Faith Harvest Primitives

A Lot To Blog About

2012-01-30T08:26:00.000-08:00

Hello to my blog friends and family. So many things have happened since my last post!!! For one, I am officially done with school (my last day was December 17th). And to add to the excitement....I am now a licensed cosmetologist:) I took my state boards last Monday, and the results came in the mail Saturday and I passed!!!!! I will even tell you all my score because I am so proud of it.....it was a 93.....what a sweet relief!!!!

I interviewed and was hired at a salon called Hair's What's Happening in Spooner the end of December (it was one of the salon's I job shadowed at and I really liked it). We decided to scheduled my first day of work on January 26th, which was last Thursday. So I showed up for duty that day, and I absolutely LOVE it!!!! My work schedule is Thursdays, Fridays and every other Saturday for now...and as I build my cliental, I will add another day. The salon is so clean, professional and very well organized. I love my boss and my co-workers and the clients are amazing too. I am excited to start my career and learn and grow as a stylist.

My cosmetology teachers at WITC, in Rice Lake. Ms. G, myself, and Ms. L. They were great teachers and I miss them very much. I was only there a semester, but I learned a lot from these ladies:)

Here is a picture of my class at Rice Lake. They are all great girls and I wish them all a successful career.

Our cake

Before the holidays, I was able to do a craft show with my sister in the twin cities. It was one she had done last year and really liked. I didn't get a change to make anything new because of school (no time), but I had a few things left over from last year that I brought along with me.

Here is a display of cat's my sister made....so cute!

My sister in our booth

I did get a chance to crochet some of these potholders....sorry I didn't rotate the picture.

My sister makes salsa, jellies, relishes, and handmade laundry soap. They were a big hit!!!!

While I was at my sisters, she gave me one of her spider plants she had started from scratch. Now that I have sunlight....I am going to try to grow some greens to add a touch of warmth to our home.

Because I can not just sit at night and watch TV.......and because my sewing room is still not set up....I picked up a craft that I had long forgotten about, crocheting. I started making some hats and potholders and dishcloths, it is so relaxing to sit at night and crochet up a storm. I gave some of my hats for christmas gifts and also made one from myself. I thought they needed a little sparkle, so I dug around in my vintage jewelry collection and found some vintage earrings to sew in the middle of the flowers.....love the sparkle it added.

My manikin heads from school came in handy:)

Lady in red

..........Christmas.......

We celebrated our first Christmas in our new house. I was so nice to have all our family together enjoying good food and fun times together.

We were all bellied up to the Christmas Eve feast.

Our Christmas tree this year. I found this tinsel tree at a garage sale last summer, I have wanted one for a LONG time. I had planned on also putting up a real tree but, because I was so busy with school, decided the tinsel tree was enough. Next year, I will go all out and decorate the house up good. But there is one nice thing about not going all out on the decorating.....there is not as much to take down after Christmas....loved that:)

Last but not least.....our blood hound is growing like a weed, she is an awesome dog!!!! We started letting her in the house late Fall....she is doing so well. We only let her on a blanket by the fireplace because we don't want hound dog hair all over the house and scratches on our new floor. She is very content there and is minding so good.

My birds.....I finally got the birds I have always wanted. I found this clothes drying rack at a garage sale also last summer. It makes an excellent bird feeding perch.

Our hound dog fast asleep:)

And if you are wondering about our chickens....well, the girls are laying eggs like crazy, about 17-20 a day. It's so nice to have fresh eggs to enjoy and share with the family:)

Well, it's it for now....ohhhh, I do have one more thing to tell you all. After my state boards last Monday, I headed to the twin cities to spend some time with my sister and nephew and also to reward myself for finishing school and state boards by buying a new Mac computer. My Dell got a virus last April and I have spent way too much time and way too much money trying to get rid of it, sooooo I finally junked it and moved on. I LOVE my new Mac....still learning how to get around on it, but it is not that hard. I am also excited because I can finally Skype with my daughter Alyssa who is teaching English in South Korea. I miss her so much!!!!

Hopefully, now that my life has a schedule again, I can find more time to blog. Have a blessed day everyone...until next time....Rhonda

Still Here And Still Love Blogging....Just Need More TIME!!!!!

2011-10-20T14:58:00.000-07:00

I am sorry I have been MIA for so long....my life has become a daily count-down/struggle to when I am officially done with Cosmetology school. Seriously......I have a daily planner and I cross off each day. December 16th is my last day and I will be officially done with school and I will be SOOOOOOOOOOO glad.

To up-date you all.....I was able to transfer to WITC in Rice Lake, WI. School started August 21st and at first it was fine....but it didn't take too long to realize that things were done very different there and I would have a daily struggle trying to figure it all out. I am finally settling in after 8 weeks and am starting to understand the flow there. It's not the teachers fault or the schools......it's just that I learned the Milady curriculum and they teach pivot point there which is a bit different, and they use a different color line also then what I learned at Mid-State. But I am so thankful that I was able to transfer, otherwise, I would be in Rapids right now instead of being home in my beautiful new home with my wonderful husband every night.....so, I am grateful....but very STRETCHED!!!!

But on a happier note, I am hoping that it will make me a better stylist right out of school because, any salon I work in will not have the comforts of school and I will be learning new things everyday. So I feel this will give me an edge in the scheme of things.

Well, enough about the boring stuff and onto the fun things going on here at our new homestead. Our bloodhound dog, Klara, is growing like a weed and from the photo above you will see that. It's so funny, she has taken over a chair I have in the garage. My plan for this chair (which I got at a thrift store last summer) is that I am going to have it recovered and I am going to use it as a desk chair. I have the fabric and everything. But, for now, she is keeping it warm for me until I can find time to take it somewhere to have it recovered. She is such a doll and we love her very much!!!!

And as you can see.....the chickens are growing like weeds too. The roosters are starting to crow....it sounds like someone is getting murdered in the coop when they crow right now, but bless their little hearts.....everyone has to start somewhere. I am hoping they get better at it soon but until now, it makes me laugh. I am also hoping the hens start laying eggs soon, farm fresh eggs will taste so good........can't wait for that and either can my kids. And as you can see, my little dumpling boy (my grandson Carson) loves the chickens, he is my little chicken buddy:)

Well, hopefully I will keep up with the posts....they may not be long, but somethings better then nothing......... right. I want to also say that I miss sewing so much and hope to be at my sewing machine creating soon and have creations to share with you all:)

God bless and stay tuned:)
Rhonda

Chicken and Dog Daze At The Homestead

2011-07-18T20:03:00.001-07:00

Life on our new homestead is anything but boring these days that's for sure. With the addition of our 25 chickens and our bloodhound pup, who is the size of a small pony I may add, Brent and I have been kept very busy and entertained this past week.

First off, I have and update.....we changed the name of our dog. Brent told me on Saturday that he was having a hard time calling her Nettie and that he liked the name Annabelle. So.......I was not crazy about the name Annabelle, and he was not fond of the name Nettie....we compromised with each other and named her a name we both liked which was "Klara". So her name is now Klara and she seems to respond to it already:) and besides it goes really nice with her brothers name which is Karl......Klara and Karl so cute I think. I will have to say that it is kinda confusing because my daughter's name is Kara...so we have Kara, Klara and Karl now...what a tongue twister.

Brent holding one of our chickens....look at her beautiful wings.

The chickens will be 2 weeks old on Thursday and they are getting so big. They are losing their fluff ball look and growing real feathers on their wings and their tails. I am starting to ween them off their heat light during the day and they seems to be doing fine with that. The reason for that could also be because it has been 90 to 95 here during the day so who needs a heat light right....but anyway, I think this weekend we are going to put them in the chicken coop which will be good because I would really like to have my garage back so I can set up my tables for the garage sale which I am planning to have August 5th, and 6th.

Chickens all huddled together.....what cuties

Karl and Klara playing in the pool together....how cute!!!!

We stopped over at my daughter's tonight....we bought her dog Karl (who is also Klara's full brother) a swimming pool to cool off in during these hot days we have been having here lately. We bought Klara a pool also and she LOVES it. It is so funny to watch them play and drink from their pools....the little things in life make them so happy.

Thirsty dogs....they look so innocent here.....but it's only an illusion guys, lol they are busy, busy dogs!!!!

They found a piece of rawhide to chew on but they kept fighting over it, we laughed so hard watching them two. I LOVE the look on Karl's face....bloodhounds have the sweetest faces and the kindest eyes, they totally can melt your heart with their eyes.

Here is Klara in Brent's truck after arriving home from Kara and Trav's house after her fun time playing with her brother Karl. She really didn't want to get out of the truck....she loves Brent's truck and spralls out in the back seat like she owns the place.

After we got her unloaded from the truck....I watered a few trees and of course Klara was front and center. She loves drinking straight out of the hose.....never a dull moment with ole Klara.

After we spent some time playing with her in our yard, it was time for us to cook supper and for that....we have to put Klara in her kennel or else we get nothing done. Brent carried her down there tonight....it was so precious!!!!!

Here she is being carried like a little princess to her kennel.

Look at that face and if you look hard, in the background, you can see her kennel. That kennel is such a blessing when we have things to do and can not be watching her constantly. She seems to like it in there which is good....her pool is in there and also her dog house which she goes in off and on during the times she is in there. She may bark or whine a little when we first put her in there but it does not last long at all which is good because I don't want her driving the neighbors crazy or us.

At night she sleeps in the house in a large kennel which we put in our laundry room. She is starting to learn her boundaries but we have a LONG way to go with her on that. She is so big, sometimes we forget that she is still a puppy. Anyway, after supper, we let her out of her outside kennel, played with her in the yard for about an hour. Then brought her in the house and put her to bed in her own little space in the laundry room and she is sleeping like a baby as I type...what a good girl we have:)

Last but not least I will leave you with a picture of our garden. It has really been growing during this heat wave which is so fun to watch...it really seems to grow over night sometimes. We had cucumbers and radishes out of the garden tonight for supper and they were delicious!!!

Well, that's it for now....hope all is well with all my blog buddies....until next time.....God Bless, Rhonda

Rodeo Time And New Family Members

2011-07-12T19:23:00.000-07:00

The Spooner Rodeo was in town last weekend, and we were front and center Thursday and Friday night. The Rodeo is something I look forward to every year. But when the Rodeo comes to town, it also means summer is 1/2 over, bummer. Anyway....it was so fun spending time together walking around the Rodeo grounds and enjoying the Rodeo together. The above picture is of Brent and I before the Rodeo started.

My beautiful daughter Kara and my handsome son in-law Travis

Jessica (one of Kara's friends), Kara, Trav and Brent before the Rodeo started looking forward to a fun time.

The Spooner Rodeo

Saddle Bron riding

Bareback riding

One of the acts this year was the One Arm Bandit. He rode his horse totally off his legs while herding his buffalo around the arena. And at the end of his performance, he herded them onto the top of his trailer...it was pretty cool.

One of the buffalo

The One Arm Bandit on top of his trailer

His buffalo on top of his trailer

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New Family Members

We have been plugging away here trying to get our yard finished and also the house organized. It has been a slow process as far as the unpacking and setting up the garage sale, but it is slowly happening.

I do have some exciting news, last week we added to our family.....25 Road Island chickens and a 5 month old 60 pd female Bloodhound pup. We named our puppy Nettie and she is a complete sweetheart. We named her after my favorite client at school, (I have a picture of her and I together in my last post) she is 94 years old and the sweetest lady you will ever meet. Brent has wanted a bloodhound for years and on Sunday he finally got his wish. My daughter Kara and her husband also bought one of the puppies......they bought a male and they named him Karl. He is a bit busier then Nettie or should I say A LOT busier....but Kara and Trav are handling it wonderfully and they love him very much. He even sleeps with them in their bed, I don't know how they all fit......uh youth is all I can say to that:) Nettie on the other hand, sleeps in her kennel in our laundry room. I have been dog-sitting during the day for Carl while they are at work so Nettie has had company during the day. They play and sleep all day in the kennel outside. That kennel is a blessing seeing that I will not let the dogs run through my house like wild animals. I told Brent, and he agrees, we worked way too hard on our house to let a dog ruin it. So, we are working on setting boundaries and learning manners. She is a very smart dog and seems to be a fast learner.

Here is Kara with her dog Karl

Brent with our not so little little girl

Nettie and Brent

And here are our 25 feathered friends, I have 21 hens and 4 roosters. They are growing so fast....I got them last Thursday, they were a day old. And today they are 6 days old and are already getting tail feathers. They are in a box under a heat light in our garage, but will be put out if the chicken coop soon. Can't wait to start gathering my eggs someday:)

Cute little chickies

Here they are growing like weeds....they are so fun!!!!
All these new adventures are filling our new homestead with love and happy memories and I am looking forward to many more to come!!! I LOVE being HOME!!!!

I am hoping to get my sewing room set up soon so I can start sewing up a storm.....I MISS SEWING SO MUCH!!!! Still waiting to hear about what is going on with my transferring to Rice Lake so I can finish up school....will keep you all posted on that.

