"Every great decision creates ripples - like a huge boulder dropped in a lake.  The ripples merge, rebound off the banks in unforeseeable ways.  The heavier the decision, the larger the waves, the more uncertain the consequences."

-Ben Aaronvitch

So this week, all my quotes and topics have been about decision making.  Deciding with your heart vs. deciding with your head.  Making the right decision vs. making the wrong decision.  Having the choice to make a change, and having the power of how you react to the change.  Never had I thought about consequences, until a family member had commented on one of my posts... he said:

"Whenever someone makes a decision, its the right decision for that brief moment in time, for the person who made it. There are no bad decisions, but there are always consequences, and the question most have is not will I make a bad decision - the question is - can I live with the consequences or outcome of the decision?"

Why I hadn't thought of writing about consequences... I'm not sure.  I mean, I obviously have thought about what may take place and what may happen after a decision has been made - I do realize what I will lose or what I will gain.  I mean, the consequences of a decision is what we're most worried about right?  I think having to start living through the consequences after a decision is made- is how you base your opinion if you did the right thing or not.  I think if the consequences are fairly easy and manageable - we believe we did the right thing.  If they are hard, or harder than hard... we fear that we did the wrong thing.  That's where doubt and regret come in... but for that brief moment in time, you knew what would be better for YOU... you knew what had to be done, and you did it - but we don't see that right away, we just see.... the consequences that we have to face.  I don't think we'd really know if we did the right or wrong thing until years later when we look back to having make this decision and living through the consequences.  You'll look back and see what could have happened or what did happen.  You may regret it, or you may not.. but you're farther down the road and it's way too late to do anything about it if you do regret it.  All you can do is just go on with your life and accept how things worked out.

 

No matter the decision - I know it will be the right thing to do at that time - whether I regret it afterwards or not.  No matter the decision, there will be ripples, there will be consequences.  And either way, I have to live with whatever they may be and look to God, faith and hope to get me through the consequences, no matter if they are easy or hard. 

1.  Last week I built my dresser and bed, and this week, I built my headboard.  I am officially DONE building furniture! Ugh.. many bruises and scratches later... Here is a few pics of my "finished" bedroom!

2.  Then my closet decided to collapse.  Ugh!  Soo.. dad had to fix it.  And after I put all my clothes back on (throwing some out and deciding to not hang my jeans in my closet anymore)... The pole started creaking and sounding like its gonna break again.  So... had to take allll my clothes out AGAIN... so dad can put up different brackets.  I dont anticipate my closet doing this again anytime soon.... HOPEFULLY

What it looked like when it collapsed...

What it looked like all on my bed...

3. After having my furniture done, and my closet fixed.  I decided I had to repaint some of the things in my room, and also add new pictures to all my frames.  So this was project number..... 3?? I lost count. =)



4.  So deciding that I needed a red pillow(s) for my bed/room, Missy and I went on a little random shopping spree - but instead we ended up looking at sunglasses, and trying on some RIDICULOUS looking hats. lol

5.  So some of you may know that I'm looking for a 2nd job - to work nights and weekends.  Friday I had a job interview at 24 Hour Fitness to work the Front Desk/Receptionist.  It was weird being in a "group interview" with 10 other people.  It's been awhile since I've been in one of those. lol  However, I did get a call later that day stating that I was not "chosen" for the 2nd interview.  It may be the fact that my hours of availability were 5-close and weekends, and they had stated they were looking for some with an "open" schedule.  Yea... not me.  lol  Plus, I think I was the only one in that interview that is already employed, so... I guess I'm okay with not getting the job. lol

6.  He'll probably get mad at me for this, but it was funny and sorta cute.  But I wont mention names.  But I took someone to get HIS first pedicure yesterday.  At first I thought he was joking about getting one, but there were no jokes.  So I took him to my place that I go to... mind you, I've gone to these ladies since highschool, and I've NEVER brought a guy with me... one of them shot me a look while we were there, so I'm sure they'll question me later. lol  But, never would I have thought he would be scared and nervous to get a pedicure.  It probably didn't help when we pulled up, all you see is women in the nail salon. haha  I do have to say, he was a trooper... ;) Luckily he had me there to talk his head off, but I did find the experience to be quite amusing. =)  I give him kudos though... I think all guys should get pedicures/manicures once in awhile... it doesnt hurt. ;)

