The best part about writing a blog is that it’s a time capsule for your life. A narcissistic time capsule, yes, but something that marks your growth and change nonetheless. Actually, I still think that Jay has the best tagline for a blog because it sums it up so very well: “Blogging is just masturbating without the mess.”
January
We rang in the new year with the 44th President of the United States. I also began referring to myself as “Obama Black” instead of “mixed” or “mulatto” because I have often argued that I will not be “black” just for the sake of convenience on my part or on the part of anyone else who wants to use me. It was a cold, cold day in Washington but a bright, happy day in my heart.
February
During the Love Month when I was singularly sad that Valentine’s Day would come and go without a special someone with which to share it. Instead, I dedicated it to myself and learned to love things about myself. A short recap: I love that I’m nice. That’s it. NICE. It’s nice to be nice. It’s totally underrated. See that smile? It’s the smile of a NICE PERSON.
March
It may seem silly to some people, but I did something very brave and cut off a ton of my hair. Then, I started doing something so tragically hipster: I bought an iPhone and started taking pictures of my new, short hair.
April
I turned 456 months old. That’s 38 in people years. It was more fun to give that in months just to watch people do the mental math. My friend, Tracy, made me some new pretty earrings for my birthday that I could wear with my new short hair. I love all my pretty, dangly earrings.
May
As if it’s not fun enough to turn 38, my eldest child Mallory turned 23 and I wrote a post to honor her since she’s known me longer (and better) than just about anybody else in my life. Go ahead. Do your mental math again. I’ll wait. I’m totally used to this.
June
My only living grandparent has always been my Gramma Maggie. She passed away in June.
July
After returning home from an emotionally-charged BlogHer (for me, not everyone) I was feeling very sad about working in a poverty-stricken school and got really sick of these blowhards who think everything is owed to them. A little smackdown ensued and I still don’t feel bad for calling them out on their bad behavior.
August
Due to that big mouth of mine in July I got a call from NPR to do not one but two radio interviews with them. As an aside, that led to people here in Springfield contacting me and saying, “OMG, you’re like national. Who are you?”
September
My other daughter, Maddie, came to spend her first birthday with us. I placed her for adoption as an infant in an open adoption (see, Karen, how I say placed and not gave away?) and then she contacted me and is a part of our family in the most unique way. This is our new family picture with all four of my kids which we took the first time Maddie visited. Dare I say, the first time she came home? Yes. I do.
October
This is the month where I put my money where my mouth was. Or, if you will, I put my mouth-that-knows-how-to-ask-for-donations where my purse is. Wait. That didn’t make sense. Basically, I got a purse drive organized for the girls at my school and it still touches me today to know of the amazing kindness of the internet. It’s a beautiful thing to recognize how many friends I have out there who want to make a difference.
November
Once again, I joined Mrs. Kennedy and her quest to post writing every day of the month for NaBloPoMo. My own favorite thing I did during November was write a bucket list of things I really want in life. I think this holds me accountable as we usher in the New Year and I plan on coming back to it as it fits into the things I get done.
December
My friend Janie and I reconnected. Apparently, we also eat suckers together. Blow Pops rock.
Have a safe New Year’s Eve and a satisfying 2010. It’s been fun sharing this with you and you make it all worth it. You’re all pretty fantastic and I think you have the best smile. Really. You do. Is that from all the flossing you do, because wow, you really do have some awesome chompers there. I really do love you guys.
December 31, 2009 @ 8:44 am | Filed under Adrenalized, All the cool kids are doing it, Brain Swamp, Lessons I'm Learning | Permalink | Comments (23)
muskrat Said,
December 31, 2009 @ 8:58 am
now i’m feeling pressure to do something like this, too. damn.
feefifoto Said,
December 31, 2009 @ 9:14 am
I love the haircut and I love the purse drive. Keep being special in 2010.
Avitable Said,
December 31, 2009 @ 9:27 am
Love you too. Happy New Year’s, Kelly.
Amie aka MammaLoves Said,
December 31, 2009 @ 10:46 am
You are nice, but not in that annoying too nice way.
I loved getting to spend time with you this year.
xoxo
Friglet Said,
December 31, 2009 @ 11:36 am
It looks like you had a great year.
I love your haircut, it looks great on you!
