KwanaWrites...

Moving Day!

2010-03-23T00:13:00.000-04:00

What’s Jack up to? Jack is super excited today. Running in circles, yapping and constantly underfoot. Why you ask?

Because today is moving day!!

That’s right I’m taking the plunge and moving kwanawrites over to WordPress and a new home called Kwana.com

Who do I think I am Cher or Madonna with the one name thing?
It’s a scary step that had me with some sleepless nights and plenty of nail biting and yes, WordPress codes they be complicated. Eee.

But thankfully I had the help of a lovely friend Jax who was by my side (well over the net and phone) with her vast knowledge of WordPress webery (made that one up). Who knew that besides being a super talented writer she was also such a talented web designer? Thanks so much Jax.
Also thank you to Patricia of pve design for my header and her wonderful artistic talents.

Now it will take a while for me to give the new home a full inspection and work all the kinks out and of course I still have a lot to learn. Please hop on over and let me know what you think.
Those of you that are kind enough to follow me or have me on your blog roll please change the address to my new home of Kwana.com

Lots to see. Come join the party! Oh and thanks so much for being such loyal and lovely friends to Jack and I.

Best,
Kwana

Things To Do

2010-03-22T00:01:00.004-04:00

Happy Monday everybody!

And a happy one it is indeed. Last night the House passed The Health Care bill despite all attempts against at. At some points at the end it got so nasty that it took us back to the days of 60's civil rights and was terribly reminiscent of reels of school segregation that I'd been shown in school of young black children having to be guarded while crossing through lines of angry mobs hurling nasty words at them. But now these were not school children but minority members of congress. How far we still have to go and all to be good stewards of our fellow man. Thankfully we are on our way. I hope. I know Nana will be so happy.

In the meantime I won't stay on my soapbox. This was really not my planned post for the day. See I've got plenty of things to do this week. Gotta stay on top of my list or I'll fall behind and I don't want that happening. Strange transition I know but watch and laugh anyway.

How do you keep on track when life tries to throw roadblocks in your path?

Sidebar: As you can see things are slowly changing over here on ye old blog. Expect more to come very soon...

Have a good week.

Best,
Kwana

A Place In The Sun

2010-03-19T00:01:00.001-04:00

Thanks for all your kind and encouraging words on my upcoming blog revamp. Eeee... Nail biting. I'm so grateful to my talented friend Jax for taking my long and confused call and giving me such great advice. Check out her new blog home here.

We'll see how it all works out. Please be patient with me.

In the meantime, Happy Friday to you. Jack and I hope you find a little patch of sun to sit and grab a little chill time.

Best,
Kwana

Change

2010-03-18T06:00:00.003-04:00

With Spring in the air I'm feeling the need for a change. It's time for a long overdue sprucing up on ye' old blog.

But as with all change it's a little scary. I have tried going at it with help from the professionals but it was not meant to be so I'm taking matters into my own hands and working on things myself-ish (a little help from friends is nice).

But, I love control anyway and sometimes it's better to control your own destiny. At least that's what I tell my kids (cut to me biting my nails).
I have long wanted to go from Blogger to Wordpress or maybe do a Full Blown Site so wish me luck (Lord knows I don't want to lose a bloggy thing). So please keep checking back here for updates and hopefully a new home coming soon.
Time to spread my wings!

Have any of you made some significant changes lately or are planning to?

Best,
Kwana

images from here.

Happy 2 P day!

2010-03-17T06:00:00.002-04:00

It’s a 2 celebration type of day. Hooray!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day. There will be plenty of cheer flowing around New York and the country. I say do it up in style! Klassy like.

And Happy Birthday to Patricia of pvedesign!

Patricia is a wonderful artist, mother and friend.

I know plenty of you have been touched by her artwork and the daily inspiration she gives out on her blog. If you haven't been by then click on over.

Spread some love and stop on by here to give her birthday greetings today.

Best,
Kwana

The Art Of The Trench

2010-03-16T06:00:00.003-04:00

One good thing about the moody rainy days of not quite spring is pulling out the old trench. Well I was in dire need of a new raincoat (the London Fog has about had it) and until I can snag a Burberry I was on the hunt of a nice one on a budget. I found my favorite in a twill at Old Navy. The long enough sleeves were perfect for my ultra long arms. The only problem was the last one in my size was in white and khaki was sold out all over Westchester. To the net I went and, yay, my coat has arrived. I love it. Just in time for slightly warmer weather but still moody days.

Are you ready for the moody days?
In the meantime enjoy The Art of The Trench from Burberry.

Best,
Kwana

It's Not Nice To Mess With Mother Nature

2010-03-15T06:00:00.001-04:00

So who pissed off Mother Nature? Seriously, it wasn’t me. This was some crazy weekend. Rain, wind it could have been an almost hurricane around these parts. By Saturday night the wind had kicked up past 60 mph so it was pretty dangerous and the lights were flickering on and off.

I was doing pretty good until I saw what I thought were fireworks outside my bedroom window. I looked out and saw that the Con Ed wires out front were sparking. Uh-oh.

The telephone lines were flooded and I could not get though to Con Ed so I called the police dept since I saw them doing drive by's to check on folks and they came by and looked up at the wire. Nice. Looking is...good. But we so have a great village loop that I hopped on where folks can list their concerns and the village manger and the mayor are on it and were all night. They were on the horn with Con Ed and added my street to the list of problems so I'm grateful for that.

Then I woke on Sunday morning to a strange but cute cat walking though my yard and a piece of the back fence down along with another huge branch falling from a pine tree. DH had to buy a chainsaw. Yikes! Look out now!

But all in all I feel blessed. No one was hurt. The house was not damaged. There are plenty in our area that are without power and have damage to their homes so I’m not going to complain. Time to start the clean up.

Best,
Kwana

Spring Forward

2010-03-13T00:01:00.000-05:00

Don't forget to set your clocks ahead one hour tonight. Gonna be a tough couple of days trying to catch up to that hour but the extra light will be worth it.

Best,

Kwana

I'm Crushing Your Head

2010-03-12T00:01:00.001-05:00

What's Jack up to? Being Jack and staying in the soup. It's door locking and trash cans up for me because Jack has been especially feisty lately. Fun, fun, fun. Not.

In the meantime... this week is crushed. Happy Friday!

Best,
Kwana

Magical Mystery Tour

2010-03-11T06:00:00.001-05:00

I'm working on a new project. Slowly, slowly...slowly.

Of course this is no surprise. Every project goes slower than I would like. But this one is different (besides the dreaded neurotic block and all) because I'm writing in a new style. Now not all that new, my style still, I'll say a new genre.

I'm working on a mystery which takes a lot more than my usual fly by the seat of my pants way of writing. And frankly it has me panting. Heart, thumpity, thump, thump.

But, maybe that's good. One should be panting and on edge when dealing with such things.

So tell me, what are some of your all time favorite mystery, thriller or romantic suspense novels?

Best,
Kwana

Circular Knitting

2010-03-10T06:00:00.001-05:00

Today is my knitting group meeting day and for the past few weeks I’ve been doing some circular knitting with this super thin and wispy mohair yarn on really long needles. It’s like knitting with fluffy angel hair pasta. You can barley hold it in your hands and the more you knit the less it feels like you’re moving forward.

Around and around I go in a circle with no real idea of how things will turn out. I did start out with an idea. A pattern in my head of making an infinity scarf, something to make me feel chic, together, you know complete me. So what did I do? I grabbed my yarn, needles and dove in. And now here I knit round and round and round. Each round taking what feels like infinity. How it will turn out or what it will actually be I don’t know. This feels a lot like parenting sometimes. But hey, the yarn sure is pretty.

Best,
Kwana

Smackdown

2010-03-09T06:00:00.002-05:00

It seems that I have to deliver a Smackdown at least once a day to somebody in my house and if it’s not one of those days I’ll make it one of those days by delivering the smackdown to myself. I'm always hardest on myself. Now this is Verbal Smackdown that is let me make that clear (don't go writing to me all up in arms). Although the other kind is threatened about here and there too with 16 year old twins. “I brought you in this world and I’ll take you out.”

Why so many of these smackdowns or outbursts? There are no smooth sitcom moments in my house. No real moments of discussion and contemplation. Nope. they are only in my head when I do the writer initial set-ups.

Mom: “Honey I was very upset by X. Let’s discuss it.”
Kid rolls eyes but sits down sullenly: “Sorry Mom.”
Mom: “Now what would have been a more appropriate way to handle the situation?”
Kid: “I guess Y. I’ll do better next time.”
Hugs and love all around. Sit down dinner time. "Come and get it!"

Yeah. Um. Not. Think the opposite in reality. A stomp off, a yell and then me with the verbal Smackdown and punishment before an eyebrow is raised. Then everyone is sad and mad and there is the smell of rancid hatred soup in the air. Sort of cabbagey.

In that is why I’m so pissed at all the TV shows I used to love as a kids. The Cosby Show and The Brady Bunch. Man, they can all suck it. We were so not prepared for the Internet and texting and The Freakin Situation.

Best,
Kwana

Like Old Times

2010-03-08T06:00:00.001-05:00

What’s Jack up to? The Jackster is doing fine. He’s spent most of the weekend being his own demanding self and giving me this look which says can you get off your butt and get me a treat or something lady? This is usually following by an impolite nudge.

Here are a few pics from my weekend.

Cocktail meatballs simmering for Nana’s Birthday get together and Pokeno game. Can you say Shweaty Balls?

And deviled eggs. Does anybody make them anymore? I do!

Then the game at Nana’s so much fun. We haven’t played in ages. When I was a kid Nana and her friends would play cards until the wee hours of the morning. Now it was the next generation's turn and only one of Nana’s old friends (Mrs. G) got to come up to the apartment. We were all so glad to see her since she had not been well and was out of the hospital. She was so happy to play cards and party like the old days that she stayed up talking with Nana and closed the party at 2am!

I hope you have a lovely week.

Best,
Kwana

Listen for the Chair

2010-03-05T00:01:00.002-05:00

Blame Kate from Babbling About Books for today's funny because she made me look up these great Bruce Campbell Old Spice commercials after her comment on I'm On A Horse and you know I can't help but share.

Listen as Bruce gets out of that to die for red chair.

And Duran Duran how can you ever go wrong there? Ya can't.

Words this weekend? Maybe. In the meantime life has been so serious so tell me what's been making you laugh lately.

One thing making me laugh is Not So Real Housewives of the NYC being back. Did you watch last night? "Staaaaop." (said in my best Kelly whine) or you know what else is fun? Ramona's new phrase, "renewing myself." Wink.

Have a good weekend.

Best,
Kwana

In and out of Love

2010-03-04T00:01:00.003-05:00

I'm trying to fall in love with writing again.

Because, lately I've been much more out than in. I'm pretty sure this is due to the many rejections that I've had and some long years of being THIS close, then SO far, then THIS close again (note to self: printing out a boatload of rejections in one day doesn't help one's mood and takes all your printer ink) (also note to self: what you already know- that this is part of the writer's life. sidebar: knowing this does not make the pain any less).

But the other night I dreamt of characters that I had put aside a long time ago. They were talking to me again. Living and breathing and moving about in my mind. Wheels were turning. This made me happy and at the same time quite nervous. Part of me wanted to tell them to just go away. What good would them bugging me do? Then a new idea came to me * poof* of another really good story. With twists and turns, love and romance. I could see it so clearly that I was smiling and laughing at the fun of it all and then once again with a wave of my hand I was wishing it away.

