It’s All About Me

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

Sad Clown

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

Little House

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

A Dog's Life-Wordless Wednesday

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

Before and After

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

Feeling Better

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!

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

Now Can I Panic?

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

Ear Worm

What's Jack up to? Poor Jackie boy. Well, Jack's feeling down and that's got me down. See he's gone and gotten himself an ear infection. So he's mopey and a bit whiny. I should have known something was up when he wasn't getting into his usual trouble. I did know there was a big problem when I package showed up on my door and there was no wild barking.

So it's the big ear drop fight for us. Wish me luck. Poos Jack had to understand it's for the best.

A dog really is in a way like having another child. This takes me back to my twin toddler days and dueling ear infections. Wow. And I thought those days were done. I guess never.

Best,

Kwana

Feeling Squirrelly

What's Jack up to? As I write this he's asleep under my bed paying no attention to the Yankees about to win game 2 and tie it up. Go Yankees!!

Today I'm feeling squirrelly. We've been fighting with squirrels for most of the summer getting into our gutters keeping us up at night and now we think we hear them in the attic crawl space which we have never been in. Quite scary.

So we have to have a guy come and venture into spaces where Lord knows what lives. Wish us luck.

Sigh. Never a dull moment around here. Have a Happy Friday!

Best,

Kwana

No Idle Hands

What's Jack up to? Jack never lets things get dull around here. The poor thing has gotten a bit of a rash. I know probably TMI, but there it is. It's all over his belly and even his back and made me itchy so I took him to the vet and come to find out it's doggy acne. WHAT!? Some strange thing they can pick up from who knows where. So it's pills for Jack that he doesn't want but I have to get down him for about 21 days. So, um... there.

As for me today, I'll be trying to get some writing done. So very necessary. A few loads of laundry. Also very necessary. Then there is knitting group today. Not a necessity, but for mental heath, yeah, I think so.

So no Idle Hands for me today.

How about you?

pic from my knitting group last week

Oh and thanks to all who voted for Valorie aka Visual Vamp in the Apartment Therapy contest. She has made it through 2 rounds and is still in. You can vote for her again here to keep her going strong. Thanks!

Best,

Kwana

Me Time

What's Jack up to? Jack's chilling after a fine weekend and being Just Jack. After a pretty dreary Saturday the sun came out on Sunday and Jack out in nice long walk with his buddy Bentley then just chilled and chilled some more. Oh the life.

I had an odd weekend. Not odd really, but odd for me. Got to steal a little time for myself which is so very necessary to my sanity every once in a while.

I found myself alone (well not quite, there were 2 other in need of peace moms there) in the movies. I was doing a little mom therapy and seeing Whip It which I just loved and highly recommend. A total girl power movie with tons of coolness and a rocking soundtrack. It also has the added bonus of being sweet as pie.

Then I ended up on the West Side going to celebrate a friends B-day. Man there are lots of much younger peeps out having loads of fun at all hours. I'd almost forgotten that world. But still I adore NYC at night. It's so in my blood, so home.

How was your weekend? Did you get in any U time?

Best,

Kwana

Yes

What's Jack up to? Right now Jack's chilling on the couch. You know, in his usual spot. Nothing new there. I'm happy for that.

Things are a crazy right now over in Kwana land and I'm feeling the need for a break at the end of this very intense and non-rest filled summer. You know me, I try to keep it real, well as real as I can on a public blog, but in reality there is quite a thick filter on this here blog. Come on, I wouldn't want to scare polite company away with the constant stream in my head.

But as I was saying. I'm feeling the need for a break this week. I'll have a few pics and videos up. Feel free to comment if you like I'll be checking in on the Crackberry, And please enjoy these last days of summer. Share them with those you love.

Right now while every fiber of my being is saying NO, I'm going to do the opposite and say YES. Or at least try really hard. I know there is still so much more that's required of me. I hope today that you too have a spirit of YES in whatever you do.

Best,

Kwana

Pins and Needles

What's Jack up to? Jack is being Jack just amped up a notch with the kids on high level with it being the end of the school year. So he's extra snappy since they are snapping at him. All this is making for a snippy snappy house. Eeeee.

I have to say like Jack I'm a little on pins a needles. Trying to get used to it being the end of the school year and still on worry alert as I wait to see how the school year will end. This has the mind racing with plans for the summer and how that will all wash out. Which then brings me into the Fall. Yep, that's me. Summer hasn't started and I'm already into the Fall.

I really must work on living in the moment but I've never been a particularly good at that. I'm always five steps ahead in my mind with all the scenarios that go with it.

I admire those that don't do this. Those that can turn a problem over in their mind ponder it then let it go even if it's not resolved or can't be. I know there is a secret to peace somewhere in there. But you have to be able to do it authentically and until then... I'll be on pins and needles.

