Despite being Online (can get to internet via browser) WLM insists I’m working offline

Today my Windows Live Mail started behaving strangely.  I'm online.  I can get to the internet via a browser.  To my knowledge I didn't change anything.  But when I try to sync my hotmail account through Live Mail (which I've never had trouble with before), it tells me I'm currently working offline and would I like to work online.  I click yes, and the same window pops up again asking the same question.  If I click it several times in a row, it does eventually disappear, but doesn't sync and will pop up again if I hit the sync or go online buttons again.  I have closed and reopened the program.  I've also rebooted my machine.   I can receive email through the live mail site, but I prefer to use the program.  Any suggestions?