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

WIRL Workout | WIRL Project

What Fitness Means to Me

You’ve seen them shuffling down the street. Fragile old men and women who need canes or walkers to help them move because they’re likely to tip over at any second. About 10 years ago I realized I was turning into one. In my generation kids were expected to spend a lot of time outside, so I was in the habit of being active. Unlike nowadays, youth sports were limited but our high school ... Read More »

living with PTSD | WIRL Project

Living with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

When most people hear “PTSD,” they envision war veterans, assault victims, and survivors from a catastrophic accident. Those are the people who make the news, the people that are used online as click-bait. They are attractions in a world of people who experience trauma by proxy. I will not be one of those people, but I will tell what I can comfortably share of my story. PTSD, like any other mental... 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 »

G: Gratitude – What It’s Really Like

G: Gratitude – 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…  (The above image is a handmade Japanese Thank You card that I received a few years ago from a colleague of mine.  The symbol means, “Gratefu... Read More »

What Italy Was Really Like | WIRL Project

Italy: What It Was Really Like

My husband and I travel often and to many places. Sometimes our trips are week long extravaganzas but normally they are a few days here and there set aside to explore smaller towns full of character. There are many trips that have been memorable. Quebec City and Montreal. Jekyll Island, Georgia. Ten days trekking along the Blue Ridge Trail in North Carolina and Virginia. Napa and Sonoma. It would ... 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 »

Caramel Toffee Bars

Peanut Butter Caramel Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe

This is so much gooey awesomeness that combines peanut butter, oatmeal, caramel and chocolate that I think you should make today! Ingredients Caramel Filling 11 oz bag vanilla caramels 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk 4 Tbls butter Cookie Dough 12 Tbl unsalted butter 2 c light brown sugar 1/2 c creamy peanut butter 2 eggs 1 Tbl vanilla 2 c flour 1 c old fashioned oats 2 1/2 tsp baking powder 1 t... Read More »

P: Poise – What It’s Really Like

P: Poise – 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…  Poise – verb – to hold (something) in a balanced and steady position The season of fall features a great dose of excitement for sports... Read More »