But they won't go away. They are still there. Forcing me to sketch out ideas and pushing me to do the painful work of coming up with some sort of plot. And then the more painful work of stringing together some sort of WORDS. Oh well, this is life. My life and mind and I just have to go with it. I will write because the stories want out and I want to get them out or I'll never get any rest.

So the files will be made. Where they go from there... I just don't know.

Photo fm Dabawenya

Best,
Kwana

I'm On A Horse

2010-03-03T06:00:00.001-05:00

Thanks so much to all of you for your sweet birthday wishes to Nana yesterday. Since she's not on the Net at her place I will be printing the post out and sharing it with her this weekend when the family gets together to celebrate her birthday with good ol' card games. I'm bringing Pokeno. I know she'll be so thrilled to read all your comments.

As a thank you let's all smile at the Old Spice guy for a moment shall we? Folks can't stop talking about this commercial and it still gets me. So funny. Makes me want to buy soap on a rope.

Best,
Kwana

Happy Birthday Nana

2010-03-02T06:00:00.002-05:00

What's Jack up to? Why he'll have extra pep in his step today because today is the birthday of his best girl...NANA!

Happy Birthday Nana!

Words cannot say how much we love you.

You are the best grandmother a person could ever ask for and the

best Nana in the world...to everyone!

Love,
Kwana, DH, DD,DS and
Jack

Snowzilla 2010

2010-03-01T06:00:00.001-05:00

We had the storm of the millennium on Thursday pics of which you saw from Thursday night over here. Well, here is a little slideshow from Friday morning. This pictures were taken from my bedroom window (Jack and I had finished our walk and were done with the snow).

As you can see the DD did a small about of car clearing and then the call of the snow angles was just too hard to resist. I hope your March brings calmer weather. We've had enough of down trees and power outages thank you very much. And now today is by surprise another snow day so no school. *groan* Oh and the pink eye has flared up again *double groan*
No use complaining. It is what it is. Enjoy the show.

Best,
Kwana

Men Take Note.. again

2010-02-27T21:53:00.003-05:00

Just in case you didn't get it the first time...

Best,
Kwana

Help When You Need It

2010-02-26T06:00:00.005-05:00

What’s Jack up to? Jack is doing good. The silly little dog is having a day with the dear twins since is been officially called a snow day so the weekend begins early at my house. Enough with the snow please. I'm done.

And yes, this was a huge honking storm. Trees down and all that. My DH got stuck and his car couldn’t make it up the hill coming home last night. Thankfully he was in front of the town’s fire house and a bunch of young guys came out and pushed his car up the hill.
It’s so good to have help when you need it.
These pics were taken at night.

Then later when walking Jack late in the evening he saw a huge tree had fallen around the corner. Of course I had to go out and see. Down right on the power lines.

On our walk suddenly the big guns were out, this huge tractor. The driver was so funny. He pulled up beside us and said, “Did you call a cab?” Yep, Good to have help when you need it.

Speaking of help when you need it... Laura from Shore(house) Chic blog is doing a Help for Haiti auction over at her blog. Because they still need so much help and will for a long time to come. Laura has some wonderful handmade pieces to go to the highest bidder. Go here to check it out.

Best,
Kwana

It’s All About Me

2010-02-25T00:01:00.003-05:00

Hey, sometimes it has to be all about me and sometimes it has to all about you too.

We do so much for so many other people that it’s easy to put yourself on the back burner and then one day wake up look in the mirror and wonder What the--? What happened? Where did time go? Why didn’t I work out (because I can't stand it) or get that facial or massage or take that walk or nap or whatever it was that would have given me the self care I needed to make this trek past the mirror a bit more palatable. Ugh! (aren't I brave to post this unflattering pic?)

I’ve been having quite a few of those "all about me moments" or "what about me moments"and putting my “frivolous” needs aside for the needs of others (now we know for beauty and sanity's sake they are not frivolous). Well, I did a big splurge recently and not without a lot of thought and consideration. I jumped in and got a Clarisonic. I had been wanting one for a long time since I’ve been having problems with creepy little lines (hello 40), odd dry patches and where did you come from pimples.

I saw the Clarisonic in person when I was at Nordstrom the other day while lusting over some handbags but I quickly put it down (along with the bag) saying no way. But then after reading countless testimonials, thinking it over for a week, I ordered one from QVC. Wheeeee!!!

Now after my first try with the cleaning system I could not be happier. Like with handbags I’m a freak for good skincare and I have not been happy with mine lately. After one Clarisonic cleaning I could feel the fresh tingle from the water as it swept across my skin. Just lovely. Ahh.

Of course I now want the baby Mia for my DD. I’m sure she and her teen skin will love it too. But she may have to wait a bit because it be pricy and I thought about mine a loooong time.

I will keep you updated on my Clarisonic progress.

Yay! The QVC set came with 2 extra brushes and 2 full sized cleansers one for the face and one for the body. Sweet!

You can go here to check out Brown Girl Gumbo's view on the Clarisonic Mia.

And here are a couple of videos for your enjoyment. Cheers to self care!

Best,
Kwana

Remembering Mama

2010-02-24T06:00:00.002-05:00

I remember the book Mama by Terry McMillan very well and can't believe it was well over 20 years ago that I read and loved it. It was one of those books that really spoke to me in both its style and emotion. With all I'm going through as a writer right now I think I need to revisit it. Check out this interview with the amazing author.

Best,
Kwana

Work Space

2010-02-23T06:00:00.004-05:00

What’s Jack up to? Well, you know Jack so no surprise, he’s up to his old tricks. He got sick and threw up the other day. Could it be because the Dear Twins are home and he’s getting into their secret stash of treats from school? He got into the DS’s bookbag and found a bunch of candy while we were out and I came home to candy wrappers all over the floor. I wasn’t happy with Jack or the DS for that one.

Thank you all so much for your support on my Keeping It Real post yesterday. I’m not sure where it will lead but I do appreciate it. Today I’d like to do an update on an old post Visualization where I talked about wanting to add a writing desk to my already tight bedroom. Well, while the Twins were in Paris last week and I had the DH home I decided to move a bit of furniture around. Too bad it was when the DH was trying to take a much longed for nap that I came up with this plan (shrug).

Oh well after much nudging, we moved his chest of drawers over and took the TV off the, could be antique, sewing table that was its stand (yes there is a real sewing machine in here). Then I made the sewing table my desk. Sure it’s itty bitty but works for now until I find another I like. And I quickly put up my little inspiration board. Next up a nice tall skinny shelf for the pile of books and papers to the left that you can't see.
But now to deal with this pesky problem of writer’s block that I’m having. More on that later…

Have a fantastic day!

Best,
Kwana

Keeping It Real

2010-02-22T06:00:00.003-05:00

Hello Monday. I hope the weekend treated you well. Mine was fine. Back to the usual running with the Dear Twins and such. Weekends are so busy that Monday mornings seems like a breather. Although I will admit to wasting away much of Saturday on the bed in front of the TV nursing my eye which is a lot better. The DH was kind enough to put the kidlit miles on his car and do all the driving while I held down the home fort. Ahh domestic life.

But all this is not the focus on today’s post. Today I’d like to discuss something I’ve been grappling with a while. The idea of keeping it real and how real can real be on ye old blog. You see something has not been quite sitting right with me.

There are plenty of days when I write a perfectly fine blog post but I glaze over a subject when I’d like to go deeper, be a little sharper, maybe more snarky, not so darn happy and let more of my neurotic self come though. But then that neurotic self takes over and I get to fretting. I start to compare myself to those shiny happy pretty blogs and worry that if I get too real and show my true self or give my real opinions you all won’t come back or you’ll stop reading.

Silly I know. To get to 40 and still worry what others think. What a shame. What waste or time, energy and so precious words.

Besides when I look back on past posts where I am more real and let my feelings show you all have responded so beautifully and shown more of yourselves to me. For that I am grateful.
So what I guess what I’m saying here is it’s time for ye old blog to grow up a bit. Get more real and show more of who I really am. Lord knows when I look in the mirror I see plenty of changes, I might as well express them here too.

Every day is not sunny and every day it does not rain.

Much Love,
Kwana

I’d Like To Thank The Academy…

2010-02-20T00:01:00.005-05:00

I’ve been surprised and honored to receive some very kind (though I’m not sure deserved) awards for ye ol’ blog here. On behalf of myself and the Jackster I’d like to give hearty thanks. Uh-oh here comes the ugly cry.

The first was the Over The Top award from Christine from over at The Happily Ever After.
The Over The Top Award is given to blogging friends whose blogs you consider over the top, in a complimentary way, of course. As in, they are "far more than usual or expected; extraordinary."
Now receiving this award tell me I need to go even further to be a little more Over The Top. Look out world I’m coming for ya! Thanks so much Christine. You can visit Christine here.
Before passing this award on I have to complete this little survey. Okay. I’m game.

Your cell phone? Blackberry Storm

Your hair? Hot Mess

Your mother? Wild

Your father? Passed away

Your favorite food? Too many to choose

Your dream last night? Deep

Your favorite drink? coffee

Your dream/goal? To be happy

What room are you in? Bedroom

Your hobby? Reading and Knitting and TV

Your fear? So many

Where do you want to be in 6 years? A multi published author

Where were you last night? home

Something that you aren't? Patient

Muffins? Sometimes

Wish list item? Marc Jacobs Lisa bag.

Where did you grow up? New York City

Last thing you did? Washed Dishes. So glamorous

What are you wearing? Sweater and flamer pj’s

Your TV? old. Really, it has a turn dial.

Your pets? Jack the wonder dog

Friends? sweet

Your life? Complicated

Your mood? Complicated

Missing someone? always

Vehicle? Ford Edge

Something you're not wearing? shoes

Your favorite store? bookstore

Your favorite color? Green sometimes other times,black.

When was the last time you laughed? Hmm… Must get on that.

Last time you cried? Hmmm… sure it won’t be long now.

Your best friend? Loyal

One place that you go to over and over? Bathroom. TMI?

Facebook? 1 x a day. Not a huge fan

Favorite place to eat? Johnny’s on City Island

Now I’m supposed to pass the award to 5 other Over The Top Bloggers. Okay Dokey!
Kate at Babbling about Books

Megan Frampton

Kristen’s Divalicious Blog

Amanda McCabe

Jax’s Artistic Journey

Now the fun doesn’t stop there I received yet another award. Man, you’d think I starred in Precious or at least Avatar and was painted blue with all the awards.

I received a Beautiful Blogger award from Tia at Stoic which is a super cool blog that you really need to check out. Beautiful? Wow. Look at me blushing.

Now of course all things come with a little catch and you have to pay in order to play so here are the rules behind the award:
1. Thank & link to the person that gave you the award
Thanks so much Tia. You really are the fairest of them all. Link here.

2. Pass this award onto 15 bloggers you’ve recently discovered & think are fantastic.
15? I agree with Tia. These folks are not playing around but ok. Check out these cool peeps. Some may be a bit older than the rest but you won’t be sorry. Click away:

Get It Girl Style

West Family Advetures

Laura at the Shorehouse

Architect Design

Chocolate Covered Daydreams

3. Contact said Blogs & let them know they've won
Uh, don’t they have Google alerts for that? Sigh ok.

4. State 7 things about yourself

Come on. You people must be bored with me by now. Sorry if I repeat myself:
1. I can’t walk in heels. My feet instantly hurt. I wish I could though.
2. I usually have at least one twin pissed at me. Ugh. Parenting sucks.
3. I really love shrimp. Wish I had some right now.
4. I adore a good bath. I’d like a nice hot bath at having a nice plate of shrimp.
5. Throw some pasta with those shrimp and I’d be extra happy
6. Put it all in Italy and make my day. I really want to go there one day.
7. Maybe on a book trip?

