Tis the season

The first raking of the fall and it's only the beginning. We'll soon be covered.

Gee I forgot about this when economizing with the gardener. Sigh. Oh well, it will be good exercise.

Best,

Kwana

Oh Jack!

What’s Jack up to? Jack has been such a trip lately. Sending us all on wild Jack chases.



Running out of our yard to a neighbor’s yard on the street behind us just when we think he's being good and proper. Not.

Then it was the other day when I was ready to give him a bath and he decided to send me running in a circle after him. Well, I put a stop to that once I got in enough exercise to get winded. Pla-eaze. Jack ended up hiding under the bed for an hour and me, well, I do have patience sometimes. I did finally get my man, um, dog as you can see here.


Now here he is nice and fluffy and on his leash but still not too happy with me. Check out the evil eye. Humph! I'm not moved...much.



Best,
Kwana

Anna and Grace a Love Story

Hello Monday! How was the weekend everyone? It’s sort of still going on with it being a holiday today and the family is home.

This weekend I did get in a bit of fun going to see The September Issue with my good buddy PVE. Now Patricia was the perfect person to see this with since we’ve been friends for X number of years when we were both still working in fashion BC (before children).

I thoroughly enjoyed The September Issue or Anna and Grace A Love Story as I'm calling it.

The whole story arc that pitted Anna Wintour and Grace Coddington (Vogue's creative director) against each other, but still united in their love of fashion and Vogue was wonderful. I was sucked in by the fact that both women started at Vogue on the same day over 20 years ago. Oh, to be a fly on the wall in those days.

It does make me wonder if people will one day think of me and my friend PVE once we're both big names. Her a famous artist and me a bestselling author (wink,wink-Universe).

Will they wonder how we were back all those years when we were still cubicle girls in the fashion biz? Still wide eyed dreamers tottering on our heels and looking for recognition. I wonder.
I do know we'll still be dreamers.

Once a dreamer, always a dreamer.





Best,
Kwana

Just Dance

So the opposite of all the blood, drama and Eskimos? of the MTV VMA awards...

On this Friday let's Just Dance with P.S. 22's class to Lady Gaga's Just Dance.
Thanks for the video, Wendy!





Have a wonderful weekend.

Best,
Kwana

Fashion on the Brain

I've got fashion on the brain. It's that lovely in between time in New York right now when you just don't know what you'll get weather wise at any given moment so you need to be ready for anything.

I'd love some easy pants, comfy driving shoes in a few great colors, a fab trench coat and of course a to die for bag (you all know me). This lovely lady was taken from The Satorialist and she totally fits my bill.



Friend and author Melissa Walker was featured on NPR talking about her picks for fashion books. You can listen here:


You can read the full article and read more about the books here.




Melissa is the author of Violet On The Runway YA series.

Best,
Kwana

Just Chillin'

What's Jack up to? Just Chillin'. I mean really, who wouldn't want this dog's life? It's the opposite of my multi-tasking post the other day. Jack is so not into multi-tasking. Let's all take note.

Have a great Wednesday and take a Jack moment today!

Best,
Kwana

Happy Birthday Ma!!

Happy Birthday to my Mom today! Yep, that's her and I from when I was a little girl. Both of us smiling big and bright just like folks would do in one of those old Woolworth's photo booths. You can recognize the pic from my avatar to the right there.

As you can see from the pic below Ma has hardly changed at all, though now I'm the taller one. She's still gorgeous and fabulous and still the same bit of unpredictability she was back then. From her Psalm 23 tattoo, you never know what's in store with my mom. Not what dress she'll be wearing or what hair color will go with it. But that's the charm of Ms. Kay!

This weekend Ma staged a girl's night out at Roseland ballroom to celebrate her birthday. And when I say staged, I mean staged (guess I get a bit of my control tendencies from her). We had a great time dancing the night away to songs from the 50's to the 70's. All of us wearing tiara's that Ma supplied so folks in the club kept saying Happy Birthday to all of us.

It was a great night and so nice of her to share her birthday joy with all of us.

Happy Birthday Ma!!

We Love you!

DD, DS, DH and Jack

and

I Love You too!

Your daughter,

Kwana

Multi-Multi Tasking

What's Jack up to? Jack is being Jack. A little bossy, a little cute, so very Jack. Keeping me on my toes.

