Thankful Thursday - Impromptu Photo Booths

I had never heard of an Impromptu Photo Booth until we made one up on New Years Eve. I am so so thankful that I have people who like to dork out with me. It didn't start as a photobooth, of course. At first, I just wanted to get a nice picture of us all dressed up, and I had the camera set to take 10 pictures with 10 seconds in between. You can imagine how much fun we had with this. Pretty soon we were searching for new props we could add and adjusting the time. By the third round we had worked out a system.

Photobooth Rules:

1. You can use anything in the room as a prop.

2. You have 20 seconds to grab a prop and get back in the frame.

3. You must stay on the red line within the frame.

4. Stike a pose. The dorkier, the better.

The poses that we came up with are hysterical. This was, hands down, my highlight from New Years Eve and I know every time I see these photos it will bring a smile to my face.

See? It starts out innocent enough...

Then we get a conga line.

And we bring in some hats and scarfs...

Axl Rose joins us.

And things just take off from there.

Watch how well-used this Christmas tree is.

Dogs and leashes.

This is definitely one of my faves. Hard to choose though.

Hour Two - "What Have I Gotten Myself Into?"

This is me looking longingly at my beloved iphone.

Remember how excited I was a couple days ago? I was so motivated to give up my smartphone and live a richer, more meaningful life. I was NOT going to be controlled or tied down to any device. No, Sir!!

Remember that? I was all unicorns and rainbows and puppies and everything was so damn wonderful.  I was really going to set a good example for my girls and take more pictures and la dee da dee da...  I was flying high for a couple of days, congratulating myself and patting myself on the back every time I thought about how fabulous it was going to be.  Well, friends, I'm going to let you in on a little secret: the reason it seemed so fabulous was because I hadn't started it yet. 

Today I finally got my phone, and I have to tell you, this clamshell design is not nearly as sleek as I thought it was going to be.

Now I'm looking at this picture thinking, "hmmm... was that really so bad?"

REALITY CHECK!
What the hell am I doing?! It was so much easier when I was just imagining it. I have to admit that since I set up my phone, I have gone from one sinking feeling to another. First of all, I can't figure out how to sync my contacts. Most articles I find are from people switching from a flip phone to an iphone. Not the other way around! So, there's that. I don't even want to think about how long it will take to do it manually.

Then, there's the texting. It is that old fashioned texting and it is painful. It took me five minutes to text, "Are you getting this?" to myself.

From there we move on to the ringtones. Let me invite you on a ride in my time machine. We are headed for 2001. I chose the pebble dropping one and that is tolerable.

And let's finish this lovely tour with the camera.

Need I say more?

I took this and sent it to my friend, Wendy (luckily I can still do that!), and her reply was, "I guess since it's a clam shell, all of your pictures will look like they have been taken underwater".  She's a funny one.

My god. What have I gotten myself into? And I can't really turn back now. I mean, I started a blog and told everyone I know on Facebook. I at least, have to get through the first night! (I honestly just received the phone two and a half hours ago and look how much I am whining!)

Go to your happy place, Sarah. Deep Breaths. Tropical Beaches. Long Summer Breaks...

Ok.

I am sure I will feel better after a few days when the shock of it all works off, right?  I'm at that part of kicking habit where you try to talk yourself out of it, right? Have you ever done that? I remember this little trickster jerk, Fear, acting like my conscience before. I'm not falling for it this time. I  have to make it through a day at least! I just need to get through this hard time of trying to convince myself I'm making a mistake and remind myself why I'm doing this.

I will report back soon. Tomorrow is my first full day without my smartphone. Egads!

Sarah's Smartphone Fast Survival Guide

I have been gathering some things I will need to live without my smartphone. Ha ha! I just re-read that and it makes it seem so dramatic - like I'm preparing supplies to live in the back country or through a natural disaster.  This takes some planning, though, peeps! You can't just turn your phone off and continue living like you were. I mean, you at least need a replacement phone! (I'm going back in time, but not that far back in time!) Anyway, here is what I have come up with so far in case anyone else wants to join me.  (You know you want to.)

"Dumb Phone" with Cheaper Phone Plan
Here is the amazing flip phone I found.  Such a sleek design.  They actually highlight its sleek "clamshell" design on the webpage. I had no idea the shape of a clamshell was so sleek, but LG thinks so, and I'm going to brag about it all the time now. Count on me mentioning it when I show off my new phone (which I am naming "Doohickey", by the way).