Whew. I made it. Thanks for reading and playing along. At least I hope you do. I really am honored to be thought of and so grateful to all of you who stop on my and hang with me every day.

Best,

Kwana

Sad Clown

2010-02-19T00:01:00.003-05:00

What am I 12 0r 13? How do I get these things? I have been dealing with a cold for over a week maybe 2 and I woke two days ago with a really red eye. I thought (well hoped) it was my allergies. No doing there. It continued so I went to the eye Dr. to find out I have pink eye. Pink freakin' eye! That and the two big pimples between my eyebrows make me wonder if I'm 12 or something. Ugh.

So that's the reason for the Toulouse-Lautrec artwork today (still keeping with the Paris feel). I'm feeling like a bit of a sad clown out there for all the world to see even though I'd rather hide. Oh and the fact that I'm giving up sugar for Lent (again) does not help my Sad Clown mood or attitude. Speaking of attitude I sure like hers. Love the pants. This was painted over 100 years ago and still they look great. So stylish.

Happy Friday.

Best,
Kwana

Winter in Paris

2010-02-18T07:00:00.002-05:00

What’s Jack up to? Oh that Jack is trying my last nerve. Yesterday after a workout with my new Shape Up sneakers I decided to reward myself with a nice bath before continuing with my chores and getting ready for the Dear Twins to come home. Well, I ran my bubble bath, closed the door just about all the way, and went about doing some things when I looked and saw Jack acting squirrely. Tossing and flipping like he was trying to dry himself. Well… sigh… that little stinker had jumped into my bath before I could. Can you believe it? I fixed him and a chased him down and gave him a bath for real. Don’t know what’s more work. One little dog or 16 year old twins.

Yeah, I know, it’s the Teen Twins (but Jack is close). They returned home last night tired and happy to see us (Jack the most). Paris was a love, love, love even in the winter (they had a bit of snow). I'm so happy they are back safe and sound. What a joy for us to send them on this trip and to have them return to us.

I will report more soon. Enjoy your day.

Painting of Paris in the Winter by Antoine Blanchard

Best,
Kwana

Thank Heaven

2010-02-17T06:00:00.004-05:00

What's Jack up to? Well he was way too happy in the snow yesterday. Rolling around and having a ball. I just could not muster up the same enthusiasm. Sorry Jack I'm just over it now.

The Dear Twins will be home tonight! I've missed them a lot but it's been a good miss and gone by so fast. Quickly we'll all be back to the grind.
In honor of the twins coming home I leave you with this trailer and clip from Gigi with Leslie Caron one of my all time favorite movies that pays homage to gay Paris!

Best,
Kwana

While Paris Sleeps

2010-02-16T00:01:00.004-05:00

Today is the twins last full day in Paris. They return home tomorrow night. Yay and sniff. Feeling the need to get as much work done and rest as possible today. That just doesn't mix.

I was looking for a Parisian movie while thinking of the twins, maybe I should not have come across this one. Yikes! A poor girl out of luck and money, but it does look good. I'll have to get it from my library and check the full out.

Have you seen it?

I hope your day is going well.

Best,

Kwana

Happy President's Day

2010-02-15T00:01:00.003-05:00

What's Jack up to? Jack is doing well. Missing the Dear Twins but happy to have all the attention of the house to himself. It's all about Jack right now... but really when is it not?

I hope you had a nice Valentine's day. Mine was lovely spent with the DH and seeing him sing in the male choir for Men's day. Here's a pic of my pretty roses that he gave me. What a sweetheart.

In honor of the Dear Twins I'm keeping up with the French theme this week with this pic of our President and First lady on their past visit to France for President's day today.

So far I hear the twins are having a wonderful time, visiting Versailles yesterday one of the most beautiful places on earth in my opinion. They even got to go into more private rooms like the opera house which is not for pubic view and sit. Lucky kids. I'm so glad they are having this experience. Their teachers blog for the parents every night and send us pics to tell about the trip. It looks like a blast. Yesterday there was even a sweet Valentine message video from Versailles.

Happy Presidents day to you. Enjoy!

Best,
Kwana

Sweet Sounds

2010-02-13T06:00:00.005-05:00

So I did hear from the Dear Twins. They both called separately yesterday evening Paris time after arriving at the homes of their host families and having dinner. Ahh... dinner in Paris how nice.

I was out since it was afternoon in NY so the DS left a message saying his family was nice and the meal delicious. So like him to think of the meal.

The DD reported the same and told of visiting the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe. She seemed happy and tired from so far away. Even spoke a bit of french. Aww!!

The DH and I are amazed that our babies are so far away and having this experience. Believe me it's a long way from his Georgia and my Harlem roots.

I'm wishing you all a Happy Valentine's Weekend. I hope it's filled with love.

With All Our Love,

Kwana & Jack

P.S. The winner of the Cara Elliot giveaway is Lenore of Lenorevermore! Congrats. If you have not been to Lenore's blog get over there quick. Believe me you won't be disappointed with all the fab going on

Go Here.

Paris Has My Heart

2010-02-12T08:00:00.002-05:00

What's Jack up to? He's wondering where the Dear Twins have gotten to right about now. Spent lots of time on top of the couch and watching the window yesterday. I'm sure right now he's like what the heck is up and where are they? Sorry Jack.

Bonjour! The Dear Twins got off to Paris yesterday evening and I'm trying hard not to worry too much while waiting for scattered calls. I'm hoping all goes well when they meet their generous host families and they find their ways around ok.

Hey, maybe they'll be like these kids here, rocking it along the Seine.

You'll be glad to hear I fought hard and won the battle of the tears when the bus was pulling away from the school (I didn't want to embarrass them too much).

But I did get in an extra hug or two. I just had to.

Best,

Kwana

photo from Art.com

Smart Snow Dog

2010-02-11T06:00:00.003-05:00

So what about all that snow the east coast got socked with huh? Just what we didn’t need and the dear twins are supposed to head for Paris today with their French group. I sure hope all goes off on time and well. Please send good bloggy vibes their way.

Yesterday the family headed out to brave the snow and do some shoveling and cleaning of the cars.

Jack wasn’t all that thrilled with the idea and had to seriously consider stepping off the porch.

Once he did he got into the swing of things for a bit, that is until the DH opened the car door for a moment and like a shot Jack was gone.

Into the sanctuary of the warm car. Leaving us outside to clean up on our own. Smart dog.

Best,
Kwana

P.S. There is still time to enter the Cara Elliot Sin with a Scoundrel giveaway from yesterday's post below.

Sinning with a Scoundrel and a Giveaway!

2010-02-10T06:00:00.002-05:00

So are you snowed in? Raise your hands if you are?

Lucky me! The mail gods and ARC gods have been smiling and in a recent book shipment I received a copy of To Sin With A Scoundrel by Cara Elliot, the first book in the Circle of Sin series. Now once again I was duped buy the old author name change switcharoo. I was like, “where have I heard that name before.” You all know me. Between the Teen Twins and Jack I can’t remember two days ago and surely not when a friend goes and writes under a pseudonym. Foul!

Cara got me with this on twitter too. I was like, “who is this Cara all over the place.” Turns out it’s my friend and bestselling author, Andrea. Duh! I really gotta get it together. Maybe ginkgo biloba, but I do vaguely remember hearing about a study saying that that doesn’t even work. Sigh. Oh well, back to today’s joy…

I got To Sin With A Scoundrel, read it, totally enjoyed it and then saw the lovely Cara/Andrea at Lady Jane’s Salon recently and she ever so kindly agreed to do a short interview with me (even though I’m a ninny that can’t remember her very famous pseudonym).

Now onto the interview:

Hello Cara thanks so much for taking some time out of your busy schedule to pop over her for a bit at Kwana Writes!

Thanks for inviting me, Kwana. You’re such a wonderful voice for the romance genre—it’s an honor to be here!

First off can you tell us a little about your background? Have you always wanted to be a romance writer or is this something that you happened on later? Do you have some fab story of “overnight success”?

Actually, I wrote my first book when I was five years old. It was a Western, complete with meticulously colored pictures of horses and cowboys. (I’ve since moved on to Regency England . . . I must have a thing for Men in Boots!) So I guess that storytelling has always been a passion of mine. However, I also loved art and ended up majoring in graphic design, which took me on a different career path for a number of years, So to make a long story short, I remained an avid reader, but didn’t return to writing until later in life. One day, about ten years ago, I decided to plunk my derriere in a chair and try my hand at writing again. And that was it—I was hooked, though I hadn’t the first clue on what I was going to do with the finished manuscript.

Getting published was a serendipitous quirk of fate. A friend introduced me to an agent and I pitched him a contemporary thriller I had written. (It’s still in a desk drawer for good reason.) He nodded politely throughout the interview and said he would take a look at it. Then, as we got up, I mentioned as an afterthought,” Oh, I also have a Regency romance, but that probably doesn’t interest you.” Well, at that his eyes lit up, and he said,” Oh, the people at the Signet Regency line are good friends. Let me show it to them.” Three days later I got the call that they had bought my book!

What’s your writing process like? Are you a plotter or a pantser? What’s a typical writing day like for you?

Oh, total set-of-the-panser! I can’t tell you how many times I finish a chapter and sit back saying, “Whoa, I didn’t know they were going to do that!”
I’m also a slow writer. On my writing days, I get up early and pretty much keep at it for 10 or12 hours (Okay, okay, with bathroom and chocolate breaks. Chocolate is an essential item on a writer’s desk. One never knows when The Muse might need a little bribe!) If I end up with 8 or 10 pages, that’s a very good day. The good news is, they are pretty clean pages. I’m not someone who writes three or four drafts.

Now I know your schedule is extremely busy since you are currently teaching a class at Yale (yes folks, that Yale) called “Reading the Historical Romance Novel” along with New York Times bestselling author Lauren Willing. Can you tell me a little on how this came about?

Mix two romance writers with several glasses of chardonnay . . .
Lauren and I are both Yale grads, and one evening at Lady Jane’s Salon in NYC we started talking about how romance should be treated as a serious genre of literature, and how we would structure a class. Laughing, we both said, “Oh, wouldn’t it be fun to teach a seminar at Yale on the subject.” But the laughter quickly died away as a simultaneous spark lit in our eyes . . and so we decided to submit a proposal. After months of drafting a detailed syllabus, complete with critical readings, and being interviewed by a committee of students and professors in New Haven, our idea was accepted! We started teaching in January, and are really enjoying the experience.

It’s actually great to see that we are part of a growing movement to focus attention on the fact that great authors are writing great stories in the romance genre. Now, we readers have always known that, but it’s heartening to see the rest of the literary world, as well as the academic community, start to sit up and take notice!

Now onto To Sin With A Scoundrel which as I said I thoroughly enjoyed. Lady Ciara Sheffield is not your typical Regency heroine. She’s been married and has a child and is an intellectual. What made you decide on this type of heroine and the Circle of Sin as an idea for a series?

I’ve always liked creating unconventional heroines . . . maybe because I’ve always been a little quirky myself. So I tend to write stories with characters who dare to be different and who challenge the rules of their Society. It allows me to explore an emotional complexity, which I feel allows me to add depth and texture.

The Circle of Sin is a group of brilliant, beautiful female scholars who meet each week to share their knowledge and their friendship. They are all scientists—now, don’t ask me why! I was absolutely hopeless in math or science in school. (But hey, that’s part of the fun of fiction, and I did do my homework studying up on the basics so as not to make a fool of myself.) That said, I really enjoyed playing with the “chemistry” of pairing each of the three brainy heroines with heroes who were, on the surface, their opposites. Lady Ciara Sheffield, who stars in the first book of the new trilogy, is wary of men, however she has no choice but to accept help from a rakish rogue in order to save herself from scandal . . . and they both learn some unexpected lessons on love.

