Spa Day

My Goddaughter Iyanna

While I was in DC, I wasn't in "stealth" mode this go 'round and was able to visit many friends and family members. I can never visit everyone and that's always the difficulty when you live far away but I've learned over the years that I also can't stretch myself thin trying to accommodate everyone or feel guilty by not succeeding - because it'll never happen, so why bother. I'm only one person and although pretty darn super if I say so myself, I am not Superwoman. 

This time I got a chance to spend some QT with my one and only goddaughter. Iyanna and I had a day of pampering at a kids spa in Bowie, MD. We've had a difficult time bonding as I moved when she was much younger, and summer visits, and occasional gifts just don't make up for true time together. So, after a couple of our other plans fell through, I finally got her overnight and truly babied and spoiled her rotten. She's the little girl I always wanted but was never blessed with biologically.

Yanna & I brush our teeth - yeah I have on a onsie!

There isn't a birthday of holiday that goes by that I don't go beyond out of control with stuff for her. Shopping for a little girl outdoes that of little boys by far, raising two boys has robbed me of this experience and I just go crazy and splurge on her whenever I can. But I think if I were local it'd be more quality instead of quantity.

We visited Sugar Suite Kids Spa and Salon http://sugarsuitekids.com/ and had a ball!

Yanna and I were both treated to a mani & pedi, facial, and make-up for $95 - the "mommy and me" package! It was truly, to die! First, the decor was delightful all shades of purples and the chairs were giant cell phones and cupcakes. The music was of "kid-bop" origin and the entire staff was teen girls, how cute! So for little ones, it was like getting your nails done by a big sister - the only adults were the hairstylists and the receptionist. We were given terrycloth robes embossed with colorful details and escorted to the pedicure area. I allowed Yanna free reign to choose our colors, and boy did she! LOL

One of three colors she chose

While having our pedicures we were served fruit punch from colorful yet plastic "grown-up" glasses and had our choice of snack (Ritz bits, Oreo cookies, or gummy bears) served from a silver platter. We were really being pampered - I don't get this type of service when I get my regular pedicure! Now, as I said it's teen manicurists and specifically for kids so don't expect a pumice to be pulled out or nippers to get ingrown nails, but they do cut down nails, file, buff, massage, polish, and design wonderfully. You have to remember this is for children - so they generally have soft feet unlike some adults! LOL

Yanna in the foot soak

Yanna & I sipping on our fruit juice

Big Toes (mine)

Little Toes (hers)

Afterwards we were led to the manicure tables of which Yanna picked another three colors for our fingers! By this time she was into everything, she even suggested that she needed a massage because her back was sore (of course this made me laugh hysterically) as one, "her back was sore?" From what? Carrying her backpack. And two, she had confused the dressing room partitions for a massage room, they actually hold fashion shows for little ones who have their b-day parties there - after being pampered they get to play dress-up, walk the runway, and then have a photo shoot! How cute is that? Ikr - I'm gonna see if her mom will allow her next b-day to be hosted there.

Yanna getting her mani

Lastly, we received a facial. You know your skin gets loose and you need to keep it taunt and while also keeping those bags under your eyes away. So we got yogurt face masks and cucumber eye treatments (of which we nibbled at while the treatment ran its course). LOL I opted not to have the face as I just placed tinted moisturizer on that morning (I really need some sun) but, that didn't stop me from partaking in the rest of the treatment. Yanna, opted for a makeup application of her own afterwards and after seeing all of her color choices I decided to allow her to be the "beautiful one" all by herself this time around! HA HA HA

Just relaxing

All made up

It was a great day, I ended up getting a few pics printed out and creating a framed collage for "My Yanna" to hang in her room to always remember our special day. We tend to keep so many pics electronically that no one has the ability to hold an image in their hands without a mini-computer.
I'll treasure the day always also. I only wish we were closer and could have many more opportunities to spend quality time together.

Diva Pose

Aerial shot

Just the girls

Presidential Inauguration 2013

I planned and attended The Second Inauguration of President Barack Obama just as I had four years prior in 2009. This year however the forecast predicted weather at least 20 degrees warmer in the nation's capital and crowd in the hundred-thousands instead of millions - so we opted to leave Ebby's 9am instead of 5! We gathered the crew of last year's able participants and headed down to the National Mall (most people from the city consider this act foolish and watch it from their televisions right along with the rest of the viewing world) - but alas, we again opt for the adventure, and boy did we get it.

