After a compelling conversation with my gorgeous husband the other night, I became {painfully?} aware of something: the life I dream of – the one in which we’ve finally obtained our farmhouse with our garden and orchards and barn-turned-half-recording-studio-half-real-barn-for-our-goats-and-cow-and-chickens and our as-much-as-possible self-sustainable lifestyle, I do not see myself sitting at the computer {or staring at my iPhone} several hours each day. That’s not who I want to be.
I have this vision. I see this home {although I’m not sure exactly where it’s located} and I see myself and my family living there. I see myself focused on very simple and beautiful things: my ever-growing relationship with God, my husband and his music, my children, my writing, breadmaking, sewing, knitting, reading and reading and reading, growing and preserving my own food, cooking over an outdoor fire in the warmer months, caring for a small amount of livestock, hanging my clothes to dry on a line in my yard, homeschooling, giving much of my homegrown food away to people in need, and just reveling in the simplicity of it all.
Right now, we’re on a path that {we hope} is headed toward the fruition of this vision. And as I take each step, however quickly or slowly I stride, I want to begin to invest in this dream. Above all else, I’ve found that the worst offender – the thing that keeps bringing me back a few steps at a time – is distraction.
I’m incredibly distracted by online social networking and computers and iPhones. They totally cramp my style.
There. I said it.
There’s a lot more to say, but I’ll keep it simple. I don’t really want to get into how ridiculous it is when Ryan and I find ourselves checking our iPhones constantly while eatingdrivingtalkingsleepingetcetera. Or how Facebook is one of the only ways I’ve kept in contact with everyone in California since we moved almost a month ago. Or how I probably check my email 53,946 times a day. It’s actually embarrassing.
Anyway, enough of that.
Why are you telling us this, Mama Rissa?
Well, I’m glad you asked!
In short, I’m deactivating my Facebook account. I’m gearing up to delete my Twitter account. I may even nix my iPhone. The possibilities are endless, man.
I will still use email and I will still blog. I feel that blogging is reasonable and worth it because I only ever write when I am inspired, anyhow. It doesn’t take me long to write something I’m passionate about, and I think that I’ll appreciate this online journal of sorts one day when I’m old.
I will not write a certain amount of posts per month or anything like that, because again, it would just be a distraction. So while I cannot promise you frequent posts, I can promise that I will only write when I feel there is truly something to be said. That right there should count for something.
Speaking of something to be said, I know I mentioned this before, but I do have a pretty nifty giveaway coming up soon. So definitely stay tuned. 😉
Mama Rissa 
Good for you!! I hate to think about all the time I’ve wasted on facebook… and checking email.. I’m awful at checking email a gazillion times a day!
Good luck! It’ll be a hard addiction to break, but you can do it 🙂
Getting off Facebook really helped my get my computer distraction under control! And refusing to answer the phone until after lunch is always a great way to start my day. I don’t think you’ll regret it. Freedom!!
PS Not to nag, but I left a comment a while ago asking if you could only choose ONE kind of diaper/wrap/cover etc, what would you choose. I had found out I was pregnant and was looking into cloth diapers. Much more seriously now that I know I’m having TWINS! Money is a big factor, but so is leaking. It has to be something I can stick with trying to nurse and change TWO babies, while homeschooling and caring for five other kids. If you just didn’t want to respond, no problem, I won’t ask again. But I wanted to ask one more time, in case you just hadn’t seen. I don’t want to pester you.
Steph! I’m so sorry. I thought I responded! I’d love to help. BE PREPARED – this is a really long reply. Sorry everyone! 😉
Here’s the thing: I talked to Ryan about it tonight and we both have different (but coinciding) opinions. So I’ll give you both.
Me: After trying fitteds, flats, prefolds, all-in-ones and pockets, along with PUL covers and wool covers…my final choice is: prefolds with both wool and PUL covers.