Well, better get going so I can get something done today before I have to go to work. Oh, I don't know if I have mentioned that....I am waitressing at a bar/restaurant called "What The Heck". We have been very busy and I pretty run my butt off at work......oh well, the money is good. My daughter, Alyssa, works there too so I get to spend time with her at home here and at work which I LOVE!!!!!

Blessings....Rhonda

I'm back And Ready To Blog!!!!!

2011-06-28T16:30:00.001-07:00

I finally have internet and am so happy!!!! Life has been good but very busy. I have been trying to unpack boxes, organize the house and get ready for one of my many garage sales I am planning for this summer. I will have to say, that the unpacking is overwhelming and going very slow, can't wait til it's done. I am finding a lot of treasures I forgot I had which is kinda fun....but I can not believe that I have so much stuff and either can my husband. He is not as excited to see some of my long lost treasures as I am:) I told him that I will NOT be moving again....so don't ever ask me again....he agrees.

I have been trying to register for school in Rice Lake, WI so I can finish up the hours I have left so I can graduate from Cosmetology school. I have a total of 439 hours left (I need 1800 hours to graduate), I just want to get school done with so I can get to work. The transferring to Rice Lake is not going as smoothly as I was hoping it would...so I am prepared to head back to Wisconsin Rapids, WI to finish my schooling in the Fall if need be. I don't want to do that....but I have comes to terms with it I guess. Anyway, the picture above is a picture of me and one of my favorite clients at school. Her name is Nettie and she is 94 years old. I gave her a set and style every week and she was always so sweet and as sharp as a tack. She never forget anything we had talked about the week before....I, on the other hand, sometimes had to rack my brain to remember.

Here is a picture of a storm on the horizon at our house....the colors were so awesome I had to get out my camera.

Another look at the storm clouds.

Gorgeous!!!...I know I am weird

I finally have a garden after waiting 10 years. The picture above is a pic of my husband dozing a spot for it...thanks you sweetie!!!!

Small beginnings here....the ground is so rockie here, he had to dig out the garden spot and then put screened black dirt back in the hole. I was a lot of work but sooooo worth it.

A view with the garden spot ready to plant in the distance.

And here we go....my daughter and son in-law came over and helped us plant our garden which was such a BIG help. That's my daughter, Kara, with her planter planting my beans....she has become a pro at gardening and I appreciate her help so much!!!!

And here is our garden now...this picture was taken yesterday. As you can see, things are coming along nicely but slowly. It is suppose to be really hot here the next couple days so i am sure that will get things growing.

We have a beautiful blackberry patch by the garden which I love!!!! As you can see, there are going to be lots of blackberries this year. I will just have to beat the bear to them though:)

My husband dug a small pond down by my garden too, we are seeing how much water it will hold. But we think we will probably have to put a liner in it and will have to keep it full with the hose. I will be a nice place to the animals to come and get a drink. I am also going to plant some flower around it.

And here is my chicken coop. I ordered 25 chickens and they should be here next week....so excited!!!!

My garden with my chicken coop in the distance.

Another view of my garden.

Here are some pictures of my front porch.

I love to sit here and relax. I found this awesome gate at an antique store and am hoping someday to have my husband make me a fenced in flower garden (fenced in because of the deer) and use this gate for the entrance.

My front porch

I love this planter, I put the ferns in there and thought they looked so cool. And that old bike seat I found in the woods....love it!!!!

This little wagon I found at a place here in Spooner called The Rusty Bucket. They have lots of prim items there.....I love that store.

I found this little wagon at a garage sale for $7.....could not pass it up...LOVE IT!!

Another picture of my antique gate.

Last by not least....the back yard of our house. My husband has been working very hard on getting our yard done. He planted grass seed last week so hopefully we will have green grass soone. It is suppose to be really hot here today so we are hoping that it does not all burn up the young grass before it gets a change to grow. Yesterday, the drug the sprinkler around the yard all day trying to prepare the grown for the heat....we will see what happens.

Today I am going to babysit my 2 little grandsons Noah and Carson. I am so excited!!!! We are going to go to Hayward to spend the day with my Mom, should be a fun day. I better get in the shower and get ready for the day. I am glad to be back blogging and expect to see more updates from me soon. Blessings, Rhonda

Sorry I have been MIA...I have no internet yet

2011-06-13T14:10:00.000-07:00

Just a quick update to let you all know that I have not given up on my blog.....I just don't have internet yet at our new house. I am hoping to get it this week sometime so stay tuned. Everything is going good at home but I will have to say that I miss school and all my friends:( but life is a journey and a new chapter is being written.....Blessings, Rhonda

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

2011-05-17T16:09:00.000-07:00

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

My Capstone Night At School

2011-05-03T15:14:00.000-07:00

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

My Final Project At School

2011-04-27T16:09:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone, I have 3 weeks left of school this semester and then I am moving back home to Spooner for good. Brent is in Spooner already working at his new job. I am staying here in Rapids during the week. But believe me, when Friday hits....I drive home as fast as I can to spend time in my new house and also with my wonderful husband. I miss him very much and I can't wait til we are home together for good. It will be sooooooooo nice to be with family and friends again, I have missed them all so much.

Anyway, we all have a long-haired mannequin which was designated for this project since the beginning of the school year. This project is called Capstone and it is a large part of my grade this semester. We had to dream up a design/theme and go through all the steps to make it happen. I chose vintage Hollywood glamor.

Here is my gal during her color, I chose a rich brown color.

Here she is, I am processing one of the colors for the flowers here.

Here you can see the color purple....the flower colors I chose were purple, red and orange.

To make the large brim of her hat, I poked wire along her hairline and braided the hair around the wire. I ended up with 17 sections of wire all the way around her head.

After I had the wire in place, I had to figure out how to weave them altogether to make the hat brim look dramatic and believable.

Here she is....work in progress:)

Early stage of figuring out how to make the brim.

I had to work in all the loose ends to make the brim look continuous and smoother....kinda of a challenge!!!!!

I also had to figure out how to make the flowers out of the 3 sections of hair I colored.....I took these apart so many times!!!!!!!! But in the end, I was very happy with them.

We had to take her make up off and apply our own application. Here she is without her make up....she does not look very good!!!!!

Here is my finished result, make up and all. I found this awesome scarf at the thrift store which I think totally brought the vintage look to her I was looking for. I also embellished her with vintage jewelery that I have picked up through the years at garage sales, thrifts store and antique stores. I LOVE the SPARKLE!!!!!!!!!!!!

I shaped and formed the hat to tilt on one side.....love it!!!!

I bought a very sparkly bracelet and took it apart and applied the crystals at the intersection of the weaves of the brim......LOVE IT!!!!!!

Here she is again......the one is the back ground is Angel's.....as you can see, everyone has their own style which I LOVE!!!!

And here are a few of the others girls creations along with mine.....well, that's about it for now. May 1st, we have to go in front of our family, friends and faculty and present our project and speak on how we make her and so on......should be interesting!!!!!!!

That's it for now, I better head to bed......6 am comes why to fast.....Blessings, Rhonda

We Are Moving Back To Spooner!!!!!

2011-04-13T04:44:00.000-07:00

There is so much going on in my life right now I don't know where to begin, so I will hit the highest point right now and when I have more time, update you all on the rest.

Our beautiful kitchen....I LOVE IT!!!!!!!

The most exciting and most fulfilling news I have is that BRENT AND I ARE MOVING HOME THIS WEEKEND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Brent got a job in Spooner, our home town, and we get to live in our new house!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I could not be happier!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The only bad part is that I will have to transfer schools this Fall so I can finish but I can live with that if it means being HOME with my family and friends this summer. Soooooooooooooo, I will update you all on the good, bad and the ugly of my life these past weeks later...until then I better get ready for school.

Blessings to you all, I have missed blogging and hope I can do more of it soon.

Happy Spring.....Rhonda

New Cat Doll, School Daze And Happy Birthday To My Little Girl

2011-03-07T14:32:00.000-08:00

Hello friends and family.....Today my daughter, Kara, is 28 years old, which I totally can not believe. She has been such a blessing to me and I thank God everyday that He allowed me to be her Mom...Happy Birthday Kara Sheilda, I love you with all my heart and am SOOOOO proud of you!!!!!

Well, I have been busier then a cat covering crap in a wind storm lately. School never fails to surprise me and push me into new and exciting experiences and new adventures. While I try to find time to prim and keep "Country Freckles" stocked up with my dolls....I have to admit, it's been very challenging. But some how, here and there, I have been able to make a few new creation once in a while. The above picture is of the cat I made last week, I really like it and hope it's a good seller.

I also made some bunny ornies out of an old bed spread....I was super happy with them. I LOVE the color and they look really cute mixed in with my handmade Easter eggs.

On to the hair/cosmetology part of my life. Yesterday, (Sunday) I went to a hair show in Stevens Point, WI with some of my classmates and one of my teachers. It was all about men's haircutting and I learned SOOOOO much. I would totally go to another one!!!!! There were many area cosmetologists there and also 2 schools.....ours (Mid-State) and the one in Wausau, WI. I was so proud of 2 of my classmates. During the demonstration, the guy asked if anyone would like to come up and try the technique he was showing us. Angel and Amanda were so excited and very willing to come up and give it a try. I was SOOOOO proud of them!!!!! They are awesome!!!!! The above picture is of Angel going up front at the hair cutting show to give the technique a try.

Amanda up front at the hair show being very excited after she mastered the technique the instructor showed her.

We also went bowling last week as a class for a team building exercise. It was SOOO fun!!!! Above is one of my teachers taking her turn at throwing the ball.

All 3 of my awesome teachers....I love you guys!!!!!

And here we are as a class after our bowling outing....I was so excited, I bowled a 120. I know it's not a great score, but for me it was:)

o:k, back to my prim creations....here is another pic of my bunny ornies.

Another look at my kitty cat.

More bunnies.

My bunny ornie with my ornie eggs.

My sitting hen...Henny Penny.

My sampler pillow.

And last but not least....another sampler pillow.

Well, that's what I have been up to lately, school and a little bit of primming on the side.....hope life has been good for you all....until next time...God Bless....Rhonda

Bunnies And More Bunnies At Country Freckles

2011-02-21T05:27:00.000-08:00

I know I have been MIA for awhile, sorry.....I have been sooooo busy and may I add, a bit stressed also. School is NOT easy and I find myself absolutely exhausted when I get home at night. I keep telling myself....this is only temporary and I thank God everyday that it's only temporary!!!!!! It's not that I don't like doing hair....I love that part, it's the homework, the deadlines and sometimes the school environment that wears on me. I just keep trying to put a smile on my face and keep my eye on the prize!!!!!

Anyway, on a happier note....last week, I got to enjoy all of Joni's awesome finds she brought back from her market trip to Pennsylvania. She is well stocked with prim bunnies that's for sure. I took several pictures of the bunnies and other goodies around the store.

This big guy is huge and so adorable!!!! The chair he is sitting on is also a new item Joni brought back with her from market.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this light. Brent and I want to buy it to go over our kitchen island, it would look amazing!!!!

A new blue make-do chair

This fireplace unit is awesome and the man standing in front of it is not so bad either...ohhhh, that's my handsome husband Brent. He has made more trip to Country Freckles with me then he probably cares to remember. He is always so patient while I look around the store and of course visit with my very dear friend Joni:)

LOVE this make-do chair....also a new find from Pennsylvania

Cute little Panda Bear sitting on a new chair

Little bunny ornie

Bunnies with cinnamon rolls....cute

This little guy is adorable

This guy has the "deer in the headlight look" I have had this look on my face many, many times. Actually, this is the look I have on my face every time I have to perform a new service on a client at school, lol

So cute!!!

Easter bunny

Mrs. Bunny

Mr. Bunny

Adorable!!!

Love this horse

This is an adorable trio

Well, that's it folks....Brent and I are heading home this weekend to spend some time in our hew house, I CAN NOT wait. We have not went home for 2 weeks now (because the it's so expensive when we do). I miss my home and family so much!!!!!! Until then, I will be at school trying to do my best and learn all I can. Blessings to you all.....Rhonda

New Creations And Our First Cozy Fire In Our New Home

2011-01-30T12:10:00.000-08:00

Blessings......I had some time the other day to finish up the hearts, bunnies and egg ornies I had been working on last week. I found these hearts at the thrift store for $1.99. Someone had handmade them out of a ticking fabric and strung them together to make a garland. When I saw them, I knew instantly they would make adorable ornies for Valentine's day. I took them apart, coffee stained them and then baked them a bit in the oven to give them that old prim look we all love:)

Finding things like this really saves me so much time...and time is so precious to me these days seeing I am in school full-time:)

And here are the bunny/egg ornie set I finished up....I think they are adorable.

They look so sweet tucked in a bowl with Easter grass.

Prim Elephants and Pinkeeps

Country Freckles
**********

Lately, while I am on my lunch break from school, I have been heading to Country Freckles to visit with Joni and enjoy looking around her beautiful store.

She has so many awesome groupings...she does such a wonderful job of decorating.

I LOVE these rugs!!!!

Gorgeous store.....she is heading to Pennsylvania soon to go to market...there will soon be new goodies to buy!!!!!

Rug Hooking At Country Freckles
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Joni is offering rug hooking classes at Country Freckles. A gal named Kathy comes in one Saturday a month and I think one evening a month and teaches ladies to make these beautiful creations.