TSM_Oregon Said,
December 31, 2009 @ 1:23 pm
One of the best parts of 2009 was getting to know (a little) you. Glad you liked the earrings! You deserved something HAWT to highlight your HAWT-ness, my friend.
emma Said,
December 31, 2009 @ 1:26 pm
One of the highlights of 2009 for me was meeting you. Glad to see that’s a trend
You are a delight, an inspiration and a powerhouse woman. Thank you for sharing 2009. Happy New Year!
martha-california Said,
December 31, 2009 @ 2:05 pm
Happy New Year to you too!!
Thank you for sharing your life with us, bloggers….gives a person hope for more goodness in this world
Marinka Said,
December 31, 2009 @ 2:09 pm
Happy New Year. I enjoyed reading through your year-capsule. I think my New Year’s Resolution is going to be as photogenic as you in 2010!
Tweets that mention Mocha Momma » 2009: It’s Been A Whole Year, Has It? -- Topsy.com Said,
December 31, 2009 @ 3:29 pm
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Dave2 Said,
December 31, 2009 @ 3:35 pm
So sad I missed seeing you in 2009, and hoping to remedy that in 2010… even if I have to go to BlogHer or something! Best wishes to you and your family in 2010!
Chookooloonks Said,
December 31, 2009 @ 4:15 pm
Damn skippy.
(happy new year, friend)
Mr Lady Said,
December 31, 2009 @ 4:24 pm
I adore you beyond all definition. I swear i’m crawling out of my cave and you’ll be seeing more of me now. I’ve missed you.
Happiest, happiest wishes to you, love
Deb Said,
December 31, 2009 @ 4:49 pm
I love it that all of this seemed almost like I remembered it too. Not describing it well…but having read your year, and then seeing the recap, very cool. You are best of the best! Happy New Year!
Lara Said,
December 31, 2009 @ 5:03 pm
Happy New Year, Mocha! I have loved you for over three years now, and three in-person hanging-outs. Hope you have a great 2010.
Robin Said,
December 31, 2009 @ 5:48 pm
Have a fabulous New Years, Kelly! I hope to finally meet you @ BlogHer 2010.
angie Said,
December 31, 2009 @ 7:00 pm
I love how you posted a picture with each month. I wouldn’t have the guts (or the camera) to do that! Happy New Year, Kelly! Meet you on the flip side.
Amanda Said,
December 31, 2009 @ 7:38 pm
I finally got through the post I started reading about 4 hours ago! NYE is just too full of interruptions. On that note…it’s been great reading in 2009. All the best in 2010!!
Lady M Said,
December 31, 2009 @ 10:38 pm
Happy New Year!
Thank you for helping to create the women of color session at BlogHer this summer. In the blogging world, I hadn’t consciously identified as WOC until that point, and it was a very powerful day.
Best wishes to you and your lovely family.
Marilyn Said,
January 1, 2010 @ 9:50 am
damn, lady, you had a stupendous, helluva deep year. great recap post! best wishes, Kelly, for a beautiful launch into this new year. blessings to you and yours.
Heather O Said,
January 1, 2010 @ 10:05 am
You are a crack-up Ms. Super Sassy! What a road it’s been this year for you. Just the display of comments you regularly receive is pretty amazing. Thanks for sharing your life and your rockin’ comedic writing skills. It makes the gray seem bright with laughs you bring others and you keep life grounded with reality. Thanks Kelly.
rushay Said,
January 24, 2010 @ 8:18 pm
reading part where you wrote you wont be forced into excepting a black label,im with you on that and i feel its important to celebrate ones heritage and not just one side,in south africa we got a race group which i fall in thats seperate from black,we are labeled coloured so its basically a hybrid of many races that mixed of a long period of time.being black in africa is something totally more complexed than just having one black drop of blood its about culture etc.i crack me up when i come across black americans that sorta like trek to the MOTHERLAND at times cos culture and ethnicity plays such a huge role in the black makeup out here
Kat @ TodaysCliche.com Said,
January 28, 2010 @ 2:20 am
Entertaining blog. Loved reading your recent posts. I will definitely be checking in often!
Our blogs are semi-similar; I’d love your feedback about mine, if you have a sec!
http://www.TodaysCliche.com. Thanks!!