• fashion,  funnies,  jack,  videos

    Funny Fashion

    October 15, 2009 /
    What’s Jack up to? The Jack dog and been trying my last nerve being extra pushy lately with the food treat thing. Trying to eat earlier and earlier and get in and extra meal or snack or three by wearing me down. It’s time to get tough up in here-up in here.

    So I got my new Harper’s Bazaar in the mail yesterday and I’m loving Tina Fey on the cover. Don’t you think she looks great?

    And here I was just tweeting with friends “bring models back to the magazine covers” which I still totally believe, but this cover really makes me happy.
    Love that dress and the twinkle in her eyes.

    Check some of the inside fashion. Yum.


    And just for fun:

    Best,
    Kwana
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  • fun,  life,  marriage

    Strike!

    October 14, 2009 /
    Check out my new super cute shoes that I got the other day. Yeah, I know cute is a stretch, but I really think they are.

    Because yes folks, I’m the DH’s proud new bowling partner. Eee everytime I say it I age about 10 years. But though I’m am awful bowler and he’s really good I wanted to do it to spend some quality time with the DH where we were not talking about kids, chores and other assorted life mess. Just having some fun together.
    So I got myself a pair of my very own shoes (can’t go wearing rentals week after week) and joined our church league.


    Check out this nifty shirt I spied hanging in the corner of the alley. They don’t make ‘em like that anymore.

    It was such a good time and with a 98 being my high score there is plenty of room for improvement. Plenty.

    Now I wonder what type of bowling couple we will be. So far no special shirts but you know I’m thinking about it. I hope this marriage can survive.

    So tell me: what fun thing do you do to keep the spark alive or just for you to take you out of the everyday rut?

    And of course knowing me like you do, did you think for a second that I would not put up this video?
    Yay, Grease 2! Such a fun hot mess.

    Best,
    Kwana

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  • 80's,  music,  videos

    The One Thing

    October 13, 2009 /

    I guess I’m feeling very 80’s today since for some reason and I’ve got this song running through my head. So of course I thought I’d share it with all of you.

    So share with me. What’s The One Thing that you’ve got running through your mind today? Enquiring minds want to know…

    Best,
    Kwana

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  • accessories,  Books,  domestications,  food,  movies,  my view

    And Featuring…

    October 12, 2009 /

    What’s Jack up to? Nothing much besides being the Just Jackster lately and having quite a time with that. He had fun helping the DD with a photography project for school what got him plenty of bribe treats in order to keep still (which he never did do) so WIN for him.

    Happy Monday and Happy Columbus Day!
    This is probably one of the latest Julie and Julia posts ever but here goes. Many of you know that Julie and Julia was my last book group book and I was quite excited to read this book and even more excited to see the movie with Meryl Streep and Amy Adams.

    Well, I guess too excited because I did an off reversal thing that I really thought would work. I saw the movie before reading the book and as it happens, I LOVED the movie, maybe a little too much.

    The problem with that was the movie, for me, was adapted so differently from the book that it made the book hard to separate and enjoy and I think if I had read the book first, I would have enjoyed it more. Or if I read the book maybe a year prior and then read Julia’s MY LIFE IN FRANCE and had those to go on I would have had a different experience.
    That said, this is not really what this post is about. This post is about the other little star of the movie. You all know how I can get swayed by a good accessory. Don’t let a fine handbag cross the screen. Clive Owen can be bare chested and I will barely notice. Well, that fine accessory moment in Julie and Julia was the Le Creuset dutch oven moment. I instantly turned to the DH and whispered, half breathless, “look my pot”. He just sighed knowing the trouble ahead.

    I had been coveting one of these pots for years but just could not justify the purchase of one in my own mind even a discounted one (on sale) and I really didn’t want another brand. You know how it goes. Real or Canal Street knock off? I go for real every time.
    Well this weekend after countless trips to Home Goods and TJ Maxx the DH had had it with me and the anniversary had not quite worn off so I now have my very own pretty yellow dutch oven. (sorry it’s dark in the pics)

    The first meal: braised ox tail stew with onions, peppers and potatoes. A fave of the DH.


    I also got this great casserole and one-pot book for myself to go with it. Who knew I’d be so happy over a pot?

    Could I be sorta domesticated? Kinda?
    Um… Nah. I’m not getting crazy here.

    Best,
    Kwana

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  • awards,  meme,  my view

    Me? Over The Top

    October 10, 2009 /

    Super brave American, Frau on a West Family Adventure in Germany was kind enough to bestow this Over The Top award on my blog. At first I thought it was Over The Hill (hmm sensitive much?) but now I know it’s a nicey nice blog award with a fun ONE word challenge. I look it as a fast and furious psyche test. Here I go:

