Isolating Media

I think my computer and smartphone or more specifically, social medias, are keeping me from having true friendships.  One the one hand, it is a pleasure to be able to keep up with friends and family via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (still haven't completely adopted "the twitter" though) and even this blog.  I like seeing and hearing what people out there are doing.  On the other hand, it gives a false sense of closeness.   I know what you are doing but we really haven't talked  to each other.

We post pictures on social media.  The pictures are edited, making our lives look better than they are.  If you look at all of my Facebook or Instagram pictures, my life is full of beautiful places, adventures, happy people and good times.  I want that life!  Of course, I haven't posted any pictures of me doing laundry, sweeping floors, cleaning the kitchen, watching TV, reading, stressing out over the wedding, or the mundaneness of my every day life....who wants to see that?  What you see is my life...the edited version.  I am sure what I see is your life...the edited version!

Writing this blog also creates a false sense of closeness. While you sit and read what goes on in my life and my mind we don't really sit and talk about these things on a deeper more personal level.  The blog can even stifle some friendships.  When I hang out with friends who read the blog they already know what has been going on in my life so it can abbreviate some conversations.  "Oh, I read that on the blog...."  end of conversation...next topic.  But, what I put down here is only a snippet of what goes on in my head, my life and my heart.  This is the stuff I feel might be interesting to read or if I'm lucky be thought provoking.  It happens.....once in a while.  It is a one way conversation though.

Is social media isolating me?

More and more recently, I find myself looking for those real connections.  I found myself having a pity party last week about friends lost and found.  You know how when you move to a new city and you have to fill out all the emergency forms for your children at school and have no one to put down in the "emergency contact" line?  I had a little moment trying to figure out which one of my Facebook friends I could put down in that slot.  Don't worry, I was quickly smacked back into reality by a few phone calls...yes, real phone calls from real people and some quality moments spent with friends.

Apparently I am not the only one to have these thoughts.  I googled this topic after I wrote this post....and hundreds of articles addressing the same topic popped up.  There goes my original thought.  A day late and a dollar short.  I didn't even do a random sampling of over 100 participants to come to this conclusion.  So, today I will go out and have some real human interaction with real people, have real conversations and try not to look at my smartphone or computer... too much.  There may be some photos worthy of posting on Facebook though.....it's a hard habit to break isn't it?

Let the Countdown Begin

Last weekend marked the official beginning of "The Wedding" countdown.  Reality set in big time last week.  Invitations have been mailed!  Responses are coming in! The bride's sisters came in town for a weekend of pre-wedding fun.  The girls had their bachelorette party Friday night while I stayed home... 

 and took care of this little guy.
 We did not
sing karaoke like the bride and her friends 
but we still had fun!

The wedding party threw a shower on Saturday evening, which made everything very real!  Watching the bride and groom open gifts while surrounded by their friends and family gave us a little taste of what is to come.  It was like a practice weekend for "The Wedding".  If this was any indication of how the next big weekend will go, it is going to be a great time!  Of course it is.....

Some observations.....

-The bride and groom really are a perfect match!  I have come to this conclusion after hearing their answers during the fun shower game the maid of honor (LG) put together.  Usually shower games are pretty lame but this one was informative as well as entertaining.  They had each answered a series of questions separately and then we got to figure out who gave which answers.  We all learned a little bit more about the bride and groom in the process!  Plus we got to play with tiaras and mustaches!

Looks like "she" said it!

Beersox cake!  Complete with
a Caged Yarn tag!

-We are all going to have to step up our game if we are going to make it through the whole wedding weekend.  We are out of practice for all day and all night socializing filled with eating and drinking....not to mention standing in heels!  I wish my daily life resembled the events of last weekend but alas, I live in an empty nest and have become very boring.  I think I should make it my mission to "train" for the wedding by going out every weekend and partying....or not!

-We cannot do enough planning!  All the planning we have done and will do are still not going to be enough to make the wedding weekend go without a hitch.  To quote one of my favorite SNL characters, "There's always something!".   This will necessitate the mantra of the weekend to be, "Go with the flow" or "Everything is going to be just fine".   We can plan all we want but there will be something that slips through the cracks or works out differently than we planned and despite our best efforts happened differently than we expected.  It's OK!  At the end of the day, the bride and groom will be married and that is all that matters!  The rest is icing!  (which is going to be delicious)

-The next six weeks are going to fly by!  My usual laid back approach to almost everything in life needs to step it up a notch or two and get busy!  One day at a time and one thing at a time and it will all get done, right?  

The happy couple!
Let the countdown begin!

Ask and You Shall Recieve

My Mother always used to tell me, "Ask! What's the worst that can happen?  They might say no?!".  She was very good about asking for things.  You want an extra 20% off that blouse, ma'am?  Sure!  She really did try to teach us to ask.  I just had a hard time learning that lesson.  I was afraid to ask. Unless it was about going to a party or on a date and then I was all about the asking!  Usually the fear of being rejected outweighed the benefit of getting whatever I was asking for, in my mind.  Luckily, I married a man who asks for the moon if he wants the stars and usually gets what he wants.  Exhibit A, he got me to marry him!  One more reason he is in sales and I am not!

To ask or not to ask....that is the question!

Recently, a group of friends (if you think this is you...it probably is) was sitting around a table discussing whether we call our banks, credit cards, cell phone carrier, etc. when we are charged an extra fee and request the fee be refunded.  I was clearly in the minority!  I guess I also choose friends who ask questions in addition to a spouse who does the asking!

There are countries where you are expected to bargain when you buy something.  I never like bargaining.  So much pressure....am I going too high and cheating myself or too low and insulting the seller?  I never know!  Too much pressure for me!  Just tell me how much it is and I'll decide if I want it or not.  Maybe I would get better at bargaining if I lived in one of these places and had to practice every day.

Recently, I found myself in a position to ask for something and I felt a little uncomfortable.  I decided to put on my big girl pants and go ahead and ask.  This takes a lot for me people ....don't judge.  Anyway, I received much more than I asked for!  What was I so afraid of?  If I hadn't asked, I would not have received.  A lesson I will continue to relearn my entire life.