Winter in Paris

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

My Space- Check It Out

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

Oh Jack!

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



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

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


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



Best,
Kwana

Peachy

What's Jack up to? That sneaky little Jack did a diet revolt and swiped my ham and cheese sandwich yesterday when my back was turned. Guess we know how he's feeling about his food restriction.

Hope your Wednesday is just Peachy!

Best,

Kwana

Jack's Easter

What’s Jack up to? Jack is recuperating from his exciting Easter celebrations. What a day he had!

While we were at church I had the foresight to move the plate of chocolates off the kitchen table but left the hard boiled eggs surely they were safe. Not.

We get home a few hours later to terrible eggy smell. Jack had climbed on the table took a couple of eggs and, I kid you not, peeled them, and ate the eggs. He left the peelings on the couch. What is with that dog? I swear to you, one of the eggs he ate was the one I made for him that said “Good Dog” and had his little drawing. Jokes on me!

Then on the way down to Harlem and Nana’s house “she just had to have him over for Easter.” He would not sit on my lap. Whining and crying. Would not stop. I wondered why.

My DH said let him go.

What? Why?
Just let him go.
Whatever.
Look.

Spoiled dog. This is why I can’t do a thing with him.

Note. When he’s with me, he’s much more well behaved (sort of). I do not condone this bad behavior at all.

At Nana's he ate anything and everything. Knocked over suspicious drinks and lapped them up. Did the dog come home drunk off daiquiris? I don't know. Just crazy. Well, Jack had quite a time.

I hope you had a wonderful weekend. I could gripe like crazy about all the mishaps with mine but why? I'll save it for a rainy day. Or not.

Best,

Kwana

Hello Lover 2- Fashion Amendment

What's Jack up to? Jack, the little Devil, has been a such sneak. Yesterday I watched, like in slow motion, as he ever so coolly lifted up on his hind legs and took a piece of chicken right off the edge of the DD's plate and ran with it. I was just far enough away to not be able to catch him and he knew it. Grrr... Jack.

So this is how my mind works. It's the wacky little things that make me crazy. I was looking back on my blog and something about my Hello Lover post was just not right. I screwed up, but how? So I did some research and realized the top image is not a Birkin bag it's a Kelly bag. Of course, I knew. Don't ask me how I messed that up.

See the straight edge flap and the one handle. That's a Kelly. The Lover I'd cheat on my 1st Lover with or the other way around which ever $12,000 bag came first. Yeah right. Delusional much? So just to get it straight...

This is a Kelly:



This is a Birkin:


Both are swoon worthy.

Whew. Glad I got that fixed. Just in case The Hermes people are reading or someone needs a fashion editor on the fly.

Now to my first love, the man I'd marry... Come to Mama!



Boy this recession/depression has me dreaming big time. But I gotta go. Off to Target and Walmart for some reality shopping. Catch you all later.

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=217704&title=clusterf#@k-to-the-poor-house

Daily Show Full Episodes
Important Things With Demetri Martin

Funny Political News
Joke of the Day

Best,
Kwana

This is the day...

What's Jack up to? Oh that Jack, what a stinker. When our backs were turned yesterday and we were out shoveling snow (again) I see him come and peek at us by the door and then disappear. Hmm... he usually hangs and watches. Oh well, I should have known something was up. By the time I got back in the house Jack had gotten into the trash where he had sniffed out the remnants of the kid's birthday cake and had pulled it all out to the floor and was having a ol' time. Ugh!

Today is the day and I could not be happier! What a dream come true. My kids have the day off from school so we will be in Harlem today with Nana having breakfast and watching the inauguration. There will be plenty of cheers and tears.

I still remember the chill I got when I first heard Barack Obama speak at the DNC 4 years ago. I knew then he was something special and I was seeing our first Black president. It’s so good to hear the DH say now that I called it. As a wife I just love that. Here is a little bit from that speech.

And here we are now. Whew. I’m overwhelmed.

My prayers go out to our new president, vice president, their families and the entire administration. To all of you that worked so hard making calls, putting up signs, talking to neighbors and friends or just getting out the vote, thanks so much. No matter what side of the aisle you are on I hope that this is the beginning of better days ahead. We need them. See you tomorrow where we can 'chat' more.

Best,
Kwana

Back to The Future

What's Jack up to? Jack has been such a trouble maker. Sneaking up on the table and eating the DH's pork 'n beans right out of his bowl when the DH's back was turned. Jack you little devil! Ugh!

This post here from my writer/blogger bud YA author, Melissa Walker made me happy. It seems this is a New York Times kind of week, but this article where Melissa was featured for her record collection brought a smile to my face because it took me back to a more innocent time. Check out the full article here.

Vinyl, roller disco, that faint scratchy sound and the love of the hunt how fun.

I love the idea that record sales are actually up in these dark days. I'm so glad the DH still had his albums in the basement. I'm ready to dust them off and am envisioning a party room redo. It's nice to think of lazy Saturday afternoons searching for the perfect album. Something the dear twins have never done. I'm glad the idea is not dead.

