• family,  jack,  life,  Nana,  pics

    The 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,
    Kwana

    P.S. scroll down for some political fun

  • Barack Obama,  jack,  politics

    You betcha! (wink-wink)

    What’s Jack up to? As I type this late at night he’s sleeping like a baby. One would never know all the mischief he gets into in a day.
    So did you watch? Of course you did. You had too. What else was on, Law and Order?
    I tell ya, one more wink and I was ready to jump through my TV and give her a shake. And all that fake folksiness was making my teeth hurt. It was a night of winks, silly quips and question avoidance. But a shameless plug for imaginary future power had to get thrown in. Scary.

    Danger Will Robinson.

    The woman wants power with a capital P. That is clear.

    Just check out her shoes. 3 clicks of the heels? But, props to her for standing in them for an hour and a half.

    Oh, and not for nothin’, but that sweet baby sure keeps late hours. I’m just sayin’.

    pics thanks to AP

    On the up side, look what I got. My Obama lawn sign finally came in. It was on backorder. Yay! This is the first time I’ve ever made such a bold political statement and I’m proud to do it.



    Now the whole neighborhood knows who I’m going for. Humph. As if they didn’t know before.

    Best,
    Kwana

  • america's next top model,  jack,  Project Runway,  Reality tv

    Project Meltdown

    What’s Jack up to? Good old, Jack has pulled the stuffing out of yet another stuffed toy. Looks like he’s found a new game and I have a new habit to break. Oh joy. I had to get a dog, huh?

    ANTM was all about the positive energy and poor Marjorie was embracing her wrecked nerves. She just didn’t understand all the positivity coming off the darn American girls. It was all an act, Marj. False bravado.
    The girls meet Paulina for a self styling challenge, turning good to bad with clips and pins. Which is pretty normal on shoots. Marjorie cracked under the pressure of Paulina’s criticism, but Paulina comforted her as much as she could and she was cool for a sec. The winner of the challenge was McKey who just doesn’t do it for me. Anybody else getting a Joker feeling there? The loser was Samantha who once again turned the clothes into whatever she wanted and didn’t care for the design.

    Now for the photo shoot and Mr. Jay comes out looking like The Predator from Predator vs. Alien.
    The girls were giants and looked fab done up all mod. But it’s all about Marjorie this week and she was down on herself. But they could be fooling us because there is some Joclyn talk too. Will she be in the bottom with Marjorie? Or could it be Samantha with all her confidence? Surprise- Out this week is Clark. Winner one week and out the next. Buh Bye Clark.


    Now for the main event

    Project Runway starts with Korto again. That woman wants the tents BAD. I sure hope she makes it to the end, but I’m kinda of afraid to hope. Then its Kenley saying how she’s not talking to Leanne because she tried to sabotage her outfit. Pla-ease. Earth to Kenley. Then Jerell is all sad because he’s the only guy left and stuck with talking to his imaginary fruit “Suede”. I can’t even make a joke. Poor Jerell.

    Time for a road trip to the NY Botanical Gardens and suddenly I want to take a trip. At the garden they get the challenge and it’s an L’Oreal challenge to make an evening gown using nature as your muse. The designers her given cameras and told to have at it.
    The designers choose 1 photo and off to mood they run. Looks to me like somebody left their fabric at mood. Who could it have been? Oh boy, it was, Kenley. I just can’t feel bad about it now. That’s what you get for laughing on the runway chickie.

    Day 2 and Kenley is mad, mad, mad and not talking to the other designers. Now she’s trying to buy tulle. But no designer will sell her any. Thank goodness for her Tim is so nice and letting her go back for it. Don’t you remember last week Tim and how she was taking to you? Oh well. I’m not in charge.

    Collier Strong comes in to consult on makeup and do a long commercial.
    Then it’s the Kenley sob story for a while with the other designers on one side and her on the other all sad and down and misunderstood. But really she’s not. She was mean to them the entire time. Face it.
    Tim arrives for the walk through.
    Korto’s lace is bothering him
    Kenley loves her dress. Tim doesn’t like the scales and she won’t listen. It’s just another day.
    Jerell is unfinished. Get finished.
    Leanne is looking very ‘Hello Dolly’. I agree.

    Poor Leanne with that seam ripper late at night really took me back. I feel your pain girl.
    Now Jerell is crying. And Korto. Who do they have behind the camera, Barbara Walters?
    I can’t believe this is the last runway show. This season went way too fast. I’m gonna cry too.
    Time for the show. Hey Heidi’s in a suit. Hmm.

    Korto-I like but it’s just ok.


    Leanne –Like the top but not hip and back of dress.


    Jerell-My fave. Beautiful.

    Kenley-ok but boring on top and don’t like bottom. I could buy this in a costume shop. Ugh. Why is she still arguing on the runway?


    Heidi asks the question: Why should you move forward and who should go with you? The designers are breaking it down and letting the judges know how they really feel about Kenley. Uh oh. This is not pretty.
    Kenley apologizes for being Kenley and then lets everyone know that Korto is not her favorite. Ouch.
    It was the tensest waiting room ever with Korto ready to deliver the smackdown.
    The judges deliberate and it’s all to keep us on our toes. I’m not even going to guess.