You can call, text and take pictures and videos with this baby! I have a feeling it is that old fashioned texting, though, where you have to go through each letter three times before you get to the letter you want. Super. Maybe that will deter me from my phone even more. Hey! I may even call you. Remember when we used to do that?! I know. You won't pick up. I get it.

You can check out the deets here. And here are the plans you can choose from. I chose a plan that allows me to send pictures, because sending pictures is my favorite. You know what I'm really going to miss though? Those fun GIFs. I loved those silly things. I could waste so much time looking through them to find the perfect one that expressed my feelings.

Mobile Music Player
I will also need some sort of device to listen to music with. Anders suggested an old Discman. Ha ha ha!! Can you imagine me trying to run with one of those?! Did people ever run with those? You'd probably have to try to do "non-bumpy" or "smooth running" so those discs wouldn't skip. Sounds like a challenge I may be interested in...

In the meantime, I found this Sandisc Mp3 player that also works with Audible and Overdrive so I can still check out audio books from the library and use my Audible account. Phew! I have yet to set it up, but will let you know what I think once I do.

Look how cute it is! It's so teeny tiny. I can carry it around in my pocket.

Ferry Schedule
I still need one. I will have to get one of those ASAP or rely on a friend/husband who has one.

Books
Finally! Something I already have. This will not be a problem. I have a never-ending accumulating pile of books I want to read. Plus, I have Kindle books too. Done and done.

I have always been a sucker for "Self Help". Best books eva!

Laptop
I am going to have a rekindled relationship with my neglected laptop. I will have to use it for my work and shared family calendar, email, making reservations, buying stuff... Not to mention all the new photos I will be editing. Yesssa! I have to make sure I don't transfer my phone addiction to my laptop addiction though. Can't you already see that happening? This will be something I'll keep an eye on. If you notice me on Facebook a bunch, go ahead and call me out. You have my permission!

Essential Oil Reference Guide
Many of you know I am an essential oil junkie. I'm sure you can imagine how bummed I am that I won't be able to use this app. I do have the books, though, so those will have to suffice. Rough when your're out and about, though, and someone needs some respiratory support, and you can't quickly look it up. (I know it seems like it, but I'm totally not joking. This is a serious issue, people!) Is it cheating if I install it on Anders' phone? What? Really? AAARGH. Fine.

A Journal and Some Tea
Because, you know, tea seems so sophisticated, and everyone knows that journaling is a wonderful way to get in some daily therapy. I have been trying to do it more often. Another goal of mine.

I know there will be more that will come up. This is going to be interesting, but I have faith that it is a good decision. My new phone should be arriving tomorrow. Let Sarah's Smartphone Fast 2018 begin!

I don't really advocate "killing" it. I just thought it was kinda funny.

Sarah's Smartphone Fast 2018

It's that time again! Happy New Year!!! 

I am a sucker for new year's resolutions. I always have at least one, usually four  because it's hard for me to pick just one. For years I had "quit smoking" and "drink less" on my resolution list. Years! Not anymore. Booyah! Check! Check! Got those major life suckers off my list. Well, this year I have a mother resolution.  The resolution of the century!!! I have decided to give up my smartphone for a year. I am calling it "Sarah's Smartphone Fast 2018" or SSF18. Da Da DAAA!

 I just figured that after going an entire year without a sip of alcohol, I can do ANYTHING! I pretty much feel like a super hero, so maybe giving up my smartphone won't be so hard. This past year has taught me so much about what I value in life, and what I don't, and most importantly: to choose wisely.  I want to clean out anything that prevents me from living a full life. My smartphone is one of those things. 

So, adios, old friend. Smell ya later!

"Are you crazy?  How are you going to SURVIVE?"

Part of me thinks, "Holy crap, are you insane?! How are you going to wake up in the morning, or listen to audio books, or check your email, or buy stuff you don't need on Amazon, or not get lost!? What on Earth are you going to do while waiting in a long line?!" 

First of all, calm down. I have done this before. I didn't have my first smartphone until 2011, when I was over 30. I do remember how to check out a libary book and read a ferry schedule and what about maps? Remember those? Yeah, those massive things were a pain in the ass (sorry map lovers out there), but you know what I am good at? Asking for directions! (It's all about flashing a confused smile. Works like a charm!)

Anyway, back to my plan... Oh, yes! And books! I love those little stinkers. Plus, I will still use my computer to check emails and make reservations.  Life won't be as convenient, but maybe I won't waste so much of it. Convenience comes at a cost, and missing out on life is a pretty high one.

"Ummm... Just a Thought, but Why Don't You Just Put it Down?"

Well, there's an idea. I wish I had thought about that before I threw my phone into the Puget Sound. (Just kidding. No phones were harmed during this challenge).

