Apr14

How Social Media (Almost) Ruined My Life

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I wrote a draft of this post a few weeks ago after taking a break for a week from all forms of social media to spend more time in contemplation. After spending this past weekend “unplugged” in the mountains with my family, I decided now would be a great time to post and end my long blog silence. 

I honestly love social media (Twitter,Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, etc) for several reasons. It’s definitely a great avenue to keep up with friends that you’re not able to see on a regular basis and share life moments together that may otherwise go missed. With all of the glory of social media, there’s definitely a down side. I remember this Fall I was back home in my small hometown in Georgia at a Friday night high school football game when one of my parents’ friends told me how beautiful my new house was. It struck me a little strange because my first question was, “How did they see my house in Charlotte?”  when it dawned on me — Facebook.

In so many ways I feel like Facebook gives us a false sense of community and closeness. There’s definitely something to be said for posting your life through status updates, pictures, and check-ins to the world in a pretty and filtered fashion. Doing real life together is not near as glamorous as the cutest and craftiest creation on pinterest that puts Martha Stewart to shame or having random people post on your wall once a year for your birthday. In several ways Facebook is not only a time suck, but a creativity suck. How can I express and impress “friends” in a few letters to show how cool/fabulous/smart/fill in the blank? I feel in some ways, social media takes “keeping up with Jones’ ” to a whole new level.

I worry about how freely we share the most intimate details of our lives for the world to see. In browsing facebook, you can find out personal information that would have taken a Private Investigator a while to figure out pre-Facebook world. In 2 minutes,  you know can find out where Meredith went on vacation this week (even with the location stamp!- scary!), pictures of that scandalous Halloween party, and update on that old acquaintance from college (She’s currently 4 cm dilated and should be having her baby very shortly — with pictures to soon follow!)

I’m not trying to be negative or overdramatic. I read someone I follow on twitter the other day state that we’re the first generation to be able to leave a “digital foot-print” and wondering out loud what our Grandkids will think of us when they go through all of our old Facebook status updates and tweets. This was the first time I’d thought about a digital legacy of short for my someday kids and their kids to follow and see.

For me social media became a coping mechanism of sorts. When things were crazy at work and I needed a stress break – I’d find myself making a trip to the handicap stall to read people’s Facebook posts since the last time I’d checked (probably a few hours ago before I’d left my house for work). When I was bored and “vegging” out at the end of the day – I’d distractedly watch TV and  surf Facebook and Twitter from on the couch. This was a great way to escape a meaningful conversation with my husband and drift in and out of surface level thoughts.

I always strive to live an authentic and open life. There’s definitely a level a trust that comes in real community that has to be earned.  I want to know my friends and be known more beyond just my facebook posts and thoughts/musings tweeted in 140 characters or less. I want to be known as the girl who eats a protein shake (on a “good day) or fast food (on a “bad day”) for dinner out of exhaustion and isn’t making a yummy, photo-worthy meal from pinterest to be shared on Facebook or Instagram. I need people who check in with me and don’t just assume everything is great based on my statuses or pictures of life. And I need people who need me to do the same things for things. Hold honest heartfelt conversations. Sit with during dark nights of the souls. All the while enjoying the beauty and awesome times that life brings too.

If you haven’t seen the 15 Things White Girls Do on Facebook (or even if you have) check it out for some much needed humor!

Jul18

The Whirlwind

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There’s so much to blog about… the past three weeks have been a whirlwind and a bit of a blur! I’ve gotten to spend time with some of the people I love the most celebrating friendship, the 4th of July, Road Trips with Mom to Philly, another grad school residency, a baby shower for my sister and soon-to-arrive niece Adelyn Parker, and much more!

There’s certainly blogs and pics to come, it just may be a while!

The time that I normally devote to blogging has been replaced with school work again. I”m choosing
 to doing to “introspective blogging” — meaning focusing more on cultivating my inner and spiritual life. I’ve been “blogging”, but more in the sense of writing journals and reflecting. There may be some “real blogs” that result but my thoughts are too raw and beginning to come to surface.

I’m thankful for the people in my life that keep me from floating just on the surface of living
and help pull me into the deeper waters of the soul and living.

Jul3

Girls Birthday Beach Bash Weekend 2012

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June … the official start of summer and our summer has gotten off to a fun start! I’ve been meaning to write several blogs over the past few weeks, but just haven’t gotten around to it.

My first grad school class was in full swing with two major papers due this within the first two weeks of the month. I had to movtivate myself to get everything done because the sun and sand was calling my name.

Last weekend, I went to Isle of Palms, the barrier island to Charleston, SC for our annual Birthdy Beach Bash weekend with my mom and sister. Since Rachel is due with sweet Adelyn this August, we decided we should probably move up our get-a-way. We had an awesome time relaxing on the beach and just enjoying being with each .

Mom, Rachel, and Me

We visisted all of our favorite eating spots: Acme Cantina, Seabiscuit Cafe, and even found a new spot right on the Intercoastal waterway- Morgan Creek Grill. And since we had a preggers with us, we just HAD to eat Ben & Jerry’s ice cream every day! This little B&J ice cream “hut” has to make a killing and is the “chain” on the island.

The Beach Mama

Is she not the cutest?? Rockin’ that baby bump in her bikini!

