Hello 2013, Goodbye Facebook!

Happy New Year!

2012 was a good year, but a tough one.  Clint graduated from Regent (AT LAST!), Lucy turned 1, Clint and I celebrated 5 years of marriage, I preached my first sermon and started working at our church as a youth minister, and we moved apartments.  I was sick and tired a lot, but I'm getting the impression that this is motherhood.  Ah, well, I can handle it.  I wish I had more pictures to post of all the exciting developments, but they're all higgledy piggledy on various devices, so I'll have to skip that for now.

At the beginning of 2012 I made some resolutions.  By way of update, I didn't finish my book yet, though I did make some progress.  About halfway through the year, I totally forgot about my roti making challenge, partly fueled by Lucy's wheat sensitivity (though I probably got to about 60 batches over the while).  But I did faithfully record the titles of the books I read on my Goodreads page.  I blame our move over the summer for why I didn't reach my reading goal (which wasn't part of the original resolution).  It's hard moving with a baby/toddler!  But we made it.  We even have pictures on the wall of our apartment now, and I've just bought Lord Peter Wimsey novel #13 to complete my goal to read through all the Lord Peter books.  It wasn't a bad year.

However, as this was the first full year of my life as a stay-at-home mom, there were times when I found myself difficult to live with.  One thing I was really disappointed with was the sheer amount of time that I spend on Facebook.  I think it's time that I admit it: I'm an addict.  When I open my computer, FB opens first, and I often get sucked in for a looong time.  Like, until Clint and Lucy are putting their heads in front of the screen saying "Look at me!"  So, it's time to make a change.  I'm leaving.  I'm going to download my information onto a secure flashdrive, have Clint change my password, and I'm deactivating my account for the forseeable future.  I thought about deleting entirely, but I'll try this first.

I put this off for a long time because I don't want to lose touch with people.  But I really can't be trusted with the interface of Facebook.  And besides, it's not keeping me in touch, really.  I can look at people's pictures, I can like their statuses, but that's not the same as picking up the phone and hearing their voice, or as writing a letter of thanks or invitation or just to say hello (even if it is just an email).  Facebook makes me feel connected, but I wonder if I really am?  I have dear friends who aren't on Facebook that I've lost contact with because I spend my time online instead.  I have neglected good work that I should be doing (like reading and housekeeping and blogging and exercising and writing this dang book).  So, after much consternation, I'm leaving.

I hope that no one takes it personally.  It's not you, it's me.  I don't judge anyone for staying on FB, I just have to admit when I can't handle it anymore.  I'd love to keep in touch!  Send me your info to laura[dot]werezak[at]gmail[dot]com and I'll happily write, call or email you.  I really do like all my friends, scattered around the globe.

So there you have it, embedded in this dialogue, my resolutions for 2013:

1) FINISH THIS DANG BOOK I'M WRITING

2) Say goodbye to Facebook

3) Write more letters/emails, make more phonecalls, keep in better touch with my friends

4) Read more books

5) Up the general level of cleanliness in our home (a constant challenge with a little messy-missy running around, but I think we can do it), finish unpacking and clean out the clutter.

Of course, eating well and loving on Clint and Lucy go without saying.

Have you resolved anything for 2013?