i n • p u r s u i t

Remember times before "overgramming" was a thing? When I first started blogging, it didn't matter how many times a day I posted. It didn't have to be at a certain time for optimum exposure. I didn't worry about reach. Hashtags weren't even a thing. I thought of these things this afternoon. I was going to post again and my initial thought was that I have to wait until tomorrow. After all, I've already posted today! But this is a personal blog, right? And the '00 rules of personal blogs are that it doesn't matter when you post or if you post too much. Anyway. After that blah of a post from earlier today, I did indeed drink a caffeinated beverage (any other Mio fans?) and get off my behind. The kids hung out with me in the craft room. They played with kinetic sand while I sewed. We had a candle lit, filling the room with a lovely warm scent, and listened to the dreamy, melancholy sounds of folklore . I decided to start work on the doll carriers that I...

Boys I haven't talked to in ages have been quick to send me messages and comments upon hear about my change in status. That's tacky and, really, I'm uninterested. I prayed for this over and over again. I begged God to make anything happen, even this. And, well, it did. And it's good. I never told anyone that my obsession (the one I pretended didn't exsist but tore me up inside) was affecting my walk with God. In fact, I'm pretty sure that I said the opposite. So, if I lied, I'm sorry. I don't know what to say now. There's a poem over at NRAA . But the only stanza I like is the very last one. because really when you think about it we're sort of kindred spirits anyway ♥Tiffany♥

I have been neglecting y'all and I do fully apologize. I've begun to think that there is more to life that my blog. Obviously this is a completely ridiculous notion and I am going to great pains to correct my wayward thinking. [Side note: I just heard Mike exclaim something in the kitchen and then come into the office and go, "Hey, would you eat a steak right now?"] Yesterday was a rather good day. I got to work only two minutes late which is rather good considering I left the house ten minutes late. By 10 AM we had already eaten breakfast, discussed Evan Almighty, and played with pots and pans. The kids put on their swimsuits and I hauled the car seats out of the Mountaineer and into the Corolla. One Boisseau, one Heuser, and three Godlewskis searched high and low for the blue-and-white tote (the "swimming bag"), pink goggles, green goggles, pool toys, and kitty-cat flip-flops. I considered wearing my bikini but decided to give my new one-piece a try (mostl...

It's not really that long. But I still miss him. ♥Tiffany♥

I just got an e-mail from Mike! What a blessing! I was rather happy as I was sure that communication would be nonexistent until he was back on American soil. He says that they're doing well and they're working at the top of a cliff that overlooks the Black Sea! There is a nice breeze all day which should make working in the hot sun a little easier for the guys. Apparently, it's really beautiful over there. I can't wait to see pictures when he gets home. Ukraine is 7 hours ahead of the East Coast, which would explain why an e-mail I got at 1pm says "got a ride to town this evening..." The place where they are working is a two mile hike from the nearest village. I don't think any of them have access to cars, but maybe someone they know does. ♥Tiffany♥

I have the best boyfriend ever. Seriously. He buys me things that I really want all the time. (edit: insert sarcasm here.) Except these things come with strings attached. That's right! There's no such thing as a free gift! Ha-ha. I get so excited. Most of these gifts involve cooking, and I love to cook for him. I made one of my tired old dishes last night and it turned out sooo good. It was just chicken & rice & veggies, but the chicken (tossed in Parmesan, rosemary, extra virgin olive oil, and a hint of lime) turned out so juicy and so tender! Yum. Quite possibly the best chicken I had ever made. He's getting me a subscription to Rachel Ray, provided that I cook him meals out of the magazine, and also he bought me two new cook books (Curries & Tapas) with the same provision. Okay, so making curry is a little intimidating, but I'll at least try. I told him to have very low expectations and he said that that wouldn't be a problem. My latest gift? Flower p...

