Tag Archives: Folk Magazine

Time will tell

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This week’s Folk Magazine’s Journal Agenda Challenge is, “Take a Moment To Reflect on the Meaning of Time.”  Well this is timely…

We’ll cross that bridge when we have to.

Picture taken by Kristie Herlong

This past month my husband Jeff and I had to face one of our worst fears. Jeff was diagnosed with plasmacytoma, a cancer in his pelvic bone. We were shocked. A friend who had just survived breast cancer gave us the best advice, “Don’t cross the bridge until you have to.” I remembered that advice each time I was tempted to question the future.

We’ve made it through the test of time

In August Jeff and I will celebrate our twenty-fourth wedding anniversary. We have seen each other through every kind of trial imaginable. We got married young and practically grew up together. For better or worse and richer or poorer, we have managed to build a great life. Lord knows that our marriage has survived huge failures, but together we raised two wonderful children, Emily and Hayden, who represent our biggest achievements.

How do you tell your wife? Wait.

Jeff gets an award of valor! For a whole weekend he kept the news to himself while I was busy setting up Flown The Coop at Urban Market in Houston. He didn’t want to ruin the show for me and our friends at the show. He waited until he was forced to cross a bridge. Sunday evening on the way home, while I was talking about plans for a buying trip in March and an upcoming market, Jeff stopped me in mid sentence to finally let me in on his news. All future planning stopped.

Day by day

X-rays taken to determine if a bulging disc was the reason for pain Jeff had been experiencing in his feet revealed a mass on his pelvic bone. Initially the doctors thought it was something much worse called Chrondrosarcoma and were predicting a surgery to remove part of his pelvic bone and that he possibly could never walk again. Jeff underwent numerous tests and blood work, including a biopsy to determine the route of treatment. We had no idea what the next day would bring.

While we waited for the results we took a “naïveté tour.” We spent a whole weekend just trying to live in the moment, riding the Harley and going to the beach. Honestly, we experienced every possible emotion and had some serious conversations during that time. It’s hard not to. The difference is that we remained naive about the future and refused to cross a bridge until we had to.

We are thankful for today

Jeff is doing great. As far as we know, the cancer has not spread from the pelvic bone. His radiation treatments started and seem to be minor compared to chemo therapy. Jeff and I will have more bridges to cross in the future, but we’re thankful.  It could have been so much worse. After radiation treatments he still need to get the bulging disc in his back corrected so that the pain in his feet can be addressed.

Jeff and I are also thankful for our family and friends who have supported us with prayers and encouragement. It is no surprise to me how many people love Jeff.

Time will tell

I wish Jeff didn’t have to face this journey and all the crap that surrounds cancer. It is scary to think about what we might have to face. I can’t control the bridges that we’ll be forced to cross, but I don’t have to waist time crossing them until it’s time.

Jeff and I don’t know what the diagnosis is for our future. Only time will tell. I commit to only focusing on the joys and challenges of today. Who knows, maybe the future will be better than we can imagine now.

Only God knows what our future will bring. Time will tell.

I’ll cross that bridge when I have to!

~Tiffany

The birds fluttered around her writing “YES” in the sky!

Be FREE to dig!

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This week I am returning to FOLK Magazine’s Journal Agenda Challenge and love the topic!

Be brave and break out your GREEN thumb!

I am so excited to welcome spring. I plan to savor every minute of perfect weather and discovering what is growing in our new yard. The tenant before us had planted a little garden with some unruly looking plants.  I was tempted to yank everything out of the bed several times throughout the winter. Luckily, I was too lazy to bother. The other day I noticed that those plants appear to be eggplant and asparagus. I can’t wait to see what else pops up.

Years ago, I spent way too much time drooling over pictures in gardening magazines and planning my garden.  In the spring I would plant wonderful herb and cutting gardens. I learned how to companion garden, creating gardens for both vegetables and flowers. When we lived in Mississippi, I would jump into gardening in March. I learned to wait until May in Ohio. Unfortunately, I lost my passion for gardening in the past few moves and feel a little out of touch.

Be FREE to dig!

This spring I am feeling the need to dig! Instead of the elaborate gardens of my younger days, I think I’d prefer a smaller container garden.  I want a small vegetable and herb garden, with some plants for cutting bouquets.  Container gardening will allow me the freedom to plant without the responsibility of keeping up a large garden, and the time to discover what might already be planted.

