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

Letter to My Kindergartener | WIRL Project

The Kindergarten Milestone – The First of Many Lasts

To my third child on her entry to kindergarten: I’m not sure why kindergarten is the milestone that it is. After all, you are a baby used to being in childcare. I am accustomed to dropping you off, handing you into someone else’s loving and capable hands for the hours I have spent working. After five years of childcare and two children before you, I should be used to this by now. But this is kinde... Read More »

I’m in Hog Heaven.. We’re having Pulled Pork Pie for dinner!!

I’m in Hog Heaven.. We’re having Pulled Pork Pie for dinner!!

Pulled Pork Pie You’ll need a heavy oven proof skillet (cast iron  or enameled cast iron works best) for this and you can either bake it in an oven or in a smoker.. they both produce delicious results. 1 1/2 to 2 pounds pulled smoked pork 1 -2 large potatoes, Russets work best, thickly sliced 3/4 cup BBQ sauce.. use your favorite 1 large onion, diced 9 -12 slices of bacon (depends on width) ... Read More »

What It's Really Like to Lose 100 Pounds | WIRL Project

What It’s Like to Lose 100 Pounds

Today I was at the post office. Handing my I.D. to the clerk, she examined it, looked at me, and looked at the photo again. “Wow, you look really different!” I get that response often so wasn’t too surprised. I’ve considered ordering a new driver’s license since I’m slightly worried I’ll get stopped at the airport for not being the actual Sara M. Borgstede... Read More »

Sunscreen | WIRL Project

Do You Know What is in Your Sunscreen?

With the rates of melanoma (the deadliest form of skin cancer) continuing to surge across the United States, protecting yourself and your family from the dangerous effects of sun exposure has never been more important. A whopping 80 percent of the 1,700 sunscreen products that the Environmental Working Group reviewed this year contain harmful ingredients or offer inadequate protection against dang... Read More »

Drugstore Makeup | WIRL Project

Drugstore vs. Department Store Makeup

My Friend, Kymm McLean, is a makeup artist who I work alongside with in the wedding industry and she posted a status that I felt cleared up a lot of questions I’ve always had on makeup, the costs of it, and the chemicals in the makeup, so I thought I would share it with you… Enjoy! Kymm says: I was asked today if you can accomplish a great makeup face with drugstore brands vs. department sto... Read More »

Children Bodily Fluids 101

Children Bodily Fluids 101

  The other day my 4 year old told our roofer proudly she could wipe her own bottom now when she poops. I was only slightly surprised she said this to him knowing her personality. I laughed it off and began thinking about the ugly process of teaching her and her two older sisters how to properly wipe. No one prepared me for this! I thought of parenting as moments in hallmark movies. Boy was I... Read More »

Middle School Blog U | WIRL Project

BlogU: Middle Age Middle School

I had the weirdest dream: I’m sharing a couch in a hotel bar with “I Just Want to Pee Alone” NYT Bestselling Author, Jen Mann. Our conversation meanders from our mutual admiration for Hugh Howey to me giving her shit about the fact that her rental car has manual roll-down windows. We then somehow make the connection that I was in the PTA with a book blogger that she follows. The next thing I know,... Read More »