So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodbye.

Spring isn't the only time for cleaning. Fall is the new black, baby. Having the boys back in school has given me time to clean, think, reorganize, and rearrange.

Oh how I LOVE change!

My closet, my purse, and my car are at the top of my list.  I've also been sweeping up and throwing out the little things in life that don't mean much.

Sorry, Facebook, you're one of those little things.

I was late to the jump on the FB bandwagon.  Having one central location, and broadcasting thoughts to friends and family at the same time, seemed a bit odd to me.  Emailing friends to say hello, and picking up the phone to keep in touch was what I was used to, and I clung tight to the old fashioned way.

Despite my efforts, my kung fu grip on vintage social networking slowly started to slip.  Before I knew it, I was known as Amy Madden Olivas.  I was married, and had 7 friends.

FB quickly sucked me into it's dark and deep black hole.  Without realizing it, I was spending every spare second (that I really didn't have) checking my status feed from my steadily-growing list of friends.  Every new friend request that came my way gave me a jolt of confidence and was quickly accepted with glee.  After all, it's not every day that someone who never gave you a second glance in high school is suddenly popping up with a hankering for your friendship.  So what if we only spoke to each other a total of two times during our entire high school career?  We were adults now, and our lives have evolved far beyond locker codes and algebra books.  I was desperate to know who was married, who was single, who had kids, who did not, who's moved away, who's stayed close to home, and who was changing the world.  Besides, I've never been one to turn a 'friend' away.

Like a moth to a flame, it didn't take long for my facebook fondness to turn into a full blooded addiction.  Checking my phone for new friends and status updates was a constant habit.  I enjoyed seeing pictures of family and friends, high school classmates, and all of their adorable kids.  I found it enjoyable to share 'glimpses' of my crazy life.  Even more satisfying, was if and when I'd get a few 'likes' or even a comment on my most recent post.  Who knew social networking would be so gratifying.

Three years ago, as the Lenten season was vast approaching, I debated (as I always do) over what to 'give up' for 40 days.  Chocolate was too easy, as was pop, wine (OK, OK.  you caught me there), and all of the other usual and traditional items I had ditched in recent years.  As I continued to ponder my options, a little voice popped in my head and said, "Alright, missy....if you truly want to sacrifice, try giving up facebook for 40 days!"

Give up facebook for 40 days?  No way!  It's my only link to the real world.  It's the way I stay sane.  It's the only chance I get to converse with adults.  It keeps me happy.  I can't leave my friends.  What if I get a new friend request, or someone leaves me a message in my inbox and I'm not there to accept and reply? 

Oh, the horror.

I forced myself to really listen to the lame excuses raging through my head.  It was then and there that I knew it was the right thing to step away from.

I'm not going to lie.  The first time I deleted the FB app from my phone, I needed a paper bag to breath in.  I had the shakes (a bit of a stretch) for the first few days, but they eventually subsided and I succeeded in my Lenten Journey....sans facebook.

During the 40 days of Lent, I was much more in-tune with my family, and much less worried about missing something great from my 100+ friends floating about in cyberspace.  I came back to FB feeling proud and refreshed, but sank back into the vault even faster than before. 

This cycle continued for two more years.  Give it up, claim it back.  Give it up, claim it back.  Each time, leading me on a two-day post Easter FB binge in an effort to soak up everything I had missed.

What in the world was I thinking?  Constantly checking and comparing my status to that of my cyber friends?  Wondering why my status (which I thought was ultra witty and down right hilarious) only got 2 likes?  Fretting over why Norma Jean (fake name inserted) wants to be Sally's (another fake name) friend and not mine? Wondering if people thought my kids were cute (duh, they're freaking adorable)? And best of all, losing my every day thought process to always, ALWAYS thinking in terms of my next brilliant facebook post.

What a shame.

I've felt this way for awhile, but it wasn't until a recent (and currently ongoing) health scare made me look at life through a completely different set of lenses.  It's time to simplify.  Much to my oldest son's dismay, I'm about to become even more 'old fashioned.'

Ditching facebook this last (and final) time will be easier than ever. If I wanted to, I could rant and rave, and tell you everything about facebook that annoys me.  I could go on and on about all of the political rubbish that clouds up my feed, and how the recent trend of eecards (oh how I DESPISE eecards) makes me wince. I could tell you that I don't believe in prayer requests via facebook posts, and how the God I know requires much more from me than a mass petition for prayer.

Life just ain't that easy.

So instead of ranting, I'll just kindly say that facebook is being tossed away.....and it feels SO good!

To the 176 friends I leave behind, please, PLEASE write, call, or read this little blog of mine from time to time.  You know, just to check in and see what my current status is.

This girl is over and out.

Love,