Time to Unplug

In the last few months Dr. J has gone to 21 or so interviews all over the country, he's done two away rotations, he's been in an out of the airport more than he's been to church.  Home alone I've been in survival mode.  We've eaten more waffles for dinner than I'd like to admit.  I've done more yelling than I'd like to admit.  I've felt drained, overwhelmed, felt like I've been in the red, in overdraft.  Dr. J is exhausted.  The two of us have been trying to figure out what to do, how to make our life a little more centered, our home a little more balanced, a little more happy.  Then I remember a Peter Walsh Challenge I saw on Oprah last year.  A family was asked to give up all their electronics for a week and just spend more time together.  And so this week we are going to do it.

Step 1 - No cell phone or texting - now our cell phones are the only phones we own.  So we aren't going to completely give them up, but no texting and only calls that are absolutely necessary will be done.
Step 2 - No electronics - no blogging, no Facebook, no Netflix, no Wii, no TV, no I touch, no Plants versus Zombies, no sports blogs.  Working on dissertations will still be allowed as well as the spelling word site Captain E uses.  Everything else is out!
Step 3 - Prepare and eat dinner together.  This one is an easy one for us, but it is nice to have one that won't be a challenge.
Step 4 - Clean and organize the house.  Peter really harps on the fact that disorder and stuff just bring us unhappiness.  As a mom with three kids I'd totally agree.  I bring stuff into the house hoping it will make us happy and then get upset about it not being put away.  Is this some type of crazy mom disease?  With a move coming up it is definitely time to simplify.
Step 5- You must hug and say I love you to each family member in your home every day.  I'd like to think I do this but a great reminder of why we are doing this.

I have some misgivings.  How am I going to get a shower without Sesame Street?  What are Dr. J and I going to do after nine o'clock?  What will the state of the Middle East be like in a week?  Am I going to miss a snow closing?  How am I going to entertain my kids for two days after getting snowed in during said snow closing?  Misgiving for sure, but no going back.  See you in a week :)