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Category Archives: Outdoor Recreation

Freedom Friday

twelvedaysofchristmas_set-11

Hello Good People! 

It is the 11th day out from Christmas, and the pipers are piping  “ThatKellieGirl put up your tree!” :-)   Yes, I have slowly moved into the holiday spirit.  But that’s ok.  I plan to accomplish putting up the tree as well as start making…yes I said it…start making my holiday gifts.  I decided that I wanted to give something unique and directly from me.  Besides, my wedding budget doesn’t have room for holiday gifts!  No seriously though, I want to do something special for my loved one, but I better move fast before the partridge in a pear tree arrives…sheesh! :-)  

To get in the holiday spirit, check out the events below.

Peace and Blessings,

ThatKellieGirl :-)   

And God bless the families recently affected by the mass shootings in Connecticut and Oregon.

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Freedom Friday

Hello Good People!

I hope everyone is getting prepared for Thanksgiving next week. Folks are planning their Turkey Day feast or out taking advantage of pre-Thanksgiving Day sales.  Whatever you do, remember to show someone how much  you love and appreciate them today. :-)

This weekend is starting off with the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin at Constitution Hall, and Lyfe Jennings is at the Howard Theater.

Also, check out FotoWeekDC and Fall Fringe  before closing out this weekend, and other events below.

See you on the other side of the weekend.

Peace and Blessings, ThatKellieGirl :-)

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Freedom Friday

Hello Good Folks!

To tell the truth, ThatKellieGirl has been in a funk!  And I really wasn’t able to come out of if until I began to listen to the words I was speaking to myself.  I realized that I was in a funk because I was speaking negatively about my circumstance.  For instance, the statement of “No one respects what I do” began to manifest.  I planted those seeds and kept nurturing them with my words.  And ultimately, no one respected what I was doing (in my reality).  The simple, yet POWERFUL act of speaking life to yourself and to others can really change your attitude and ultimately your situation.  However, this change of action only occurs when you ”let it go”. 

When we usually get into these funks, I find it is because we have been offended, looked over, ignored, addressed inappropriately, etc…  Basically, we’ve been hurt.  When this happens, I believe we have too personally attached ourselves to a thing or a situation.  By attaching ourselves, we have based our value on something external… our job, friends, family, appearance or anything.  Therefore, our happiness,  joy and success is based upon the ebbs and flows of life.  So when times are good, we feel good– and when times are bad we feel bad.  I believe this is harmful to our spiritual and mental  health because we are neglecting the inner person.  So as long as you are making a six figure salary, you are considered successful and happy.  However, in reality, you have low self-esteem and crave constant validation.  On the flip side, you have lost your job, so you begin to feel that you are less than others and something is wrong with you.  By “beginning within”, we begin to acknowledge any past hurt or pain we are holding onto, so we can begin to heal.  Ultimately, each of us should find out how to be happy from the inside, out. 

In life, we are going to go through some changes.  It is inevitable.  So, it’s not about the good and the bad times.  It’s about our response to those moments.  For that is how we develop habits, behaviors and character as a person.  Therefore, I have vowed to first, always speak life over my life and others.  Second, place my value in my spiritual, mental and physical well-being.  And lastly, if in the process, someone or something hurts my feelings, let it go (9 times out of ten, it actually doesn’t have anything to do with you) so I can move forward.      

This Saturday, catch Rahsaan Patterson, Kindred and Black Alley at Fillmore and the other great events below. 

Peace and Blessings, ThatKellieGirl :-)

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Freedom Friday

Happy Friday Everyone!

Summer is coming to end.  So as we transition to Fall, make sure to catch some great festivals in the area. And kicking off the weekend, Boyz II Men and Teedra Moses will be performing at  The Howard Theater tonight.

Enjoy your day, and I will see you on the other side of the weekend.

Love and Blessings,

ThatKellieGirl

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Freedom Friday: Labor Day Edition

Hello Good Folks!

ThatKellieGirl tries to stay abreast of the political happenings in our country.  However, I have noticed my zeal and excitement has somewhat waned.  I am a little tired of the political posturing and media soundbites to instigate or to mislead the public.  I tuned in to the Republican National Convention (and plan to do the same for the Democratic National Convention), and to me,  it was a long infomercial.  I really wanted to hear what Romney had to offer to the American people, but there wasn’t any substance to me.  Just a lot of romanticizing of yesteryear and no real plan to move the country forward.  You promise 12 million jobs, but how do you plan to do this?  At this point, I am waiting to hear from my President to see what is his counteroffer to America.  And I can’t wait to view the Presidential debates to have an opportunity to compare each of their positions.   