I LOVE the cost of prefolds – they are the cheapest way to go and they are really easy to adjust to the perfect fit. I use Snappis instead of pins, which also help me get the prefold on really snug. I buy unbleached Indian prefolds, which are great. Of course, organic cotton would be ideal but I just can’t afford it. I think unbleached cotton is the next best thing – especially if you prewash them a LOT so that they’re not AS full of chemicals.
Wool covers are my very favorite EVER but they’re not cheap. I’d say they’re worth the investment IF you have the money. If not, I think PUL covers {specifically Bummis or Thirsties} are perfectly fine. They’re not made of natural fibers, of course, but they’re not directly touching baby’s skin so it’s not AS important that they’re chemical-free.
Leaks happen with any diaper, but as soon as you get the hang of the fold, leaks rarely happen. I have found that I get occasional back-leaks with Forrest, but they never go past the diaper cover…so at least all his clothes stay clean, even if I end up having to wash the cover.
Ryan: He prefers pocket diapers {or all-in-ones, but we don’t actually own any AIOs}. He wanted me to tell you that if I gave him the option of a prefold or a pocket {such as Smartipants or BumGenius}, he’d absolutely choose a pocket. He says they’re faster and easier to adjust. I also think he prefers them because he has no chance of putting them on wrong. 🙂
Pockets cost around $17 {although Smartipants are only $15}, so it’s more of an investment, but if you get one-size pockets, then technically, they should work for baby from birth to potty-training.
Ryan DOES think the price of prefolds is great, and he also acknowledges that they’re not THAT hard to figure out. 😉
I’ve found, however, that I get more leaks with pocket diapers. One time, Forrest pooped and it went immediately out the leg and into my lap. It looked like I had an accident of my own!!! On the flip side, I know many satisfied pocket-diaper-using mamas.
I think the ideal diaper stash would include several pockets {for those times when dads and grandparents are on changing duty} but mostly prefolds and wool covers.
Considering the fact that you’re having TWINS {CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!}, I’d wholeheartedly suggest that you use prefolds and PUL covers. You’ll have very few leaks, you’ll spend a very minimal amount of money, AND they’re very easy to learn. If you can afford it, add a few Smartipants in there for the sake of your hubby.
I hope that helps! Let me know if you need any more information – I could write a full-on post if that would be better!
I totally agree with these things being a distraction. I mean, I did get rid of FB a few months ago… it’s been wonderful! And I went back for some reason and was so annoyed just being on there.
However, I’m not sure {for me} that I’ll get rid of Twitter and I’ll tell you why. On FB I was friends with almost everyone that I’d ever come in contact with. Not really, but you get what I’m saying. I mean, I really don’t need to know that the girlfriend of my high school acquaintance just combed her hair. Not helpful, not really edifying. Distracting. And not to mention, annoying.
On Twitter, I’m friends with moms I’ve come in contact with via blogs. I am encouraged by these moms and the ones I’m not encouraged by, I don’t follow. I actually just blocked someone because she was complaining about her husband. Not helpful, but sinful.
I look at it this way. In our day, we as moms are not close in proximity to other moms as much as in the “old days.” Families lived together, if not in the same house at least on the same land. They helped out. I’m five hours from my mom, one hour away from my mother-in-law and sisters and because we’re in between churches I’m not really close to anyone. {That’s my situation, obviously}
I think as stay-at-home moms we need other moms. We need those relationships. It’s relaxing and encouraging to me to read how other families are doing, how they make things work, see that they struggle just as we do, etc. However, I don’t think these “internet relationships” should take the place of these special, personal relationships, but I think they are good at filling in the gaps. Does that make sense?
I know that there is a balance. I do struggle with checking my email a bazillion times a day when in the back of my mind I KNOW there is NO ONE going to email me. Maybe someone will read my blog today? And I go back and forth. But if I keep the balance {which is the trick} then I’m okay with keeping these social networks up and running.
