The end is near, the end is near! Two more days and my experiment is over! It's been a long month! I don't think I'll be doing such an experiment again...but I did learn a lot. I learned I can most definitely cut back on the internet. As long as I am running an online business, I obviously cannot give it up entirely ever. But I can institute an unplugged day, or weekend, etc.
I think I will do one day a week of unplugged. This will be particularly helpful when the kids start school and I can devote a straight period of time to work, cleaning, etc.
But overall, I missed being connected. I missed chit chatting with friends, seeing pics of cute kids, and learning cool recipes, ideas, and websites. I missed it, I really did. Social networking, when used responsibly, is a great addition to our crazy busy lives. Just use it smartly! Instead of only going online to play games and ask friends for boards for your non existent farm, chit chat with friends, comment on their lives, and grow closer! Use social networking to build relationships, share a joke, and CONNECT!
So I'll see ya'll soon!!! I miss you!
~~Amy
The Hesitant Homeschooler....Mama's Little Monkeys
Showing posts with label online break. Show all posts
Showing posts with label online break. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Sunday, June 26, 2011
girl disconnected...4 more days
4 more days and I get my online life back.
I think I have learned what I needed to learn. I'll recap:
1. I do not NEED the internet and social networking. Should tragedy befall us and we had to cut things...I'd turn it off, no problem.
2. Although I do not NEED social networking...I WANT social networking. Being a WAHM generally surrounded by humans under 4 feet tall, a dog, no one or a combination of those three....I need the connection sites like facebook bring me. I also, apparently, like to talk and social networking helps me ease that.
3. I did not accomplish many of the goals I wanted to accomplish. I did start making small changes to our diet and grocery purchases. I'm still a coupon fanatic but am seeking out more healthy purchases with the coupons. But in these tight times, I gotta do what I gotta do to feed my family!
4. I did not create much at all. But this has little do with with disconnecting. My kids are home on summer break and all consuming. So summer was probably NOT a great time to try disconnecting.
5. I did see how disconnecting is valuable and am trying to decide what day each week I want to be my "unplugged" day.
here is how my goals broke down. (Mind you these were long term goals listed here, but I wanted to update my progress.) (Updates are in Red)
*Integrate stevia and blue agave nectar into diet more.--Working on! They no longer make Sun Crystals, my sweetener of choice for my coffee, but I can make my own by mixing stevia and real cane sugar. I also got some local honey and agave nectar and have been using them in coffee and smoothies!
*Use up current stockpile of all items that contain high fructose corn syrup, and multiple chemicals on the label. Working on....slowly and surely.
*As we use that stock up, research alternatives for such items.Working on....slowly and surely.
*Limit our soda intake. Once it’s used up...purchase natural sodas without HFCS. Working on....slowly and surely.
*Drink more Water. Working on....slowly and surely. Sort of failing in this one...
*Cut back on sugar. Working on....slowly and surely. Sort of failing in this one...
*Eliminate or drastically cut back on food dyes. Working on....slowly and surely. I think I'm doing good in this one, it was mostly for the boys and as I look at their diet, they don't eat much with food dyes. Their fruit jerky (fruit strips) are colored with fruit and veggie dyes. Their cereals don't contain dyes. Their juices are all natural. Probably their biggest downfall is the occasional popsicle at PawPaw's house, but I also want to be realistic, the sometimes popsicle isn't going to kill them. Fruit Chewy Treats are probably the last majorly dyed food they ingest, and again, I'm not going to go all Gestapo on their butts.
*Purchase meats, dairy and produce that I KNOW where it came from. Working on....slowly and surely. This information is harder to get than I thought.
*Purchase red meat and chicken only from our local grocery store Working on....slowly and surely. Local and organic meats are SUPER costly.
*Purchase the ‘dirtiest’ produce list http://www.kitchenstewardship.com/2010/04/29/2010-dirty-dozen-produce-list-released-by-the-ewg/ organic and preferably, locally grown.Working on....slowly and surely.
*Purchase locally grown and organic fed dairy products. Working on....slowly and surely. Thankfully most of the milk I buy is from local farmers who supposedly don't use hormones or any of that. Still trying to find a good, clean, quiet source of Raw Milk. Since it's illegal I can't even tell you if I find one anyways.