If there is anything I have faith in though, it is God, my work ethic, and commitment to make my community better.  The reality is that we don’t have to wait for a President to be elected to make a difference in our society.  I know that there is at least one issue that is important to you…your child’s education, the environment, affordable housing, economic development, etc.  I say get involved to bring about the positive change you want to see in your community.  And you don’t do this by being divisive or not willing to compromise (looking at you Republican Congress).  We must work together to ensure that every American has the right and opportunity to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.  Whatever your cause, Let’s Build it!          

Happy Labor Day Weekend.   Peace and Blessings, ThatKellieGirl :-)

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Freedom Friday

Hello Good People!

I am looking forward to this weekend– celebrating at a bridal shower/party and hitting up the MJB/ D’Angelo concert! :-)   I know you are ready too, so check out these great events below.

Happy Friday! :-)

Nas will be at The Park tonight.  Come join the party.
 
Friday, August 24
 
The Park
 
920 14th NW
 
5PM
 
FREE
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Freedom Friday

For the ThatKellieGirl, the Olympics came right on time.  It was the motivation I need to make my way back into the gym.  Like seriously, all of those six packs and toned arms and legs made me a little envious! LOL  :-)   However, these Olympians are a physical testament to the benefits of hard work, discipline and perseverance.  I truly enjoyed watching and rooting on these athletes competing for gold.  It made me realize the beauty of struggle.  These athletes tested their mental and physical endurance as well as their dedication and will-power in order to achieve their ultimate goal– GOLD.  And even if they didn’t achieve gold or any medal, they are still recognized as the best in the world.  They are true examples of how each of us must struggle to achieve our dreams.  So when you pass that certification exam, start that business, lose weight or begin saving money, when you will look back, you will truly appreciate the road that brought you there.   

Enjoy the weekend!

Peace and Blessings, ThatKellieGirl

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Freedom Friday

Hey Beautiful People!

It’s #FreedomFriday, and I am ready for the weekend.   I know you are too. :-) Check out the events below, and I will see you on the other side of the weekend.

Peace and Blessings, ThatKellieGirl :-)

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The Lion Ride

ThatKellieGirl and Frederick Douglass at The Lion Ride.

It’s a beautiful thing when you see the fruits of your labor.  Yesterday, ThatKellieGirl was so excited to be a part of the inaugural ”Lion Ride”.  ThatKellieGirl was on the planning committee with the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) to host the biking event in honor of civil rights advocate and former Anacostia resident Frederick Douglass.  The event was named “The Lion Ride” because Douglass was known as the “Lion” of Anacostia because of his mane-like hair. :-)    The event was in partnership with the 5th Annual Frederick Douglass Family Day hosted by Fredrick Douglass National Historic Site.  We also partnered with Capital Bikeshare and Bike & Roll who loaned out bikes and helmets to attendees.   We had close to 100 people show-up to ride bikes from the Frederick Douglass House to Anacostia Park!  It was hot, but thank goodness for the breeze off of the Anacostia River to cool us down a bit! :-)     Attendees were treated to free ice cream, cupcakes, music, dancing, bicycle portraits, historic house tours, and Massachusetts 54th re-enactors.  And the Frederick Douglass impersonator was a big hit with everyone! :-)

If you know ThatKellieGirl, you know I love to do bike rides.  However, this was by far my favorite bike ride event.  I was so happy to hear so many people say this was their first time on a bike since they were a kid.  And to see so many young people who were excited to ride bikes was priceless.  To me, it really is about the youth and creating a generation that is conscious about their history, their health and fitness and their community. 

And a BIG “Thank You” to Adrienne McCray for recruiting bike marshalls from Artemis Bicycling Club.  ThatKellieGirl is already looking forward to next year.  And I hope you will join us.  Enjoy the pictures below. :)

Happy Monday!

Peace and Blessings, ThatKellieGirl

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Freedom Friday: Golden Gabby

Hello Good People!

I am still beaming over the amazing performance of Gold Medalist Gymnast, Gabby Douglass in the Olympics yesterday. It was truly inspirational and heart-warming to see this beautiful young lady achieve her dream. To me, she is an example of sacrifice. And her accomplishment made me ponder the question, am I willing to sacrifice –to fight– for my dreams? Gabby turned her world upside down in order to pursue her dream. She left her family, her friends and what was familiar to her in order become the best in her field. These videos of Natalie Hawkins, mother of Gabby Douglas, talks about the sacrifices made to help her child become an Olympian.

How many of us are willing to totally shake up our world to pursue our passion? I believe that each of us can be great. The only difference between the “ordinary” and the “extraordinary” person is the word “extra”. The “extra” signifies one’s willingness to go above and beyond in their actions to fulfill their dream. Let’s continue to be inspired by Gabby to make those extra efforts to realize our dreams.

Get the weekend started with the incomparable Millie Jackson performing at the Howard Theater on Friday, and catch The Summer Soul Festival with Erykah Badu on Saturday. Check out some more events below.

Peace and Blessings, ThatKellieGirl :-)

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