What A Lady!
What’s Jack up to? Jack is full of energy today. All I hear is tap, tap, tap as he wanders around the house his nails tapping in the wood floors. I have no clue what he’s up to and honestly I don’t want to know. I’m sure it’s trouble.
Last night I had the pleasure of attending the debut of Lady Jane’s Salon. Lady Jane is a new monthly romance reading series held at Madam X in Soho. It is the brain child of Authors Maya Rodale, Hope Tarr, Leanna Renee Heiber and Ron Hogan of Beatrice.com.Admission was 5.00 or a gently used romance novel. The reading was for a great cause: Share the Love which is an organization that collects gently used romance novels and passes them on to non-profit organizations that provides assistance to woman in transitional periods of their lives. For more information on share the love your can check out their website at http://www.share-the-love.org/.This month’s readers were Hope Tarr and Andrea Pickens. Both did a fabulous job and launched the series off in a most romantic way.
And the best part was I got to connect with lots of my writing buddies and blog friends. Here are a few pics. Sorry about any blurriness. All taken with the Blackberry and shaky hands.
The founders: Hope, Ron, Maya, Leanna
Andrea Pickens
Leanna, Lauren Willig, Elizabeth of Scandalous Women
Sarah Tormey and Elizabeth
Katie of Babbling about books, Chapter mate Stacy and Barbara Vey of Publishers WeeklyNext month my RWA/NYC chapter mate, and New York Times bestselling author Lauren Willig will be reading along with Jenna Peterson. If you’re in town come and check it out the first Monday of the month. Don’t forget to bring a book!
Best,
KwanaLisa Kleypas Made Me Clean My Closet
What’s Jack up to? Jack has been an early riser lately, wanting to eat early, go for walks early, play early. So that means we all have to get up early. You may be cute and all but this is not fun, Jack. I am not an early bird.
I know this may seem like a funny title for a post, but it’s really true. You all know from here what a huge Lisa fan I am. I was crazy for her historicals but now I’m ga–ga for her contemporary books too. Well, I was blog hopping and read on M. G. Braden’s blog that she got a copy of Sugar Daddy at RWA Nationals this year. Now this got me thinking about all my books from Nationals. I’ve been slowly going through my books and thought that I remembered getting Sugar Daddy in my haul. Remember this pic?
I decided to go on the big dig. That book had to be there. But before I could get to it I noticed that my Nationals boxed had been covered with school supplies, Christmas wrap and all sorts of other mess in the utility closet. Yikes! For a moment I thought about shutting the closet door. But how could I? Sugar Daddy could be in there just waiting for me. I took I deep breath rolled up my sleeves and got busy.After much sweating and a complete reorganization of shoes, magazines, school supplies and wrapping papers, sweet success! Sugar Daddy! Yes, it’s now in my hot little hands and the rest of my books from Nationals are on my shelves with all my many other books to read. Oh, the treasures I have. It’s going to be a good weekend. I hope yours is great.
Best,
KwanaCaught
What’s Jack up to? He’s admiring all the snow that I’m coming to loathe. Enough already with this winter thing. Is it over yet? Come on, another snow storm? Another snow day? Waa Whine…
So, I’m happy to say Katie was not telling tales when she made Lisa Kleypas’ Blue Eyed Devil one of her top picks for 2008. I finished the book the night before last and I can’t tell you all how disappointed I was that it was actually over.There I was at 11:30 at night looking around with at least a hundred other unread books in my house, but sad that I didn’t have another Lisa Kleypas just like this one to begin reading right at that moment. Don’t you love it when that happens?
