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Monday, May 12, 2014

Sacrifice

Friday, after months of struggling, our router stopped working for good.  To our surprise, our dishwasher followed along within an hour of the internet being gone.  We've had problems with the dishwasher from day one and The Engineer has had to fix it several (lots of) times. This time he couldn't.  He looked me in the eye and asked if I would rather have a dishwasher or the internet.

Easy question.

"Internet." I said without batting an eye.

I can wash dishes by hand, even the amount we go through with two kids and a mom who loves to cook. But I can't stay in touch with friends, my writer's websites, or my career without the internet.

I knew taking up writing professionally would require some sacrifices, Though I hadn't really thought about the dishwasher. I knew that I might not get out socially much. Hobbies have been dropped to the wayside. My house isn't as clean as it once was. But I have no regrets.

 If you need me, I'll be washing dishes.

Who am I kidding, I'll be on the internet.

What would you choose?  What have you given up to write?

24 comments:

  1. I'd definitely pick the Internet like you. One of our computers has a virus and if we can't fix it, we'll need to get it repaired.

    And yes, I've given up most of my little free time to write and blog. It is a time commitment.

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  2. I've actually thought about quitting using my dishwasher when the kids leave. It uses too much water an energy and I can wash them more quickly by hand than the time it takes to fill the dishwasher. So internet.

    By the way, we've had episodes like that too-- where the coffee pot, washing machine and freezer go out or something. I call it house possession. ;)_

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    1. It seems things always go wrong in threes. I'm holding my breath wondering whether it will be the dryer or the deep freeze that goes next.

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  3. I totally would give up the dishwasher, too. Our microwave went out five years ago, and we never replaced it. We heat things up on the stovetop or in the oven now -- and they're actually much, much better that way, just slower. Although I do hope you can replace your dishwasher soon and have more time to write. :-)

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  4. I'm sitting here sighing wishing I could fix your dishwasher. And I'm happy you're here, Sara. :)

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    1. That's very sweet, thanks for the sentiment. We'll fix it soon enough, I don't mind washing dishes really. It was the best appliance to go out if you think about it.

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  5. When it rains it pours! You made the correct decision.
    In the time of the digital age we can wash by hand, but we can't surf the net without a router!

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  6. I would absolutely give up the dishwasher. Washing dishes is one of those tasks you can easily do while writing stories in your head. I bet you'll have to dry off your sudsy hands frequently to write down all of your new ideas!

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    1. So far I just do it in bits and pieces while the kids are eating. Keeps me from munching on food and gaining weight. :)

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  7. I would have made the same decision! :)

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    1. I think most sane people would. Not that I consider myself sane.

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  8. You made the right choice! I actually find washing dishes by hand and similar mindless tasks serve really well for brainstorming sessions. :)

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  9. I've got a dishwasher but don't use it much these days. A perk of being an empty nester. I would choose the internet hand down. Besides your internet is a tax deductible expense. Your dishwasher is not.

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    1. Very true, and tax deductions are very nice.

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  10. Ha! I'd give up the dishwasher and cajole my hubby into washing said dishes since I do *all* of the cooking. Router is a must. The dishwasher has a built-in 6'4" replacement. LOL! Don't tell him I said that. ;-)

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  11. I went without a dishwasher for quite a while. I agree with you, Sara - the internet is much more important. May your time in the suds transform into stories! ^_^

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  12. My fellow dirtier house, hand washing dish friend...the sacrifice is worth it as long as writing brings us joy. There are days when i wonder, if I spent this much time at a regular job, I could afford a dishwasher and new furniture. But who am I kidding? I enjoy writing too much.

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  13. Our dishwasher is CRAPPY and about to die. I've been washing dishes for years because I was frustrated at how it cleaned the glasses (or didn't clean them).

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  14. I actually enjoy washing the odd dish. My sink faces the dining room and beyond that the lake. Oooh, just saw an eagle fly by. Ooh, another one! Kewl.

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  15. Sanity. I've given up sanity. Seriously, my world was manageable until I got published. Suddenly there was more to do than I could even contemplate and everything had to go on a calendar or list, or it would be totally forgotten inside of ten seconds. Hey, I submit that you've got two little dishwashers in your house, and honestly, some of the funnest times I can remember were washing dishes by hand with my siblings.

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  16. Over the years, I'd say what I've given up to write is sleep...and a sparkling neat house.

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  17. Does this mean your dishwasher is hooked up to your internet? It won't surprise me if that were to happen someday. :)

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  18. Internet, of course! We've never had a dishwasher :-) Let me see, if you replace the choice with a washing machine... Now that's a tough one. Going out to a laundromat is a pain in the...

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