Funny Filler
This is just total filler because it’s 12:45 AM and I have no words left and can’t promise you any for tomorrow morning. But I really like this Heinekin ad and didn’t even notice it until the DH pointed it out to me. Very funny.
For all my writers out there so I’m not leaving you completely wordless I’ll borrow a few from Julia Cameron since I’m currently re-reading The Right to Write. This is from the Chapter on Mood.
“Being in the mood to write, like being in the mood to make love,is a luxury that isn’t necessary for a long term relationship.”Best,
KwanaPlot Light
Howdy Peeps! Good day to you all.Check out this chandelier that I spied on my trip to the MoMA with PVE. Isn’t it wild and don’t you love it? I sure do and can’t get it out of my wacky head.
It’s by German designer Ingo Maurer done in 1997. The “Zettel’z is a grand chandelier where the Bohemian crystal drops are substituted by scribbled paper notes from some incurable romantic’s desk. The light shines through the paper mobile. In this work Maurer plays with traditional approaches to chandelier manufacture, using precious and semi-precious materials.”
“The truth is found between the lies”I like to think of it as a great plotting tool. Wouldn’t it be a fun way to plot out a story? You can arrange and rearrange the scenes while letting the light shine through to show you the way. Just be careful to not get burned!
Best,
KwanaThe Two Sock Moment
What’s Jack up to? As I write this he’s asleep on his blanket atop the couch as I listen to the rain continue to fall. It’s been some day.Those of you that have been with me for a long long time will remember my One Sock Moment post. I got lots of really nice comments and I liked that post (if I may say so myself) about not giving up and perseverance or maybe chucking it all. You can check it out here. Since that post life and the Gemini in me took over and the second sock seemed to take forever to get knitted with stress, family, dishes, writing and lets face it, The Not So Real Housewives getting in the way of finishing the other sock. Not to mention my Christmas knitting. But finally the One Sock Moment is over and just in time for Spring too. I now have a nice pair of 100% wool socks to wear for the upcoming warm days. Aren’t they pretty?
But really there is only one thing that can beat the feeling of getting over the hurdle of the One Sock Moment and that is the accomplishment of the Two Sock Moment.I have to remember this feeling and bring more of it into my sometimes (excuse the word but it fits) half @ssed life.How about you? What projects are just waiting for you to get back to them and polish them off. Bringing a sense of finality and accomplishment to your heart. I can quickly tick a few more off in my own life.best,KwanaStepping Pretty or Charles in Charge
What’s Jack up to? Jack had a fun weekend. The weather was beautiful in New York so he got to spend lots of time outside yapping at the neighbors and being a general pain in the butt. Jack also got to enjoy our new porch.
Which I’m now calling The Veranda.
Sure it’s not quite large enough to be called a veranda but I feel like a proper lady when I step out on that freshly laid blue stone.
This was such a necessary home improvement. Our front stairs were literally crumbling under our feet. It was so sad.
Check out my porch top. Just chipped painted concrete.
Side Wall was falling apart. That second step was a doozy.
If you refer to my unfortunate event post here you’ll read how I was shocked early in the morning by our Stone Man Charles showing up early Monday morning with a full team and 2 trucks while I was still in my nightgown and hair a hot mess.
But it was no matter, Charles and his team were ready to work. Shout out to my neighbor over at LoveMomWorkLife for finding him. It’s great to have friends. He came in at the last minute of bids and stole the show.
Speaking of stealing the show, let’s talks about the team. Charles guys are all sweethearts, most with these Irish Brogues that will steal your heart right on down to his young sons who were out of school last week and stopped by for a visit.
I had my driveway full of romance heroes for a week. Just bliss. The DD could not wait to get home from school every day.
And in less than a week. Voila! Beauty meets function.
His stone cutters are artisans that are passionate about their work (I’m talking you Elvis!) Yes, we got into it over ¼ of an inch and one or two stones but I can appreciate that being an artist myself. In the end it was all love and the details were beautiful.Can you believe how they cut the stone to fit around my railing?
Not to mention as they were power washing the stone Charles did my deck and house too. Love him!
If you’re in the New York Area C & P Paving are the go to guys. Here are The DH and Charles happy that the job is done. So what the kid’s college tuition is gone. Who am I fooling? It was never really there in the first place.
And Jack’s already loving it!
I hope you had a good weekend. What’s on for the week?
Best,
Kwana
“I’ll be down when I put on my lipstick”
These are the words Little Edie yells to the hoards of police and other authorities about to break in her door and take over her house. “I’ll be down when I put on my lipstick.” What wonderful nerve.
I watched the premiere of HBO’s Grey Gardens propped up comfortably in bed ala Big Edie style. I really enjoyed the HBO version with it’s many flashbacks to give us clues as to how the 2 women could have fallen into such horrible states of despair both inside and outside of their heads.
