21 replies to this topic

[CrabGrassAcres]

for one night each week and stayed home, what survival skills could your family learn that evening? No fair breaking out the card or board games and no electronic games of any variety.No computer either.

Edited by CrabGrassAcres, 16 April 2012 - 04:31 PM.

[ROBIE]

The first thing they would learn is how to get along with each other again!

The kids would go through withdrawals... its so hard for them to live without their xbox/saga/wii/netindo... what have you...

The parents might actually remember that they even HAVE kids!!

It would be a great time to study their preps(if any) and see where they might stand. At night they could go out and look at the stars and learn how to navigate at night. Might even learn who their neighbors are and how they might get along with them.

For more fun, flip off the breakers very early in the AM and see who freaks out first!



Robie

[arby]

Fire starting skills in the barbeque or fire ring, no propane, gas or kerosene or oil allowed.
Making food over the fire.
Sewing, knitting, crocheting skills. weaving.
Going over preps, BOBS, car kits, GHB, inventories, learning to make things with ............ hand tools.......... and materials like wood, steel, iron.
compass reading skills and map skills.
practicing putting up tents and shelters and setting up camp.
going outside......... observation skills of surroundings.
Frogging at pond or creek nearby. Life vests req'd.

Cleaning weapons, disassembly and repair, making weapons from natural materials, like bows and arrows and recycled stuff.

practicing listening and developing ways to communicate quietly or silently with each other and paying attention the first time. Cluing them in its important.

Helping someone learn something that helps them get along in some way that will be useful to them.

Playing games, like Robie said, interacting with the kids in a fun way.

[Amishway Homesteaders]

The first time will be all crazy as it is something you have to get used to.
But
after a while you start to do things and soon it will just be another day.

I can't tell you how many people ask us HOW we get though each day without things like cell phones, TV or other 'modern things'.
in the next breathe after we tell them how we just went on a nature hike (adding to our bird list) or went to a rummage sale and on the way stopped at a park to have a picnic or, or, or they say they 'wish' they could do that BUT they have no time.
Well, we tell them just STOP and make the time!

[Daylily]

i don't know how people watch so much tv! We rarely watch it, maybe one program a month if that much. I simply don't have time to sit down and watch it and besides that, I have a thousand things I would RATHER do.

[Ambergris]

I'm with Daylily.

[Mt_Rider]

Probably a lot of regulars on MrsS are low on TV watching. Else, how would we find time to be in HERE?

We don't have TV reception so I see it only at my folks. Annoying, with all those stupidity-producing commercials!

BUT ...in a more average population ...this would be a way to find some quality time for SOMEthing useful!

MtRider

[Amishway Homesteaders]

Probably a lot of regulars on MrsS are low on TV watching. Else, how would we find time to be in HERE?

We don't have TV reception so I see it only at my folks. Annoying, with all those stupidity-producing commercials!

BUT ...in a more average population ...this would be a way to find some quality time for SOMEthing useful!

MtRider

ANOTHER good reason we like visiting and working with the Amish............................................
NO TV !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Amishway Homesteaders]

Here is a funny story for you all to laugh at.
We were over our Amish Friends house as some 'English' friends from up north of NY were down to visit and they want to see us too.
Anyway we were sitting around talking about this and that and I asked how the visit to the Daughters went (same trip) and the Lady looks at us and says........................
That Daughter of mine is SO BORING! Here we come down to visit, first time since last Thanksgiving, and all we did was sit around and watch some STUPID programs on TV that she wanted to watch! While she was texting her friend about some place they were going over the weekend!
So I turned to Ruth (Amish Lady we were at (and they stayed overnight at) and said:
"Hey, Ruth do you have a TV?"
No was the reply. Then YOU are NOT boring!!!!

[Jeepers]

I rarely watch TV either so it isn't much of an issue. I have cable so a DVR box is included. I have it set to record a few shows automatically then I watch them at my leisure. Usually while I'm eating lunch/supper. I think I have Preppers, Hoarders and Renovation Realities set. I record River Monsters for my son when it's on and sometimes Billy The Exterminator. I watch a 30 min. show in about 20 minutes because I fast foreward through the commercials. If something important is going on in the world I'll let the news run.

I just noticed I watch mostly 'reality' TV.


Computer is another story. Hooked

But I'm usually here or looking up prep stuff or watching it on Youtube. If I didn't have a computer going, I'm sure I'd get more work done around the yard and closets and basement cleaned out. I'd probably learn to do more home improvements and learn to sew better. Quilts and curtains are easy for me but clothing evades me.

