psy·chot·ic leop·ard sīˈkädik/ˈlepərd/ noun · anything that is funky, interesting, beautiful, niche, useful, and grabs one's attention

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News — Self-Sufficient

Strong Powerful Women: IVY BERKE - NONSTOP FITNESS INSTRUCTOR IN HER FIFTIES

Posted by Lisa Johnson on

Strong Powerful Women:   IVY BERKE - NONSTOP FITNESS INSTRUCTOR IN HER FIFTIES

        This is the second in a series of blogs about strong women I know, and this month's choice is Ivy Berke, my "Cut Above" class teacher.  Her fitness career has spanned more than three decades, and she manages to run her own businesses, model for Athleta, and still have boundless amounts of energy. From the first class, I noticed there was something about Ivy that glowed besides her incredibly gorgeous smile, and I had to find out what it was.   You've been doing this for more than thirty years. What drew you to this career? I really did...

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Strong Powerful Women: HEATHER FLAHERTY - FEMALE BOXER, MOTHER, CHAMPION

Posted by Lisa Johnson on

Strong Powerful Women:  HEATHER FLAHERTY -  FEMALE BOXER, MOTHER, CHAMPION

  This is the first in a series of blogs about strong women I know personally, and today’s obvious choice is Heather, a friend and fellow turbo sweatie.   When I first started classes at the Y, I myself was going through a lot of personal trauma in the wake of my son’s best friend’s suicide, and some severe marital issues.  While normally I am quick to make friends, months passed with only a casual greeting between myself and fellow gym mates. Heather was and remains the friendliest girl in our classes, and was one of the first people I...

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Bringing New Life to Old Things, and the Sexiness of Nerdy Boys' Hands: Refinishing a Dresser

Posted by Lisa Johnson on

Bringing New Life to Old Things, and the Sexiness of Nerdy Boys' Hands:  Refinishing a Dresser

One of the big changes with my new relationship, which isn’t so new anymore, is that my boyfriend actually likes to DO things together.  Instead of sitting and watching shows nearly every night as the highlight of our “time together,” he actually likes to go tag “sailing” with me on Saturday mornings, so we’re able to kill several birds with one stone:  I work and spend time with him, he enjoys treasure hunting, and he’s got a great eye for stuff I miss, and is happy to stand guard while I do my last loops and revisit what I might...

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Dealing With Difficult People: Forgiveness in Unexpected Ways

Posted by Lisa Johnson on

Dealing With Difficult People:  Forgiveness in Unexpected Ways

When you are someone who manages to get along with practically everyone, it’s unnerving to meet a person that you just can’t seem to budge. The other day, a good friend and I were having lunch in a local cafe, and the subject of dealing with impossible people came up. A couple of years earlier, she’d had a fluke accident after her Rhodesian Ridgeback dog had spotted a deer in the backyard, lunged at it, and dragged my friend along with her. Sylvia ended up with a broken hip, and in the hospital and rehab for months. During her stay,...

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Animal Totem: The Leopard as Symbol of a Power, Strength, Healing, Hope and Confidence during my Divorce

Posted by Lisa Johnson on

Animal Totem: The Leopard as Symbol of a Power, Strength, Healing, Hope and Confidence during my Divorce

When my son came up with the name "Psychotic Leopard" for this site, I felt in my gut that it was perfect - slightly shocking, unusual, and bizarre, exactly like the kind of stuff I am attracted to buy, wear, and sell. Shortly thereafter, my very good friend, Monica, sent me a link to "Spirit Animal Totems and Their Messages" website, which she occasionally refers to when she sees or dreams of an unusual animal or one which appears out of its normal setting.  I decided to check what it said for "leopard" and found it could not be fitting to my life...

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