My Obsession- Hello Lover again.

What's Jack up to? Jack's raring to go today. Ready to start the week full of his usual energy and optimism. I hope I can keep up?

I think I have problem. As a matter of fact I know I have a problem. How can a woman be in a theater watching a film with the swoon worthy Clive Owen and be distracted by a handbag? And yet, I was.

The DH and I went to see Duplicity on Friday night. It was a fun night out. I was excited to see Julia and Clive together on the screen. I had my doubts about seeing Clive in such a well lit role. Something I had shared earlier with the PIC. You see I like Clive in nice and dark roles but he worked it out for me.

The movie had it points that had me saying huh? But happily that was worked out nicely too. But back to the main point of today's post, my problem. This night should have been all about the film and Clive, but there I was very early on in the story totally smitten when confronted with an old love. The Marc Jacobs Blake Shoulder Bag. Julia's character carries it in the film. I turn to my DH and whispered to him. "I love that bag. Marc Jacobs. 995." He growls and I can almost feel his eyes roll. I swear if there was AA for bag obsessives he would have me there weekly. It's a good thing I can't afford these loves.

Watch the trailer and see it in motion.

Check out the movie and see Clive in action!

Best,

Kwana

Church Chat

There is this little church that I past often in my weekly teen chauffeur duties and they have a sign out front that's right by the main road. The cool thing is that since it's a busy two way road they make good use of the sign and put different sayings on both the front and back of the sign.

For the longest time I just drove past and never noticed and honesty I was driving to fast to read it anyway. But now I always slow down and give it a glance to see what sayings they have up for the week. This week I decided to pull over and a pic of a least one side of the sign. I really liked the saying and I hope you do too. It's something I always try and remind my children of.

"To Belittle Is To Be Little"

Have a wonderful weekend!



Best,
Kwana

It's Got A Good Beat And You Can Dance To It

Happy Fab Friday People! Well, another week has flown by. What's up with that? The calender says Spring. There are even crocus cropping up here and there but the thermometer here in New York clearly did not get the memo.

Yesterday I was doing the mommy afternoon drive thing with the DD. Joy and fun with teens right? And when this happens you lose all control of your car radio especially with my girl. Cut to me cringing with the rapid fire speed of the station changing.

So this is what's playing in my 15 year old's ears and subsequently what's playing in my ears too right about now. I can't deal with some of her music, but some I really do like. And hey, she does go for a lot of my 80's stuff and she gets Prince. The girl has some good taste. In honor of Fab Friday and Simply Seleta Enjoy some Fab teen/mom questionable bonding music.

The Ting Tings



Kid Cudi

Prince baby

Best,
Kwana

And the Award Goes to...

What’s Jack up to? Wild boy is having a fun time lately perched up high on the couch looking out the window barking at the world. He’s still not thrilled with me not taking him out as often or as long as he would like this past week but he’s been pulling a bit too much lately and the back can't deal. I told you before Jack graduated from obedience training under 'the no child left behind act'. But really, all is pretty good in Jack’s world.

Yesterday the nominations for RWA’s Rita and Golden Heart awards came out which is essentially the Oscars for romance books. Twitter was all a twitter and the message boards were on fire with congratulations all around. I’d like to say congrats too all the nominees.
I can feel my TBR (to be read) pile growing at this very moment.

Here is the list of nominees for Contemporary Single Title Romance
No Good Girls by Jean Marie Pierson

Not Another Bad Date by Rachel Gibson

Out of Time by Samantha Graves

Snowfall at Willow Lake by Susan Wiggs

Sweet Talk by Susan Mallery

Tall Tales and Wedding Veils by Jane Graves

Twenty Wishes by Debbie Macomber

Your Roots Are Showing by Elise Chidley

Kwana sidebar: Lisa Kleypas’ Blue Eyed Devil so should have been on this list. It’s my blog and I’ll say what I want to.

Now here is the list for Historical Romance
Duchess by Night by Eloisa James

In Bed with the Devil by Lorraine Heath

Private Arrangements by Sherry Thomas

Seduce Me at Sunrise by Lisa Kleypas

The Edge of Impropriety by Pam Rosenthal

The Spymaster’s Lady by Joanna Bourne

To Seduce a Sinner by Elizabeth Hoyt

Where the Heart Leads by Stephanie Laurens

I don’t even know which way to turn here with so many of my faves on the list. Hello. Kleypas, Hoyt, James. Sigh. And the others I have not read yet but have heard very good things. So many books so little time.

These are just two categories to get the full list you can go to the RWA site here. I like to give a big shout out Jessica Anderson, Yay! Gena Showalter and Roxanne St. Claire for their well deserved nominations. What a day!

