that time I threw my phone in a pool

Hours before, or maybe minutes before, I had admitted how I felt addicted to my phone.   Over the past few weeks while my boys were preoccupied... I found myself, with phone in hand, habitually checking Facebook and email, Facebook and email, Facebook and email.

Then as if ordained by God I stood up poolside, picked up my towel and slung that phone into the pool.   It was a fairly humorous accident.  As I stood in horror and disbelief it sunk to the bottom and I hesitated before I clumsily jumped in to rescue.
Since my pool host and myself are less than stellar chefs, there was no rice available for the immediate first aid.
I drove home and hit up The Neighbours for a bag of brown rice.   I covered the phone and set it aside for 3 days.
That's right, folks.   Almost 72 hours without my cell phone.

And my conclusion:
IT WAS AWESOME!!

That pool drowning was the best thing that could have happened to me on that hot Saturday.   It was as if the clouds had parted and my vision was clear again!
I know that sounds so dramatic.   But is WAS!

I instantly noticed how I was present in my life again.   There was no phone in the car, no phone at a red light, no phone at dinner, no phone during family talks, no phone while I was hanging out with friends.     There were no dings, no notifications, no blinking lights to distract me from the moment I was in.
It was like I was living "old school" again.    It felt good.

For three days I waited to see if the rice would work and wondered if I really wanted that ball and chain back.
A little soul searching revealed that I am the master of my domain.  I can regain control of this situation and reclaim a non distracted lifestyle.  
I had a taste of freedom and I liked it.

Earlier today I shook off the rice, assembled the phone.... and it worked!  whew!
I immediately uninstalled Facebook and Messenger.
I reset my notification settings for text messaging and email.

Bam!  Just like that... I turned that puppy back into a basic phone.  
Just like I wanted all along.
You can call me, leave a message... because I'm busy.  with living.

freedom

I'm typing as a last resort while the kids are out roaming.  The  highlights of my day have included paying bills and cleaning the outdoor trash can.   

We returned on Saturday from an amazing, long, week at Smith Mountain Lake State Park.   That place has become one of my favorite places on the planet.   I would love to take up residence in one of those cabins and stay there all summer.    Mostly because I don't want to be at home... with home responsibilities.       
It was so nice to get away from it all.     I enjoyed sitting lakeside and the boys enjoyed playing with cousins and friends.

One of the perks about being away from home is also being 'unplugged'.  I dare say that it was one of the most pleasant weeks I've had in a long time.   Lots of uninterrupted time with my boys.   No need to check email or facebook.   No desire to Google anything.  No shackles of a computer addiction. 
I feel lighter and happier. 

 

those lil' addictions... (no. 1)

Ah.  Easter.  A day of Jesus.  A day of family.  A day of feast.

Today I was telling my bro-in-law that I was planning to blog about how I haven't had soda in over a month.  
I was telling him this as I was enjoying a Dr. Pepper.

Yes, folks, I have quit the sodas....but since Jesus conquered death for me... I decided to celebrate with a sugar fest and a soda.
that's logical, right?

But seriously, I quit drinking sodas the first weekend of March.   And my life has changed.
literally.
I haven't dropped the weight that most men seem to lose when they lay off of the drinks.  In fact, I think I've gained 5 pounds because the lack of sugary drinks has made me crave other sweets that I normally could have passed over. 
go figure.
(The issue of my weight is entirely another post that I'll save for another day.  Stay tuned...)

Anywho.  For today... How the lack of sodas has changed my life:

First of all, every six months to a year, I tend to think...... "yep, this is what it feels like to be normal.  I think I'm finally pulling myself together and regaining normalcy after Thayer's death".  
I probably started feeling 'normal' around the 2 year mark.... but then I was really feeling normal sometime after that.   And then months after that.... I was really, really feeling like I was getting there.  And on it goes.   Every once in a while, I think to myself that I have reached what life is 'supposed' to be like.   Somehow I taste just a bit of what day to day life was like before our family fell apart.

But this past month.... I really may have achieved some bit of sanity that I had before thayer's death.  And I think it came about by quitting sodas.
I was addicted.   Not even buying sodas for my home or drinking them by the case.  I was simply a social drinker.   Out with friends for lunch (which happens to be every day).... I would order a soda and get several refills.    The caffeine kept me going.
I have found out that this simple addiction to a daily dose of caffeine was contributing to my really late night hours at home.   And since I was up so late... I was lonely.   I was becoming addicted to needing people.   I was constantly surrounding myself with people and constantly keeping up with everyone else's business via email and facebook.
(And of course, I am super thankful for all of my friends who have kept me company over the past three years.  I wouldn't change a thing about all of that.)
But now... without that caffeine.... I go to bed!  EARLY.   I sleep a solid 8 hours each night and I feel like I'm finally catching up with what 'normal' people do.
(I still get sleepy during 'chapel time' at preschool.... but that's just gonna happen in said circumstance)

I'm feeling rested and my patience with my children is becoming phenomenal.    Far from perfect... but our house has been a very happy home for a few weeks in a row.  (which is rare).
 I like to think it is because I stopped drinking sodas!   And because Jesus is working in my heart :)

Currently, I am challenging myself to 'let go' of my computer.   I am limiting my computer usage to- checking email and facebook- once in the morning and once at night.
This has enabled me to actually spend time with my kids....

One thing at a time.   And so far, so good!