*Exercise more! FAILED miserably. I've walked the dog...that's about it. I've put on about 8 lbs in the past six months. I'm a new mission to get ripped.
*Spend more time in bible study. Working on....slowly and surely. I've not done enough of this, absolutely not.
*Cleaning and Housework. Working on....slowly and surely. Getting better. I'm still trying to make myself get on a good schedule, but I'm not a good schedule keeper. But I've done okay keeping things going, since it is summer and both kids are home...it's a lot harder to keep things clean!
*Purge some of the plastic. Working on....slowly and surely. Purged some and am working on purging more. Slowly (it's costly!) replacing my plastic items with glass.
*Read More! Doing good! I'm up to 9 books finished on my kindle alone. I think my goal to read in 2011 was 20-25. I'm reading a few books off the kindle (what are these called now, In Real Life books?) and as always, my stack of magazines.
*Un-Plug More. Semi Accomplished!! As this girl disconnected series draws to a close, I admit I've sneaked on some social networking sites, I've still used my iPad and I've still done what I needed to do for my business online. But I was offline a WHOLE lot more than I've ever been in recent years. I of course didn't have a ton of time to BE online since it's summer, but not even being ALLOWED online helped ease my stress and guilt for 'not getting enough done.'
So, overall, I'm not doing TOO terrible I think!!
See ya'll soon! FOUR MORE DAYS!
~~amy
I think I have learned what I needed to learn. I'll recap:
1. I do not NEED the internet and social networking. Should tragedy befall us and we had to cut things...I'd turn it off, no problem.
2. Although I do not NEED social networking...I WANT social networking. Being a WAHM generally surrounded by humans under 4 feet tall, a dog, no one or a combination of those three....I need the connection sites like facebook bring me. I also, apparently, like to talk and social networking helps me ease that.
3. I did not accomplish many of the goals I wanted to accomplish. I did start making small changes to our diet and grocery purchases. I'm still a coupon fanatic but am seeking out more healthy purchases with the coupons. But in these tight times, I gotta do what I gotta do to feed my family!
4. I did not create much at all. But this has little do with with disconnecting. My kids are home on summer break and all consuming. So summer was probably NOT a great time to try disconnecting.
5. I did see how disconnecting is valuable and am trying to decide what day each week I want to be my "unplugged" day.
here is how my goals broke down. (Mind you these were long term goals listed here, but I wanted to update my progress.) (Updates are in Red)
*Integrate stevia and blue agave nectar into diet more.--Working on! They no longer make Sun Crystals, my sweetener of choice for my coffee, but I can make my own by mixing stevia and real cane sugar. I also got some local honey and agave nectar and have been using them in coffee and smoothies!
*Use up current stockpile of all items that contain high fructose corn syrup, and multiple chemicals on the label. Working on....slowly and surely.
*As we use that stock up, research alternatives for such items.Working on....slowly and surely.
*Limit our soda intake. Once it’s used up...purchase natural sodas without HFCS. Working on....slowly and surely.
*Drink more Water. Working on....slowly and surely. Sort of failing in this one...
*Cut back on sugar. Working on....slowly and surely. Sort of failing in this one...
*Eliminate or drastically cut back on food dyes. Working on....slowly and surely. I think I'm doing good in this one, it was mostly for the boys and as I look at their diet, they don't eat much with food dyes. Their fruit jerky (fruit strips) are colored with fruit and veggie dyes. Their cereals don't contain dyes. Their juices are all natural. Probably their biggest downfall is the occasional popsicle at PawPaw's house, but I also want to be realistic, the sometimes popsicle isn't going to kill them. Fruit Chewy Treats are probably the last majorly dyed food they ingest, and again, I'm not going to go all Gestapo on their butts.
*Purchase meats, dairy and produce that I KNOW where it came from. Working on....slowly and surely. This information is harder to get than I thought.
*Purchase red meat and chicken only from our local grocery store Working on....slowly and surely. Local and organic meats are SUPER costly.
*Purchase the ‘dirtiest’ produce list http://www.kitchenstewardship.com/2010/04/29/2010-dirty-dozen-produce-list-released-by-the-ewg/ organic and preferably, locally grown.Working on....slowly and surely.
