For the Love- Thank You

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

In A Blink

Thanks so much for all your well wishes yesterday on my anniversary. You all made the DH and I feel so good.

I have to say it was a lot to live up to this 20th anniversary thing. The day before, heck, weeks before, I had so much anxiety and I think some was due to the upcoming anniversary. How could I be having such a big milestone in my relatively short life?


I did just have my 40th birthday back in June that was enough thanks. I felt with this big milestone of the 20th anniversary and having a 40th birthday and having kids in high school shouldn’t I have all this grown up like crap together? Shouldn’t I be more together and know what I’m doing by now? Shouldn’t my career be in place? Shouldn't I have this parent thing down? Shouldn’t I at least not have so many freaking bad hair days?!!!


Well, I guess not. Because the milestone came anyway. I woke up next to the DH and said, “well, this is what 20 years looks like.” He smiled, laughed at me and said, “and you said we wouldn’t make it.” The day began.

20 years is not perfect, but it’s not all drama or even a romantic comedy. Nothing is. It’s life full of moments that go by in the blink of an eye.

Best,
Kwana

photo thanks to flickr- Blink of an Eye

20

Happy 20th Anniversary today to my so dear DH.

As I’m sitting here typing this my heart is beating extra fast and there’s that little flutter in my stomach and the words, well, at least not any witty or coherent words, they just won’t come easily, but the emotion is there so strong as the tears prick at my eyes. This is real life, real emotions, real love. Our love. No made up characters here.

I’m grateful for good times and hard times, the laughter (so much of it) and even the pain. The 20 years of what ifs and most of all of the people we have grown into (parents of twins-yikes!) and are still growing into together.

This is still a journey and I can’t believe it’s been 20 years so fast. You’ve been married to me for now half my life- a really good half let me tell you.

Now let’s say we go for another 20 to see if we can finally get this thing right. The fun is just beginning!

Kwana and DH in Mexico a very long time ago

Love always and forever,
K

P.S. To all my friends and visitors. Thanks for sharing the love with us today.

Confirmation

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

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

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

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


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

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

I’m thinking I hear ya, Lady.

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

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

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

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



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



Best,
Kwana

Welcoming Kiss

This is Marc Chagall's Birthday done in 1915. I have it in a postcard stuck in my bedroom mirror among others. The colors are heavenly and perfectly balanced. The kiss and the present of a simple bouquet is divine. This seems to be the perfect welcome home from any mate. But what I love most here is the way the man is stretching, seeking, bending towards his wife. Yep, literally bending over backwards to get to her. Isn't love grand?



Best,
Kwana

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to my Dear DH.

We love you way more than we say and you deserve.

You are a blessing to me and the twins who are teens and so far from these pictures now that I fear they hardly ever give you the thanks anymore for the:

hard work,

early mornings,

late nights,

full fridge,

car rides,

sideline cheers,

sleepless nights,

reprimands,

punishments,

long talks,

short walks,

quick answers,

BBQ,

take out,

warm beds,

cool air,

mall runs

and countless other things

but most of all

for the...

LOVE.

Love Always,

Kwana,

K & W

oh and Jack too your BFF!

Hug A Dad Today!

Nineteen

What's Jack up to? I've realized Jack's doing a really good job at training me. Something is so wrong with this picture, eh? But it's so cute the way he pushes his water bowl at me to let me know to get off my butt and get to serving him. Boy, he's learned a lot from the folks in my house. Yeesh!



Today is me and The DH's 19th wedding anniversary. Yep, it's a mind blower for me too.



I don't really remember exactly what we're thinking or saying when this picture was taken in Central Park, but I'm pretty sure the conversation went something like this:

DH: "Can you believe this?"

Me, laughing: "Nope."

DH: "You are always getting me into something."

Me: "Yep, I am."

DH: "So, what are we supposed to do now?"

Me: "I don't know but let's hurry up and get these pictures done. I don't wanna miss the cocktail hour. That's the best part."

DH: "You know you're crazy, right."

Me: "Yeah, I know, but you love me and I love you."

DH: "Ok let's go, Lovie. It's your party."


Happy anniversary DH! 19 years is many a lifetime. It's fun growing up with you.



Best,
Kwana

What is LOVE?

What's Jack up to? Ugh! The wild dog tried to give the DH a heart attack this morning on his walk by dashing out into the street towards a car. Thankfully he's fine. Not so sure about the DH.
Thanks to all of you who submitted questions on Ask The Agent yesterday. There's still time to chime in. If you want to ask submit here. I'll be writing up the interview soon and submitting it to Elaine. I'll give a shout out as to when it will be posted. Great Fun! Thanks again.


Speaking of fun...
Happy Birthday to my dear DH! My own sweet knight in not so shining armor (not his fault. I'm just a poor armor shiner). No this is not my DH in this photo, but this is me at about the time I met my DH about 20 years ago with my big time forever crush, Prince.
Then my DH came along. He was my total opposite with his southern charm and cool demeanor, but he and give me the same type of chills as the very best Prince song. I was a lost from the start.

He really is my true BFF, my toughest critic and greatest supporter. Sticking by me at my best and worst and understanding me when no one else does.


Happy Birthday DH!
I Love you. But you already know that.

Love,

Me

Love?

What's Jack up to? Ugh. Jack gave me the most awful and stinky Valentine's Day gift ever which I stepped in TWICE! What's up with that dude? I got you a nice chew toy.

On a sweeter note:

Happy Valentine's Day DH! You are the best and

I Love You Forever.

images courtsey of flickr

To all my friends out there:

Thanks for visiting and I hope your day is filled with lots of LOVE.

cartoon from http://www.willwriteforchocolate.com/

Love,
Kwana


P.S. PR recap coming up. What tha-!?

Be Mine

What's Jack up to? It's the weekend, Baby. Party Time!

Valentine’s day is quickly coming upon us. Are you a hopeless romantic that loves the love holiday or are you a cynic that thinks it’s all a gimmick made up by Hallmark to sell more cards?

I believe that any day that celebrates love wonderful. Whether it’s love for a sweet heart, your family or your friends.

Some of my favorite memories as a little girl were of my normally quiet and sometimes gruff grandfather handing out Valentines on Valentine’s Day. My Nana always got the biggest most ornate box complete with satin and ruffles. He then made sure to have a box for all the girls in the family, my mom, my aunt and then a special little box for me. That small gift always filled my heart with such pride and let me know I was loved.

So don’t fight it, embrace Valentine’s Day and share the joy. It’s bound to come back to you.







Here are a few suggestions for your sweetheart. Feel free to forward to anyone who needs gentle hint!

Something for the girls...

















Don't forget the guys. It's about them too .













gifts from Red Envelope and Tiffany


And a hot new romance book is the perfect way to treat yourself and him on Valentine’s Day.













Best,
Kwana