Fare thee well, facebook!

I decided to quit facebook recently. I suppose you could say “it’s been a long time coming.” Why, you may ask, did I do such a thing? Well, there are many reasons, some more embarrassing than others. Let me start with the things that made this decision difficult.

·         Easy access to friends and acquaintances. Let’s be honest. It’s much easier to find, friend and contact someone on facebook than any other venue. 

·         Being in “the know.” I don’t just follow friends and sort-of-friends. I follow my favorite bands, books, companies, news sources – you can pretty much follow anyone or anything on facebook.

·         Nabbing those great deals. Dan and I found out about a survey you could take through a university research group that would give you up to $75 based on referrals. We did it. We actually got $75 each. I’ve also seen posts about awesome sales and steals.

·         Pure nostalgia. I’ve been on facebook since I was a junior in high school. I had to be invited by a friend with a college email address at that time. How cool is that, right? Riiiight. As pathetic as it sounds, I like to occasionally flip through my old photos, conversations, etc.

·         I can’t shake the little PR voice in my head. I can’t tell you how many times I was taught in my PR classes that I need to be involved in and familiar with social media sites and trends. Even as I type this entry, the little voice keeps nagging me.

·         The stalking. Yeah, I have a tendency to stalk friends, random acquaintances, estranged friends, random friends-of-friends – you name it. The sad part? I kinda enjoy it. When someone says, “Did you know so-and-so just got married to what’s-his-face from freshman year?” I like being able to say, “Yes! They’re actually expecting! Can you say, ‘honeymoon baby?’”

The last one is a problem.  It’s even more of a problem when you consider the fact that it was on my list of reasons NOT to quit facebook. Which is also why it made #1 on my second list.

Reasons for quitting:

·         The stalking. I remember sitting on my laptop in class at BYU one day. I was looking at my husband’s facebook page (then boyfriend) when the guy sitting behind me leaned forward and said, “Hey! You know Dan Condie?”

“Yes, we’re dating …” I replied, feeling awkward for some reason I couldn’t quite place.

“So good to meet you! Dan and I served in the same mission! Tell him you met Elder Insert-name-of-mission-buddy-here! So random that we have a class together, huh?”

“Haha, yeah, I’ll tell him I talked to you!” still feeling awkward …

Why did I feel so uncomfortable? I thought about it for a while. Really, it wasn’t that weird. So I was looking at my boyfriend’s facebook page and a friend of his saw. But … what if I had just looked at his page and the friend hadn’t said anything? What if he just watched for a little while? What if I proceeded to find one of Dan’s ex-girlfriends and stalk her for a bit? What if I was just stalking a friend of a friend and when my classmate asked me if I knew the person? I’d have to respond with, “Umm, no.  Just a friend of a friend.” Or if I felt too embarrassed, would I have made up some connection?

Awkward? Yes. Granted, I shouldn’t have been on facebook in the middle of class. In my defense, it was Physical Science, so really there was no harm done. But still. I have stalked random friends-of-friends. And that’s a problem. And that’s reason Numero Uno for deactivating facebook. 

·         I can’t shake the little PR voice in my head. Here are the facts: I’m not a PR professional. I may never be, actually. I’m a wife. I’m a stay-at-home mom. I LOVE my “job.” I do much better at my current job when I’m not distracted by everyone’s lives on facebook. I enjoyed my major. I’m so glad I studied what I did and finished my degree. But right now, facebook is not where I need to be. I need to be at home with my little boy. I need to be giving him the attention he deserves. I need to get things done so that when my husband comes home from grueling days of studying, he doesn’t see a house full of filth.

·         Accessing but never communicating. Earlier, I mentioned how I’d miss the easy access of friends and acquaintances. What I won’t miss is the lack of actual communication. When my husband asks, “Have you heard how so-and-so is doing?” I shouldn’t begin by saying, “Well, I saw on facebook that …” Whatever happened to a good, old fashioned phone call? Or even an email (Ha! My grandpa would love the idea of email being “old fashioned!”)? I mean, hi, my cell phone is tethered to my body 95% of the time. Why not hold it up to my ear every once in a while? If I can tell you all that has gone on in the life of what’s-her-face in the last week, but can’t recall the last time I actually spoke to her – or even just communicated directly with her – that’s a problem.

·         Getting pissed off at things that have nothing to do with me and I’d never even know about if it weren’t for facebook. Please excuse my language. You know how they say “ignorance is bliss?” Well, I’m of the opinion that ignorance usually isn’t, but I’m pretty sure obliviousness can be. Why am I getting worked up about other people’s lives or decisions that don’t actually affect me? Because I saw it on facebook? Pa-thetic.

·         Being able to remain nostalgic. Guess what I found out? You can actually download all of your past messages, photos, notes, etc. and save them to your hard drive for FOREVER! How sweet potatoes is that? You can’t download wall posts or other people’s photos (unless you want to go through them one-by –one), but isn’t the idea of having a permanent record of your facebook to flip through whenever you so desire just so … heartwarming?!

