In this day and age....

It's hard to imagine not having the comforts of technology we do.

Growing up (not so long ago) we never had a personal computer. I remember using a type writer to type term papers as a freshman, sophomore and even junior in high school. I think it was sometime late in my junior year that we got a computer in my home. But then it was just for typing papers. Sometime in my senior year, we ended up with an Internet connection. But we all used the same email Addy. We just picked our mail and ignored the rest. Still, it wasn't something any of us used on a regular basis.

I got married mid-way through my second year of college and one of the first things Husband and I got was a brand new Gateway. I was purchased after a day of car maintenance / shopping in Natick, Mass. We stopped at the Gateway store and walked out $3,000 poorer (that was back when you couldn't pick up a decent PC for under $800). We called and had Internet hooked up the day after it was delivered to our small condo. Then it was games - lots and lots of games. We had email, but still most of our friends didn't. It was used as a tool for me and Husband to communicate while he was in school.

Finally, technology caught up with most of our family and friends and not a day go by that we don't hear from them. Now, if my blog goes 2-3 days without posting, or pictures/emails don't get sent, I get a call from my Mom "Are you okay, I haven't heard from you in 24 hours. I checked your blog but there's nothing new". Sometimes it frustrates me, but it's nice to know that she still worries about me.

Last winter, Husband spent 4 days in DC with people we've never met. He drove down with 2 of his buddies who he met on some boards we belong to. He shared a room with 3 other guys who he talked to online. They came from California, Illinois, Florida, Colorado, Washington State and many other different locals. Some of these people we now talk to outside of boards- through email, phone and mail correspondence. Some are people who we consider friends.

Last week, Einey and I opened up her first email account. She's six years old and it's kind of weird. We emailed it to three of her friends - 2 buddies from school and her best friend in Virginia. So far, she's gotten 2 emails. One was some pictures from her friend in VA, the other from her best friend in CT. And let me tell you, six year old emails are just funny stuff!

Einey : Houw was the detiset?
Friend: good how are you
Einey: I am good

Now don't get me wrong, she doesn't know her email address so I don't worry about her passing it around. She also doesn't use the Internet unsupervised. She is learning how to check her mail, but still needs my help. I open it up for her and help her as needed. She doesn't know her password, so I know everything she gets.

The other morning, I ran into a mom from my book club and who I saw alot during the summer on our trips to the lake. I asked for her email so I could add her into our book club list. I gave her mine and she was very excited. She only has a few people she contacts through email so for her its a great thing.

In my MOMS Club, there are still 2 members without email. I feel bad because they are often left out of the loop. I personally cannot live without my computer. I check my email accounts numerous times a day, read other people's blogs, visit some boards and help Husband maintain his website. For me, it's an easy way t communicate with people fast. Sharing pictures is simple, just upload and send. That way I don't pay and arm and a leg to mail a ton of pictures, and family members can see the girls often through pictures. I've reconnected with a few cousins in different parts of the country this way.

Last year, I started watching whole programs on the computer. No commercials and I don't have to force myself to stay up 1/2 the night. It's great!

I recently got a MP3 player and let me tell you, it's been great! I no longer have to sift through piles of CD's. I can pick the few songs I like and download them onto the MP3. In the car, I am no longer forced to listen to kids music. I have a list of tracks on my MP3 player that we've deemed "safe" for the kids to hear that are pleasing to Husband and I.

In short, I would go crazy without my daily dose of screen time. It's easier for me to wake up to than coffee!