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

Work Life Balance

One Successful Couple

I met Hugo and Gert Ehlers in late 1994. I quickly discovered they were hard working people. Hugo worked at a steel factory and Gert taught physical education at a public school. Their two kids were already grown and living in different parts of the country. The Ehlers were always very careful with their money, dedicated savers, and good investors. They went to church each Sunday and were always i... Read More »

Working Woman | WIRL Project

What It’s Really Like to CHOOSE to Work Rather Than HAVE To.

I was inspired to write this WIRL after reading about Jacquelyn Frazier. Jacquelyn Frazier is a social media maven, a mom, and the wife of Cincinnati Reds standout Todd Frazier. Todd just so happens to be this years MLB home run derby champion. He also made $3.75 million this past year and will make $8.25 million next year. So to say that Jacquelyn doesn’t have to work might be an understate... Read More »

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 »

Raising Teenagers with Technology

My husband (Dave) and I are very lucky to have close friends that have children around the same age as our 14 year old daughter, Devon. We get to share our concerns and frustrations with our friends as we know that they’re experiencing the same things with their children, or will be in the near future. A common topic that we discuss is how scary it is to raise a teenager in the twenty-teens (isn’t... Read More »

Stylish and Creative Storage Solution

Stylish and Creative Storage Solution

  We used to have a wooden coffee table in the middle of our living room. But once we brought our tiny human home I went from seeing “beautiful, aged dark wood coffee table with wrought iron legs” to “ARE YOU KIDDING ME YOUR CHILD CAN AND WILL FALL AND BUST HER BUTT ON THESE METAL SPIKES OF HAZARD YOU HORRIBLE PARENT!!” (Not to mention, “wasted space”.) We ... Read More »

Breaking the Cycle: Grocery Saving Tips

Breaking the Cycle: Grocery Saving Tips

I am constantly trying to find ways to trim our family budget.  About twice a year I attempt to hack away at unnecessary spending and cut out anything that will help the household bottom line.  There comes a point in everyone’s budget where it is not possible to reduce anymore items from monthly expenses.  Once you hit this threshold you are forced to get creative. Even though I handle the f... Read More »

love memories WIRL Project

Creating Memories Together

The Best Thing About MEMORIES …..is making them. “We don’t remember days, we remember moments.” Cesare Pavese I was driving in the car the other day with my two young daughters in the back seat. They were listening to the radio and singing along to one of the songs. All of a sudden my youngest stops and says, “I need to make memories so later in life I can remember how good my life was.”  I instan... Read More »

thirteen

Nine is the New Thirteen

We are on the edge at my house. A very delicate, confusing, frustrating edge. You see, I have a nine year old. And not just any nine year old, but one of the female kind. We are teetering on the edge of being a kid and coming into her own, and let me be the first to tell you: it’s maddening. I understand it’s a struggle, and people warned me, but honestly, I thought all this drama was saved for th... Read More »