*Purchase locally grown and organic fed dairy products. Working on....slowly and surely. Thankfully most of the milk I buy is from local farmers who supposedly don't use hormones or any of that. Still trying to find a good, clean, quiet source of Raw Milk. Since it's illegal I can't even tell you if I find one anyways.
*Exercise more! FAILED miserably. I've walked the dog...that's about it. I've put on about 8 lbs in the past six months. I'm a new mission to get ripped.
*Spend more time in bible study. Working on....slowly and surely. I've not done enough of this, absolutely not.
*Cleaning and Housework. Working on....slowly and surely. Getting better. I'm still trying to make myself get on a good schedule, but I'm not a good schedule keeper. But I've done okay keeping things going, since it is summer and both kids are home...it's a lot harder to keep things clean!
*Purge some of the plastic. Working on....slowly and surely. Purged some and am working on purging more. Slowly (it's costly!) replacing my plastic items with glass.
*Read More! Doing good! I'm up to 9 books finished on my kindle alone. I think my goal to read in 2011 was 20-25. I'm reading a few books off the kindle (what are these called now, In Real Life books?) and as always, my stack of magazines.
*Un-Plug More. Semi Accomplished!! As this girl disconnected series draws to a close, I admit I've sneaked on some social networking sites, I've still used my iPad and I've still done what I needed to do for my business online. But I was offline a WHOLE lot more than I've ever been in recent years. I of course didn't have a ton of time to BE online since it's summer, but not even being ALLOWED online helped ease my stress and guilt for 'not getting enough done.'
So, overall, I'm not doing TOO terrible I think!!
See ya'll soon! FOUR MORE DAYS!
~~amy
Friday, June 10, 2011
girl disconnected....thin mints and real friends...
See world...even if you cut yourself off from Facebook, Twitter and whatever things you use to connect...your real friends hunt you down. They text you on your phone (even though it takes you 20 minutes to tap out a response...) They email you and send you recipes for GLUTEN FREE THIN MINTS! (Merry.....I heart you!) And they actually call.
I admit, its' been REALLY hard these first 10 days to be off Facebook and Plurk. I confess...I checked Facebook 1-2x for messages. I also apparently liked some things while searching for doggy stuff. I also broke down and got on Plurk a few times to show off Libby the dog because I have a lot of animal nuts over there who I knew would love to see her! So yea.....cold turkey, I didn't QUITE do...but I have mostly behaved myself. Any online purchases were doggy related (IE a 30 lb bag of dog food that even the UPS guy had to ask, "what is in this??" I shoulda told him something scary....).
But Twitter....I haven't even noticed. There are maybe 3 people who I connect with only on Twitter (because they've as of yet to GET on facebook), and one is baby-mooning, so she isn't on much anyways. So I really am not missing Twitter.
I am enjoying that I'm actually talking on the phone to my friends more. And still...to this day....they seem to know when I've JUST sat down and gotten comfy before they call. Or I have raw chicken on my hands....it's always one of the two....
Sooooo, I've learned....whether you check your facebook or not....life goes on. The sun rises. Kids misbehave (or behave!) and still you are there. I'm learning what I get out of social networking is the instant gratification. The feeling of, "Hey, someone read that!" or "Hey someone liked that!!" It's like I'm Sally Field all day long, "They LIKE ME! They REALLY LIKE ME!!"
But it's not just that..it's not just about me. I really do enjoy reading about my friends, near and far. I enjoy hearing their adventures, and misadventures. That is something social networking really does...it DOES help you feel connected to those you can't be physically near (IF You use it right and don't do stupid things like Post naked pics of yourself.....or join facebook...start drama....then leave. Repeat. For the love of cheese, ya'll, please stop doing that.)
Social networking is anonymity and closeness all at once. It's an enigma....and while I'm missing it at times...
I think I can live without it.
~~amy
I admit, its' been REALLY hard these first 10 days to be off Facebook and Plurk. I confess...I checked Facebook 1-2x for messages. I also apparently liked some things while searching for doggy stuff. I also broke down and got on Plurk a few times to show off Libby the dog because I have a lot of animal nuts over there who I knew would love to see her! So yea.....cold turkey, I didn't QUITE do...but I have mostly behaved myself. Any online purchases were doggy related (IE a 30 lb bag of dog food that even the UPS guy had to ask, "what is in this??" I shoulda told him something scary....).
