Last night we had Family Home Evening at the Balboa Park - two weeks in a row?  I know, I know it seems boring but it is NOT, it is a fabulous venue and it is FREE!!!
It was the final concert of the season and it was quite fun. Our new bishop and his wife joined us along with the missionary couple the Kitchens.
I like Balboa Park but I don't go there very often. I think i need to make it more of a spot to hang out and see the museums and greenery.We had a good turnout and lots of goodies.
The best part was hanging out afterwards with a friend waiting for traffic to die out and talking about life in general.
During the course of that we talked about a boy ok a man that I think is super interesting because we both like sports. However, we decided hands down that I should not chase this individual down by friend requesting on FB. I mean let him do the chasing right and who wants him in my FB business anyway. So I will continue the sports bantering in person only and if it goes into a personal level well I am ok with that but will not initiate.
Also the other night the jolly green giant came over - my 6'6 friend. He is super nice but there is nothing there. Guess just a good friend to hang out with? Maybe? Nah I don't think so.

Pictures that make me smile

Last night I was browsing at my pictures on my phone. Some that I had forgotten about and others that I have on my screensaver because as I see them they take me back to that moment and bring pure happiness to me. So I am going to post some of them on here. Lately I have lacked in the picture posting...maybe part of my bad attitude. Just picking these pics and posting captions brought smiles to my face and filled my heart with gratitude for ALL that I have experienced in this life, currently have, and will have in the future!!!

A beautiful night watching a silent movie at Balboa Park with great friends in SD

This is the missionary couple in our ward...I love them you can see the love they have for each other and those they are serving.

My ex boyfriend Mike Napoli...he heard I was thinking about relocating to TX and he went to the Rangers...I am in San Diego.

Eifel Tower - such a great opportunity to travel to Paris France because of work.

Newport Beach Temple that was dedicated seven years ago this coming Tuesday. I never thought I would be able to partake of the blessings of seeing a temple being built near my home.

My Anaheim Angels...oh how I miss Anaheim Stadium and my friends I would go and be silly with at the games.

Hockey Fight oh yeah good times!!!

A man was driving this car on my way to an Angels Game one day!

Big Bang Friday Nights oh how I miss you!!!

My two precious nieces....my how they have grown up so fast. I am so proud of them and cant wait to see what amazing things they do. Enjoy your senior year Natalie!!!

Challenges

When I was 17, I read a quote that went something like: "If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you'll most certainly be right." It made an impression on me, and since then, for the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: "If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?" And whenever the answer has been "No" for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something. Steve Jobs

This past week I had the opportunity to meet up for lunch with two of the most amazing ladies I have met during my life in San Diego. Both these ladies have taught me that I need to smile more often and be a friend to all step out of my shyness shell as well as selfish shell - I have to be an extrovert at work so when I am out I can be shy because I don't want to work at being an extrovert.

Anyhow one of them quoted this quote but couldnt' quite remember and a day later the other found it and shared it with us. So now here I am sharing it with all of you that are reading.

I try to do the if today is the last day of my life I need to make it the best day and at the end of the day I try to reflect if today was the last day of my life would it I be pleased....but lately I have been failing BIG time. I  haven't thought about this at the beginning or the end of my day. I have somehow fallen into the "oh let me get through today somehow and argh I got through today now let me rest for tomorrow". I now realize that attitude is a BAD attitude.

Work has been a challenge and let me tell you while I have a great boss, the company is good, sometimes that just isn't enough. My home life is in chaos. My social life is great because of the friends and opportunities I am priviliged to have. Yes, that is right I said privilige. I don't believe that I have these amazing individuals in my life just by chance. The people I know are truly the cream of the crop and they are role models to me because of who they are. My home life well it is in chaos - as I saw my bedroom this morning with clothes all over the floor I was like argh. My spiritual life well that is interesting. I have a testimony about my beliefs but my scripture study is lacking, my prayers lacking but I have recognized this and have lately turned the radio off as I drive and make myself talk to my Heavenly Father as I commute. I know not the ideal way but it is working. I think the reason I am not feeling as though I am failing there it is because of my service in the temple each week; as well as the Butterfly Project.

So as a new month is coming and bringing us closer to the final quarter of 2012 I am going to add one more thing of my things to focus on and that is being influenced by the quote above. I am going to look at my life more carefully and do the things that I really want to do and if for some reason the answer is no for a few consecutive days I will have to evaluate why it is that I am feeling that way and make a change. If it is in my attitude I can fix it, if it is because of my outside factors I will work on that as well and make a change.

On that note I am posting a picture that is on my screensaver and just makes me realize how blessed I have been in this life. These three young adults were once little babies. I love them and would do anything for them - they have blessed my life beyond words.

My cup runneth over

Monday I was just pondering and filled with gratitude for all I have and knew my cup runneth over. The next day as I was driving to work my car stalled out and wouldn't start but then it did after a quick prayer. I made a quick call and found out my car was under warranty. I was relieved but also prepared to pay to have it fixed and still felt that "Yes, my cup runneth over, even with this obstacle".

