Almost A New Year!

I spent the day emptying out old medicine bottles. Have you updated our medicine cabinet lately?

Happy Thanksgiving!

We had a great day at the grandparents'. Kim baked her first pecan pie (she and mother dear's favorite). It was excellent! I made my traditional candied yams (my favorite), mac n cheese (C4's favorite), and a Sock It To Me Cake (granddaddy's favorite). I don't know what Philip and Jobarron's favorites are, but they were there with us.

We used recipes from this site: www.cdkitchen.com/ It was soooooo good.

This year I am Thankful that we didn't have to drive 16 hours to spend the holiday with our family.

Happy Monday

This is a cutie to start off your week:

http://www.mrcomputerservices.com/DancingHippo.htm

Love Kraft

Okay, so I'm loving the new position I have supporting this contract.

But, I haven't had time to think much less blog. I will start back up with a weekly blog and work my way back.

Have a GREAT WEEK!

9/11

I remember the day well. I was helping Kimberly get ready to catch the school bus when I got a call from Joe saying to turn on the TV. I asked which channel and he said, 'it doesn't matter'. I watched the footage of the first plane which had crashed into the Twin Towers. I first thought it must have been an airshow gone terribly wrong. I kissed Kim and she walked to the bus stop. While watching the footage, a second plane crashed. I became very confused as to how a second plane would fly off course. When the announcement came that it might be a terrorist threat, I look out of my front door to see Kimberly step onto her school bus. I didn't know what to do. Should I get her?

That's as far as I got on this one.........

Kori

Today Christopher asked me if I thoughtm the name "Kimmie" was a little..... BORING. He has decided that her name should be Kori. I am still to call her Kimberly, but not Kimmie.

Fitness

So today was my Cardio Kickboxing class! I really enjoy these classes AFTER they are over. They are very challenging for people at every fitness level. I've gotten more of a workout today since I can participate in more of the moves. I think this is about my 6th class. The first class I only moved my legs or my arms, but not at the same time. Now I can box and do some low impact footwork! We had a substitute instructor so it was more of a challege to work on a new routine.

Yesterday was my second Yoga class. I really enjoy the energy I get from this class. It really opens up and lets the oxygen flow in thoughout the body. I have Yoga again on Tues. and Cardio KB on Wednesdays.

Laura F. and I attended classes together last Sun/Wed, but she was out of town this weekend so I went it alone. We are supposed to meet at the gym some time tomorrow I think. It's much more fun having a workout buddy.

Yesterday I met someone in my CKB class who had lap band surgery and has lost 130 pounds! WOW. She doesn't look like she's ever been overweight. I talked with her and she agreed I will get the same results from keeping up my workouts, making sure I eat protein (not a meat eater) and get enough water. Better choices all around. That is how I will do it!

First Week

The first week of school went very well. Everyone has settled in nicely. Today C4's teacher visited our church. Kim was the only one who saw her. Kim was working at Aromas (the coffee bar) when she recongnized someone. Ms. T came over to say hello. She said it was the first time she and her hurband had visited the church and that they are looking for a new church home. I hope they come back. I sent a note to her on Friday saying I would be the room parent if she doesn't already have one. I haven't heard back yet.

Today was Kim's first day to work at Aromas. I think she will really like it. I volunteered in the nursery today. Each parent is suppposed to volunteer once a month so this was my turn.

Friday was the first day of the church softball session. I played in the game. I got dizzy and fell running form 3rd home. I think my iron was too low. I took some vitamins when I got home and am feeling much better now. I skinned my knee, but other than that I had a lot of fun.

First Day of Kindergarten

Here is C4 and his teacher. He did very well.










This is where Kim's picture would be if she hadn't rushed out of the door to catch a ride with Grace.

Remember Felice?

She is the young lady who was born right after C4. Her mom and I were roommates. Well here she is. This was taken at C4's 5th Birthday Party by T-Step. Felice in Christopher ended up in the same PreK class and it was at this party that her mother realized she remembered me from the hospital. "It's a Small World After All"

Here is C4 last week after loosing his baby tooth.

