There is so much to blog about as of recently I simply cannot decide where to start. I have been observing and experiencing all sorts of "funniness" that I just laugh to myself and say I need to blog about this. Then after I make my mental note and file it away into my faulty 33-year old cataloging system (library rubbing off already, eh?), I tire and decide I'll get to it at some point. LOL
However today, as I sit here drained from working on taxes all night and realizing that it doesn't pay to be "middle class" if that's even what you wanna call it, seriously; let's go for "working class" - more accurate. I figured a blog is all I can do to lift my spirits and take my mind off the fact that all the tax breaks I've been accustomed to in the past have somehow be placed just beyond my grasp this filing year...who'da thunk! HA
So as many of you know I'm working at the library, but not as LIBRARIAN...oh no - just a lowly library technician. Anywho I head several programs (by default I think: my spouse is the only one not on orders to PCS and my degree). One of my programs is the displays placed around the library. Seeing as though I've been putting up bulletin boards for the past half decade they figured I could do this successfully (insert wink). Well my Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. displays did so well and received so much attention that they were noticed by the "Ops group"- Darryl said these are the people "in charge" so that gave me a sense of pride. The books that I selected to support the displays were in regular circulation and even selected by the EOC and used in post wide programming. I was given a special acknowledgement (of which my supervisor accepted on my behalf unbeknownst to me but later made me aware). The ops group donated a painting of Dr. Marting Luther King, Jr. for the library to display and gave the entire library staff t-shirts - I received mine last she stated because she could not locate me when they arrived...lovely). The display remains up through today so I'll post the some pictures for you to view. Afterwards she informed me excitedly that could not wait to see my displays for African American History Month (regular church attendance is doing wonders for my self control).
That's the painting I was "presented" to the right.
But that's not all, from that I was stopped and interviewed by the post news paper: The Fort Polk Guardian. They feature a spotlight section on the people around base called Viewpoint. People kept coming to me telling me they saw me in the paper so when I got a copy there I was speaking on behalf of my profession, no not library technicians, silly billies...educators
Kenchasa Swann:"I'd be an educator like I already am. It makes an impact. It is the one profession that creates all others."
But once I looked through the entire section I saw something else. An entire page on another program I head. My favorite program too, Story Time. It's the closest thing I have to a classroom at the moment. In conjunction with the childcare development centers (CDC) on base I create a curriculum and pull books to read stories to students from the CDC weekly then we complete and enrichment based activity to support the reading. My picture is not featured in this article, but my name is and its my program. This particular lesson was centered on Thank You month and we were discussing the importance of saying "thank you". After reading books on the topic to the students, we made thank you cards of which we we into the main areas of the library and distributed to soldiers saying simply, "Thank You". My counterpart Kathy does the same thing, but with the public children, I'm thinking that because I'm licenced I oversee the "official" component. Anyway, Kathy is super creative, has wonderful ideas, and we feed wonderfully off of one another - so after collaborating this was an excellent brainchild!
If you click the picture it will maximize in another window and you can read the article.
Look @ my babies...they did so well!
It was great, the soldiers and the students loved the activity. And as you see it even caught the eye of a local reporter! I even saw soldiers tuck the cards carefully into their pockets and some take second peeks and they scribbled colored cards when they though we'd left the area. Kathy said she saw soldiers tear up, how great is that. When I found this article I knew what had to be done. At 5:30 after I left work I grabbed like 7 papers and tucked them into my work tote...they are free after all!
So that's all for now...it's much more "goings on" but since I'm "Fort Polk Famous" I don't really have that much time for blogging - I have to sign autographs (no flash photography please) HA HA HA
It was Hilarious Hair Day at Rah's school as they were working on the letter "H". Yes, Robert already knows his letters, sounds, and how to read simple sentences and basic level 1 books. But alas he really needs the socialization because he's become quite the "Little Billy" as Dee, my brother, refers to those bad kids that have tantrums in public while their docile parents stand passively by saying things like "Billy, don't do that". and "Billy, didn't we agree that you would behave this time". I know, I know....