I am so impressed with the talent and patience it takes to make and finish one of these babies:)

I took one of Kathy's rug hooking classes at her house about 1 1/2 years ago and loved it. Hopefully I can take another class at Country Freckles soon.

All the beautiful wool Kathy has available for creating.

And here is the little cozy spot in the store where Joni has set aside for the classes......so comfortable and inviting.

A Cozy Fire In Our Fireplace.....We LOVED IT!!!!
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When we were home the other weekend, Brent and I decided it was time to enjoy a fire in our new fireplace. How relaxing and enjoyable!!!!!

We are both so glad that we decided to put a fireplace in our livingroom....LOVE IT!!!!

Brent tending to the fire.

I have to say, relaxing by the fire was the best part of our weekend....I felt like I was at a lodge....it was so cool

We are going home again this weekend....can't wait to sit by another fire with my sweetie and enjoy our new home:)

And as for what I have been doing with the rest of my time....or should I say the most of my time, I am still in school. It has been going real good and I can actually say I love it (but am so glad the homework has let up some!!!!) We are now on the clinic floor doing hair 4 days a week and we are in the classroom one. I have had several clients now and enjoy it so much!!!!!! I am getting more confident and am feeling more relaxed each day which is a huge relief because I was so nervous at first....school is good and life is good:)

Hope everyone has a great week, Rhonda

New Prims And Pictures Of Country Freckles

2011-01-18T15:01:00.000-08:00

Happy Tuesday everyone......I spent my lunch hour at Country Freckles visiting Joni and taking pictures of my newest creations. Joni has such an amazing store....I wish you all could stop in and see it too. Christmas is all down and Joni has started working on her spring decor. She leaves for Pennsylvania in a couple weeks to go to market to find more amazing primitives we can't live without:) Can't wait to see what she comes back with!!!!!

The above picture is of the cats I made last week....they are so adorable!!!!

Here are some Easter eggs ornies, I made them out of a vintage stitchery which I coffee stained and primed up.

Here is a set of 3 hearts ornies I made out of an old table cloth.

Here is one of my hens sitting pretty ready to find a new home:)

An Easter bunny all ready for Spring:)

And here are a couple of prim dolls I made...they can also be door dolls.

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Country Freckles

Joni has been in her new store for 2 month now....wow, how time flies. Her Christmas decorating was so awesome but now it's time to change seasons and thing Spring:)

I love all the cool furniture she has on her showroom floor.

She does such a great job of grouping things together.

I LOVE this old screen door with the baskets and greens sprinkled in, it's so inviting, it reminds me of simpler times!!!!

A snap shot of all her Black Crow Candles....if you have never owned or smelt one....you have to....they are so fragrant!!!!

I love this grouping:)

A long shot of her store, as you can see she has a lot of stuff....you can shop till you drop:)

Love all the lamps and hanging lights.

This looks so inviting you just want to sit down with a hot cup of coffee and a good book and relax a spell.

And last but not least......a cupboard full of linens.

Getting back to school went really good. I gave a perm and a hair cut right off the bat...it went really good and I enjoyed talking with my client very much. I think that is what I am going to enjoy about this business also.....making new friends.

I will have to say that I am pretty tired tonight and am thinking about going to bed early tonight....."like right now" even though it's only 6pm.....oh well, ya gotta do what ya gotta do. I am the receptionist tomorrow at school (we all have to take our turn at it) so I think I better be well rested for that job.....it gets pretty hectic at the desk.

Gina (if you are reading this post), the perm rods I used on my daughters hair were called Italian rods....our teacher picked them up in Chicago at the hair show. I took some pictures of them but some how, they got erased before I could put them on my blog. I will try and get a picture of them tomorrow and post it.

Hope everyone had a wonderful day.....Blessings.....Rhonda

Back To School Tomorrow And A Husband Of Many Talents

2011-01-16T18:54:00.000-08:00

My vacation is officially over, tomorrow it's back to school for me. I am actually really glad to be going back because I want to get school over with so I can get to work and start making money:), 7 more months to go.

Anyway, I did enjoy my time off though. Brent and I spend most of the time in Spooner enjoying our new house and also enjoying our family. We had Mandy and the boys over for supper one night as you can see, baby Levi really enjoyed dessert.

Baby Levi...what a cutie!!!!

Grandpa Brent and our grandsons Levi and Garrett....I love this picture, it's soooo precious!!!!

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A Little Prim'in

We came back to Wisconsin Rapids last Monday which gave me a few days to enjoy sewing before I start back to school. I made up some cats, some little hens, Easter eggs, Valentine hearts and some bunny ornies. I took them all to Country Freckles on Saturday, but forgot my camera so I didn't get to take pictures of my finished creations. I am going to go to Country Freckles during my lunch break Tuesday, so I will take some pictures then and post them.

Until then, here are the cats I made.....they are work in progress here. I painted 2 of them black and 1 on them I coffee stained.

close up....when they were finished....they turned out really cute.

Here are the little hens, these are also pictures of them while they were work in progress. I will have finished pics to show you Tuesday.

Little hens in a row.

Another view of the hens.

Here are my Easter eggs, I coffee stained them and then laid them out on the stove to dry. They will look so adorable in a dough bowl with the bunny ornies I made...stay tuned, pictures to come:)

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My Wonderful Husband, A Man Of Many Talents

Now, on to the good stuff. My very manly man, who is not only an amazing house builder, bull-dozer operator, cranberry marsh builder, Mr. fix-it and handy man had one more talent up his sleeve.....he is a colorist and he didn't even know it:)

I was soooooo desperate to have my hair colored before I started school tomorrow (sitting in the classroom with 18-22 year olds, sportin a HUGE gray streak down the middle of my head, is NOT something I want to do if I can help it). So because we are back in Rapids now, and he is the only one available to help me.....so, he got drafted.

He is such a good sport...here he is mixing up the color after I measured out everything.

All gloved up and ready to roll...notice the beer in the back ground, lol

Here we go!!!!!

Now if you ask me.....this is true love :)

I had to teach him how to apply it, he got the hang of it really fast...I think I he's got the job to do all my colors from now on....he's a natural, lol

Almost done.....I'm lookin real lovely here...NOT

TaaaDaaaa.... here I am all smiles with the gray all gone....you did a great job honey thank you soooo much!!!!! I am ready to head back to school tomorrow with my head held high and my hair gray free....thank God!!!!!

I am a blessed woman to have such a wonderful husband....he is soooo good to me and I thank God for him everyday. I am sure there are many wonderful husbands out there that would color their wives hair for them when asked.....I am just glad I was lucky enough to get one of them!!!!!! I better head to bed now....6am comes awful fast!!!!!

Blessings to you all until next time:) Rhonda

Home Sweet Home...Finally

2011-01-06T13:59:00.000-08:00

New years blessings everyone, I have been enjoying my time off school here in Spooner. We moved some of our furniture into our new house...it looks so homey and inviting. I wanted to share some pictures with you all.

This is in our dining room, I love the chair. Maybe you guys recognize this chair from my booth at the antique mall. As of last Sunday, my year long run at the antique mall is over. It was too hard with going to school and living 3 hours away to keep my booth going. Also, it has been really really slow there and I felt it was time to pull out. I enjoyed my time there but feel it was a good decision.

Some of the cute little planters I have been collecting....adorable.

I bought myself a Kitchen aid mixer a couple months ago. I have never owned one of these and decided it was time. I can't wait to use it!!!!

A view of our kitchen...I have put some decos out but have a lot more to go when we bring our stuff out of the storage building. I am sure it will be like Christmas all over again for me when I unpack them, I have long forgotten what is packed away. It has been almost 3 years since that stuff has been packed in there....it's sooooooooooooo time to bring those boxes home and unpack them!!!!

Another view of our kitchen.

I LOVE the black corner cabinet I put in our kitchen....I think the yelloware bowls look sooo nice in there. I bought this awesome piece at Country Freckles....my favorite store!!!!!

I bought this chair at the thrift store for $5. I had it recovered last summer...it looks so awesome in our living room. I wish I had a before picture of this little beauty but I am so happy with the final outcome that's for sure. I bought a high wing back chair from the goodwill for $19 and that is in the process of being recovered. I will post pictures of that when it is done.

Another view of the chair

The livingroom is very make shift right now. We brought our love seat to the house because we needed the big couch in Rapids still...but at least we have somewhere to sit when we are home. We are also shopping for a big screen tv...but for now this tv will do the trick.

This is my daughter Alyssa's room.....I love this coverlet bedspread. It's from Heirloom Weavers.

Just a few items in this room right now, when we are able to move in totally I will decorate it right.

Our bedroom....we also brought just a few pieces to make us comfortable when we are able to come home.

A view looking into our bathroom.

Another view.

Well, that's about it for now. Brent in coming to Spooner tonight, he has 2 more days of vacation left and after that it might be a while before we are able to come and enjoy our home during the week. We are hoping to come home at least every other weekend though. I start back to school on January 17th...so I guess you can say that "the party is over"...back to the grindstone and reality.

Have a great weekend everyone....Rhonda

King Jesus Is Born...Merry CHRISTmas!!

2010-12-25T09:13:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas from my house to yours. Here are a few highlights from our Christmas Eve celebration last night. It was so fun to be with family enjoying making new memories together while reminiscing about the old ones. I am so blessed to have such and awesome family!!!!!

Christmas morning....my 2 beautiful girls

Last night after the festivities, I gave my mom a Christmas Eve haircut...she liked it. You're beautiful mom and I love you with all my heart. Thank you for all your hard work to make our Christmas so wonderful. We all had a blast!!!!

Me and my beautiful girls

My sister, my mom and I

Before we started our Christmas Eve celebration, we went caroling at a nursing home in Hayward, WI. The residents appreciated us coming and enjoyed the music so much. My mom is so talented...she can play any instrument you put in her hands.

Some of the residents even got out of their chairs and danced to "Rudolf The Red Nose Reindeer", it was so cute.

We have decided that we are going to make this a new family tradition. We all enjoyed seeing the happy faces of the residents and that is what Christmas is really about...making others happy and giving of ourselves. After all, that is what Jesus did for us...except, HE GAVE HIS ALL.

Merry Christmas...hope yours was filled with love, laughter and happy memories...Rhonda

A Break Is Coming...So Ready!!!!

2010-12-15T09:40:00.000-08:00

Christ-mas greeting everyone. I LOVE this time of year, the beautiful lights and decorations, the makings of new family memories, awesome food (old favorites along with a chance to try a new recipe). But most of all, this season brings to my mind the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Emmanuel "God with us" what A LOVE the Father showered on us through sending his only Son, Jesus Christ, to earth to die for us. He came in the most fragile form of human life and God protected HIM and through Jesus' obedience and willingness to lay down his life for us, God's plan for our redemption came to pass....Victory is ours through Jesus Christ!!!! No matter what this world goes through or how much selfishness and confusion there seems to be right now...God protects his plans and his will, Jesus paid the price and the VICTORY has been won. This life with all it's problems and turmoil will soon pass away and if we believe in Jesus Christ and except him as our Savior...we will live in Heaven where we will walk the streets of gold and be in peace that passes all understand while sitting at the feet of Jesus forever....sounds sooooo good to me!!!!

So for me, Merry Christmas has taken on a new meaning this year.....I choose to say Merry Christ-mas because it seems that this world is trying to take Christ out of Christmas....but as for me and my house, we shall serve the LORD and Christ will never be taken out of Christmas for us!!!!!

HOUSE PROGRESS
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Our house is finally starting to look like a home instead of work in progress. Brent has been working like a dog every time we go home trying to finish up the things we have left to do before we can starting moving stuff in.

Last week, he took a week's vacation and stayed in Spooner to tile the shower and also tile around our tub and trim around the windows. The shower ended up being more of a job then he thought it would be, so he spent most of the week working on that. We both are very happy with how it turned out. This weekend, he is hoping to finish trimming the windows and hopefully put down some base board trim also.

Brent washing down the shower after he finished grouting it...what a job this shower was!!!!

This is pretty much the way I saw him for days....his feet sticking out of the shower while he worked on it.....what a trooper his is. I don't think there would have been anything left of my knees if I was the one doing this....thanks sweetie, for ALL YOUR HARD WORK!!!!

They came and installed the granite counter tops last week also.....LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them!!!!

A view of our island...beautiful. Can't wait to start decorating my kitchen:)

We left the cardboard down on the floor for now until the plumber and electrician get done...but when we are able to pick up the cardboard and get everything cleaned up..... this kitchen is going to be stunning!!!

A close look at the granite....it's everything I was hoping for.

And last but not least....they finished rocking our fireplace last weekend...LOVE this too and can hardly wait to have a fire in it and sit and enjoy all our hard work.

Well, I better get ready for school.....Monday Dec. 20th is my last day and then I have a whole month off and I AM SO READY, I need this break!!!! I miss working on my prims and cooking for my husband. Brent has pretty much been doing all the cooking and laundry while I sit at night and do homework, I am such a blessed woman to have such a supportive husband but I am excited to give him a break for awhile.