Thanks for the Pic T-Step

TOO HOT

It is just too hot outside. I was out yesterday and the temp. was 106. The newscaster says today will be the hottest day of the year! Ouch!!!!

Today I signed up for a 3 mile walk in Sept. So now I have two walks in Sept. Hopefully they will both be overcast days.

Christopher lost his second tooth today! He's so proud!

Sunday I am going to the Fort Worth Zoo with my friend Alvin. I can't believe I didn't take the weather in mind when we decided to do this. I have a mister that will be filled with ice water to keep my cool. I hope to get EXCELLENT PHOTOS of the animals.

Stay KEWEL!

You Gotta Want It

I am slipping off the wagon. I am going to start working out each night when I take Kim to Driver's Education. She's there at 7 - 9 four nights a week, so I should be in a routine after 4 weeks of that. I have a Juvienille Diabetes walk on Sept. 30 so that will help me get in shape for that too.

Where does the time go?

I can't believe I've gone over a week without posting. It's been really busy at work and I don't have time to do much "extra" stuff.

We've been going over to help Jennifer get "ready" for Alysa (due any day now). The kids and I have also been visiting the grandparents and other normal stuff.

Also, where does time go in general? C4 lost his first tooth yesterday. I can't believe my little man is getting to be such a big boy. I bought his "standardized dress" shorts for Kindergarten yesterday too. AND a belt. He wears A BELT!

Well, that's all I could think of for now. TTYL

8-5

So Kim and I left before 8am to go do some work at the church. Kim helped the guys who were prepareing doors to be hung in the youth rooms. They cut out rectangles and placed glass into doors. It was really cool to watch. Kim has saw dust all in her hair. I joined the women in prayer and then some of us cut fabric to recover some of the chairs that where used in the "old" church.

After that we headed to the Owen's home to assist them in the remodeling of the homeschool room for classes starting on Monday. Jennifer is expecting her 4th baby in a couple of weeks, so she has a lot on her plate these days. Jennifer is one of the people at the church who coordinated getting my parent's apartment FULLY furnished before the arrived here after Huriccaine Katrina. God has really used her to be a great comfort to my family (and many others).

THEN we headed over to Finese where Roy does magic to turn my hair into beautiful locs. I always leave looking like an Empress!

We then stopped to see my Girlfriend Gilda and her Crazy Husband Dean. We wanted to see their new granddaughter, but she was not home :-( We'll catch her next time. They have done some beautiful house work. First they had a fence installed by Sunnyvale. It's too beautiful. Dean has also added a false wall in the bedroom and cut out ledges then installed lights at the top of each cut out (like spot lights). It's gorgeous. I'm sure there is a name for it, but hey you know me I just know it's pretty.

When we got home, it was after 5. Phew.

Decided not to pick C4 up from Jobarrons to take him to the play in downtown Dallas. It was supposed to be my weekend with him since I had one with Kim last weekend, but as it turns out. She's ahead 2/1.

Now I'm doing housework....... Which I'd better get back to.

Peace

GREAT RETREAT

Kimberly and I had a BLAST at the Cropping Retreat this weekend. Teresa is the Hostess with the Mostess! She made us Chicken Enchiladis and Lasagna for dinner and other BIG homemade meals. We had to walk the trails each day just to try to work off some of the calories. Kim thinks Teresa was fatting us up to kill us, but everybody made it home alive. We met some awesome new friends and stayed up late in the night cropping (cutting pictures down and putting them on decorative scrapbook pages). The biggest worry we had all weekend was what happened to our shoes. We all went on the walking trails and left our shoes outside on the porch. The next morning Kim and I both had ONE she missing. I guess we have the sweetest feet or something. The theory is that the neighbor dog took them and they are probably along the trail. Kim and I walked "the" trail only to discover that it is actually about 10 intertwining trails. Kujo came with us but wouldn't tell us what he did with our shoes. I think we'll probably find them back on the porch the next time we are out. And there will be a next time. Everyone is bound and determained to make this a quarterly event. So until next time, keep and eye out for my shoe.

