Note to Readers

I have not abandoned you! I promise!

The cop and I purchased a home last week, and we have not gotten our Internet up yet. (I know, I'm going nuts. I need to hurry up...) I miss all of my blogospohere friends sooo much, and I know I am losing readers every day I go without writing.

I am even sitting here in the middle of my MBA class writing this, because it is the only place I get Internet (besides Barnes n Noble). That's serious dedication - putting aside my expensive education to update you.

I hope things are going well with all of you. How about you stop by in the comments and leave me a little life update, so I can be in the know.

Hope to be back soon!

MJ

Ode to Mom

Mom.
The woman who taught me the joy of heels.
The woman who held my hair whenever I puked.
The woman I fought with over the shortness of skirts.
The woman I inherited perfect balance and blonde hair from.
The woman who has put up with my bullshit for almost 24 years.
Mom.

You're the best.
Happy Birthday!

Note to Self: Love you!

It's Been a While...

No, I won't sing the retarded Staind song. It's so overplayed.

Anywho - Ashley over at Ashley's the name... tagged me for a little job, and so I thought it might get my creative juices flowing this morning.

I am supposed to list six unimportant things that make me happy, so here goes:

1. I love it when Panther passes out, stretched out next to me when I'm working on my laptop.
2. I love it when my professors let us out of class early, because seriously, who can sit in a classroom for four and a half hours?
3. I love it when my car is clean, which is really really rare these days.
4. I love when I buy something online, and it gets to me super-fast!
5. I love seeing people do small acts of kindness, like holding open doors and helping to carry heavy things.
6. I love seeing Eminem get totally pwned at the MTV movie awards, and then watching him leave like a little baby because he can dish it but not take it.

I'm supposed to tag people, but you all know how I feel about that. If you would like to borrow this task, go for it. Just link me and let me know that you did it so I can come see your answers.

Note to Self: Good morning all!

Note From the Universe

I subscribe to a daily "Note From the Universe". They email me a note each day that gives advice, wisdom, and inspiration.

I wanted to share one that I got this week, especially since it was so timely with my Re-defining Success post:

If you're really honest, MJ, you have to admit that things today, in your most amazing life, at this most amazing time in history, are far better than they've ever, ever been.

Well done,
The Universe

PS. And we've only just begun, Margeaux.

I love these notes.

Note to Self: Go here to subscribe.

Adoption

I love the adoption and fatherhood commercials that are out now! They are seriously touching in a hilarious way.

With my roomie working in adoptions for DFaCS, I have a personal investment in the topic. So I thought I would share some of my favorite adoption commercials with you.

These are two of my favorite fatherhood commercial. I think that the dads in today's culture forget the importance of a strong father-figure in a child's life.





These are two "perfect parent" commercials. It is so imperative for parents to understand that not everything has to be perfect for you to be able to provide a home for a child. Just being there makes all the difference.






And of course, we can't forget the unconditional love that comes with adopting what the ladies at the National Police Wives Association calls fur-babies. I love this story about a dog named Oliver, because the dog my roomie rescued is also named Oliver!





I encourage everyone to give serious thought to adoption - whether the human or furry kind.

Note to Self: I'm sticking with the furry kind for now!

Memorial Day

Between the sun-bathing at the pool, having a drink with the guys, and grilling up some greasy burgers, take the time to really think about the meaning of today.

Many of my fellow police wives also know the stress of having their hubbies serve in the military, and I cannot imagine having someone I love so far away from me for so long. I think it easy for us to separate ourselves from the sacrifice of our military when the fighting feels like a world away. It's something we definitely take for granted as Americans.

So today, think about those who are fighting for us and our freedoms. Think about those we have lost in the ultimate sacrifice. And think about the loving families they have left behind.

Note to Self: All gave some, some gave all.

Re-defining Success

When you think about what success means, how do you describe it?

Is it being rich? Is it having a fancy car or a big house? How about a white collar desk job that makes six figures? Is it being the best at what you do? Is it being recognized for good deeds you've done? Is it having a fancy degree from a prestigious school?

In the recent past, I had felt a sense of failure after being laid off from my last job. How could I be successful without the paycheck to back it up or the fancy job title? How in the world was I going to be happy without being successful?

Really, I think I just needed to define my success differently. Regardless of my occupation, I am still very loved - by friends, family, Panther, and of course, my fiance. Changing my job does not make them love me any less. In fact, they can only love me more because of how much happier I am.

