these two questions:

1. What is the worst smell in the world to wake up to?

2. What is the funniest commercial on TV right now?

As some of you may know from reading my preceding blog, I went to a Steven Curtis Chapman concert this past weekend. At the concert SCC talked about how much he loved his family, especially his 6 kids, 3 biological, 3 adopted from China.

Well just this morning the entire Christian community was informed of a terrible tragedy. Maria Chapman, the youngest (just 5 years old) of the Chapman clan was killed in a horrible accident at the family’s home. One of SCC’s sons, only 17, accidently backed over the young girl in the driveway. To make matters even more horrific, the family was gathered together at this same time to celebrate the eldest daughter’s engagement and the 17 year old’s graduation from High School.

I can’t even begin to imagine what their family is going through. For such a strong Christian family, I see this as a very powerful test of their faith and commitment. My heart aches for all of them.

If you’d like to visit the website that, at this point has been dedicated to the memory of Maria, just click on the link below.

http://www.stevencurtischapman.com/

Take care and God Bless.

One of my favorite things that we received this past September as a wedding present was our blender. I’ve never had my own before, I mean, I played around with the one my parents had, so it’s been fun learning how to use it. I thought I’d take minute and share the recipe I concocted for making a really scrumptous fruit smoothie.

Fruit Smoothie:

1 cup milk

1 cup water

3 heaping tsp Splenda (or 1/2 cup sugar)

1 Tbsp vanilla extract

7 ice cubes

1-2 cups frozen/fresh fruit

(we buy the bag of frozen fruit from Costco. We like the frozen best, then you don’t need as much ice)

I have to warn you, this recipe will make two really LARGE smoothies or 4 smaller ones, but they’re delicious all the same!

Okay, well that’s it for now. I’ll post again later about our trip to Alki and such.