I've told you it's over. We had some laughs. Things got out of hand. Now stop calling me. ;)

Since I am reading this about 5:30am after finishing a bog entry to the "other woman" I guess we are both in the same boat.  Maybe we can start a group for counseling us.

Can we at least share needles?

It is not uncommon for me to be awake at 3, 4 , or 5 in the morning while the rest of the my family sleeps, as I sit here and read blogs, as well as respond to and write blogs.  I am not sure if it is an addiction or just a lot of work n my mind that is keeping me awake?  I sleep maybe 3-5 hours a day, the rest is filled with work work work.....

My partner takes cat naps throughout the day, each and every day, holiday, weekdays, weekends, whatever. So guess who's asleep right now and who's at the computer Active Raining?

My husband doesn't know about my affair.  It started in August of 2006.  It does not mean I don't love him... it's just... well you understand don't you?...

I'm not an Active Rain member but have my blog at wordpress.  I just read your blog and had to laugh...as I really thought I was the only one with that same "problem"!

I suggest counseling, yeah, that's it.

Either that or change your schedule, get up at 4:30 in the morning to hit the keyboard, like I do.

BTW, did I mention I offer counseling cheap? 25 points a session?

Loreena, I'm surprised to hear you express this.  I got over my addicition about 8 months ago when I just walked away from Active Rain.  I did feel like this for the first 9 months or so of my joining.  I thought you'd been a member for about a year now?

Loreena ~ Creative and Cute post.  I have been there! You might find that as time goes you will use the AR anonymous steps and break away for a week or two but that will only form more ideas for your site and blogs.  Creating the best information and blogs for your area like your doing now will only pay off in the end. (Tip = one great thing with AR is that any link you create on your blogs can be copied and posted to other blogs you create or on your sidebar...this is a big time saver) Looking forward to your next post. "Get some sleep"  ; )

Loreena, oh my I fall asleep no matter how addicted I am, Yes my days and nights being awake longer hours but around 10:30 I am done, but then again I am up early. Take care see you when you wake up.

I certainly have a hard time getting through the day without checking AR at least a couple of times - but it sounds like I don't have as bad of a case as I thought!

Gee, Loreena!  I recognize a few of those behaviors in myself!

Loreena, Step away from the computer!!! I have been finding myself spending less time here. It's been difficult but I've just been too busy with work. Negotiating short sales alll day is very time consuming.

LOREENA - Hang in there.  Eventually this feeling will likely subside and you'll be able to get some of your life back.  I never thought that I would believe what I'm saying right now, but it's true.  I can tell you that I've been there because I am the one that started Active Rain Adddicts (about a week after joining).

LOL! I'm a new addict! :-) I spent my evening & drinking my morning coffee with Active. I don't think my husband has caught on yet. lol! :-)

Janis Olson ... Real Estate on Long Beach Island, NJ

Ok so we will have to keep the affair between you, me and the other 100,000 plus folks. Nice post thanks

I also close the screen when my husband comes into the room.  He thinks blogging is "silly."  I have been able to take breaks of 1-2 weeks before, but I like blogging and I love receiving comments, and I'm staying!!

And let's be honest here, Loreena, you were only gone for barely 5 days, not a true week... ;)

Great post.  I'm on 25 hours being up and posted at 4:30!  Hey ....it's nice to come to a community where there is a lot of positive attitudes.

Go to sleep girl! Yes I also have a affair with this thing called AR. I get so much from reading and learning something new everyday. I LUB U!

How true this statement is. I think AR might be cheating on you with me though we have been having an affair for sometime :) Go to sleep but very cute blog.

Hi Loreena-Well I guess there are a lot of us addicts out there. I only plan on being on for a liitle while and next thing I know hours have passed by. It is so amazing here. We learn so much. Our brains are on overload. This is the kind of addiction that is helpful to us. Who needs sleep right. Enjoy the ride.

My sleepless nights are either spent worrying about my toddler or seeeking more information on AR. Get some sleep.

Ahhh....maybe we should start a group for "Recovering AR addicts" but sooo few of us want to recover !

