Throwback Thursday - The Time I was a Beauty Queen

Do any of you use the Timehop app? I check it every Thursday in hopes that it bring up some interesting pictures to use for Throwback Thursday. This morning I looked and it alerted me to the fact that it has been 5 years since I ran in my local "scholarship program." Lets be real, Beauty pageant! It's been really great to look back at these photos and see how much I have changed, but to also remember the lasting friendships that I made along the way. I was new to the area and was hoping to meet some people and network along the way and really that's what I got out of the program. I did not win my category, but was still able to participate in the events and enjoy all the things that my not-so-little valley has to offer. I made lots of memories and even though there was some unpleasantness that occurred, it really was a fun thing that I did! Will I let Emma participate in one? Maybe or maybe not. We will see if it's something that interests her first! Please take a trip down memory lane with me as we take a look at some of the events I did!

Actual pageant! My and my momma!

Swimsuit Competition! Post baby body inspiration right here!

Evening Gown Competition.....loved this dress!

My proud hubby and I

Jazz Festivals, we did face painting for the kiddos!

Multiple Sclerosis Golf Tournament

Independence Day Parade with my girlie!

Photoshoots

Chili Cookoff!

All Corked Up Wine Festival!

I had tons of fun and made some lasting friendships! I also taught myself, and with the help of others, how to be a girlie girl.....before this curling my hair and wearing makeup was really not in my vocabulary! Just a little peek into my past for this Throwback Thursday!

Coffee n Conversations #8 - Best Friends

It's Monday! You all know what that means.....back to work. Whomp whomp. It also means that I am linking up for Coffee and Conversations with Lauren and Kalyn!


This weeks question: What is the most valuable friendship you have in your life and what makes it so great? 

Based on previous CnC's I'm sure your all thinking that I am going to say either my hubby or my mom, and for the most part you would be right. These people are my two best friends, but honestly I do have other friends who I am not related to! Haha. So I think for the basis of this post, and because I have already sung their praises in many other posts, I will talk about someone other than these two magnificent people that I have in my life.

So, back in the good ole days of high school.....honestly its been almost 12 years since I graduated, I know I am dating myself here yes I am gonna be 30! We all had that one friend that just stuck out and was always there. For me that was my dearest and longest friend T. I have talked about him in the past.....here and here, oh and here and here!

We first met on day one of Senior Year. He had transferred from another school to come to mine because we were an arts and technology magnet school. We were both on the dance team and by mid year he invited me to his 18th birthday party. This is where it all began. After that, it seemed like we were constantly together. He had many friends, and I didn't have very many. I was an extremely introverted teenager and he completely ripped that person to pieces and pretty much transformed me into the person I am today. No more thin skin and being overly sensitive....well somewhat...we had many inside jokes and we were constantly laughing and having a wonderful time. He and I both worked at Disneyland where we made many other friends and he eventually introduced me to my loving husband. My life would be completely different if he wasn't in it! He makes both D and I laugh and he is a person that can truly be trusted to be at your side. If you are a friend he goes above and beyond to make sure you know it! He is one of those people that I can not see in months and when we return to one another, it's like no time has passed at all!

One of my favorite memories is downloading Britney Spears music videos (this is pre You Tube folks) and watching them over and over copying the choreography until we had it memorized. Honestly, anything to do with dancing and we were pretty much doing it. Taking classes, going to competitions and conventions, doing gymnastics and having my back thrown out, (so fun) choreographing, and making costumes. Even today, when we get together we sometimes have a high kick contest, he tends to win because he still dances and I usually end up being really REALLY sore the next day! We would drive with musical soundtracks like The Lion King, Newsies or 42nd Street blasting and singing every line. Going to midnight showings of every Marvel movie, seeing The Lord of the Rings the Fellowship of the Ring twice and falling asleep! Oh and there was that time when he fell asleep on the dvd remote and I had to listen to the intro to Legally Blonde for hours because I couldn't see to turn off the tv. "It's a perfect dayyyyy, with nothing standing in my wayyy." That line will forever be burned into my brain! AND! My first speeding ticket was with him. We were coming home from our shift at Disneyland and Caltrans decided to close every major freeway to get home at 1AM. We ended up on PCH completely lost. Apparently they were doing road construction there as well.....although no signs were posted. I get pulled over, T starts laughing hysterically on the phone with his mom and the CHP didn't believe that we were truly lost until after he gave me the ticket (for speeding in a construction zone) and I asked him for the 4th time how to get home. He finally changed his attitude and gave me directions, honestly he probably thought we were stupid teenagers just acting ridiculous! Thanks. I wouldn't trade any of these memories for anything in the whole world!

We still get together at least once a month to hang out, laugh, watch movies, play video games and just be overall silly! Throughout the years as you acquire friendships or acquaintances you grow apart from those that were once very close to as a younger adult. You learn about yourself through each of them and change ever so slightly. The ones that stay, and stay forever are the truly special ones. Not many people can say that they have had the same friend their entire life, like my hubby, but we both cherish this friendship because he truly is a special part of both our lives. Even with all the teasing, and the nickname I hate, (which wont be mentioned) I know that he will forever be a loyal friend and somebody that I can count on whenever I need a laugh, an ear, or just a hug. That is what makes a best friend. I love his family as though they are my own, and to me he is FAMILY, not just a friend.  I hope over the next 13 years our friendship only grows stronger! Love you T!

Now for the photo dump!

Please be kind.....some of these photos are not the greatest of me. I didn't edit any of them! My mom has a million more, it's just getting the scanner to her house and getting them all digital!