What I Learned By Being Offline For Eight Weeks!

Hello Everyone! I've been on the net since 1993, totally addicted. When people ask me 'what is it about computers that fascinates you' I tell them that the Internet is like a big electronic book, and it just goes on and on.

So when my laptop was given a death certificate by my computer guys, I took my time. I had out of state family visiting to help me with my mom, who has dementia and also had suffered a fall. More on that later. I finally decided on a desktop, as I never really took the laptop anywhere. I am now considered modern and up to date, with much faster equipment and a faster connection. Yay!

So my usual routine was to come home, eat, spend time with family, then hit the Internet. I'd open up my chat room for background noise and surf away, checking emails in several accounts, looking at celebrity gossip and also looking for online support groups for dementia. I didn't really find any.

Not being on a computer gave me a lot of free time to think about other things. They don't call it the 'web' for nothing, you really DO get drawn in. Log on to do an email and pay a bill and the next thing you know you're running late for work! I used my cell phone to check my email. It was frustrating to see that people had sent e-cards or pictures, but I knew I'd be seeing them soon.

I guess the most important thing that I learned is that I could live my life (such as it is) without being on a computer 24/7 and still function. I spent time with people, began journaling again, watched more television and spent time with Mom. Saw "Julie/Julia", which made my mind say hey, what are you waiting for? Who cares about privacy anyway, just blog!

Right now I just finished watching "The Notebook" and I am tired. I will go into my mom's condition later. I want to use the net to offer help to others who have to care for their loved ones as I do, with very little help. It's a scary thing being alone, but I have gone through the dark tunnel of beginning to deal with dementia and have come out the other side with the light upon my face, more positive, knowing that even though there is no cure for this, I will survive it and be okay. Believe me, there have been times that I felt my own life was over...