I must preface this blog post by first explaining FarmTown, this silly little application on the Internet’s social networking site, Facebook.

On FarmTown, I have a little plot of land filled with many plowed fields where I can plant corn, wheat, sunflowers, grapes, rice, and a whole host of other crops.

I collect gifts from my FarmTown friends, including fruit trees, livestock and poultry.

I can earn money by harvesting the crops of other FarmTown players, and selling my own crops to the Marketplace.

When my mom calls me these days, her first question is, “Are you busy planting or harvesting.”

Yes, it’s sad. Even Mom knows I’m addicted!

But, I’m going to quit. Some day. Pretty soon, I think…

Actually, I was going to quit last weekend, and then the makers of FarmTown added goats. I want goats. I need goats. I’ve begged my FarmTown friends for goats!

I now have five goats, a house, barn, dog house, cattle yard, pig pen, goat and sheep yard, an orchard and lots and lots of crops.

I’m prepared to give it all up this weekend. On Wednesday, I went to the Internet for help with my addiction.

I found the original 12 step program for Alcoholics Anonymous, and have adapted a few of them to meet my FarmTown problem.

1. I admit that I am powerless over FarmTown — that my life has become unmanageable. (Actually, I’m getting less sleep because I have to harvest before work in the morning and before I go to bed at night!)

2. I have made a list of all FarmTown players whom I have annoyed by sending countless gifts of trees and animals, and wish to make amends with them. I’m sorry!

3. I continue to take a personal inventory of all the work that has gone undone at home, and I am willing to admit that I have wasted too many hours on FarmTown.

4. I have made a decision to turn my lack of willpower over to those who have resisted the temptation to join FarmTown. I will strive to be as strong as they are!

5. I will humbly ask my non-FarmTown playing co-workers to forgive my FarmTown conversations and the wish to covet my FarmTown neighbors’ farms.

OK, I think I can quit now. Just let me have a few more days to say goodbye!