I could provide you with more reasons, but this post is getting a little too intense in the length department for me. What really solidified my decision, however, occurred over the past week. We decided to switch ISPs just before winter break, but we misjudged a couple of timing issues and have thus been without the luxury of internet in our home since December 16^th (don’t take a deep breath of aghast-ness just yet. We left for our long vacation the evening of December 16^th and only returned on January 2^nd). Still, from January 2-10, we had no internet unless we trudged up to the apartment office during office hours and used the super-slow, archaic computers they have there. During that period of time, I learned that I actually DON’T need to check my facebook too keep the world from careening out of orbit and into oblivion.

So that’s that.

Farewell, facebook! By the end of this week, you will no longer be a part of my life (unless I decide to nostalgically flip through your permanent record on my external hard drive). Ha.

P.S. In case you haven’t heard, I’m privatizing the blog, too. If you haven’t given me your email address and would like to be added to “The List,” comment or email me with your addy! 

Farewell ...

I've decided to quit facebook. And, I've resolved to update this ol' blog here at LEAST once a week. And make it private. A lot of changes, huh?

Well, I'd post something substantial right now if I could, but unfortunately, we don't have internet right now (we're in-between providers), so I'm in our complex's office and Peyton is getting anxious to leave. This'll have to do for now.

Email/comment/facebook me your email if you want to be added to our blog list! I estimate all changes will be finalized by the end of next week. I'm pretty sure we'll have internet in our home by then ...

Yeah, I know I'm a blogging slacker. [There's no place like home - A new white coat - Pumpkins]

Okay, okay. So I kind of went on a blogging hiatus. Not because there was nothing to blog about. More because every time I try to sit at the computer, Peyton claws my arms, legs and laptop because he HATES it when the ol' green folding machine with the changing pictures gets more attention than -- shriek -- him.

So here we go again with a massive, way-too-long update.

Let's start at the very beginning (of my camera's memory card). A very good place to start ...

KANSAS TRIP

Peyton and I got to visit my family in Kansas earlier this month! It was a lot of fun. Once again, he was amazing on the plane, both there and back. He slept the whole time! Really, it doesn't get any better than that.

The first day we were there, I went to my little brother Collin's school to watch him sing and to see my old choir teacher, Mr. V. Mr. V, not wanting to feel too old himself when I came to visit, brought along the little girl who played Gretl, my "little sister" (I was Liesl), in The Sound of Music. Only, she wasn't so little anymore. In fact, she was about a head taller than me. And a teenager. And I felt really. Really. REALLY ... old. She was in kindergarten when we did the musical. She was the cutest, sweetest little thing then and she is totally still the cutest, sweetest, not-so-little-anymore thing now.

Then my mom, Peyton and I went to Brady and Clare's musical practice (they're doing The Wizard of Oz). While we were there, we may or may not have put Peyton in one of the band lockers. And he may or may not have enjoyed it. And we may or may not have taken a picture.

Man, that kiddo is CUTE! Am I biased? Absolutely not. ;-)

After visiting the schools, we went to visit GREAT Grandpa Felshaw ...

Uh, mom ... who is this scary old man?

Hmm, lemme get a good look at him ...

Still not warmed up to the place ...

Okay. Now that I've smacked you, we can be friends.

Peyton ... getting into things as usual. Behind him is Great Grandpa's friend, Maezell.



Such a handsome little ham!

 The next day, we were invited to go swimming at a friend's house. Me, Clare, Collin, Peyton and my mom went; we had a lot of fun! Peyton LOVES to swim. And splash. And kick. And try to drink the water.

Exhibit A: Peyton loves to splash

Below is a video of Peyton swimming. He loves to be passed from one person to another. Surprisingly, he also loves it when he goes under the water, too!

I did Clare's hair and makeup for a Halloween dance. She was a Greek goddess. She looked so pretty! Of course, she ALWAYS looks pretty, so that's no surprise.

Peyton tried out the jumper while we were there, too. I don't think he quite grasped the concept of it ... Basically, he'd try to walk somewhere, only to find himself slipping around the wood floor in circles; never able to get very far and never able to stop spinning. He quickly became frustrated with the contraption. Pity. I think if he'd been able to figure it out, he would have enjoyed it!

I also went to the high school and introduced Peyton to a couple of my old teachers -- Mr. Bogart and Senora Paredes. It was really cool to go back to the ol' stomping grounds and see the changes and the unchanged.

Peyton and I finally got to meet Ross, who pretty much live at my family's house when he's in town. Peyton finally got to meet his Grandpa Young, too!

Now I'll do a few more pictures and we'll move on to the New White Coat.

A New White Coat

Dan had his white coat ceremony at UT Southwestern! Though I can't say I got to hear much, I was able to hear two of the talks and see Daniel recieve his white coat. The rest of the time was spent with the cutest boy in the world ... in the halls.

Well, those went up backwards. I'll be honest. I don't really feel like switching them. This blog post is already taking me waaaay too long and if you've made it this far, you probably won't notice after all my droning on and on and on and on and ...

Lastly, Pumpkins

We had our friends, the Jacob's, over for dinner and pumpkin carving. It was a lot of fun! We'll let the pictures do the talking.