7.  So, I'm trying to think of the last time I was at the movie theaters.  Oohh... I thought it was longer, but I was just there in November. lol  Yea, as much as I LOOVEE going to the movies - I either dont have time, dont have the money, or dont have anyone to go with.  I went and saw The Dilemma last night with the boys (for those who are questioning - I have 2 sets of boys... Bobby & Josh [for those wondering who they are, they are friends from work], and Sonny & Kris [most of you know who they are, but they've been around for years lol).  Okay, back to what I was saying... went and saw the movie with Bobby and Josh.  We missed the showing we wanted to see, so we walked around the Mills to kill time till the next movie.  I do have to say this - God has mysterious ways of placing people in your life.  Never would I have thought that these two boys and their friendship would mean so much to me... I knew we'd be friends, but not best of. ;)  They're always there, and I know I can always count on them.  I probably don't tell them enough, but I'm very grateful that they were placed in my life.  They're definitely keepers. =)

**I know its Sunday's SEVEN, but I added an extra one this week**

8.  Before my room... I was getting bored with my hair.  I was debating on what to do to change it up.  Then I got distracted with my room, so that put of the changing of the hair for a couple weeks... but now that I'm done... I'm back to my hair dilemma.  I'm thinking of changing the color, but I'm not 100% positive.  This is the closest picture I've found of how I want it...  I've done blonde, I've done dark-brown almost black (what it is now), Ive done the ugly medium brown btwn blonde and black (hated that)... I've never done a reddish tone.  We tried to do red highlights one time, but my hair was too dark, and the red color didn't show up at all... but it was a trial thing cause Laurie (my hairdresser) and I were scared. lol

But this, I like...

Saturday, January 15th Post - (was a little late today) ;)

"Any change, any loss, does not make us victims.  Others can shake you, surprise you, disappoint you, but they can't prevent you from acting, from taking the situation you're presented with and moving on.  No matter where you are in life, no matter what your situation, you can always do something.  You always have a choice and the choice can be power."

-Blaine Lee Ph.D, Motivational Speaker/Author

... Continued from yesterday's post

I left with the question - "Did I make the right decision?"  I also questioned early on in the post - "How do you chose between your head and your heart?"  While looking for some peace of mind, some inspiration, I came across this quote:

"Make decisions from the heart and use your head to make it work out"
-Sir Girad

Thank you, Sir Girad, for telling me what to do (it seems like we always search for the answers in other people.. its easier for people to tell us what to do or what they they think we should do - rather than to just decide for ourselves).
Easy as pie! Right??

Yea... I'm not convinced that it's that easy.  I'm already starting to question...

What if I can't make it work out?
What if I feel stuck and feel even worse about the "situation" than I do now?
What if deciding with my heart makes things worse?
Or.. what if deciding with my heart ends up in heartbreak?

**..... I just had an "Ah-ha" moment.  I like to think of myself as an optimistic person.  But re-reading what I just said, I'm totally doubting following my heart.  Doubting may not be the right word... Questioning.  I'm questioning if my heart can make the right decision.  Hmm... this is a little unnerving, and a little upsetting.  I've sat here debating for the last couple days between following your head or your heart... and here I thought I was on 100% on the heart's side.... .**

Okay... forgetting Sir Girad (he gave me a headache), back to those who are still wondering, still faced with the question of whether you the made the right decision or not... I found this:

"In any moment of  decision - the BEST thing you can do is the right thing, the NEXT BEST thing is the wrong thing, and the WORST thing you can do... is nothing."
-Theodore Roosevelt

If by chance you made the wrong decision, which you'll never know if you did or not... you shouldn't waste time thinking/stressing about it.  If you did the right or the wrong thing - you did the BEST or the NEXT BEST thing.  Doing NOTHING is the worst thing you can do... it will most likely lead you no where but to the road of regret.  Regret for not doing something about it when you had the chance.  If you think about it... following your heart or following your head... doing the right thing or doing the wrong thing... all you're doing is changing your situation.  

Making a decision - is the first thing you decide to do to make a change.


..... to be continued... again. =)

"If your head tells you one thing, and your heart tells you another...before you do anything, you should first decide whether you have a better head or a better heart."