Working Out At Home

Last night I was so excited about going to my "The Mixx" aerobics class at Lifetime Fitness. When I picked C4 up from daycare he was crying because his bottom teeth were hurting. They are both loose and should be coming out very soon. He is usually so excited to go to the "Play Place" (what we call the childcare center at Lifetime) but he said he didn't want to go. He said he only wanted "sistar". I took him home to sister and didn't have enough time to get to Lifetime before my class started.

I layed across the bed and almost fell asleep, then I thought of another way to get my exercise. I got up and began hauling all kinds of heavy stuff from my (soon to be destroyed) shed in the backyard. There were all kinds of things in there. I was lifting up to fifty pounds and carrying to the front yard for bulk trash pickup. I worked for 45 minutes and the temp. was over 100! Now THAT was a workout!

Great Weekend

I really enjoyed this weekend. I got my hair done. I got a manicure and pedicure (thanks for the gift Sheri). Five friends and I went to see A Midsummer's Night Dream - the Musical in Dallas. It was AWESOME. I had serious apprehensions about doing this, but Sheri picked it as her birthday celebration. I LOVED it. It was very funny and entertaining. The musical (I usually hate musicals) was held outside, but despite the 100+ temp. earlier in the day, it really was only warm in the first hour we were out there. We arrived an hour before the performance and enjoyed a potluck picnic on the lawn.

Next weekend Kim and I are going to a cropping retreat at my girlfriend's cabin. I can't wait.

Signing in Church

Yesterday I was asked to sign (language) songs at church for our deaf sister in the absence of the usual signer. Jennifer usually signs all of the songs, but she will be having a baby later this year so she asked if I would do it. I've never signed songs solo for someone deaf before. I'm very excited! The words are all on the monitor, so I shouldn't mess up too badly. In the worst case, she can just read the words. So I'll be practicing very feverishly for the next few months.

TGIF

When we were coming from New Orleans we stopped to eat at a great little soutern restaurant. I went to their website and see they also have a bed and breakfast. We ate at the Coffee House in the Creole Village.

I picked up the pictures from the Family Reunion. They came out so good. I've already cropped the pictures for my scrapbooking. I am going on a retreat later this month so I'm planning the pages now by cropping the pictures, selecting the paper, and getting embellishments. This way I'll have everything set to do the fun part, plus I don't have to pack "everything" I own.

I am also embarking on my first quilt. I picked up some fabrics today at lunch. Here is a copy of the pattern: http://www.quilterscache.com/D_F/FirewheelBlock.html. Firewheel is the name of an area in Garland and aslo the name of our church: www.firewheel.org.

I'm so glad it's the Weekend Baby!

We Had A Blast!

It was great to get back "home" to New Orleans to see my family. Our last reunion was 9 years ago and "we" have had a lot of kids in the last 9 years. Of course my favorite was my (only) nephew Gabriel. He and C4 are the same age and hit it right off. We stayed at my cousin Darlene and the boys hit it off right away. Gab lives in Idaho so we've never seen him before, but we plan to again asap. Here's a pic of my lil angel. How handsome is he? VERY!

You Can Never Go Home Again

I'm sure that is more true to me now than ever. Tomorrow morning we will be on the way "home" to New Orleans. I am concerned that it is not at all what I left when I was there last year. I hope it's not too depressing.

We are having the Brown Family Reunion. I'll get to see my dad, stepsister, and nephew (haven't seen him yet) - who is only a week younger than C4, along with all of the other relatives. I'm sure we'll have a great time eatting, bragging, lying, and eatting. Of course I'll have a lot of pictures to share when I get back.

TBall Clinic

This is Coach Nick (Coach Moses' Brother) helping C4 with his stance. This is a drill where C4 goes from side to side and touches balls placed behind cones about 4ft apart. The tempature was very hot, but the kids (and parents) stuck it out from 1-5 Sat/Sun. Big shout out to Coach Nick's wife Nikki who is expecting her first child any day now. She even stayed with us throughout the camp. Their son is ging to be one tough little man!