What was your inspiration for the dashing and sexy Lord Hadley?

Oh, I have a real soft spot for Lucas, who is one of my favorite heroes. He’s a charming rake who cheerfully admits to having no interest in anything but sybaritic pleasure. But at heart, he’s far more sensitive than he cares to admit, and as his best friend Jack says, he simply needs a challenge to bring out his better nature. As for inspiration, well, don’t we all dream of turning our scoundrels into noble heroes!

I can’t wait for the next book To Surrender A Rogue and Alessandra and Jack’s story. The sparks fly with these two from page one. Tell us a bit about them.

Oh yes, things get a little hot between Alessandra and Jack in To Sin With A Scoundrel. Having been burned in the past, she’s mistrustful of the handsome devil who tries to ride to her rescue—especially when Jack ends up tying her young daughter to a tree. (Note: he has an excellent reason for doing it, but still, what mother would not be a tad upset at such heavy-handed measures!)
So in To Surrender To A Rogue, when they find themselves working at the same archeological excavation of Roman ruins in Bath, they are none too happy about it. But when fellow member of the expedition threatens to dig up a dark secret from Alessandra’s past, she finds herself in desperate need of a hero . . . I hope you enjoy their story! (Oh, and then there’s free-spirited Kate, the botany expert, whose story will be told in To Tempt A Rake.)

Thanks so much for being here today. I can’t wait to see you at the next Lady Jane’s.

Thanks for having me, Kwana! See you at the Salon in March.

Folks you can check out Cara’s website here

And if you are in New York on Monday March 1st don’t miss Lady Jane’s Salon where Cara will be reading from To Sin With A Scoundrel. Check out the site here.

Oh and one lucky commenter will win a signed ARC (advanced reader copy) of To Sin With A Scoundrel from Cara. So please leave your comments. The only rule is you must be a follower of ye old blog kwanawrites. Oh and please leave your email so I can get back to ya and enter by midnight Thursday. Thanks.

Best,
Kwana

Little House

2010-02-09T06:00:00.001-05:00

This sweet little house that is on a neighbor's front yard is just coming out from under the snow and it looks like we're in for a bunch more come tonight. Sigh.

I hope the forecast is wrong since I'm as busy as all get out getting the dear twins ready for a school trip to Paris later in the week. Yep, that Paris. I'm trying to keep myself sane and not worry too much since they have never been out of the country or on vacation without me so yes, I wish I were going too to keep an eye out and hey, It's Paris. Why wouldn't I want to go?

What are you up to? Is it snow are sun in your forecast?

Best,

Kwana

Super Romance

2010-02-08T00:01:00.001-05:00

What’s Jack up to? Jack is full and content though a bit sad after a lovely weekend visit from Nana where he was spoiled silly. He really does love her like crazy and she is just nuts for him. It’s too cute.

How was your weekend? Did you watch the Superbowl on Sunday? I watched quite a bit, that is until the last installment of Emma came on PBS at 9 then I was off. Though I know the story it was much more exciting than the Superbowl for me.
Did you watch? If you didn’t you can watch it online here.

Or at least take the: Bachelors of Highbury Quiz. I scored with Mr. Knightley. My Mr. Knightly!

Best,

Kwana

P.S.

Congrats Saints! I wonder will Kim get her ring now?

Game On

2010-02-05T00:01:00.001-05:00

So I hear there's some big game happening this weekend. A Superbowl or something? Now I'll admit, I have never been a football fan. I'm sorry, there I've said it. And since The J-E-T-S didn't make it I really don't have any stake in the game. Now the DH will surely be watching and cheering,loudly. And I think he'll be going for The Saints. Who Dat!
Should I have my fingers crossed for a win so Kim can get a ring? So sad. Give the girl a ring Reggie win or not!

If anything I'll only be watching for the commercials if at all. In a preview I came across this too funny one that finaled in a Doritos contest. Now I know it may promote bad behavior in kids but it cracked me up. You can vote on it here.

Now as per the DH's request I've got some Chili to make.

Best,
Kwana

Everything's Better With Bacon

2010-02-04T00:01:00.003-05:00

What's Jack up to? Jack's doing good, hanging, doing his usual Jack thing full of vim and vigor that is until about 9:00 when his sleepy kicks in. Then all bets are off and nobody better mess with him when he's trying to get his sleep on. Zzzzzzzz.....

So, I'm sure many of you have heard the saying, "everything taste better with bacon." Well, one of my knitting buddies, T went and proved it yesterday when she brought this for the group to sample. that's right bacon flavored chocolate. To it's credit she didn't tell us the secret ingredient and the bacon wasn't overpowering so we were all guessing for quite a while. I got very close when I said something smoked. It combined sweet and salty perfectly. Have you ever?

Sadly, I have. You should have seen the faces when I fessed up to having potato chips with my chocolate ice cream. Yum.

Tell me what odd treats do you like to have on the sly?

If you'd like to try the bacon flavored chocolate you can get it from Vosges here.

Best,
Kwana

A Dog's Life-Wordless Wednesday

2010-02-03T00:01:00.005-05:00

Let's all take a lesson from Jack today shall we and schedule a little chill time today. It does a mind and body good.
Happy Wednesday! For more Wordless Wednesday posts go to 5 Minutes for Mom.

Best,
Kwana

Surrender

2010-02-02T00:01:00.003-05:00

Surrender : transitive verb 1 a : to yield to the power, control, or possession of another upon compulsion or demand b : to give up completely or agree to forgo especially in favor of another

2 a : to give (oneself) up into the power of another especially as a prisoner b : to give (oneself) over to something (as an influence)

Some days you just want to throw your hands up and not in a joyful way, but in a way of frustration, in an act of defeat. The day can be going along smoothly and all it takes is one thing, a rock in the road to trip you up and take you off course, causing you to take your eyes off the horizon and your ultimate joy and you want to surrender. To give up, to say fine I’m done, have at it world, take all I’ve got.

But then you realize that there are some things you can’t do that with. Some instances where you can’t surrender or your stubborn mother’s heart just won’t let you. Because when it comes to your children is there really ever any surrender? Not as long as there is hope, love, fight and breath.

So you grit your teeth and hang in for the fight. Throwing up your hands and clinching them into fists at the rest of the world if you have to because the only act of Surrender when it comes to your children, in your heart and mind, is the Surrendering to the will of God. Nothing less will do.

Best,
Kwana

3rd Times a Charm?

2010-02-01T00:01:00.002-05:00

So... I just couldn't leave well enough alone. Thanks so much for all your comment on my post with the pic of me in my new glasses here. After that post and halfway through your kind comments on how nice I looked, I promptly got my butt in gear and made my way to yet another eyeglass store in the handy chain that has the fab 30 day no questions asked guarantee. Sigh.

When I went into the new store I told the employees my story about just feeling blah about my new glasses and asked their opinion. They agreed the glasses were a tad too big for my face and that I should be happy with them so I spent a good hour there mulling over frames until I found these that are very close to my pair that broke and I loved. And one hour after that I had my 3rd pair of new glasses.

Let's hope 3rd times the charm. I sure think so! Lesson here? It really doesn't matter what anyone else thinks about how you look. It's how you feel about how you look that counts.

Or maybe what Frieda Kahlo thinks. She looks happy to me.

Best,

Kwana

An Interview, A Giveaway and a Scandal

2010-01-30T14:40:00.005-05:00

Oh fun! Today my interview with Amanda McCabe is up over at the Risky Regencies blog to launch her new book Countess of Scandal as Laurel McKee. She's giving away a copy of her book to a lucky commenter so please stop on by and check out the interview here.

And it just so happens that my review of Countess of Scandal is up on Booksquawk so later you can stop on by there and check that out. You'll see I really enjoyed all the scandal. It was a great read.

Once again. Happy Saturday!

Best,

Kwana

West End Girls

2010-01-30T07:21:00.001-05:00

A Little Saturday Music for You. Enjoy.

Best,
Kwana

Chill Baby

2010-01-29T00:01:00.001-05:00

What's Jack up to? He's still doing the trash sneak thing and it is starting to get on my last nerves. I refuse to get another trash can or put him back in the basement. So Jack is going to just have to learn. Too bad he's trying to learn me. Humph!

So I realized I never posted a pic of myself in my new glasses. I think it's because I'm not entirely happy with them. They are so big. It took a ton of pictures just to get this semi good one. Now I'd I hate to go to to eyeglass store yet again, but whatever. Who knows? I will try and live by the card that PVE gave me here and Keep Calm and Carry On.

I hope you have a calm weekend planned. Me? Not so much. Vrooom!!!

Best,

Kwana

Visualization

2010-01-28T00:01:00.002-05:00

For a while now I’ve been visualizing a revamp of my bedroom. One that includes a bit of paint and a little writing space for me and maybe the dreamy possibility of some shelves for some of my many book and piles. Now I’m not sure how I’ll get that to fit in my small space but I have some ideas.

You see I’ve tried writing in other spaces in my house but my bedroom is my sanctuary and I’m my most creative in there (Stop your thinking right there. This blog is family friendly, well, most days)

So here are a few pics that I have been dreaming on.

Speaking of pretty spaces there is a cool competition going on at Apartment Therapy called the Big Window Challenge and blogger and decornista, Eddie Ross is entered. Today is the last day to cast your vote. You can go here and check out Eddie and the rest of the competition. That gorgeous bag on the chair alone deserves a nod don't ya think?

http://bigwindowchallenge.apartmenttherapy.com/

Have fun and what projects are you visualizing today?

Best,
Kwana

Going Gaga for Fashion

2010-01-27T00:01:00.001-05:00

What’s Jack up to? Jack has been sneaky lately with getting into the trash on the DL and stealing my laundry, annoying things like that to let me know Jack’s in the house and be on the lookout.

Ms. That’s Not My Age (you can check out her cool blog here) asked me to talk about Lady Gaga's costumes a bit and I’m more than happy to. Her costumes were super fab. As you can imagine they were over the top and in pure Gaga style. Some swallowed her tiny body whole others barely covered her up and I’m speaking about a fiery red bikini that she danced like mad around on the stage in. A particular fave of mine was a gold number that took me back to a movie a loved Flash Gordon, but once again I’m dating myself. I really need to stop doing that.

All the wild fashions were not on the stage either. I wish I had taken pics of the crowd. There was a guy with a jacket made of lights that I was so glad I wasn’t seated behind. Also quite a few women my age (and size) in unitards (not pretty at all) and the coolest and coldest duo were two guys in loincloths and boots and that was it all except the blue body paint ala Avatar. Very fun.

Best,

Kwana

most photos thanks to Socilaite Life

Oops

2010-01-26T00:01:00.000-05:00

So this story is like my worst nightmare since it's so Kwana like. I think I may have said here before that in my fashion days one of my nicknames was "Grace" since I'm such a klutz. Constantly tripping over my own feet and getting all sorts of snickers from the more gracefully inclined fashionistas. I can't tell you how many times my DH has chuckled at my stubbing a toe and gotten his head bitten off for it in the middle of the night. "Hey, who moved that bed?!" "Uh, nobody it's been there for years." "Oh, well, shut it!"

Well, when I heard the story about the poor woman who tripped and fell into this Picasso at the Met tearing it my heart just broke for her. There but for the grace of God go me and all that. Read more about it here.