-Marilyn vos Savant

 

 

Makes sense. But how do you decipher which one is "better"? 

 
Not all decisions are you faced with choosing either to follow your head or follow your heart.  Most of the time, those matters are close to the heart (obviously).  It may be life changing, it may not change only your future... but the future of your family/friends, it may result in happiness... or could result in sadness, it may take you down a different path in life that you weren't expecting.

My head and my heart normally pull me in opposite directions when I'm faced with having to make a major decision.  I know what I need to do. My head knows it... but my heart always tells me to do otherwise - most of the time to hold on or go the other way, to fight for what I feel, for what it wants. But at some point, I realize that I know my head probably knows what's better for me and for my heart. My head knows the facts, but my heart feels the emotions. It's just the matter of convincing the heart to let go and give into your head.  So how do you convince your heart to let go of something that it obviously doesn't want to, or to follow through with the direction your head is saying to go?

This is a difficult task, especially for me.  One, because I over-analyze everything before I make a decision.  So a decision like this isn't made in an hour, or in a day.  I take weeks to really figure out what I'm doing.  Two, everything I do... I do it with heart.  I put my heart into EVERYTHING I do.. 100%.  So when I'm faced to follow my head or my heart... it almost feels impossible. I'm already spinning in circles.  Making a decision whether to listen to my heart or to my head... it breaks me down - how can I choose?  It's one of those "gets-inside-you-and-rips-you-apart" kinda feelings... probably the same kind of feeling you feel after you follow your head.  The same feeling after your heart loses the fight. Siiigh

Then, after you decide.. whether it's following your heart or your head...and you follow through and actually make the decision... You're faced with the one question that will most likely haunt you until you're completely over it and eventually become satisfied with your decision:

Did I do the right thing?




.... to be continued.

"If you can make a girl laugh - - you can make a girl do anything."

-Marilyn Monroe

I hate that this is true... Sure, the guy can be cute and you can walk away without feeling that you're missing out.  But as soon as he makes you laugh, more than once.... you're in trouble.  Falling for the funny, cute, charming guy who makes everyone laugh - makes life more interesting and more fun right? Yes, I said more fun. :)

My only question is... what happens when it's time to get serious??  

"It's the heart afraid of breaking that never learns to dance.

It is the dream afraid of waking that never takes the chance.

It is the one who won't be taken who cannot seem to give.

And the soul afraid of dying, that never learns to live."

-Bette Midler

"Tis better to have loved and lost, than never have loved at all."

-Alfred Lord Tennyson

This is one of those bittersweet quotes...

 In one sense, you lived a portion of your life loving someone.  Someone who was worth your love, someone who was worth your time, someone who was worthy of you.  You had opened up your heart and your life to someone... and loved.  In another sense, you lost it.  Whether it was a bad/mutual breakup, it just wasn't working out, divorce, death, etc. ... either way, the person you had loved, is no longer yours.  And eventually you have to move on without this person... without this person who, at one point, meant everything to you.

None of us like getting hurt, none of us like losing someone we love or having to say goodbye.  I find it ironic how most of us in some situations put up a guard, or take the safe road so we don't have to put ourselves out there to potentially get hurt, or to potentially set ourselves up for failure or rejection.  When it comes to love, a lot of us are more reserved, those who have a guard up... all they have to do is meet one person who can break that guard down, and they're willing to take a chance and risk their feelings, and risk their hearts - and increase the possibility of losing someone and getting hurt, just to experience what love would be like with that person.  I guess, you as an individual - before taking a leap of faith, before falling head over heals, just have to decide whether that person is worth it.  Whether you think it will work out in the end or not, you make a personal decision whether it will be worth the hurt/pain if something were to take a wrong turn, and it not turn out to the be the perfect picture you imagined it to be.

Some people look back and regret they've ever loved someone.  Some people look back and think how they could have ever loved someone like that person.  But I wonder if they look back, and think how different they would be without experiencing that love?  How different would your life be?  Do you think you'd be as strong as you are today?  Do you think you'd know what you want and what you're looking for if you never loved that person at all? Life is too short to live with regrets. That person was put in your life for a reason, if it wasn't meant to be... then it wasn't meant to be.  And what's meant to be will always find its way.  But to have loved and lost... you learn from it, and you grow from it - and you become a better person. I guess I can say I'm one of those people... I'd rather love, than to never have loved at all.

