MW: How did I do it?
Posted by: bluelyon on: May 31, 2010
Back in the day we had bunny ears on the TV and the card catalog at the library. We had AM radio and three, maybe four television stations. In those days I could never have dreamed of the world that we have today. Technology has exploded, and there’ve been some other interesting inventions along the way too. And every once in a while I stop and think, gosh, how did I ever live without . . .
The Internet. From being able to plan and pay for our entire vacation online, research nearly any subject, to making new friends across the country and the globe, to finding the love of my life after losing contact for twenty years, the internet has been very good to me, and broadened my world in a way I could never have imagined.
Podcasts. My long commutes are filled with interesting people telling me interesting things. I learn about stuff I would never have time for otherwise.
iPhone. Love it. My life is in that little black device. Honestly, how did I get along without it? I’d have to go back to address books that are constantly out of date, pay phones, easily lost slips of paper with my appointments and shopping lists on them, and maps instead of GPS.
TiVO – You mean I can actually pause a TV program or rewind back past the part I missed because my dog started barking right in the most important part? I can record a program and zip through all the commercials? This is my idea of heaven.
The Mute Button on the remote control. Especially during election season.
The Swiffer. Both the duster and the floor swiffer – wet or dry. Love’em, love’em, love’em.
Ben and Jerry’s Half-Baked Ice Cream. ‘Nuff said.
So what is it that you have in your life that you wonder, now that you have it, how you ever lived without it?
35 Responses to "MW: How did I do it?"
May 31, 2010 at 9:24 AM
Central air conditioning. While the mountains had a nice breeze, it still got rather hot.
May 31, 2010 at 10:06 AM
My own washer and dryer. For years, I lived in apartments without them and had to lug my laundry to laundromats. Ugh. Now I am spoiled. LOL.
Also couldn’t live without my dishwasher. I hate to wash dishes.
And ditto to what Chat said. AC is heaven.
May 31, 2010 at 10:14 AM
I am ambivalent toward the Internet. Some days I feel I would be better off without it. Same with cable TV.
May 31, 2010 at 10:44 AM
I hate to say it, but:
car/truck
I would die in the summer in Tucson without one.
And my work requires wheels.
May 31, 2010 at 11:06 AM
Don’t have cable or satellite, and don’t miss it.
Couldn’t do without the DVD, all those movies provide hours of entertainment.
Couldn’t do without Books – the real kind.
Automatic washing machine – I grew up with a Wringer washer – ugh.
No iron clothes – an absolute gem of an idea saving endless hours in front of an ironing board.
Freezer compartment in the refrigerator.
May 31, 2010 at 12:27 PM
Ditto Janicen – the 2nd bathroom is a must!
Happy Memorial Day, all. I’d like to give a shout-out to all our servicemen and women today. May we someday find the courage and moral strength as a nation to stop sending our citizens into mortal danger.
May 31, 2010 at 12:58 PM
Hear, hear, MB! Just got back from a pontoon ride amongst the mangroves. I think I had a good time. Haven’t had a chance to download my pictures yet. Which adds another item to my list: digital camera. It is so sweet to be able to view the picture immediately, delete if it sucks, and not worry about coming to the end of the roll of film.
May 31, 2010 at 1:56 PM
It’s weird. Even though I have pretty much all the stuff on the posts, even Apple TV, I feel like I could live without all of it if it every went away. Something to read, a pencil, and something to write on would be a must, along with a boiled water, coffee, the French Press. Toilet paper. A must too.
May 31, 2010 at 2:05 PM
The only things I have that are on BlueLyon’s list are the Internet and a mute button on my remote. I would like a mute button that works on things other than my ( one ) TV….
May 31, 2010 at 2:40 PM
Hell, Beata, we even have the fancy remote that combines all the remotes, cable, DVD, Blue Ray, Apple TV, Music remotes, etc.
You can even have the internet pick it up if you are out of town and it can dim or brighten the lights or do other security things.
Sometimes I feel guilty for the stuff we have. I really shouldn’t because we worked for them.
The thing that makes me not feel guilty is that we save up and pay cash for each little toy. Something about not going into debt for them takes the guilt away.
May 31, 2010 at 3:51 PM
And if it makes you happy, why shouldn’t you have it? You’ve worked hard for what you have, and you’re a person of conscience who helps others.
May 31, 2010 at 5:37 PM
La, what Chat said. To each their own, if they’ve worked for it. I don’t have an MP3 (there are three lying around the house, but they were bought by the gruesome twosome, who discarded them when they got the IPOD).
I don’t have a digital camera – Pentax K1000, totally manual – beautiful photos when I bother to take any.
I don’t have a cell phone and I worked for a multinational telecom company for 35 years.