Best,

Kwana

Image:

Madame Bovary: "Emma"John Archibald Austen (British, Kent 1886 - 1948 Kent)Black ink over graphite; sheet: 4 3/8 x 4 3/8 in. (11.1 x 11.1 cm)

Getting Testy

What's Jack up to? Jack's had a fun weekend. A little sun a lot of rain, but he did his best to stay feisty through it all. So very Jack.

This week starts a strange and stressful 2 weeks at my house of testing and finals for my twins. So there is no real set school schedule. The kids will be just going in for their tests and whatever extra test prep that they can be coaxed into and they both can surely use.

I'll be on the edge of my seat hoping they do as well as possible to pull it all out for the end of the year. There will be some days on and some off for them and around it all I'll be on call for, well, whatever. Very stressful for any mom. Time to put on my roller skates and try and not get too testy myself.

What's on tap for your week?

Best,

Kwana

Oh No! It's My Birthday

And it's a big one. 4-0.

I will not go into it graciously or smiling. I'll admit here it's hitting me. Hard. All the what ifs, why nots, coulda woulda shouldas, plus the extra pounds are messing with my mind.

I'm normally a bit melancholy on holidays and birthdays, but put on the brave face and count my blessings. And I'm sure I'll be doing that again on this one. But I'll also be saying under my breath, "oh crap, it's my freakin 40th birthday. Now what?"

If only I could be half as gracious as Eddy from Ab Fab here. When you have time watch and enjoy. No, make some time. You'll thank me.









Tomorrow I'll be coming on strong. Forty Fabulous and all that mess. Right?

Best,
Kwana

Vex Therapy

Yesterday was particularly vexing starting with stress and ending with a migraine. But I refuse to completely buckle under life's woes. Honestly, I don't have that luxury. I mean who really has room for a fainting couch anyway?

So I decided to end the day by popping old faithful, Pride and Prejudice into the DVD player. A little Jane Austen with lovely Colin Firth is always good for the soul.

But check out this wonderful tribute video that out found dedicated to Mr. Collins played so well by David Bamber one of the best characters evah!



How do you deal when things get vexing?

Best,
Kwana

May Day

Happy May Day! The whole idea of it being May 1st already has me dumbstruck. This year is going way too fast for my liking. Wayyy. I’d like to spin that record back and add a month please. Maybe by an extra hour or two a day. But that would only give me, like, 2 1/2 days or an extra long weekend. Hardly time to clean my closets. Unless, I spun it for the whole year? Hmm.... but now we're getting into way too much math for this time of the day and I don't feel like calculating. Oh well.

That said in honor of May Day let's welcome Spring with this pretty shot taken

in front of my DD’s dance school yesterday.

In stark contrast I’m hoping to get a moment with this guy over the weekend. Grrrrr!

What are your plans?

Best,
Kwana

Don't Forget To Look Up

So I'm just leaving Verizon to deal with my Blackberry Storm fail and after being totally aggravated because of having quite a tiff with a very rude manager. I wouldn't be surprised at all if my WANTED poster is not now posted there. Oh well. He wasn't nice and I told him so in my nicest possible way. I also explained that there were other very lovely employees there and maybe they should be managers and not him. I was heated. This will not end here. But back to the story... I get a new phone, my pics are lost, I leave mad as all get out and go rushing to pick up my DD and her friend from her important dance audition (fingers crossed for both of them) and I'm about to stomp into the studio when I look up.


Wow! Sometimes all you have to do is look up to change your mood entirely. This is the start of a good season to do so. Lucky me, I happened to have my camera in my bag and look this pic.



Reminder: Tonight is the premiere of Grey Gardens on HBO. I can't wait to watch. Here's a clip from the orig to remind you. I think Drew Barrymore will and Jessica Lange will do fine jobs playing Little and Big Edie. I can't wait to see.








Enjoy your weekend! Maybe plant a little something in your Grey Garden.


Best,
Kwana

Seriously, Friday?

Oh no, it can't be. This week has gone by in a blur of concrete, pavement and vague glimpses of people I know as I passed them running from one task to another. Last night I did get to have some enjoyment with some friends from around the way to celebrate the DH's birthday. That was nice. And gave me and excuse to get out of the jeans that I think I have been wearing since Monday when I was surprised by the contractors a the crack of dawn ready to work on the stairs. It was that type of week.

Today my DH and I are a bit haggard a lot like this Picasso couple from 1904. Together, but holding each other up. Still in love, but just hanging on to life, so tired.

Whew, barley made it through the week. So much to do and still another busy day to go. I'm hoping we can steal a few relaxing moments in between the chaos of the weekend just to smile and enjoy each other.

Thanks so much for all his birthday wishes he was so touched and had a great birthday. You all helped make it even more special.

What are your plans? I hope it includes some relaxing.

Best,

Kwana