Merry Christ-mas Everyone!!!!! Rhonda

WOW, Another Week Has Come And Gone

2010-12-02T18:01:00.000-08:00

I can't believe tomorrow is Friday already and we will be heading back to Spooner tomorrow night to work on the house. What a busy week I had...lots of homework and lots of hands-on at projects at school.

Last Sunday, I worked at the Antique Mall...there are lots of goodies in there. I took some pictures to share with you all.....these pics are of my booth and my girlfriend Rox's booth.

Here are some of my handmades looking for a new home.

A few of my handmade snowmen.

And here is a full view of my booth.

Here is a pic of my Rox's booth, she has been busy lately re-stocking....she has so many cool items, it's hard to take it all in. I LOVE these pyrex bowls!!!!

Rox's booth...she does such a good job of displaying everything.

Rox's booth

Rox's booth...lot's of trinkets

And last but not least...Rox's booth.

Our House
******

Last weekend this was the view out our bedroom window....what a little cutie!!

He was eating a pile of corn my step-dad had put out there for the deer. I can't wait to see this site more often when we move back home!!!!

A view of our kitchen, dining room, hall and part of the living room.

Brent got the fireplace durocked last weekend...it's all ready for the beautiful rock which will be put on Saturday:)

Our fireplace

A view of our bathroom from our bedroom. Brent got the Durock on our walk-in shower last weekend also. He is going to tile it this weekend....It's going to be beautiful!!!!

Our shower ready for the tile.

Brent finishing up the shower.

A close-up of the glass cabinet on the island, I just love it...I will be filling this with lot's of trinkets:)

Another larger view of our kitchen, living room my daughter Alyssa's room.

School
***

I will leave you all with this funny picture.....last week, we gave each other scalp treatments...I just had to get a picture of this line-up. Next Tuesday, is our practical testing on scalp treatment..I have to getting studying the massages:) Yes, life is never dull at school. We did hair removal by waxing each other yesterday. I didn't get any pictures of that but I got my legs, eyebrows and upper lip waxed, I don't think I am a real fan of the leg waxing but will continue with the brow and upper lip:)

Joni...just before I took out her perm rods.

Today I gave Joni, from Country Freckles a perm and it turned out really nice. I am sure she will not be real thrilled with me that I posted these picture...sorry Joni, you are such a good sport. I will get some pictures of her soon with her hair all done up to show you how nice her perm turned out.

Well, I better get to bed....morning comes so fast, and then I am on a dead run all day. I need my beauty rest:) Have a blessed day everyone....Rhonda

I Am So Thankful For My Blessings

2010-11-28T06:15:00.000-08:00

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving...I sure did. It was so nice to be with family and enjoy making memories together, that is what life is about as far as I am concerned. Next year, we will be celebrating the Holiday's in our new house with our precious family.....what a blessing that will be!!!! The above pictures is a pic of a Santa I bought at the craft show yesterday. My sister and I usually do this show but because I could not make anything this year because of going to school we couldn't, I had to buy something prim this year though....I LOVE IT!!!!

It has been a busy 4 days here in Spooner for Brent and I. Brent has pretty much worked on the house the whole time...he starts at 5am and does not quit until around 9pm. I have not seen much of him, his is such a trooper. I show up and sweep and clean where it is needed, but I am pretty much his gofer and his meals-on-wheels. It will be nice when our kitchen appliances are in and working, then I can cook meals there instead of hauling out food for us....can't wait.

Kara and Trav's adorable livingroom all decked out for Christmas

My daughter Kara and son-in law Travis hosted Thanksgiving for us all this year again....it was so nice!!! They really went all-out for us. Kara cooked her little heart out and her house was decorated so cute and she even made us a breakfast spinach bake.....Thank you Kara for all your work, I love you so much and am SOOOOO proud of you!!!!!

Kara stirring up and wonderful Thanksgiving dinner.

She looked so cute in her little apron...I had to get this pic.....so precious!!!!!

Our Kitchen
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Here are a few pictures of our kitchen....we set the cook top in the island just to see how it would look and I was shocked at how big it was. When we picked it out this spring....I didn't realize it was this big....gotta love my husband....his motto is "GO BIG OR GO HOME":)

The counter tops will be installed in about 2 weeks from now....that will really bring this look together. The cherry cabinets along with the granite will be awesome!!!!! I know, what is a prim girl doing with cherry and granite...I like the prims sprinkled in with the granite:)...can't help myself:)

A better view of our big cook top, look at the size of those knobs!!! I LOVE my shelves which will be above the sink, these are the second try at them....the ones they had up there before just were not my vision, I explained to them what I wanted but they just didn't quit get it. But, they did a good job on the second try....Thanks guys!!!!

My husband got all our doors hung this week also.....this a view from our bedroom looking into our bathroom. They got the surround cherry around our tub and I absolutely LOVE our french doors!!!!!

Haircuts
*****

I did a few haircuts while I was home. Above is my daughter Alyssa's boyfriend, Shannon. He is such a cute kid and soooo funny. Alyssa said that he had to do a glamor shot after I was finished.....we had so much fun!!!!! I think I could have taken a little bit more off the top or maybe textured it....but I was not sure how short he wanted to really go. I was glad to get the practice and enjoyed cutting his hair so much....I think I am really going to love this job!!!!

Alyssa made him pose.....too funny!!! What a good sport you are Shannon!!!!

And last but not least....I gave my son, Kasey, a haircut. I went pretty short with him....I think he looks very handsome!!!! Sitting on his lap, is my precious grandson Carson. He played with his hotwheel cars the whole time I was cutting Kasey's hair...it was a challenge trying to keep him out of the hair on the floor..... Granny loves you so much Carson!!!!!!

Well, now I am off to work at the Antique Mall until 3pm....then it's out to the house to pick up my sweetie and then we will be heading back to Rapids to get back to reality....can't wait til my reality is back here in Spooner with my family!!!!!

God Bless you all, Rhonda

A Quick Look At The Beginings Of Our Kitchen

2010-11-24T14:52:00.000-08:00

Our cabinets were installed last Thursday and we are so happy with everything so far...tomorrow, I am planning on taking more pictures of the rest of our cabinets and hopefully get them posted ASAP. The bathrooms and laundry room cabinets are installed also and they are ALL beautiful!!! They all match our floor color really well which is a relieve because Brent and I are were very concerned about that.

Brent has been working this whole week while he has been off work for deer season...he has been hanging our doors and trim....he has done a beautiful job, he is a trooper that's for sure. I skipped out on 4 hours of school (which I hated to do) and came home early last night because of a bad storm that was brewing. I am glad I did, we are getting this storm right now as I type this and it's nasty....I sure would not want to be driving 3 hours in this mess so I am so glad I came home early!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone...we all have so much to be thankful for that's for sure!!!! Blessings, Rhonda

Perm And A Happy Mom And Daughter

2010-11-22T04:02:00.000-08:00

Good Morning everyone....the perm I gave my daughter Thursday at school was a complete success. My daughter Kara, asked me to give her a perm about a month ago...so I put her in the appointment book and was excited for her to come to my school. Because we live 3 hours away from our family right now, it is always SOOOOOO nice when they come and stay with me here in Rapids. My mom came with her which also which was an added bonus.....love you mom!!!!! Anyway, Kara didn't want a spiral/real curly perm...she wanted more of a beachy wave....I crossed my fingers that I could give her that result and started asking the senior students and the teachers how I would get this beachy wave effect. We decided to use rods that they were all very new at using called Italian rods. It took a few tries to figure out how to use them but we did it and the result was everything Kara was hoping for.

Here Kara is before the perm....I should have taken a picture of the back of her hair also...things were crazy there before we started, was not thinking I guess.

Right now until January, we have a partner during our appointments. Stevie Jean was my assistant for Kara's perm.....she did a great job and it was a pleasure to work with her.

Kara all wrapped up.

Kara and I after the wrap.

It took us about 1 hour and 45 minutes to wrap this....not too bad for novice wrappers.

Kara waiting at the shampoo bowl for us to put on the neutralizer.

Kara at the dryer after we took out the perm rods.

After took out the rods.

And here she is as we were walking to the car to go for lunch.....LOVE IT!!!! I gave her a trim at home on Saturday and she colored my hair.

I have some pictures of our cabinets but I don't have time to load them right now. I will get to that hopefully tomorrow. I better get ready for school.....Blessings everyone....Rhonda

Winter Arrived In Spooner, WI

2010-11-18T03:59:00.000-08:00

Last weekend when we went home to work on our house, we woke up to this winter wonderland Saturday morning. We had a lot of running around to do the as far as renting the saw to cut the ceramic tile so my husband could lay the tile in our laundry room and entryway. Snow, slippery roads, wind and a 3 hour power outage didn't stop us from meeting our goals. He got the tile laid and we survived the complicated conditions and had a productive weekend in spite of it all. The above picture is beautiful if you don't have to drive around in it all weekend. It was taken just before our driveway. It's very pretty and I can't wait until we move home and on days like these, we can just cuddle up next to the fireplace and enjoy the beautiful view.

Our house in the middle of the winter wonderland.

A view from the front.

We finished putting the final touches on our floors....I LOVE THEM!!!!

Tile all laid in the laundry room, Brent has to grout it next weekend and then it will be finished.

Brent finish laying the tile in our entryway...he will grout it this weekend also.

Our livingroom, kitchen and dining room floor turned out sooo good...LOVE THEM!!!!

Well, time is slippin away, I better get ready for school. My daughter Kara came down here last night...I am giving her a perm today at school, say a prayer it turns out. Have a great day everyone. Sorry this post is so short...just wanted to post a quick update about what we have been up to. Blessings, Rhonda

Christmas Grand Opening At Country Freckles

2010-11-04T15:59:00.000-07:00

I am so proud of Joni, owner of Country Freckles!!!!! She bought a building on 8th street, which is THE main street in Wisconsin Rapids, late this past summer. Joni has said since I met her almost 3 years ago....."I want to buy a building on 8th street". A building finally came up for sale that she was interested in and it didn't take long before she had things in motion. I remember when we were in Columbus, Ohio at market late this summer......she was getting phone calls like you would NOT believe from her realitor, the contractors she has lined up for the remolding, the electricians, the furnace guys...you name it, they were calling her. I was thinking to myself and finally said it, "Joni...do you think you really want to buy this building...it seems like a lot of headache and a lot of work waiting ahead for you". She said, "I'm doing it", she had a vision and she was NOT giving up on her dream. Well, to make a long story short...Country Freckles now has a new home......everything is moved into Joni's new building....the HARD work has been done and it is sooooooooooooooooo GORGEOUS!!!!!! Joni has proved to me that if you want your dreams to come true and are willing to WORK hard for it....it will happen. You are an amazing women Joni, you work harder then ANY woman I know....I thank God that he had blessed me with you friendship!!!! I wish you God's blessing as you enjoy your new journey!!!!!!

Joni's open house was tonight, it was absolutely amazing!!!!! She let me snap a few pics to share with all of you.....I am going to stop in tomorrow on my lunch to snap some more. There we TOO many people in the store to really get the whole feel of the store in my pictures, I didn't want to be annoying. I was so glad to see the line up at the check out deck!!!!!!

I really LOVED this display!!!!!

This display looks sooooo peaceful, you just want to set down and have a cup of coffee and take it all in!!!!

I LOVE these coverlets!!!! Like I said, I am going to Country Freckles on my lunch hour to take more pictures....so stay tuned:)

OUR HOUSE IN PROGRESS
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Last weekend, Brent and I went home once again and worked on our hardwood floors. Brent finished up laying it....and I started staining what was laid. Here is a picture of the bathroom before I started staining.

Here is a picture of a good start:)

Done with the bathroom and walk-in closet and heading out into our bedroom.

Brent finishing up the kitchen and working his way into the dining room.

Lookin good

I finished up our bedroom and bath and headed to the other end of the house.

My daughter, Alyssa's room....LOVE IT!!!

A view of the spare bathroom and our office. We are going home to finish up....so stay tuned for more pics. We are hoping to have the kitchen cabinets installed November 18ish...can't wait for that!!!!

School Daze Update
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I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE long hair design......I can tell that is it going to be one of my favorite things to do in the salon. I think because I have long hair and my girls have long hair is the reason I like long hair design. It just feels comfortable to me and I am excited to learn all I can about how to do up-do's for weddings, proms ect..... The picture above is a before.....

And here is an after.....I really liked doing this design. It is done by doing knots though out...LOVED IT!!!!

Here is a view of the back.....I would totally wear this up-do to a fancy event....maybe someday I will.

Today, was a really big day for me....I had my first client, I gave her a perm and a haircut. It went really well, she left happy and my teachers were very pleased also.....it's always good when the teachers are happy too:) I had a really good day and can't wait until next Thursday when I will get a chance to work on the public again. Until then......stay tuned for more pics of Country Freckles new store.....Blessings to you all....Rhonda

First Day On The Clinic Floor...AND LOVED IT!!!

2010-10-28T14:17:00.001-07:00

Today was our first day on the clinic floor at school.....we were allowed to work on each other today. Everyone has been waiting for this day for months and when we were finally cut loose.....there was NO turning back. ....so as you can imagine, the color, bleach and shears were flying around the salon wildly. It was SOOOO FUN!!!!