Loreena, we've got to stop meeting like this. Your husband. Well you husband might be getting suspicious LOL! Get some sleep woman! You're going to wear yourself out with this addiction : ) Hey, but we all have it, and you wear your addiction so very well.

Oh baby, baby.... I already missed you and it's not even 9am!!! I told ya... I cant stay away for too long.... Leave me a note. I love getting messages from you.

Loreena - I hope that you get some sleep soon and I know how you feel! 

You are TOO funny!!  Love the story... and I feel the same way.  I am on the computer a good portion of the day already, so I feel I must check AR all throughout.  Thanks for the morning laugh.

We are soooo BAD! This affair is addictive. :)

I know exactly how you feel great blog.

I am prett addicted. I post daily and do my comments, but I don't live on here.

Loreena, I know that feeling. I often check in thru out the day and all hours of the night. But I don't have a problem.

Very cute!  There is an element of addiction to this Active Rain Thing! I am a "Newbee" and I am amazed at how much time I spend here ... and enjoy it!

Loreena - I am guessing that many other members can fully empathize with this level of addiction.

This is just hilarious!  Thanks for that ha ha.

Just don't tell my wife.  She says I love the computer more than her.

The little white lies we tell to fuel our addictions, my wife thinks I'm looking at the sports scores or the weather channel, but it's you Active Rain only you (I swear). Steve

In the long run, sleep will be a lot better for you than Active Rain. Good luck with your love affair. I hope your husband isn't jealous.

Loreena, You change screens too when your husband walks in the room? LOL I though I was the only one with a jealoushusband. :0) Active Rain is the first cyber face I look upon in the morning.

:-D It's so funny.  I have always been that thing OCD (Obsessive-compulsive)  It's a requirement it's a requirement to sell real estate, I thought everybody knew from all the tests we take. 

It's easy for me, I just read and sometimes answer until I go to sleep and get up before 9am so I can start answering the phone.

What a county, what a life, where else can I get paid for sleeping on the computer desk.

Keep up the good work!

gary

To funny thanks for sharing your unfaithfulness with us.

OK I thought I was bad but, I bow down to you.  Come on now if you don't sleep you can't blog.

HAHAHA!!!  that is awesome!  And to think, I had it bad!  I can't get enough of AR it is the best!

HI LOREENA!

I so know that feeling of heaven!!  I too try to stay awa, but can't.  It's truly an addiction!!

Welcome back!

Loreena.....OMG! LOL! This is totally the best ever posting I have read! I'm jealous I didn't think of it!

But thank you for explaining it! Now I know what's going on....I'm in lust with a WEB SITE!!!!!!

holy crack cocaine batman! go to bed. AR will still be here when you get up.

Yes I think that it is addicting, as many of us really need the support especially those with kids working from home.  Our community is not fully understood by anyone outside it thus the addiction when we find others who do and ones we can talk to @ midnight!

You should feel better,now that you have exposed your addiction.  I am a recovering AR person, myself.  It's a real disease, with doctors and medicine and everything!  WOS (wife over shoulder).   Anyway, let's keep this between the two of us.

maybe we can get a discount rate on some group therapy.

HI Loreena, me too.  I enjoy other folks advice, very helpful.  Thanks for your post.  Karen in MA

Now for a public service announcement, I know that this is just supposed to be a fun post, but.....there is a darkside to the internet.   It just happens that in the last week I learned that one of my dear friends is going to begin the process of divorce soon.  Why?  Her husband is financially sound, non-abusive, good looking, and a person she loved totally and has two little ones with.  For the past 4 years he has become more and more addicted to on-line gaming, not gambling which would be a whole different story, just playing games on-line against other gamers across the country.  They bond, they have shared interests, they have sucked him right out of her life.  Two adorable young children will now be part of the broken family statistics, but she can't continue living with her husband spending nearly every free moment on-line.  She wants him in her life, not sitting hour after hour in front of a computer screen and he has been unable to stop, even to save his marriage. 

