R.I.P. Chuck Brown

1936-2012

Nothing like that old DC go-go. 

R.I.P.

R.I.P. Donna Summer

1948-2012

Happy Mother's Day!

It's good to be home.

I'm Back

It's been over a year.  I've missed being here, and I've missed all of my favorite blogs. 

I am committed to visiting and posting again very soon.

Say Grace

I always say grace before I eat.  From now on before I say "Amen", I'm going to visualize Jennifer Hudson, and thank God for helping me make good food choices.  She is inspirational!

Jennifer Hudson

Oscars 2011

Flawless Friday-Divamom

The Original Drama Queen-LOVE HER.

Today on Oprah with her children/grandchild.

Totally Lovin'

Way Black When on TVOne

First up-Sinbad and a trip back to my favorite decade-the 70's.  I just watched the first installment, and even though the featured guests may not seem too exciting, I was riveted with the conversation, performances, and the memories they brought back.  Listening to them and how they viewed their craft and their contribution to the times........I'm all in for the month.  In the coming weeks, the 80's and 90's will be showcased also, so big ups to TVOne and this series.

 Dick Gregory

 Antonio "Huggy Bear" Fargas

 Jim Brown

 Lonette McKee-Sparkle

 

Larry Graham

Sinbad

Fashionable FLOTUS!

Getty Images via Mrs. O.

Michelle Obama came back in a big way tonight after a momentary lapse in style judgment as her husband delivered the State of the Union Address. 

Fashionable FLOTUS?

Michelle Obama can do no wrong according to fashionistas everywhere. Yesterday was her time. I'll be curious to see what the buzz is on this dress. Anyone who honestly feels this was an appropriate choice, probably was the stylist for The Emperors New Clothes. The occasion was the funeral services for Sargent Shriver held in DC yesterday. Mrs. O is dressed to visit an area elementary school. Total fail. What do you think?

Getty Images

No Words-I'm Speechless

You just have to see for yourself.

Flawless Friday

Wishing for Spring

Happy Birthday Michelle Obama!

The First Lady is celebrating her 47th birthday today.  In honor of her and in observation of Dr. Martin Luther King's Day, do something that is of service to someone else today.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority 1908-2011

One cold day in 1908- January 15th to be specific- an elite group of top scholars, student athletes, and civic leaders gathered together in Miner Hall, on the prestigious campus of Howard University, in Washington, D.C. Though in the midst of post-slavery and gender discrimination, these young women of high scholastic and ethical standards obeyed the call on their lives and the vision set before them, to create something that had never existed before: an organization exclusively for college-trained women of color, dedicated to supreme service and sisterhood; known now and forever as Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Happy Founder's Day to all my incredible Sorors of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
25-A-84

courtesy

Welcoming 2011!

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We welcomed the arrival turn of this new year on our knees last night.  Being in church at the stroke of midnight in thanks, praise, and hopefulness is a powerful action.  It's always good to be surrounded by like minded people who love the Lord, and each other.  I'm blessed to have a church community that is not too big, and not too small-it's just right.

When we got home, champagne was waiting.

Now, on to dinner!  Hoppin' John (black-eyed peas and rice), stewed tomatoes, collard greens, potato salad, golden fried pork chops, and cornbread is on my menu today.  Hope you are enjoying a good meal (no more fried foods after today) surrounded by those you love.

Happy 2011!

Happy New Year!

When you know better, you do better.  Reflect on your experiences this past year and strive to do better in the coming year.  Wishing you a joyous and prosperous New Year.

R.I.P. Teena Marie

1956-2010
"I'm a Black artist with White skin.  At the end of the day you have to sing what's in your own soul."

-Teena Marie

Merry Christmas

 

 May the peace and joy of Christ be with you now and always.

Merry Christmas.

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All Hail the Queen

The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Send prayers up.

UPDATE-In an interview with Wendy Williams, the Queen says rumors of pancreatic cancer are false.

Interesting Commentary

From The Savvy Sista

Editor's Note:

I'm not sure who originally wrote this article, but if anyone knows of that person please let me know so I can give them credit for their work.  Someone emailed it to me and I felt the need to share it with my readers as is (typos and all).  It's a pretty long read but it's definitely worth it.

When I first heard of the movie "For Colored Girls" I got so excited. I had the idea of getting as many women together that I could think of to go see this movie. I had visions of group discussions and moments shared with one another that would lead to healing and growth, I guess I kind of imagined a Women's Empowerment Conference type of setting.

Well after I shared my idea with a few women, reality set in and I realized that so many of us wouldn't be willing to participate for various reasons:  You don't like me, you don't care for somebody I might invite, you only hang out with certain people, you don't understand the big deal about Tyler Perry making yet another movie about black people and our issues for all the world to see, you don't like crowds, so and so is too ghetto, such and such is too uppity etc...