Ebby & I in Metro at 2009 inauguration

This year we took the boys (Davaughn, London, and Garrett)  as they are teenagers and should be able to fully receive/interpret the symbolism of the moment. Well, the first contrast noticed  between this year's inaugural festivities and the priors was that the closest exit on the subway to the grounds was L'Enfant Plaza! All other stations were closed off as a crowd control measure (this was truly surprising as the crowds were said to be much smaller). Last year we exited at the Smithsonian exit and merely walked across the National Mall to our designated spot on the grass where we felt we had optimal viewing. Now, that since this discovery, we were pushed further from our destination (but only if we knew how far). The atmosphere remained was electric and the actual inauguration speeches weren't slated to begin until 10:30 or 11am, so I used the opportunity on the train as a time to teach my son and nephews a lesson on chivalry and had them offer their seats to older ladies who suspiciously took them, but obviously had never experienced such a thing on the crowded DC Metro by a young man in skinny jeans...lol

DMV - Metro Map - What a difference one stop makes!

The exit of the Metro was "interesting" (an escalator was broken, typical Metro) and an presidential impersonator was causing a stir with photo ops. We literally stood on the platform for another 20- minutes simply attempting to exit the underground station. We had to hold onto each other to stay together. It would have been beneficial at this time to have color coordinated hats like many groups opted (I held Gar closely). The view upon exiting the subway was euphoric and historic, once again!

President Obama look-alike in center

View upon exiting the Metro

But then, it was put aside as we were herded down barricaded paths in the wrong direction! We could clearly see where we wanted to go (it was directly in from of us - The National Mall grounds) The Capitol Building immediately to the right, but that it not the direction to which we were being funneled. We were being pushed to the left in the completely opposite direction!!!! We were being pushed towards the Washington Monument, closer and closer it appeared and as we looked back we could only catch a glimpse of The Capitol Building. We could not cut across due to the barricades of steel and tunnels that guided us, we were literally cattle, not even being allowed to stop and graze for fear of being trampled. People were growing angry, disgruntled, you could feel the mood shifting from one of excitement to frustration and ambivalence. We had no idea where we would be let out on The National Mall or when, if ever this endless walk would stop - it finally did after about another 45 minutes (not kidding - 45 minutes). We were able to make a left, finally! We entered The Mall, only to be bombarded with the propaganda of the day - fliers, pins, cups, pendants, even Obama condoms! They had everything. I planned on buying things for my friends back home, but I surely didnt plan on carrying things all day - so this aspect f the day ould have to wait.

We were truly far from our designated area - about twice the distance further back than 2009, we were just about to be relegated to acceptance when the crowd then again shifted, You cant be serious! It was moving again!!!We began walking now towards The Capitol Building, down through the grass of The Mall this time (crowd control) I said to myself after I few choice words to others after Garr got separated and  was unable to get his way back to me and pleading desperately with his eyes (he can be so shy at times, I have to remember he's only 13) - I could see him, but he couldn't see me- and grown behind adults through my pleads were not being moved by "friendly tones"(I guess my newly adopted Southern home was not working in my favor) - I had to take it back to my Northern origin to get my point across - all was eventually remedied and I had my Garr by my side.

Me & My Garr

Not too bad, for our pilgrimage...

Crowd Control...It took us twice as long to get out of the area and even longer to get home to due to a subway train breakdown and several other closed stations. Ultimately, the last go around, with less "crowd control" the situation moved much smoother and we got home smoother when we had to walk the highway (I-395 which they closed) to get home, it stayed open this go around. I literally considered walking it this time!

"Crowd control" ruined some of the events significance for me. I was spent by the time we carved out an area for ourselves and finally realized we had no essentials: water, chairs, blankets. We had none of that last time but we had not exerted all of our energy either. Food and drink was to my right (a mere 20-feet away), so was a toilet facilities - but I wasn't in the mood. I just needed to hear the President speak and go home. I had enough already.