1.  Finally got my windows tinted on my precious baby! Woohooo!!!

2.  My mattress, and new bedding came in!! Then, my new bed and dresser came in!!  Mind you... they literally came in pieces!!!

3.  Spent some time finalizing forms/contract for Ciao Bell'amore.  Went and spent some money on new office supplies (binders, report type folders, customer file, etc.) that were much needed... Gotta be organized!! =)

4.  As I was cleaning out my old dresser, guess what I found?  My almost brand new camera that's been missing for about 6 months.  I knew I either lost it or it was stolen, come to find out... it was in my dresser the whole time. lol

5.  Got to spend some time with one of my bestests (Tristan)... went and had dinner and celebrated our Christmas (we just exchanged Christmas gifts lol) at her house.  And had many laughs at her boys... gotta love em'!



6.  Benihanas. YUUMMM!!! Haven't been since my 22nd birthday... and I went on Saturday for a friends birthday.  If you've never ate there.... it's a must! Though you go home smelling like the food,  it's well worth it!

7.  Built my bedroom furniture.  I started Friday night with the dresser... Dad did some on Saturday while I was out at Bryan Morales' funeral, and then I came home and we finished it together.  Then Sunday rolls around, thinking Dad's gonna help me build my bed... but him, Mom and Missy decided to go visit Robby since he had today off.  So I stayed home and built my bed all by myself.  =)  Though I haven't finished, still have to put my headboard together... I'm sitting on my new bed right now taking a break. ;)  I thought since I upgraded from a Full to Queen size bed, my room was just going to be 'all bed'... but it's not, and it looks great!  But my hands, back, butt and legs hurt... not sure exactly why, but building these things was NOT easy! lol

I'll have to post a picture next week when the headboard is done and when all of my bedding is on. =)

Hope everyone had a great week! 

"You're like a rush, you're like a drug, it's just the sight of you... I like to think that I could kick you but it's what you do.  When you wink at me, what's the Lord think of me... for being so frickin weak, I find it hard for me to breathe."

-Pink lyrics to Heartbreak Down

"The meaning of hope is a confident expectation"

-Said by one of the youth pastors at Bryan Morales' service this morning

One of the reasons this stuck out to me today, was because just the other day I was having a serious conversation with a friend.  During the conversation he had said, "let's just hope for the best."  And I don't remember my response verbatim, but it was something along the lines of, "Here I am, taking control of different situations in my life and doing something about them and making changes... and not relying on hope.  I can't rely on hope anymore.  I don't have control when it comes to hope."  At the time I said this, or even now... I've felt that I've relied on hope and have hoped for so long for many things, that when it comes down to it... I feel that I can't rely on hope for something to happen, or hope that something goes well.  My thoughts were, make it happen.  Take control, and make it happen.  Though there are those things that we cannot control, for example - health, other people's actions, mother nature, etc.  I had/have a hard time relying on hope - it may be the uncertainty that scares me, or not having control of the situation. So when I heard this quote at church this morning... Something inside me had me repeating this quote over and over and over...  A sign maybe? Or maybe God was speaking to me.. telling me I need to stop worrying about being in control and rely on Him... and HOPE.  Sitting in church, hearing the pastor talk about hope I began to feel guilty... realizing that not relying on hope, meant not relying on Him.  When it comes down to the wire, my close friends wouldn't really call me a religious person.  Yes, I've grown up and have gone to church with friends, and here and there had gone to retreats and different events; and have showed up for a service from time to time.  I've always believed in Him, but... I can say have never felt like I've had a relationship with Him.  But after today, feeling guilty that I basically said I'd given up God..when yesterday I had said - I've given up hope... I felt that I was wrong, and something needed to change.   

Read on Bible.org :

Hope may refer to the activity of hoping, or to the object hoped for—the content of one’s hope. By its very nature, hope stresses two things: (a) futurity, and (b) invisibility. It deals with things we can’t see or haven’t received or both.

A biblical hope is not an escape from reality or from problems. It doesn’t leave us idle, drifting or just rocking on the front porch. If our hope is biblical and based on God's promises, it will put us in gear.