I had planned on just watching everyone today because I didn't want anything done to my hair and didn't think it was fair for me to do someone but then not want anything done to my hair by them. Well, that flew right out the window right away in the morning..... my friend Lindsey asked me if I would color her hair and so of course I said YES, I will have to say that I was a little nervous because this was my first time ever coloring a real persons hair....but I LOVED IT!!!!

Then, after lunch, my friend Jessica asked me to foil her hair...she wanted blue and pink streaks. I said "WHAT" blue and pink.....o:k. So I went from this morning being nervous about coloring Lindsey's hair black.....to being thrilled and excited to foil Jessica's hair blue and pink....who knew that when you start coloring..... you don't want to stop. I LOVED TODAY, I can't wait til next Thursday, we are out on the clinic floor again, but this time we have real clients. I am giving a perm.....woooo hoooo!!!!!

Here is Jessica before we starting the foiling, she's all smiles!!!

Here she is during the processing time...she's still smiling!!!

And here is the final outcome...she only wanted the underneath colored...it turned out SOOOO darn cute!!!!!

Here is a better look at the colors....LOVE IT!!!

And here I am....pretty proud of myself that I actually did it!!!!!

And here is a picture of Lindsey and I after her color....I didn't get any before pictures of the process because I didn't have my camera with me this morning. So I went from thinking I was just going to watch everyone else today....to having 2 clients.....AMAZING!!!!!

Today was an awesome day, I know I am going to LOVE doing hair....Thank you Jesus for the opportunity to learn this trade!!!!

Just had to share it with you all:) Blessings, Rhonda

Time For A Blog Update!!!!!

2010-10-26T14:39:00.000-07:00

Good morning everyone!!!!! It has, once again, been awhile since I have updated my blog...I hate that!!!!! Life is still moving along at break-neck speed, but I am still lov'in it. I can not believe that we are into week 10 of school already. Monday was the start of the 2nd half of the first semester and we have started new subjects. Wednesday's are now our on-line class, Salon Business, so I do not have to be at school until 2pm....love it. Wednesday's now will be the day I catch up on things and also do some laundry and get a bit of house work done. We are still going home every weekend which leaves NO TIME to relax and do any sewing. We are hoping the house will be done by Christmas which will make the miles and hours on the road worth it.

School Daze
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The last 9 weeks of school I have learned how to perm, color, cut hair...do manicures and pedicures and also learned A LOT about bacteria and how to keep a salon sanitary. Here are a few pictures of some of the hands-on projects I did during class. These were all practical tests and were all graded, I am happy to say, I got a good grade on them all.

My perm test....we had to wrap this perm in 60 mins and then we were graded on how we apply the perm solution, the rinsing, neutralizing, and how the perm turned out.

Taking the rods out here....pretty happy with the turn out.

She's done!!!!!!

Here is my roller set and comb out.....I actually liked doing this one.

And here is my color.....Loved doing this!!!!!

Starting the color

First section done

Moving right along

Processing

All done!!!!!

Gorgeous!!!

Home Is Where The Heart Is
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When we were home a couple weekends ago, we had a camp fire at my daughter Kara's. We were able to spend some time with our grandson's Carson and Garrett. Brent was playing in the leaves with them....it was so cute, I had to get some pics. Anyway, I told them all that I wanted a picture and to pose.....Brent said "pick your noses" and both of their little fingers went up to their noses with lightening speed. We all laughed soooo hard....as you can tell, Brent laughed the hardest. Kids, they are so precious and so funny!!!!!

Here they are running and having a blast

They loved it and so did Brent!!!!!

Here they are....Carson and Garrett.

Our House
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We had our sidewalks poured last week.....they turned out really good:)

Love the side walk....now if we only had some grass:)

Next Spring, we will have the yard and flower gardens in....can't wait!!!!

Brent is busy laying our wood floors...what a guy, he gets up at 4am and starts and works until 10pm!!!!

Here is the spare bathroom, the small hall and our office all done....love it!!!!

Brent putting the final row down in our bedroom

The floor is so beautiful.....my pics do not do it justice!!!!

Our bathroom

Our bedroom and going into our bathroom

Brent has all the flooring laid expect for the living room, kitchen and dining room (shown above). He is hoping to get them done this weekend. We will then stain and seal the floor and then it's time for the kitchen to get installed!!!!! This is scheduled for Nov. 15th....can't wait...a house is not a home until you have a kitchen!!!!!!

Well, that's about it for now, my books are calling my name so I better get at it. Blessings to everyone....Rhonda

Still Here!!!!

2010-10-05T05:45:00.000-07:00

Sorry it's been awhile, with going to school, my free time is pretty much none existing. I try to make time to update my blog but homework is always calling my name and with all the deadlines, homework always wins out. After these next 2 weeks are over, the homework load will lighten up a bit, so I am sure that will help my blogging time:) So please stay tuned....I am hoping to get some of my free time back soon. I have not been able to even pick up a needle to sew or stitch since August 23rd, I miss it so much but I keep telling myself that this will be worth all this work when I am working in a salon and making money.

Last month, the school bought new dryers and new facial chairs. They were selling the old ones so I snatched up one of each. The dryer chair was $40....and the facial chair (which I don't have a picture of yet) was $50. My husband had to come to the school to pick them up.....did he ever get the looks when he drove through town with this chair in the back of his truck. He is such a trooper, he never knows what I will be bring home next.

Speaking of home, we go home every weekend to work on our beautiful new home. My husband has been working on getting our yard roughed in....I LOVE it!!!! I can't wait to see it all planted with nice green grass and beautiful flower beds.

He also got my flower beds dug out and ready to be filled with black dirt. Digging it out now with this backhoe will save he back this spring.

flower bed ready for black dirt

digging with the backhoe sure saves on the back!!!!

I can't wait to see this flower bed FULL of flowers and shrubs:)

flower beds all dug out:)

Here is a picture off our bedroom deck....the trees were so gorgeous!!!!

Brent started laying our floors also, it is a slow job but will be so worth it. We choose hard maple for our floors. It is rustic with lots of character.

He is making some progress here, but he has a LONG way to go!!!!

Brent also got our pond roughed it. Hopefully it will hold water when it is all done:)

My hard working man bulldozing up a storm

We were able to spend a little time with our grandson Garrett, Brent wanted him to sit on the bulldozer with him but Garrett wanted nothing to do with that. So here they are looking at it and that was as far as Garrett was going. I am sure in a few more years, Brent will have a dozing buddy.

Brent and Garrett

Brent and Garrett on the berm, I LOVE this berm. I never thought I could love a pile of dirt so much....it provide the privacy we wanted....I couldn't be happier!!!!

The house is coming along good and I can't wait to live in it!!!!

Well, that's about it for now....I better get working on my homework. Stay tuned, I have more pictures to share....hopefully sometime this week I can post again.

Blessings, Rhonda

A Day In The Life Of A Prim Girl Going To Cosmetology School

2010-09-21T14:41:00.000-07:00

School is still keeping me pretty busy, I have not been able to even pick up a sewing needle in 5 weeks, I am hoping that soon will change and I can start working on some Christmas primitives. I really miss sewing and creating my dolls and look forward to getting started on some prims for our craft show in Spooner the end of November.

At school last week, we learned how to give pedicures. I didn't think I would like the whole pedicure thing....not really a fan of touching feet but it really was not that bad. I will like it even more when it brings in a paycheck. We had to get a pedicure lasts week also....it was fun and felt so good. Tomorrow, we will be tested on the pedicure procedure from setting up, to giving the pedicure and then the clean-up process....the key thing here it SANITATION and I totally understand why!!!!!!

Me getting a pedicure

Ashlyn was my partner, here she is giving me my pedicure. I had never had a pedicure before and I can actually say I LOVED it. Ashlyn gave an amazing foot massage....so relaxing!!!!!

House Progress

All the samples lined up against our granite counter top for our bathroom

We went home last weekend and worked on the house...yes, it's become pretty much our routine...work, school and off to work on the house. Someday, we will have a life again but until then, we are keeping our eye on the prize:)

We have come to the point where it is time to pick out the tile for our shower. Last week, we found a couple samples we liked so we brought them to Plover where our granite pieces are to make sure that they all match. We decided on a textured brown tile...we both liked it so hopefully it will be all we are envisioning.

Here is our kitchen granite piece, I was so excited to see it again (we picked it out in June)....it's been since June since I hadlaid my eyes on it....I STILL LOVE IT and can't wait to see it in my kitchen.

We also picked out our fireplace stone, the sample piece is to the left.....LOVE IT!!!!!

We picked out our interior doors awhile back. We ordered one to make sure we liked our choice before we went ahead and ordered all of them......it came last week and we LOVED it.........so awesome!!!!!!!

A trailer full of our hardwood maple flooring.....we picked it up at the sawmill and got it all hauled into the house last weekend. It has to sit and acclimate to the house for 2 weeks then Brent can start laying it down. I can't wait to see my beautiful wood floors!!!!!

Brent spent the most of the weekend bulldozing. We decided to build a berm to give us privacy from the neighbor across the field from us. When we built our house here, we knew we would be doing something to block the view of the neighbor. A couple weekends ago, we decided to build this berm and plant a row of pine trees on the top of it to give added privacy. Not only will it give a beautiful touch to our yard, it will give us the privacy we both want.

Getting a good start

half way there:)

I am so blessed to have such a talented husband....he seriously can do anything!!!

While looking out the windows in the house, you can not see anything except the sky line.....just the way I like it!!!!!

And here is our driveway shaping up. We are going home this weekend and Brent will hopefully finish up on our yard excavating. Can't wait til we get the grass and flowers all planted...it will really all come together then. That will not be for a while but I know it will be AWESOME when it is finished!!!!

My daughter Alyssa went flying with her dad the other day and they flew over our house.....here is the ariel photo she took for me, I LOVE it...just thought I would share it will you all. This of course was before the berm was started:)

Well, I better get to bed...morning comes way too FAST. Until next time, Blessings everyone....Rhonda

School, Homework, Work On The House...Repeat

2010-09-08T14:14:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe that I will be starting my 4th week of school Monday....weeee, what a whirl wind of a ride!!!!

All in all, school has been wonderful but also very consuming. I have A LOT of homework that does not wait for anything and that makes it a little hard for anything extra especially when we go home to work on the house on weekends. My husband has to do a lot of the work by himself while I am at my daughter's working on homework. He has been very understand about all the homework, both during the week and on weekends. I am hoping that the load will lighten soon, but I do know that when it is all over with, it will be worth it.

I have made some really nice friends at school. Even though I am much older then they are, they all treat me like one of the gang and that means so much to me!!!!! We go to lunch together, help each other with our hands-on projects and also our homework, they are all so sweet and make school very fun.

I love all the teachers too, they are so helpful and are very understanding that we are learning everything at a break-neck speed and give us mercy when we don't get things right away. I am a very blessed girl to be able to have this opportunity of going to school and I thank God that he has allowed me to do it. I have realized something very important that I have known all along but sometimes need to be reminded of....I CANNOT do ANYTHING without JESUS....without JESUS helping me through this school journey or any other journey this life takes me through, I could not survive it. HE keeps me focused on what is really important and really valuable in life!!!!! He is my ROCK!!!!! HE is the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE and NO ONE comes to the Father except through him!!!!!

A look inside our classroom where all the brain strain goes on:)

Me with my gal all perm-rodded up...she got worked over that's for sure. Her head was in positions that I do not think a client's head could be in. I better get practicing if I do not want to cause client's to end up at the Chiropractor right after their perms!!!!!

my mannequin after I took out her perms rods....pretty cool!!!!

Me giving my mannequin a blunt cut....loved it!!!!

Work it girl!!!!!

House Progress
*********************

Last weekend, we went home and painted the whole interior of our house. My daughter and son in-law, Brent and I, and my step-dad worked like dogs. We got the job done in 2 days and I was very proud of our work.

Brent starting our bathroom

Our bathroom finished

Our kitchen/dining room

Kara painting our spare bedroom

Nice job Kara!!!!

Brent painting our entryway

Brent still painting our entryway

Our entryway almost finished except for the cutting in at the ceiling which my step-dad finished up with a very steady hand....thank you Ray for all your hard work!!!!!

Kara and Trav hard at work...what a cute couple!!! Love you both very much!!!!

Our spare bathroom

Our bedroom

The office, Brent picked out this color....he LOVES it, it's his favorite room:)

The kitchen, dining room, and hall all finished....love it!!!! Can't wait until the kitchen cabinets are installed!!!!!

Our son in-law Travis hard at work....Trav is an awesome painter!!!!!

My daughter Kara, she is an awesome painter too, she hung in there with me through the whole process....thank you so much Kara, I could not have done it without you!!!!!

Well, that's about it for now, sorry I have not posted for a while. With school, it has been a bit harder to keep up with my blog every week but I will for sure make the time to post when I can. I LOVE blogging and will not stop no matter how busy I get.

Thank you all for tuning in, I appreciate it so much. Until next time....Blessings, Rhonda

Oh Man, Where Do I Start????