Best,
Kwana

Playing My Position

2010-01-25T00:01:00.004-05:00

What's Jack up to? Jack's doing just fine. Getting into bits of trouble here and there but that's just Jack so what's more to say? Happy Monday!

I made it through the Gaga weekend. Though by DD and her friends did lots of fretting over what they were going to wear I decided to play my position and go as, well, me The 40 Year Old Mother in jeans, an olive draped sweater, and my comfy Uggs. Yes, I said it Uggs. Ga-Ga indeed. But my feet didn't hurt. Lordy I am getting old.

But, I've had my days of dress-up and fun way back in the day. Saturday night I was just there to fade in the background and keep and eye on things, make sure the girls weren't snatched up or anything.

Of course I enjoyed the show while I was trying to fade. I did my share of head bobbing and danced a bit when I could sneaked it in without a dirty look sent my way. I particularly liked the opening act, a glam rock band called Semi Precious Weapons that my DD told me I was too old to like as much as I did. Sigh. Whatever. (insert eye roll here)

Here was my tweet on the subject. I was having fun but am afraid the girls were corrupted:

Lead singer just stripped and changed on stage I'm afraid girls are changed forever same as me with Prince the first time. 6:47 PM Jan 23rd from web

Lady Gaga put in a great show. I have to say I liked her before but really like her even more now. She has so much talent and energy and knows how to use it to her advantage. Am I a little monster? Maybe.

All in all a good time, though I could have done without the drinks being thrown down from me from overhead. I'm wayyyy to old for that crap.

Here is a little Semi Precious Weapons for you if you can deal. ***Warning explicit lyrics.*** Not for the faint of heart. Have fun.

Best,
Kwana

Bad Romance

2010-01-23T11:52:00.003-05:00

Here's a hint at my planned evening tonight with some 16 year olds. Wish me luck.

Best,
Kwana

Friday Musings

2010-01-22T00:01:00.003-05:00

I can’t believe it’s Friday already. ALREADY!! Yeesh. Slow it down there Nelly!

Oh well. The week has flown and I feel I’ve gotten much of nothing done but have been so busy. Yeah, I’m sure there were a few things thrown in here and there, but for the life of me I can’t place them.

Just for fun I’ll share a pic of the Dear Twins birthday cake from their party last week. I decided to embarrass them once more and use the blog pics on their cake. I think it came out so cute and it was delish too. I still can't believe I have 16 year olds but all the teen drama tells me it is so. Sigh.

In other ramblings... are you watching Project Runway? I am but have the hardest time remembering it’s on Lifetime now. It’s so hard to break a habit. Hey, don’t my hips know it?
I thought Amy, Jay and Anthony rocked it this week and to me Amy made that burlap beautiful.

Best,
Kwana

Before and After

2010-01-21T00:01:00.003-05:00

What's Jack up to? He's looking like a new dog after his much needed haircut this weekend and I'd swear he has some extra pep in his step. It must be from lugging all that shaggy hair weight.

It was totally my own fault

And seeing how good he looks now I'm just ashamed (Kwana hangs head...until next time).

Sorry Jackster.
Have you ever just let things (like your poor pet or gasp, your own hair) go?

Best,
Kwana

A Long and Bumpy Road

2010-01-20T06:00:00.001-05:00

Today is Knit Wednesday when I get to meet with my knitting group and kick back, laugh, joke, eat and knit a bit so I thought I'd share pics of the turtleneck that I FINALLY finished a little over a week ago. It only took me about a year to get this thing done and you can't really call it a turtleneck since I ran out of yarn before I could properly finish the neck.

Oh well... done is done and I am D.O.N.E.

It looks quite handmade and a bit wonky as anything I seem to finish does, but no matter I'm flowing with it.

Oh and please ignore my lumps and bumps too. Blame it on the yarn. Okay? Hmm..Thanks.

My next project is an attempt at an infinity scarf I won't be trying another sweater for a long while. I just hope this doesn't take an infinity to finish.

Best,

Kwana

P.S. old glasses in the pic. Waaa I miss them.

Framed

2010-01-19T00:01:00.001-05:00

What's Jack up to? Jack is feeling quite spry since he's sporting a new and very badly needed haircut which he got for the Dear Twins birthday celebration. Of course he was the main greeter and the life of the party, trying his best to get at snacks and cake. I'll have a pic to show you soon.

So I had to get new glasses. Mine just up a broke on me while I was doing nothing but chopping onions. Must have been chopping too hard, who knows because suddenly the handle was just off and could not be repaired so I had to up and get a new pair. Ugh and I loved those glasses.

Now I'm a huge glasses wearer. I have contacts, but never really feel comfortable with them since I've worn classes since about 3rd grade so I feel they are a part of me.

I drag the DH shopping with me and quickly settle on 3 pair although I'm not quite certain and wish I had maybe 100 more to choose from. My glasses are ready in about an hour and I go home. That evening it's another family celebration out and folks say my new glasses look nice but I'm not convinced. I feel like Henry Kissinger in them. They were lovely D&G frames, black, but I think too masculine for me. I felt I needed to be solving a serious missile crises in those glasses and not hanging on my blog talking to you all. I know, weirdo!

So after bugging my DH till about 2am (he growls) I was back at the eyeglass store the next day to exchange them. Thank goodness for 30 day returns. I got a pair that was very similar but tortoise, Ralph Lauren. The only problem is the orange horse on the side, but I'll get over it I'm sure (I love orange). At least that's what my husband hopes so he can get some sleep.

Best,

Kwana

pics thanks to Daily Candy- glasses from NYC's Fabulous Fanny's

Still Climbing

2010-01-18T00:01:00.002-05:00

Happy Monday and Happy Martin Luther King Jr. day! Dr. King's actual birthday is January 15th which is my Dear Twins birthday and I always felt such a sense of pride with them having that birthday.

This is such an important and hard fought holiday. For all of us the significance can't be forgotten. On the way to church yesterday while listening to the radio with my son we heard Reverend Al Sharpton say we have to make sure this is a Holiday and not a Hollow day and that makes sense. Kids have to know all that has happened to make this day happen in our country.

I also want to send positive thoughts to my own Pastor and many United Black clergy members as they travel with Rev Al to Haiti to help with relief. It is so wonderful how so many good people from all over the world have come together to help during this awful and devastating time.

Yes, there are those twisted few that are not true Christians (though they claim to be) or those that have dark hearts that want to twist this tragedy for their own media fame, but don't that that outweigh all those who truly care. There are so many from all walks of life, color and religions. And these people should be applauded. Thanks.

Best,
Kwana

Sweet 16

2010-01-15T00:01:00.002-05:00

While I was sleeping you grew up, seemingly overnight

While I was blinking you grew older and time just passed me by

I don’t know how this happened that 16 years has passed

It really can’t be true

But the calendar says so, thou my heart it fights and says no
I have to give in and face the truth

Happy Birthday my Dear Babies, I will hold on to that right

To call you my Dear Babies with all of my might

You will always be my Dear Babies

Whether you are 16 or 60

Because you are the dearest things in the word forever and always to me

Love,
Mom

This Woman's Work

2010-01-14T00:01:00.001-05:00

This gorgeous painting from French painter Martin Drolling in 1815 reminds me of all the work I need to do around the house today. What about you? What's on your agenda today?

Best,
Kwana

What Cha Reading? January edition...

2010-01-13T00:01:00.003-05:00

What's Jack up to? Jack us up to his old tricks. He got into the DS's gym bag yesterday and had his way with a granola bar leaving only the wrapping on the couch as evidence.

So What Cha Reading? We are having the hardest time with a book club selection for our mom's night out/ book/ drinks group. We did choose The Lucuna by Barbara Kingsolver but it didn't stick so then a few choices were handed out as to another pic, one being Elizabeth Gilbert's newest Committed which I still want to read since I loved Eat, Pray, Love. Now I know this may not live up to the original but still I'm going in. It also didn't stick with the all members so I'm afriad the Book/drinking/mom's night out group might lose the book part because I am not ready to lose the other parts.

Mom needs a night out!

Either way, right now I'm reading Countess of Scandal by Laurel McKee. I just got a change to get into it during the DD's dance class but so far it's a win!

Here is the blurb:

Eliza Blacknall and Will Denton were childhood sweethearts, growing up on neighboring estates in beautiful County Kildare. But adulthood finds them on opposite sides of the monumental and violent struggle of 1798, as Eliza supports the United Irish in their quest for independence, and Will is a major in the British Army, sworn to uphold the Crown. The passion for each other burns hotter than ever—but can it survive as their world crumbles around them?

Check out Laurel's site here.

So what are you reading?

Best,
Kwana

Feeling Better

2010-01-12T00:01:00.001-05:00

Let me start off by saying my DH is all sorts of The Man! You can just put a picture of me on the end of these ecstatic folks.

My laptop is fixed and I didn't lose a thing. Whew. I can breathe easier. The only problem I have now is some old (annoying) sticky keys which are now stickier. So The DH thinks I may soon have to send it out for keyboard replacement. Ack! More time without my DLT (dear laptop).

But for now I'm feeling more like myself today with my trusty companion. Thanks for all your good thoughts yesterday.

Best,
Kwana

Ahh Choo!

2010-01-11T07:00:00.005-05:00

Happy Monday peeps. I hope you all had a good weekend. Mine was going along swimmingly, that is until I caught a virus.

No, not that kind of virus.

This kind of virus:

And I'm still not cured. I'm typing is on the old computer in my f-f-frezing basement. The DH spent Saturday night and the better part of Sunday trying to fix my laptop with no success while I was alternating between praying,biting my nails, nagging him, rocking and chanting. He plans to come home from work with other tactics to try but is afraid that he may have to wipe out everything I have in order to clear things up. *sob*

This writer chick is not a happy camper. I feel like I'm missing my right arm.
I hope you're doing better than me today.

Best,
Kwana

Booksquawking

2010-01-09T13:34:00.004-05:00

Happy Saturday! Please stop over at Booksquawk here and check out my review of The White Queen by Philippa Gregory. And while you're at it leave a comment and become a follower. Lots of great reviews over there by cool writers! Thanks.

Best,
Kwana

Warm Me Up

2010-01-08T00:12:00.007-05:00

Happy Friday peeps! It's supposed to be another cold one today and snow too. My kids are wishing with all their might for a snow day and I spent the better part of the evening explaining that doing homework was a a safer bet since I'm praying there is no snow day. Ah, the wish/prayer weather counter clash.

Either way I wish I had this coat to warm me up. Doesn't she look wonderful. I hope it's warm where you are. I'm about tired of freezing.

Pic from the Satorialist

And thanks for your sweet comments on the My Space feature yesterday. You all warm me considerably.

Best,
Kwana

UPDATE: 2 hour school snow delay so both win I guess.

My Space- Check It Out

2010-01-07T00:01:00.004-05:00

What's Jack up to? Mr. Jack has been just feeling hot lately. Being snippy and peppy. His most fun this week? Driving me crazy by getting into the trash whenever he can. We have one of those step-on cans that has a slow close lid that doesn't just slam shut so it won't take off a finger or make a ton of noise. Well, Jack is very aware of this and and just lays in wait for a person to throw away some food and then walk away while the lid is still closing so he can make his move. Yeah, Life with Jack is never dull.

So what's up with me? Well, my exciting news is I was featured over at one of my absolute favorite blogs yesterday The Musings of Ondo Lady! I've been a fan of Ronke and her cool British style since I first learned of the blog world and was honored when she interviewed me for one of her My Space pieces. Please stop by here and check it out. Thanks.

