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

Anonymous WIRL

Breast Augmentation Surgery: What It’s Really Like. Part 2: The Consult

  Upon leaving the consultation for a breast augmentation, I was consumed with excitement, frustration, and slight disappointment. The excitement was because the doctor seemed wonderful! He was educated, friendly, and comforting. The doctor made the suggestion of a silicone textured implant; his reasoning came from my body structure and proportions. However, as the doctor left the room the re... Read More »

Fructose Malabsorption: My Long Road to a Diagnosis

Fructose Malabsorption: My Long Road to a Diagnosis

Growing up I always had an issue with wheat. Over the past 30 years, I’ve been tested numerous times for Coeliac (Celiac) Disease – all of my results were always inconclusive. There was never an explanation of my symptoms, which included lethargy, bloating, excess gas, stomach pains, constant nausea, and weight gain. In my late 20’s, “food sensitivity” started to get ... Read More »

Perfect Start to the Day and Breakfast of Champions

Perfect Start to the Day and Breakfast of Champions

For the past two plus years, I’ve started my day by pleasantly waking up to Daft Punk’s Lose Yourself to Dance which quite possibly could be the best wake-up call ever. No more jolting awake to some terrible repetitive beeping sound. This tune starts slowly and quietly, and builds up into an awesome catchy beat. Definitely check it out. https://youtu.be/NF-kLy44Hls Then I typically scr... Read More »

Type 1 Diabetes

Stronger Because Of It

My oldest daughter, MJ, has type I diabetes.  I don’t write about it frequently although it is very much ingrained in our daily lives, but nowadays life just rolls along without much incident as far as the disease goes. I can’t figure out how something that drives me nuts multiple times a day and has a good bit of control over some of the function of our days has become sort of ho-hum ... Read More »

Stop Apologizing for Being Me |WIRL project

I Stopped Apologizing For Being Me

I have struggled with other people’s assumptions my entire life. I remember being in the principal’s office at the public school we were zoned for when we lived in the country, and her leaning in and asking me “Are you an only child?” I was in her office because a boy had run up to me and grabbed me between my legs when our Spanish teacher was out of the room. I was so embarrassed — it had been a ... Read More »

Setting up for a photo session

Double the Blogs, Double the Fun, Except Maybe for the Husband

I’m Stephanie, and I’m maybe-slightly-kind-of addicted to blogging. I don’t need, like, group meetings and an intervention or anything. I just really, really like it. I can quit anytime. I swear! (No, you don’t need to speak with my husband. Let’s just keep this between us. *wink wink*) I started several years ago, have been through three domain names as I finally nar... Read More »

Fergie & the Fire (2014)

Fergie & the Fire (2014)

Today started like any other day. I took the kids to school, came home, and had my first workout in almost 3 months. After my trainer left, I sat down and 90 seconds later, my phone rang. “Hi, Kate – this is Kellan’s teacher.” “Uh-oh…. what did he do THIS time…?” “The school has been evacuated, and all the children are being held at (blank). Please come get him as soon as you can.” “What about my ... 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 »