Yes, I have tried that, I promise. I'm not that extreme. I just have no self control. It's different.

But here's what happens: I pick it back up!  

As soon as I find an idle moment, or sense that my daughters and husband aren't looking, it is back in my hands. Oh, and when I accidentally leave the house without it, I feel panicked. If the battery is too low, I text everyone that my phone is about to die and try to find anyone who can lend me a charger.

This is not normal behavior, people. It's weird. It isn't natural. My phone should not control me.

The truth is, just the the idea of doing this makes me feel like I'm in a teeny tiny little boat trying to paddle back in time by getting over this humongous, powerful wave heading into the future. That wave is going so fast, I worry that we're not paying attention to where it's going to hit. What is happening to connecting with others? I see kids, toddlers, being handed devices anytime they are unsettled. What is this doing to their development? Remember how we used to worry about too much tv?! This is like that problem on crack. And have you seen us lately?  Heads down, fixated on this little screen, missing the moment; missing life.  I'm really worried about us. 

Don't get me wrong. I love my smartphone, we all do, but herein lies the problem.

According to an app I recently installed on my phone called Moment, I have picked up my phone 91 times a day in the past week. I have spent 12%  of my waking time on my phone!  Granted, I am not working this week and have more free time to kill, but why am I killing my free time?! That seems like a ridiculous thing to do! As I have gotten older I have learned that time is one of my most precious commodities and I am killing it with my stupid phone?!  

What I DO Want

I have recently learned to stop thinking about the things I don't want and focus my attention on the things I do. It's amazing how my life changes for the better when I remember this simple trick. I invite in all of the good. 

So, here goes:

I want to live a simpler, more fulfilling life and be more present so I can enjoy it. I want to watch my girls doing gymnastics without worrying about what recipe I need to look up, or what fun activity I should search for on Pinterest or what Trump is doing to destroy the world. I want to see what kinds of amazing things I can do with all of the extra time that will be freed up when I am not transfixed by my phone. (I am full of ideas. Watch out, world!)

I truly believe that my life can hold so many more wonders than I am allowing to enter in because I am so checked out. I want to spend more time with the people who matter in my life. I want to spend more time on the things that matter, period. Remember Little House on the Prairie? Those people had it together and not one of them used a smartphone. 

"Why Should I Care?"

Maybe you do. Maybe you don't. That's totally up to you. I definitely have a lot of thoughts to share,  plus, let's not forget about the entertainment value. I compare myself to an adult trying a new physical activity for the first time (like imagine your adult best friend attempting to ride a bike for the first time). It's highly entertaining and often hilarious to watch. There's always a lot of wobbling and falling and flailing at first, and that's funny shit. But of course you are rooting for them to keep going! "You can do it!", (because you totally want them to succeed, and my God! You haven't laughed this hard in years!). I will be your best friend learning to ride a bike for the first time. I promise there will be flailing.

Maybe you'll laugh at all of the challenges I face going "smartphone free", or maybe you'll be inspired to join me on this journey (C'mon! The more, the merrier!) or, maybe I'll become some kind of enlightened spiritual goddess guru who has amazing things to share. (Hey, zip it! Jeez! Anything is possible!) Who knows what will happen. I guess we'll just have to wait and see. Mostly, I am writing this for myself - to keep me accountable, to chronicle this journey and to start taking photos again, because my soul was suffocating without that passion of mine.

So here I go. I'm really doing it. I just ordered a LG flip phone and signed up with Cricket (which will save me $70 a month, by the way!) This journey is starting. Sarah's Smartphone Fast 2018! Woot! Woot!

Thankful Thursday

One of the major lessons I have learned in the past year is to focus on gratitude. Every time I am freaking out about something in my life, I have been guided to write a gratitude list. If I am pissed off about work, I write a gratitude list. If I start comparing my life to others. You guessed it. Gratitude.

You see, the more we focus on the things we love about our life, the more of those things we receive. Every time this happens to me, I think of it as a little miracle, because, well... who doesn't want a miracle?! I want as many as I can in my life. Then guess what starts happening? I get more of them. Miracles abound.

I have not been extremely faithful about doing a daily gratitude journal (though it is a goal of mine), but I have decided that I will add at least one thing I am grateful for here on my blog every Thursday, and I shall name it "Thankful Thursday" (yes, I came up with that name all on my own, thank you very much).

Today I am grateful for my amazing family and the time I get to spend with them. They are loving and loud, funny and active, and they give me the best cuddles in the whole wide world. I love them to the core. 

Got Gratitude? Try it. It works. I promise.