I have two televisions, one 23 years old, the other 35 years old, and two antennas. I do like the remote, but both came with one.
One thing I just could not do without is Crossword puzzle books. When I was growing up, they were only available in the newspapers on Saturday. Today I can go out and purchase the Times book, the Herald book, the Observer book – hours of enjoyment.
May 31, 2010 at 5:54 PM
ooh, totally forgot – tired after spending 7 hours out gardening (in 86 degree weather – totally unusual this time of year here).
I could not do without the Claw – for loosening compacted soil, mixing in new soil, weeding – it’s an expremely useful tool – and so simple!
Now I think I need a hot bath – the middle back is not happy with me.
May 31, 2010 at 8:05 PM
Wow, HT! Most impressive.
OK, I know we’re supposed to be more light and fluffy today – but what in the name of all that is holy is going on with Turkey and Israel?
ANKARA, Turkey – Turkey withdrew its ambassador to Israel and called for an emergency session of the U.N. Security Council as condemnations erupted across Europe and the Arab world Monday over Israel’s deadly commando raid on ships taking humanitarian aid to the blockaded Gaza Strip.
Government after government demanded an explanation from Israel, which said its soldiers were trying to defend themselves against armed activists. The White House said it was trying to learn more about “this tragedy.”
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said “it should be known that we are not going to remain silent in the face of this inhumane state terrorism.” Most of the nine dead were apparently from Turkey, once a close ally of Israel.
Erdogan cut short a visit to Latin America on Monday to return home because of the clash.
“This assault proved once again, clearly, that the current government of Israel does not want peace in the region,” he told reporters in Chile .
“Faced with state terrorism we cannot be calm and silent,” he said.
What a mess. What a freaking mess.
May 31, 2010 at 8:11 PM
Hey y’all (doing best Paul Dean)!
Have been reading the blog but have been in a blahsy mood for the last couple of days. Don’t know if it’s the momster situation or what really; just kinda feeling overwhelmed.
chat said: three-ply TP.
Huh? Who makes 3 ply? I gotta try that. I think my Charmin is only 2 ply.
That reminds me of when the Times-Picayune printed an evacuation list one year and the author said bring your fave t.p. because that Days Inn, Super8 or Motel6 or whatever will definitely *not* have the softest stuff around, and the author was right! 
May 31, 2010 at 8:13 PM
MB: The Israelis attacked a convoy of ships going to bring supplies to the Gaza residents and it ended with a number of people on the ships killed.
May 31, 2010 at 8:19 PM
@21 – Oh, Fredster, I know what happened. :-p It’s just that Turkey seems to be taking the whole thing to the level of declaring war. That would not be a good thing at all.
May 31, 2010 at 8:25 PM
Oh okay. Eh…recalling ambassadors is pretty mild. They’ll call a U.N. meeting and cluck and shake their fists but I doubt anything more than that happens.
May 31, 2010 at 8:38 PM
Madama, the only explanation I can posit is we’ve fallen down the rabbit hole – Unfortunately we took the wrong fork and are definitely not in Wonderland. I don’t mean to be facitious, but how else to explain what is happening in the world? Oh, Lightbulb – no leadership?
Fredster, you aren’t the only one feeling blah. I lurk at a number of sites, as do you. Cinie has been dark since April 15. Deb since the end of April. Uppity just announced that she would not be back for awhile.
It’s overkill – too much bad news, combined with personal tribulation, such as with you and Momster. People are feeling helpless and hopeless, and that is the fast lane to depression, and Dog knows, I’ve been there, done that too many times, so this time, I’m fighting it. I won’t allow outside forces to put me into that condition where I don’t care anymore. It takes a lot of time in the garden, and a lot of time in front of the Yoga for Life DVDs, a lot of movies, a lot of swimming with friends, a lot of books to read, however I will not ever again allow outside forces to determine the tenor of my life – wish I had learned that lesson in my twenties.
BTW, I went through similar situations with a beloved aunt that you are going through with Momster. It sapped my spirit, because I was so tired all the time. I think that is when I decided that NO MORE. Mind you, my aunt was probably older than Momster, but I understand and applaud your vigorous defense, and your endearing, unending love for her.
Non Sequitor, but possibly applicable: The last conversation I had with my beloved Mum was a few hours before she expired. She actually asked my pemission to move on. I loved my Mum so much (I’m crying now – and it was 27 years ago) that I gave it, not that she needed it, however 6 hours later I got the call – massive heart attacks three one after the other. I blamed myself for many years, until I finally figured out that she was just saying goodbye. Anyway, I know how you feel. I’ve been there, so please take care of yourself. We don’t want to have you go into a funk and lose your wonderful voice.
May 31, 2010 at 8:59 PM
HT: Yep the momster is a lot of it. It takes a whole lot out of my life and I miss not having the old gal around, that’s a big part of it.