If you haven’t already, please check out some of these wonderful authors.

Best,
Kwana

Get Thee On Purpose

pur⋅pose :1. the reason for which something exists or is done, made, used, etc.
2. an intended or desired result; end; aim; goal.
3. determination; resoluteness.
4. the subject in hand; the point at issue.
5. practical result, effect, or advantage: to act to good purpose.

Last night while pulling tear sheets for inspiration on a story I’m working on I came across an article in an old issue of Essence Magazine called Finding The Path to Your Purpose written by Monique Greenwood.

It got me thinking a question that I often ask myself. Am I following my purpose? You see I really want to be. Because I believe if I’m not then I’ll never be truly successful or happy. But how do you know if you’re "On Purpose" or how do you stay the course when things are not quite working out or the dream is just not materializing or life just keeps throwing marbles in your path?

Well, how do you know? Don’t look to me for the answers I’m asking the questions here today.

Ok I’ll give you a few suggestions from the article that I thought were pretty good and lastly one from me that may or may not be total junk. Hey, you can take it or leave it. I'm just me.

1. Put yourself in the picture: imagine yourself in the role you want to be. Sketch out a collage or storyboard. Visualization helps keep us on track

2. Forge full steam ahead even if only for 15 minutes: Don’t wait for Someday. Someday usually never comes. Right? Take it from the great procrastinator.

3. Ring up a role model: Surround yourself with a few good people that are true cheerleaders. Or better yet a mentor. Have positive people in your corner. No downers allowed.

4. Persist despite the fear: Fear is the great paralyzer and time sucker. Don’t let it stop you from realizing your dreams. Just don't.

5. The last tip from me is live with hope and faith and step out on it because it doesn’t matter how much you hope and dream it all takes work. Hard work to see it all come true. And if it is your true purpose it should come true, eventually, and you will be smiling big when it does. Inside and out.

Best,
Kwana

Sucked In A Tweetisphere

What's Jack up to? Jack's doing the chill Jack thing right now. Meaning trouble later.

So I've been Twittering for a bit now. Still learning, but quickly going over to the dark side and fast. I have to say I'm having so much fun keeping up with my friends in just about real time while watching the same shows. And no, these are not really strangers, well, not mostly. See I know my P-I-C and my writer/fashion friends. Sure Anderson Cooper, Mc Hammer and Ellen D. don't know me but it's fun to watch them being the voyeur I am. So I'll admit I'm stuck in the abyss and enjoying it... for now. Cue creepy music here please.

Care to follow me? Well come on the water's fine!



Best,
Kwana

Time to Make The Donuts

What’s Jack up to? Jack is being Jack. He has been a sweetie to me, being so concerned while I’ve been out of it with my back ,but also taking advantage of my slow movements by getting into all sorts of mess like the trash, climbing on tables, going into the kids bags then sprinting under the beds where he knows I can’t go. Be warned, Jack. I will be better soon.

As to that I’m determined to get up and out today. I feel a bit better. The back is still hurting some, but it’s not excruciating and I’ve got way too much to do to stay in bed any longer. No matter enticing that may be. Besides, the DH can no longer wait on me. Somebody’s got to make the donuts. And I've got my own job to do.

The DD’s dance recital this weekend was wonderful and she was great. Just the best in my not so humble opinion! But honestly, all the girls did a beautiful job. I’m always blown away by the professional show that they, along with their very talented teachers, put together every year. I'm also grateful for the extra performances that they put on for charity. The fact that they give back to the community is wonderful and makes me proud.

I hope you all have a good week ahead. One that is not too busy with a little down time scheduled in. As for me plan to walk lightly, drive slowly and write a lot.

Best,
Kwana

My Man- My Hero

Well, the back is still giving me trouble so in kind I've been giving the DH extra trouble. Bad wife I know.

I have to say he's been stepping up admirably. Cooking meals, laundry, driving like a madman with the Dear Twins. Even taking the DD to the mall and the hairdresser. What a Man!

In all my whining and, "come sit with me," "can you move my heating pad?" and "you still love me even though I'm hopeless right?" I had him do a Super Hero at The Hero Factory to go with the one I did last week. No one deserves one more. I think we make a Kick Butt duo. Don't you?

Best,

Kwana

The Love Connection

Another Saturday. I'll be shuffling slowly to see my DD in her yearly dance recital tonight. It's always such a joy to watch her dance. She's so beautiful and talented.

I know there will be that usual moment where for a second I'll look and not see the 15 year old young woman she is, but will still see the little 4 your old she was taking her first awkward dance steps. I imagine she will look out and search for me, it won't show, but I know she will do it. With her heart. She'll feel me there willing her on through the crowd of hundreds. I'll feel energy coming back at me. For a moment we'll be one. In the end I'll cheer extra loud and let out a big "Woo Hoo!" in the elegant theater to be sure she hears me. She'll smile big and bow quickly before running off stage.

