Cable-less and Loving It

About a month ago, my husband and I--sick of looking at our very-low bank account balance and lamenting the fact that we are always broke--decided that to save money we would get rid of cable TV.

We had AT&T U-verse for the past 6 months or so and we loved it, but since we canceled internet, (we can tether with our fancy MyTouch phones, so no need to have AT&T internet), the bill seemed a little ridiculous to pay for cable only.  We still have our Netflix membership (just switched to DVD by mail only, so we only pay $7.99/month), so we can watch full seasons of Entourage and Californication.

Who doesn't love to hate Ari Gold?!

(I heart Jeremy Piven).

And with Hulu we can watch many of our favorite shows, like The Office.  We're really not missing much.  Plus, I find that I am a whole lot more productive, I go to sleep earlier, I read more, and James and I have more "real" conversations.  (Not just conversations about what we're watching on TV).

I was one of those people that always had the TV on for background noise more than anything else, (I've read this is a sign of ADD, but who knows).  Since recent research has shown that babies under 2 really shouldn't watch TV, it is also better for Jones that we got rid of cable.  Now we listen to NPR and music on the radio a lot more instead of the TV. 

The one thing I do miss is Jeopardy--it was the one show we watched pretty religiously, and full episodes are not available on Hulu.

I miss this--I mean, it is "America's Favorite Quiz Show," after all...

Anyone know how I can still watch Jeopardy without cable?
What about you--have you given up anything to save money lately?

XO, B

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Random Monday

I have been a bit absent from the blog of late, and I apologize.  I have had lots going on, and I promise to post later this evening with some pictures of some of the things that have been taking up my time.

Here is some randomness for your Martin Luther King, Jr. Monday:
~James and I saw Love and other Drugs last weekend--I really enjoyed it, James not as much.

~I also saw Geoffrey Canada speak last week in Columbia, and he was just as inspiring as I had hoped.  If you still haven't checked out his ideas, read Whatever It Takes by Paul Tough...it's next on my list.

image via here

If you're particularly interested in alternative ideas to our failing public education system, also read Work Hard Be Nice.

~I am officially 36 weeks pregnant today.  If I have the baby today, he will officially be full-term, even though technically full-term is 40 weeks...apparently, he has all the organ-function he needs now to be born perfectly healthy.  Believe me, this fact has not been lost on me...I've been talking to him all day trying to coax him out already.  My body is over being pregnant.  For real.  I have my 36-week check-up tomorrow, so I'll update if there is any news.

~I had an amazing baby shower last weekend, given by and attended by awesome family and friends--thanks everyone!  I will post some pictures of some of the items we received for Jones later.  Looking forward to a second baby shower given by my mother-in-law, aunt-in-law, and their friend this weekend!

~I Love Chris Colfer: see his Golden Globe acceptance speech for his role in Glee below:

~I have been super-domestic lately--nesting, you know.  Organizing, getting on a regular cooking schedule.  I made some amazingly healthy and tasty wheatberry salad last night--pictures and recipe later tonight!

image via here

~James and I are newly-obsessed with Entourage-(and late to the party, I realize)!  It is so great; I just love all the characters--Jeremy Piven is amazingly slimy and Vince's friends are all hilarious in their own rights.  We've finally caught up from Season 1 via Netflix, and now we can watch on through Season 7 via On Demand...love it.

~And finally, if you're looking for someplace to eat in Columbia this week, you are in for a treat!  It's Restaurant Week through January 22nd and so many amazing places have amazing deals going on--I think the hubs and I are going to take advantage of the Cantina 76 menu one night this week.

So, Happy Monday, loves!  Have you seen any good movies or TV shows lately; eaten at any great places? 

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