"Crowd Control"  - in the form of "snipers" (just imagine the ones we couldn't see)

And then the cold hit, I didn't feel it at first...but it came. It started with my hands and I had no gloves or pockets, then my feet. It literary felt as if I didn't have on shoes or socks. I borrowed gloves from Janelle (Praise Jesus) and began moving around. I'm in it now, Lets get this thing going - at that moment it was truly decided. That although I was in my hometown, I was never to live permanently in the DMV (DC, Maryland, and Virginia) again - I need temperatures that do not dip below 50 degrees in daytime hours.

Janelle, Garr (hiding by Nell), Ebby, Davaughn, Me, and London

Ebby & I

Garr & I

And through all of that, although in my opinion, the events of the day did not capture the sense of euphoria of the first time around. When the President appeared, it was all worth while; the crowd erupted!!!

President Obama

Former President Carter

President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama (behind him) and Malia (to his right)

Swann Family Christmas

Soooooooooo.....

It's been a while huh?
Well let me close out 2012 before entering 2013. The Christmas holiday was wonderful, even though we had to head to the local Lowes for a "fresh" tree as there are no "pop-up" tree lots straddling the corners of parking lots, abandoned storefronts, and malls - as you'd find up North. It was pretty surprising as we pretty much live in a dang forest (well a swamp) but nonetheless - Santa came for Rah and he prepared for the night by baking Santa cookies (oatmeal raisin, Santa's favorite) and a mixture of Reindeer food for his noble steed, you can't forget the reindeer, ya know.

 

Rah baking cookies

The finished product

Rah preparing reindeer food



Night flash photography on Christmas Eve

He even sprinkled the mixture outside (well more like poured it all in one big clump) so that the reindeer wouldn't come into the house and trample all over the furniture! LOL. We decorated the tree with Mardi Gras beads keeping true to our adopted hometown and it all went off without a hitch. Rah really enjoyed his holiday - and the grown-ups had a pretty good time too! But I must say, cabin fever set in pretty quick and we were all ready to get out of the house and get away by the time the New Year rolled around (some more than others).

Christmas Morning

And to top it all off he wanted a "monster truck with a remote controller". Well, the one I saw back in Oct./Nov. that looked as if it were big enough for him to ride, could no longer be found so I completely gave up. There were others similar but not as big and since we'd already outdone ourselves - and Rah was straddling the "Naughty List" (scratch that ON the "naughty list) I simply wasnt getting him one. But, Mrs. Smith bought him one anyway. Check out the video...

So there you have it, my almost 3 month late Swann Family Christmas Blog!

My First Louisiana Thanksgiving

So Darryl told me that he wanted me to cook Thanksgiving dinner this year, and the last time I HOSTED Thanksgiving (I didn't even cook it) I blew up the oven! In my brand new house with all of the family coming down from MD/DC within hours. We ended up buying a Boston Market turkey and cooking mac n' cheese on the grill! HA

My family still brings that up to this day!

So both he and Rah agreed on a small Thanksgiving and the menu was set: turkey, ham, greens, candied yams, and dinner rolls. Doesn't seem like a small Thanksgiving to you either? lol

But we bought small portions and I got to cooking enough for four serving sizes and just to make my husband feel some sweet home comfort, I called my mom-in-law for my first attempt at making her infamous mac n' cheese! Now everyone in his family loves her recipe - they take home pans of it at a time - but I have never attempted it, well I don't attempt much of anything. But I decided to try as this was my first time really cooking.



So I thought it turned out pretty well! Until Ebony told me my turkey looked like a frog and Mr. Jarden pointed out that it didn't have wings or legs, how didn't I notice that until looking back at the pics! HA HA HA

I also placed marshmallows on the candied yams but placed regular sized marshmallows instead of mini marshmallows (note-to-self). When I told Darryl to check the yams he said "The biscuits have overflowed into the oven" to which I replied "I haven't cooked any biscuits yet"! Ha

And the mac n' cheese, well it turned out splendidly! Although Kita told me I wasn't supposed to let the noodles cool before adding the cheese (something about the hotnoodles helping thecheese melt). It was the first thing to go - no leftovers!

