Tuning in....

There is an appalling epidemic sweeping through society and, surprisingly, many do not seem to want to treat it with the concern that it deserves: those who seem to be very interested in documenting what is happening, yet completely missing what is happening around them at the same time.  You see it all over the place, people in a group, and yet not connecting with the group, as they are too busy checking into their various social medias.



Heaven forbid we should spend time looking at a sunset when we can check out the tweet of someone we have never met in person who is sharing an obscure link to someone we have never even heard of who is retweeting it from some celebrity (don't even get me started on the worth of celebrity tweets and posts as it will turn into a rant of the further stupidity of society to place some sort of royal status on these people because their occupation broadcasts them onto our tv and movie screens).

I have been in these situations shown in the video above.... you are enjoying a moment when someone has to interrupt it because they are trying to capture just the right photo on their i-camera to put on their FB status.  I'm sorry, are the rest of us supposed to put our evening on hold so you can post about all the fun that you are having with us right now?

So not fun.

I have no idea when we became this loud, posturing society of people who have to proclaim to all around us that HEY, WE ARE COOL AND HAVING FUN RIGHT NOW.... funny, but the louder you yell the dumber you look to me, and I have no desire to spend a single moment wishing I was a part of your little group right now.... or ever.

Not that I think moments shouldn't be captured.... heck, I am usually the one behind the camera taking shots so that others don't have to think about it, but I also set the camera aside and join in the fun. I take time to actually talk with the people about me and not excuse myself every few minutes because my phone chimes to let me know that someone in my online social circle has just posted something.  Nothing says "you're just not that important to me" than another person constantly excusing themselves in order to see what was just posted instead of staying in the moment that they are in physically.

I take the time to be quiet... to disconnect... to experience what is around me.  Not, oops, I have a free moment, better sign into Facebook, or Twitter or whatever social media is hopping these days.

I don't even go online every day... and certainly can't find the time to spend hours on it.  On average if I sign in its to take a few moments to check my emails, hop over to Facebook to see if anyone has messaged me there (though its often just requests to join games) and to take a quick scroll down my news feed.... maybe I will read a news story or two and then I am done (unless, like this morning, I am blogging or if I need to research something).  I've stopped playing my online games (though I do allow myself an occasional jigsaw puzzle because if its online then the cats can't knock the pieces off the table) as they are just a way to suck away hours of my time... time that could be better spent doing other things.

Not that I don't have my distractions... I used to be an avid movie watcher, but now I really only do that when someone is over and they want to watch something.  I can easily get sucked into my crafts, but hey, at least that is productive.  I super easily get sucked into books, but that's exercising my mind.... so I can forgive myself that one, especially since said book does not come along when I am hanging out with others.  How rude would that be to say, "excuse me, but I need to take a moment to check in on what this character is doing" and tune out for a quick paragraph or two?

My brother used to have this thing he'd do yearly where he'd turn off everything that had an on switch (with the exception of music playing in the background of course... all adventures should come with a soundtrack don't you think?)... this would go for one week.  One week of turning off the distractions and tuning into life around you. He called it an exercise in getting your life back.

Internet.... off, unless you had to look up something for homework purposes (or since this post is geared towards adults and not elementary students, turn off the internet unless you need it for a work project or to help your kids with their homework).  TV... off.  Social media on your phone or your Angry Birds app.... off.  Regarding the music, it was for playing in the background on speakers when you are home... not piped through earbuds and blocking you off from the world around you.

Hmmmm... what to do with all of this time?

Really invest yourself in the moments around you... finding yourself bored?  Well, maybe its time to find a hobby that exists somewhere other than online.  Build models, for example.  If you have kids, break out the Legos and Lincoln Logs and build something with them... you'll be amazed at the fun you can still have playing with Matchbox cars and zooming them around on the carpet, and your kids might just think you're that much cooler (or not... sorry, but there are no promises on that one).

Play a board game (hey, this involves other people and you just might have fun at the same time!)  Try baking something and then share them with friends (cookies are fairly easy and always a big hit).  Try reading a book... go to your library if you don't have a physical one on hand.  With the prevalence of Nooks and Kindles these days, people should still take the time to remember the experience of an actual book in hand... one that doesn't come with a limited battery time!

Go outside.... breathe the air.  If the air around you is full of smog and exhaust fumes, go outside of the city and see what nature has in store for you.  Don't feel quite that adventurous then explore your local park.

Have pets?  Take the dog for a walk instead of letting him get exercise running around in the back yard.  Toss catnip mice for the cats to chase, or use one of those laser pointers to get them scurrying.  The pets will enjoy the interaction and you just might as well.

On a drive?  If its not too cold (or hot) where you are... turn down the music, roll down the window and experience your surroundings.  Can you feel a breeze (if you are moving fast enough for one) or can you hear the birds singing?  How about the sounds of the city around you... people talking on the streets, the sound of someone's radio as they drive by... the rat-tat-tat of construction... try to discover the rhythm of the world that you are in.