The local garden center was my first stop. I was inspired walking around the various colorful and fragrant plants.

It was thrilling when I laid out my new plants with the various old pots and discarded wood containers I found this winter.

For now, I have rosemary, thyme, oregano, basil, eggplant, asparagus and onions.  I planted marigolds (to keep away the bugs), zinnias for cutting and various succulents.  I still need to buy tomatoes, peppers and more cutting flowers.

My advice is to be FREE to dig!  It can be a big elaborate garden or a funky container garden.  Do what you can and enjoy getting your hands dirty!  Be brave and break out your Green thumb!  

Click on the image below to check out the bloggers in the Journal Agenda Community!

Here’s to spring!   

~Tiffany

And the birds fluttered around her writing “YES” in the sky!

I get knocked down… but I get up again!

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Week #3 topic: What is some things you have done but previously thought you could never do? It took me several days to figure out what I would share, then it finally hit me at 4:30 this morning when I woke up singing, “I get knocked down, but I get up again” by ChumbawambaVEVO. (cool name)

I GET KNOCKED DOWN – take a second to listen.

Finding My Muse

A couple years ago I devoted a series on my personal blog, Doing Life Being Tiff, called Finding My Muse Interviews. I had just stepped back from a career as a REALTOR in Ohio and was lost. I loved real estate, but the market had tanked. In the past I had wore several hats as a volunteer and attempted a variety of direct sales companies, but my heart had always been wearing my hat as a stay at home Mom. A “job” I absolutely LOVED and knew I was meant to BE. My children were grown and had become fiercely independent as I had always hoped they would, although heartbreaking at the same time. I was searching for an occupation that embodied my passions and would excite and challenge me every morning. Thankfully, I have a completely supportive spouse who encourages me not to settle. Jeff is a wonderful cheerleader who believes in me. I had also surrounded myself with strong, successful women who love their careers. Finding My Muse interviews was an idea birthed out of a necessity to find what I should BE when I grew up. I learned that the key to their success required pressing into a passion. I longed to find my muse, something I could be passionate about.

I always knew I would own and operate my own business. As a little girl, I believed owning a business was how you became rich. Funny! The reality of owning a business is quite different from my childhood expectations. The truth is that it requires fortitude of spirit. An attribute I definitely possess. I frequently get knocked down in pursuit of the American dream.

 Fast forward.

I woke up this morning thinking of all the times I had got knocked down while testing various business ideas. My stack of business cards reminds me of all my attempts and failures at finding my muse. I always press into an idea until it is obvious that it isn’t the right fit, which usually requires a complete knock down. Insert a smile. 😉 I am so happy that I kept on getting up again. I wake up every morning with an adventure awaiting me.

{Hence my internal alarm clock waking me up at 4:30 this morning}

Flown The Coop allows me to pursue a passion for rescuing and repurposing cool junque, and gives me a platform to inspire creativity and a zest for life. I encourage you to press into your passions in spite of the inevitable knock downs. It is worth it.

I’d love to hear about how you found your muse. Leave a comment or join the conversation on the Flown The Coop Facebook Page. I love the inspiration I get from your stories.

 ~Tiffany

And the birds fluttered around her writing YES in the sky!

Linked In!

 

As for New Year’s Resolutions

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This weekend I read Regina Brett’s 45 life lessons and 5 to grow on.  Brett is currently a vibrant 90 years old woman who writes a column for the Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio.  Her column was posted to Facebook and quickly went viral.  “It is the most requested column I’ve ever written. My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more.”

Needless to say, I love every piece of advice on the list!  I resolve to read her life lessons weekly… if not daily!  I believe that her sage advice will help me realize a few key goals for 2013.

#18  Writer’s write.  If you want to be a writer, write.  

One of my resolutions for Flown The Coop in 2013 is to regularly blog.  Last week I was excited to committed to FOLK Magazine’s Weekly Journal/Blogging Challenge.  It helps to have a weekly prompt and a community to share a common thread.  The journal agenda has inspired me to create a 2013 calendar of prompts for Flown The Coop. This is only the second week of the year, but I’m off to a good start!  By writing regularly, I could possibly realize my dream of writing a book someday!

#22.  Over prepare, then go with the flow.