But Twitter....I haven't even noticed. There are maybe 3 people who I connect with only on Twitter (because they've as of yet to GET on facebook), and one is baby-mooning, so she isn't on much anyways. So I really am not missing Twitter.
I am enjoying that I'm actually talking on the phone to my friends more. And still...to this day....they seem to know when I've JUST sat down and gotten comfy before they call. Or I have raw chicken on my hands....it's always one of the two....
Sooooo, I've learned....whether you check your facebook or not....life goes on. The sun rises. Kids misbehave (or behave!) and still you are there. I'm learning what I get out of social networking is the instant gratification. The feeling of, "Hey, someone read that!" or "Hey someone liked that!!" It's like I'm Sally Field all day long, "They LIKE ME! They REALLY LIKE ME!!"
But it's not just that..it's not just about me. I really do enjoy reading about my friends, near and far. I enjoy hearing their adventures, and misadventures. That is something social networking really does...it DOES help you feel connected to those you can't be physically near (IF You use it right and don't do stupid things like Post naked pics of yourself.....or join facebook...start drama....then leave. Repeat. For the love of cheese, ya'll, please stop doing that.)
Social networking is anonymity and closeness all at once. It's an enigma....and while I'm missing it at times...
I think I can live without it.
~~amy
Monday, June 6, 2011
girl, disconnected...day 5--A Boy and His Dog
If you read yesterday's post you saw that we adopted a sweet little pug mix we named Libby. (Technically, Libby Jo). Well, she's adjusting incredibly well. She was supposed to be MY dog but I highly suspect Harrison will end up being her 'true' master. She's still learning the ropes with us, but has made herself quite at home. It's as if she was always supposed to be here! She's snoozing on the end of my bed as I type!
And Harrison and Eli have really surprised me. I thought they'd be scared of her, like they had been before, but Harrison, especially has been super attentive, loving, caring and watchful over her. I'm very impressed. Today was the first day Harrison hasn't frustrated me immensely in a looooooooooooong time!! Perhaps he was MEANT to have his dog!
I AM missing being connected to social networking, but I'm only 5 days in (technically 6 now) but even now the desire and urge is manageable and even now I see how I can easily schedule 'online' time during nap times, evenings, etc. Facebook, twitter, forums, etc can be such a time suck but they don't HAVE to be.
Of course I've been googling more than I planned because I've been doing my doggy research! I also did have to do a little Amazon shopping to get a good deal on her dog food (have you SMELLED a dog's fart when on Purina or other crappy dog food? Yeah, um no.)
So, yes, I haven't been COMPLETELY disconnected as I planned...I am still keeping an eye on my shops, on my blogs, Handmade Louisiana and Real Housewives of NOLA. But overall, the computer is off much of the day! It is a nice change. I've watched documentaries, walked the dog, watched the boys swim, visited with friends and just RELAXED!
Now, I'm off to google "how to freshen a dog's smell" or some such to make Miss Libby here a little more sweet smelling to match her sunny disposition! :)
~~Amy
And Harrison and Eli have really surprised me. I thought they'd be scared of her, like they had been before, but Harrison, especially has been super attentive, loving, caring and watchful over her. I'm very impressed. Today was the first day Harrison hasn't frustrated me immensely in a looooooooooooong time!! Perhaps he was MEANT to have his dog!
I AM missing being connected to social networking, but I'm only 5 days in (technically 6 now) but even now the desire and urge is manageable and even now I see how I can easily schedule 'online' time during nap times, evenings, etc. Facebook, twitter, forums, etc can be such a time suck but they don't HAVE to be.
Of course I've been googling more than I planned because I've been doing my doggy research! I also did have to do a little Amazon shopping to get a good deal on her dog food (have you SMELLED a dog's fart when on Purina or other crappy dog food? Yeah, um no.)
So, yes, I haven't been COMPLETELY disconnected as I planned...I am still keeping an eye on my shops, on my blogs, Handmade Louisiana and Real Housewives of NOLA. But overall, the computer is off much of the day! It is a nice change. I've watched documentaries, walked the dog, watched the boys swim, visited with friends and just RELAXED!
Now, I'm off to google "how to freshen a dog's smell" or some such to make Miss Libby here a little more sweet smelling to match her sunny disposition! :)
~~Amy
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