We Have a Gate!

Maybe this doesn't seem like a big deal, but I am SO EXCITED that we have a gate again! We took our old gate down last June when we started putting in the backyard. After we took it down, Mike decided that he would rather just get a big gate that went across the whole side yard rather than put the 3' gate back in. Unfortunately, we didn't get around to doing that last summer, so we haven't had anything on the side of our yard. I am pleased to report that has changed and our house is no longer the eyesore of the neighborhood!


Mike decided that he could install the gate himself since he helped install vinyl fences when he was younger. However, he ran into the problem of not being able to get the metal post into the pre-existing vinyl post next to our house. The metal post was too long and wouldn't go in because of the angle. After some frustration, Mike came up with a great solution: he used the tie-downs for the 4-wheelers and an old axle from his mustang and was able to adjust the angle and move the vinyl post enough to get the metal one in without having to take everything out. After that, the rest of the process went pretty smoothly, and everything looks great!

Weekend Getaway

Last weekend, we went up to the Zermatt and stayed in a condo with some friends. We had so much fun! Some of the weekend highlights included:

Attempting to make breakfast with our "value" bacon and bread

Our tech center - three laptops, lots of You-tube

Relaxing in the pool, hot tub, and steam room

Shopping

Lori listening to Susan Boyle's performance on Britain's Got Talent over and over

Playing games

Eating tasty gelato

Good food in general...can you ever have too much?

Unfortunately, I never remembered to get out our camera, so I don't have any pictures to share. Thanks for the fun times!

Virtual Weight Loss

I heard about this website that will photoshop a picture of you to show what you would look like if you lost weight. You get to choose the picture (it just has to be a full body shot) and the amount of weight you want to lose. Then, you get an e-mail a few days later that tells you your picture is ready. The best part is, this service is free! The only catch is that you have to have a Facebook account, but that wasn't a problem for me. It was kind of fun to see what I would look like if I reach my weight loss goal. You can check it out at www.weightview.com.

Wicked

The day finally came...I got to go see Wicked! I have wanted to see this musical for a LONG time. I was first introduced to it by my friend Michelle. She had a CD of the music and we listened to the songs while we drove to and from nursing school. I LOVED the performance. I was so impressed with the actors, the music, everything. I am so glad that it lived up to my expectations. Mike and I went with his mom and John...thanks for the good time! I would highly recommend that you get tickets to go while they are still in Salt Lake!

The Light at the End of the Tunnel

I registered for my last semester of graduate school this week. While I am very excited to being done with the program, I do have to admit that the time has gone by quickly. It is crazy to think that I will have my master's degree in August. I have never once regretted my decision to go back to school and I have learned so much that is already helping me at work. Vanderbilt has been a great school to go to and I have loved this program's online format - it has enabled me to continue working full time and have some power over my personal schedule. As long as you can stay on track without sitting in a traditional classroom, I highly recommend online learning.

One reason that I feel that I have been so successful in this program is because of the support I received from my family. Mike has been so great at understanding and being supportive of the time, financial, and personal sacrifices that went along with my decision to return to school. He understood that some evenings have to be spent in front of the computer, that I needed extra help getting things for the house done, and that sometimes I needed a pep talk to keep giving my best effort. Mike even put finishing his own degree on hold...something that I never intended to happen...but he did it so that I could start the program when I got accepted. I am so grateful to my sweet husband for being my cheerleader through this whole process. Thanks babe!