Pre-oven

I must say, My First Louisiana Thanksgiving turned out pretty well!
 

Happy Birthday Bestie!!!

Niece turned 40 November 2nd and decided that she was just gonna sit home and bartend for her monumentious birthday and that was simply unacceptable. So I did what any best friend would do - I scheduled a flight for a four-day weekend and went to Raleigh to celebrate her mega birthday in style.

We  planned a weekend of spa, shopping, jazz clubs, dinner, and painting with a twist (that's when you paint step by step with an art teacher while drinking a grown-up beverage of your choice). We had so much planned - but alas only a few of those things actually materialized due to sleeping in late!!! We were so tired, that's the life of military working moms. We did have so much fun though catching up on our latest happenings of each others' lives and Tracey even came up to join us later in the weekend to make it a good ole' trio! I miss not being able to get in my car and simply drive to her house or for that matter living in her spare bedroom for the summer! HA


So Happy Birthday Bestie and I wish you many more...

"Forest Nicki" Strikes Again!

Dang it!

Well in so many words that's what I said as I crashed into the back of a pick-up truck and Rah was in the back seat telling me how I was gonna get it from daddy, like I didn't know that much. What's new? For those of you who don't know "Hello my name is Kenchasa, my friends call me Nicki - my alter is Forest Nicki - and I simply am not good with life"! Well things of value in life, well value as far as material possessions to "normal people". I seem to only desire the simple things - not that I don't like nice things don't get me wrong, its just that whenever I get my hands on something of sheer value, it's only a matter of time before I lose, break, damage, or give it away. I just don't seem to care much about material things - never have, never will.

Possessions are nice but you can always get them: they can always be lost, and they can always be reattained (is reattained a word?). I think that philosophy came to me when I was thrown into the reality of poverty after my parents divorce. It's hard to digests going from being one of the perceived affluent kids - first of my peer group with a computer (I remember it an Apple IIc, we had to actually type the commands on the green screen) and having a big concave floor model Zenith Space Command TV that had a speaker phone in it so we didn't even have to get up to answer the phone we just spoke through the TV! So from that to having to date to eat (and that's putting it mildly) and hanging sheets up in the balcony window then running from the bathroom to the bedroom so the passing traffic wouldn't see you naked - all in what seemed like a year - but probably more like 3, but we never financially recovered (Thank God, I made it out in one piece); Jesus is surely merciful.

So now I take possessions with a grain of salt. I only hold a few treasured items dear. One being my blankie "woobie" and everyone who knows me knows I suck both thumbs (thanks to my granddad spitting on one trying to break the bad habit, and then I switched - and somehow forgot which one along the way, nasty bastard). I guess a gal like me can't give up her security just yet. Darryl on the other hand hates it, he'd probably burn it if not for me jumping into the flames after it and until recently I couldn't list a single other material thing.

Which brings about this blog. So I know I got all "heavy" and you guys are probably not used to that from me, hence the blog's title "Forest Nicki". She's who is usually in the forefront - carefree and careless. Darryl said its one of the main reasons he fell in love with me, because "I'd run into the woods and chase unicorns and butterflies"...and that just about sums her/me up. I was once told that I needed to come back to the "real world and visit from time to time although it is overrated in my opinion because Kenchasa/Nicki need oxygen"! Ha was my reply - I've been living my life this way for so long why bother changing, let me just be. I do get stressed, upset, and angry - but when I get to my max - I just zone out and go to "The Forest".

Maybe its because I've always wanted a tree house - a big old tree house where I could hide from life when it was bothersome and come back into it when it pleased me, so I created one for myself. It all was working out well until my two worlds began to sorta overlap and my "Forest" began to become more of my reality that the reality itself. Now it's not like I didn't know what reality was or that I existed in reality; I simply just didn't care, and I opted to live in "The Forest". I simply said "F*** it" - now tell me you've never wanted to do that?