I resolve to be more organized and intentional with the business aspects of Flown The Coop.  I know, boring.  While I love buying trips and the creative side of Flown The Coop, book keeping and tracking inventory is a high priority this year.  With a brand new inventory program, I hope to see clearly what direction to take our merchandise.  I already have our inventory uploaded and am ready to flow in the creative side of business.

#23. Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.

OK!  I love having fun.  I resolve to laugh at myself more in 2013.  “Eccentric now, not later,” is my new motto.  Instead of setting weight loss and fitness goals as I should, my goal is to loosen up and not take life so seriously.  I have a feeling that weight loss might happen naturally if I stay busy living a fun filled life.

#25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

With 2012 in the rear view mirror, I hope 2013 will be marked with happiness.  I will use Miss Regina’s list as a way to keep things in perspective.  I will invest in relationships and community throughout the year.  I will intentionally be thankful for my blessings and take notice of miracles.

Wether I accomplish all my writing goals and remain organized throughout the year, my ultimate goal is to proclaim 2013 as a happy and productive year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Linked Up!  

 I’d love to hear from you!  What are your goals & resolutions for 2013?

~Tiffany

And the birds fluttered around her in the sky writing “YES” in the sky!  

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Lessons learned in 2012

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Flown The Coop will take part in Folk Magazines year long Journaling Agenda, a community journaling/blogging project. Here’s to the first blog of the year!

Dear Tiffany,

It is safe to say, 2012 is over and you can move on.

Looking at your 2012 ~ Goals, Mantras and Dreams Board on Pinterest, the message is clearly the importance of pressing on. You are a dreamer. You always will believe that you can create the life you want.

2012 challenged that belief.

The year started with a move to Houston, Texas. This was not your choice. Leaving your two grown children in Ohio was difficult.  Fulfilling Jeff’s dream of living near his family, you made the move with the love of your life and was hoping for the best. You didn’t do so well.  You missed your family back in Ohio and the best friends in the world! You learned that you are a small town girl, who enjoys knowing your neighbors and walking around a historic downtown with lovely old homes. You missed The Depot, your favorite coffee shop, where the community gathers for their daily dose of Java and everyone knows your name.

With a wounded heart, but not a wounded spirit, you pressed on.  Not many people in your new home understood that you were having a crisis of belief.  You questioned, “Could you really be happy and fly free when you didn’t have the ability to choose your circumstances?”

Despite the Houston traffic, you managed to find your way around the “fourth largest city in the US.” Exploring a new city is always fun! You even managed to find a new coffee house to frequent, Boomtown. You enjoyed decorating your little flat in Rice Village, but parking tickets and loud college students made it clear that it wasn’t the ideal situation.  You longed for community and a feeling of place.  You and Jeff decided to end 2012 by placing a deposit on a rental house in the Heights.  The Heights is a neighborhood inside the loop that in many ways feels like your small town and is the only thing like it in Houston.  The cost of living is drastically higher than we are used to, but the decision felt like a leap towards creating the life that you wanted.  After your move in January, you will be able to make new friends, get involved in community and even walk to Boomtown!  You learned that given time, you can find what your heart longs for if you are willing to pay the price.

You hustled in 2012 and will need to hustle some more in 2013!

Flown The Coop made the move to Texas too. It was a scary move for you. How would you find ways to buy and sell, restore and repurpose wonderful Junque?  You rose to the challenge and Hustled.

You set up at several shows in Texas. You did Canton, Warrenton, Junk Salvation, Discovery Green Flea Market and the prestigious Urban Market Houston. In July you opened a booth at Chippendale Eastlake Antiques on 19th street in the Heights. Your were even invited to help out The Seed Box at the Dallas Market. All of these opportunities inspired you work harder at Flown The Coop. You learned a lot about merchandising from the pros in the business. You were encouraged to discover a niche, which is still a work in progress. The best part in stepping out in the various opportunities was making fabulous new friends! You have the best colleagues and customers who continually support your dream of flying free!

Creating a life on purpose is very important to you. In 2012 you learned that even when life isn’t zesty, you don’t have to be caged. You can fly free! The happiness you long for isn’t in a destination, but is in the way you travel. You’ve proved to yourself that you are strong, willing to persist and that you have the ability to start over!

Life is a journey, come travel with me!

 ~Tiffany

“And the birds fluttered around her writing “YES” in the sky!”