[CrabGrassAcres]

Michael, I should get used to the blank stares when someone is blathering on about something on tv and I haven't a clue what they are talking about. So I ask "am I supposed to know who this person is that you are telling me about?" Then they say something about it is on such and such show. Then I say "I don't watch tv." Then they look like " " and start talking about the show some more. Then I tune 'them' out and go find something else to do. (Or take a nap if I can't leave physically. LOL)

[Nichole]

I also rarely watch tv. I only have one show that I "have" to watch weekly, and that's Big Bang Theory. Even to watch that we have to go to my parents house since we don't have satellite. Other than that, DH might bring home a redbox movie every now and then. I am addicted to the computer though. I agree Jeepers, if I wasn't on the computer so much I'd get a lot more done. Although most of the time I'm researching stuff on the internet I'm interested in.

[Jeepers]

My son really likes the Big Bang Theory too! I keep missing it.

[Amishway Homesteaders]

Michael, I should get used to the blank stares when someone is blathering on about something on tv and I haven't a clue what they are talking about. So I ask "am I supposed to know who this person is that you are telling me about?" Then they say something about it is on such and such show. Then I say "I don't watch tv." Then they look like " " and start talking about the show some more. Then I tune 'them' out and go find something else to do. (Or take a nap if I can't leave physically. LOL)

Oh, been there - done that!
LOVE the nap part too!

Have a friend that LOVES to tell us all about what was on TV and all the shows she watches and how this person was on a talk show complaining about this and that. Or what was going on with the latest 'real TV' shows ( 1 main reasom we don't watch TV) and in the next breath complains how she has no time to do half the things we have going on! No day trips! No Gardening! No hiking and bird watching! No This or THAT! HOW do you guys ever find the time to do all THAT?
" We DON"T watch TV!" DUH!

[themartianchick]

I'm not a big tv watcher, but it sounds as though I watch more than most on Mrs. S. I have a couple of shows that I break my neck to watch. Most are not aired during the same season, so will watch Treme on HBO, The Walking Dead, Hell on Wheels or Mad Men on AMC. Of those shows, only Mad Men is airing right now due to the season hiatus.

i will watch Storage Wars from time to time. I think it is hilarious that they obviously salt the storage units with one or two good pieces that the characters follow up on with antique dealers on EVERY show. I also think it is funny that many of the valuations for the antiques are very inflated (like a pair of opera glasses that I saw on the show a few weeks ago).

I'm always on the computer, though not always on the internet. If I see breaking news on the internet, I will turn the tv on and turn to a 24 hour news channel to learn more.

Often, I get to hear the news when hubby is watching it. I'm usually on the computer in the same room, though my back is to the set. Even when I'm watching my favorite shows or something on the History Channel, Discovery Channel, etc... I am doing something else like folding laundry or listening while loading dishes. I've never been good at sitting on the couch with a bowl of popcorn, if you know what I mean. I do grate laundry soap while sitting on the couch. I usualy have it tuned to some apocalyptic movie on SYFY with bad acting and an even poorer script while doing that. I'm still waiting for them to come out with Space Zombie Tornado Earthquake 2012 Disaster. I'd probably pop some popcorn for that one!

[Mt_Rider]

[/quote] Space Zombie Tornado Earthquake 2012 Disaster[/quote]



MtRider [....scootch over and pass the popcorn, Martian! ]

[arby]

* Listens to soft rock music ......
If I watch tv I tend to avoid law enforcement shows except occasionally watching The Closer, absolutely not interested in sitcoms any more and tend to watch:

History channel, although some of it just seems to be outrageous theories to fog us up more about God... ( alien themed historical evidence that it was aliens and not God..... I have watched it but I simply will keep my faith in God. ) but the modern history , which is being repeated ...... stuff like that I like to watch as a review, plus there is a lot more info available today due to research and scientific gear that has helped those investigations.
I also like stuff about archaeology and things like that so sometimes I like episodes based on that.

I watch the weather channel.... the sciences and stuff like computer models today have helped me understand how it works ( better) and I keep up with it and folks on FB who lose power and on their cells , mobile FB often ask me to help them with their local weather stuff like when tornadoes go nuts..... and yes I say stuff here on MrsS for the same reason, not everyone has tv or gets the weather channel.

I rarely watch a cooking show, because too many are just nasty with the way they treat these new chefs trying to make it and I think that is sad. I do watch the more personal level ones that are family style cooking for recipes or just a nice little break if I come across one I think would suit me.