Best,

Kwana

Sex vs. Fab

2010-01-06T00:01:00.001-05:00

Of course like so many I’m super excited about Sex In The City 2, but I can’t help but have some of the same trepidation about it that I had when 1 was coming out. Could it possibly live up to the first? Have that same spark and excitement?

And come on are the ladies in Marrakesh?

Can they possibly be as funny as these ladies in Marrakesh? I doubt it. It's a tall order.

What do you think?

Best,
Kwana

A Little Blues

2010-01-05T00:01:00.003-05:00

I had a great time at Lady Jane's last night. It was my first "night out" since my surgery so it was tiring but well worth it to hear my lovely and talented friend Liz Maverick read.

Along with the super Kathryn Smith. So much fun.

One of my favorite CD's to listen to over and over is Aretha Sings the Blues.
Here's a little Tuesday blues to brighten you day.

Oh and I'd like to welcome my lovely and oh so sweet Sister In Law, Audrey aka The Chaser to the blog world. Stop on over and see this phenomenal woman of god over here and give her a surprise hello. Don't forget to tell her I sent ya. Thanks!

Best,
Kwana

Why You Should Always Check Your Face...proof

2010-01-04T00:01:00.001-05:00

I won't go into the long story again you can read it here but this is video proof of why you should always check your face before you leave the house, car or just walk into the hardware store. And this was my New York debut. I got calls from as far as Staten Island and New Jersey. You've been warned. Ugh!!!!

Best,

Kwana

A Fresh Wish for 2010

2010-01-01T00:01:00.003-05:00

Happy 2010! Well, we made it here, now what are we gonna do with it? Gah!

A fresh year, a fresh decade to start all over again. And to say goodbye to the old crap that didn’t come to pass. I for one will fight to let those things go and work to embrace the new dreams of today.

The DD had a fine idea of going back to an old tradition that I had made up and forgotten about after we moved to the new house in the new town a few years ago. When the twins were small we always stayed in on New Year’s Eve and we’d blow up paper bags and make a wish in them and then pop them for the New Year. Don’t know where I got the idea or why I forgot it, but I was very happy that it made an impression in the now teen DD and she wanted to go back to it.
It was a tough 2009 and it felt good to go back to the old family traditions and start the year on a fresh wish.

Cheers to you and wishing all our dreams come true this year.

Best,
Kwana

Goodbye 2009

2009-12-31T00:01:00.002-05:00

What’s Jack up to? Jack is chilling ala Jack style this last day of the 2009. But yesterday he got into a bit of trouble when he ran out of the house and over to the neighbors to bark and him and a friend for daring to just be out and minding their own business. Jack would not come home until the neighbor jogged over to my house and into the front door. Good to see Jack is still being Jack. Feisty huh? Sigh.

So yep, it’s the last day of the year 2009, heck it’s the last day of the freakin’ decade and still I don't have a flying car. What up with that? Unbeweaveable. Now there’s a word to keep in this decade, but you know I’ll be pulling it out again in 2010 along with ‘hot mess’. You know I can’t front. Ha! Now I’m bringing sayings from the 90’s. I’m getting my decades all jacked up. Oh snap! Word.

Oh well, no matter. Either way cheers to you and I’m wishing you ring out this year with love and peace in your heart and welcome in the New with even more to come back to you.

Peace Out 2009. See Ya wouldn’t want to be Ya! And I'm not ashamed to admit I'm so happy to see you go. Lord knows that's the truth. Here's hoping for a better 2010.

Best,
Kwana

Red Lipstick and a Pink Phone

2009-12-30T00:01:00.002-05:00

Thanks so much for all your well wishes on my Good News post. You all are so wonderful. Big props to you!

I’m feeling all 80’s baby today. Young and fresh. And in the 80’s Duran Duran was at the top of my hit list. How much did I want to be a girl in any one of these videos? All red lipstick, pink phones and confidence.

Duran Duran - Hungry Like The Wolf- Watch more Music Videos at Vodpod.

Duran Duran - Rio- Watch more Music Videos at Vodpod.

I hope this last week of 2009 is going well for you. Rock it out!

Best,
Kwana

Good News- Update

2009-12-28T16:50:00.006-05:00

Hello all! I could not wait to share the good news that I got today from my doctor. No Cancer! Horray! And Thank God!

My surgery went well and I'm healing ok. Still sore and watching not to bump into things. No big hugs from me... yet, but they will be coming soon. I will have to continue to check things out with Mammos every six months but that is just part of life.

Life. Yes! Time to get on with that. What a difference a minute makes. Wow.

I wanted to give you all a thanks from the bottom, top, oh just every part of my heart for all of your encouraging words, prayers and positive thoughts... I feel a Happy New Year coming on!

With Much Love,

Kwana

Harlem Holidays

2009-12-28T00:01:00.005-05:00

What’s Jack up to? Jack is doing great and recuperating from the excitement of Christmas. He had so much fun with family dropping in and by being totally spoiled by having Nana over with him for a few days so he was sad to see her go back home. I know, Jack me too.

Thanks to all of you for your 2 year blogiversary well wishes. Who knew I could blab so much? Thanks again for sticking with me.

A few of you were sweet enough to ask about Nana and she sends her holiday best wishes to you! I made sure to head to her place and take a few pictures to share this year’s Harlem Holiday Hallways with you. Here are Nana and my Aunt Cynthia saying Merry Christmas.

Cynthia along with other neighbors are the masters behind the WOW hallways. Can you believe they actually had lights this year? And the wrapping paper on each door is too funny, but I love it. A present in each apartment.

And they say neighbors don’t get together anymore. I think they do. All it takes is a little community care and friendly cooperation. Hmm…I wonder if the government is listening?

Best,
Kwana

My Blogiversary and I missed it... Blah

2009-12-26T00:01:00.003-05:00

Wow in the midst of all the holiday hoopla and my own recuperating I missed my own 2 year blog anniversary which was December 23rd. So better late than never I'm saying Happy Blogiversary to me!

Thank you all so much for sticking with me these past 2 years. I'm so grateful that words really can't explain it. Your kindness, support and blog friendships have meant so much to me as I continue my road to publication.

Jack, the spoiled dog that he is, would also like to thank you for all the kind words even when he's being just awful. You all truly are special to us.

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday and I wish you all the best in 2010. I'm hoping for good health, joy, love, peace and prosperity for all of us.

Words will be light on the blog with a few pics or videos until the new year. I will try and post my hot mess snow video. Yikes!

Please feel free to stop by roam a bit and comment. You know I love to hear from you. But please also enjoy this time with family and friends and do a little relaxing yourself.

Thanks so much.

All the best,

Kwana

P.S. The above pic of Jack from the very first post here.

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-25T00:01:00.002-05:00

The Yule Log will be burning in the virtual fireplace today and spirits will be high. Wishing a wonderful Christmas day to you and yours from Me, The DH, The Dear Twins and Jack.

And once more for the road...

Much love,

Kwana

All I Want...

2009-12-24T00:01:00.000-05:00

It's the day before Christmas and I hope you're all ready and settled. Thanks for all your song comments from my song post. They were so much fun. I'm sharing my favorite Christmas song with you today. Have a wonderful Holiday. I hope it's merry and bright and full of joy.

Much Love,
Kwana

Christmas Commercials

2009-12-23T06:00:00.004-05:00

Well, we're getting into countdown mode for sure with Christmas. I'm about as done as I'm going to be with shopping. Now I'm in rest mode. How about you?
Today I thought I'd share what I thought were good commercials for this holiday season.

This Target ad makes some people cringe but it also makes me laugh and grabs my attention. So that works.

I also loved this Hallmark ad from the start. What a heart tugger. I wonder how many grandparents ran to Hallmark after seeing it.

What ads are getting to you this season? Do you even pay attention? Maybe I'm watching to much TV. I'm sure that's it. Ah well...

Best,
Kwana

For the Love- Thank You

2009-12-22T07:00:00.002-05:00

What’s Jack up to? Well it looks like jack is starting to enjoy the snow. Maybe it’s due to his Old Navy jacket and Cool booties from Ina in Alaska that keep his paws warm. Quite sporty.

Thank you all so much for the love and support yesterday. I’m sore (Freakin’ Ouch!!) from my surgery but trying to be positive. The biopsies went well but I won’t have any results until after Christmas so I’m going to focus on healing and trying to have a low stress and full of love holiday with the DH, DS, DD and the rest of the fam. That is the most important thing. That and being thankful to God for each day.

Speaking of thankful, I can’t thank my caregivers at the Women’s Imaging Center, Ann Marie and the gang and my fab surgeon (another mom on twins) and at the staff at the hospital yesterday enough. Even when they were doing the most awful things with needles in terrible place they were doing it with such gentle care and love that I’m so grateful. These are truly special people and should be applauded.

Thanks to my friends who will not be denied with all their offers of help and support and my knitting circle who will not be stopped. The food is coming along with the love and laughs.

My advice to you all: Get your Mammograms (despite changing guidelines. I’m 40) and do self exams. Take good care of yourself and be your own best advocate.
Thanks again for the love. Sorry for rambling and repeats. Still on high powered pain killers over here.

Much Love,
Kwana

No Soft Focus Here

2009-12-21T00:01:00.001-05:00

Happy Monday folks. I hope the weekend was lovely and the weather, wherever you were, didn’t put too much of a damper on your holiday plans. We had a nice sized snowstorm that got Jack out in the snow (after a while he started to like it) and the family out shoveling and clearing the cars together. The Dear Twins were less than amused, but they were happy when I gave them their 2009 Christmas ornaments to hang on the tree. It’s the little things that bring the smiles back.

Now I pride myself on keeping things real here on KwanaWrites while not giving too much away and not being too much of a downer (if I can at all help it). It’s a fine balance because if I really let loose I’m sure I’d be inundated with comments wondering if I truly am crazy at times.

I’ve been grappling with writing this post for quite a while and for quite a few reasons, one I didn’t want to get too personal and two I wanted to have my children feeling ok with what was happening.

But a lovely post from Mable’s House gave me some of the courage I needed to sharpen the focus and lift the veil (you can tell me in the comments if you get the poster reference).

This year has been a very trying one for me and my family in all sorts of ways that has put my patience, faith and maybe even sanity at times (I do have teens) to the test in oh so many ways.

This photo was taken in the office of the third breast procedure that I’ve had in the past five months. I love the messages of optimism and hope of them.

Now the happy news is all my biopsies so far have come back benign and I’m thrilled about that, but today I’m having surgery to hopefully get a definitive answer.

So I’m asking all of you, my lovely and cherished friends, for your prayers and positive energy. It’s been a long road with this weighing on my mind and heart but I hope to start 2010 in a better mindset with this problem off my shoulders and ready to be a strong and healthy, mom, wife, friend, writer. Me.
Thanks in advance.

"The LORD is my light and my salvation- whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life- of whom shall I be afraid?"Psalm 27:1

"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear ... "1 John 4:18

Much Love,
Kwana

P.S.
And Wow! According to the counter this is my 700th post. 7 the number of completion. Now that is saying something isn’t it?

Always Check Your Face

2009-12-20T00:15:00.003-05:00

What’s Jack up to? Jack is now Jack the reluctant snow dog. This weekend we had our first big storm of the season and Jack being the dog that really enjoys his comfort now has to be bribed off the porch to go out for his walks. As if it's fun for me.

You would have thought it was the end of the world to hear it from the newscasters and to see the lines and carts at the grocery stores. Really people the roads would be clear in a day. But the worst was when I went into our local hardware store to buy some ice melt and walked smack dab into a TV interview on the storm. Quick- camera turns to me looking a hot mess and the reporter asking me what I thought about the upcoming storm. Gah!

