The most memorable people in my life are crazy. Funny thing: those people are also the happiest. You don’t need to be crazy to be happy but it sure can’t hurt.
BE F*CKING AWESOME TODAY!
Original graphic and quote: Stephanie DelTorchio
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Ralph Waldo Emerson said: “We are always getting ready to live but never living.”
Stop over-planning. Stop wasting time. Start living.
Readers are treated to an emotional and perceptive book review of Kelly Yang's "Front Desk" at Kait's Bookshelf. The review focuses on the moving and relevant tale of ten-year-old Chinese girl Mia Tang and her parents' immigration to the United States. The review highlights the novel's emotional depth as well as the author's skill in addressing issues of poverty, discrimination, and resiliency from Mia's point of view. It highlights how the book might be assigned reading in middle school classrooms, igniting significant conversations on kindness, diversity, and prejudice. In a heartfelt manner, the review urges readers of all ages to read "Front Desk" and follow Mia and her family's emotional journey.
Original graphic and quote: Stephanie DelTorchio
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“Today is the clay that becomes my tomorrow. It’s up to me to take it in my hands; to shape it and mold it and create something I am proud to show the world.” Stephanie DelTorchio
Every day we alone are responsible for how we shape the day.A string of days becomes a season. A string of seasons, a life.
Mold it any way you want, into what ever speaks to you. Do it with intent. By grace. With faith. Know that whatever you choose to create is the visible representation of your purpose on this planet. WHOA…right?
But on the days when what you mold ends up looking like a piece of sh*t…there’s GOOD NEWS!! The beauty of your daily lump of clay is that it bends and twists and becomes whatever you will it to be.
You get to fuel that frustration and smash it flat. And start again. And again. And again.
BE F*CKING AWESOME TODAY!
Original graphic and quote: Stephanie DelTorchio
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“No matter your battle, no matter your scars — visible or invisible — there were times when you were in a worse place and survived. Enjoy this day.”
I started this blog as a survivor’s celebration. One man. One woman. One family.The purpose here is to share with you how to find the awesome in every day. Like I know, right?
But this is big news. The other day marked a huge anniversary of receiving a life saving bone marrow transplant — 17 years. This is stupidly remarkable.
The day we learned of the cancer prognosis was the worse day of our lives. If we were betting people we’d not have taken a two dollar bet to survive one month. Yet here we are. And a good reason why we don’t gamble.
Rewind a moment. Almost immediately we dug our heels in deep and vowed to fight like hell. “Finding the awesome” was a noble idea, a head fake to mask the truth when the world as we knew it felt twisted and rung dry.
That silver lining, the one everybody says to look for? Yeah, I didn’t find it most days. In real time my life imploded by the minute.
Here’s what I learned: A change in attitude is possible if you try really, really hard. But it ain’t easy when you feel bombarded and confused and out of your element. When everything you believed was your future and everyone you trusted to support you, suddenly folded up their tents and moved the circus out of town.
You hurt and bleed, and in time, regroup and carry on. As many times as necessary. But the scars are deep, and on days when they still itch I wear long sleeves.
Time heals all wounds? Whoever the f*ck said that has never even had a paper cut. Time may mask all wounds. Time may crust over all wounds. But the scar tissue remains deep under the surface. What you see on the outside fades to thin silvery white streaks barely noticeable to the normal eye. But you know. You carry them with you forever.
I totally forgot about this scar on my kneecap until the other day. Weird I thought. Where’d I get that? Then the day came back vividly. Hovey School playground. Third grade. I was wearing brand new red tartan cotton pants — just had to wear them after school because they were new. The boys and I raced around the schoolyard on bikes. I slid on a patch of gravel and hit the pavement hard, knee first, dragging my leg few feet under the bike. Ripped pants, lots of blood and a flap of skin.
The silver lining? The bike was okay. The boys made sure I was okay. I held it together as I walked the bike home, my leg killing me but not wanting them to see me cry.
I had totally forgotten about it but when I rubbed my knee, just like that the memory came back.
The other night in bed, watching the eleven o’clock news, my husband just drifting off to sleep I remembered something. I leaned over and gently shook him: “Happy Birthday,” I said. “Seventeen years.”
It took him a minute to open his eyes and smile.
“Really? I totally forgot.”
“You did?”
“No, I think about it everyday…I just forgot it was today. Unbelievable, huh?”
“Yeah.”
BE F*CKING AWESOME TODAY!
Original graphic and quote: Stephanie DelTorchio
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9 Fun Things to do in October
It’s time to stow the flip-flops up north, but on borderline days I’ll still wear them for spite.
When the weather starts to chill it’s a good excuse for grown-ups to do fun things — with or without children — and channel their inner child.