    1. Where is your cell phone? Bed

    2. Your hair? Difficult

    3. Your mother? Ha

    4. Your father? Heaven

    5. Your favorite food? Rich

    6. Your dream last night? Lost

    7.Your favorite drink? Diet Coke

    8. Your dream/goal? Joy

    9. What room are you in? Bedroom

    10. Your hobby? Photography

    11. Your fear? Mediocrity

    12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Bestseller

    13. Where were you last night? Movies
    14. Something that you aren’t? Calm

    15. Muffins? Banana-Nut
    16. Wish list item? Cartier

    17. Where did you grow up? NYC

    18. Last thing you did? Read

    19. What are you wearing? Jeans

    20. Your TV? Old

    21. Your pet? Wild

    22. Friends? Blessing

    23. Your life? Turbulent
    24. Your mood? Uneasy

    25. Missing someone? Sometimes

    26. Vehicle? Truck-light

    27. Something you’re not wearing? Shoes

    28. Your favorite store? Anthro

    29. Your favorite color? Green

    30. When was the last time you laughed? Yesterday

    31. Last time you cried? Recently

    32. Your best friend? Cherished

    33. One place that I go to over and over? Church

    34. One person who emails me regularly? BFF

    35. Favorite place to eat? Johnny’s

    Now I have to pass the award along to six Over The Top Blogs that I really like. Too bad it’s only six. I like so many of you. Like Frau said, if you’d like to play along too, feel free to join in. If not, NO pressure. Cut and paste these questions to your post. Please let me know if you play along. Today’s picks are:

    Ina in Alaska http://ina-offret.blogspot.com/
    Amanda McCabe     http://amandamccabe.blogspot.com/
    Deidra at Jumping Tandem     http://www.jumpingtandem.com/
    Tam Styles at Get It Girl Style     http://getitgirlstyle.blogspot.com/
    Kate at Babbling about Books     http://kbgbabbles.blogspot.com/
    The Broke Socialite     http://thebrokesocialite.com/

    Best,
    Kwana

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  • jack pics,  photography

    It’s Raining Pinecones!

    October 9, 2009 /

    What’s Jack up to? Jack is such a crack up. Just when he takes me to the edge he does something sweet like wait patiently by his water bowl just looking at me until I get my first cup of coffee. That dog knows I’m a bear until I get my coffee.

    So we had quite a wind storm yesterday and you’d have thought it was raining pinecones by the look of my yard. I’m feeling like I should be doing something with all these pinecones like a craft or something. At the very least I should be putting them in bags and selling them on the side of the road. Unscented thank you very much.




    This post doesn’t make much sense but I like the pics. I hope you do too.
    Have a good Friday!

    Best,
    Kwana

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  • love,  marriage,  my view

    In A Blink

    October 8, 2009 /

    Thanks so much for all your well wishes yesterday on my anniversary. You all made the DH and I feel so good.

    I have to say it was a lot to live up to this 20th anniversary thing. The day before, heck, weeks before, I had so much anxiety and I think some was due to the upcoming anniversary. How could I be having such a big milestone in my relatively short life?

    I did just have my 40th birthday back in June that was enough thanks. I felt with this big milestone of the 20th anniversary and having a 40th birthday and having kids in high school shouldn’t I have all this grown up like crap together? Shouldn’t I be more together and know what I’m doing by now? Shouldn’t my career be in place? Shouldn’t I have this parent thing down? Shouldn’t I at least not have so many freaking bad hair days?!!!

    Well, I guess not. Because the milestone came anyway. I woke up next to the DH and said, “well, this is what 20 years looks like.” He smiled, laughed at me and said, “and you said we wouldn’t make it.” The day began.

    20 years is not perfect, but it’s not all drama or even a romantic comedy. Nothing is. It’s life full of moments that go by in the blink of an eye.

    Best,
    Kwana

    photo thanks to flickr- Blink of an Eye
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  • DH,  family,  love,  marriage,  photography

    20

    October 7, 2009 /
    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,
    K

    P.S. To all my friends and visitors. Thanks for sharing the love with us today.

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  • art,  artists,  life,  writing life

    If I Had a Million Dollars

    October 6, 2009 /
    Tackle it Tuesday? Ha I wish.
    Today I find myself thinking if I had a million dollars (well, 2 or 3. A million just ain’t what it used to be) I’d hire that cleaning fairy and hunky Top Chef to make my life just a smidge (read: whole boatload) more manageable. Life is very different now than from when this still life was done by Pop Artist Tom Wesselmann in 1963.

    It’s another postcard I have from a visit to the MoMa. I think I was drawn to the color and calming simplicity of this kitchen. I’m sure the Rice Krispies and the Dole Pineapples helped pull me in too.
    What practical thing would you purchase if you had a million or two?
    Tom Wesselmann 1963, Still Life #30

    Off to tackle some edits today.

    Best,

    Kwana

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  • life,  motherhood,  movies,  politics,  stress,  videos

    Me Time

    October 5, 2009 /
    What’s Jack up to? Jack’s chilling after a fine weekend and being Just Jack. After a pretty dreary Saturday the sun came out on Sunday and Jack out in nice long walk with his buddy Bentley then just chilled and chilled some more. Oh the life.

    I had an odd weekend. Not odd really, but odd for me. Got to steal a little time for myself which is so very necessary to my sanity every once in a while.

    I found myself alone (well not quite, there were 2 other in need of peace moms there) in the movies. I was doing a little mom therapy and seeing Whip It which I just loved and highly recommend. A total girl power movie with tons of coolness and a rocking soundtrack. It also has the added bonus of being sweet as pie.

    Then I ended up on the West Side going to celebrate a friends B-day. Man there are lots of much younger peeps out having loads of fun at all hours. I’d almost forgotten that world. But still I adore NYC at night. It’s so in my blood, so home.

    How was your weekend? Did you get in any U time?

    Best,
    Kwana

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