I answer the questions like a big old ding (not so good on the fly) then I return to the car and my waiting husband to yell and him for not going into the store instead of me. After my rant I ask, how do I look? I already know it’s not good. I have on no face makeup except mascara and hair is a mess under my Yankee cap. He gives me a long look and says fine... except for the lipstick on my teeth. Gah again!!

Cut to 5:00 where I make my tri-state New York debut looking worse than Baby Jane.

Lesson here: Always check your face before leaving the car/house. You never know when a mean newsman will shove a camera in your face and not even tell you that you have gunk on your teeth. I mean a heads up would have been nice. Seriously.

Best,
Kwana

Happy Holidays from Us

2009-12-18T00:01:00.001-05:00

Well, there is one week left till Christmas. I have most of my cards sent out but of course I run out of stamps just two shy. Oh well, it's back to the post office for me.

Speaking of cards. Here is a ridonkulously sick holiday card from Me and Jack to all of you thanks to JibJab and Elf yourself. Sorry I couldn't resist. I think I have officially gone over bend.

Much love through this holiday season.
Kwana

Font It Out

2009-12-17T00:01:00.000-05:00

I was over at The Rejectionist and came across this.
There is so much coolness going on here that I can't begin to talk about it. Is it just me?
Nah. It's way cool.

Best,
Kwana

Oh Christmas Tree- 09

2009-12-16T00:02:00.002-05:00

What's Jack up to? Poor Jack has been a little tippy on his toes? He walks for a bit and then starts to hop. I'm afraid he has a cut on his paw. So we're tending to that. Ouch. Any advice for me on that? How to help the pain also how to get him to stop biting and licking at it? And check him out. Boy does he need a haircut.

First off thanks to all the new people who stopped by yesterday for the PW talk. It was quite a day for me for blog hits and much appreciated.

As promised here are picture so of this year's tree which is pretty much last year's tree since it came out of the box from the basement. Thank you Martha.

As you can see I have lots of ornaments that I add to every year. I still have to pick up this years ornament for the kids. Must get on that. at the rat I'm going they'll be hanging it on Christmas eve. Oh will it'll still count.

Something corny that I do and I just can't stop (superstition maybe?) is I always have an ornament for the hubby and me. Sometimes it's a store bought one and when times are a bit leaner or time gets away from me I just wing it. As long as it says we're still hanging together for another Christmas. You see we were engaged on Christmas eve. But that's a blog post for another day. *wink*

What are some of your traditions?

Best,
Kwana

You Picking On Me?

2009-12-15T00:01:00.004-05:00

So I’m sitting in my car and waiting for the DD to get out of dance and I'm wondering what to blog about for today. Should I go with pictures of my Christmas tree? Yeah, that would be nice. Besides, I have been doing a decent job with posting nice sweet posts lately. I’m proud of myself especially with so much to be annoyed about with Tiger and all his tigresses on the prowl and all.

Image from here.

And then there was suddenly talk on the radio about Ashley Dupre getting her own advice column in the New York Post. You know Ashley? The hooker from the Governor Spitzer scandal. Now, I’m not normally one to knock anyone's hustle, but please. There are folks laid off all over the place and I need a paying job bad (preferably one where I write, but reading would be good too) and she gets an advice column? Dang. Makes it hard to write about that Christmas tree.

Now so sorry for the bad transition but then I go decided to check twitter. Darn you tweets! There’s all this talk about this controversial PW cover. Hmm... At first I thought I hadn’t read the article. But guess what, I did. I just didn’t know it since they didn’t correlate. The article talked about the economy and the upcoming downward trends in publishing. Ok, sad, but tame.

The cover is a 1999 art piece by Lauren Kelly from the book Posing Beauty on the representation of African American beauty from 1890’s to the present. Which on its own looks like a pretty good book. But this for a PW cover on African American literature I think is a huge fail. You can read the senior news editor’s response over here at Galley Cat.

As I said in a blog comment, this just further widens the already segregated shelves. It's a shame. As a Black writer writing multi-cultural romance and finding it so hard to break in and find a spot on the shelves this is upsetting. And I know some will say just lighten up, but no. Sorry.

An earlier agent that I had and later broke up with didn’t get my writing. He wanted me to make it more of what he considered urban. Spice up the language to I don’t know what, but I do know it was something I wasn’t and couldn’t do. Now I'm not saying this is the only reason I'm not published yet but it may be part of it. This not fitting into a preconceived box. Why do we have to fit these boxes?

All I wanted and all I can do is write what I feel and write what I live, which is a multi-cultural life. I’m a Black woman from New York now living as a sort of suburban failed housewife in a not at all black town just outside of New York.

I write books where the Black Women have White and Black friends or Asian or Hispanic friends because that’s just who she is. That is also me. And I’m starting to feel like I may never find a publishing home.

One of the best compliments that I ever got was from a good friend of mine and chic knitting buddy. Me: Black woman from Harlem. Her: Jewish woman from the Bronx. I had her read sample pages from a detective story idea that I have working on. I pitched it Lethal Weapon meets Thelma and Louise. There are two main characters one is Black and the other is White. Well, I was so thrilled when my friend told me that, one it was funny and sexy, but what she liked the best was that I just write real women and it didn’t matter what color they were because I showed real situations that all women could relate to.

That’s the problem I have with this cover. It somehow makes African-American writers different. Very different. Foreign even and therefore not the norm. It reinforces a stereotype that we need to drop. As art it’s beautiful, but as a message to the industry I think it says give these books their own section in the bookstore, if you buy them at all and pray a select few will wander over. I say it sets up failure.

If you look at my post below from yesterday you’ll see that I put two pretty hot guys up for my romance obsession, Denzel and Richard Armitage. Hot is hot. It really doesn’t have a color to most Black or White women for that matter and not so hot is, well, not. That’s just how it is.

It’s time to work on bridging this divide. Mixing up the shelves and just focusing on good books.

Oh and Christmas tree pics to come soon:-)

Best,
Kwana

Joy

2009-12-14T09:49:00.001-05:00

Thanks to the lovely Chocolate Covered Daydreams I found a blog that is new to me called Barking Mad! And Audrey is having a wonderful Target gift card giveaway. All you have to do is write a post about what brings you joy. You can visit Audrey here. But act fast. The post is due today.

So what brings me joy? Hmm … you’d think this would be easy to write but not so much since my mind is currently filled with clutter of what I need to do and have to get or need to get me through the day/month and into next year. You see Joy is something I constantly strive for, not something I see myself as always having. But if I think about it, I know that I do have it. Deep down on the inside and I just need to keep tapping into it and not let all the clutter of my world hold it down.

That said there is lots of Joy from the outside too. Things like: sincere smiles from friends and even strangers, looks of love from those you love, a good laugh that always brings joy, unexpected kindness from strangers. That always fills my heart.

Joy is when my family is all home safe and sound and snugged in their beds. Or maybe that is a bit of Peace of mind?

I have found much joy in the generosity and spirit of the blogging community.
And in the care of my writing friends and friends who have supported me as I continue my long quest to publication. Thanks PIC and Lovely Crit Partners, Jen and Jeanine!
There is also Joy in laughing with my knitting group. I love it when we all crack up over something and the needles have to stop.

Oh and I also find much joy in a good period movie or a great romance with an alpha hero and a strong heroine. That gives me lots of joy.

Best,

Kwana

P.S. Even if you don't have time to enter the giveaway. Please comment here on what bring you Joy and get some joy in thinking about it. Or write your own post and please let me know so I can stop on by. That would bring me Joy.

P.P.S. scroll down to see my Giveaway winner and to hear about my Bleak weekend.

Bleak Weekend

2009-12-14T07:18:00.001-05:00

What's Jack up to? Jack had been a funny one doing a few things that are out of the norm for him. Like in the picture here of him of sitting in front of the fire (yes, I know I need to paint, um, will get to it in the Spring).

For some reason he really enjoyed the fireplace this weekend with me as I spent lost of time in front if it watching BBC's version of Bleak House.

It was the perfect thing to watch in front of the fire and used up so much wood. Have you seen it? I totally enjoyed it. Bleak but not as bleak as I thought. Quite funny actually in parts.

Besides that, the usual running wild, finally getting the tree decorated and bowling a 132 (my new high). That was my weekend.

Thanks to all my new followers and to those who entered my PVE giveaway.

The winner thanks to random number generator is: Deidra from Jumping Tandem!

Congrats Deidra. And if your have not been to Deidra's blog please stop by. It's the perfect place for a little peace during this holiday season.

Deidra please send me an email with your info so I can get your prize out to you.

I hope the holidays are running smoothly so far for all of you.

Best,

Kwana

Right as Rain

2009-12-12T00:01:00.000-05:00

The PIC sent me the Adele album as a gift now such a long time ago and I still listen to it so often and lately I've been singing this song to myself all the time. Thought I'd share it with you today. I hope your weekend is Right as Rain.

Best,
Kwana

P.S. There is still time to enter my holiday giveaway here until Sunday at midnight. Don't miss out.

Letter to My Younger Self

2009-12-11T00:01:00.004-05:00

The dear Chocolate Covered Daydreams has put up a challenge on her blog here to go with a pretty great giveaway. The challenge is to write a letter to your younger self. In it she asks what would you say, would you be serious or funny? Tough call. There is so much I’d want to say to myself and so much that I’m still in the process of learning but here goes:

Dear Young Kwana,

Relax, it’s not all that bad. Stand tall and when you smile mean it, when you laugh mean it and when you cry mean that too. Slow down and take your time because time is all you have. Realize now how precious it is and please don’t waste so much of it worrying. Trust yourself and have faith that you will make it through. Always.
Oh and you are really beautiful. Did you know that?

Don’t dream it, be it.

Love,
Kwana

P.S. don't forget to scroll down and enter my PVE giveaway. Thanks.

Holiday Giveaway!

2009-12-10T06:00:00.003-05:00

What's Jack up to? As I write this Jack is hanging in his spot under the bed with the latest toy that he's chewed to bits. Lately I've been finding stuffing in the oddest places. Oh well, that's my Jack.

The holidays are here, really they are! And really I am still so not prepared. This is seriously turning into a thing with me this year. Way to cut it close, Kwana. Sigh.

Ah well, I'm not going to let my lack of planning or get up and go ruin holiday cheer on this here blog so I'm having a Holiday Giveaway. Yay!!!

This giveaway is featuring a beautiful notebook/sketchbook from one of my favorite artists, my good friend, Patricia of PVE Design.

notebook titled: Life's a Beach

Many of you are fans of Patricia's work from her blog or you may have been lucky enough to have commissioned a work of your very own. I'm lucky to have had her design my above banner which I always get compliments on.

Well Patricia has opened up her own Etsy store where you can get some of her works at really great prices. Perfect timing for for the holidays. Please go and check it out here.

Now for the contest. Help me get a little more in the holiday spirit, gather new readers and fill my iPod while I'm at it.

1. You must be a follower to enter.

2. If you tweet or link to the contest you can submit another entry.

3. With your entry please leave me the title and artist of your favorite holiday song to add to my holiday playlist.

The contest is open until Sunday 12/13 at Midnight.

Easy Peasy!

Best,
Kwana

Weather or Not

2009-12-09T06:00:00.001-05:00

Happy hump day. Over the weekend we had our first bit of snow here in New York and I snapped a few pictures during my walk with Jack that I thought I'd share.

It was just a dusting but we're supposed to get some more bad weather during the day today. I can't complain though it's nothing compared to the odd weather going on in the Midwest. Hang in there guys.

Lovely red, white and brown

Our little stream view

One of my outside tin Christmas trees and my geraniums that are still hanging on.