If you're wondering what the pumpkin is on the far left (Daniel's) ... it is what you think it is.

That is, if you're thinking, "Whoa! That looks like a freaking fetus!"

I promise ...

there's a massive, overdue update coming within a day or two. With pictures, videos and lots of writing.

Before and After

I did it.

I finally took the plunge.

I.

Chopped.

Off.

All.

My.

Hair.


Eeek!

Before.

After.

I teased Dan that he had to hold the camera lower when taking pictures of me. This is what I got. 

I like it. It took me a day, but I definitely like it. What do you think?

A good book, a good laugh, and a good drink

Peyton has a favorite book. Two, actually. "Goodnight Moon" and "I Love You Baby." "I Love You Baby" is a touchy-feely book. Peyton loves the fuzzy textures and he especially loves to turn the pages all by himself like a big boy. Seriously. He gets mad if you don't let him turn the pages. In fact, Peyton loves the book so much, that he even licks (yes, I said LICK) the touchy-feely spots. Weird kid. Anyway, here's a shout-out to Amy Condie for sending him the book, because she couldn't have picked a better one =)

Peyton's other favorite book, "Goodnight Moon," is a very useful tool. He recognizes the title and words and responds to them far better than "No, no!" or even his own name. All we have to do is say, "Goodnight moon. In the great green room ..." and Peyton comes running (and by running, I mean speedily crawling) to read the book with you. You can even fool him with just the words and no book sometimes. I'm so glad he already enjoys reading [and licking] books.

Though I don't have a video of him tasting the touchy-feelies, here's a video of him responding to "Goodnight Moon."

Sometimes, the most random things will send Peyton into a fit of giggles. We absolutely LOVE IT when we figure out what those random things are. Recently, it was balancing a ring on our head and then letting it fall off. Peyton also thought it was quite hilarious when we put the ring on his head. He'd squint his eyes and bat at his ears until if fell off. Too cute.

Here's a video of Dan with a ring on his head -- and Peyton's reaction.

Lastly, who doesn't love a good, non-alcoholic drink (or in this case, an empty sippy cup)? And by love, I mean want to destroy. Prior to his sippy cup thrashing, he was playing whack-a-mole with Dan's hands. Unfortunately, that's not what we were able to capture on camera since Peyton lost interest in the game as soon as I thought to film it =)

And now, a few more pictures (at my mother's request):

Gearing up for a chomp-down.

Got teeth? 

Hook 'em Horns. 

Vegetable Stuffed Shells

I was hoping THIS recipe would turn out well ... and it did! I made a few minor tweaks, but for the most part, I stuck to the original. It was delicious and packed with veggies (and there wasn't too much cheese to offset the vegetable good-for-you-ness).

Vegetable Stuffed Shells

• 15 oz can diced tomatoes


• 8 oz can tomato sauce


• 1 C water


• 2 cloves garlic, minced


• 1 Tbsp fresh basil, chopped


• 2 tsp fresh oregano, chopped


• 1/2 sprig rosemary, chopped


• 1 Tbsp Parmesan cheese


• 15 jumbo pasta shells


• 1 tsp olive oil


• 1 1/4 C broccoli, finely chopped


• 2 carrots, shredded


• 1/2 onion


• 1 clove garlic, minced


• 5 oz spinach, thawed and coarsely cut


• 1/2 C water


• 2 Tbsp fresh basil, chopped


• 1 C lowfat small-curd cottage cheese (2%) or part-skim ricotta


• 2 Tbsp grated Parmesan


• 1⁄8 tsp each salt and pepper


• 1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella, divided

Combine tomatoes, sauce, water, two cloves of garlic, basil, oregano, rosemary and 1 Tbsp Parmesan cheese in a sauce pan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until ready to use. 

Preheat oven to 400º F. Cook pasta, drain and cool on baking sheet per box directions.

Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté broccoli, carrot, onion and garlic for 3 minutes or until just tender. Add spinach and 1⁄2 C water; cover and cook 2 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

Remove cover; cook until liquid is mostly evaporated. Stir in basil, cottage cheese, Parmesan, 1/4 C mozzarella, salt and pepper. Spread tomato sauce on bottom of an 8x8-in. baking dish.

Spoon filling into each shell; arrange in baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining 3/4 C mozzarella, cover tightly with foil and bake 35 minutes until hot and bubbly.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 486 g

Amount Per Serving

Calories  333 Calories from Fat  81

% Daily Value*

Total Fat  9.0g 14%

Saturated Fat  4.5g 23%

Trans Fat  0.0g

Cholesterol  29mg 10%

Sodium  1053mg 44%

Total Carbohydrates  41.3g 14%

Dietary Fiber  6.7g 27%

Sugars  12.6g

Protein  23.1g

Vitamin A 193% • Vitamin C 86% Calcium 42% • Iron 20%

Nutrition Grade B

* Based on a 2000 calorie diet

Nutritional Analysis

Good points

• High in calcium


• Very high in vitamin A


• Very high in vitamin C

Bad points

• High in sodium

I use no-sodium-added canned tomatoes and sauce. If you do the same, you won't have the high sodium content that the nutrition information suggests.