It has results: It changes how we see ourselves, it affects what we do with our lives - our talents, time, and treasures.  It has rewards:  It gives us joy and peace; it gives us protection; it gives us strength, courage and boldness; it gives us endurance, comfort, confidence in the face of death.

Positive - the means and basis of the only true hope.

There are a number of warnings in Scripture against putting our hope in anything other than the Lord because these things will leave us ashamed, frustrated, disappointed, and in ruin. God is called “the God of Hope.” This means He is the source of all real hope. If we are going to have hope (confident expectation), it must come from Him for He alone has the power to give it.

So... the outcome?  I know I can't control every situation, and instead of thinking I'm relying on some kind of hope that whatever happens - happens, and that's the end of it... I've started to reassure myself that I need to rely on hope from God, and I need to remember that he has a plan - and whatever may happen, whatever may be the outcome... He has drawn out my future, my path... I can only rely Him.

"I'm more than just an option.... Refuse to be forgotten.... I took a chance with my heart.... And I feel it takin' over...."

-Drake lyrics to Find Your Love

"Maybe your reason why all the doors are closed, so you can open one that leads you to the perfect road."
-Katy Perry lyrics to Firework

Her video is amazing, it's a must see! (Make sure you turn my music player off first!)

"Begin doing what you want to do NOW. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand, & melting like a snowflake."

-Marie Ray

I keep thinking if I read this over and over and over... I'll begin doing what I want to do NOW. But it's not working (lol). Why is it that we let things like fear, change, failure, and the thought of rejection hold us back from what we want to do, from what we're born to do, from who we are? I always hear myself say... I will start "this" when I finish "that", or I can't do "this" until "that" happens, or I'm going to do "this" once I actually get "that" done. Then you start convincing yourself that what you're saying actually makes sense and it's a good idea, that what you're doing to yourself is motivation to actually get to where you want to be (emotionally or physically). IT'S NOT! STOP!! It's ridiculous... cause then you just end up with clothes in the closet that you've never worn, boxes of pictures from the last 5 years that are collecting dust, half of a garage (that's not yours) full of tubs with household items and decor, and an image/drawing of a tattoo that you've wanted longer than any of the tattoos you currently have.

***SIIIIGHHH***

Okay, sorry... I started off pretty good - but then I got sidetracked thinking specifically of what I've said that I'd "do", after something else is "done". For example, the clothes in the closet that I said would fit after a few more months of hardcore working out (which would also result in a tattoo on my hip), tubs..and tubs.... and did I mention tubs of stuff in the garage that I said I will use when I move out in a couple months (that I started saying over a year ago)?

I keep saying that I can't wait for my life to begin... my real life. But there's always something in the way - an obstacle, something I need to get through, unfinished business, bills to be paid - THEN I can start my life. I'm coming to the realization, that this is my life, my real life, my only life. There's ALWAYS going to be something in the way. ALWAYS gonna have bills to pay, and you will ALWAYS be going through obstacles. I feel like a light just went on...

"Hello Val, welcome to your life; glad you can join us!"

(Mind you, I have nooo idea who "us" is, it just sounded good... I swear I don't have multiple personalities.)

((I'm secretly laughing right now, I am totally entertaining myself with this blog tonight. Hahaha))

All I'm saying... is don't wait for what you want. Life is too short to not do what you want to do.

"This moment is melting like a snowflake"

Take a chance on change. Take a chance on rejection. Take a chance on love.

TAKE A CHANCE ON LIFE!

Start doing what YOU want to do! If you can't start NOW... Start the process of getting to where you need to be - to do what you WANT to do!

"When it seems you have lost the battle of life, when you feel deserted even among your loved ones, when all your strength and determination seems to fly away in the horizon, in just one dolt; when you repent over the loss of your most precious gifts in life, through no fault of yours, remember one thing; nothing is constant and permanent in this world.  Neither time nor life, neither solution nor problems, neither precaution nor cure, neither success nor failure.

The thing you feel you have lost, was never yours, be it materialistic or a treasured relation, job or a person.  You acquired it in the process of fighting the battle of time.  Remember, you lose only when you possess it in the first place.  It is you who achieved success in all the fronts of your life.  If you can do it once, you can do it again.