I used to spend more time online... I used to follow so many blogs that it would take, on average, an hour or two to read them all.  Miss a day or two and I would find myself stuck to the computer for hours... all because I had convinced myself that somehow I owed it to these people to read each and every word they posted.

I don't feel that way anymore... if I check in on a blog its usually because its someone I know.  I will occasionally check out other blogs, but my average blog check is about once a month.  Yup, you heard me... and I have no problem deleting posts from my reader without glancing at it twice.  In fact, my reader has been seriously winnowed down from what I used to follow and the last time I checked it I spent a good fifteen minutes trying to remember which reader I even used because I hadn't been on there in so long.

Life moves on whether I read blog posts or not... and I typically find my day to be filled enough without adding an hour of self-imposed "required reading" of adventures other people are having, when I should be busy having a life of my own.

Am I going to spend a week offline?  Probably not, because I don't find myself online that much as it is.  I have no problem disconnecting from the online world and having a life... but I wouldn't curl up in a ball and die if I did turn it off.  I didn't write this post in order to demand that people take up a challenge or anything...

So why have I written this?  Well, I suggest that we take a moment and look at our lives.

Really look.

How much time do we spend plugged in and tuned out from what is around us?

Yes, technology is a wonderful thing if used wisely... it enabled me to read a bedtime story to a nephew who lives across the country from me... but its the "used wisely" bit that I am speaking about.  So much emphasis is placed on stupid things... the latest video clip that has gone global for being nothing other than a momentary laugh (and at someone else's expense usually).  I do not watch them, I do not care for them... and I am fairly certain that the fate of the world will not rest upon my having seen these and correctly answering a pop quiz that will prevent us from facing total annihilation.

Are these these necessary to our lives?  No, not really.  Is having one more sunset in our lives going to make or break us if we choose to watch the Grammys instead?  No... but I am fairly certain that the sunset will give you a greater satisfaction in the long run... after all, I remember some truly glorious sunsets, but I still appreciate every new one that comes my way as well.  Not that I watch the Grammys, but I can hardly remember the last episode of a TV show I watched a week ago, let alone a single MOMENT from the Grammys, and I am pretty sure I caught quite a bit of it here and there over the course of my life.

There are so many moments in life that we miss when we spend them plugged in.  Moments that may not be earth-shattering, but that are definitely worth taking the time for.

Birds soaring overhead... listening to the laughter of children (I love that one)... truly spending time with a person that you love... taking the time to sit down and write or draw or create something with your own two hands (or one hand, or foot... use what you have people).

Reclaim a moment of your childhood and become an explorer again... even if its just taking a different street on your way to work and see what you find.

Connect with someone... really connect.  Invite them over for dinner, or go out if you can't cook.  Better yet, find someone who knows how to cook and ask them if they would mind coming over and teaching you how to fix something.

Make more real-life friends... ones whose shoulders you can physically cry on when needed, but be prepared as they may need your shoulders as well.

Trust me, as nice as online friendships can be, they will never replace someone who cares patting you on the back and telling you that things will work out.

If nothing else believe me when I tell you this: real life always wins... even when its sad and messy and not going the way you want, but it is something that you have to work at.  The rewards, however, make it all worth the while.

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away. - Hilary Cooper

Update.....

Well it has certainly been awhile since I last posted, but that doesn't mean things haven't been happening for us down here in Utah, so I thought I would take a few minutes to let everyone know where our plans stand at the moment.

We are definitely moving back to Washington this year. Our original plans were to wait until our current leasing contract expires at the end of July to move, but things got pressed forward and we began looking at breaking our contract early (and paying a hefty fine) in order to move at the end of May. We even took a very brief journey northward for Richard to attend a job interview and to look at housing in the area. I admit that while I want to move back closer to family, the idea of rushing forward was pretty overwhelming to say the least, so it was a toss-up of feelings when Richard received the news that while the company liked him, that they had currently filled their positions for the branch he was interested in. Not that he is out of the running, as they will be bringing people in throughout the year, but they just don't need him at this time.

Which is a bit of a relief really, because I had nightmares of his moving up before me, finding housing just that much sooner, and handling the move down here entirely on my own.... which I would have done if necessary, but I find myself thankful that it will not be the case.

So we are back to our original plan of moving at the end of July.

Why move at all since we both have fairly good jobs down here in Utah? Well, good employment isn't the most important thing, is it? We both want to move in order to be closer to my family, and I find that I have missed the closeness of my sisters, and Richard has wanted to live in Washington ever since he was stationed there in the Navy back in the 90s. Our brief trip home had us both feeling that this was where we needed to be, and there are blessings in store for us not only now, but in the days and years to come. Washington is where we need to be, and this is the time to do it. Our prayers and thoughts have been directing us towards this goal for well over a year now, and they are stronger than ever. We go where the Lord wants us to go, and if it happens to be closer to where my family resides then so be it.