2010-08-31T04:19:00.000-07:00

As I reflex back on last week it really is a blur but my first week of school is in the books and my head is still spinning. The first day was pretty much signing endless amounts of papers stating we understood this and that. We got homework right away in every class. One of the classes is an online class which is fine but it took me 2 days to learn how to use the online site which is called blackboard. Thank God I have made a friend in class who has taken online classes before so she helped me muddle my way through blackboard and taught me how to understand somewhat of how blackboard works, (thanks Lindsey)!!!! The online class is on Tuesdays, so Tuesdays I don't have to be at school until 2pm which is sooooooooooooo nice...(that will enable me to hopefully keep my blog updated otherwise, I am doing homework pretty much until I go to bed at night which does not leave me anytime for blogging).

All the teachers are very nice and helpful. But....wow, do they cover a lot of information FAST and FURIOUS!!!!!!!!! I KNOW I will get used to the pace but until then, I am trying to keep my head in the game and keep up. I have been able to get all my homework done on schedule but there is always a new chapter waiting in the wings with a new deadline......wheeeeeee.....it sure does not leave any time for primin. I am hoping after this first nine weeks is over (which is when the homework load is the strongest) things will slow down a bit so I can make some Christmas items for our craft show in November.

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House Progress

To top it all off, we went home last weekend because we have to keep the house progress mov'in along. We picked out our paint colors for each room and this coming weekend, we will be going home to paint up a storm. We have to get the whole interior of the house painted and ready for the next step which will be my husband laying our maple floors. We will have 3 days to paint because of Labor Day, the extra day will be nice........we will certainly need it!!!!!!

Dry Walling almost done....it looks like a real house now:)

A view of the kitchen and dining room....love it!!!!

Our bedroom.

Our bathroom.

And here are our color choices. Of course there is one color choice per swatch but it would take me too long to point out which color we chose from each swatch so.....you will have to tune in next week when I update my blog because I will have pictures of our finished painting project.

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School Daze

I took a few pictures I would like to share with you from last week....my first week of school.

My mom was not here to take my first day of school picture so I had to take it myself, lol. So here I was just before I left for my first day of school. Sorry, I know it's cheezy but I wanted it to remember how I looked my first day....hopefully I won't have blue or pink hair before this is all over with. My goal is to say "NO" but you never know???????

On Friday, we starting learning how to wrap a perm. I really liked it!!!!!! I am going to LOVE the hands-on....the homework...not so much!!!!!! Here is a picture of my mannequin head...not bad for my first try.

This Friday we are going learn the rest of the wrapping process....can't wait.

In haircutting class we learned sectioning for a blunt cut which we will be doing on Thursday.....I had taken my sections down here but took a pic of my gal anyway just for the heck of it.

Here is a picture of where I sit and who I sit by. Where the blond mannequin head is is where my desk it. Jessica and Lindsey are in the back ground.

An here is some mannequin heads all lined up ready for whatever is in store for them.

Well, that's about it for now. As you can see I will be very busy this Fall between school, going home to work on the house and trying to fit in primin I will probably be meeting myself coming and going. Speaking of busy, I better get going and start my on-line class for this week....I have A LOT to do. Have a great week everyone.....Blessings, Rhonda

Tommorow Is My First Day Of School

2010-08-22T15:37:00.000-07:00

Sorry I have been MIA for awhile, I really have no excuses except to say that it's been a very, very busy couple weeks. Last Monday was orientation for school, it was weird to actually be in the classroom...I had to pinch myself that's for sure when I was sitting at my desk. I also had to inventory all my kits for school which was pretty overwhelming, but I am so glad I got that out of the way, it will make tomorrow go much smoother I hope. But anyway, I am now the proud owner of a many scissors and clippers and everything that goes with doing hair....I just need to learn how to use it all:)

Also last week, Joni, Lisa and I headed to Columbus, OH to go to Market for Joni's store. WOW, is all I can say....we came home with a trailer FULL of goodies for the store and also had a wonderful time together, it is always exhausting going to Market but very worth it.

We stopped at many Antique shops along the way. I did snap a few pictures of some of my favorite pieces of furniture....they were so cool!!!!! But I didn't get any pictures of us....not sure why, I guess we were just too busy running our butts off most of the time.

I LOVED this little prim beauty.

This box caught my eye....so prim!!!!

I thought his was a very cleaver idea....turning an old set of steps into display shelves.

Another nice piece.

And last but not least, I loved this little hanging cabinet.

Well for now, my fun is over for a while....school will have to come first before play. That is way I was so happy that I got to go on the Columbus, OH trip with Joni and Lisa, thanks girls for the fun time...you guys are the best!!!!!!

I am hoping to be able to still work on my prims for our craft show in Spooner this November......I will be working on them at night which will be o:k as long as my homework is done. I am sure it will take a little time to learn how to juggle everything, but I am determined to make it happen because I LOVE sewing ....it's my therapy:)

This is where I will be spending MOST of my time for a while, I still can't believe I am really going to school....woohoo!!!!!! I am also starting back on my Nutrisystem tomorrow, I took at break for a couple weeks but am anxious to get back on it. I am pretty much maintaining my weight loss but want to finish and reach my goal soon. I would like to say thank you to the nice lady that came up to me in Columbus while we were at market and congratulated me on my weight loss, that was sooo cool (she must read my blog). I guess it is a small world and even smaller in blog world, I really could not believe she recognized me. Anyway, I was on the phone at the time and didn't get to talk to her but wanted her to know that I appreciated her encouragement, it means a lot to me.

Well, I better get to bed. Tomorrow is my first day of school and I am sure I will need all the rest I can get tonight. I will keep you all posted on how my first day goes....wish my luck:)

Blessings, Rhonda

This And That

2010-08-12T05:12:00.000-07:00

Another week has come and gone and it is down to one week left of summer for me and a short one at that. Monday I have to be at school at 9am for orientation. There, I will find out much needed details about the Cosmetology program like.....where to show up the first day and just mainly what to expect as I start this new journey. Thursday I have to go to Stevens Point and pick up one of my kits for the class and then Friday we are going to be inventorying all our kits and products needed to start school. Friday will count as 4 hours towards our 1,800 hours needed to graduate. And then Monday, August 23rd is my official first day of school. No more sleeping in for me....no more leisure time for awhile and prim'in will probably only be done on weekends or night. It will be school from 8-4 Monday thru Friday and homework I am sure in the evenings. I am sure there will be times when I say to myself "what have you done!!!!!" But I need to keep my eye on the prize and keep moving forward toward my goal which is to graduate and get to work.

Last Monday, I had to go and pay for my 1st semester and buy my books. I met some of the teachers.....they are all very nice and I am looking forward to learning from them all. So life is about to change for me again but I am ready for it and excited to get started.

In the meantime, I have been working on prims and Brent and I also have been working on our house on weekends when we can go home to Spooner.

My Booth At The Antique Mall
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When we went home last weekend, Brent worked on the house but I had to work at the Antique Mall, we were VERY busy on Saturday which made the day go by real fast. I added a few Fall items to my booth. I had brought some pumpkins a couple weeks ago and they sold right away...so hopefully these do to. We are heading home to Spooner this Saturday so I am going to bring a load for vintage kitchen items to add to my booth this time. I have been hitting a few garage sales lately and have found some pretty cool vintage pieces. Actually, when I get done with this post, I am heading out to garage sale for the morning....I have found that keeping my booth well stocked has turned into another full-time job. I am planning on keeping my booth while I go to school....hopefully I can do them both.

Here is a little pumpkin man ready for Fall.....cute!!!!!

Some of my x-large pumpkins...love them!!!!

A full view of my booth...it looks full but there is plenty of room for more items:)

A look at other booths in the Mall

I took some pictures of some of the other booths in the Mall to share with you all. This booth belongs to a couple who gets most of their items from Switzerland. Her boyfriend works there and shops on his down time for antiques.

One of their prim cupboards

Here is my girlfriends Rox's booth. She has so many goodies and does such a good job of displaying everything.

More of Rox's booth.

A full-view of Rox's booth...this is just one of her's she has 2 booths at the Mall.

And I am not sure whose this is but I love the crocks and bowls.

Love this too!!!

House Progress
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Brent finished up the insulating this weekend...what a job!!!! It was SOOO hot in there but he kept on working and got is all done and ready to sheet rock. My mom and step-dad came down on Sunday so Ray could help Brent finish up putting plastic up in the basement....thank you Ray we appreciated it so much!!!!!

A view of the upstairs insulated and ready for the sheet rock.

Our fireplace was installed last week...LOVE IT!!!! It is a high efficiency wood fireplace. It will keep us nice and warm in the winter and is a nice focal point in the living room.

The front door also was installed last week. I LOVE the arch, we are going to stain it dark, it will look rich and welcoming.

A closer look at our front door.

A look from the inside of our door.

Here is a view of the living room. There are also two bedrooms and a bathroom in the distance.

Our whirlpool tub was put in the bathroom, love it!!! Going to spend some relaxing time in this someday!!!!

Whirlpool tub.

A view of the our bathroom.

And here is a view standing in our bedroom, you can get a little idea on how the house lays out here. When we go home Saturday, we will walk into a fully sheet rocked house...can't wait.

The room to the left is our dining room....love it!!!

Kara and Trav's Garden
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Kara and Trav's garden is producing veggies for us all. Brent and I have enjoyed green beans and cucumbers for weeks now. They are also going to have pumpkins and squash this Fall....here is one coming along nicely.

A view of the garden....thanks Kara and Trav for sharing all your goodies with us, we have enjoyed all the veggies so much!!!!!

Well, that's about it for now. I am going to hit the garage sales...have a great weekend everyone. Blessings, Rhonda

A Quick Catch Up Post

2010-08-05T12:20:00.000-07:00

Yes, I am still alive....but I have been busier then a cat covering you know what in a wind storm. I spent last week in Spooner, Brent came on Friday after work and we spent the weekend working on the house. Brent got the whole upstairs and part of the basement and garage insulated...what a job!!! We are going back to Spooner this weekend to finish up and then the sheet rockers will hang the sheet rock the week of the 16th...things are progressing!!!!!

This week I have been on a dead run sewing, stuffing and painting Fall prims. I have been trying to get Fall items made for my booth and also for Country Freckles, I am pretty pleased with what I got done so far. But my house is a total mess because I have not taken time to clean this week...oh well that's life.

A Weeks Worth Of Prim'in
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This little guy has a cut out face....I put a light in him and he really glows and is ready for Halloween!!!

I have never made ghosts before or have I ever been the ghost type. I decided to whip some up and give them a try....I think these guys turned out pretty so cute!!!!!

Multi-sizes of pumpkins....love em!!!!

I really love the colors.

I made up some x-large pumpkins and I really like them.

My newest creation.....my husband didn't know what I was ever going to do with this barb-wire when I asked him to grab some for me because they were throwing it away at the marsh after taking down a old fence line. Well, he got a close up and personal look.....he had to helped me form these wreaths because they were kinda tricky and very picky.

This little pumpkin guy is adorable.

Weekend In Spooner
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We got a good start on the insulating....when I say we, I mean Brent. I swept and tried to keep things cleaned up which he says was a big help but I don't know, I think he was just being nice. I am very allergic to insulation so that is about all I could do to help.

I brought Carson over to the house to check things out....he was playing peek-a-boo with me here.....so precious!!!!

We brought Grandpa Brent some supper Saturday night.....Carson was Granny's little helper, I enjoy any time I can spent with this little guy....he is so0000 precious and loves to make people laugh!!!!!

We relaxed around the campfire on Saturday night for a while....poor Brent didn't get to, he worked on the house until 11 pm.....he is such a trooper.

Here is Carson eating a s'more at the campfire.

What a little cutie!!!!!!!

All smiles and ready for a wet wipe.

Well, that's it for now, I am skipping weigh-in Friday this week because I have been taking a little break from NS until I start school which will be on August 23rd, I can't believe I am actually going and it is so close to start time!!!!!!! Until next time everyone, have a great weekend.....God Bless, Rhonda

Weigh-In Friday And A Visit From Our Kids

2010-07-24T18:23:00.000-07:00

And the scale said.....1.5 lbs lost this week, yes!!!

I do have to admit that I am having a free weekend though. Our kids and grandkids came to visit this weekend and I have been cooking up a storm. I have been trying new recipes and have been taste testing like crazy. But I am looking forward to getting back to 100% Nutrisystem on Monday, I guess I have turned the corner.....I like eating healthy and LOVE the way it makes me feel!!!!
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Family Moments

Grandpa Brent reading Garrett a story. Brent read these same 3 books and watch Shrek with Garrett over and over this weekend. What a wonderful Grandpa!!!! Every time I saw him sitting on the couch with Garrett spending time with him it melted my heart. I love you sweetie and am the luckiest girl in the world to be married to such a kind and patient man:)

Here is a picture of Auntie Amy and our new grandson Levi. Amy leaves for the Army on Monday, she will be in basic training at Fort Jackson in South Carolina for 9 weeks. We are so proud of her and pray that God will protect her and keep her safe. We love you Amy!!!!