Do not lose hope.  Have faith and belief in yourself.  Every human is born with a purpose in life.  Think positive.  One day these positive vibrations will attract and attach new strings in your life.  These strings will create and bring the harmony and music in your faded life.  Your life will become a musical note once again."

I found this when looking for a quote last night after spending some time with a few close friends. I'm not too sure on who exactly wrote it, I might have stole it from the person who actually did write it... given it that it's not really a "quote".  But I thought this was relevant due to the fact of what some of my family and really close friends are going through right now. ***RIP Bryan Morales***

It's hard not to think how these words can effect someones life.  They could be words of encouragement, empowerment, or even may be help save a life.

"Every day you are alive - is a special occasion.  Every minute, every breath, is a gift from God."

-Mary Manin Morrissey

RIP Bryan Morales

Jessica & the Morales family you in are in our prayers. 

Jess.. anytime you need us to come over and hangout again for hours and reminisce highschool days, and take your mind off things.. I'll be there in a heartbeat! Unfortunately, it wasn't under the best circumstances... but it was nice for all of us to hangout today.  Stay strong girly... love ya always!

"The weight of the world tries to hold us down. Cut the strings and let me go... I'm weightless."

-Natasha Bedingfiled lyrics from Weightless

I'm not a music guru, but I analyze songs without even knowing it. I'm one of those girls to who tries to relate herself to every song she hears... (as annoying as it may be). Sometimes I think - this is totally my song, it's exactly how I feel, or what I'm going through. Sometimes I relate it to other things happening in my life, whether it be about something a friend may go through, or a family member. Sometimes... I can't relate to it at all, and I just like the song... for example: "I Kissed a Girl and I Liked It." That was one that I COULD NOT relate too... but at the time it came out, was a total fav. lol You will probably see a majority of my quotes may be lyrics... but they're going to be the ones that stand out to me (may apply to me or they may not).

This lyric by Natasha Bedingfield stood out to me. The feeling of being held down and held back by the unknown... is a difficult thing to comprehend. Some of you may know the feeling... it's actually one that I've been feeling for awhile. But as soon as the strings are cut... whether it be a new path in my career, letting go of a relationship, moving out of my parent's house, or letting go of myself and taking a chance on something new... I know in the end - I'll be fine, I'll be okay, I'll be me... weightless.

Quote of the Day & Sunday's Seven

So as some of you know, I've been contemplating on what exactly I want to "blog" about... rather than when posting only when something exciting happens.  As some of you know because of facebook, I'm addicted to quotes. 

I love finding and posting quotes - whether they be quotes from a movie, a book, a line from a song... whatever it may be -- So.. I figured I'm going to TRY to post a "Quote of the Day" - some days I may just post the quote and leave it up to you to take it however you want... or somedays I may actually want to discuss it. =)

A friend of mine also suggested some other fun things... but one I think I may stick with is "Sunday's Seven."  Every Sunday I will write about 7 things that happened to me that week.  Until I find something I'm really passionate to write about. I think I will stick to these fun little ideas, until I get bored and figure out what else to do! =)

And I'm pretty sure for all of you who will be reading this, please feel free to comment on any of these posts!  I'm always up for a discussion! ;)  I believe you do have to register a "login" name, you do not have to have a blog to have to comment - but just a username and password will be able to permit you to leave me some love! Hope you all had an AMAZING weekend and holiday!!

Christmas 2010

Christmas was a little different this year... for me anyways. I was pretty much done with my Christmas shopping really early on, and for some reason didn't feel so much into the "Christmas spirit". I tried listening to Christmas music in the car to get me in the spirit, but that didn't help much. I'm thinking it might have been the lack of sleep the week - week and half before. There was probably 3-4 nights that I wasn't sleeping, and was pulling all nighters. Not so much fun. And did I mention how many batches of cake balls I made? Yuughh! (New word, remember?) I do regret not helping out decorating the tree and taking our normal "tree-hugging" pictures with Steph. I was there and watched, gotta give me some credit that I was present for the occasion (lol)... but I didn't hang up one ornament (I know, I know.. shame on me). It was easier to say no, since all of my ornaments were packed up somewhere, and Mom didn't realize she hadn't brought them down (it was my easy way out). But I did happen to agree to take the annual "siblings" pictures...

