Leading by example, my Mom has taught us life is too short—laugh! Finding the funny in the face of struggle has saved us on more than one occasion, like the time a priest stuttered his way through Grandma’s wake. He called my Mom—who was mourning her Mom—by the wrong name so many times it just got ... » Learn More about This Time, Baby, I’ll Be Bulletproof (it’s a song)
DIY
If You Take My Mom To Target
My Mom is not a shopper, which makes me wonder if I was switched at birth. You can imagine the teenage angst that was my Mother's refusal to shop with me. Ask your friend's mom; she loves the mall! But she would hand over her Visa, and all was forgiven. This year, though, she requested my ... » Learn More about If You Take My Mom To Target
Look How Far She’s Come!
This time of the year always finds me extra sentimental and nostalgic. Thank you, Mom, for passing down these stellar traits. Pay no attention to the woman sobbing in Target; holiday weeping is hereditary and she can't help it. Whether I'm reminiscing about the good ol' days over dinner with ... » Learn More about Look How Far She’s Come!
Free Store Penn Hills
Mahatma Gandhi once said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” In short: whenever you need a gratitude check, focus on bettering the people of your community. Many of my family's service activities are an extension of my daughter’s incredible Girl Scout ... » Learn More about Free Store Penn Hills
The New Face of Romance
A first true love is butterfly wings beating against the brain, clouding good judgement and all reason. An all-consuming, borderline obsession coupled with a physical ache that plagues the body. It's the kind of excitement rivaled only by a young child's on Christmas Eve. In a word, our first ... » Learn More about The New Face of Romance
Things I’ve Learned Thanks to My First Colonoscopy
Originally published in December 2015 Stomach troubles have plagued me for as long as I can recall. When I think of all the things they've ruined for me, one particular example comes to mind... My boyfriend had taken me to a romantic seafood restaurant then to see the Pittsburgh ... » Learn More about Things I’ve Learned Thanks to My First Colonoscopy
Crohn’s Disease & All Its Crap (seewhatididthere?)
When my Mom was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease two years ago, everything changed. You see, we're an Italian family who celebrates, grieves, and gathers in the name of food. Sunday Family Dinners are capitalized in our world. We lived to eat. But an extended hospital stay for our matriarch and a ... » Learn More about Crohn’s Disease & All Its Crap (seewhatididthere?)
Don’t Mind Me, I’ll Just Be Over Here Quitting
In third grade, my teacher recommended I be tested for the school's Gifted Program. I had begged my parents not to make me different, to not give people a reason to expect things of me--things I wasn't sure I could deliver. They ignored me, so I took matters into my own hands. How many in a ... » Learn More about Don’t Mind Me, I’ll Just Be Over Here Quitting
A Surefire Way to Piss Off This Lady
As far as temperaments go, I'm not what you'd consider laid back. I'm no incensed insult-slinging Donald Trump, but those who know me best would never use the following words to describe me: chill calm nonchalant easy-going unflappable In fact, I'm quite flappable. And if you get me ... » Learn More about A Surefire Way to Piss Off This Lady
7 Ways CVS Pharmacies Make Life Easier
My Dad taught himself how to use a computer and send emails when I went away to college. I thought it was absolutely adorable that he took the time to be a vulnerable student and allow newfangled technology to be his teacher. He would hunt-and-peck me a few short lines most mornings, and I'd wake up ... » Learn More about 7 Ways CVS Pharmacies Make Life Easier