It was refreshing to read a straight contemporary for a change. No mystery, magic, shape shifters or vampires. No deep tales of angst or melancholy. Just a good romance with an intriguing heroine and sexy rake (yep, a contemporary rake) of a hero with all sorts of trouble getting in the way of their love.The tension was kept so high. There was one suspenseful moment where I was so into the book and it just so happens something fell in another room of the house and I actually jumped. Eek! Like a little girl. That never happens to me. (note to self: keep the tension high)Well done! Thanks for the recommendation, Katie. I’ve turned into a huge Lisa Kleypas fan. The woman can write right.Best,KwanaWandering Mind
What’s Jack up to? Jack’s doing his Monday thing? Perched on top of the couch so he can look out the window and wonder where the gang got off to and bark at any strangers that have the nerve to pass in his field of vision. Good dog. Humph.I hope everyone had a fine weekend. Mine was spent doing the mom thing through a fog of migraine pain that is still clouding my vision. I’ve been a migraine suffer since I was a kid and I now take daily meds for it, but there are times when no amount of prescriptions will stop it once the train has left the station. It just has to take the full agonizing trip which can go for days. I often say labor was easier because I knew it wasn’t going to last more than 24 hours. I was right. It was only 13. Ha.I try as much as possible during these times to continue as normally as I can because falling into the pain doesn’t do anything to eliminate it. Besides things still have to get done. My name is Mom isn’t it? So I do. Between doing, sometimes I practice breathing and visualization. Sometimes serene visualization, sometimes not so much, like this Frida Kahlo painting from 1943 called Thinking About Death. The upside of this beautiful, but disturbing painting is the symbolism of rebirth in the skull and the thorns in the background. Frida spent many of her days confined to a bed and in pain most of the time so lots of her art expresses her pain and her desire to break free of it.Where does your mind wander when you want to break free? Do you take the time to let it wander?This marks my 400th post. That’s a lot of wandering. Thanks for traveling with me.Best,
KwanaI’m Shuffling as Fast as I Can
What a week this has been. We started out with one president and ended up with another one entirely. Hooray for new beginnings!
This girl is wiped out. All the celebrating combined with my usual running around and the the winter that just won’t quit and now I think I may have the beginnings of something sinister. A cold, flu or whatever. All I want to do is hibernate. But sorry that’s some other woman’s life. Me? I’ve got dishes to wash, a dog to walk, kids to chauffeur and oh yeah…writing to do. That’s my “job” right?
If we could just get a few days in a row above freezing and this darn snow would melt I’m sure I’d feel better. The word is it will get above freezing today then a steady drop back down after that. Oh well. At least the holly tree outside my bedroom window is pretty.
And Jack sure is cute if not extremely high maintenance. Hey, you plan on calming down anytime soon, Dude? No? Ok. I was just asking. Moving on. I’m getting up right now. No need to keep shaking the bed.
Have a great weekend everyone. If I think of anything moderately interesting to say, I’ll share. Heck, if I think of anything to say at all, I’ll share it. You know I can’t hold my water.Best,
KwanaThis 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,
KwanaUnderground
What’s Jack up to? Jack’s been getting up early and running from one side of bed to the other coming up on his paws and looking over to see who’s awake, me or the DH. He’s acting like such a little toddler lately. If we’re both really still, he’ll slip out only to come back a minute later to do it again until the tap, tap, tapping of his nails on the wood floors wakes one of us up. The owner training is going well, huh, Jack?
Today I thought I’d share a few pictures I took on my ride to my RWA NYC romance writers meeting on Saturday. They were taken with my new touch screen Blackberry. I’m really enjoying it, but still have a lot to learn and a few kinks to work out. I think Grand Central looks grand and there is something about the lines of the subway that I’ve always admired.
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Today I’m fixed at home. Hoping to get some editing done, but the desperate call of housework can no longer be ignored. Then to real work. What’s on for your day?
Best,
KwanaIs a Year Too Long To Wait?
Like some tortured romance heroine I’ve been waiting a year for this man to come back into my life.Sad isn’t it? But very true. I’ve been pining away for him to make my Sunday nights exciting again. No offence, DH, but he’s Jack.Jack Bauer.Ever since the very first episode of 24 I’ve been hooked on Jack. My husband and the twins swear that I named our dear little dog Jack after him.
I tell them, no. I’ve always loved the name Jack. It’s was my grandfather’s nickname and I think the name, Jack Jackson sounds like an action hero. Very fitting for my wild dog. But if I’m honest, then sure, part of the appeal of the name came from Jack Bauer.He’s just like I like my heroes, tortured and completely alpha.Besides the man can save the world in 24 hours. Be still my heart. And he does it without asking a thing of me. Making all the decisions rather right or wrong, thankfully usually right. Totally take charge, never wavering and never asking me to do anything. Not, what’s for dinner, where’s the checkbook, what time is practice, any clean socks, can I go out Saturday, Can She go out Saturday, Should
we switch insurance, Did we pay the insurance, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah…Sure the whole take total charge thing could get old about a minute after 24 hours but sometimes a woman needs that escape. Loves it!24 is back baby. You’ll know where I’ll be on Sunday night.Best,KwanaTop Thursday
What’s Jack up to? Jack is being silly tonight. Hiding under the bed and not wanting to come out. He’s just looking at me like I’m the nutty one. I’m not into begging you, Jack. I’m way to tired for games, Dude you’ve got to go.Top Chef is back. Another warning. Spoiler ahead….. Are you ready? Okay? Go….It nice to get into routine again. Some Cheftestants are nervous, some in a bad mood, some feeling awesome. To each his own.Padma is with French Chef Jean Christophe Novelli and the Diet Dr. Pepper Quick fire Challenge (say that three times fast) is a sugar-free dessert challenge. After the mad cooking scramble the plates look beautiful. But Christophe is. Everything is “interesting” meaning “it sucks” in his book and can’t compete with his too sexy for his search look.
