I did it. The thing I swore I would ‘never’ do. The purchase I ‘swore’ I would never make. Yep, I folded. The unthinkable. I did the unthinkable.

I purchased a box set of a past television series.

Yes, yes I know, tech savvy readers … Netflix. I’m just not there yet. In case you missed last week’s column I’ve only been a smartphone owner for four years – baby steps.

Back to my confession/guilt cleanse.

The purchase came by way of watching a movie. Yes, this television series was such a success that a movie (actually two) were later released to bring fans up to date on the fictitious characters.

Goodness, as I write these words my confession begins to look even more pathetic.

The sad truth is this is a blaring statement as to the viewing pleasure I now lack when turning on that box which hangs on my family room wall. How crazy is that?

We have more channels then I will ever watch, On Demand and DVR all great options when monitoring what I allow my duo to watch, which yes … I do monitor. The fact of the matter is either: A. I’m just too scattered these days that I find it hard to sit and get ‘committed’ to a new television program (even with the listed options) or B. I’m so overwhelmed by the options I don’t know where to begin.

Technology – it now offers us so much that it’s almost suffocating. Am I the only one who feels this way? Now, please don’t misunderstand. I love all of the technological advances and what they offer in the way of ease of life. Paying bills from bed at 5:30 a.m. via an app or e-mailing pictures of the duo to my mom (again in bed at 5:30). It’s all simply genius. I just can’t always keep up, it’s that simple.

Now, for the non-TV watching reader – I hear you talking to me. I know … what about the good books, magazines, a pottery class or on-line class. I really do want to write a book someday, perhaps I should start. Well, that’s pretty simple … the title of this column space is ‘Mommy Musings’ for good reason.

As a mommy of two amazing, yet busy and energetic children when night fall arrives I don’t want to do any of those things. Oh, sure I’ve tried. Book and magazine equal sleep. Pottery class equals increased blood pressure (Type A issues). Television, in 30 minute non-committal spurts equals perfection. That is of course unless we are talking San Francisco Giants baseball in which case that is an entirely different column topic which covers all of the above listed challenges.

The idea, however, of paying money for something which was aired first on television has just always crossed me wrong. Silly? Perhaps, but now ... I’m victim to the convenience of curling up on my couch, pressing play and escaping with four of my gal pals from years gone past.

Truthfully, it’s been fun to start back at the beginning. The journey looks different to me now than it did when I was a faithful follower 15 years ago. The laughs come in different places at times and the relatable sadness does as well.

Of course I now live with the fear of what next? Technological advances are now at lightning speed. How much longer before the DVD player is saddled right next to the VCR? Oh, and please a moment of silence for the pioneer Beta Max machine. Thankfully Blue Ray did not take over as quickly as I feared. This is a good thing.

I also suffer from ‘landfill’ issues (another topic for a different issue). Simply put, we are so quick to move onto the next thing and all the ‘old’ must go somewhere. Our abundant need for all the latest and greatest is just one more thing killing our planet.

So what does all this mean?

Well, in case you missed it – it’s really relatively pretty simple: Never say never.

Isn’t that in some way, shape or form rule number 1 through 5 in the grand book of parenting? All the things you swore you would never do as a parent as you watched others from the sidelines. The head shaking you once did as you listened to others address the children. Even worse the way you swore you would never emulate the parenting style of your own parents.

Ya, well, again … never say never.

Yes, it is indeed a humbling wake up to realize yet again I really have no clue what is next. Until the next ‘unheard of’ moment however I’ll happily sit cozy on the couch being entertained by four ladies who remind me … life is really one big dramatic laugh.

Teresa Hammond is circulation manager for The Oakdale Leader, The Riverbank News and The Escalon Times. She may be reached at thammond@oakdaleleader.com or by calling 847-3021.