My Weight Loss Journey

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

2 More Days...And I Am Going Home For Good


I can't believe that the day I have been waiting for, for so long, is only 2 days away......I am going home to Spooner, Wisconsin for good on Thursday!!!!!

Home is where my heart is!!!! But....leaving Wisconsin Rapids also means leaving so many wonderful friends. First off, I will miss Joni from "Country Freckles" soooooo much. She has been such a blessings to me and I feel like I have known her all my life. Who would have thought that almost 3 years ago when I walked into her store, inquiring if she would consign my handmade dolls, that I would make a forever friend. Sewing my dolls and keeping her store stocked is what kept me sane here in Rapids. It kept my hands, mind and body busy and I also learned so much about myself through this experience. I will never forget our trips to market and am looking forward to going on more trips in the future. Thanks Joni for everything and for being such a wonderful friend. And then there is Lisa, who is also one on my traveling to market buddies. Joni, Lisa and I always have fun together no matter what we are doing....I will miss you Lisa...keep them signs coming....you are sooooo talented!!!

And then there are all my friends at school. These gals have become so precious to me. We have been through so much together, homework and lots of it....learning how to cut and do hair....working on our clients when we were totally clueless the first few weeks...and just all and all making memories with these girls who are all young enough to be my daughters. They have all been so good to me even though I am way older then them. They have such a free spirit and I will have to say they keep me young. I will miss them so much!!!! And then there are our 4 teachers....they are the BEST and I have learned so much from them!!!! I will miss them more then they know.

Some of my classmates as we were waiting to line up at graduation night.

Me, Cassie and Lauren....I love these girls!!!!

Me and my husband at graduation, I was so glad he was able to be there. He started his new job 5 weeks ago and has been living in our home in Spooner by himself. I have been driving home (which is 3 1/2 hours away) every weekend to be with him....but this Thursday when I head home.....I will be home to STAY!!!!!

Here I am in front of the sign I look at every day before I walk into the salon, what wonderful memories I have to my school days at Mid-State College. Even though we walked with the graduating classes at mid-state college...we all have hours to finish before we will have our diplomas. My class will go to school through the summer and they will finish up in August. I, on the other hand, because I am going home, will have to finish up in Rice Lake, WI which is about a 35 minute drive from our house. I am hoping to get in in August, I will only have about 450 hours left and am hoping they will go fast.
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Brent and I had our 1st big family cookout on Mother's Day weekend at our new house. It was so nice be with family and enjoy eating and visiting together.

Our Mother's Day feast....our kitchen island is perfect for setting up the food buffet style...love it!!!!

I took this picture from inside our dining room

It was sooooo beautiful out side that day, I set up some tables and chairs on our deck for those who wanted to enjoy the fresh air. I love the fact that our decks are off our dinning room, you can either be inside or outside but we still are all close by which makes visiting easier.

Here is everyone enjoying the sunshine.

My son and grandson....so adorable!!!

A view of those who chose to eat inside...I love this set up!!!!

My grandson Carson.....I love this little boy so much!!!!!!!!!!

Last but not least, I have to tell you the story behind this cake. It was my birthday on friday, May 13th and Lindsey (one of my classmates) had this cake made for me. The girls had been telling me for about 2 weeks that my 21st birthday was coming up and that we would have to celebrate it. I would say "YES, I can't wait....I can drink now" (that's all I hear, when they turn 21 they can drink)...and they would laugh. Well, we had a potluck on Friday and this cake was front and center at our potluck table. I LOVED it and thought it was soooo thoughtful of them to remember me on my birthday. I am really 51...but I think I like their take on my age better:) So, I guess you are only as old as you feel and I don't feel a day over 21:) And because I will be leaving them in 2 days.....they all say they will miss me and I am sure going to miss them too!!!!

On that note, I am going to head to bed.....6am comes early that's for sure...God Bless you all!!!!!

until next time....Rhonda

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

My Capstone Night At School

Last night we had our Capstone event at school, which is where we have to get up on stage in front of judges, facility, friends and family and talk about what inspired our look and the steps we took to achieve the look. I was not really nervous which surprised me, (well, maybe I was a little nervous when I saw all the people there), but I decided that I was just going to get up there on stage and be myself and hoped for the best...and that's what I did.

I took some pictures of my classmates Capstone projects and thought you guys would enjoying seeing them. I am so proud of all these talented ladies and am proud to be linked with them as we make our way through school together.

The one on the left is Cassie's....during Spring break, her and her family went on a trip to North Carolina and she was inspired by all the beautiful nature she saw there so she did a nature/forest look. The one in the middle is mine, I turned her hair into a vintage floppy hat. The one on the right is Linsey's, she went with a vintage old Hollywood theme.

This one is Sara's, she went with a tribal look.

The one on the left is Casie's, her theme is a trip to the candy store. The one on the right is Sam's, she went with a punk rocker look.

This one is Amanda's, she turned her gal into a lion.

This one is Bobbie Sue's, she went with a carnival look.

This one is Stevie Jean's, she went with a female Marine look.

Jessica made this one, her look reflects the ocean which she saw for the first time over Spring break when her family went to California.

The one on the left is Lauren's, she went with a Stevie Niks look. The one in the middle is Petrea's, she went with a bird look. The one on the right is Angel's, she went with a Victorian look.

One more pic of me and my little gal on our big night last night.

Our class picture after we finished with our presentations.

A pic of me on stage during my presentation.

And last but not least, my 2 buddies....Jessica and Cassie. These 2 are my best friends at school and I don't know what I would do without them, love you guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, that's about it. I enjoyed working on my project and didn't really mind the presenting....but I am sooooooooooo glad it's over. Having it over means that I am one step closer to graduating and getting to work which means making money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can't wait.

God Bless....Until next time, Rhonda