Log Off Day 3

Yesterday, keeping myself to 30 minutes on the internet was much easier. I didn't even cheat -- not once! 

The morning is probably the most tempting time for me, this is when I'm usually online. The downfall to my logging off is that I have not done any writing this week. Even typing on the computer is too much of a temptation. Oh well, this is why freelance works. I have an interview I will probably need to type up on Friday, but by the end of the week I should be much stronger.

Instead of being online yesterday I:

• Spent lots of time playing with Mugga. She loves her new baby doll and likes to put her to sleep, change her diaper and feed her cheese.
  
• Made risotto with shrimp in celebration of the Hell's Kitchen (You may notice that I like a lot of dumb TV shows). Risotto is something the cooks on the show always mess up, and I wanted to try it for myself.
  
• Did laundry. Folded laundry. Did more laundry (I'm always behind on laundry).
  
• Started getting the house ready for company this week.
  
• Remembered to bring my reusable bags to the grocery store (this probably has nothing to do with spending less time on the Internet, but I was really happy with myself. I'm always forgetting those darn bags).
  
• Poked around at my garden.
  

I know, the exciting life of the stay at home mom.

Thanks again everyone for joining me in this challenge. It puts more pressure on me to do better.

*Update: I just went 7 minutes over today. Stupid Facebook.

I Don't Know How to Quit You.

I really must be an internet addict, because yesterday was extremely difficult. So many times I wanted to check my blog. Look up a book on Amazon. Read someone else's blog. Man, those blog things are addicting.

I will confess, I did cheat. I saw that I got new mail on my computer mail box. I checked it. Read it. And replied. It was work related, so I don't feel that guilty. Work is okay, right?

Instead of being online yesterday I:

• Went on a walk with Mugga.
• Made dinner.
• Washed the dishes.
• Took Mugga to the store and finally bought her a baby doll.
• Spent time with my sister.
• Watched the Hills.

So maybe watching MTV wasn't productive, but um... I'm also addicted to the Hills. Can you believe Whitney got a new job? I'm glad she's more hands on with styling and I love that she worked fashion week, but really. All the girls at People's Republic look like walking zombies.

Anyway, I am wasting my internet time jabbing about the Hills.

I'm hoping today will be more productive. I'm not going to mourn my loss online. Maybe I'll even empty out the guest room.

P.S. Big thanks to Jill from ink*drop who's joining me on this challenge. It's nice to know someone else out there is doing the same. I'm adding a link list including anyone who's doing the challenge this week, let me know if you're in!

Challenge: Log Off.

This past weekend, my husband (I'll call him Axel) ran downstairs and found me at the computer. 

"Babe!" he says. "Mugga is so cute right now. She's playing in the curtains and I got some great pictures."

"Mmmhmm..." I reply. 

I am working on a writing assignment/surfing the net. Much too busy to see what's going on in the rest of my house. Besides, its the weekend. Axel is home to help. Most of my time on the computer is spent with good intentions. I am a freelance writer, so I do a lot of work right here at this very desk. 

Unfortunately, my attention span is quite short when it comes to staying on track at the computer. Especially when there is a sale at Banana Republic to check out online. Or dinner recipes to look up. Oh, and don't forget about all those great blogs to skim.

Later that day, Axel shows me the pictures. They look a little something like this:

It was a small happy moment that I chose to ignore. I missed out because -- like usual -- I am plugged into the computer. My time online is good. I research products I like. I get new ideas, I keep in touch with friends. 

I realize my time online could be better. It might be best if I limit my internet use entirely.

This week I've decided to reform myself. I'm restricting my online use to 30 minutes a day. This will give me enough time to check my e-mail. Put a blog post in. Do a quick blog catch up. See what else I can do with my day.

I started these challenges to motivate myself to complete projects and become a better person. This week, I'm going to see what my off-line life has to offer.