I thought it was beautifully done, this way too intertwined mother daughter strange love story. I wanted to cry a the first glimpse of how Grey Gardens once looked. It was so sad. But the clutter was more inside the head and heart, I believe and not in the house.
Through it all they had amazing style and flare that could not be denied. Staunch Women. Oh yes. Staunch Indeed.
Please check out Visual Vamp for a wonderful story about her summer encounter with Little and Big Edie. Just lovely and heart warming. Click here.
Best,KwanaDon’t Forget To Look Up
So I’m just leaving Verizon to deal with my Blackberry Storm fail and after being totally aggravated because of having quite a tiff with a very rude manager. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if my WANTED poster is not now posted there. Oh well. He wasn’t nice and I told him so in my nicest possible way. I also explained that there were other very lovely employees there and maybe they should be managers and not him. I was heated. This will not end here. But back to the story… I get a new phone, my pics are lost, I leave mad as all get out and go rushing to pick up my DD and her friend from her important dance audition (fingers crossed for both of them) and I’m about to stomp into the studio when I look up.
Wow! Sometimes all you have to do is look up to change your mood entirely. This is the start of a good season to do so. Lucky me, I happened to have my camera in my bag and look this pic.
Reminder: Tonight is the premiere of Grey Gardens on HBO. I can’t wait to watch. Here’s a clip from the orig to remind you. I think Drew Barrymore will and Jessica Lange will do fine jobs playing Little and Big Edie. I can’t wait to see.
Enjoy your weekend! Maybe plant a little something in your Grey Garden.
Best,
KwanaSeriously, Friday?
Oh no, it can’t be. This week has gone by in a blur of concrete, pavement and vague glimpses of people I know as I passed them running from one task to another. Last night I did get to have some enjoyment with some friends from around the way to celebrate the DH’s birthday. That was nice. And gave me and excuse to get out of the jeans that I think I have been wearing since Monday when I was surprised by the contractors a the crack of dawn ready to work on the stairs. It was that type of week.Today my DH and I are a bit haggard a lot like this Picasso couple from 1904. Together, but holding each other up. Still in love, but just hanging on to life, so tired.
Whew, barley made it through the week. So much to do and still another busy day to go. I’m hoping we can steal a few relaxing moments in between the chaos of the weekend just to smile and enjoy each other.Thanks so much for all his birthday wishes he was so touched and had a great birthday. You all helped make it even more special.
What are your plans? I hope it includes some relaxing.
Best,KwanaHappy Birthday Love
Happy Birthday to my Dear DH! I can’t believe how time has flown. It’s quickly turning into more years with you than without you. Not many can say that and I’m so proud.In honor of your 50th (can you believe that baby face folks?) here are 50 things I love about you:1.Your smile
2. Your laugh
3. Your eyes
4. The ways you get me.
5. The ways you don’t
6. The fact that you are such a southern man.
7. You can cook.
8. You make a perfect cup of tea.
9. Low country boil.
10. I’m a cheap date and you love me for it.
11. You’re a cheap date and I love you for it.
12. The fact that you start arguments just to hear my lovely voice.
13. You are such a hard worker.
14. You’re sometimes so lazy.
15. I’m sometimes so lazy and you don’t mind.
16. You make me laugh.
17. You indulge me.
18. You are a great father.
19. You’re a good friend.
20. You were my friend first.
21. You get my odd dry humor.
22. Johnny’s on City Island
23. You can be so Alpha sometimes. Sometimes not so much.
24. You understand how hard a mother’s work is.
25. You do your best.
26. You brood.
27. You’re a secret dreamer.
28. You believe in me.
29. You care.
30. You do.
31. You like 24.
32. You are crazy for Jack. A bit nutty really.
33. You have great taste in music.
34. You don’t mind being foolish.
35. You’ll do anything for your children.
36. You know when to push and when to pull away.
37. Shrimp and Gravy! (been way too long since you’ve made that)
38. You like my friends.
39. You can bowl a mean game.
40. Your cute nose.41-45. Have been omitted due to blogs PG rating! Smooches!
46. The way your Georgia accent sometimes sneaks out. (Say orange for me!)
47. You make the world’s best Cosmos
48. The way you look at me in the morning when I’m not cute.
49. The way you hold me at night.
50. The way you have been and are always there for me.Love you always Lovie,KwanaA Series of Unfortunate Events
What’s Jack up to? Jack is wearing himself out with the construction guys around this week. He doesn’t know what to do. One minute he’s barking like crazy the next he’s flopped dead on the couch. Me? I’m worn out too.The Spring Break week was full of unfortunate events. Well, it started with me still out of sorts with my crazy backlash where I was in much better shape but not tip-top from my back going out. Then things just went wacky and all sorts of stuff kept happening.
