We Will Always Have Paris

I'm Back! (2010 "Unplugged" Follow Up)

So, apparently it takes an entire week to recover from one week of going "unplugged".  I plugged back in to the real world on the 14th & I was overwhelmed by the number of e-mails waiting for me in my in basket.  Ugh.  I'm still sorting through it all, so if I haven't responded to you, shoot me a new e-mail and you'll pop back up at the top of my "to do" list!

Our "unplugged" week was much tougher this year than last.  At least it was tougher on me.  Baby G. breezed through the week with no problems.  As a stay-at-home-mom with two young children, I admit that I rely on my "electronic babysitter" to entertain my children when I need to do the little things -- like laundry.  And dishes.  And any sort of cleaning whatsoever.  So, when we went "unplugged", all entertainment of the small people that live in my house was left to me.

Ouch.

So, I resorted to playdating like a rock star.  We were never home.  We bounced from soccer camp to Chick-Fil-A to the water park to playdates at friends houses to the library and then I dragged my weary children home around 6 p.m. every night.  We were high on juice boxes and chicken nuggets.

They loved it.  Me?  Not so much.

Here's a look at our week:

 Dinner at the table

My little soccer star (in the backwards 3) scored her first goal!

Pool party at a friend's house

Making soap crayons (grated Ivory bar soap & food coloring!)

    The Mountain Heritage Arts & Crafts Festival
(95 degrees and humid -- gotta love it!)

 
The Land of Little Horses in Gettysburg, PA

I do have to confess that around 7 p.m. on Sunday night, with just 5 hours to go in our "Unplugged" week, I finally broke down.  The children had been crying, hubby and I were trying to make dinner, the house was a wreck & I couldn't take it any longer.  I knew that 30 minutes of "Imagination Movers" would quite possibly change our lives.

 

And it did... 

 

The little people stopped crying and it was as if a giant cloud was lifted and birds began to sing.

 

God bless technology.

 

Now that things are settling down here, I'll be back with more posts and... a new on-line kit!

 
 

Join Me In Going "Unplugged" June 7 - 13, 2010, part III (Signing Off)

Please note that I will be unavailable until June 14th.  All orders/"Summer in Paris" registrations will be addressed upon my return.  Thanks for understanding!

The day before we go unplugged is always a scramble to tie up loose ends:

• Calendars need to be printed (I live by Google Calendar & we don't really keep paper calendars in our house).  How will have any idea where I'm supposed to be & when?
• Phone lists need to be printed (does anybody really use address books any more?).  Everything is on my old PDA & my desktop computer.  Without technology I will be left to my own memory, and well.... I can barely remember my own name these days.
• Friends need to be reminded that I'm off-line for a week.  If you need to reach me, call.  Or stop by.  Like we did in the good ol' days.
• Bank account balances need to be checked so that I have some idea how much money we have right now.
• The DVR needs to be cleaned up so that it won't be full next week -- I think I have 13 episodes of Fringe that have gone unwatched -- I don't want them deleted!
• I need to print out the last pics/journaling for my "25 Days in December" book for 2008.  That way I can work on it next week.

You know that scene in every space movie (i.e. Armageddon, Apollo 13) where the astronauts are going to loop around some satellite & will be out of communication for a day.  There's a tension that comes from not being able to communicate with the world.  That's kind of how I feel right now...  How will I get my news?  What if something happens?  Is Billy Bob Thornton going to pace back & forth at NASA, waiting for me to come back on-line?

Will the internet still be there in seven days?

I'll be back on the 14th, refreshed & with a new perspective on life "unplugged".  See you then!

K

Join Me In Going "Unplugged" June 7 - 13, 2010, part II (Getting Ready)

 

(This is part of my on-going series leading up to "Unplugged 2010".  For Part I, click here.)

Here's my list of suggestions to help you get ready for your "Unplugged 2010" week:

