Technology: How it affects my life.

This is the second draft that I am writing. The blog I wrote last night about how technology plays a role in my life was erased by my computer. So I guess my first thought would be that if I had written down the information on a piece of paper instead of putting it in a computer, I wouldn't have lost all my information. That is my gripe about technology for the day. Yes, all these gadgets and things can make your life easier, but they can be an incredible pain as well.
I am probably not as techno savvy as a great deal of my peers and counterparts. It took forever for us to get a computer when we did get one, and when we did everyone else was onto the next bigger, better model. When that dinosaur of a computer did die, we were unable to fix it because they didn't make parts for that model anymore and we were told it was outdated. We did go without for several years and then our oldest son entered high school. He told us he absolutely had to have a computer to do his homework. So we purchased a computer and were back in the 21st century. He took that off to college with him and again we were without a computer in the house. Then, two Christmases ago, my husband bought me a laptop. I was incredibly surprised and at that point we really did need one. It sits on my desk being more of a computer and less of a portable laptop. I think this is where the technology has left me behind as well. I don't need to take my laptop everywhere. I will check email when I get home from work or in the evening. I do some shopping on amazon.com (I love that site). I also enjoy looking at craigslist at the pets section. Not that I need another pet (I have three cats and a dog), but you never know when somebody might really need you and be a perfect match for you. In the scheme of things, my computer doesn't affect my life that much unless it erases a blog or essay I have just written. Then I just get mad and wish it had never been invented.
The other piece of technology I use fairly regularly is my cell phone. I only got it a couple of years ago and we got one for my youngest son as well. We live up in the mountains and wanted a way for him to be able to communicate with us and vice versa. I try not to talk on the phone when I am driving. If it rings when I'm behind the wheel, I'll glance to see who it is. If it is my son or husband I will answer it. If not, they will leave me a message and I'll call them back. That is one thing I really love about cell phones. The ability for people to get ahold of you via messaging without you really having to be there. I have one of my kids that does text me when he wants to talk to me. Talking to him via text message is really the majority of the time I text anyone. I definitely don't do it in class or when something else is going on. Cell phones have enabled me to stay in touch with my family when I'm away from them.
I can't speak to all the new gaming systems because we don't have any in our house. Those would affect my sons behavior if they could only get to the next level. We borrowed one once or twice and that is exactly what happened. I didn't want distant or disobedient children, so the systems went away. My youngest spends more time outdoors or playing games that are more interactive as a result of not having a thumb exerciser in the house. Overall, technology has had an impact on my life, but not to the extent that it has taken over.