What albums would you search for?



Best,
Kwana

PS. Scroll down for TOP CHEF

Anderson Inspired

What's Jack up to? Jack's hibernating under my bed right now and won't come out without the promise of a treat. He so stubborn. Just calling doesn't work. I don't like Blackmail Jack.

Right after saying I wasn't inspired, I got a much needed smile and burst of energy from Anderson Cooper. I'm sure most of you know that I have been just a tad bit into this year's presidential race. The final debate is tonight up against the finale of Project Runway. Can you believe that? What's a girl to do? I'm actually taping PR because I'm even more into politics right now then pop culture. Eek! I must be sick.

But marrying my tv love and politics fix, Anderson Cooper was filling in for Regis on Live with Regis and Kelly yesterday and if I didn't think I could love Mr. Cooper any more he dropped a bomb on me and professed his love of Prince, even going so far as to steal a guitar pick from a hotel room also hanging out with Dave Chapelle and then here's the best... are you ready? He watches the Real Housewives of Atlanta!

Anderson, call me. The DVR is all set up and the Prosecco will be chilled.

Best,

Kwana

The One Sock Moment

What's Jack up to? Jack's been cool today. Thankfully, no running around the block, so no complaints from me. I won't even mention the paper towels he shredded after I swept the kitchen. He's lucky he's so darn cute.



Here's my sock.






Yep, it's just one. That's all I've got. Part of me feels like, hey, at least I've finished this one. Knit it myself and that's a big enough accomplishment. I can always alternate feet. Right one day, left the other. No good? Yeah, you're probably right. The problem is I'm at that one sock moment. You know that point of too far to turn back, but just far enough to want to.



We've all been there I'm sure. You decide you're going to finally tackle organizing your closet. So you pull all the crap out and at about 4 hours into it you look at the tornado that's now your bedroom and realize you still have about 5 hours of work and want to cry. Or maybe your one sock moment goes a little deeper. What if you're 50,000 words into your 100,000 word manuscript and realize the direction is all wrong? Or 2 1/2 years into that 5 year career plan and realize you're at a fork in the road. Or dare I say it? You're at the halfway point of a lifetime of togetherness and just feeling blah.



So what's the next step when you really don't feel like taking the expected step?

Don't look to me for the answer. I'm tired of this sock. Right now I'm going to have a quickie with a hat.



Best,

Kwana

You Call That Reading?

What's Jack up to? The wild one did the run out the door and down the block trick yesterday. After much calling my DH finally lured him back by opening the car door and getting him to run in. Sucker.

Folks are always shocked then they find out that Jack actually went to 6 weeks of doggy obedience school. And passed. What up with that? Think he was a part of that no child left behind deal? Sigh.

I’m so excited. After being about 242 or something in line my number was finally called and I got a hold of the audio version of Janet Evanovich’s Fearless Fourteen on CD. I promise once I’m as huge as Ms. Janet and am up to number 14 in my series I won’t hold it against any of you for waiting it out for the library copy and not buying my cd from the bookstore. That said I’ll have Fearless Fourteen loaded in my iPod in no time and have Stephanie, Lula, Ranger and Joe to look forward to on my walks with Jack. Yippee!

I may have asked this question here before, but how many of you out there listen to books on tape or cd? Do any of you do like me and put them on your iPods? And do you consider it really reading or do you get a slightly dreamy/movie effect like I do from it. I’ll admit it’s a different feel than actually reading a book. But with my TBR (to be read) pile teetering on burying me or causing my divorce and the fact that there are just so many books I want to get to, books on CD are a wonderful time saver and loads of fun with the right narrator.

What do you all think out there? What type of books do you listen too? I’ll stop back later. Right now Jack and I are going for a walk!

Best,
Kwana.

Bad Dog!

What's Jack up to? That Jack, well he's all clean, but he's his usual devilish self. I'm calling him and he's ignoring me so I go to investigate why and I see he's under my bed busy munching on my freebie Weight Watcher fruit and nut bar that I got at my last meeting. Bummer, I was so looking forward to trying that too. I could have sworn I had it put up. Who knows how Jack got too it. Darn Jack!

Off to write. Novel idea eh? Sorry.

Not much to talk about today. Oh, I know, anyone have thoughts on a Governor having a tanning bed in the mansion? Any real reason to need it besides that healthy orange glow? Lack of sunlight perhaps? Depression? Come on people help me out here. I'm trying to make this alright and not always be so cynical, but she's the gift that just keeps on giving. And we (ok, me) were laughing at Shayne Lamas for tanning on The Bachelor. Who knew she was just building up her resume. Probably getting ready for her up coming cabinet position. Hush up, Kwana! Ok.

Best,

Kwana

Beep Beep! Wordless Wednesday

What's Jack up to? Cracking up to himself at being able to snatch an extra large chocolate chip cookie from right under the DS's nose when he turned for just a sec. Just call him Road Runner. Beep Beep!





Best,

Kwana