Hope everyone is having a nice weekend...until next time, Blessings...Rhonda

Moments From Home

2010-07-21T05:15:00.000-07:00

Brent and I spent the weekend in Spooner working on our house and enjoying our family. We spent most of the time insulating around all the windows and doors at our house. Our builder is pretty much done with his part of the building process, now it's up to Brent to get all the insulating done so we can keep the progress going and move onto the next step which will be hanging the sheet rock. It was so nice spending time together working in our home and talking about when we can come home someday and can live in it. I told Brent I will NEVER move again so he should plan on that:)

On Sunday, I ran in town and picked up lunch for us real quick at McDonalds (I had the southwest salad with grilled chicken, it's so good). But my first stop was at the Red Door Antique Mall to add goodies to my booth. The month of July has been pretty busy for us at the Mall, we are all happy about that.

My primitives are starting to sell pretty good in my booth. It has taken time for people to know they are there and to stop back and check out the new items I add...but it's happening:)

Added some pillows and dolls

A booth full goodies

A few new items added

Added some new stitch pictures

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Garden And Campfire Fun

I snapped a few pictures of Kara and Trav's garden, I could not believe how much it has grown in a week

Kara and Trav's garden, it will soon be harvest time.

Next week, I have to work at the Antique Mall on Monday and Tuesday, so I am planning on spending the whole next week in Spooner, it will be a very busy week for me. Wednesday I am going to the eye doctor, Thursday I am getting a perm, Friday my girls and I are going down the river and then Friday night Brent is coming to Spooner after work so he can spend the weekend finishing up the insulating at our house. Kara's beans will also be ready to pick next week so we will be spending the evenings picking and canning beans. I am so glad that I can help her do this, I am looking forward to spending time with my daughter:)

Before we left to come back to Rapids on Sunday, Travis started a campfire so we could roast hot dogs and enjoy sometime together before we took off. Brent has fallen in love with turkey wieners roasted on a stick by the campfire.....it's the highlight of the campfire for him:)

Brent roasting his turkey hotdog mmmmmmm....he doesn't look real happy here but he was, it's so hard for me to get a good picture of him for some reason.

Alyssa smiling for the camera, what a little doll

Kara spraying the horses down with fly spray...those flies are SO pesty!!!!!

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House Progress

I hope you all are are not getting sick of all my house updates.....sorry if you are but here goes another one.

Here is view of our house from the road...love it!!!!

Another view from the road...Home Sweet Home!!!

Here is a pic of the inside...in a couple weeks the sheet rock should be hung...can't wait!!!!

I had to include these pictures. I LOVE the view off the back decks....so peaceful

Another beautiful view, this is off our bedroom deck...love it!!!

The garage doors were installed last week...the house is starting to look finished:)

I can't believe Summer is flying by so fast. It will not be long and I will be starting school...wow, that does not even seem real, it seems like just yesterday I applied. Well, I am going to try to enjoy every Summer day we have left and pack in as much fun and excitement as possible. Blessings to you all.....until next time....Rhonda

Weigh-In Friday And New Fall Items

2010-07-16T11:00:00.000-07:00

Is it weigh-in Friday already????? wow, this week flew by. This morning I jumped on the scale and it said 1.5 pounds lost this week....YES !!!! On Monday, July 12th it had been 4 months since I started this weight-loss journey. I have lost a total of 27 pounds so far...SO COOL!!!!! While I was waiting for my car to get an oil changed this morning at the tire place, I walked over to Maurices and bought a pair of jean shorts...I have went down 2 sizes..LOVE IT and also LOVE the shorts!!!! It is so nice to go shopping and want to try clothes on again....bonus!!!!!

I have been VERY busy this week trying to get some Fall items finished up. Here are some pictures of the progress from start to finish.

Pumpkins, pumpkins and more pumpkins. The paint drying process here...it's not rocket science as you can see:)

These little pumpkin head gals are sun bathing:)

More pumpkins

Some stitches that I turned into pillow.

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Finished Fall Items

I put the finishing touches on everything this morning. I really LOVE these pumpkins, they bring Fall right into the house

The gang lined up for their photo shot.

Little sweeties

I love this little gals face...so cute

Stitch pillows all sewn up

They are all at Country Freckles waiting for new homes now. If you are in the Rapids area, stop in at Country Freckles and see Joni and her beautiful store, she has been very busy this week filling the store with FALL.

Brent and I are headed to Spooner as soon as he gets home from work so I better get going and get us packed up. Have a blessed weekend everyone......Rhonda

A Fun Weekend But My Rodeo Pictures Are MIA

2010-07-11T16:22:00.000-07:00

Brent and I arrived back in Rapids tonight after a fun filled weekend in Spooner, WI. We went to the Spooner Rodeo Thursday and Friday night and LOVED it...we had a blast!!!!! But I do not have any pictures of our fun time because today, while I was taking pictures at the house this morning, my memory card came up full (which happens a lot because I have too many picture on it). So I started deleting what I thought were old pictures but to my SHOCK and DISBELIEVE.....I deleted all the pictures I took at the Rodeo Friday night. This is the second time I have pulled this little stunt...when will I learn. My husband tells me all the time to get another memory card....I think I will listen to him this time!!!! (I hate it when he is right...just kidding honey). I had some awesome pictures of our Rodeo date and I had taken the BEST picture of him I have ever taken.....UHHHHHH it's now gone, I am still not over it.....oh well, live, learn and move on I keep trying telling myself!!!!!!!

Anyway, enough of that drama.....we stopped at Mandy and Leighton's on the way back to Rapids and had a nice visit them. We enjoy any time we get to spend with them and our grandson's Garrett and Levi, they are growing up so fast...they are so precious to us.

Brent, Garrett and baby Levi

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House Progress

Our house is coming along nicely. Most of the siding is now on and the back decks are completely finished. The railing really added that final touch we were both hoping for.

The front covered porch is almost finished, this is going to be fun to decorate for all seasons to come.

Lovin it!!!!

Here is a view of the front of the house...they are going to be putting the garage doors on this week so next time (which will be this weekend) when we go home, the whole front should be complete.

This is a view of the side of the house towards the woods....Matt (our builder) is waiting for the furnace guy to come and finish up his venting work and then he will be able to finish putting the siding on this side of the house.

I LOVE the decks!!!!

A closer view of the deck off the dining room, this will be a wonderful spot for family gatherings and bbq's.

This is the side facing the road. Last night, Brent and I spent sometime at our house enjoying the sunset and talking about when we will someday be able to live in and enjoy our beautiful home. We were standing on the deck outside our bedroom when Brent spotted a bear lumbering around the edge of the woods and then walked out in the field a little ways. He seemed to look up at us and then slowly walked back into the brush....It was so cool (I'm sure I won't think it's so cool when he is tearing down my bird feeders someday) but for now, it was pretty cool. What a view we have of the woods, birds and wildlife from these back decks!!!!!!

We decided to do some re-designing on our shower this morning. We are going to put an arch in the door way of the shower to give it a different look. We both like this idea and think it will match the arch theme we have going on in the kitchen and living room.

Brent is trying to give me the vision here.

This is VERY rough.....but I know when it is done it will look amazing!!!!!

Here is a picture of Brent pondering our shower idea. He is a thinker and I usually just get out of his way and let him think (I swear I can see smoke rising from his head sometimes). He is going to be tiling this shower so he will probably have it tiled in his head 30 times before he actually does it:) I think my head would BLOW straight off my shoulders if I thought things through as long and as many times as he does.......but, I guess I am the one sitting here without Rodeo pictures from Friday night right now. So.....maybe there is something to this thinking things to death thing, I probably should try it more often, especially when I am deleting pictures off my camera:)

This is a picture of Alyssa's bedroom (her doorway is on the right) and her bathroom....as you can see, her tub is now sitting in position.

A view of the living room...the fire place is in the corner.

And the last picture for today...... this siding glass window is in our bedroom which opens out onto our deck. What a beautiful view of the woods and field from here and a wonderful site to wake up to!!!!!! Can't wait!!!!

Brent and I are going home again next weekend to hopefully start insulating our house. We are going to do quit a bit of the finishing work ourselves. Brent is going to do all the insulating (I will help where I can), he's laying all our flooring, tiling the shower, and we are both going to paint the rooms. If we look at all we have to get done it gets overwhelming. So I told Brent we can only do one thing at a time so lets concentrate on one thing at a time and it will all fall into place somehow. But it is hard when you have to live and work 3 hours away and you don't get every weekend off....oh well, it will be worth it in the end.

Well, it's back to sewing and getting some Fall items finished up this week....hopefully I will have some pictures within the next couple of days of my creations....Blessings and thank you for stopping by. Oh, as you may have noticed, I have started responding to your comments on my blog comment page so please check back, I really want to respond to all your comments, I appreciate them all so much and responding this way seems to work for me...hope it's o:k with you all......Rhonda

Weigh-In Friday And A Goal Met By Rodeo Time

2010-07-08T05:02:00.001-07:00

When I started this weight-loss journey on March 12th, 2010 one of the goals I set for myself was to loose 25 pds by the Spooner Rodeo (I LOVE THE RODEO)......and today.....I DID IT!!!!! I jumped on the scale this morning and I lost 1 pound this week for a total weight-loss so far of 25.5 pounds....WOO HOO!!!!! I can't begin to tell you how good this feels, it's amazing!!!!!

Last year, when we went to the Spooner Rodeo, I felt so embarrassed and down right FAT!!!! Spooner is a small town and I pretty much know everyone,( my husband is always shocked at how many people I know and talk to during a quick trip to the grocery store:)

As I have blogged about before, we moved to Rapids 2 years ago for my husbands job, and while we have been down here I gained 17 pounds (so as of today I am 8 pds less then when we left Spooner 2 years ago...YES!!!!) I think because I was lonely and felt down right lost, I was out of control and so miserable!!!!! When I would go home to Spooner, I found myself almost hiding from people because I was not happy with myself and the path I found myself on because of my own out of control eating and lack of self control. At times I found myself giving in to it by saying....."you are going to be 50"....."this is what happens when people turn 50, I guess you're destine to gain a few pounds".....this is so NOT like me to give in and start talking this way, I had to change my mind-set!!!!!!

Then, just in the nick of time, came the bitter/sweet Christmas present from my daughter Alyssa. I have blogged about this before, you can click here for the whole story, it's toward the bottom of the post....my present was that she had signed me up for a 5k in Lacrosse, WI on May 1st. I was in shock that she had signed me up for a 5K (I hated running) but because she thought I could run a 5K, I didn't want to disappoint her and wanted to make my girls proud, (she gave her sister, Kara, the same gift...so it would be a mother/daughters weekend). I started training the end of January (it took me that long to get over the shock of it all and get on the treadmill) . By the beginning of March, something changed.....I was not only doing it for her I was also doing it for me...I was enjoying the journey. Running and that 5K on May 1st motivated me to finally get serious about loosing weight and be ALL I could be when I turned 50. Nurtisystem had been in the back of my mind for almost a year, I had wanted to try it but something always held me back. I decided enough was enough and took the plunge and ordered it (actually I had my husband do it for me, I was too chicken).....one of the BEST decision I have made in a long time!!!! My husband was totally on board with me and he also started running and watched what he ate and he has lost 21 pounds...so proud of him, honey, you are such a hottie!!!!

I am still on this journey, and want to lose at least 10 more pounds. As of right now I am trying to ween myself off NS and go it alone. This week, I did half NS and half making choices on my own and I was very happy with my 1 pd loss results. All I can say is that I am learning as I go and loving this new found confidence. I am starting Cosmetology school on August 23rd and am so excited to learn and become a beautician!!!! I have wanted to do that since I was 18. I can walk into class and hold my head high knowing I have finally gotten control of myself and my thinking. I will probably be the oldest student in the class but that does not matter to me...what matters is that I continue to be all I can be at 50 years young:) and show the young girls that you can grow old gracefully:) I want to live my life for JESUS, to be a light in this dark world and continue to live out the CALL that God has placed on my life.

One of my first goals realized is....I ran and finished the 5K on May 1st....and LOVED it!!!! I am going to run the Monster Dash in the Twin Cities in October with my girls. I am hoping my husband will join us this time. Maybe I will have to surprise him with a 5K sign-up....it works:)

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BEFORE-AFTER PICS

Ok, time for the before and after pictures. I am NOT proud of the before pic that's for sure but it is where this journey began but I NEVER want to go back there again!!!!!!

My BEFORE picture...
This was taken at the Spooner Rodeo last year...see why I was hiding!!!!!!

The AFTER picture.....WOO HOO!!!!
So happy with my weight-loss and so proud to be the Mom of these 2 precious girls!!!!!

Thank you Jesus for never giving up on me even when I sometime want to give up on myself. You are always there gently nudging me toward the life you died to give me here on this earth and also in Heaven....you are truly AMAZING and I LOVE you with all my heart!!!!

Last but not least....here is a picture of Alyssa at the Rodeo last year. Cotton candy at the Spooner Rodeo has been the highlight of her summer since she has been a little girl. She is such a nut and I will forever be thankful that she didn't give up on her out of control Mom....Thank you Alyssa for your awesome Christmas gift and for believing in me when I didn't believe in myself. I didn't realize what you were giving me that Christmas morning...but I know now what you were giving me was my life back, I just had to believe it and receive it. You truly are my gift from Heaven....I love you!!!!