I am cutting back and changing who I watch on news again. Basic media news sucks in a sense yet I see some reversals going on now along that theme but one can only take so much of it. I also do online seeking out of stuff they refuse to put out there . Others here and in my network elsewhere also do the same, so I do try to be informed.

I like family style shows like the waltons if I want to watch sitcom stuff. They treated each other like true human beings and I wish more would do that once again. I like that its still on tv and also the Little House on the Prairie stuff. Its soothing to watch at least and teaches us things in how to get along with others.

I do watch some sci fi channel stuff, lol. I think I draw the line at the zombie stuff usually, lol. I do watch the disaster movies and pick them apart alot of the time. Sinister scientist stuff and such.....

Quite frankly there isnt that much to do around here to maintain an apartment and not much to do if you don't have a car so tv is some entertainment but it goes before the internet if things get tighter economically. The Internet is far more useful to me and helps me learn and I can certainly keep up, so far with any news items with it so cable is an extra.

I don't watch mtv crud , unless its the blooper stuff like on skateboard and bike accidents when idjits try to do tricks. That is always good for a laugh. Occasionally when I cant sleep and its on. LOL. Laughing as I do.

Most of it is so immoral or police state stuff I have no interest in it and am choosy since I do have a tv in my home. Or ridiculous, today.

I love old westerns and such for movies and some other things and pioneer stuff as I always have. Occasional romantic or romantic comedy stuff and mystery suspense , CIA spy stuff and such but the reality seems worse than many of these today so that gets a bit old.

Picking up a good book to read is also done alot here and writing my own. TV isn't necessary and it can easily be out of the picture entirely depending on circumstances or other choices.

Its also something I view differently if there are children in the home. I am not happy with the way cartoons and such have been changing. There would be alot of monitoring and limiting going on if I had kids over. Plenty of other ideas to do with kids anyway than let them just veg entirely in front of drivel on tv, which is also further conditioning them into irresponsible and unkind stuff as far as I am concerned.

and yes I have gone weeks and months without tv available. You find yourself getting more done if you do!









Discovery channel, survival shows, cool stuff about the earth, some of it cool to watch. ( some of the survival stuff makes me laugh.... or is actually dangerous, depending on technique used .... mindfulness matters). But they have alot of innovative ideas too and I tend to look stuff up on youtube alot or DIY stuff. So, one can pretty much get what they need from there , instead of paying for junky tv
channels today.

yep, there is alot of stuff I am doing too, while the tv may be on. I don't just sit there and watch it or even the internet, always getting up and grabbing one thing or another or doing a task. Only an occasional item or movie will keep me sitting there that is truly interesting.


Its not necessary but its kind of nice since I am not as busy as others may be while I can still manage it.

If I had more stuff to do outside year round, it would not be on much at all. Not worried , if we end up offgrid there is plenty to keep busy with in that case, lol. It won't break my heart.

Edited by arby, 24 April 2012 - 01:55 PM.

[Amishway Homesteaders]

I'm not a big tv watcher, but it sounds as though I watch more than most on Mrs. S. I have a couple of shows that I break my neck to watch. Most are not aired during the same season, so will watch Treme on HBO, The Walking Dead, Hell on Wheels or Mad Men on AMC. Of those shows, only Mad Men is airing right now due to the season hiatus.

i will watch Storage Wars from time to time. I think it is hilarious that they obviously salt the storage units with one or two good pieces that the characters follow up on with antique dealers on EVERY show. I also think it is funny that many of the valuations for the antiques are very inflated (like a pair of opera glasses that I saw on the show a few weeks ago).

See.............................
I have no idea what or who you are talking about?

[dogmom4]

I love Big Bang Theory! Sheldon is hysterical.... Good stress relief for our stress filled times. I also watch doomsday preppers... TMC I do sometimes watch the sci if channel for their really funny disaster movies...funny because of the acting.

[Jeepers]

Rarely do I just sit and watch a show. I'm usually folding laundry, cleaniing out a drawer or eating. Something where I'm already sitting down.

I do have quite a few DVD's for times I want to sit and watch a movie and vegetate. Most of them are the old old film noir genre. Things with Barbara Stanwick, Joan Crawford, Humphrey Bogart, Bette Davis etc. Or the old Dickens type movies. Or chick flix like Steele Magnolias, Places in the Heart, The Trip to Bountiful or Fried Green Tomatoes. Movies at my house are pretty dusty though. I can't remember the last movie I just sat and watched.

I lied it was Packin' It In. I love that movie.