Christmas Day was fun as always though... we always manage to bring out the games (this year's fav was Blokus), a few of us are "photo whores" and take random funny pictures (was tryingto think of a more appropriate name, but couldn't think of any at the moment lol), and us cousins always end up having the WEIRDEST and most RANDOM conversations... ones that are probably not appropriate for the dinner table (e.g., coffins, debates on being cremated, and the cremation process) - DONT ASK!!

And of course... we had to take our newly annual Featherstun/Elder Family Picture! =)

911 UPDATE!

Being that I haven't posted since... April 2009?!? I thought I'd quickly fill you in on the top 10 that's happened since then (not in any particular order). And mind you.. these are things that I can REMEMBER... bare with me since I'm digging back over a years' worth of memories. ;)

1. My mom was diagnose with Breast Cancer in December 2009. She's still battling it out, and doing great. I coordinated a team with Revlon last spring, and had amazing friends and friends of friends who joined the team! My mom even walked with us and finished! =)

2. Stephanie has recently gotten engaged! And fortunately and as strange as it is, her fiance totally fits in with the family!! =)

3. Robby is officially a U.S. Marine! He recently came back from boot camp before Thanksgiving and was home for a month. We just took him to Pendleton yesterday for his combat training.

4. I graduated from college..?? lol Looking at my lasts posts, that's all I was ranting and raving about was to finally be done! I graduated with my BA in Business Admin, with a concentration in Entrepreneurial Management. I then took a class at Cal Poly and have become certified as a Wedding Consultant. I've opened up my business, have my cards and brochures printed, and my website up! (www.ciaobellamore.com)

5. One of my besties got married in September, so the excitement of throwing the showers, bachelorette party and all the pre-wedding stuff was EXCITING!

She's now preggers with #2.. =)

(Feels like I've had friends having babies like no other this last year or so!)

6. I got a new car!! YAAAAAAAAAAAAY me!!!!! I feel like this is the first car that I actually WANTED.. everything down to the color. But of course, within a week of driving it... I would get rear-ended in traffic right? HAHA! After a month of dealing with the insurance companies, my bumper is brand spankin new... and I got a spoiler out of it.. for only $50!

Guess everything happens for a reason!

7. Crap... I need to think of 4 more.. umm... One of the besties (Ash) and myself take a lot of trips out to Vegas, and relocating out there has been in the works for the last couple of months. Career wise, it's a smart move for both of us. And given that we know each other way too well, and know each other's buttons and when to press them and when to lay off... who could make a better roomie?? =)

8. We had our family from Virgina come home to visit after years of not seeing them! It was so great to have them here, and for all of us "cousins" to spend time with each other! Also the bonding time with my aunt that I think was much needed was great... though I did put her to work helping me make invites as we "bonded". Haha! We also had a visit from my sister and my nieces, along with my brother, sis-in-law and nephew. They actually stayed at our house when they stayed here.. so waking up to 3 lil ones wanting to watch me get ready for work, talking bout my "sparkly booger"... was amazing! ;)

9. CAKE BALLS! TONS & TONS OF THEM SINCE AUGUST... that's all I gotta say! Yugghh! (That's my new word... Yuck and Ugh combined). As much as you all think they're yummy... the smell of cake, frosting and chocolate makes me wanta gag.. unless I'm making money. Hehe! ;)

10. WOOOHHOOO! Last one!! Tattoos... yes, unfortunately... I am addicted. I got my first one when I turned 18 (on my foot). Since April 2009, I have had the one on my foot redone, have added one onto the back of my shoulder, and have added one on both wrists. I told my parents, if any more are to come.. I promise the will not be visible! ;) But the last one I did, I took Robby to get his too!

Out of all the dramatic events that has happened (the 10 above), the new friends

I have made (school, work, etc.), old friends and distant family I have reconnected with, the time spent with the people I love, the time I wish I could get back, all of the memories.. good, bad, or ones I simply can't remember... I wouldn't have changed A THING! 2010 was a good year... though I think I'm voting for a better ending... I'm blessed by having family and friends who love me, support me and would do ANYTHING for me. I'm hoping for 2011 to be EVEN BETTER!

Ive tried to find pictures from all the "events" I talked about about.. enjoy catching up!! =)