But school it is...and reverting to "old school parenting" for me, I'm working on it...kinda. Well the students were encouraged to do something hilarious with their hair, whether that be funny temporary coloring, wigs, barrettes, styles, etc., you get the point. We were all at the point to cut Rah's hair when I had an epiphany, maybe Darryl could put an "H" in his head - his scheduled hair cut was the following day, so it wouldn't matter. So we had it all worked out too; until my neighbor Kenya, who gets him off the bus said we should give him a "Paw paw" hair cut!
What's a Paw paw haircut you ask? Well take a look...
Darryl even added powder to make it gray!!! Look @ my old man!
We really did enjoy our time home as although we did not get a chance to see everyone we would have love to see, we saw as many as was humanly possible! We are just mere mortals. Hopefully our next go 'round there will be more success, but alas someone is always left out of the "rotation" and I am thankful that our family and friends are pretty used to our "gypsy military" life and place few demands on us as far as time constraints.
We did have a few surprise visits this year and I made contact with an Aunt I hadn't seen in over a decade and let go of the past...it felt awesome. I ended up grabbing her every time I got too and we had a ball. So instead of the usual " narrative blog" I'll simply take you on a "picture walk" with captions and a bunch of photos! Keep in mind that you can select a photo and save the image yourself - to print or upload or whatever you like directly from any blog.
Enjoy...
After dancing to "Who Runs the World..Girls by Beyonce". I tell Rah and Mac to pose for a picture. Can you see who's the professional? Look at here! I had to fuss at Jessica later when Lenny didn't know how to pose for a picture properly! LOL
Day 3 - December 22, 2012 - Bowie, MD (Shane & Nikki's House)
Rest and Relaxation, well for me that is...
Darryl spent the day visiting and running back and forth geting the turck serviced so that it can go through emissions (so much fun, I'm sure)!
Day 4 - December 23, 2011 - Clinton, MD (Kenny & Jessica's Home)
Rah and Lenni (Jessica's daughter) play. I love her hair!
Lenni poses for a picture
Darryl plays with Lenni's new pet; which later causes us to make an emergency visit to the pharmacy for Robert who broke out in hives (he got it naturally)!
Good Daddy, he took them outside to play!
She's a Drama Queen, but she's tough!
Day 4 - Stop 2 - Washington, DC (Family Friend's House)
We all piled in the truck and headed over to where Darryl's mom and step dad were. Lawrence was frying fish (mmmmnnn) and shrimp (allergic) but the fish was fine. He is the beginning of the end of my voice as you may have heard on Rah's Christmas video- cigarette smoke takes me down!
We sat around, ate, drank, were merry etc. etc. I even discovered that the homeowner was someone that I went to school with in Southview. Well she knew Ebony, but remembered me...small world, huh? The first thing she said was "when you spoke I knew I knew you because of your lisp!" How rude! LOL
Moochie & Darryl playing Wii bowling
Darryl's mom (with the controller) beating him in bowling!!!
Day 4 - Stop 3 - Oxon Hill, MD (Reggie's House)
We make a habit of seeing Reggie or if he's out of state his mom Helena whenever we come to town. She's Darryl's second mom and he hung out with her a bunch in his youth eating her out of house and home. The consider us family and we feel exactly the same. Reggie recently graduated with his Masters' also and just bought his mother a house! Her very first, she's been living in the same apartment in Souhview for over 25 years - she was the candy lady when I was small. I remember buying frozen icee's from her window in a paper cup for a quarter. Funny how things come full circle, I'm so happy for them!
