Perspective

The weather in NJ has been really odd...but I sort of like it. It's warm and humid....and rainy. I'm still wearing flip flops and wondering when it will be boot season. Not that I'm hoping for cold....this has been a nice summer extension. Today...in between rain storms....we ran out to do an errand. As we were walking to the car some of our neighborhood buddies came riding and running up.  Have I mentioned how unique and just adorable these kids are? A bit rough around the edges....and just so full of life. Have I mentioned that I've never seen or met their parents? I feel a bit protective of them....as does the policeman who patrols our complex each evening. He knows them all by name and has shared a few stories.

It seems that a few of the families live here so their children can attend the school in our town....yet the parents still work in the city(not sure if it's NYC or Newark?). He shared that their parents are rarely around. I don't really understand it....but I can imagine what he was implying.  Plus, the city is only 15 miles away, but it can be a long commute if traffic is bad. It can take Greg either 20 minutes or 3 hours to get into the city....just depends.Maybe they choose not to come home some nights? I'm not sure, I can't figure it out and didn't want to ask too many details. We are known as a bedroom community....the train station is right down the road. I often see people ....early in the morning....running for the train shuttle. Anyway.....on to my perspective moment....and back to our neighborhood buddies.

Of our buddies.....4 of them are sisters(ranging in age from 4-14) Their mom is a single working mom....from what they say....a hard working gal. It seems that she has been applying for the Habitat for Humanity lottery for 10 years. Today, little 9 yr old Kayla ran up to us with a huge smile. She said...."I'm so happy my mouth hurts. We won the lottery!!". Now, I was thinking...."you won the lottery?what?". She went on to say..."we won a Habitat for Humanity lottery.....we are finally getting  a house!!". My heart just swelled for this girl....for this family. I'm hoping we can be part of the building of this home....how cool would that be?!

Again, I thought to myself...as I was driving away.....how amazing....I really can't put it into words. Hearing the news our little friend shared just put so much into perspective. Literally....daily....I feel like the Lord is showing me things and speaking to my heart. I'm not sure what it all means, but I'm trying to listen and learn.

Life Online

I've been simplifying different areas of my life. Purging closets is an obvious place to start....and a very gratifying place as well. After reading some articles on simplifying(thank you Carole!)....I've also been trying to simplify my online time. I started with going online less. As I look back over the past year...and when my blog was public....I was online a lot. I felt this burden to keep my blog posts current. I enjoyed it as well, but clearly it was too much time being spent in cyber space. Since going private I have gradually decreased my online time. It just happened...it wasn't planned. I started writing less....and I started reading blogs less. I still try to visit my friend's blogs, but often it's through google reader. I regret that I don't often have time to jump on and comment....or I mean to come back to and get distracted. In the 'ol days....I would blog hop....it's amazing how easy it is to jump from one blog to the next. After a while, I would forget where I started. I'd have this glazed over and worn out look.....blog eyes! I also used to do a lot of homeschool surfing....looking at curriculum or reading message boards on teaching. Now, I still try to do a bit of each...have to be honest. Though, I've cut way back.

This is the thing......

 Back to the article I read....it shared that a great way to start your day is WITHOUT reading your email first. The author suggests that you wait until much later in the day. I'm telling you......I've started doing that....and I really like it. I don't want to allow the computer to get a great percent of my day. I don't want to put it first....or even second...or third.

The problem is.....most everyone connects through the computer these days. People don't write letters as much....or even make phone calls as much. On one hand.....who has time for lots of phone calls? But.....I truly appreciate the intimacy of a phone call.....or even an email vs. a note on Facebook.

If I stop going online as much.....will my relationships suffer. I sort of think they will and it makes me sad. I also like phone calls more than email, Facebook and other online sources because there is a clearer understanding of tone...and mood. Ya know what I mean? I believe there have been many misunderstandings through online connections. At least, I know I have experienced some myself.

In the past week I've had 2 friends go private with their blogs....and 2 friends deactivate their Facebook account. I thought it was great....I'm thinking of deactivating my FB status as well. The thing with FB.....I rarely go on. When I do....I don't go on other people's pages....I would feel like I was snooping. But because I don't go on other people's pages......they probably think I'm ignoring them. Ugh. Do you see how messed up online media really is?? I know that so many people love FB and various online sources......I truly know how valuable they can be as well (remember we found Ross/Sam online!!!). I just don't want relationship status to be determined by blogging or FB. Give me a good old fashioned letter(or even a personal email) or phone call anyday.

*BTW-I've never heard of anyone regretting spending less time online. If anything, I always hear how much happier they are...or how much they accomplished....or how much fun they had with their kid...or cooked more...organized more....read more books....exercised more.....compared less!