I admit that there are things about Utah that I will miss... and I will be leaving some very dear friends that I have made here, but I firmly believe that this is the right course for us, and I will take the bitter along with the sweet. Even with the things that I will miss, my heart still longs for the green fields and pine-covered mountains, for the clear (and far cleaner) air and bright starlit skies of my northward home. I have missed it dearly over the years I have spent here, and it is definitely time to return. Our visit simply strengthened that resolve.

There was a lot of good that came from the rushed plans... I began downsizing my considerable stash of stuff... and we donated a lot of items to a yard sale a friend of mine was holding for charity. It was such a refreshing thing to unburden our load, so to speak, that it has inspired me to keep downsizing. Oh trust me when I say we will still have a sizable load to move, but without some of these items the move already seems as if it will go that much smoother, and I find myself worrying less about the task to come. It is no secret that I absolutely hate to move, and would much rather stick with a place that I am not entirely happy with rather than to pack everything up to haul it elsewhere, so this move is a pretty big step for me to begin with. Anything I can do to lighten that load for ourselves cannot be bad in my book... besides, I have a tendency to be a bit of a pack rat (yes, I know, that is an understatement, isn't it?) so its good to be able to de-junk my life a bit.

More on the move as things develop, but I just wanted to let everyone know where we stand right now. Yes, there are a few things that I am failing to share, but rest assured that when the time is right we will be letting you know. Until then, I hope you all know just how much we both love you, friends, family and all.

Road Trip!

I'm off and playing with my little seestas, whom I very much adore. I forgot how much I light up around them, and Richard even made the comment that its nice to see me happy again, considering I've been walking around like a bit of a zombie lately. Its raining cats and dogs here, and we had snow off and on for part of the drive, but we arrived safe and sound, and, as a perk, my amazing brother in law installed my new car radio so Richard and I will have some tunes for the rest of the drive! Its nice to be able to relax and hang. Tomorrow we'll leave Moscow and head up to Chewelah. Monday its to Sandpoint and then Tuesday we head for home.... Short, but sweet.... and I am happy that we came.

Over the river and through the woods....

...and so much further we will have to go.

Bright and squirelly tomorrow morning is when Richard and I hit the open road, off to see the family up north... waaayyyyyy up north (like 12 hours of non-stop driving north).

It will be wonderful to go up and spend time with the girls, and to finally introduce Richard to Miya and Roy. It will also be fun to spend a bit of time with both of my parents and to show Richard the places that I love the most in this world. Finally, it'll be nice to get away, even if its only for a very short zip up and back... with all that has been happening these last few months, we could both use a road trip. We haven't had one since we moved Richard from Texas last August and we're both a bit antsy to go and "see the sights"... but then, we road people are always fairly easy to please, aren't we? Its not as if we are pining to fly to Paris or some other exotic port.

Surprisingly there is more room in my car than I thought I would have, and packing so far has gone pretty quickly. I might have to find some more things to box up and take along! Looks like there will be room for my laptop after all, and possibly even a soft, fluffy pillow!

From the iPod

I've been missing my brother a lot these last few weeks and, for the most part I've been strong. Its who I am.... the girl who holds her shit together so she can be there for everyone else. While I have cried and hurt during that time, its only these last few days that I have really allowed myself to let go, to stop focusing so much on the next task that needs to be done and simply looked at the tatters of my life and started pulling those pieces back together.

Jason loved Dustin Christensen, which is why I made sure we included this song for the music that played at his viewing... even with the tears it brings, it is still a favorite of mine. I want to thank you Jase for all of the beautiful music you brought into my life...



"Old House" by Dustin Christensen ... from the album "Highway Lines"



So take me home tonight

Tell me I'm all right

Tell me this picture frames got you now





You were my hand's glove

How I learned how to love

Tell me I ain't got it all figured out





Farwell my old house

Farewell my old life

Tell me I'm simpler

Alone without you now





So long my sad eyes

Don't say its goodbye

Guide when I can't see

I won't let you down





Here lies all my friends I've known

All my dreams just scatter in the air





Farewell my old house

Farewell my old life

Tell me I'm simpler

I know I am now





Lord let this hurt pass

Cos I don't know how to act

And it feels like I'm already gone from you now

So long now

Gratitude.....

Thanks to Leah, who asked if I was going to be posting more of these gratitude posts... with all that has been going on lately I had put these on hold, but it was nice to know that she enjoys reading them as much as I like posting them.

So, for today, my gratitude is for friends and family. I have an amazing support system in my life that I probably take for granted more often than I should. Knowing that if I just need a hug, all I have to do is show up at my friend's house and she'll have one waiting for me. If I need advice or information, I have siblings and parents that are only a phone call or instant message away. If I need a positive lift, all I have to do is turn to my future spouse and he is there with love and words of comfort and acceptance.

What a wonderful group I belong to....and I am eternally grateful to have each and every one of them in my life.