Breaking radio silence...

...although really it was television we turned off, and computers for leisure use. This was our 5th year giving up electronic entertainment for a week and while we did slip a little (sigh -- the new Mario Kart release timing meant that I caved to pressure and we all spent 30 minutes trying it out and then wished afterwards we'd held tougher) we still found it worthwhile to take a week (mostly) off. I gave Dean and Ken the option this year of doing it or not; I don't like always feeling like the heavy on stuff like this but they surprised me by being enthusiastic and adamant that we do this every year.

We played a new card game, enjoyed quiet reading time (that's when we're all together in the same room but reading different things), got outside more, and listened to music. The exercise makes us more mindful of our choices (and after a year passes we need the reminder) and does make us feel as though we've done something good. Highly recommended.

Back in a week

Just a quick note to say that we're going off-line at our house this week; we're observing TV Turn-off week (one week late) and for us that includes computer/video stuff as well. I won't be posting and I won't be visiting any blogs. Have a wonderful week yourself!

See you in a week

Happy Earth Day! We'll be outside today, raking the lawn, cleaning up the gardens, practicing soccer, having lunch, bird-watching, and napping. Heaven is Earth.

After today, I'll be off-line for a week, participating in TV Turn-off Week, which for us extends to all forms of electronic entertainment. What with the new-found world of blogging, this will be harder for me than it has been in previous years -- only fair, given how hard it is for Dean. I urge you to give this a try (it IS an international event); turning away from television and computers for a week absolutely gives your mind, your eyes, your heart a rest while it opens you up to everything else you can do with your time. Also makes you more critical, once you do go back, of the choices you make (at least, that's how it works for us). Finally, I believe it is important to push yourself periodically to do things that you don't think you can do, or that you don't really want to do -- just to prove that you can. Nothing crazy, mind you. I'll be using the time on some certain quilting and sewing I've been writing about, as well as getting ready for Dean's birthday party next Saturday.

Enjoy your week, and tell me what you've been up to. See you later--