It's early Monday, well, late Sunday night as I'm writing this and already I'm overwhelmed with the family schedule this week. Not just this week, this year really. As women we are the keepers of the schedules. Ours and everyone else's. Annoyingly, I found myself taking unnecessarily drives this weekend to classes that didn't happen because I didn't have a teen's schedule memorized in my head. Not that said teen should not have had their own schedule down. Sigh.

To make things just that more nutty, I'm already thinking ahead to the new year. January and February. So much so that the beautiful months of October and November are getting lost in the shuffle as just pages I'm flipping on the calender.

And in all of this I'm terribly afraid of dropping the ball. That my whole house of cards will come tumbling down from all my multi-tasking.

Knock Knock. Is it just me knocking at this door? Think I need a cup of tea and a moment to think about this.

Beware Of Multitasking - Robyn Pearce Time Management Expert on Howcast

Oh and thanks to Prof Melissa Harris-Lacewell on twitter for pointing me in the direction of this article from The Huffington Post on the ever growing unhappiness of women and and multi-tasking. A longtime sign of the times.

Best,
Kwana

A Famine of Beauty

As always time is just a flying. September is rolling by and I've noticed that I have not yet seen The September Issue and I am so dying to see this movie. You see growing up I did secretly dream of being the editor of Vogue. Really. I've had a Vogue subscription since I was 12 years old. A bit much when you think about it. But this girl loved and still does love fashion.


But I will say now that after being a stay at home mother and writer for quite a few years, it's starting to take a bit of a toll. I need an Anna intervention. As Andre Leon Talley says in this clip, "It's a famine of beauty!" And sadly it's in my closet and at times on my face. How dreadful. Something must be done. I'll start with the movie and go from there.



Best,
Kwana

Golden Apple

Happy Friday! You and me made it another week. Whew. Yeah baby! Don't be tardy for the party. Ooooo Ooooo. About 6 of you will get that. The rest will think I'm cra-a-zy. Please excuse me. How dreadful. LOL.

Well, I am happy it's Friday as you can tell. Last night I had a very un-dreadful night slipping out of Freshchester, as my dear friend calls it, and heading down to the city to celebrate some very fine people in the romance writing industry at my local RWA/NYC chapter's Golden Apple Awards.

The honorees were:

Lifetime Achievement: Kathleen E. Woodiwiss

Author of the Year: Patt Mihailoff-

Go Patt!!

Editor of the Year: Brenda Chin(Harlequin)

Publisher of the Year:Harlequin

Agent of the Year:Miriam Kriss

(The Irene Goodman Literary Agency)

Bookseller of the Year: Clove Lake Book Store (Staten Island)

Librarian of the Year: Jeanne Sylvester (Nutley Public Library)

What a wonderful night for an industry that I love. Big congrats to all the honorees!

Best,

Kwana

Confirmation

What’s Jack up to? He is so needing a bath. It’s all rainy so that’s strike #1 against that bath deal. Also I don’t have the energy so that’s strike #2. And as for strike #3 see #2.

I don’t talking about my writing all that much here, well, maybe I do I don’t know where I am on the narcissistic writer scale but today I’m talking… a bit. It’s part of the story.
There are times when life gives you signs to keep pushing forward. A confirmation of sorts.

One of my stories, book, novels whateves that I’m looking to sell is a YA (young adult) in which the heroine takes up gambling in order to save for the college of her dreams and in order to get money for her grandmother’s mounting medical bills when she shows signs of Alzheimer’s.

As a writer (well any type of artist) you put a bit of yourself out there with every submission. And yes. You know it’s all subjective and you keep that in mind but still you can’t help that twist in your gut every time you hit send and with every bit of feedback you get in return. It takes a lot to keep putting yourself out there day after day.


The other day I went to the doctor for a routine visit. Now my doctor has a lot of elderly patients that use his practice. I’m not sure why this is since he’s about 40-ish, but he does. Well, I’m in the waiting room wondering if I’ll get a flu shot, ouch (I did) when an elderly couple comes in along with a younger (about my age) woman. Now the older woman was, this is the only way I can describe it, full of piss and vinegar. She just about cracked me up walking in saying just how I felt about being there.

