Friday, February 27, 2009

Giving Up

It's Lent time, and for me that means giving up something. Even though I don't abide by all of the other religious guidelines (going to church, knowing what the other religious guidelines are, etc.), I always "participate" in Lent...no meat on Fridays, and doing without something I really really like. I don't know why, but I always try to pick something that will be really, really hard for me to do without. In the past, I've given up meat, chocolate, SHOPPING, RESTAURANTS (David hated that one, but we saved a LOT of $$!). I thought it would be just crazy to give up shopping or restaurants while I'm here in the land of shops & restaurants for such a short period of time, so I had to think of something new. I picked something REALLY REALLY difficult... I gave up the internet after 6pm! Crazy! So far I've made it through 2 evenings and when I'm not running in here to check my e-mail, see if any new blog entries have shown up on Google Reader, browsing knitting projects on Ravelry, or playing PathWords on Facebook, I can actually accomplish other things! Like reading an actual book or crocheting a baby blanket, realizing that the baby blanket is not turning out quite right, and starting all over. Now that I can't just abandon the blanket in favor of the internet when frustration starts to set in, I might just finish it in time for the baby shower!

I also gave up something else...something big...on Ash Wednesday. That was the day that David left. :( He has made it safely to the frosty north...waaaayyyy north and is trying to adjust to the negative 32 degree temps. One day down, 364 to go! So of course I am missing him, and in the past few days I started really missing something else too... my JOB! Which is just plain outrageous...I love lying around the house and being able to do little crafty projects (so far I've made a few cards, knitted a hat, made progress on the knitted baby dress, re-learned to crochet, crocheted about half a blanket, started over, sewn a little doll). I love sleeping in and putting my pajamas back on after I take a shower (or not having to shower at all). I love being able to go to the gym in the middle of the day rather than after work or early in the morning. But yesterday, I started really really missing being a teacher! I even dug out two teacher books and started reading them again!

3 comments:

Susie H said...

You're brave to cut out evening computer, and wise as well. Maybe I will give it a try. I'm giving up wheat products for Lent, but after 2 days, I am thinking I shall perhaps adjust it to wheat-based bread products, pasta, and desserty things. Because...there are a LOT of things with wheat in them. Soy sauce, for instance!

Hugs to you on the departure of your sweetie. I hope you will be able to stay in touch as often as possible!

Dogeared said...

I'm not religious, and normally don't do Lent - but a few friends are (although I'm sure one's Catholic and goes to church semi regularly, I'm not sure about the rest - I think one was raised Catholic, don't think he third is religious at all). I'm going to do Lent as a test of restraint - I'm giving up Starbucks Caramel Hot Chocolates. I'm not sure I'm addicted to them, but I usually get about 3 a week. I don't NEED them, but tend to get them because I CAN. I'm hoping it will save me some money! (and calories, but I'm not sure if all the Creme Eggs I've had have cancelled that out!).

Good luck with it! And where's David gone, that it's -32?

onescrappychick said...

I do lent too... I gave up eating after dinner. I've tried to do no sweets.. no desert.. no chocolate. I am a failure at that. The no eating after dinner is hard cuz I lurve me some nacho chips with salsa and sour cream while I watch TV.

Good luck to you!!!!!

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