Coach Moses is going to coach his own team starting this fall and I'm going to be the Team Mom. When our team gets through running all of these drills, they will be in prime condition to compete with all of the other teams.

Ryan's Service

Ryan had a wonderful Celebration of Life service at his church The Heights. It was wonderful to see so many people who's lives he and his family have touched. There were great stories of when he was working diligently in the church and how he'd gone on mission trips and led others to Christ.

Kim and I saw quite a few people we knew. A mixture from Nortel (where Scott Halls and I worked) and Garland High School (where Ryan and Scott attended 9th grade).

See you in Heaven Ryan.....

Ryan is in Heaven

Ryan went home to be with the Lord very early this morning. Please continue to pray for his family.

http://www.thetweeners.org/Home/About%20us/Ryan.html

Kim was so excited when she read about the surgery last night. She was so sure it was going to "fix" everything. Then when she read that Ryan died so came running into my room crying uncontrollably. She kept saying, he's supposed to be in school with me, he's supposed to be sitting right 'there'. It was really hard.

Father's Day

Christopher and I attended Sunday School and Church. Afterwards we went to Dollar Tree where Christopher picked out a toy for being such a great son. We called Daddy (my Dad who Christopher says is his dad) and Grandaddy to wish them happy Father's Day. We also called Coach Moses to thank him for being a father not only to his own kids, but to others as well.

After straighting up the old house some we are going to eat Gumbo at Grandaddy's!!!! I am also going to make Grandaddy a Sock-It-To-Me Cake which is his favorite.

Last night I got to crop for the first time in months and really enjoyed the time for me. I learned that I should really organize my stuff to maximixe cropping time, so I plan on working on that before next Friday's crop. I picked up something at Dollar Tree that will hopefully be a good start.

Please Pray for Ryan

Ryan Hall is a young man who attends Garland High School with Kimberly. Ryan was a very healthy young man a month ago, but has spent the last few weeks in ICU at Children's Hospital in Dallas. His church has set up a "Prayer Pager" for his family to know when someone has just prayed for Ryan. Please read the information on Ryan at http://www.thetweeners.org/Home/About%20us/Ryan.html and then follow the directions for the Prayer Pager.

There but by the grace of God........

Weeee're Back!

Chicago was great! The tempature was 65 degrees. I couldn't believe it! Darius' graduation was very nice. We got to visit with 20+ relatives that haven't seen us since C4 was 1 year old. I was reintroducing a whole new family to him.

Chi-Town

We are leaving for Chicago tomorrow!!!! My wonderful godson Darius is going to graduate from High School on Saturday. He will be attending North Park University in the Fall with on a FULL SCHOLARSHIP!!!!!! He will also be the football team's QB!!!!!

Here he is dressed for prom

I Need Some Me Time!

Okay, so after doing housework ALL Memorial Day Weekend I am ready to do some Sonja Fun Stuff! I wanted to crop Friday night, but the place I like to go to is full :-(. Sunday is my ASG meeting in Garland. That's where I get to sew on my own with the support of several advanced seamstresses. I will finish a blouse I started in a meeting earlier this year. I have a few fitting questions so that is the best place to work on it. Next Friday is the Sit N Sew in Downtown Garland. It's pretty much the same concept, except most people are working on quilts. I haven't learned to quilt yet, so I may try to work on one or just bring something else to work on. Just cheked the calendar and I will be in Chicago next Friday, oh well, maybe in July. Okay so I just spoke to Tonya at Treasured Memories (no site YET) and I'm in to crop on June 16th!!!! That's also bring your child to work day so I have Kim on the waiting list. Maybe we can just make a day of it. Surprise Kim.

Hawaiian Falls

Took the kids to the water park today. We had fun. Little C4 even went on the Pineapple Express by himself! I was terrified and proud all at the same time. Sister is staying until the end with my friend Debbie. Then they are going to Cici's Pizza. That leaves me here to do house work. YUCK!