Saturday evening, Rachel and I went down to the dunes and beach to do a mini-photoshoot to capture this precious time. I shot mostly with her Cannon but got a few pics with my point and shoot.

I think this one is my favorite.

Our long weekend was so relaxing and I can’t wait until next August! : )

Jun8

What to get Dear ol’ Dad?

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If you’re like me, you’re trying to figure out what get dear old Dad for Father’s Day. How do you find the perfect gift for someone who means so much to you, but already has an extensive tool and tie collection??

Here’s a few suggestions that I’ve found in trying to find the “perfect” gift!

I saw one of my fave authors, Don Miller, tweet about a Father’s Day campaign for The Mentoring Project. CHeck out their website – Don’t Buy the Tie to find out more information on how you can help be a part of the solution and mentoring fatherless youth. I really can’t think of a better way to show gratitude for having a present and involved Dad!

Another favorite charity of mine is The Mocha Club. They’ve got a special Father’s Day coffee mug. For $25, Dad gets a cool mug while supporting  job training and economic opportunities in Africa through the work of the Mocha Club. Now that’s a win/win!

Got a music-loving Dad? How about give the gift of some new tunes. Here’s my recommendation - Folk Family Revival These young and talented guys from Texas have a sound much more mature than their collective age. If your dad loves country, southern rock, Americana or all of the above – this is a sure winner!

Most of the time the simple gift of spending time together is much more valuable than the latest and greatest high-dollar electronic gadget. If geographically feasible take your dad out for ice cream or maybe spend an afternoon doing something together (fishing, going to brunch, movies, etc).

Whatever you do — make sure to tell Dad how much you love him and what he means to you! That’s the gift that never gets old!

Jun5

My Little Garden (Week 12?)

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I’ve not done a stellar job lately in updating my blog with weekly pictures of my backyard garden’s process. My dad visited over Memorial weekend and gave me compliments on how good everything looked. I tried not to be offended when he told me he was just surprised that everything was still alive – ha! My dad knows me well and my normal lack of a green-thumb. I may have forgotten to take and post pictures of the garden – but I haven’t forgotten to water it.

 

Things are really progressing nicely. Last week I “harvested” my broccoli. I’m not sure next year if I’ll plant that again. It takes up a lot of space in my bed and is ready all at the same time. I like broccoli but to eat four heads in a short window is a lot!  I replaced the broccoli with a cucumber plant and two tomato plants. I’m really excited about the German Johnson variety I planted. I was chatting garden talk with my uncle this past weekend. He said last year, he was able to make ELEVEN BLTs from just ONE tomato! I love the old, heirloom style tomatoes!
I also relocated my strawberries to a planter on the patio. The rabbits kept eating my berries, so hopefully in just a week or so I’ll be able to finally enjoy some!

 

 

This past weekend I picked my first squash, zucchini, and cherry tomato. I’m seeing grilled veggie shish kabobs in my near future (this weekend!)

Jun4

Easy like Sunday Morning

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This past weekend was nothing short of glorious! The weather was incredible! The high for Saturday was Seventy Seven freakin’ degrees – on JUNE 2nd!!!

I had to take this quick pic to rub in the contrast of life in the Queen City versus life for my friends living in the armpit of Texas. I’m not giving up on a few close friends moving here! : )

I blogged about our amazing time on Saturday night at the Charlotte Shakespeare Festival.

Since the weather was so incredible, we tried to spend as much time as possible outside enjoying the cooler than normal temperatures.

Sunday after lunch JT told me, “Whatever work you wanted to do inside the house today, consider it cancelled – we’re going fishing!”  When my dad was in town last weekend he left me a rod and reel. JT bought his fishing license a few weeks ago, so we were off to get my license and some worms for a relaxing Sunday afternoon spent fishing. As we cruised by the outside of the lawn and garden section, I realized all of their trees were marked down to crazy, clearance prices. JT knew what this meant – our day of relaxing and fishing had just been replaced with digging holes and planting trees! We did end up getting my fishing license and some worms — but also 5 new trees. I’d been wanting to plant trees along my neighbor’s huge, white wall fence. I got a steal of deal with over $1o0 worth of trees for only $35!

Wondering how we got 5 trees to our house without a truck or SUV? Here’s how! Back seat laid down and not much room to spare in the Altima and two trips!

I bought 2 larger Cleveland Pear trees to plant closest to our house. I bought one of each Bradford Pear, Cleveland Pear, and Willow Oak along the slope in our backyard.  I was dreading digging in the red clay, but due to the recent rain, it was much softer than normal.  JT and I were both pleasantly surprised with how easy it was to get the holes dug and trees planted. We read after we planted (because this is how we roll!), that the trees at full maturity can grow 20-30 feet wide, which may be a problem since they’re only spaced two fence sections apart (approximately 12 feet). I guess we’ll let the future owners 20 years from now tackle that problem!

The finished results!

We did make it down to our neighborhood fishing pond around 7 pm last night.

We quickly decided that our “stocked” fishing pond must have been stocked with turtles, not  fish. The only catch of the day was made by JT and was a turtle. It  was a challenge to get the hook off of his back leg, but he was a happy guy finally free and back in the water.

 

This past weekend was very relaxing and quite enjoyable!

How was your weekend?