Kids

You know as a mom, I was always interested in what my kids were doing.
I volunteered at their schools.
I let them listen to "their" radio station in the car, so that I could hear "their" music.
I always got to know their friends and parents of their friends whenever possible.
I attended high school sports.
I went to concerts with them.
I watched their TV shows.
I read the books that they read.
I watched movies when they watched them.
I asked questions.
I did all those things that parenting newsletters, magazines and / or TV suggested on making sure that you knew as a parent what your children were doing.
...and...
I got on the computer when they got on.
I had them teach me about mySpace, IMing, Video cams, etc...

I do not know if I would have been on the computer as much as I was, unless I felt the need to monitor them...or lets face it...if I was not so lonely.
My son did not need that much monitoring...not that I didn't check, not that I did not find a few things, i.e. porn... but it all seemed normal or average or he just knew how to hide it well. However it was, he just did not seem to need that much monitoring.
My daughter on the other hand, needed a great deal of monitoring. She was into all the social sites, shopping, IMs etc. I often found questionable comments and pictures to friends, or various websites she was viewing.
...I truly felt like it was what I needed to do to be the proper parent...the good parent...

Once I was on the Internet more, I found my own interest and friends.
Some good friends...
and some not so good friends.
It was a whole new world for me.
One that I liked and enjoyed.
One that I found was interactive and would be interactive with me.
It was exciting.
It was fun.
I looked forward to it...

...and (of course) I found him...

Similair Interests

Similar interests are important...

I do love all types of art...
I enjoy sewing, cross stitch, cooking and yes...even basket weaving...haha!
But where I found him was photography.
Because I was bored and basically in life just was longing for more,
I took up photography.
With digital cameras, a computer and the Internet...
you can post your self-thought-of works of art almost immediately.
People look, browse and respond or comment if you like them or even do not like them.

It all start with a few simple comments...
"Hey - great shot"
"Wow - I love that closeup"
or "The coloring is amazing"

That is how it started...
I took pictures, he took pictures.
We had something to talk about.
We had something to say to each other.
We connected...and it was great!!!

...i actually had a friend...

Happy...Not Happy...Happy...Not Happy...

What makes a person happy...?
What makes them sad and lonely...?

I suppose when you spend hours every night on the computer, surfing, researching and connecting with people...when you have your own family right there...maybe that is the first sign of being lonely...

I suppose when you can't sleep at night or the moment you wake up you have to go and check your emails or notes...maybe that is the first sign of being lonely...

Maybe when you spend too much time at work, throw yourself into your exercise and take up several new hobbies....maybe those are some of the signs of being lonely...

But whatever the case may be...that is what happened and that is how it all started.
Just wanting to connect and be heard....
Just wanting to be noticed and seen...
Just wanting someone to be friends with me...
That is how is started...and that is how I found him :-)

The airport...

I arrived at the airport, as we had arranged, an hour before his flight came in...
As I sat there with my 19 year old vegetarian daughter (who was eating a salad) I began to get nervous, scared and excited all at the same time...
What was happening ...?
What had I begun ...?
What was I doing here ... ?
I had met a 26 year old man...on the internet...but yet a friend...and had invited him to come and live with my family. He had sold everything he owned...except...computer, xBox, couple of bikes, some books, clothes and additional personal items. He either sold them or gave them away...left his home state and come here (to me) to start life over again.
I thought...
Is he going to like us?
Are we going to like him?
Will he like the bedroom I set up for him?
Will he like what I cook?
What will he think of the dogs? Too bad he could not bring his kitty...:-(
How in the world did I get here... at this moment...and at this time?
I must be going nuts!
I must be going crazy!

OMGosh!!!!

His plane is just about to arrive!!!!

...my hands are shaking...