I forgot to get a picture of my sexy little black dress. Maybe next time. Saturday was great. I ran errands that morning. ( read: picked up card at the last minute .) So, after much browsing at stupid pink love cards ( do you know how hard it is to buy a card for a guy that says, "I love you" but isn't girly and pink? ) I found a blank-on-the-inside card with good design that would appeal to the graphic designer within. I wandered over to the hair-removal aisle ( razors, shaving cream, waxing kits, depilatory creams, etc ) and perused the depilatory creams. I knew the would probably burn my leg skin off, but I really hate to shave. Suddenly, some guy walks by and whistles at me. I look up and it's Mike! I was greeted with a little kiss. Huzzah! Yay for special days. We walked around together for a little while before parting ways. I decided that, really, I'll just go the safe route and just shave. I don't want the burnt-off-skin look to ruin my outfit. The Bib...

Dear Mike, I thanked the Lord today, for MySpace.com and O-CHA Tea Bar, two seemingly everyday aspects of my life that suddenly became imperative things that led me to meeting a most amazing man. "I thank my God every time I remember you." Phillipians 1:3 One of the first things we ever did together was go to mass. I'm sure I freaked you out with my "big-ass chapel veil" [I'm quoting a priest...I swear.] and my oh-so-traddy-Catholic ways. But you weren't looking for a girlfriend and I was trying hard to not look for a boyfriend. I had given up dating for Lent. Always the overanalyzer, every time someone said any little thing about you liking me (even if they meant friend-like) I got sucked in . April 2006 Our first 'date'...hmmm. Now, was it that one time we ate at Coffee Underground (speaking of which we so need to have some of their grilled cheese again...yum!), or was it that time we went for sushi? I guess we both generally agree it was that...

You want a picture? Of my new sexy little black dress? Well, maybe...but you'll have to wait until after Saturday. I told Mike about it, but I won't let him see it yet because nothing looks all that appealing hanging all flat on a hanger. I'm excited about Saturday. I think I'm even going to be super-ambitious and paint my toenails. ♥Tiffany♥

Something brought you to my mind today I thought about the funny ways you make me laugh And yet I feel like it's okay to cry with you Something about just being with you When I leave I feel like I've been near God And that's the way it ought to be... CHORUS: 'Cause you've been more than a friend to me You fight off my enemies 'Cause you've spoken the Truth over my life And you'll never know what it means to me Just to know you've been on your knees for me Oh, you have blessed my life More than you'll ever know, yeah, yeah, yeah More than you'll ever know, yeah, yeah, yeah You had faith, when I had none You prayed God would bring me a brand new song When I didn't think I could find the strength to sing And all the while I'm hoping that I'll Do the kind of praying for you that you've done for me And that's the way it ought to be... You have carried me You have taken upon a bruden that wasn't your own And may the blessing...

It all started with a few emails.... From: Dad To: Tiffany Guess who's playing at the Peace Center the end of March? From: Tiffany To: Dad MOLLY RINGWALD From: Dad To: Tiffany Are you going? From: Tiffany To: Dad Wouldn't I love too? But, nah, not going. From: Dad To: Tiffany Too bad... I thought of you as soon as I saw the billboard. Why you not going? From: Tiffany To: Dad Eh...can't go to everything. Even if it is an 80's teen-queen movie superstar. Ha-ha. From: Dad To: Tiffany Ahhh yes, we sure can't do everything we want. Like me, tomorrow is my day off and I'd really like to take it off, but alas..... I'll be here, probably Saturday too. These e-mails were then forwarded to my boyfriend by my sneaky father. My boyfriend then proceeded to use his connections to get us box seats. A few days later, Mike asked if I would go on a date with him the following Tuesday. Of course I would; I love dates! "But why Tuesday?" I asked. "Because I wan...

Love Always, Tiffany

I really should be working on the Nation's budget right now. I don't think I've had an 'xoxox' post in a while and I've just got to say what a lucky girl I am. I'm here at Mike's because he's letting me do my laundry while he's out playing ball. Doing your laundry at your boyfriend's house is a tricky thing because doing your laundry involves washing and sorting your underwear. And you don't want your boyfriend to see said underwear. So, it's a good thing that he's playing ball and I don't have to sneaky my freshly washed undies under towels while he's watching TV. But washing laundry is not the only thing that makes me so lucky. Other reasons, as far as our relationship goes, that make me so blessed: He thinks I'm the prettiest girl there is. I think every woman needs a man who thinks she is more beautiful than all the rest. Today, he said, "I think you are more beautiful that I have ever seen you!" Likewis...