The DH took his car for a check ending up needing breaks. Big money and in the shop they crashed his bumper. Who does that?Then… I got a flat tire. On Good Friday coming from church.Then… My DD’s last fish died right after speaking not so nicely about the fish. Hmmm….Then…the worst happened. Blackberry fail! I’m sitting in church, my phone on silent. I look in my bag for a pen and my phone is lit up and going crazy. Huh? I get out of church and ¾ of my pictures are erased. Including my screensaver. My favorite pic of my Twins. I was devastated. I wanted to throw the phone out on the highway. Verizon is no help. Says the phone is bad and will give me a new one. It is no consolation. The memory is gone. A bee is in my bonnet and I can’t let it go. I feel there must be some way to bring them back. Nothing is ever just gone. Blackberry how can you fail me?So…the Spring break week ended to go right into this. I woke up Monday morning exhausted after Easter and wishing I could sleep in but Dear Teen Twins had to get off to school and the DH off to work. Honestly, I had planned to go back for a nap. I thought the contractor was going to give me a call to discuss the final stair plans. Um…no.The kids are gone and my DH is just out the door. I’m settled to write a blog post I was too exhausted to write the night before when Jack starts to bark like mad. I get out of bed look out the window and there are 2 trucks, 6 guys and my contractor (yeah, this could be the start of a great story but this is me) And I’m still in my nightgown (not a nice one) with hair sticking up like Woody Woodpecker. Oh Crap.
Help me Jack! I look He’s just barking and no help with finding clean clothes.
Quick grab ye old jeans and sweater from the top of the hamper pile, pull on boots smooth hair and go for it. Smile. You’re on! The week begins.On an up note they are doing a fine job on my stairs. Contractors are great and adorable with thick Irish brogues. (yeah sounds like a book again.)
And soon my stairs will no longer be a danger. Pics to come.
Thanks for letting me gripe today. I needed to get all that out.
Let’s hope things are looking up.Best,
KwanaWait! They are looking up! On this tax day I want to say Happy Birthday to Ceska!! O
ne of my nearest, dearest and oldest friends. “Yeah girl, you are older than me. I’m holding onto these couple of months.”Ceska and I have been friends since we were maybe 10 or so on the play ground. I even held her hand in the delivery room with her first child one New Year’s Eve night (the hand was never the same!) She’s always had my back and sadly has the memory of an elephant. Darn. That’s not so good. LOL.So even though it’s tax day. It’s never a sad day for me because it’s my crazy girl’s birthday. I’ll always think of us as roller skating disco diva’s in the 80’s.Love ya Ces!P.S. The Last Unfortunate Event, this post was supposed to post hours ago but I put the time in wrong. PM instead of AM. Sigh. Am I under a cloud?
Beyond Heaving Bosoms- Launch Day
It’s a Happy Day for romance! Today is the official release day for Beyond Heaving Bosoms: The Smart Bitches’ Guide to Romance Novels by Sarah Wendell and Candy Tan.
Happily in honor of their launch Sarah has agreed to guest blog today. Have at it Sarah. Welcome. My blog is your blog!
Best Things About Meeting Fans of Our Website, Inspired by Kwana.(Kwana insert: Oh I’m so flattered! Cut to me batting my lashes.)1. Most of the women who read romance (I am an exception to his rule) are effortlessly stylish, savvy, and fashionable. (Me, not so much – after two babies with reflux, my fashion code is “May it Be Machine Washable.”) So when you meet these fabulous fans of romance, you can subtly learn all new ways to dress yourself and look damn good.(Look at this woman’s style. So cool. I’m sure she’s a romance reader.)
2. Have we mentioned that Smart Bitches read romance? It’s true. So when you meet romance fans, expect silly, smart, sharp and witty conversation about everything from cell phone ebook readers to shoes to recently read books to the one title you’ll haunt the bookstore looking for on release day.3. Everyone is different with something crucial in common. I mentioned this in the Bitch Book ( better known as Beyond Heaving Bosoms: The Smart Bitches’ Guide to Romance Novels) and it’s so true. Romance is loved by many, many different women from many, many different walks of life and places of origin. The one thing we may all have in common is romance novels. We may disagree on every other thing, but romances can give us hours of conversation. There aren’t many things that can establish a foundation of friendship like a love of man-titty, emotional happiness, and wonderful protagonists.4. Romance Readers always carry great handbags. Why? We have everything else plus a book in there. Check out the purse selection at your local romance reader hangout – or visit Lady Jane’s Salon for a visual education in the art of the book-carrying handbag. Then go shopping.(Amen. You’re speaking my language here. Check out her bag. I bet she has a great French romance in there.)
5. Corny ridiculous time! The conviviality and eager joy of romance fans translates to a very happy atmosphere when we’re all in one place. Love, after all, is all you need.Thank you!!SarahThank you for being here. And to you and Candy for being such true romance warriors. Check out Sarah and Candy over at their blog Smart Bitches Who Like Trashy Books here. And pick up a copy of Beyond Heaving Bosoms. You’ll have a great time.Best,Kwana
fashion images from The Satorialist