There are lots he doesn’t like but in the end the winner is Radhika. And she gets immunity.Now Padma announces Toby Young is the new judge taking over for Gail for the rest of the season. Bye Gail you will be missed. Is this what happens when one gets married?
Commercial over and Tom is in the house to give a talk about Toby and the next challenge it will be a blind tasting and there will be 2 chefs eliminated. Wow. Way to deliver good news Tom.There are two groups A and B.
Group A is up First and at Whole Foods. There is the usual mad shopping and second guessing. Then back in the kitchen a bit of chaos ensues. Fabio has serious lamb trouble and can’t believe Jamie is doing scallops again. He announces the show I not called Top Scallop. So funny.Time for service and the other chefs will judge their competitors food. Ouch. Nice twist TS.
Radhika’s crab soup is a downer.
Hosea’s vegetables upstaged the fish
Jamie’s scallops were finally good.
Fabio’s lamb was undercooked but his pasta is good.
Eugene dish is called the bland leading the bland
Melissa’s tacos are called fishy and Toby says it tastes like Cat food. Eek! That’s never good.Group B is now in the kitchen and they know who they are cooking for and what to expect. They are cooking hard.
Araine’s Pan seared skate wing- a hit
Carla’s risotto with scallops- not good
Stefan-Duck Tom likie and Stefan has an orgasm
Jeff-Tom doesn’t time and Toby Loved
Leah-a toss up. Funny I forgot she was here this show.So its team B that wins hands down.
Tops are Ariane, Stefan and Jamie.
Stefan modest as always comes out not with thanks, but with “it was a great dish.”
Jamie is thrilled to have cooked a good scallop.
Ariane was pleased. She is clearly more modest than Stefan.The winner is…Jamie. No longer a bridesmaid. Da-Da-Da-Dum…
From the Not So Glad Room she calls back: Melissa, Eugene and Carla.
Carla admits she was not happy with her dish and is not surprised she is there. She talks about how she could have fixed it. Smart lady. Don’t be fooled.
Melissa talks about enjoying the critique. She gets smacked around a bit more.
Eugene talks about how he likes taking risks, but Toby says it lacks punch. Eugene tries to talks his way back in.
All three chefs try and plead their case a bit more.But going home is…Melissa and Eugene. Carla lives to cook another day.
Best,
KwanaWhat Road Are You On?
What’s Jack up to? He’s so funny, playing a crazy game of monkey in the middle that he’s made up where I’m the monkey! See he takes his toy and acts like he wants to bring it to me to play with but then turns at the last moment and runs to my hubby and takes it to him. Then back to me for a reaction. Too cute, Jack.Other than books, dare I say maybe even sometimes more than books, I am often inspired by movies. I’m such a cheap and easy date. Give me a simple dinner and a movie (please don’t ask me to dress up) and I’m happy. Now, I’m not one to over analyze and pick a movie apart, no, I go to lose myself in another world for a while.
That said, I’ve seen a move that I can’t get out of my mind: Revolutionary Road. The whole couple confirming to suburban life thing hit me like a ton of bricks. I don’t know why, maybe it’s my age or the fact that I’ve been living in suburbia for a while now or the fact that I hate to think of myself as a conformist, although probably a good part of me is, if I’m honest enough. Whatever. I don’t know, but, I was hit hard.The fact that it was set in the 1950’s didn’t effect it’s relevance to today’s life to me one bit. It questioned confirming to what’s expected, the traditional roles of a marriage, labeling, fidelity, opposites attracting, living your dreams, so many things.Revolutionary Road had me stepping out on my own porch taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly. It will have lots of people thinking hard about the road they are living on? Check it out if you haven’t yet and let me know your thoughts.Best,Kwana