May 31, 2010 at 9:00 PM
Think I’m going to see what I can scrounge around to see what I can find to eat…bleh. Don’t feel like much of anything so I’ll fix a sandwich or something.
See y’all later.
May 31, 2010 at 9:17 PM
Holidays are especially hard when a family member is sick. I saw my mother yesterday at the nursing home. She is so frail and weak. She knows me but we can’t have the conversations we once had. I do most of the talking. She stares at me and I ask her, “Mama, what are you thinking about?” She smiles faintly and says, “I am thinking what a beautiful daughter I have.” It breaks my heart to see her so ill. She will not recover. It is only a matter of time before she is gone. But isn’t that true for us all?
May 31, 2010 at 9:20 PM
Fredster, I just came back from the market with a tub of potato salad (I like my own better, but it’s food) some seafood salad (how much longer will we be able to get that?) and a brocoli salad. It was manna.
Come back soon! I luvs ya Fredster! Don’t let the bustards get you down.
And yes, I know how difficult it is not to have Mum around. 26 years later, I still cry whenever I think of her because I miss her every day. But then I remember, Mum would kick my arse if she knew. Be well, eat healthy, take care of yourself. Luv and hugs to you!
May 31, 2010 at 9:30 PM
My mother died 37 years ago next month. It’s always hard. However, we are just going to have to hold each other up and get through all this. Hold hands, look both ways when we cross the street, keep our heads down and hearts up. We’re Widdershins.
May 31, 2010 at 10:04 PM
Beata, I think that the elderly (and I’m on the verge of becoming one) have made their peace with whatever demons, and are intent on enjoying the wondrous gifts of life in their final phase. Hence, your Mom concentrates on the beauty and I suspect a major part of that is the talent and uniqueness of her daughter. Do not feel sad. It’s what she wants. I don’t know why current thoughts about aging seem to indicate that one loses all faculties when one gets to a certain age, and infirmity will shortly follow. I don’t believe it, even though I used to. Vis a vis my Mom, and after many years of feeling guilty, and then dealing with my aunt, I finally realized that no way, no how’ women with the intelligence and intellect of those wondrous ladies did not know what they wanted. They knew exactly what they wanted, and I suspect even after the veils of alzheimers or senility occured, they still had a solid core of belief in what they wanted. Old people are people who happened to have aged. They may lose some faculties, however they are still aware on some levels.
I would have loved to have another thirty years with my Mum, but she didn’t want it. She raised five kids, given them love and trauma to last a lifetime, spoiled her grandkids, joined a nunnery, volunteered for every cause environmental possible, fostercared stray dogs, then decided her life on this plane (my Mum’s belief) was over and time to move on. I think she was just waiting for the right time. The heart attacks were out of the blue – she had never had heart problems. Her sister, my aunt, was similar in a way, she was alone, all her friends and immediate loved ones were gone, and she didn’t want to live. Unfortunatley we don’t have euthanasia, so she starved herself to death. She was 95 years old.
May 31, 2010 at 11:39 PM
Digital camera, graphics software — modern sewing machines (so OK I’m a fiber artist etc.)
No cable tv or satellite — no TV! With hulu — etc. there is much more freedom. I’m liking Kindle for PC — might get the real thing later this year. I love computers — lap top. I think that the wave of the future is wireless connections to TV — delivering media content when we want it.
Now for improvements in sailing — lots of low tech/hi tech equipment — navigation — navigation software that connects to GPS — for weather routing. Water makers — allows us to make fresh water from salt water. Solar and wind generations — more great marine innovations. The technology in sails — modern cloth — but the old ways of hand sewing is still superior.
But I still love the paper (old fashion) books — turning pages and being able to hand manipulate the content is still better for some subjects.
May 31, 2010 at 11:45 PM
Actually, the Turkish navy is accompanying another flotilla of “aid workers” to the Gaza strip. So no, this isn’t mild. If the ships don’t turn away, it’s tantamount to a declaration of war.
On a happier topic, I enjoy hearing everyone’s mom memories and stories. Makes me feel like I’m not alone in missing mine so much. Thanks everyone for sharing them.
June 1, 2010 at 1:02 PM
I’ve been there, done that too many times, so this time, I’m fighting it. I won’t allow outside forces to put me into that condition where I don’t care anymore.
I’ve been hanging my hat on this song lately. Nice cover of Garth Brooks, “The Change.” This young lady has a good set of pipes.
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May 31, 2010 at 8:48 AM
More than one bathroom in the house! There were seven people in my family, when I was growing up, and only one bathroom. My parents used to have huge parties and somehow, we got by with one bathroom.
There are only three in my family now, and we would be at each other’s throats if we all had to share a bathroom.