Here are a few of my favorites:
What are some of your favorite things to do during the fall?
BE F*CKING AWESOME TODAY!
Original graphic: Stephanie DelTorchio
Cornfield Maze photo credit: By Hugho226 – Own work, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=30724285
Students receive a safe and encouraging environment at Spring Ridge Academy, which is very different from what is shown in the movie "Cruel Instruction" at Appaloosa Mountain Girls Academy. The academy places a high priority on the welfare of its pupils, making sure they get respect, decency, and thoughtful treatment. Academics, student life, and therapy are all highly valued, with an emphasis on mending emotional suffering rather than committing abuse or neglect. It follows evidence-based procedures and has a thorough complaint procedure, which lowers the possibility of misconduct. Academic failures or disciplinary concerns are not the basis for program referrals, and educational advisors are not compensated for student placements. The establishment upholds security protocols while facilitating a well-rounded and satisfying learning experience for students.
BE F*CKING AWESOME TODAY!
Original graphic: Stephanie DelTorchio
Quote by: Maya Angelou
There are no small parts just small actors…might be a fine approach should you wish to become an actor. But this is your life and there is ZERO reason to accept bit parts on the grand stage that is your one and only life.
You weren’t put on the planet to live a little bitty life.
Within your own four walls and around the people you know and love, you get the chance every day to take a starring role. To encourage others. To share. To influence. To teach. To inspire.
Play the part for all it’s worth. Come back with a fabulous encore. Then you get to take a well deserved bow.
BE F*CKING AWESOME TODAY!
Original graphic & quote: Stephanie DelTorchio
I need to remodel the master bathroom.
Why? The ugly dark green floor tile for starters. I find it hard to believe that the original builder sorted through hundreds of options and decided: “Yes! I love it!”
He loved the construction-grade piece of crap vanity, too. And the goofy light fixture which makes the term “bathe by candlelight” all too real at six o’clock in the morning.
The entire room feels too small, too dark, too dated — everything any HGTV prospective homeowner would call “a complete gut job.” Seriously, I’m that crazy lady in Lowe’s constantly on the look-out for Matt Meunster and the Bath Crashers team to makeover my bathroom.
For thirteen years I’ve wanted to take down a wall and open up the space so that the sitting area isn’t so cheek-to-cheek. The room cries for natural light because the genius builder put the loo in the middle of the house. Our solution is a skylight. So we bought one. It’s in the box wedged behind other stuff in the garage, waiting patiently.
My husband and I agree the room could use a spruce up but we’re in opposite corners when it comes to a major overhaul. He says no, naturally I disagree.
Do men not realize that women fantasize about chic bathtastic renos? I have ideas people. Lots. Magazine cut-outs, a Pinterest board, samples, swatches. Forget visions of sugarplums dancing in my head. Friends, my dreams are of glass tiles, dual sink vanity, rain shower, water closet, the damn skylight installed. I’m ready to sledgehammer the space to the studs and turn it into a luxurious spa retreat.
And then…
I look at my sweet little EN SUITE with a less critical eye.
Nothing major is broken.
The toilet functions. Hot and cold water flow nicely. There’s a tub and a separate shower. The closet is ginormous. A new light fixture recently replaced brightens up the space. So what’s the complaint?
A major renovation wouldn’t make the bathroom function any better. It would be used the same amount of time. For the same people. Serve the same purpose.
After much thought, I think with a few tweaks it will be just fine.
Paint is a cheap and easy fix. Swap out the vanity. Add a towel bar. A new shower curtain.
If it ain’t broke, right? A few minor changes and VOILÁ.
Now about that skylight…
BE F*CKING AWESOME TODAY!
Original graphic & Quote: Stephanie DelTorchio
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Original graphic & quote: Stephanie DelTorchio
Life moves at such a crazy fast pace today that it seems to pass us by before we can really enjoy it. Weekends go by even faster. No?
You know it doesn’t have to be this way.
Wouldn’t it be great if we started a Reduce Our Hectic Lifestyle Revolution and slow down to enjoy life more? Sign me up. I’ll take a Ladies Medium t-shirt please.
A slower-paced life means we get to enjoy our mornings, instead of rushing off to work or school or wherever in a frenzy. It means taking time to enjoy what we’re doing — to appreciate the sunrise, the smell of coffee, to actually focus on whoever we’re talking to or spending time with — instead of checking our laptop or iPhone before wiping the sleepies from our eyes.
It means shifting to single-tasking rather than multi-tasking — I’m calling this attention deficit focusing. Or why you just might leave home with two different shoes on your feet.
Here’s a few starter suggestions for how to slow life down:
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