Later she'll roll her eyes and say I'm soooo embarrassing. Her father will be mad at her for saying it. I won't take it personally. Not this time. I know it's expected. I know it's still love. I'll know we were one back there on that stage. Just like then all those years ago. It's the same now. I'm still Mom and she's still my Dear Daughter.

It's a Love Connection.

Best,

Kwana

Spring has Sprung - so they say

What's Jack up to? Jack is getting tired of me not being able to play with him in my normal way. Sorry Dude. I hope to be up and around real soon.




Happy Friday and happy first day of Spring! Spring has come with a chill in the air in New York but never mind I'm sure that pretty soon my garden will be back in bloom and the flowers will be out as they were last year. So let's celebrate Anticipation today.




And have a great weekend!



Best,
Kwana

P.S.
Update: Check out the first day of Spring snow coming down this morning! I'll keep waiting.

Alter Ego Hotness

Don't ya wish your Alter Ego was hot like me? Don't cha? Well she or he can be. Just go make one for yourself. I'm so thankful to my buddy Mel Francis (her book Bite Me is ready for pre-order now at Amazon yo!) and her Month of Mel challenge for sending me over to The Hero Factory to create her. Isn't she the Hottest. Too bad I'm not feeling quite up to her kick butt status just yet.

I went to have my back checked out and the doctor feels I have a pinched nerve. The lesson here is listen to your body. Really listen. You see I've been having a problem with my big toe on my left foot for quite a while that has taken me off track with my running challenge. Giving me annoying pain that has me saying, Hmm... I really need to check this out... someday. Well, yesterday while barely being able to stand in the doctor's office without holding the wall and having to have my DH help me to the bathroom. I said to the doctor, this is probably unrelated, but I have this crazy pain in my toe. He tell me it's not unrelated at all. The nagging toe pain was a symptom of my pinched nerve.

So all of you 'do for everyone else in the world first' out there folks take a cue from me. Listen to your body and get things checked out. Make yourself a priority. Those little things may be telling you something big.

Best,

Kwana

Feeling Spry-Not

Owwwie! Well The back pain is back and now I'm feeling and moving like I'm a hundred and fifty years old. Ugh. I can barely think straight so in honor of feeling old I'll leave you with a couple of songs that always make me feel happy and young. I hope you are having a good day.





Best,
Kwana

P.S. Anybody watch the Not So Real Housewives? Simon and Alex doing a parenting book? Too funny!

Happy Birthday Dear PVE!

What's Jack up to? Jack's wishing all of you a Happy St. Patrick's Day! Have fun in your green and partying it up today. But please go easy peeps. Cheers!

And a super Happy Birthday to my friend Patricia Van Essche of PVE Designs.

You can check out the amazing artist and blog wonder here or just look up and see her handy work on my banner.

Patrica and I have been friends since back in the days when we were both still in the world of 7th avenue fashion. The friendship was cemented the day I discovered she had some sort of bewitching powers and predicted my twins even before my own doctor! Although I suspect since she had just given birth to her own twins she wanted some to follow her in the madness. Since then we've been thick as thieves in good times and so-so. Watching our babies grow up way too fast. Both moving from the city to the sort of country and working hard to make our dreams come true.

Patrica's works of art around my house. I know, lucky me.

Join me in 3 cheers to Patricia! Happy Birthday! May this year be all you wish for.

Much Love,

Kwana

Maintenance

Hey, Monday what are you doing here already? That's how I'm feeling today. Another Monday another week. I hope everyone had a good weekend. Mine was fine enough with the dear Teen twins making it as stressful as teen twins are sure to do. Oops, did I say that? Yeah I did.


On Saturday night, I'm not sure exactly how, I threw out my back. So much so that a slight twinge turn into all out pain and by the end of the evening and I could barely turn over in bed. But pain killers and heating pads can do wonders and I'm on the mend. Taking it slow.

I tell you, some days I feel every bit of my soon to be forty years. In my body and on my face. Suddenly, my normally decent skin is betraying me with strange hairs popping out and nutty flair ups. What is with that? Some mornings I look in the mirror and see her.

So today in honor if a super busy week ahead with the DD preparing for multiple dance performances and plenty of driving, not to mention,um, writing, I'm cashing in my saved up gift certificate and heading to the day spa for a little maintenance.


Let's hope I can at least come out looking as pretty as this bride.






I hope you have a good week ahead. Any maintenance planned?


Best,
Kwana