    Yay, Jerell is the winner!
    And the loser is… wait for it… Nobody. Huh? What?! They all get to make collections but only 3 will be in contention. I’m confused. Sigh, but what else is new?
    Oh well, at least I’ll get to see another week of them all working on their collections. That will be fun. More drama and it’s not mine. Bring it on!

    Best,

    Kwana

  • Books,  jack,  life,  motherhood,  movies

    Brain Freeze

    What’s Jack up to? Right now Jack’s chilin. I think he’s dog tired. Sorry, I couldn’t resist. Blame it on Pelosi everybody else is.

    Really, I’m the one whose dog tired. It’s what happens during a one sock moment (scroll down) also this middle of the week holiday has thrown me off. One day of school and two days off has me thrown. It’s day two of the kids at home. I don’t know why at 14 they think of me as, Julie their cruise director. I somehow messed up there.

    That said, I can’t think of much interesting to say today (not that I’m interesting on other days) so I’ll leave you with this video since Bridget Jones always makes me smile (Colin too).

    Oh, and wouldn’t it be lovey for Helen Fielding to come out with something new. A new Bridget! Anybody hearing anything. I’m not ashamed to admit Bridget change my life.

    Best,
    Kwana

  • bad dog,  jack,  Knitting,  life,  writing life

    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

  • jack,  politics,  Reality tv,  SNL,  the amazing race,  videos

    Yep, She did it again

    What’s Jack up to? That Jack has kept us on our toes this weekend. Why he still insists on running around the block like a nut when he sees fit is beyond me. I swear that dog has no home training. Whose dog is that?

    Happy Monday!

    So we finally had our first presidential debate. Too bad after all the build up and hype I was exhausted and ready to fall asleep by the time the thing finally started. (I blame the Prosecco and Megan’s post for that:) I will say was glad McCain showed up. Seems like all his practicing paid off. Guess all that talk about suspending his campaigning was just talk. But too me and most of the polls out there Barack did what he had to do by stopping him is his tracks when he was spouting his agenda instead of actually answering the questions at hand. And parties aside, let’s admit, Barack just seemed more presidential.

    But, I’d have like them both to have stayed little more on point. Too bad I couldn’t have been in charge. I’d have been all, “hey you didn’t specifically answer my question!” There would have been none of that, “speak to him stuff.”

    But I’m sure Thursday will be a whole different ball of wax. Bring on Thursday. Biden/Palin all the way. I can’t wait to see SNL reacreate that thing.

    To that… Oops she did it again. That Tina Fey is so it.

    Reality Sidebar: The coolest reality gameshow ev-ah started again last night. The Amazing Race is back. Yay!! Anybody else watching?

    Best,
    Kwana

  • jack,  life,  lipstick jungle,  meme,  tagged,  videos

    I’ve been Tagged!!

    What’s Jack up to? What is the wild dog not up to? He’s been into so much lately. Right now I’m throwing out a stuffed toy that for some reason he picked tonight to rip to smithereens. Oh well. Your loss Jack.

    I’ve been Tagged!
    How did that happen?
    Oh that sneaky Jax that’s how. I’ll get you back somehow, Jax:)

    Ok here goes…
    Here are the rules:Link to the person who tagged you. Jax.

    Post the rules on your blog.
    List 6 unspectacular quirks you have.
    Tag 6 bloggers by linking them.
    Leave a comment on each person’s blog to let them know they’ve been tagged.

    And now, to my sadly unspectacular quirks:

    1. I’ll sort of steal the first from Jax. I kinds of like room tempature water. Too cold water gives me a headache.

    2. Speaking of headaches I can get one from the sun. You won’t catch me sunbathing on a hot day. I’m like a Gremlin running from the bright light.

    3. I’m such a child of the 80’s. I just love 80’s pop. I have an 80’s playlist on my iPod and can remember the day when MTV came on for the first time. I like totally would run to the tv at the first notes of this song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5zeBVffDl4 . I was going to marry HIM. What did I know? What did any of us know back then?

    4. I have this quirky thing with styling continuity when watching shows. For example it really bugged me when watching Lipstick Jungle this week with how the girls multi-strand pearls kept tangling and untangling as they walked. In the bumpy cab ride Nico even switched to a single strand mid bump. I cringed
    5. I’m really messy, but like a neat silverware drawer. Quirky, huh?
    6. I can’t stand the taste or smell of mint of any kind. Strange, but true. Don’t bring it near me.
    Ok, there are my quirks. I shared. Are you ready to share yours?

    Don’t hate- embrace!

    Best,

    Kwana
  • jack,  lipstick jungle,  Reality tv,  survivor,  The Daily Show,  videos

    TGIF!

    What’s Jack up to? It’s raining buckets today and a small stream is running down our street so poor Jack is looking longingly out the window. Sorry, Jack no long walks today.