I was wandering through the blogs over at iVillage and on Chick Chat saw some ' Instructions For Life .' I couldn't help but note that it seems to live happily all we need are 19 simple rules. After reading over them, I decided that I particularly like the last one. 19. Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon. Love and cooking are definitely two of my favorite things. I was told yesterday that I love recklessly and that is a beautiful thing. That makes me smile. Some people are afraid of loving. They're afraid of getting hurt. I wrote a blog last April 14 (do you know what that date is?) about cherishing every moment in life. The previous day, I had spent five hours with Mike. We were not yet dating. We were planning on watching a movie, instead, we spent hours talking, and talking, and talking. Cook with reckless abandon. You'll never know if whether or not you like something until you try it. Love recklessly. Even if you might get hurt. Because who know...

I'm well now. Completely better except for my throat and all the coughing. Unfortunately, I've passed it on to my love. Yes, I've repaid the one who took care of me while I was sick by transferring my illness to him. How gracious of me. We're in his living room, right now, on this plush couch of his that is, most likely, our mutually favorite place to be. I even gave him a Valentine's Day card with a couple sitting on a couch. How apt. He's lying down, sleeping at one end. I'm sitting at the other, my legs extended. I thought he was sleeping, and he reached over and took my foot and held it. Just so he could hold a part of me. His leg next to me just twitched. And I realized that there is something very intimate about knowing a person so fully that you know their behaviors when the sleep. ♥Tiffany♥

It's been crazy and I'm not going over the details. I mean, I guess I could say nothing and no one know that anything had happened. But major events happened this weekend and I definitely learned how much I've changed in the past months. I am so grateful that I have such amazing friends in whom I was able to confide. :-) Life is good. We are blessed. Whatever happens, happens and no matter where life goes, I know we're cool. And that God is just and right and wonderful. What amazed me is that I was able to truly know of God's goodness, even when I felt a lot less than good. ♥Tiffany♥ Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today," that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. ~Hebrews 3:12-14 (ESV)

Taco bake tonight with Christine. Sophisticated Palate tomorrow night with Mike. Wine & Tapas night on Saturday night with a lot of girlfriends. Church and Curtis's going away party on Sunday. Yay! I have so much to look forward to. What's that you say? How was my Valentine's Day? Most of it did not go as planned, but it was still really good. He got me a card that said: "I love you venti." :-) It was the only card at Starbucks that had the word "love" in it. When Mike bought it, he said to his friend there, "I hope Tiffany hasn't seen these." But as soon as I opened it, I said, "Oh, you got this from Starbucks!" Haha, I guess he doesn't notices me always looking at the Starbucks merchandise. We had cheese-basil stuffed chicken. Yummy! And just had a mostly very nice evening. I'm so in love. :-) ♥Tiffany♥ editors note: someone noted that me saying that i'm looking forward to curt's going away party made me loo...

Poor Penelope Parrot! She fell into the drink and could never get back out. So we just ate her instead. It's a "Lady of the Sea" by the way and much yummier than it looks! So for our date on Friday night, Mike and I went to Cheeseburger in Paradise followed by ice skating at the Pavillion. There are no pictures of ice skating, but you can just imagine. Haha. It was an excellent and fun night! ♥Tiffany♥

♥Tiffany♥

Mike told me on our date last night that there were errors in my blog--such as using the wrong form of their/there/they're. WHAT? How incredibly embarassing! Perhaps though, more embarssing for Correct-o who has never caught a grammar error on my blog. Mike and I caught FIVE errors on the first page with about 1-2 spelling/gramatical errors per blog post. Our date, by the way, was super fabulous. We went to the Cazbah and shared a bottle of wine and a bunch of tapas followed by white chocolate/carmel fondu for desert. It was one of those great dates where you have fun the entire time talking, laughing, holding hands across the table and gazing lovingly into each other's eyes. Okay, I'll stop making you sick now. Mike is listening to "Intergalactic Planetary"...oh yeah. I'll stir-fry you in my wok! ♥Tiffany♥