Hey Good Folks.
I am still blown away by the Homegoing Service of Whitney Houston. It was intimate and heartfelt experience to glimpse into Whitney’s church roots and to see the people that she touched with her gift.
Now, I am a person that believes that everything happens for a reason, but I kept feeling that Whitney’s death was premature and it just shouldn’t have happened.
Hello Good Folks!
TGIF!
Love is in the air for ThatKellieGirl. I am happy to announce that my Honey proposed to me on Valentine’s Day! I have been on cloud 9 ever since. It was truly one of the happiest days in my life. And what makes it even more special is the overwhelming response of love and support from family and friends. I truly feel blessed.
However, what is so interesting to me, is that as I make this transition to “become one” with the love of my life, I find it even more important to have a stronger relationship with my family and friends. I know a lot of people enter into a relationship with a ”bonnie and clyde” or “us against the world” type of mentality. And I guess that makes the relationship stronger. However, I prefer to use love as the foundation of this marriage (and really ALL my relationships).
I also am understanding the importance of the village or a support system. Not only do you need a village to raise a child, but to raise a family. I believe that marriages are at a dismal low because society celebrates the self, the ego more than the family. The single person is supposedly happier than the married couple. This might be true, but I tend to think it just depends on the person. Yet, the barrage of messages and lack of examples makes it challenging to enter and maintain a relationship, let alone a marriage. I believe a married person can be just as fulfilled as a single person. The variable is the willingness of the person, single or married, to work at it.
My village is my family. They provide the most support to me. And as I have matured, I find that a support system is more about learning and giving than receiving. At times, we don’t nurture our relationships, and wonder why we have drifted from friends and family. Or the relationship is one-sided. We only reach out when we need something or to vent instead of consistently connecting to learn, love and encourage each other. So as I move into marriage, I am humble because I have so much to learn and improve upon. I can admit that I don’t know everything, but I do know that I want to be the best that I can be.
So as I grow through his journey, I will be sharing my musings and experiences with you. I want to share and learn, so please comment. Let me know your thoughts or experiences about love, marriage or anything else in between.
In the meantime, enjoy the long weekend.
Peace and Blessings, ThatKellieGirl
Clive Davis and a youthful Whitney (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
My favorite Whitney album. So glad to have it in my collection.
I Wanna Dance with Somebody! I always loved this video and the 80s hair! 
It was so much fun.
Whitney Houston and her Parents John and Cissy Houston (Richard Corkery /New York Daily News)
Whitney, ex-husband Bobby Brown and Daughter Bobbi Christina (Lucy Nicholson/Getty Images)
Whitney and her Daughter Bobbi Christina (Jason Merritt /Getty Images)
Our angel Whitney (Kevin Mazur /Wire Images)
Her album, Whitney, is a close second favorite for me. 
Hey Good Folks!
ThatKellieGirl has the flu bug! 
I’ve been trying to fight it off all week, but it finally shut me down. That’s ok though. I just need to relax to get better.
I am shut down this weekend, but I hope you aren’t. So go catch the 30 Americans exhibit at the Corcoran Gallery before it closes this weekend.
Other than that, I am out!
Peace, Love and Blessings,
ThatKellieGirl
Happy Hump Day Good Folks!
It’s a laid back Wednesday for me. So to complement my mood, here is a fantastic MidWeek Mixx from Terrence Lathan who puts two of my favorite soul singers back to back, Chaka and Erykah.
Download, listen and enjoy here or here.
1) Stay – Erykah Badu
2) Stay – Chaka Khan
3) Gone Baby, Don’t Be Long – Erykah Badu
4) Sweet Thing – Chaka Khan
5) Otherside of the Game (Live on VH1 Soul) Erykah Badu
6) Pack’d My Bags – Chaka Khan
7) Hollywood – Erykah Badu
8) Hollywood – Chaka Khan
9) Catch A Four Leaf Clover – Erykah Badu
10) Please Pardon Me – Chaka Khan
11) Kiss Me On My Neck (Hesi) – Erykah Badu
12) Message In The Middle of The Bottom – Chaka Khan
13) Back in the Day – Erykah Badu
14) What Cha’ Gonna Do For Me – Chaka Khan
15) Umm Hmm – Erykah Badu
16) Smokin Room – Chaka Khan
17) Window Seat – Erykah Badu
Happy Monday Everyone!
Last week, the official video for Esperanza Spalding’s newest single “Black Gold” featuring Algebra Blessett befittingly premiered on the first day of Black History Month. This is her first single from her new album Radio Music Society, out on March 20th. Esperanza is coming strong on Radio Music Society with top-notch guest musicians and collaborators such as jazz legends Jack DeJohnette and Billy Hart; guitar heroes Jef Lee Johnson and Lionel Loueke; an array of master vocalists including Algebra Blessett, Lalah Hathaway, Gretchen Parlato, Leni Stern and Becca Stevens; hip-hop giant Q-Tip (who performs on and co-produced two tracks); and two Portland-based musicians, Janice Scroggins and Dr. Thara Memory, who provided essential mentorship in Spalding’s youth.
So until March 20th, get a taste of Radio Music Society with “Black Gold”. Receive a Free Audio Download Of “City Of Roses” From Esperanza here. Enjoy!
Hello Lovelies!
Believe it or not, I want it to snow right now. I understand folks are enjoying the unseasonably warm weather, but it just doesn’t sit right with me. We need some snow! Something just doesn’t feel right in the world if there aren’t any snowmen, snowball fights or snow angels. So, I am glad that Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow yesterday. Now, will there actually be six more weeks of winter? We will see, but I welcome it.
So before the snow hits, enjoy the weather. There are some great events going on this weekend. For Black History Month events, click here for a whole list of events at the Smithsonian.
Enjoy the weekend!
Peace, Love and Blessings,
ThatKellieGirl
Hello Good People,
This week’s Midweek Mixx celebrates Black History Month. Here are 20 jazzy, soulful, bluesy, funky, smooth tracks from artists who broke records and changed history. From Micheal Jackson to Marvin Gaye to Etta James, it gives you an overview of black music throughout the years.
Download, listen and enjoy here! Read the rest of this entry
Hello Good People!
I hope you had a great weekend. I had a nice getaway from the DC scene for a bachelorette party. My girlfriend is getting married at the end of the month, so we headed to NYC to celebrate. When I left the DC limits, I then realized how much of a break I needed. I will be taking another mini-vacay REAL soon. So in honor of rest and relaxation, check out this beautiful song from Sara Tavares, Balance.
Hello Lovelies!
This Monday, millions of people began ringing in the Lunar New Year. In DC, the new year will be celebrated on Sunday in Chinatown. 2012 is the year of the dragon. The year of the dragon is considered to be the luckiest of the Chinese lunar years. ThatKellieGirl was born in the year of the dragon, so we will see what is in store for the rest of the year.
In the meantime, enjoy this unseasonably warm weather by heading out to some great events this weekend.