Lady loudly and not happy: Why do I have to come so far?
Husband: It’s not that far.
Lady: Well too far too me. They should make house calls.
Husband: Nobody makes house calls anymore. You’re not going to find that.
They both sit.
Husband: Well, you don’t have to come back for 3 months.
Lady: I’m not coming back!

I’m thinking I hear ya, Lady.

The younger woman comes up after giving their info to the front desk and stands in front of the couple. She has a gentle way and starts to talk about someone calling the lady.

Lady: He doesn’t have to call me every day!
Husband: Shhh… Please don’t be so loud.
Lady: Don’t Shhh me!
Younger woman: Mom I thought you’d just like to see how he is. He’s doing so well and loves to speak with you.
Lady looking up at the younger women: Now softly: Are you my daughter?

My heart wretches and I start to blink fast. Must keep back the tears.

Younger woman softly and with so much love: Yes, Mom I’m your daughter.



I think of my book and what the granddaughter does to get the overpriced meds for her grandmother to keep her Alzheimer’s at bay. I’m still submitting and tweaking the story. Anything to make it even better. Anything to get it out there. Health care is so important. Love is so vital. Perseverance is life.



Best,
Kwana

The Party

What's Jack up to? What a funny dog he is. Pushing his bowl towards me, giving me the big hints and getting quite miffy lately when I don't immediately jump to attention. Sorry there are way too many bossy folks already in this house, Jack. I'm not biting no matter how cute you are.

A little while back I was lucky enough to glance out the kitchen window and see the beginnings of a partly that I clearly was not invited too. I slipped off grabbed my camera and crashed.

Another party crasher!Fashionably late.

Best,

Kwana

Looking up

I'm so unhappy with my lack of reading time lately. I've been so busy that it's been practically nonexistent and my normal bath reading time has been finding me falling asleep in the tub. I'm afraid I'll wake with a wet book. I feel so off my game. Don't you hate it when that happens? I find my reading is now relegated billboards.

Funny (or sad depending on how you look at it) story. My normal blog hoppers will know I like the sayings on the little church that I pass often as I shuttle the DD to dance class. Well, there has been a particularly good but kinda long one (3 lines) up this past week. Too long for me to read the whole thing as I whizzed by at breakneck speed. I finally got the end of the saying today and it all came together:

Sorrow looks back

Worry looks around

Faith looks up!

Nice, huh?

Best,

Kwana

Weekend

What's Jack up to? Jack's getting over a busy weekend. With a house full of company he was ripping and running his little heart out. So it's chill day today for Jack... I hope. Please.

Like I was saying It was a pretty busy weekend starting with me taking the DD and a friend to see Altar Boyz on Friday night. We got a great 20 for 20 discount ticket deal. So if you're in NYC check it out here. This deal is still going on until the 20th of this month.

Saturday was supposed be my Mayberry R.F.D. annual block party but it got rained out. Bummer. But that didn't dampen our spirits. My long time bff and her dd along with Nana still came over a day early for a sleepover and late night shenanigans.

Then Sunday came the sun was shining and the block party was on. There was food, balloons, karaoke, a bouncy castle, more food, fire, smores,Wii, more food. What a fun time!

Whew. I'm tired. I hope you had a glorious weekend.

Happy Monday. Time to get to work.

Best,

Kwana

Bloomin' Onion

Did you know I'm a total Martha fan? Really, I am. I don't watch her show every day and when I have the TV on at that time I have to get my hot mess of The View's hot topics on but I can totally get into Martha's world. I also keep tuning into her station on Sirus radio which has great tips on food and decor all day.

Well, yesterday I had a great laugh out loud Martha moment while listening to Martha's call in show. A woman called in to ask about a sweet potato recipe that she had at The Outback and Martha asked, "is that in Australia?" Haaaa! The woman with her sweet southern accent was like, "Um, no."
Martha's staff was cracking up in the background too.
Martha said she would try and get the recipe from corporate for the woman and present in on the show. Klassy.


Gotta love her. She's may have been to the big house but she's never been to The Outback Steakhouse. Oh Martha!

BTW have you see Whatever Martha with Alexis and Jennifer on Fine Living? I don't have the channel but their radio show is so funny.










Happy Friday!

Best,
Kwana

P.S.

Today is 9/11 a hard day for so many especially in here in New York. I have no words. Just remember and hopes for peace.

