Learning....

Ahh, the time right after Christmas. It's not my favorite, I'll be honest.

I get the "After-Christmas Blues".

It sucks.

I do get excited about new planners, a new year, a clean slate and pretty paper clips for said planner, but generally I just feel....

down.

Not depressed, just a little let down.

See, I love Christmas. So much! (Not more than Thanksgiving, but if you're me, they are one and the same).

I love the twinkling lights, the glittery decorations, the spangly tinsel and all of the magic that comes along with it.

And when all of the decorations are put away, it's sad. Things just look bare.

I love, more than anything, spending time with my family. My mommy, daddy, brother, sister in law, my precious grandma, Hot Police Boy and two most adorable loves of my life--my nephews.

The sun rises and sets in their sparkling eyes and I would go to the ends of the earth for both of them.

I feel like after Christmas it's a little...lonely.

This year, I've set some goals that I made mention to in a previous post and I intend to reach those goals, but....

I've been doing a lot of thinking.

A lot of thinking about who I am, what I want my life to be, and what kind of person I want to become.

My number goal, is to find ME. My real true self.

This is certainly a journey that will take a lifetime, but it's a journey I don't want to miss.

I'm learning to not be materialistic. In the end things don't really matter, do they? Will God really care who had the most pairs of fancy shoes or the most beautiful dresses? Will it really matter who had the latest "It Bag"?

I know, in my heart of hearts, that it won't. Those possessions will never bring true happiness.

I'm learning not to be competitive. I'm who God made me. There is no changing me.

I'm learning to embrace every wrinkle and laugh line, because some memory or smile put them there. On my face. And that's OK.

I'm not searching for the Fountain of Youth anymore. That is found in the age of my heart.

And I can tell you I feel like a 10 year old most days and I love that about myself. I hope I never, ever grow up, in that respect.

I could spend my days searching for the best cream, the best plastic surgeon or the new miracle drug that will make me look ten years younger, but at what cost?

The cost of my time? Time that I can never get back? Time that I could have been spending with my family and friends instead of trying to find something that really doesn't exist so that I can look like a non-authentic version of myself?

It's time to accept myself for who I am and stop being so critical.

I'm learning to be a better daughter. I am ridiculously attached to my mom and dad. They are my very best friends and I want to spend as much time with them as I can. Time with them is precious and I never want to regret not spending as much time with them as I could have.

Nothing makes me happier than my daily phone calls with each of my parents. And by daily, I mean 5 times a day. Each.

I'm learning to be creative!

I'm learning not to take things for granted.

I'm learning that I am so, so blessed!

And that I am loved. By so many.

And really....what more can you ask for?

So, instead of feeling down I'm making it my goal to find the joy in every day.

Each day that I get to wake up and breathe air, is a gift. I could spend it being sad and wishing for things that aren't or....

I could get out there and enjoy this beautiful life that I've been given and make the most of each day!

And, that, my sweet friends, is exactly what I'm planning to do!

An outfit for Sunday....

I love wearing dresses! I so rarely get to wear them, that it always feels special when I do. Sunday was Hot Police Boy's birthday. He turned 29....and is struggling with the fact that he only has one year left in his 20's. Bless him. I keep trying to tell him that the 30's have been way better to me than my 20's were, but he's not buying it.

Yes, I am 5 years older than HPB. That's right, I still got it! Just kidding.

HPB and I went to Mass on Sunday morning and then to High Cotton for HPB's birthday brunch! It is an amazing restaurant and if you're ever in Greenville, SC (or Charleston) I highly recommend visiting!

So this is what happens when I go out and buy a brand new full length mirror:

Yeah, there is nothing quite as jarring as the sound of this crashing to the ground and glass breaking into a million and one pieces! I am still creeped out that it fell and broke. I'm not very superstitious but...still. So, I had to revert to the bathroom mirror...again. Notice the little kick up to show the shoes? Oh yeah, I'm resourceful like that. Here is a horrible picture of what I wore to Mass on Sunday:

Dress: Xhilaration from Target
Tights: Hue from Macy's
Heels: Jessica Simpson from TJ Maxx
Necklaces: Charlotte Russe and Forever 21
Flower Pin: Claire's

Sorry for the color of the pictures, but these were taken with my Blackberry. The dress if very purple, but doesn't quite show up that way in the picture.

~TPO

TwentyTen!

This year.....

I'm excited!

No particular reason,

I just have a feeling it's going to be a great year!

I have some goals.

I don't make resolutions

because I suck at keeping them

and then I feel guilty.

And since I'm converting to

Catholicism.....

I figure I don't need any added guilt.

Just kidding.

But, Hot Police Boy, who is a "Cradle Catholic",

says guilt comes with being Catholic.

Whatev.

I'm so excited to be back in a Church and

meeting wonderful people.

This year, I am going to be a better blogger.

And......

I'm gonna start adding pictures!

Right?!?

Yep.

Not even kidding.

Don't you find blogs with pictures way more interesting?

I do.

So, without further ado....

This is me: The Pink Owl

It's nice to meet you!

And now you can put a face to a name.
(Which you have already done if you follow me on Twitter, but I digress).

No that is not my Corvette. It belongs to my cousin. He's a stud.

This year, I have vowed to save money.

Yep, I'm cutting out the frivolous spending.

It's time.

There is nothing that I need.

I have everything I could ever want and them some.

I have a closet full of clothes that still have tags on them (maybe because I wear a uniform that makes me look like a boy but that's ok, because I usually always have something to wear that I haven't worn already. Which is really cool. Of course, there are days when none of it looks good on me and I cave and go buy something new that I don't need, but that's what I'm trying to curb this year. We shall see.)

I also may invest in a full size mirror, so I can stop standing in a chair in my bathroom in order to take a picture of an outfit I'm wearing.

Annnddd.....I might just show you some of my outfits that I wear on my days off.

Trust me, they will not be fancy name brands or anything that probably cost over $100 because I just don't roll that way. So, if you're looking for the latest from Saks, Neiman Marcus or Bloomingdales, sorry to disappoint.

I'm more of a Macy's, Belk, Target, TJ Maxx, Wal-Mart kind of girl.

I spent $300 on pair of shoes a while back and I still haven't forgiven myself. Because I found an almost identical pair for $45. Yeah, I vowed then and there.....those days were over (with the exception of Uggs. I love them. I don't care if they make my legs look like bulldog legs. I totally get that a lot of people think look like shiz. I respect that. But, if I can wear a pair of boots that make me feel like I'm walking on a cloud, well....I'll take em, no matter what they look like).

Because normally, I'm wearing these delectable jewels of Police Couture:

Oh yes, people, do NOT hate. You know you want a pair of these hot little numbers. Perfect for dancing, your fave sequin dress and/or chasing cracked out meth heads through the woods or protecting one's ass whilst someone is trying to kick said ass. Oh, and that zipper? Tres chic and well...zippy. Versatility and multi-functionality: that's my motto! Kidding!

For me, I try to look cute whilst not breaking the proverbial bank.

However, if I look like a cheap skank, you can tell me. It won't hurt my feelings. Pinky swear.

As a said before, I'm in the process of converting to Catholicism (with the support of my very Baptist parents! Woot!). I'm taking RCIA classes, attending Mass and I love it! I have never felt this at home in a church before.

So, I may talk a little a lot about my journey to Holy Communion and Confirmation this year as well.

Anyway, I'm going to try to be more interesting this year and if you're reading my blog, please introduce yourself, tell me where you're from and what you're favorite wine is (because one of my other 2010 goals is to branch out from my old stand-by, Merlot).

Hope you are having an awesome start to YOUR year!

Cheers!