Featured WIRL of the Moment

Reality – What It’s Really Like

Reality – What It’s Really Like

This post is part of a series titled, “A-B-Cs – What It’s Really Like”. Each week a new letter and its word will be revealed. Each word’s explanation will illustrate significant personal meaning, application and ultimately demonstrate, What It’s Really Like… Back in 1998 MTV debuted the reality TV s... Read More »

Previously Featured WIRLs

To paraphrase R.E.M. ~ It was The End of My World as I Knew It.. and I’ll Be Fine

I have struggled with GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) and LPR  (laryngopharyngeal reflux) for many years. My specialists in Rhode Island, Michigan and New York had prescribed every medication (both prescription and  over the counter) on the market; numerous X-rays, CAT scans, ultrasounds; changed my diet; scoped my throat regularly; sent me to vocal chord therapy, strapped me to a table the... Read More »

Are You Saving Enough?

Are You Saving Enough?

Ever wonder if you’re saving enough money for retirement? Even if you’re in your 20’s, most experts say you should be saving 10-15% of your annual income each year! Setting aside a little bit every month can be a hard thing to do, and even when you’re doing all the right things, it’s still hard to feel confident about it. Should it sit in a savings account, 401K, or s... Read More »

Phil Gleason | WIRL Project

How to Calculate Retirement Age

  Calculate Your Retirement Age Early retirement? Normal retirement age used to be 65. With changes in pension benefits, health care expenses and other factors, there is no normal retirement age. Social Security was created in August 1935. It was intended to supplement other income sources for retirement. What’s changed? Everything. People are living much longer. In 1935, life expectanc... Read More »

I Just Want To Nest!!

I Just Want To Nest!!

With a toddler to care for all day and another baby on the way, there is not much time to think about how different life will be once the newest member of our family is here.   However, the one thing that I can’t help but focus on is how much I need to organize before said new family member arrives.  The problem with this is my inability to “nest” the way every pregnant woman wants to.  The reason... Read More »

What It’s Really Like to be a Blogger While Managing a Career as an Attorney, Wife, and Mother of an Infant and Toddler

What It’s Really Like to be a Blogger While Managing a Career as an Attorney, Wife, and Mother of an Infant and Toddler

We asked Jennifer Burby who is an attorney, wife, and mother, as well as a blogger at Champagne Supernova, to share her honest thoughts and stories about blogging for the WIRL Blogging Challenge. We’ve listed our Q/A session below for you to enjoy!    WIRL Project: How much time do you spend on your blog each week? Jennifer: The short answer is that I probably spend 15-20 hours a week d... Read More »

Stressed Mom WIRL Project

9 Going on 16….What It’s REALLY Like!

  My sweet, sweet little girl….yea right!!! Her teachers and other moms always tell me what a sweet girl she is. I just laugh. I laugh, but want to cry. She isn’t like that with me!! What the hell? It is like she is Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. One minute, she is sweet and nice to me (usually when she wants something), then when she realizes she isn’t going to get what she wants, she starts... Read More »

The Baby Blues: Motherhood’s Scarlet Letter

The Baby Blues: Motherhood’s Scarlet Letter

  This picture of my oldest daughter (above) was taken minutes after she was born and perfectly sums up the way I felt after both of my pregnancies. You see, for the majority of my life, I imagined that giving birth to my children would be like the opening scene of The Lion King where Rafiki the monkey triumphantly holds up baby Simba and presents him to the Pride Lands while “The Circle of L... Read More »

Get yourself a Budget!

The “B” word. No, not that one. The one that makes you or your spouse or maybe both of you cringe. The one that parents use in ways that make their kids learn to hate it. BUDGET. Yes, I know. You think you are doing fine, or you don’t want to feel deprived. You should give it a “wirl” and see how it really goes. I’ve tried making and sticking to a budget over 15 times in the last five years. I alw... Read More »