Cat!

What's Jack up to? Jackster is doing well, being his funny self. He cracks me up the way he shows off when the DH comes home. Coming to life and running to grab squeaky toys and play with him while with me for most of the day he lays about from his perch on the couch. He knows who to show off for. Man's best friend indeed.

Speaking of man's best friend, I got a little shock when I looked out my back door and saw this little guy. Check his expression.

He's just as surprised to see me. Look at those eyes. Reminds me of the cat, Sheena I had a as little girl before I came to the realization that I was deathly allergic.

But by the time I opened the door he was off like a shot and there was no trace of him. It was like he was never there. I'm grateful my camera was nearby. For a moment I felt like Holly Golightly yelling, "CAT!"

Best,

Kwana

Alone

Today will be my first day alone (well, for a least a few hours) in quite a while. Big grin from me. I find that I'm a very solitary person and am happy with my own company. At least most of the time. Of course there are times when even I get on my own nerves. Yep, I can admit that.

Now I know I can easily fill the day with the the laundry list (literally) of coulds and shoulds, but I'm going to take a moment to be like this women and just BE.

image: Edward Hopper

Be Alone.



Take some time to stop, breathe and think before I take that next step into this new season. Be in me for a while. Go in for a moment before I step out again.

Please take a little time for you too during this season of change and renewal.





Best,
Kwana

Oh Juniors!

What’s Jack up to? My little Jack will be one confused dog today. No doubt, pacing back and forth barking at everyone that dares to pass by our little house as he looks for the teen twins that have left him this morning.

Yep, it’s the first day of school today. No doubt I’ll have embarrassed the teen twins and taken the first day of school picture on the porch.

The first day of junior year. Wow. That is so unbelievable to me. Just thinking about it puts a weight on my chest. Once again I want to pull out that STOP sign. There must be a trick being played on me. Time really can’t be going this fast. My children can’t be this age. Not these babies that I used to be able to hold both in one arm. Now, well, now I’m lucky if I can hold onto a conversation with them for longer than a few moments. Sigh.

Lord, where? How? It’s seems I’m a mother grasping. Trying to grab a bit of the past as they run chasing after the future as fast as they can. They will get their future. It’s coming. So so quick, I know, but they don’t know quicker than they need.

But I get a bit of the past too. In the ever so brief hug when you think I’m joking as I grab you and say, I love you while laughing as you try and run by. Or after the terrible fight as I hold you to my breast and still say I love you and smell your hair it's still the same. You see the past is still there. You are still my babies. Deep down always.

Oh my Juniors. Do well. Much love, Mom.





Best,
Kwana

Late Starry Night

Sorry for the the late breaking post but it was a late night under the stars for me at the US Open last night. The DH and I were invited by friends and enjoyed a lovely night of exciting tennis in Queens.

I hope you have a wonderful Labor day end of Summer weekend!

Best,

Kwana

STOP

I'm feeling as busy all get out right about now. One of those nutty, I need lists and my lists need lists kind of busy and a few extra hours in the day in order to get some sleep and still I will forget something kind of busy.

You know how it is. Tis the season and all. School will be starting in just a few days so I'm feeling like Santa, though not quite as jolly making my list and checking it twice. All during my broken sleep.

I thought I'd be totally ready and yes, I am so ready to have my house back and get back into a set writing routine, but I do know all the wildness that the school year brings not to mention my Dear Twins junior year. Part of me just wants to scream right now. STOP!

Best,

Kwana

Yummy at the Gas Station

Snickers ads following me as I pump my gas now. There is no escape. At least now I see they are supporting a good cause. Nice.

Sidebar: And still I have not had a Snicker bar. I must remedy that, but maybe the ads are working in my favor in that way.

Best,

Kwana

The Spy Who I Loved

So I've jumped on the Netflix bandwagon and let me tell you it's a dangerous wagon for a girl like me to be on. You all know how I can get.

My latest obsession is MI-5.

I had been wanting to get into MI-5, the smart and sexy British spy series for the longest, but have probably the world's worst cable and it doesn't offer BBC America so I was missing out. But now with Netflix I can watch all I've missed right on my computer. Very bad and oh so good indeed.

Do you have any across the pond obsessions? I know I have a few. Dish with me.

Best,

Kwana