What's the weather like where you are today?

Calm I hope. Life is stormy enough.

Best,

Kwana

Holiday Romance at Lady Jane's

2009-12-08T06:00:00.001-05:00

It was another wonderful night for romance at Lady Jane's Salon last night. As usual I was happy to get out share some romance book talk with friends over drinks and Madam X is the perfect place to do that.

The holiday celebration was combined with a celebration of Harlequin's 60th anniversary so Lady Jane was happy to welcome lots of folks from both Harlequin's New York and Toronto office. Here they are here accepting a champagne toast on their anniversary. Cheers!

We were fortunate to have a reading from the wonderful Stacy Agdern. Stacy is a Romance fiction reviewer, bookseller, and an author. She read from her lovely Hanukkah novella.

Then the fabulous Hope Tarr read from her newest release Twelve Nights. A December Harlequin Blaze release which is the sequel to her wonderful book Bound to Please.

All in all it was a wonderful night. I'm so grateful to the founders of Lady Jane's: Hope, Maya, Leanna and Ron for always putting together such a wonderful and worthwhile evening.

Check out Lady Jane's site here. And if you're in NY come on by.

Best,

Kwana

Awkward Family Photo

2009-12-07T00:15:00.001-05:00

What’s Jack up to? I really am thinking that Jack thinks that he’s human. This weekend he was a snooty McSnooter with our other neighbor dog Mr. Bean. Giving him the cold shoulder like sweet Arya, but happy to say hello to Mr. Beans pretty owner. Oh well. That’s my snooty dog.

This weekend I braved the family tradition of the corny Sears holiday portrait session. Yep, after last year’s hot mess I put on my big girl mommy panties, gave all sorts of evil eyes, bought matching black tops (yep, I'm that woman. Thought I'd up the torture this year) and took the DH and dear teen twins to Sears once again for the awkward photo session. Here are a few choice lines from the night:

“Do you know how much I hate this?”

“This is the worst”

“I’m so starving.”

“He’s so stupid.”

"Loser."

“You know we’re the oldest ones here.”

“Um, Dad can you sit up straight.”

“Chin down”

“Sorry, you blinked on that one.”

"Brother, sister, um, just a little closer please?”

"Please."

“Hey mom, did you know you have a lot of grey hairs now?”

“Oh crap!”

CLICK!

Photo thanks to Awkward Family Photos.
Check to out here for loads of laughs.

Best,
Kwana

I'm a Believer

2009-12-05T00:13:00.003-05:00

I know it's a corny post title but there it is. Enjoy this musical interlude and then please go and check out my review of Zoe Heller's The believers over a Booksquawk here. Okay? Thanks!

Best,
Kwana

Sweetness

2009-12-04T06:00:00.002-05:00

Happy Friday! I hope you have a sweet weekend lined up.

I have a busy one and I hope with all the running around it will be sweet too. I'm about to kick off the holiday season (and not panic- see below) with my RWA chapter holiday brunch on Saturday. It's always a fun gathering. I wonder if any sweet potatoes will be served with all the literary talk?

Best,
Kwana

Now Can I Panic?

2009-12-03T06:00:00.001-05:00

So I have to come to terms with the fact that is really is December. The idea is cr-a-zy to me. I'm so foggy with the whole Christmas thing this year. Usually by now my tree would be up and the family would have had our yearly Sears portrait torture session. As it stands the tree is not up and I have not even made a Sears appointment and don't know if I will. Sigh.

I'm in a bit of a fog. Perfect time for me to show you this picture in my Now Panic And Freak Out tee shirt because I think it fits the situation. Well, it fits me on just about any given day really. I found it over here at Threadless and fell for it as soon as I saw it.

I've always wanted a Keep Calm and Carry On Sign for the house. Maybe that will be soon. Annechovie has some lovely ones. Go over to her place and check them out here. I'm sorry I missed the sale folks but still check them out. All her work is fantastic.

Best,

Kwana

Dream a little Dream

2009-12-02T06:00:00.000-05:00

What's Jack up to? That Jack was a hot mess yesterday. We had him out for a little walk and he met up with new neighbor Arya (see below) and he wanted no parts of her. I was so embarrassed. Arya was so happy to see Jack ready to sniff and say hi and Jack kept running away. She tried and tried and he was not having it. It was very sad and Arya looked heartbroken. I really shouldn't be surprised. Jack is not even into dogs on tv. Here he is wanting no part of the dog show. I just don't know what to do with my anti-social dog. Humph!

Onto other news which is not really news, but I've still got Nano on my mind. Sorry, if this blog is getting boring. I'll think up something better soon. Maybe crash a party. Ugh! Don't get me started on at hot mess. Makes me so mad.

But, back to NaNo...Getting it completed was such a thrill. Would you like to see how it looked once I uploaded my manuscript? Sure you do, so here goes. I was happy to see this page. Pretty.

And this was my page once I passed the 50,000 word mark. It's wonderful how many others made their goals too and even those who did not still came so far because just trying and getting 10 or 20,000 words done is still so much. Congrats to all the participants!

If you have some dream that is gnawing at you and you think it's beyond your reach, I say give it a go anyway. You never know what you can do until you try. I'm not anywhere near my ultimate dream but I'm so much closer than where I was.

Any challenges pressing on your heart that you think you might want to try? Please share.

Best,

Kwana

New Kid On The Block

2009-12-01T00:01:00.000-05:00

What's Jack up to? Jack's making new friends. Let's hope he plays nice. It's not always easy for Jack ya know.

Meet Arya. Arya is the new girl on the block. She just moved in 2 doors down from us. Isn't she so pretty? She's a German short haired pointer which is a breed I've never heard of so there goes that. She's a lovely deep chocolate color that this picture doesn't begin to do justice.

Lucky Arya now lives with the most wonderful family with a great Mom and Dad and three wonderful children so I know she will be the most spoiled little dog ever.

To top things off today is her owner/mom's Birthday so happy birthday to my dear friend and neighbor Ritz!! I see you didn't learn a thing from me. LOL! Have a wonderful day.

Best,

Kwana

And I'm Done

2009-11-30T00:15:00.002-05:00

What’s Jack up to? Jack is doing well. He’s up and at ‘em and ready for a relaxing week after having a long and wild weekend with the family. At least I hope so. I know I'm ready for a fairly relaxing week so I hope Jack is on board with that.

Well, it’s November 30th the last day for NaNoWrimo 50,000 word challenge and I’m happy to report that I’ve completed it with 54,194 words. I went a little over since I started with a few words in this story. This was my first Nano and it was one of the hardest and most rewarding experiences of my writing life.

Speaking of hardest I had one crazy day on Friday in my post Thanksgiving stupor where I wrote 10,000 words. I would not recommend this for anyone. I think I was sleep writing at one point and had to get up and hop around the house a bit. Splash some water on my face.
In my head I was Rocky and had a little Burgess Meredith pushing me on. Making sure I wouldn’t give up and there were plenty of times I wanted to. At 20,000 and again at 27,000 and again at 35,000 words. But once I got close to 40 I knew there was no turning back.

A life saver, well, NaNo saver for me was Write or Die over at Dr. Wicked’s writing lab. It really forced me to write without thinking and let go of that inner critic. At one point when I was complaining about how hard it was to think up something else to write my son gave me a great reminder when he said, “You don’t write what you think Mom, you write what you feel.” Such wise words.

Now I know that this story will take about 20- 25,000 more words to finish and at least 10,000 of the hot mess I'm-so-tired words will be cut, but hey, I'll be crossing that bridge next month and maybe even next year. Yeah, probably into next year.

Well, that’s it for me and my NaNo journey. I want to thank all of you for your encouraging words. They meant so much and to my RWA/NYC NaNo crew a big thanks too. I’m so glad I joined you for the ride. Oh and all my NaNo tweeting buddies. You rock hard!

Now onto that layer of dust that had been sitting for the past month.

Best,
Kwana

The Day After

2009-11-27T06:00:00.001-05:00

Happy Friday after Thanksgiving. I hope you had a wonderful day and got to spend time with those you love. The DH took the dear twins to the Macy's parade in the morning which was so much fun for them since they have not been since they were babies and it left me with time to get in a few NaNo words before heading for dinner at Nana's.

If you're reading this blog it must mean you're not out in the Black Friday shopping madness today. I sure thought about it. Real Hard. But these images will show why I'm not out today. If you are or did go out. I wish you best of luck with finding great bargains. Me, I'm still hanging with my NaNo writing. Only 4 days to make my deadline. Tick Tock.

Best,

Kwana

Giving Thanks

2009-11-26T00:01:00.001-05:00

From Me and Jack and the whole Gang,

With Love,

Kwana

Feeling Parched

2009-11-25T00:01:00.004-05:00

What's Jack up to? Jack is gearing up for a long holiday weekend filled with family and the dear twins. No more lounging about it's about to be wild up in here.

Me, I'm hoping to get my NaNo writing done in the midst of all the holiday running around. Don't ask me how. It's a mystery. Yikes.

The DD had been dying to show me this nutty YouTube video. Yes, these are the things that occupy the teen's minds nowadays. I have to say I saw it and thought how silly, but still funny and I also thought of one person. So this goes out to you, Kristen. It made me think of your post here.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving tomorrow. Hug all those you love and be thankful for them.
I'm so thankful to all of you for stopping by and hanging with me. Smooches.

Best,
Kwana

P.S. What did you all think of the results of Dancing with the Stars? Did you watch? I was not surprised but also not happy.

Knitting Through

2009-11-24T00:15:00.002-05:00

Howdy! How are you today?

Me. I'm chilling. Thanks for askin'. At least as I'm writing this I am. See I've picked up my knitting again which has been even more stalled than my NaNo writing. I've been working on the same sweater for what feels like forever (knit 1 purl 1, uh, rest) , but finally, I have started the last sleeve. Now there's an odd sentence. I said it like there was 3 or 4 sleeves. Yeah, I know there are only 2, but the first took way too long and the cap took too much thinking. Felt like long division. Ugh.

Alas, I see light at the end of the tunnel. I have started the last sleeve then it's the collar and a sew up. Yay. I'm moving now! This T-neck should be ready for the summer. Woot!

Have a good one.

Best,
Kwana

Sparkle Love

2009-11-23T00:15:00.002-05:00

What's Jack up to? Jack is cool. He had a good Jack weekend. I'd say it wasn't Jacked up at all. Full of food, walks and lots of chilling out. He's a happy dog.

So like every other teenage girl and their sad mom the DD and I saw New Moon this weekend. We sent the poor DH to get tickets for us early, in another town no less, at an obscure theater in hopes that it wouldn’t be too crowded. It was. But all was good anyway after the 25 minute popcorn wait.

The DH went with us. The DS (dear son and other teen twin) wanted no parts of it. I guess he wanted to be able to go back to school and say to his friends he resisted the pull of Edward and Jacob. Little did he know a Twilight screening was the place to be for a tall 16 year old boy, he will live and learn.

I had loads of fun and thought this movie was of much better quality than the first. Maybe because I wasn’t smack up against so much vamp powder make-up all the time. Hey, the wolf pack can hang in the sun all they like.

I thought this was a sullen narcissistic teen girl's dream. Pout, whine, and I still have all the boys giving you attention. What is not there to make this box office gold? The formula was suddenly clear to me.

The best part of the whole night though was my DH’s reaction to all the squealing girls whenever Jacob would come on screen (and don’t let him not have a shirt on). I think I counted no less than 12 “Ohmygods” from the DD and at least the same amount of groaning “Oh H-E double LL’s” from the DH. A crack up.

Good times.

Best,
Kwana