Well, that all, I step off the soapbox and get back to the fun of being in the rain.  Like real rain, its wonderful for keeping things fresh, helping things grow, but too much and the flood warnings begin, pay attention to those, no one wants a flood to sweep them away.

edited to make less long and depressing :)

WOW......now that post really put a damper on what I was going to say.

OK...now I am over it.

You know when you ActiveRain with someone, you ActiveRain with everyone that person has Activerained with for the past 6 months. 

I wear powder-free latex gloves whhen I AR!

It's 4:30am Friday morning and I'm still up.

Thanks Loreena,

I finally shut my computer off at 3:00 AM.  Now, after reading your confession, I don't feel so guilty!  :)

I took that budget advice and went away for a month of car tripping around the east side of the US. Now I'm back and trying to drum up some business. Who needs a little help in North Texas-technical that is? I did some meditating on that trip and found that I am missing my training life too much it is time to infuse my life with your needs again. So OK I'm open for some one on one?

I broke the addiction to "rain" but, still have one to REALTORS! If you want to do it in groups OK: I'll be at Collin County on Wednesday at 9am where will you be? Still looking at that new tech tool and wondering why did I buy that? Maybe you need that Intro to e-PRO class. Come along then and get signed up.  http://calendar.internetcrusade.com/eProSignUp.aspx?EventID=4119  See you Wednesday!

I took that budget advice and went away for a month of car tripping around the east side of the US. Now I'm back and trying to drum up some business. Who needs a little help in North Texas-technical that is? I did some meditating on that trip and found that I am missing my training life too much it is time to infuse my life with your needs again. So OK I'm open for some one on one?

I broke the addiction to "rain" but, still have one to REALTORS! If you want to do it in groups OK: I'll be at Collin County on Wednesday at 9am where will you be? Still looking at that new tech tool and wondering why did I buy that? Maybe you need that Intro to e-PRO class. Come along then and get signed up.  http://calendar.internetcrusade.com/eProSignUp.aspx?EventID=4119  See you Wednesday!

Hi Loreena,  I wonder how much time we would spend here if the market was alive and humming ?

I just started blogging on Active Rain...now I am worried....is it like heroin?  Will I become addicted too?  All I wanted to do was communicate with the outside world and hopefully generate some new business...I think we should form a support group...that would be a good blog too.  You know, I am addicted to reading about politics online too.  Now this...

Ah yes, I've been in your shoes too. You know what helps? Visine. Great post!

Glad to know I am not the only 'nut case'.... have a glass of wine and you will sleep like a baby tonight. Or milk either will work! Great post!

Loreena, oh my goodness.  I've felt that way before too.  A short vacation will do you wonders.

Now I know how to get people to comment on my blogs....besides, your picture is absolutely gorgeous so who would not want to respond to you.  I too find myself sneaking in peaks and blogging when I should be looking up other things.

Great Blog, fun but true.

Now I know I am doomed....Please let me know when you start the recovery group.

Loreena,

I loved this post and had a good laugh.

My husband's been learning to pull me off before it gets too bad.

Shucks.  You're a mere amature.  If you were a serious blogger, you'd have a waterproof laptop in the shower, a speech activated computer to use while driving, a friend to try clothes on for you while you relax blogging, someone to push the grocery cart while you walk and blog, etc, etc.

Okay, they must hide some narcotic between the lines or something.  We are all unabashed AR addicts.  I actually realized at one point that I always seemed to be writing, reading and commenting, and when I sat down to the computer to work, I'd think:  "I'll just check AR real quick first."  Real quick doesn't work.  I had to step away for a couple of weeks and I'm in danger of slipping back.  I must get some work done, but I do learn so much that I tell myself not to feel guilty.

I'm right there with you.  I have filing all over the place, dishes in the sink and where am I?  Reading your post.

Loreena,

I hear you and Im with you !  We have not been a member for too long  but are hooked !  I love learning and building the blog - when you get a moment let us know what you think - Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

My wife is in bed and I am still on Active Rain reading blogs !!!!!!!!!!!!!  A healthy addiction !!