My success: being loved, being happy, having a home, feeling like I make a difference in others' lives, constantly striving to better myself, and owning at least one pair of Michael Kors pumps.

Okay, maybe not so much that last one, but all the others (although I own some lovely patent MK heels). Right now, at this point in my life, I am feeling very successful. And it has nothing to do with my paycheck and everything to do with my attitude in life.

Note to Self: How do you define your success?

Territorial Rat

When Panther was younger, I used to seriously discourage his barking - I didn't want to own a yippy dog - and it worked pretty well. But lately, Panther has become very territorial, and he barks like crazy at any noise - in the yard or in the house.

And I know he is just trying to be protective, but he barks at the neighbor going to work every morning. And this neighbor has decided that whenever Panther barks at him, he isn't just going to get in his damn car and drive away, he is going to turn on his car alarm to make him stop. He says he heard somewhere that turning the car alarm on like that would teach him not to bark when he comes out.

Um, yeah. Now he's just used to the car alarm and barks anyway, and then barks MORE when he turns the car alarm on. So now, not only are our immediate neighbors kept up by Panther barking, but the rest of the neighborhood gets a lovely wake up from a car alarm in the morning.

Idiot.

Weekend Recap

I worked Friday afternoon, but as soon as I hit the door I called up my gal pals for a rousing game of Bar Bonanza. We hit up every bar in town and played the who-can-get-the-most-suckers-to-buy-them-drinks game. I won. As usual.

Somewhere around 2AM Saturday, I had a Red Bull and was within the state of mind to think that it might actually give me wings. I took a flying leap off of the top of some random Suburban (sorry for the dent!), and landed face first on the pavement. After a quick trip for some stitches over my left eye, I hit the bed for a 4 hour power nap.

We hit the lake most of the day, and I showed people how awesome I am on a jet ski. After getting a sunburn that turned out to actually be third-degree burns, I slapped on some aloe and we hit the streets again to get a neon tan. I knocked out some guy at a local pub who thought it would be wise to pat me on the back (ouch!). When he regained consciousness, I apologized, he laughed, and he bought everyone drinks. He also said I should seriously think about boxing professionally.

I woke up somewhere around noon on a friend's floor with an empty bottle of Listerine in one hand and a full bottle of Newcastle in the other. Ah, Sunday. I began the day with a customary confession of sins at my Catholic church, but beat the church crowd to lunch where I met the cop for some end-of-weekend Bloody Marys. We spent most of the afternoon cruising in his patrol car, pulling people over, and using the "meow" thing from Super Troopers...

Yeah. Have you figured out that I'm full of crap? My weekend was nothing like that. here's how my real weekend went:
Friday - Work until 10:00PM, hit up the cop's house for some food and Halo and snoozing.
Saturday - Hit the mother-in-law's pool for most of the day, no sunburn. Go to work until 10:00PM again. Turn down an invite to party from the gal pals, so exhausted. hit the cop's house for more grub and Halo and sleep.
Sunday - Don't make it to church, because God understands when I need to sleep in. Get a call that says I don't have to go to work. Go see Angels and Demons with the cop (pretty good!). Head home early after more grub and Halo.

All in all, a pretty nice, restful weekend. But I know it's definitely more boring that what it could have been...

Note to Self: For some real weekend recaps, go see these bloggers: here, here, and here.

National Police Week

This week marks National Police Week, a time when we remember those who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Last year, 146 officer gave the ultimate sacrifice for serving their communities.

It is often a thankless job, but is full of a lot of its own rewards - knowing a child will no longer be neglected, knowing a drug-dealer is off the streets, knowing a gun can no longer fall into the wrong hands, knowing a woman is out of the reach of her abusive husband, knowing another person will not be attacked, another car will not be stolen, another gas station will not be robbed, knowing good people can sleep safely at night.

But as I sincerely pray for the families of these lost loved ones, I also pray we do not lose any more. And I sincerely thank the law enforcement community for their passion to protect and serve.

Note to Self: And now, I dub myself the Sara Lee of Precinct 3, as I resigned myself to the kitchen last night to make goodies for my cop's squad as a meager thank you - fudge brownies by me, pound cake from his mom, and toffee chocolate chip cookies from his sister. They'll be working on those for a week!