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,
KP.S. To all my friends and visitors. Thanks for sharing the love with us today.
Happy Birthday Ma!!
Happy Birthday to my Mom today! Yep, that’s her and I from when I was a little girl. Both of us smiling big and bright just like folks would do in one of those old Woolworth’s photo booths. You can recognize the pic from my avatar to the right there.As you can see from the pic below Ma has hardly changed at all, though now I’m the taller one. She’s still gorgeous and fabulous and still the same bit of unpredictability she was back then. From her Psalm 23 tattoo, you never know what’s in store with my mom. Not what dress she’ll be wearing or what hair color will go with it. But that’s the charm of Ms. Kay!This weekend Ma staged a girl’s night out at Roseland ballroom to celebrate her birthday. And when I say staged, I mean staged (guess I get a bit of my control tendencies from her). We had a great time dancing the night away to songs from the 50’s to the 70’s. All of us wearing tiara’s that Ma supplied so folks in the club kept saying Happy Birthday to all of us.
It was a great night and so nice of her to share her birthday joy with all of us.
Happy Birthday Ma!!We Love you!DD, DS, DH and Jackand
I Love You too!Your daughter,KwanaConfirmation
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,
KwanaHappy 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 runsand countless other thingsbut most of allfor the…LOVE.Love Always,Kwana,K & Woh and Jack too your BFF!Hug A Dad Today!Knit Wednesday
Sorry for the delay with the pictures and don’t say I didn’t warn you about being underwhelmed, but here they are, the pics of my two finished knitting projects from over Christmas. The first is of one the fingerless gloves that I did for my DD. They came out a little too big for her and I have to take them in. I love the hombre yarn though. Each side of the glove is different. The pattern was from Hollywood Knits by Suss Cousins . A book I just love.
The next is of the roll brim hat that I did for my DH that took way too long. I’m so happy that he has worn it everyday since Christmas so it was worth the time.
I’m almost done with the hat for my DS. Poor thing, his Christmas gift is turning into a birthday gift.Today was supposed to be my day to meet with my knitting group. After a couple of weeks off I was looking forward to whooping it up with my friends, catch up on town stuff and get back on the knitting track, but due to icy weather schools are closed today. Sigh. To me the weather is not bad enough for a school closing, but whatever. I’ll try hard to keep my kids halfway focused on a bit of studying today. Not easy with teens.Best,
KwanaSouthern Charm
What’s Jack up to? Jack is trying to get used to being back home after spending the week being totally spoiled by Nana. How will he survive with just little ‘ol me after having all the bacon, ham and roast beef his heart desired? He is going to be so hard to deal with this week.I’m back from Savannah and visiting the DH’s family for the Thanksgiving holiday. It was lovely, but way too quick and the ride there and back too long. I-95 is a long road.Enjoy the moss hanging from the stately Southern trees while I do some more laundry. Sigh.
What are you up to today?Best,KwanaA Date With Your Family
What’s Jack up to? Well the Dear Twins are back in school so Jack’s roaming around wondering where everyone got off to. Enjoy the quiet Jack. I will.
I’m feeling quite uninspired by pop culture lately so I’m going back in time a bit to and old lurve, Mystery Science Theater. Funny, silly, very inspiring. Why? I don’t know. But it is.
That said, I thought I’d invite you all to dinner at at my house. Yeah, it’s just like this. Really, it is. The Dear Twins are so helpful. Riiiiight. Just replace the smallest boy with Jack. Use your imagination. Have fun! Oh and pretend these are Black people. Enjoy. Peace Out!
Best,
KwanaThe 300
What’s Jack up to? Jack is full of pep, guess I’m in for an action packed day. Uh oh.
So, I logged on and noticed this is my 300th post. Go me! Who knew I’d stick with this blogging thing and love it so much. Thanks to all of you for sticking with me.
It was a lovely early fall weekend with Nana coming to visit. You know Jack was happy and well fed. Nana and I are true city girls, being from Harlem and all. I have to admit when I first moved to Westchester I thought it was totally the boonies since it was a whole half hour outside of the NYC and you can’t just go out to eat at 1am on a Tuesday. But many years later I’m dealing and finally getting used to the quiet.
Check out how cute Nana looks at Westchester Farms on Saturday after dropping the DD off at dance.
What about these pumpkins? Don’t you just love Fall?
Best,
KwanaP.S. scroll down for some political fun
Monday Monday
What’s Jack up to? The little bugger’s all tuckered out after causing havoc this weekend and running around the neighborhood terrorizing people chilling in their own backyards! Oh, Jack what will I do with you wild one?
So, how was your holiday weekend? I hope it was truly lovely. I won’t bore you and get too far into mine, but I would love for someone to to give any remedies on surviving a quaint family day with two teens. One who can pretty much tolerate you and the DH and the other who’s shooting dagger’s at you and the DH the whole time. Watch it! Duck! POW- POW.
Dinner feels like an episode of Survivor.
Picture Jeff Probst. “Mom, with the most votes, you are the fifth person to be voted of the island, your time is up.”Mom wipes forehead, looks back and and waves good-bye to the rest of the inhabitants.
“Whew”, she mumbles under her breath.
She feels like, Chet. Freedom, a meal, a shower and a shave. No daggers. Sounds like bliss:)
I’ve got a super busy week ahead with plenty of writing (MUST WRITE!!), Dr. appointments and housekeeping to do. Plus even more driving for said dagger shooting teen. So that should be, well… fun.
What’s on tap for your week? I hope it’s dagger free.
Best,
KwanaTop of the Mornin’
What’s Jack up to? Chilling on a Monday. I think he’s as happy as I am to have the house free of teens for a few hours. I know right, Jack? Then tension goes down, like 10 notches. Whew.
Happy St. Patrick’s day to you all. I hope you have a fun day and let’s give a birthday shout out to the lovely Patricia of pve design . She’s my very own bannner designer that I interviewed here. I hope you have a wonderful year Patricia and all your dreams come true.
This was a pretty busy weekend in Kwana land and unfortunately the migraines were kicking my butt-hard. I’m still following doctors orders and not taking any pain meds. Ugh. Giving birth to the twins was easier and I went into labor with them not once, not twice, but three times! TMI? Sorry. Moving on…The twins had a big extra credit assignment where they had to go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to do a Global History assignment. What good teachers they have. So the DH, DD, DS and I got to take a short ride to the city to check out The MET. I’m Tim Gunn in this photo.
The Parking Gods were smiling upon us and a spot magically opened up on 87th and 5th. OMG! That like NEVER happens.The museum was pretty crowded and unfortunately the projects weren’t in my favorite wings, but I did get to spend a little time pretending I was on Project Runway by checking out the Temple of Dendur and even standing in front of Christian’s inspiration picture: Portrait of Andres de Andrade-i-la Col. by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo. Yeah. He rocked it.
photos thanks to project rungay
So tonight I’ll be watching Dancing with the –Stars? I have to say Stars? Because come on, are you kidding me here? But I’ll still watch and find some E list celeb to get behind.
After that The Bachelor is back and this time he bla- no, he’s British! Just as good! This is the show I hate to watch, but always do. I have to support my dear Nana who at the end of every season curses out the Bachelor calling him all sort sorts terrible names because he didn’t pick the “amazing” girl that she thought he should. Yeah she vows never to watch either, but gets suckered in too. After the, ‘where are they now?’ show last week. We both decided to give the hot Brit a go, but thought the girls seemed very “Rock of Love”. Scary.
How was your weekend?
Best,
Kwana