• Get your hubby/significant other on board.  My husband was skeptical at first (& he listened to his iPod at night to get to sleep), but he could understand the benefits that come from less TV/internet time.  Having his backing was key to a successful week.  If he came home at night & turned on the TV, all of my "Unplugged" efforts would be lost.
• Don't worry so much about the kids getting on board.  Chances are that they won't come around until the end of your "Unplugged" week.  I will tell you that when I mentioned going unplugged again, my daughter actually clapped her hands and jumped up & down, exclaiming "It's game & reading week!".  This from the girl who went on a hunger strike when I turned the TV off last year.  Every person I know who has done this fights with his/her kids in the beginning, but the kids always seem to come around.  It turns out that they like all the extra attention.  Who knew?
• Prepare your friends/family.  I pre-warned all of my friends that I would be unavailable for the week.  I also let them know that I was going to try to cut back on my phone calls (I get a TON of personal calls every day).  They are all still going to be there the following week.  So will you.  Let them know that they can certainly call you in an emergency.  My in-laws happened to visit during our last "Unplugged" week.  My MIL was not too thrilled with the fact that we wouldn't turn on the TV while she was here.  My hubby gently reminded her that we were doing this for our family, not as an inconvenience to her.
• Make it work at work.  If you need to use your computer at work, use your computer.  Just don't blog-surf during breaks.  Turn off your Pandora radio.  Shut off your personal IM systems.  You might just find you get more work done!!
• Plan some alternate activites.  Hubby & I came up with a list of things we could do as a family.  I collected a ton of craft supplies and picked up a couple of new games.  The week we went "Unplugged" in 2009 was also the week our oldest daughter got her "big girl bike".  That filled up quite a few hours in our day.  Go to the library and get some new books for the entire family.  I read 2 1/2 books in our last "Unplugged" week.  I've read 1/2 of one since then.  Hmmmm...
• Keep a journal.  Why not blog the old-fashioned way?  With pen & paper?  I love looking at our little mini-album from "Unplugged 2009".  It was a great way to record the changes in our family.  I also made sure I included stories about doing things the hard way -- I had to go to the post office to mail a package!  And I sent a fax from our public library!!
• Physically put your electronic devices away.  I actually had to hide the remote to our bedroom TV in a drawer because I kept turning the TV on every morning.  It was sheer habit.  Go ahead & put your laptop, remotes and iPods in a drawer.  I'm not expecting you to box up your TVs, but why not unplug them?  That being said, I don't unplug mine b/c I count on my DVR to record my favorite shows while I'm unplugged.  God forbid I should miss my favorite summer programs (hello Drop Dead Diva on Lifetime!).  If you have DVDs in your car, make sure you turn them off too! 
• Think old school.  Get your news from the newspaper.  Pick up the phone & call a friend, rather than sending them an e-mail.  Scrapbook without your computer (gasp!).

As you prepare friends/family, you'll constantly be met with the question "Why would you want to do this?".  Most people simply cannot understand why someone would want to go to a quieter and simpler time.  Technology is good, right? 

Remind people that it is simply a seven day experiment.  You're not planning to live "off the grid".  You're not going to quit your job and start raising goats to sell chevre at the local Farmers Market.  You're not going to shave your head and head off to do some serious medititating.  Instead, you're going to let a little quiet into your life.  You're going to focus on yourself or your family.  You're going to read books and relax. 

So, I ask you, why wouldn't you want to do this?

Join Me In Going "Unplugged" June 7 - 13, 2010, part I (Overview)

 
(remember when TVs had knobs?)

"American children and adolescents spend 22 to 28 hours per week viewing television, more than any other activity except sleeping. By the age of 70 they will have spent 7 to 10 years of their lives watching TV."
-- The Kaiser Family Foundation

Last year, I decided that our little family should unplug from the world for a bit, seven days to be exact.  We locked up the entertainment center, put away our iPods & powered down our PCs.  You can read about our experiences here, here and here.  It was an amazing experience for us as a family.  I was astounded by how much information comes into our house through television, podcasts and the internet every day.  It is next to impossible to think clearly with such an information overload. 

After our experience, I was approached by a producer at PBS' Frontline about my "Unplugged" week.  They are running a series called "Digital Nation" and taking an in-depth look at whether our 24/7 wired world is causing us to lose as much as we gain.  Although I opted to not be interviewed, I think it is fascinating to look at how much damage is being done to the psyche through information overload & multi-tasking.  (Sidenote:  My hubby and I regularly disagree about the necessity of multi-tasking.  I understand his point that there are studies that show that multi-tasking doesn't accomplish more than single tasking.  My point to him is that you DON'T HAVE TO STAND THERE AND WATCH THE FRICKIN' POT BOIL!  DO SOMETHING ELSE WHILE YOU WAIT!  If I did one thing at a time, we'd live in a house of filth and nobody would be fed.  I digress....)