I’ve actually gone back and forth about my blog. I don’t have many readers and sometimes that bothers me. But then I remember the reasons for having it. Is it to see how many readers I can get? No, that just seems like a high school popularity contest. I do it for a “keepsake,” hopefully to encourage someone, to see where the Lord has brought me, what he’s taught me, how far I’ve come and how far I have to go as a mother, and I do it because I like to write. And I don’t think I have to be a good writer to like it. 🙂
Anyway, I’m rambling. Those are just my thoughts. Does any of that make sense? I’m not saying that I think you’re wrong because I know how you feel {please don’t misunderstand me}.
Thanks for sharing this.
I totally went through a very similar time a few years back. I was 25. OK, so that was almost 5 years ago… I was longing for the next step in becoming the woman I felt called to be, and I felt the first step was to eliminate distractions both for the kids (how I was mothering) and I. I gave away all the Disney DVDs and decided I’d have only educational/inspirational DVDs in the home, threw out all my secular CDs, “Christmas” ones (that had no “Christ” in them) and all, got rid of harmful cleaning supplies, white sugars and flours, etc., etc., etc… As far as I know, FB wasn’t around yet, but if it were, I’m sure I would have deleted it, too. It was a good flushing and I’m glad I did it.
And I continue to keep a watchful eye over everything that comes in this house and how I spend my time. However, although the detox was so important, I’ve gradually reintroduced some things back. Sometimes we rent Disney movies from the library, Pandora Christmas sometimes gets played, things like that. Things that were taking too much time and attention in our lives aren’t any longer, thanks to the realignment that happened during the great purge. 🙂 And I’d have brought back FB and Twitter, too, though I have taken fasts from them to help re-establish balance. I figured out when I don’t misuse my life by spending too much time on social networking, it’s a HUGE time-saver. When I need to get the word out on something, a prayer request, a praise report, or want to share pictures with friends and family, it’s the one-stop post and it just seems so much faster for some reason. Oh, and having Twitter linked to my blog gives new things to read even if I don’t have time for an actual blog post that day, you know?
Not at all trying to change your mind on letting go of FB and Twitter. I think what you’re doing is great and I’m totally for you. 🙂 Just don’t allow yourself to feel lame or silly if you decide to go back on after a while when YOU become the master of IT. 🙂 FB is convenient as it saves all your info if you so decide to re-enter it’s world. 🙂
Love you and I’m so excited for your journey! xo
Oh, and I totally mis-typed the link to my blog. It’s actually http://riddlelove.blogspot.com/ I felt the need to fix that. I feel better now. Thank you. 😉
Not to pimp my own post here in your lovely space…but I TOTALLY GET YOU…http://theextraordinaryordinary.blogspot.com/2009/07/maybe-not-now-and-possibly-never.html
I’ve been pondering this. I think that it is the same as with other aspects of our differing lives. Each of us has different weaknesses and convictions and strengths. While it may be easy for one to control their technology use, it may not be for another. And while one individual may feel free to wear pants or watch a certain movie or drink alcohol or work on Sunday, it may be a stumbling block to another individual. Each of us must do what we feel God is calling us to do.
“‘Everything is permissible for me’ —but not everything is beneficial. ‘Everything is permissible for me’—but I will not be mastered by anything.” I Corinthians 6:12
Rissa,
I LOVE your Photos and your writing here! I’m soo glad that you started this blog! I am a fan! 🙂 Sad that you’re ditching FB, but totally udnerstand. I thought maybe an interesting choice since you’ve moved away, but you are right and email and blogging are certainly great ways to stay in touch and up to speed. Your closest friends and your family will keep in touch that way and I’m sure will be most certainly less distracting for you. I’ve just recently started blogging too, for the same idea of journaling and memory keeping. So much easier to do so on the computer than in a scrapbook (though I have started that too this year, which I NEVER thought I would, and am really enjoying it!). I do love the aspect of writing when I take the time to do it. I only wish I had started when the girls were babies. Plus, its really fun for a few of our family members who don’t live nearby, to take part in our little daily adventures.
Looking forward to reading more posts – no pressure tho ;).
xoxo