Su Doku

What is this? My newest obsession. Here's the funny thing that happened:

Kim called and asked what I was doing, I said "my new obsession". She asked what it is. I told her I'd show her when I got home, she said "oh well, I'm just glad that I finally get a SuDoku". I said "WHAT?" She repeated. Then I told her that that was my obsession!!!! What a coincidence? I saw books on it when I was visiting Barnes & Noble during lunch. I didn't know what it was but thought if it had it's own section it must be pretty good. So of course I googled it (I just can't spend money for stuff I can get free). I discovered the Daily Su Doku site and started my first puzzle. Okay, so that one was listed as "too difficult" and they did not lie. I've printed off 2 copies of an "easy" one. Tonight, the challenge is on!!!!! Kimmie, get ready.

Coach Moses

"We" only have one more T-Ball Game. I can't believe I will actually be able to do something other than chauffeur C4 around to games and practices. Speaking of which, a HUGE shout out to Coach Moses!!! He has taken C4 under his wing and brought him from the little boy crying and sucking his thumb at the first practice to one of the strongest players on the team. C4 scored 3 runs and had the winning run at the last game. I've told Moses that C4 will be whereever he is next year. If Moses is digging ditches, C4 will be there right next to him!!! It's really GREAT to have somebody take interest in a young man who doesn't have a father at home. Moses has 3 kids of his own, but still finds time in his schedule and heart for C4. Okay, now I'm about to cry.

THANKS COACH MOSES AND THE MOSES FAMILY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Money Monday 5.22.2006

Okay so I love to help others save money. I'm going to occasionally have financial tips for all of my wonderful family and friends who read my blog.

Comparison shop:
I've found the easiest way to do this is to sit down with ALL of the lovely sale ads I get in the mail on Tues/Wed and/or out of the Sunday newspaper. I have 2-3 highlights, a note pad and pencil. I circle items I want in ads (in a non-ad colored highlighter). Then I jot down the item, price, and store name in my notebook. Then if I find the same item for a lower price at another store, I change the amount and store. Once I've composed my list, I go to Wal-Mart where they will match competitor pricing and have the cashier adjust the prices for these items. The first few times it may take a little bit of extra time, but you get the benefit of all of the lowest prices without driving around town using up gas.

****Couple this with coupons for a lagniappe

Happy Shopping!

A Great Day

I had a great day today. Kim and I met Rosemary at the Firewheel AMC to see Akeelah And The Bee (http://www.akeelahandthebee.com/splash.html) which we absolutely loved! Then we went to one of my favorite restaurants (www.marloshouse.com) and ate until we could barely move! It's a great place that few people know about. The owners may not be able to stay open much longer if business doesn't start to pick up, so please go and eat 'til you're full.

It was a great Birthday!

I had my hair done by Roy! I look fabuloso! Roy is the one who did my hair for the photo in the April archives.

I took myself to lunch at this french place i can't pronounce. After TBall practice the kids and I went to Cracker Barrell and had a great time. Christopher and I played checkers (he made up the rules and was the boss). Christopher won me 3:1. Drat, maybe next year. Kim and I played that triangle game where you have to leave one peg, I got down to two and she only made it to 3. I told her don't be ashamed of riding the short bus to school.

Being 39 ;-) is GREAT!

Still Waiting

I put a contract on the lovely house with the HUGE sewing room. Or should I say the HUGE sewing room with a lovely house. That was 6 hours ago and I don't know if the owner has accepted my offer or the other contract that was submitted....... So I'm sitting and waiting. Already prayed, so just waiting now.

New Orleans Saints

Hello,
I was about to send these pictures to Cindi as promised when I decided to put them on my BLOG. Pictures 10 - 65 are pictures of my parent's house in New Orleans after 6 feet of water was forced into it following hurricane Katrina: http://www.emilyp.shutterfly.com/action/pictures;jsessionid=2E3659DD9C2C4CFFCA9D79F97FB588FB?a=67b0de21b3342bee658c

Busy Weekend!