The thing is, living in "The Forest" is tricky and I decided that maybe I needed to take another look at that advice and seek a "bit of air"; simply because one many forget that one has been removed from life (introverted) as long as they actually had and things go haywire; i.e. there are consequences for your actions (I'm actually laughing now at some of the things that I have gotten myself into over the years). So I concluded that people have different names for their personal "Forest" and I believe and as I have grown, I better know my triggers and better regulate my visits  - but I really don't see anything wrong with "zoning out" from time to time to prevent me from being totally impulsive and "Blacking Out" on someone (in more way than one); I think it's a perfectly rational response.

OK, Ive really been ranting (its therapeutic, ya know) and I'm sure your like this girl is certifiable, and your right - but oh well. So I was in "The Forest", dang Darryl... - and BANG into the back of the truck! Not going fast or anything but the truck was stopped at a traffic light (sunny outside and I was trying to put down my visor), no excuse - either way wasn't paying attention, and the truck had a tow-hitch and since my car has like a trillion miles on it from visiting all of y'all across country, although it was in perfect condition otherwise - due to likely radiator, engine, AC, frame, and whatever else damage (by that time the representative said "totaled", and they were speaking to me in Charlie Brown teacher language!!!! LOL). Dang - it was totaled; maybe they could tell Darryl?

 

 

Well, you know I grabbed my incense and climbed down from that "proverbial tree house" pretty quickly at the thought of telling him. It snapped the "Forest" right out of me! LOL  I could care less about the car, it was the "Darryl Backlash" - I'm like a regular Lucille Ball (seriously) I broke my Nook, like a month after he bought it for me (after I begged forever for it) and fried my iPod nano by accidentally leaving it in the car;  I knew this was in another realm- this is the whole dang car! So of course everyone was OK, the other driver was more concerned about me & Rah - if it weren't for his dang tow-hitch all would have been well but noooo his truck sat in a perfect position for my low car just to pivot all around it with my engine, stupid tow hitch! HA HA HA. I literally felt like you feel when you are about to get a whipping; when you were little and you had to go to the bathroom; that's how I felt at the thought of tell Darryl. And then Rah is in the back seat yelling "Daddy's gonna get yoooouuuuu!", didn't make it any better at all!

So I called a friend to pick me up and didn't tell Darryl until the very last minute, he ended up being very understanding - I told him over the best peppermint foot rub ever! My wrist were hurting but I figured he couldn't punch me in the head because he couldn't reach his feet while I was massaging them and he couldn't kick me because he was in the zone with the massage, LOL! I think he knew I was in "Forest Nicki" mode when it happened and he was the cause of it so he didn't wanna force me back up my ladder rope with his reaction - but I do think he was genuinely happy that we were all unharmed.

So since I still carried full coverage  I got a fair price, the money will be used to buy a beautiful 54 Chevy reminiscent of the Sanford & Son truck (my dream vehicle that I've wanted for many, many years). Darryl said I can get it as long as it runs and can get me to and from work (which is about a 5-minute commute round trip). He's such a patient man, I'm truly blessed. In the mean time friend Mrs. Smith has loaned me a vehicle of hers until I get my truck, it's $11K and I'm only getting a little over half if that for my car so I must make up the difference and try to negotiate it down a bit - I don't think Darryl is gonna contribute; I really may get that punch in the head if I ask! LOL

I actually wiped the window with my hand to try to get a pic of the inside! Good thing I wasn't arrested for trespassing or suspected car theft!

So you see, no worries - well not over possessions, just the repercussions from husbands from totaling possessions. And God gave me one that is patient and loving, to offset the fact that I am well...quite irrational and unstable! LOL - But he loves me for it - and I love him for that!

Update:
3-weeks later I lost my engagement ring in the VFW bathroom while changing for a Zumba class! Here comes that feeling again.... BTW 12/27 will be our 7th anniversary. That's surely gotta count for something, right ;)

I called the building the following morning in a sheer panic and the receptionist located it under the sink! Whew!!! I dodged a bullet on that one- but in the meantime I couldn't drive there to retrieve it immediately because as I was so stressed over losing the ring in the first place, I somehow lost the car keys to the car I'm borrowing from my friend. The keys were later located...in the ignition of the car! I had exited the car that morning and parked as I usually do when going to work but somehow negected to remove the keys from the ignition! The car was still running from since I arrived, while I had been working inside all morning! I know, I know - what can I say :)