Or whatever they're called. Do you have to save these (I don't quite understand the process) or can I just make sure not to update the iPad when the next software update comes out by declining it iTunes?

You can have them automatically saved by tapping on the make my life easier button on cydia, or you can use umbrella for the local save.

You can choose not to update, but if your iPad crashes one day, you will have to update because of how the updates work now.

So if I click the make my life easier button in cydia...and my ipad crashes...what happens? I restore to the newest update using iTunes and then restore the cydia blobs which will restore me back to another state?

Can you explain better for me, I don't see that in the Cydia app...