I have a girlfriend who regularly goes on "cleansing" diets, claiming that it purges all the toxins from her body.  Why not purge all of the mental toxins that are coming in at you through your television & computer (yeah, even from me)?  Now, when I say "Unplugged", I don't mean that you'll be cooking by campfire & reading by candlelight.  The electricity stays on (at least in our house it does -- it's summer and mama needs her air conditioning!).  The telephone still rings (though not as much).  And we do listen to the radio in the car.  As I mentioned last year, I'm not trying to go Amish.  I'm just trying to cut back on the technology in our house. 

Won't you join me in going unplugged for seven days in June?  It's just one week.  And I promise you that it will change your life.  Or at least clear you mind!  Who's with me?

I'll be back next week with suggestions to help you get ready.  Meanwhile, here are some interesting websites for you to check out:

• http://www.turnoffyourtv.com/
• http://www.insteadoftv.com/
• http://www.screenfreeweek.org/

 

Information Overload

Our "Unplugged" week was a fantastic experience!  We had a couple of minor setbacks (my 3 year-old declared a hunger strike on day one -- "I'm not eating until you turn the TV back on!), but we made it through the week unscathed.  Here's what I learned this week:

• Our kids live in an "on demand" world.  DVRs and iPods allow children to believe that everything they want is right there for them whenever they want it.  Want to watch SpongeBob at 3 a.m.?  It's on the DVR!  Want to listen to the new song you like?  Download it to your iTouch and listen away!  Well, you know what kids?  You don't always get everything you want.  I had to explain to my daughter what a radio (we did listen to the radio) was.  She had no concept of having to listen to someone else's programming. 
• It's not that I don't have enough time to read anymore, it's that I use that time on other things.  I read two and a half books this week.  TWO AND A HALF BOOKS!  (The Leisure Seeker, The Ladies' Lending Library and The Creative Family)  Apparently I do have time when I'm not playing Sodoku on my iTouch or surfing my favorite blogs.
• Technology has made our lives sooo much easier and should be appreciated (without letting it take over your life).  I've grown so used to using USPS.com to mail packages, that it was a big huge hairy pain in the ass to drag my two kids down to the post office to mail off a package (I must reaaaaaallllly love you Louise!!).  I screwed up our flexible spending paperwork and needed to fax something in for reimbursement.  It slowly dawned on me that I had no idea where to go to send a fax if I couldn't use mine at home.  (BTW, my public library had a fax machine.  Who knew?).  And Mapquest.  I bitch about you constantly Mapquest, but you have truly changed all of our lives.
• I get way too many e-mails.  I had over 1,000 new e-mails when I turned on my computer this morning.  And over 1,100 blog feeds.  And twitters.  And instant messages.  Ugh.  Too much information coming at me. 
• Things are much calmer in our house when the TV and computer are not on.  We played games.  We read books.  We ate at the dinner table EVERY NIGHT.  AS A FAMILY.  EVEN THE BABY.

Coming out of this, we're going to try to capitalize on these learned lessons.  During the week, the TV will be turned off before Daddy gets home.  We're going to keep playing games at night.  (I'm getting really good at Don't Wake Daddy and Rhino Rampage).  I'm thinking of making Fridays "Unplugged" days for the entire Summer.  And we're certainly going to do this again next year.

I did finally read the giveaway book from February -- The Leisure Seeker by Michael Zadoorian.  I loved this book.  I know that I had mentioned that the movie rights had already been purchased.  Please read the book before the movie comes out.  Let Zadoorian's words and your imagination give faces to these delightful characters before some Hollywood actor is given the reins.   It's a great summer read.  Go grab yourself a copy!

I have a number of things planned for this week (including a new limited edition kit).  I leave you with some pictures from our "Unplugged" week:

 

This armoire holds our TV/DVD player/DVR/etc.  We locked it up (with an antique key) on Sunday night and didn't unlock it for seven days.

 

Rhino Rampage.  Lots of Rhino Rampage.

 

My menu board.  I made it using a white platter from Wal-Mart and chalk paint.  Easy peasy.  And the chalk markers make all the difference.

  

G's reading nook.  She managed to thumb through all of those books in one morning.

Good times!

Powering Down...

After a day of intense car hunting, we finally found my replacement minivan yesterday.  A new & improved version of my old beater.  Stow & Go seats!  Power sliding doors!  No duck tape on the side where I slammed into a fire hydrant!  Cup holders galore!!

Now that the car issue has been resolved, we are gearing up for "Unplugged 2009".  Everything gets turned off/locked away at midnight tonight.  I'm kind of looking forward to the mental vacation.  In anticipation of our going unplugged, I threw together a journal to document the week.

