Grey Gardens
One night, a long while back, pretty late if I remember correctly, I was up flipping channels and came across the documentary Grey Gardens on the Sundance Channel. I was immediately mesmerized. I tried and tried to nudge the DH awake to no avail. These woman could not be real but they were so real, so true and so scarily off the edge that they were maybe too close to it. Right at that point where I felt I could reach out and pull them back in or they could reach out and let me tumble off the cliff with them and dance in the air on the way down.
I’m looking forward to the HBO premier on April 18th.
But I think nothing will compare to the real woman. How can it? So much said in every word. Every look.
Best,
KwanaCaution-Woman at Rest
Hello Friday.There are a million things that I could be doing today and it would bore you all to list them all here. I may do one, two, possibly three. No, not three.
But today is the last day before the week off spring break which is sure to be a very busy time in my house with me playing, Julie the Cruise director to my family. No matter how many times I tell them that is not my title or role.
So today I’m going to take some time for myself to think, meditate, write, and rest. Block out a little Kwana time. Sometimes you have to steal it where you can.
photo taken at Kykuit Rockerfeller estate
I hope you have a good day.
Best,
KwanaChurch 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,
KwanaGet 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,
KwanaSucked 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,
KwanaTime 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,
KwanaMy 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
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,
KwanaP.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,KwanaMaintenance
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