Brent and I are leaving this afternoon for Spooner (that is why this post is a day early). The first Rodeo performance starts tonight at 7:30pm and we will be front and center...can't wait, I get tickets for all 3 nights every year. And yes, I will be sportin those new jeans I bought last week...I will have pictures to share with you all next week of our Rodeo dates. We will also be spending a lot of time at our new house....I will be posting pictures of our house progress next week also.

Until then, have a GREAT weekend and Blessing to everyone, Rhonda

Whatcha Workin On Wednesday And New Items At Country Freckles

2010-07-07T06:58:00.000-07:00

Joni and I were at Market last week in Madison, WI. We came back with a load of new items for the store. Doug, from Olde Tyme Sales was there and brought Joni some awesome prim furniture pieces. We also hit up some of our favorite vendors and loaded up on lots of candles, greenery, handmade items, flags, potpourri and many, many more prim decos.

As you can see here, the Black Crow candles are fully stocked and ready for business.

I LOVE this little simple flag display.

This horse is one of my favorites too, can't help it....I'm a horse lover!!!

One of the new pieces of furniture from Olde Tyme Sales.

Here is a blue cabinet, this color brightens up the room and mixes so well with the prim colors we all love.

Country Freckles is stocked FULL of goodies as you can tell from this pic.

LOVE these flags!!!

Too many goodies here to mention by name...this picture says it all.

This is a new look that Joni is trying in the store...so far she has gotten good feedback on it.

This cabinet is my favorite piece of all, it's so unique looking. The old door with the old door knob is so cool and there is lots of storage in the cabinet.

Lots of goodies at Country Freckles, we had so much fun shopping and spending time together. We stopped at our favorite place to eat on the way home....Chipolties. We both were good girls and only ordered the veggie bowl..mmmmmm

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This week I have been trying to get some primitives sewn up and stocked ahead for Fall. I just love these little mice....I think they will be a big hit.

All dressed up for trick or treating.

I love their little faces.

This little gal looks so precious sitting in this make-do chair.

My flag girl Annie door doll.

Cat's in a bag....We Are So Blessed.

Prairie Mother/Daughter Dolls.

And last but not least....a Teddy Bear made out of an old tablecloth.

Well, that's it for now. Head over to Leslie's blog and share with us what you have been working on this week. Have a BLESSED day everyone.....Rhonda

Weigh-In Friday On Saturday...And Pictures From Home

2010-07-03T04:58:00.000-07:00

Hello to all my friends in blog land and a BIG Happy 4th of July to you all. I am so thankful that I live in America and will be forever grateful to those who sacrificed their lives for our FREEDOM!!! I pray God will continue to bless America and that we can get back to simpler times when people concentrated on helping their neighbor and we all worked together for the common good of family and Country. I think that is part of what I love about creating and sewing, it is an art form that women did back then as part of caring for their families. Sewing her families clothes, making her children stuffed dolls and toys, making decorations for her home, canning and cooking for her family. I believe it was part of what made the family whole, it was a labor of love that I wish we all could get back to......if only our lives were not so busy, right!!!

Well anyway, I know it's Saturday but I have been in Spooner most of the week so I could not weigh-in yesterday. This morning I hopped on the scale and weighed the same as I did last week which I was totally THRILLED with. As I said, I have been in Spooner most of the week, I did pack my Nutrisystem but ended up making my own food choices as I had a very busy week with friends and family. On Wednesday, 3 of my very good friends and I hit the road together and went antiquing and thrift store shopping in Hayward, WI. We had lunch at a cute little eatery and I was a good girl and ordered the veggie wrap and LOVED IT!!! It was so nice to NOT feel deprived by NOT ordering a cheeseburger and cheese curds along with a diet pepsi (still NO pop since March)....that is what I used to order when I would go out for lunch so there has been progress made:). Before my NS journey began, I would see people sitting at their table with a salad or maybe a veggie wrap and I would think "why bother going out for lunch..live a little!!!!!" Well, when I left that eatery after enjoying my veggie wrap, I felt in control and satisfied and I didn't have to be rolled out the door, SUCCESS!!!!!

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House Progress

I of course spent some time at our house while I was home in Spooner. Matt (our builder) has been very busy. Him and his crew have the front and back decks built, the windows are set in place and most of the siding is on....WOW, I was totally amazed at how it is starting to look like a real house.

I am going to LOVE the decks!!!!

A good start on the siding.

I came back the next day and the whole back was finished....love it!!!! The siding color is Arbor Blend (kinda greenish, but a different kind of green) and the window trim color is Cashmere. The house dressed in it's siding looks very calm and blends in so well at the house site.

This is a pic of part of the kitchen and also the door way going into the laundry room

Our fire place has a good start

A view of what will be our kitchen

Kara and Alyssa

My girls sitting on the front porch of our new house

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A trip to Cumberland

On Thursday, Alyssa and I made a trip to Cumberland to see my sister who is up for her annual family vacation. Every 4th of July, her and her husband and his family rent a house for that week and spend a fun filled week together. Alyssa and I had so much fun shopping with her and enjoying a skinny latte. We stopped at a cute little boutique called "Mainstream Boutique" on main street and I found a pair of killer jeans. They were $98 dollars but were 30% off which brought them down to $70 something. My sister, Alyssa and myself talked me into buying them in honor of my weight loss progress but I didn't know if my husband would be very happy about it because of the price. This morning I modeled the jeans for him and then told him the cost (of course told him about how much I saved) and to my surprise he said...."keep em comin".....he loved them!!!! So I got the green light from the boss now....so watch out sweetie, I hope you meant it:)

Me and my sister Sheilda, we are only a year and 12 days apart. My mom used to dress us up as twins when we were little, (as you can tell, we don't look alike, she looks like our Dad and I look like our Mom) I don't remember life without her...."SISTERS FOREVER"......is what we always used to sign our notes to each other with when we were younger and we still do that today only in emails. She is stuck with me forever whether she likes it or not:)

Here we are in front of a "Summer Hotties" sign that was in front of the coffee shop we went to....a lady walking by was so kind to take our picture together....couple of hot chics out and about in the big town of Cumberland:)

Me and my daughter Alyssa, what a FUN girl...NEVER a dull moment with her I swear!!!

And last but not least, a picture of my daughter Kara's garden, she just got done tilling it up so I took a picture of her hard work. I am so proud Kara, she is doing such a wonderful job gardening, can't wait til things start producing...fresh veggies, MMMMMM!!!!

What a peaceful little piece of Heaven....I LOVE being home and can't wait to be there someday full-time!!! Have a safe and fun weekend everyone....Blessings, Rhonda

Weigh-In Friday

2010-06-25T05:28:00.000-07:00

Good Morning everyone, time for my weigh-in report. I was down 1 pd for a total of 24.5 pounds lost....SO HAPPY!!! The past few weeks, I have be straying off NS here and there trying to prepare for going it alone, I have had some success and failures during this time. The fact that I have NS waiting in the wings is HUGE right now...when I feel myself getting out of control, I RUN to my NS...open, heat and eat. So goes the journey, I am 10 pds from my goal and I can totally say I am enjoying the ride:)

My daughter-inlaw posted some adorable pictures of my 2 year old grandson, Carson, on her blog. I wanted to share them with you...I LOVE HIS LITTLE BOY with All my heart, he makes my heart SING!!!!

Until next time.....Blessings, Rhonda

My Daughter's 2nd Marathon And Welcome Baby Levi Dean

2010-06-23T09:44:00.000-07:00

My daughter, Alyssa, ran her second Marathon on Saturday. This time she ran Grandma's Marathon In Duluth, MN. I am so proud of her, I wish I had half her energy.

Run Liddy Run

She ran a new personal best....she ran La Crosse in 4 hours 20 minutes. She ran Grandma's in 4 hours 6 minutes, she shaved off 14 minutes....I am a proud Mama!!!!

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Today, I am spending sometime at cute little coffee shop here in Rapids called Cravings because I have no internet service at home right now. I swear, I have never experience so many problems with no service since we moved to Rapids and hooked up with Charter. They are coming tomorrow to fix it, so until then I feel like I am out of touch with the outside world...oh well, that's life I guess.

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Grandpa Brent with our grandsons, Garrett and Levi....I LOVE this picture!!!!

We have a new member to our family, Levi Dean was born on June 16th (Alyssa now shares her birthday). When we were home last week, we got to spend sometime with Mandy and her adorable little family....we enjoyed it so much.

Auntie Kara holding the little bundle, I was hoping that Kara would get bit by the baby bug. But I don't think that will happen...she is content with her 2 cats for now.

As you can see from this picture, Kara was horrified when Mandy was sharing the birthing experience of Levi.....can you see why I say it's not looking good for me to have a grandchild from Kara anytime soon, lol.

Mandy, Brent and Baby Levi 2 days old...Mandy looks awesome after just having a baby wouldn't you say!!!

We are so proud of Mandy, she is such a good little mother and wife. She is a hard worker and was so nice to go home and spend time with them all.

That's about it until weigh-in Friday.....stay tuned for hopefully a good report....Blessings, Rhonda

Spooner Happenings And A Busy Week

2010-06-21T05:52:00.000-07:00

We arrived back in Rapids last night and back to what I call my reality for now. As I posted in my last post, I have been in Spooner for 9 days and LOVED every minute of it. I was a very busy girl and didn't get to update my blog while I was there. Sorry I missed weigh-in Friday, haven't weighted in yet since I left...I am thinking I will skip it for now and post my weight-loss progress this coming Friday.

I have some pictures to share with you all of my happenings while I was home. I don't think my feet hit the ground the whole time I was there. I enjoyed being with my family and got to spend a whole day with my precious grandson Carson...I LOVE that little boy so much. To hear him say "Granny" warms my heart!!!!!!! He is such a cuddler and such a HAPPY little boy.

It was my daughter Alyssa's birthday on Wednesday. We all went out for dinner and the 5 O'Clock Club Restaurant, (I had the grilled salmon, it was amazing) then went to grandma and grandpa Kronlund's for cake and ice cream. Earlier that day, Alyssa and I went to Hayward and spent the morning shopping and topped it off with lunch at her favorite restaurant "The Anger Minow". It was so nice to spend the day with my baby girl. I can't believe she is 22.....where have the years went?????

My birthday girl

Me and My Beautiful Daughters....Happy Birthday Alyssa!!!

And here is my handsome son, Kasey. He is healing up after his motorcycle accident that happened about a month ago. He has 7 pins in his shattered foot and we are hoping he heals without any complications. I THANK GOD everyday that I still have a son, it is a total miracle that he only broke his foot....as I blogged a few posts back....he was NOT wearing a helmet and I believe God cradled his head through out the whole crash....THANK YOU JESUS!!!!!

I took a few pictures of Betty's gardens to share with you all. She does such an amazing job designing them and taking care of them.

The back yard of the house.

So many varieties of plants and shrubs....it beautiful!!!

Gorgeous

Love the huge hosta's

Very peaceful and relaxing

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New House Progress

We spent a lot of time at our new home designing and laying things out. I was so thankful that my husband was able to get the weekend off and come to Spooner and spend time going over these details. He so talented and such a thinker.....I on the other hand tend to hurry though these things and we all know that can get you into trouble in the end. That is why we make such a good team, sometimes there is a time and place for hurry and sometimes there is a time and place for thinking things to death:)

The house now has shingles, we really like the color...can't wait til the siding gets put on. Matt, our builder, says within the next couple of weeks it should be sided. This week they are going to build the decks and also set the windows.

Side view

Here is a view of the back. There will be decks on both sides of the bump-out dining room. On the right will be the deck out from our bedroom.......and on the left will be the deck coming out from the dining room. I will enjoy having my coffee in the morning off my bedroom deck and listening to all the birds singing welcoming in the new day:)

My son had a doctor's appointment on Friday to get his foot check out so I got to spend the whole day with my precious grandson Carson. Amongst many other things we did that day, we headed out to our house to see Grandpa Brent and I wanted to show Carson Granny's new house. I told him that someday he can come stay with me and we can swim (I am going to put my pool up) and also feed the chickens (I am also getting chicken) and work in the garden. So even though these things are not there yet....I want him to know that they will be and coming to Granny's will be FUN!!!!

I LOVE this little boy!!!!

We had been at the bakery and he had his donut in that bag, he enjoyed it...it had sprinkles on it:) Granny was a good girl and didn't have one:)

Carson is such a happy boy!!!!

Here is what we pondered and designed while we were at the house. This is what we came up with for our tile shower design. Believe me, this took forever to figure out.

And here is my husband standing by out kitchen island placement. We marked out all our can lights and also marked where we want all the hanging lights to be placed. This also took forever but in the end will be SO worth it to be able to get our lights and outlets where we want them to be:)

Here is a view of our driveway coming out from the house toward the road.

We also had a pond dug in our front yard. We will have to put a liner in it so it will hold water but we wanted this dramatic look as you drive in our driveway up to our house. I can just see all the plants and flowers planted around it...can't wait!!!!!

Today at 1pm, I am heading to school orientation to sign up for my classes and what not, I will let you know how that goes and I will have more pictures and adventure to blog about from my trip home soon....have a great day everyone...blessings, Rhonda