It has ALWAYS amazed me that we as black women are each other's biggest critics. We are the quickest to bring each other down, find each other's faults and nitpick at a sister until she has nothing left, nothing left to give and then we step over her and call her worthless.

We take the prettiest women and tear them down for thinking  "they are cute"  but turn around and dog the average sista because "  she know she should take better care of herself than that - can't believe she got a man!"   We call strong women female dogs and accuse weaker women of riding somebody else's coat tails.

We tell a big sista to put down her burger and turn around and criticize a skinny woman for not picking one up. We ride the loud mouth woman for "talking to darn much" and likewise torment the quiet woman for "Being too quiet and needing to take up for herself" Sad part is we don't discriminate, we talk about everybody!!!

I've watched women dog out everybody from Oprah for catering to white people and Halle Berry for not being able to keep a man to young Willow Smith for acting to darn grown in her recent video. All of these females are successful and there is something about each one of them to be proud of but a lot of us can't seem to see that. I have to wonder since we all share a common thread (whether we want to admit it or not) is there something about ourselves that we don't like, what has happened to us that we cannot seem to get along.

Why is that we fight amongst ourselves, backstab and  steal each others men (only to find out we should have left him where we found him)?

We cannot seem to be unified to support and stick up for one another. Everybody seems to be out for themselves while other groups unite against us but nobody else has to bring us down because we trample on the spirits of each other daily.

Even if you live in a mini mansion, drive a luxury car, have good credit, rich handsome husband etc, this does not mean that should look down your nose at the woman with 4 kids, no husband, living in income based housing struggling to keep her lights on.

We ALWAYS think the grass is greener on the other side, I had a woman who's child father is MIA tell me that I should never complain because I receive a decent amount of child support and I laughed and let her know that I would gladly give every dime back if he would come relieve some of this overwhelming pressure of feeling inadequate as a parent.

If I could get just one full night of sleep or not always be on the verge of losing my job because I'm the one that has to call off or leave work for one reason or another to accommodate my child - yeah he could DEFINITELY have his money if I could have some peace!

Money alone doesn't make you happy (not true happiness), good credit doesn't keep you satisfied, beauty doesn't make you any less insecure, fame doesn't make you less vulnerable or cause you to be a good judge of character and being stuck up and mean doesn't keep you warm at night or prevent you from being lonely.

You don't know how the sista sitting right next to could have carefully put on her make up this morning to hide the beating from last night. The teacher you handed your child over to this morning could have sent her children off to school from a dark house with empty bellies. The teller you just got rude with at the bank could know that today is her last day on her job and have no idea how she is going to survive past next weekend.

The sista at the office that appears so busy could be typing her goodbyes to all the people that she loves because she plans to blow her brains out tonight after she tucks her babies into bed. The woman you pass in the hallway could be on her way to have an abortion because she fears what others might think or how the woman that sent you this e-mail may drink an over abundance of alcohol every night to mask the nightmares of an abusive childhood.

Ladies we HAVE TO DO BETTER!  I'm not suggesting that we all like each other and be phony, but I am asking that we all try to respect each other. You HAVE NO IDEA what the next woman is going through, you don't know what past or current hurt and pains have shaped her into who she is today. We spend so much time trying to be as strong and hard as we are expected to be that we end up cracking from the inside out piece by piece.

If we would spend 1/3 of the time we spend tearing each other down to build someone up, encourage someone, show someone some love, we could truly make a difference and save someone's life. PLEASE don't be the straw that breaks another woman's back. Believe me when I tell you that there is a woman out there that needs your smile, your hug, your support, your prayer.

I hope that you read this and get something out of it other than a laugh and that you pass this on to as many women as you can to let someone know that you believe they are somebody special and that if need be you are available to listen. Nothing bad is going to happen if you don't forward this e-mail but I'd like to think that something positive will happen if you choose to pass it along. May favor be extended to each and everyone of your lives, keep your head up and know that someone somewhere cares!

Happy Birthday MVV!

 

Happy Birthday to the love my life-my Husband, MVV.

He's the perfect "Daddy" to his girls.

He's a great role model to his boys.

He's happiest when they're all together and we recently added to the brood.  He loves being a dad.

He's a devoted son to his mom.

He's a devoted son to my mom.

 His brothers and sister think the world of him too!

He's a good friend with a wonderful sense of humor.  Nod to C.T.

 And truth be told-he WAS a phenomenal athlete.  Go Quakers!

Love you with all my heart-Have a wonderful day!