Darryl & Reggie
Day 5 - Christmas Eve - Bowie, MD(IHOP)
We had breakfast with Uncle Shane & Jordie (my Godson) at IHOP
Christmas Eve - Stop 2 - Clinton, MD (Janelle, House)
Janelle & Emmett hosted a holiday party and invited us. It was very nice and Mrs. Myreck made me a veggie lasagna. She actually made several lasagnas. It was a nice event, we each brought a $5 gift and had a nice game of White Elephant. We even sang carols and Mrs Myreck read about the true meaning if Christmas so that all of the children knew why they received presents. It was cool, thanks for considering us your extended family!
Christopher (Janelle's son)
Mrs. Myreck & Malik (he's over 6ft @ 13!) - Janelle's eldest son
Cheyenne (the baby girl) & Janelle
Christmas Eve - Stop 3 - Forestville, MD
We stopped by another family home on Darryl's side. He said he used to visit there when he was really small so they hadn't seen him in adulthood. We laughed and joked - but it became really fun when this guy started to make moves on Darryl's sister Arnie. She was soooo not impressed. His best line: "Girl you must be retarded, because you sure are special." HA HA HA HAH AH AHA Haaaaaaa! I almost peed myself!
Arnie (still trying to recover from the bad "game" that is being thrown at her)
Rah and his favorite cousin Keiar, Arnie's youngest son
Day 6 -Christmas Day - Temple Hills, MD (Uncle Sunny's House)
After opening gifts (see the Christmas Morning Blog http://kenchasaswann.blogspot.com/2012/01/christmas-morning-uncle-shane-aunt.html) we took a nap. Then we headed to Uncle Sunny's house and had dinner with him, Loraine, HT, and Tommy (oh, and don't forget Elmo). We just missed Granny and Aunt Duhaa. I was pretty sad about that but I was so tired after dealing with Rah all morning. They have Chinese for Christmas dinner and have been doing so for over 10 years! It was great. We had a great time there and Lorianne showed me her music box collection. I told her I collected teaching certificates from all the states we PCS to, lol!
Christmas House on Uncle Sunny's Street
Christmas Day - Stop 2 - District Heights, MD (Kita's House)
After making a quick stop to get Aunt Lulu so this could actually be (stop 3) we arrived at Kita's and finished the night there...well besides doing a liquor store run (you know the one on Marlboro Pike is always open even though its supposed to be closed and not selling liquor) and to drop Aunt Lulu back off. We had more fun, played spades - well they did, I don't bother...folks take cards too seriously sometimes, ate and reminisced until the wee hours!
Kita's BFF
Let the Spades begin!
Now, why can't I have a Wii of every time he has access to one, he monopolizes it?
Focused on that gutter ball, huh?
sisters
Too much to drink, Jessie, Arnie & Aunt LuLu!
And of course, the pretty Tomboy she is, Jessica wants to know the latest combat "holds" so in an instant it was like they were children again! Kita gave up and went to bed! Threatening that any broken furniture or holes in walls would be repaired! Robert wanted to join the action...
Lenni, took Aunt Kita's lead! LOL
Day 7 - December 26, 2011 - Temple Hills, MD (Dee & Aunt Lulu's House)
When we dropped Aunt LuLu off I got to see my newest nephew, Dillon! Yes, Dee had another son! Don't know what he was thinking but we love Dillon to pieces!
Dillon, age 1, my camera has a double flash so I can never seem to get him with his dang eyes open!
Darryl, Dillon, & Dee
Aunt Lulu and Rah
Rah, Uncle Dee, & Dillon
Dillon's eyes are actually open!!! I think he looks like my mom!
Neither one of us managed to get this pic right, lol!
Day 9 - December 28 - Washington, DC (Ebony's House)
Ebby had some bracelets for me - my true item of collection. I collect bracelets from around the world, not novelty bracelets but ethnic bracelets; so anytime I know of friends visiting far away places I ask them to bring me back a bracelet. I have now bracelets from numerous islands and Ebony added Germany to my collection! I was super excited. I have some from as far away as China and Ghana. This evening she tied on my waist a chain of beads used for measuring. The goal is the smaller you get the lower your beads hang upon your hips until you slip out of them. Her Nigerian friend buys them from a Ghanaian women (ironic, huh?). They can not be taken off, only cut off...so I am super excited! Mine individual beads are small and gold, pink, and pearlized. I asked for another set with larger more pronounced beads like Ebby's hers are beautiful. Seeing as though they have not gone around my neck and started to choke me, I think I'm making progress. I love the little customs of cultures!
