Since many of us have suddenly found ourselves in the situation of staying home at least part, if not most of our time, we can really make use of the many advantages of the internet.
I had several things I needed to get done today and I was able to get all of them taken care of on my computer.
- Pay Bills - I admit this is not my favorite thing to do but it must be done. It is much faster and easier to handle this online through my online bank account.
- Personal Property Declaration - For those of you not in the states, we have to fill this out each year for tax purposes. Basically it states what vehicles you own. Oh yes, Uncle Sam has to get his cut of our money for everything! And yes, this was supposed to be done by March 1st but the deadline has been extended. I was able to do this online.
- 2020 Census - Every four years in the U.S. the census is taken to update the number of people in the country. In past years it was done on a form you had to fill out and mail in or sometimes a person would even come to your door. This year we received a letter in the mail and was able to use a number given to us online to fill out the form for our household. Quick and easy, I didn't have to leave the house.
- Birthday shopping - My youngest son, Sean has a birthday this month. Many stores are closed now and I didn't want to go out anyway. I was able to order his gift online and it will be here just in time for his special day.
It was nice to be able to get all these jobs taken care of here at my computer in a fairly short amount of time. There are many other things that most of us take care of online these days as well. This online ability is proving so much more important now with all the restrictions due to the coronavirus. Both my sons and my daughter-in-law are able to work from home. Many children around the world are now or soon will be attending school at home on computers.
In my mind there is something equally important the internet provides for us. That is the ability to have contact with one another no matter where we live or if we leave our homes or not. I value that contact, especially now!
And because this is a boring post with no pictures I'll add a photo of my cats when they were kittens. Hopefully it will give a smile or two.
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| Zeus and Sophie |
Please take care everyone!
My daughter has a chronic illness and impaired hearing so the computer is a lifeline for her. She doesn't feel so isolated and has been able to connect with others in a similar situation. Also she finds the phone difficult so she chats on line. So many things can't be done without the internet now. A good post.
ReplyDeleteJean you give another excellent example of the many positive uses of computers and internet. I'm glad it is so helpful to your daughter.
DeleteI think I do 98% of the things I do via internet. This past week I've even started doing my grocery shopping online. If I could get the internet to load my dishwasher, it would be perfect.
ReplyDeleteSharon, I'm the same way about taking care of many things online. I have not yet bought groceries online but my son does regularly. I really wish my computer could cook dinner! (I have ordered take out online)
DeleteThey are adorable...need to look up a post or two of a couple of mine when they were young. This photo could almost be of them.
ReplyDeleteI loved the internet from the moment we got it. For the reasons you mentioned and so much more. Blogging has been such a blessing...so many people I like and feel like I have known forever.
All the information at our fingertips...or to find out how to do almost anything...
Rose you are so right! It's like having a library in our home. Now with everyone being encouraged to stay home the internet becomes a valuable source of social contact as well as a means of taking care of business. I'd love to see baby pictures of your cats!
DeleteI am addicted to on line bill paying
ReplyDeleteMy brother would have so liked Zeus and Sophie. He loved "Emmies", and those each have bold M and M's.
Online bill paying sure beats writing out checks! I used to hate doing that. I love "Emmies" too. The two cats we had before these two looked very similar. Zeus and Sophie's "M"s are even more distinctive now that they are grown.
DeleteWe did the Census online and I pay bills online also. It always seems like something is missing when I don't have to mail them off! We don't have the personal property declaration here in Minnesota....they already tax us enough!
ReplyDeleteToday I ordered yarn and groceries online:)
It takes a little time to get used to doing these things online. It almost seems too easy - like it should be more involved or something.
DeleteIf you ordered groceries AND yarn online then I know you are set for a long time! Good deal!
Yes, it is remarkable how much you can do on the internet. I just did my census a couple days ago, too. Been doing my bill paying and shopping online for years. I get my TV and movies--all online (no cable and broadcast doesn't work in this building). Can keep in touch with emails and even video chats! No better time to be isolated. :)
ReplyDeleteLove the pic of your baby kitties. They are just darling when they're little.