I have tender mercies around me reminding me of how blessed I am as I spend time with my family, friends and we have amazing conversations or just a smile. 
I have an amazing family that I have been able to spend time with recently.
My older brother Gary had his 60th birthday party a couple of weeks ago and I went. I remember when I was much much younger and wanted to be just like him. Now, I am completely the opposite of him. . He is the life of the party. I can be too but I am more conservative and family minded.
This past week I saw my sister in law Elaine three times and I love her so much. She is truly the one person that has known me since I was 5 or 6 and encourages me and reminds me of things my mom used to do. So grateful for her keeping the memory of my mom alive and being a second mom to me.
Friends - wow I have the best individuals ever. I post about an issue on FB and they are so there ready to help me out. I don't know that I let them know how much I appreciate them. The one that I met way back in the day at Cawthon has known me the longest and while our lives are in different roads our hearts and love for each other is the same. Then there are those that have known me the past 20 years or so and they too are there for me with words of encouragement during long distance phone calls. Then my newest friends in San Diego - how much have they blessed my life in a short time by being supportive to me in my new home. A year ago I felt so alone here even though I knew them but now I know they are there for me too and just a short drive or phone call away.
My job, yes my job is a blessing to me too. I may have my rough days but really I have what I have because they have been my employer for almost six years.
I live in a country that enables me to have many freedoms. I am a woman that has many opportunities.
Yes, there are times I think how much easier would it be to have a husband who could help me with the manly duties (had to deal with the dealership today and being talked down to by some macho guy) but you know I have friends and a boss who help me out in those situations. Maybe no husband in the next year but maybe in another 10 years or so?
My challenge to you is to focus on all the tender mercies and people who may your cup runneth over!!!

Oh what a weekend!!!

So let me start with the fact that I almost flaked on going up to the OCBC on Friday morning and was considering going to work instead that day. I called MR and SW on Wednesday to let them know and see if I could rearrange my plans; shortly later that afternoon my boss told me I had to not cancel my plans, go enjoy my vacation and delegate. On Thursday he came in and said what do you need me to do? What do people need to do. I was in relieve mode.

So Friday morning EL came and took me downtown to the Santa Fe train station and off I went. Oh I tried to pull out some money from the ATM but it didn't give me any. I panicked and thought what the heck is going on. Then I realized I didn't use the right PIN. On the way there I relaxed and enjoyed the sights; saw some possible bike trails and people enjoying the beach. I need to learn to do that myself I kept thinking.

I arrived at the Anaheim station in Angel Stadium and MR was there waiting to pick me up. We headed for lunch and then off to Main Place Mall. I finally did it and replaced my broken Android and purchased the Galaxy III. I was hesitant as I knew nothing about ice cream and ginger snap but knew MR had done her homework and they were willing to take $ 50 off the price so off I went. I LOVE my new phone.

We checked into our room and the ladies arrived right as we were taking our luggage out of the car. Another indicator that this was going to be an amazing weekend. We headed off to Dana Point and did dinner and started meeting people. It was so great to see old friends from the OC and other areas. We then did the dance and I danced so much. McFerson played our song and I could have gone after that with a big smile on my face. We danced the night away.

Saturday we listened to Mark Madsen aka Perro Loco talk. He has matured from the first time I heard him talk at a NYE fireside in Los Alamitos when he first started playing for the LA Lakers. The thing that stuck out about his talk was his sincerety that he is saddened when he sees the families at church and realizes he is single. He talked about how he threw his own birthday party one year and the lady at the checkout stand mentioned wow when guys get sent to the store they buy too much. He wanted to respond yeah but I sent myself. Then as he was walking out she shouted wait ...did you just buy this for your own party? It stuck out to me and touched me in that here was this man publicly stating how he too longed for a family and was sad about not having that. Yes, men have the ultimate power to make this happen but I think he probably has honestly tried. The remaining workshops were amazing touching and awesome.

We went back to the hotel for the beach time and laid out by the pool. It was relaxing. We then got ready for dinner and improv show. The highlight there was seeing the Grovers, Wiecks, and Mackay's I love my Cypress Stake so much and to see these couples there was icing on the cake. At this time we had agreed to spread out and socialize and meet people so it was quite fun. Low light seeing someone's husband there who is still married and just his whole countenance was gross and made me sick. Not someone you want to be around more on this in a few.

Sunday we had a great sacrament meeting, combined RS and Priesthood. Then we had dinner which was awesome. Then I learned that the wife of the yucky man mentioned above claimed that he said I was all over him and talking crap about a dear friend of mine. I was disgusted about this and also saddened that she felt the need to repeat what he said. I would never be all over a disgusting man like this and have never and will never say crap about my friend. Well there is not one negative thing I can say about this friend or her family. They have been there for me through some of the low points in my life and I love them dearly so seeing those words on a text just hurt my soul.

Monday we went to Disneyland and Disney CA Adventure (DCA). We got fastpasses to Radiator Springs at 8:40 am to go back from 8 pm and 9 pm. Crazy right? But oh so worth it. I love that ride.

What I learned this weekend is that mean angry people will say things to bring us down and tear up relationships with those we care about. Then there are people who create drama. They do this by talking themselves or a perceived problem with someone; with anyone and everyone that is a captive audience. Then there are people who will try to take over the controls of a situation they are not responsible for but don't care. I know that I probably have been guilty of all of the above at one point of my life or another. However, lately I have been praying each morning to have patience, calmness and to truly listen to what is going on around me and think of the best way to respond or help in the situations life puts in front of me.

As we drove home last night I reflected on how blessed I am. I had great parents, have an amazing family near and far, have longtime friends who have patience and love for me. I have been able to do and see many great things in my life. So I need to remember how lucky I am for all I have and have gratitude in my hear.