    Just too much premiered on tv this week. Thank goodness for old things programed into the dvr. Lipstick Jungle was taped. Whew. I think Nico’s hubby got off too easy (spoiler alert!!!) by dying. At least they know how to dress for it. Those ladies are so chic.


    Also Survivor premiered last night. Can someone tell me why these people show up dressed so inappropriately for the jungle. Suits? Dresses? What up with that? I mean if it was me, I’d look like a page from an old Banana Republic catalog. BTW, I already love that sad little Ken, the video gamer who is looking for love on Survivor and she’s already voted off. Poor thing.


    I think after the week we’ve all had we could do with a Friday funny. I laughed my butt off at this last night and again this morning. I just love Jon Stewart.

    Honestly I feel completely screwed over by this whole mess. I’ll be watching the debates or the Barack show tonight depending on if John shows up or not. What about you?

    Best,
    Kwana

  • america's next top model,  jack,  Project Runway,  Reality tv

    Project You’ve Got to be Kidding Me

    What’s Jack up to? Jack is chilling this morning. Eerily quiet which can only spell trouble or maybe he’s just trying to figure out what’s got me so in a snit with all my blog posts. I’ve been at the computer a lot. Scroll down further to read my other rants. Must go back to MJB, eh, Jack.


    America’s Next Top Model
    gave up double eliminations for our hour this week. It started with a Runway challenge which taught future models to learn to walk at home. First the models met Ms. J at a bowling alley to learn to walk. It was clear from the start that Hannah had the most to overcome.


    Then there was a runway show where they had to do the show blindfolded. And the worse model that not would be eliminated and not even get to do a photo shoot. It was poor Hannah who could not overcome years of that bad walk in one night. Buh-Bye.

    Then the models were woken up early in the morning my Mr. J for which was all about the eyes and getting wet with Nigel. It was an interesting shoot but Isis struggled. She was too concerned with one of her three bottoms coming off and her bits falling out and shocking the crew. Well it showed in the eyes and you know Tyra is all about the eyes so Isis was out.


    Project Runway
    starts and Korto says she is not about to go home. I hear ya girl. But Suede knows he has to step up to his game. Well, step it up Suede.
    They head to the Runway to do the model trade off. Jerell keeps his model but Kenly dumps her girl, crushing her and take a new model. Jeanne follows suit steals Suede’s model. These girls are mean.
    Then they find out the challenge is to design for each other. What? And it must rep a specific music genre
    Suede for Jerell- Rock and Roll
    Kenley for Leanne- Hip Hop
    Korto for Suede- Punk
    Jerell for Kenley-Pop
    Leanne for Korto-Country

    I don’t know why they had to do they model pick. I guess they didn’t want to pay the extra girls to hang around another week.
    It’s going to be crazy seeing the designers walk down the runway this week. I’m excited.
    Over at mood and Kenley is picking out a bright print. Hmm. No hip-hop there. Tim tries to tell her about it, but like a teenager she doesn’t listen. But she’s trying pants, albeit, very high waisted pants. Hey it’s not a hip-hop 50’s dress.
    Jerell had Kenley all vixened up and it’s a little scary to see her that way. And yes there is head gear. But no feathers.
    Leanne may be too subtle
    Korto needs to go further. It’s too basic.
    Suede silenced Tim. It was not amped up enough.

    Now to Kenley…Tim had the nerve ask shouldn’t hip-hip be oversized and she went ga-ga. Well, Tim had to school her behind and tell her, “simmer down now” and cut the crap. It’s his workroom and he’s the King. She’s not listening. Oh well. Can we eliminate her right now before the runway show? Leanne doesn’t want to wear that outfit anyway.

    So its runway day and the designers are all confidant. Especially Kenley. Why? Doesn’t she think Heidi swathe dailies from yesterday?
    They all squeeze into their outfits and go to get made up. It’s so much fun to see them done up. Although I do feel for poor Korto. Really, County and that blouse is not her color. It’s not anybody’s color. Leanne should have known that.
    Time for the show and yay, LL is there.

    Leanne- ok for the skirt. Don’t like the belt or the scarf around the neck. Agree with LL looks Theme Parky.

    Jerell- ok. More rock than pop to me but cute.

    Kenley- ok but not hip hop and shut up with blaming the model for your design. Bad sewing too.
    Korto- Yes! She went there. Very good. Suede looked better than normal. Pasty make up agrees with him. Suede-Yes. I can’t believe I like it. Judges think it was boring.

    Could this be Kenley’s week? Please. Now crossing toes.
    The winner is… Korto. See what happens when you listen to Tim?Yes! Told ya she made Suede look good.

    And Aufed this week is… Ken- What! Suede!!! No way. I actually liked that outfit more than Kenley’s bad attitude and high waisted pants. I can’t take this mess. Sniff. Bye Suede. I may even miss the 3rd person speak. I know I’ll miss it more than Kenley’s bad attitude. Lord I’d trade Blayne for her.

    Best,
    Kwana

    PS- Scroll down to chime in on politics. come on you know you want to.