You are right, if we have to be isolated the many advantages of the internet do help.
DeleteYour cats as kittens are lovely. And they are lovely grown up cats too.x
ReplyDeleteThanks Rachel. I'm probably showing too many pictures of them but some people have asked to see more. I know as a cat lover I never get tired of seeing other people's cats. I'm so glad you have your cats as they are always such good company.x
DeleteThey are always with me, never far from my side. Big softies and I love them.
DeleteThe internet sure does come in handy! I've just ordered lots of vegetable seeds so I can grow my own this year. Your cats were adorable kittens. I used to have tabby cats and they were so affectionate.
ReplyDeleteI will look forward to hearing about your garden! I know many people that order their seeds online from special seed companies. Take care Simone!
DeleteIf it weren't for the internet, I'd never have the job I have! How would I make my living then? Maybe I'd still work at the library (which wouldn't be so bad, only that right now, all libraries here are closed).
ReplyDeleteI found my second husband on the internet, and O.K. (whom I'd love to be my third and last husband!).
Aaaaw who can resist kitties?
Yes, your work does involve the internet doesn't it? Before my husband retired he worked in computer operations and it was also dependent on the internet. Both of my sons do internet security work as well. It is wonderful that so many have jobs that enable them to work from home now.
DeleteHow wonderful that you and O.K. met online! That is how my son met his wife. I guess that is much more common these days!
Take care of yourself!
It does make many things a lot easier, but I wish it wasn't so easy to get distracted - log on to pay bill - just check email / blogger / the news first - oh well, I'll pay it tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteOh Tasker, you just touched on a problem I have with the internet! It is very helpful but also very addictive! It is amazing how just checking email can get you involved in many other things and take up a whole afternoon if you are not careful.
DeleteYour beautiful grown-up cats were such sweet kittens, too!
ReplyDeleteThank you. In my opinion cats make our lives much better!
DeleteComputers are somewhat helpful as you said but. . . . . .
ReplyDeleteWhat sweet sweet katties ! Show as many great photos of your sweet Cats
as you want . We need all the happiness we can get.
parsnip
Our sweet pets certainly are our happiness aren't they?! I always get a smile when I see your gud dugs!
DeleteNot one cute pussy but two! Awww!
ReplyDeleteP.S. I note that your blog has enjoyed 7,803 visits to date. This is proof that in spite of your initial nervousness, it was a good idea to launch this blog Bonnie. Keep up the good work!
Thank you YP. I still feel like I don't really know what I'm doing but I do love having the contact with so many wonderful friends.
DeleteThis is not a boring post, Bonnie!! :)
ReplyDeleteYes...the internet...I know I would be lost without it. It plays such a huge role in our present day lives...it does mine, anyway.
Love the kitten pic. :)
Take good care.
Thank you Lee. Although I have been following blogs for several years I've only been blogging myself for a few months. I'm still struggling to learn the ropes on writing a blog.
ReplyDelete
DeleteWell, your "struggling" is not apparent, Bonnie! You're doing very well! :)
The Personal Property Declaration threw me, but I guess that's only in certain States? I'm Grateful for the Technology that keeps us Connected when being housebound, as a Full Time Caregiver I had relied on that even before the Times of Pandemic, now more people are Online often it's enlarged my Online 'Community'interactions and fav Bloggers are Posting more.
ReplyDeleteYes, I forgot at the time that not every state has Personal Property Tax. I wish we didn't as that is one additional expense we can do without. Since we retired we usually stay home most of the time but not ALL of the time like now. The internet and all the opportunities it gives us are more appreciated than ever these days!
DeleteHappy upcoming Birthday to your son. We do a great deal online herein our house. I love it!
ReplyDeleteThanks! He had a good day. I am totally spoiled by the internet!
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