London & Davaughhn (Ebby's boys)
I have concluded that I must be the shortest Aunt ever!
Day 10 - December 29, 2011 - Temple Hills, MD (Tina and Jay's House)
I try my darnedest to see my Tina each time I visit, she is one of my oldest "grown up" friends and we relate so well. So it was good seeing her and the family. We took plenty of pics and I got to see half of the twins this time as Taire was gone with Tracy. But Taj was home and I usually miss him! As we were preparing to leave I got Darryl to snap a few pics of us, but you have to check out the video too...he makes me soooo sick!
Tina & I strike a pose (super big smile for me)
Tajai (Tina's eldest son) and Rah
Day 10 - Stop 2 - Temple Hills, MD (Keesha & Kia's House)
I did a final stop to see my Goddaughter Iyanna and bring her more goodies! She is such a girlie girl and I get to live my "girl free" life through here since Darryl has proclaimed no more kids.
Iyanna took this pic of us herself - can you tell? LOL
Kia & Keesha
Day 10 - Stop 3 - Temple Hills, MD (Aunt Kimberly's House)
I went past Dee's house again to get my bounty.I had to get my Wii before I headed home, and to my surprise DJ (Dwight, Jr. Jr. LOL) showed up too - I actually got a chance to see all of my nieces and nephews except Melissa who lives in Kansas - but I did speak to her on the phone! But before they came home Aunt LuLu asked us to make a quick stop...
KeeKee (Aunt Kim's daughter) 9 months
Aunt Kimberly (Mom;s baby sister)
Back at Dee's after securing my Wii...
DJ (Dee's eldest son) and Rah
DJ & Dee
DJ, Me, Dee, and Rah
Me and my Dee's
Day 10 - Stop 4 - District Heights - (Kita's House)
Darryl was acting as if he was gonna die because he wanted leftovers from Christmas dinner although he had over 3 opportunities to eat dinner today (hence stop 4); but he had his mind on a plate from Kita's house. So off we went. But it was worth it because Quan Jr. was there! I hadn't seen him in so long. My first official godson, now my nephew was so big and handsome. I had to get a pic! And since I was there I just took the leftover apple pic that no one seemed to have wanted...LOL
Quan Jr.
Me & Quan
Day 11 - December 30, 2011 - Bowie, MD (Shane & Nikki's House)
A day of rest. It was needed. I slept all day and Darryl got the truck serviced in preparation for the 20hr drive back home.
Day 12 - December 31, 2011 - On the Road
Rah tries to take Aunt Nikki with us and reluctantly decides to take Jordie when she refuses to leave him. He tells Uncle Shane he must stay and work, though...lol. I am allowed to go and Darryl too, but only because he drives!
Rah & Uncle Shane saying goodbye!
OK, so I guess it did turn out to be a blog....
BUT WAIT!!!! I forgot my first night there: Day 2 - Washington DC - (Multiple Lounges) ...we adult napped Aunt Lulu and and called Michelle (my youngest niece) and went lounge hoppin' with Ebby and her friend! We had a blast and didn't get in until like 4 or 5am! I was soooo tired. People kept buying us shots and drinks - it was three generations of us there (amazing). Michele ended up breaking curfew and we had to beg and plead with Wanda (her mom - my ex. sister-in law) not to punish her (she's 19); but since Wanda has been around us since we were young we had no rank - ha ha ha; we had to use Aunt Lulu's pull! It worked and all was well in the end. Just a girl night in DC with the family - a lot of walking though, my quads and calves were sore the next day! Here's a candid shot from my phone...
