Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Cancelled

Do you see all of those wires hanging out below? 

That's where my cable box used to go. All of my glorious cooking channels, time-wasting kid's channels, and money coveting home/decorating channels; have been cancelled.
Cancelled?
Yup.
They're gone.


Our cable company doubled our bill last month, Mr. Dunbar nearly had a coronary. He shopped around found another company we thought would be as capable. They weren't. We had a cable box that would only change channels. It wouldn't turn the TV on or control the volume. It worked like that for a month. And Mr. Dunbar made numerous phone calls to have them fix it. After the fifth phone call he told the company to come get their box, we were cancelling.


So now us Dunbar's that stay home all the time. Are doing a lot of this:

And putting a lot of these together...

And we've played a hundred games of this:  
 


Yup. Uno. Remember that game?

It's actually fitting well with my "efficiency". I finally got my thank you's out for all of our Christmas gifts. I can't wait until my boys are able to write their own, my hand hurts. Mr. Dunbar has cousin, upon cousin that gets the boys something every year.
It's really nice; until I have to write out thank you cards.



I feel like we are living in a bubble. A nice bubble. One without the rush and horrible news  that actually makes the news.

And of  course in that moment when I need to get something done, we always have a few DVD's they can watch. (Only the kid friendly ones, of course.)

My bet is we'll make it without cable until baseball season. 
Then I'm demanding it comes back on.
ha.
Mrs. Dunbar

14 comments:

feather said...

well, it looks as though you are taking it in stride. i'm a bit envious, really. the silence? must be nice.

Tawny said...

I guess there are some advantages to not having tv...just a bummer it had to be during the rainiest week of the year!!!
I love that the reason that you are going to eventually have to get cable again is because YOU want it for baseball, not S! Haha!

Genn said...

Sounds like you have managed to pass them time in a few great ways without that cable box! I used to love Uno. I think we made my parents play it with us over and over and over again.

Your thank you cards look adorable. I think thank you's are becoming a lost art and I think they are so important. I know I always appreciate a hand written thank you.

Genn said...

Woops, I meant
*to pass the time*

not them time.

:)

Darlene said...

Oh, you're a brave soul. I think I would be fine without TV but don't know about my kiddos. I guess since we have computers we'd all survive. Glad to hear that you're making good use of the time.

Janna said...

I'm impressed. But I use Nick Jr. as a free babysitter so I couldn't imagine not having the TV. OK, there. I admitted it! Shh, don't tell on me.

Lori said...

Way to go! This has been on my heart as well, and also inspired by an increase in our cable bill. Thanks for the reassurance that we *could* get by just fine without cable. :) Blessings!

Jerri said...

Inspiring...and amazingly I am sure you will be "better" off without it...in addition to the savings!

Cathy said...

We took out cable for 2 years and one of my biggest parenting regrets is reinstalling it. Our kids started reading books (gasp!), playing outside more (shock!), and watching educational shows (the horror!) on PBS that they LOVED. Since we got it back I tell myself "everything in moderation" (but I HATE being the moderator)!

jen@odbt said...

You're a better person than me. I don't think we'd survive without cable. Isn't that silly to say? Of course we would. I just read an article in today's paper about how much screen time kids are getting (not just tv, but computer, electronics etc)...kind of scary. I think it's great that you all are having good quality family time and interesting to note that there is more time in the day.

Sarah said...

Hey Mrs Dunmar...thumbs up to you girl! We love UNO in our home, it totally rocks! Actually we play alot of cards, but this year my son and I are going to learn chess...can't wait!

Have fun! xxx

Christy said...

I think that's great. I keep telling my husband that we should just cancel DISH because we pay them so much darn $$. Not like I have time to watch tv... But my husband loves his sports channels. How are you doing? I feel like we haven't gotten to catch up for awhile. Let's set up a playdate!

patty said...

love the last sentance-made me chuckle! your thank-you cards are lovely!! :) we love Uno, and my sweet baby used to write ALL OVER herself, thanks to a sweet babysitter who brought over washable markers one night and drew all over 2 yr old Lexi. 2 yr olds can't tell the difference b/t washable markers and sharpi's. just sayin'.

On the Bright Side said...

When my husband and I were first married, we didn't have cable. We used to get so much done at night! House project, conversations, books read, etc. Good for you guys! I definitely couldn't make it long without it now. :)