 

 

 

 

Oh how I love my Bind-It-All!  If you're looking to duplicate a staggered album like this, here's how I did it:
  Cut 9 sheets of bookboard to the following measurements:
6.5" x 4" (this is your cover)
6.5" x 4.75"
6.5" x 5.5"
6.5" x 6.25"
6.5" x 7"
6.5" x 7.75"
6.5" x 8.5"
6.5" x 9.25"
6.5" x 10"
  Cut 3 sheets of ivory cardstock for each section of the book, making it 3/16" less than the bookboard page before it.  So, the papers behind the 6.5" x 4" cover will be 6 5/16" x 3 13/16".  The papers behind the 6.5" x 4.75" bookboard page will be 6 5/16" x 4 9/16".  And so on...  There aren't papers behind the 6.5" x 10" bookboard page, because that is your back cover. 
  I covered each bookboard page with an assortment of Foofala and Jenny Bowlin papers.  Then, I used my Round-It-All to round two corners (the right hand corners, both top & bottom) of each sheet of bookboard. 
  I used my Bind-It-All to punch the covers and pages, using the correct guides.  I layered the pages as desired and bound my book!  I decorated the wire ring with tulle from Andrea Singarella's 100wishes (the colors of her tulle are to die for!) and spare ribbon.
  The spacing on the staggered pages was perfect for my Scrabble tiles, spelling "Unplugged".  A little Diamond Glaze, and they are down for good!
  To make the medallion on the cover, I used my Sizzix Big Kick and my Stampin' Up Top Note die.  The smaller medallion (June 2009) was made with bookboard and the interior cut from my Stampin' Up Movers & Shapers die.  The chipboard alphabet/letters were Basic Grey & Making Memories.

I printed out last Thursday's blog post and included it in the first section of the book.  The rest of my journal will be filled out during the week and photos will be added later. 

I'll be back next Monday.  Hopefully Baby G. and I will not have killed eachother -- that's my biggest worry!  I'm losing my electric babysitter (aka SpongeBob).  We'll be skipping this week's Favorite Five.  Any orders placed this week will not be fulfilled until next week. 

See you soon!

Unplugged 2009

I mentioned a while back that the entire B. family was going unplugged on June 1st.  Just for one week.  Just to try it out.  Time is an unbelievably precious commodity in our house and I never feel like we have enough of it.  What little time we have is whittled away watching TV, surfing the internet and my new boyfriend -- my iTouch.  I don't remember the last time I read a book.  Or created something just for myself.  Or sat alone with my own thoughts.

My oldest daughter can quote every episode of SpongeBob at age three and my new baby probably thinks that my iTouch is actually attached to my hand.  I don't remember the last time I looked at my husband's eyes.  He's normally looking down at his laptop while his face is illuminated by the screen.  I have to ask him a question three times before he hears me.

Family time has become an episode of "Big Bang Theory". 

This is ridiculous and something has to give. 

So, I made the grand suggestion that we unplug ourselves for a week.  No TV.  No computers.  No iTouch (my fingers quiver as I type that last part).  Surprisingly, my husband agreed.  We've tried to explain to Baby G. that we're starting a new family tradition.  Every year, the week after school lets out, we're going to re-group as a family -- sans electronics.  She looked at us like she we were in a freak show.  And then, the eternal three year-old question.... "WHY"?

She's not going to understand, which makes it even more important that we disconnect from other people's lives for a while. 

The big "Unplugged" week was supposed to start on Monday, but my car died last Friday.  Died to the tune of $6,000 in repairs.  Anyone who has been in my minivan knows that after the "Korie on a cell phone vs. fire hydrant" incident of 2007, my car is not worth dumping $6,000 into it.  So, we're car shopping this week.  I kind of need to have my computer to do research -- blue book values, trade in values, financing, etc.  So, our "Unplugged" week has been bumped one week out (assuming I can find a car this weekend).

Plus, not having a car AND not having TV makes me frickin' Amish and I'm not willing to go that far.

I've been busy looking for "unplugged" activities.  The entire family is going to paint birdhouses for our backyard "whimsy" garden.  We're going to make up a batch of ooblek.  We're going to tie-dye T-shirts (and a onesie for Baby A).  There will be more reading.  And eating as a family.  And eye contact!  Any other suggestions for additional family activities?  I'm planning to make a family journal and take lots of pictures (NOTE:  My digital camera does not count as technology - there are limits to what I'm able to do...). 

So, things will effectively shut down here next Monday and we'll be back up the following Monday.  If you have any family activity suggestions, I'd love to hear them!