Also like to wake up early and do it then as well... LOL, is all good.

How appropriate that Andrew was the first one to respond at 4:32 AM.  LOL!  You can try to stay away from AR, but...

Great now the secret is out to thousands out there.. I hope it does not circle to my wife.  Please get away from that keyboard before you get more people in trouble.

Stan Stepak

Realty One - Avon Lake. Ohio

Oh my Loreena.... just how many of US have this same problem with active rain..... I have been at it 7 days a week since jan.

LOL! I do the same thing! But I'm not only on AR. I'm also maintaining my You Tube site, or my real estate web site, or just playing video games. I love being up at night. Nobody can interrupt or bother me, and I admit, I'm a loner ;)

Decaf Loreena, decaf. Wait, it's one AM, what am I doing sitting in the rain?

71 comment, 71 pretty strange people, and it is not normal, and we all do that.

Rich, are electronic needles safe?

My goodness...

what a confession...

Thanks,

Tom Davis

World Class DE Realtor

Last week, I pullled into a parking lot so that I could reply (via pda) to a contact from AR.  The subject wasn't critical and I was only 10 minutes from home.  On some level, I'm sure that this should be disturbing, but it felt right at the time :) 

Loreena, welcome back!  I find it's easier just to visit less often than to try to break up entirely.  Plus, we would miss you!

I've pulled my husband into my home office...and showed him what I've been doing...not just here, but with my website, my email drip campaigns, my follow up, my advertising, my blogs and the number of phone calls that I make.

He wants to know if we could make this a threesome...

Wow, what a man!

Oh Lord.... and I thought this was going to be a secret!!! Guess it's not anymore..... LOL. I did this out of being silly after blogging for 9 continuous hours..... I didn't expect this response but like McDonald's say it, "I'm loving it".... See, "you" continue to tempt me and I continue to fall into "your" trap.

I'm sorry as it's gotten a little out of control and I can't give individual recognitions to each of you for your support. But you know that I appreciate it.

I'm responding to some that got me laughing rolling off my chair!

Lenn: Wow. Is that how you blog? That would be scary. I dont want to imagine that sight of you!!! LOL.

Beth: I read your original message and I do feel that it is a good story to share with others. Too much of one thing can never be good. On a serious note, I completely understand what you mean.

Loreena - That was hilarious! But 4:30 in the morning! I thought 1am was a late morning the other night. :-)

Loreena, same here! Last night I went to bed at 7:30 after two nights up til 1 am on AR, between hosting a birthday dinner and an all day at the pool with the grandchildren. I think it was the combination, but I couldn't even keep my eyes open and my sister descibes me as "The Energizer Bunny."

I seriously think I have to set some boundaries here because I LOVE the RAIN!  I told a co-worker this week that I had a "new obsession" - blogging! It's jsut that it's so fascinating here and so great to join with other realtors and others associated with the business who are THINKERS, not just doing the same old thing everyday, boring, boring....

Thanks for a great post...I confess too, let me know what time the group session starts LOL :)

Loreena, my wife says if "You don't get off that X@#<! computer, I'm going to divorce you!".  More seriously, have fun. AJ 

we are all addicted or we would not be reading this. Go to bed.

This is great! I'm new to AR and, quite frankly, look forward to becoming addicted! My husband recommended this to me, so if i start an "affair", would we say he drove me to it????

This sound used to keep me awake...

...then I [insert politically correct word for "killed"] the cat!  Now I just chill...

We husbands need our rest!!  ;-)

I love this post! I'm finding myself more and more addicted everyday. Funny thing is, my husband is the one who suggested me to start blogging again!

ha! You need serious HELP!!! You need to attend MY ARAA sessions...ACTIVE RAIN ADDICTS ANONYMOUS!!! It does wonders for you and...*kids all staring at me w/ beach bag in hand and water toys wondering why i won't get off the computer...* Gotta go take them to the beach!!! Hang in there! Baby steps, Baby steps!!! UGH!!! Good thing i have a laptop...taking this puppy with me!

My wife thinks im surfing for internet porn....little does she know....