Hi Everybody,

The weekend started off taking Kimmie downtown Garland before 4pm which meant leaving work early and working from home until 6pm :-0. THEN I picked up C4 and took him to his Gymnastics performance in Richardson. THEN we picked up Kimmie to take her to a sleep over. Then we went to bed. I woke up with Kimmie calling to say it was time to pick her up. We did that and visited with some friends near by. THEN we went home and the kids fell asleep. I stayed up and sewed a skirt for Felice (a little girl in C4's class). I finished the skirt, woke him up and we went to the party. THEN I remembered that I forgot we were going to look at a hourse in Cindi & Joey's neighborhood, so I trackted down the realter and changed the appt. to 7pm. We had a blast at the party in Addison. When that was over, we shot back to Garland to meet the Realter and the Burns' at the house. It is a very nice house with a HUGE SEWING ROOM! I love it, and the house too. There was a dead squirrel, but I don't think he's paying rent. We leave there, go back to see Jennifer (who wasn't home on the first visit), and then go home. We eat dinner and then everyone goes to sleep.

I woke up at 2am and couldn't go back to sleep so I watched 2 episodes of Perry Mason and one of Little House on the Prairie while I did some house work and more sewing. I'm making a matching backpack to go with the skirt for Felice.

Sunday came and I slept through Sunday School and woke up too late to go to church. Debbie was there looking for me. Sorry Debbie. I said I'd be there, but I was knocked out! I did make it to my American Sewing Guild meeting where I learned a lot of good information. Philip came by and took C4 to TBall pracatice for me then cut my grass. After my meeting, I picked up Kim, we picked up C4 and dropped Kim off at church with Hailey, then C4 and I went to my parents to eat Gumbo. UUUUUUUUUUUUUMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We picked Kim up and went home where I sewed some and then went to bed.

LOOOOONG Week

Well Christopher is officially FIVE YEARS OLD! I can't believe it.

This week has been hard since were are/where all sick.

I was very happy to discover my friend Pearl sponsored me in my March of Dimes Walk last Saturday. It was soooooo kewel to have somebody support me!

Christopher has 4 TBall games scheduled next week due to rain-out makeup games....URGH! I only thought I was tired this week! Oh well when he's President and reads back at this BLOG it'll help him to remember how much him mommy did for him.

Bitter/Sweet

Well C4 had a great birthday party yesterday. Most of his very best friends and grown-ups could make it. His sister, grandparents, Coach Moses, T-Step, Lexi, Felice, Riley cousins, Nathaniel, Morgan, Makenley, and Mr Pickles were among his most honored guests.

Just to show how small this world really is: At the birthday party, Felice's mom reminded me where we knew each other from before the kids went to day care together. She was my roommate in the hospital after we had the kids!!!!! How amazing isn't that?

The bitter part is that C4 got a fever last night and had trouble swallowing. I took him to the doctor and he has Strep. My poor angel. To top it off, my throat is burning. We are both on Zithromax and should be feeling better soon.

WalkAmerica

I finished the Walk!!! Debbie and I walked the 7 miles in 2.5 hours. That's about a 20 minute mile. I'm very proud of myself. The only problem I'm having is that my left foot aches. I went to the gym and sat in the hot tub for 20 minutes. Hopefully that will help it.

The next walk is June 3. It's a 5 mile for the Komen Foundation. I'll have to keep up the walking so I'll be ready.

Cardio Kick Boxing

Wednesday night I took my third Cardio Kick Boxing class. It was great!!! Talk about sweating?!?!?!?! But I do feel stronger and my endurance is improving.

Thursday night was TBall practice for C4 (Boring) so I missed my softball practice (drat).

Today is jean Friday! Yeah!!!! Tonight is a TBAll game and softball game - if they don't get rained out.

Tomorrow is my first "Walk". The March of Dimes WalkAmerica at White Rock Lake. It's seven miles, so it will be the longest walk I do until the Susan B. Komen 3 day walk (60 miles) in 2007. I'll post pictures as soon as possible. My website is: www.walkamerica.org/sonjabarber

This is me in February 2006 - I call it my "Before" Picture

WooooHoooo I have a Blog!

Okay, so I'm starting a Blog. Inspired by my girlfriend Cindi, I've decided to have a place for you to come to read whatsup with Sonja!