Howdy from the mountains of North Carolina

[johndilbeck]

It's a pleasure to be here. I'm looking forward to meeting new people and making new friends.

Hopefully, I'll run into some of my other friends here, too.

I live in the very southwest corner of North Carolina, in the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains, near the small town of Murphy, NC.

I love living here.

For about 25 years I did all I could to learn about computers and teach them to others. I've been a computer consultant, programmer, systems administrator, and instructor.

A few years ago, I burned out on all that and turned my attention to affiliate marketing, which is how I earn 100% of my income, now.

For the last 6 years or so, I was the sole caretaker for my elderly mother following her successful cancer surgery. They cured the cancer, but the surgery left her with nerve damage and the inability to care for herself as she had done for the previous 82 years.

This has been a sad month for our whole family. About three weeks ago, Mom had a sudden decline in health and had to be hospitalized. Now, she's in the nursing home and we don't expect her to come back home.

In June, 2002, I promised her that I'd take care of her and keep her out of the nursing home, but now I can no longer fulfill that promise and I feel terrible about it.

So, now, I'm burying myself in my work and trying to get to a better place in my head.

For over six years, I've been tied to this house as much as Mom was and could only leave to run errands in town once a week for a couple of hours. Now, while Mom's in the nursing home, I shouldn't feel tied down here, but I do. Going outside has been difficult and I feel like I have to rush back home. I guess it will take time to re-socialize myself. I'm working on it.

I'm pretty lucky. I had a great set of parents who didn't screw me up, too much. Dad taught me the value of hard work and keeping my word. Mom taught me the value of reading, researching, and treating everyone else as my equal.

I learned about StevePavlina.com from Ken Evoy of Site Build It! fame. I've been reading the blog for some time, but this is the first time I've visited the forums.

I'm a newbie here; be gentle!



Act on your dream!

JD

[Love]

Hey JD,

It's wonderful to have you here. It sounds like you're growing through some experiences, which is great. I'm sure you'll have a lot to contribute. Welcome to the forums, JD.

[johndilbeck]

Hi Love,

Thanks for the friendly welcome. I look forward to getting to know you and other members and sharing what I can.

Act on your dream!

JD

[NightSpirit]

You are in a good place. There is plenty to talk about here and some really nice people.

I know the feeling dealing with a sick mom so I understand how bad not being able to do it all can be. My mom has died but the last time I had to put her in the hospital, she fought it so and they had to restrain her. It was awful. I hate to be in the hospital and don't trust them either but we needed their help.

Neither you nor your mom knew it was going to get this bad when you made that promise. It's sad when our parents get like kids again and we can't make them understand why we have to do something.

So again, welcome. You have stumbled upon the motherlode of wisdom on the net. Have fun.