Morning chicks,
Lots of chatting going on that I missed yesterday.
I was preoccupied with work which has been overly demanding lately and a scary moment with the mom on Wednesday.
She noticed a strange car parked out in front of the house in the early afternoon. Since her wierd neighbors seem to rotate through a steady stream of "new" cars every few months (always with TEMPORARY license plate/tags) she just chalked it up to them. Then the back doorbell rang. There was a somewhat scruffy man at the back door (should have been clue number 1). She keeps the screen/storm door locked all the time but opened the back door to talk to him. He's got a walkie talkie that he's talking into and tells her that he was doing some work in the alley and hit a pole by her garage. He wants her to come outside and check the damage. She's sharp enough to tell him that it's a utility pole that belongs to the city and she could care less about it. He persists and she tells him to call the city. I don't know why but for some reason she unlocks the storm door and is talking to him though the partially opened door. He asks if he can come in to use the phone. (scary clue number 2). She thinks quickly (she lives alone) and says no, my nephew lives with me, is a Chicago policeman and is sleeping as he just got home and off his shift. (Her nephew IS a policeman, he just happens to live 5 miles away in another house WITH his wife
) The guy tells my mom to call him downstairs so that he can fill out an accident report. She says no, I TOLD you he is sleeping, now get out of here. At this point he yanks open the door, pushes her and tries to enter the house. The door is at the base of a set of stairs so she has some leverage to push him and the door closed all the while yelling "Joe, Joe, come down here fast and BRING YOUR GUN - there's a man trying to come into the house". She was screaming at the top of her lungs and after a struggle, the guy took off running. She called the emergency number and the police were there within 10 minutes but by then the guys (there were 2 of them) were long gone. The police told her that they were gypsies who have been crusing the neighborhood, preying on the elderly. He said they talk fast, try to either gain the sympathy or confuse their victims and then gain entry to the house and rob them.
This guy was on a walkie talkie with his partner. If he had persuaded my mom to walk out to the alley, the partner would have slipped into the back door, gone though her stuff while the other guy kept her distracted and then slipped out the front door loading up the car out front. Since that ruse didn't work, the other option was to push their way in, slap the person around enough to scare them into sitting still while one intimated the victim and got them to tell them where the valuables as they robbed the house. Obviously the police told my mom to NEVER open the door to strangers. My mom agreed. Said she's not even sure why she did as she is normally very cautious. It's easy enough to understand how they can be fast talking devils to confuse them. My sister and I were freaking out. We worry enough about her living alone, this just adds another reason to fret. What is going on with this world? There seems to be so much crime and the criminals are getting bolder.
Painter - I rotate my breakfasts depending on whether I have time to fix something on the weekends - poached or scrambled egg with veggies and toast. During the work week, I tend to go for "on the run" foods like a smoothie with fresh fruit, yogurt and protein powder; yogurt, almonds and some fresh fruit on the side ala McD's version; I like the Fiber1 bars; and I'll cook up some steel cut oats while I'm getting ready and then have a bowl with chopped walnuts and some fruit - blueberries, strawberries, banana, diced peaches and cinnamon or applesauce mixed in with a sprinkle of cinnamon. I also like the South Beach (Kraft brand) breakfast wraps which are scrambled eggs with either meat or chopped veggies wrapped in a whole wheat tortilla shell. I do admit to not eating breakfast every day as I should
- many times it's just 2 coffees in the morning. And on those rare occasions when I have sugared cereal or a muffin in the morning - I'm ravenous in 2 hours so I try to make breakfast protein based.
Oohhh I remember that vintage rhinestone jewelry. Used in the right way, it can be a fabulous look.
Hugs Holly!
Carla - I know the flatware that you are talking about. I thought it was pretty too until I saw the price tag.
Shad, glad you made the breakfast suggestions, now I know what to have on hand though I must warn you as you well know everything is overly sweet for your tastes here. And our yoghurt is on the runny side. There will be a carton of plain in the refrigerator - just for you. We will have to do breakfasts on the patio. It's nice sitting there with a cup of coffee, watching the birds at the feeders. The hummingbirds will be around too. What are the plans for your weekend?
Meadow - good going on the exercise! Lunch sounds yum too. I agree with the eating the same breakfast and lunch thing in the sense that it keeps you from straying and is easier to track. I do like variety tho. Perhaps a different fruit in the smoothie each day
We did get stormed on yesterday but luckily the really bad weather went east of us. I got to work yesterday and all the close by the door spots were taken in the underground parking - no surprise - but as I was about to drive by, a man got in his car and pulled out - right by the door! What a very pleasant surprise. I said to myself, no matter HOW bad the day gets later, I will go back to this moment in time when I was deliriously happy for 2 minutes
Actually if you knew how much stuff I trucked in with me to work (laptop, lunch bag, purse, briefcase/tote) you'd understand why I'm so delighted to get a close up parking spot. And I'm sure since I got to park underground that's the very reason why it didn't hail yesterday
Ceejay - how was it up your way? I'll cheer up if you will
Madcat, I'll meet you at Tim Horton's. You don't even have to buy. I'll go there based just on reputation.
One more day to go and then we can revel in the weekend.
How are you doing Mel? Did you catch part of the sleety/snowy mess that was headed east? Rain and tornadoes down south, wet snow and sleet up north. Spring will be here soon. Some of our trees are already in bloom. I have to say this town is breathtaking in the spring. The noses don't like the pollen but for the eyes, it's a feast everywhere you look.
Ok, I guess I've written enough for today. Have a good one everybody.
TO EVERYONE AND HAVE A GREAT DAY!!!
THANKS!
I SENT A BOX OF ROMANCE BOOKS AND A GUARDIAN ANGEL PIN TO A NEIGHBOR, AGNES, WHO LANDED IN A NURSING HOME. SHE IS SOOO EXCITED AND CALLED ME YESTERDAY. IT WAS THE HIGHLIGHT OF MY DAY TO HEAR HER LAUGH AND SOUND EMBARASSED. SHE'S NOT USED TO PEOPLE CARING. NOT SURE IF SHE IS COMING HOME. SHE WAS A "STRANGER" THAT HELPED ME FINANCIALLY AND ALLOWED ME TO PAY HER IN SMALL AMTS TILL THE DEBT WAS PAID. HER GENEROSITY BLEW ME AWAY. WE GAVE HER FLOWERS AND A CARD WHEN IT WAS ALL OVER AND IT BLEW HER AWAY. 
WITH YOU AND SHAD. NEXT TIME!! I'LL BE THE ONE IN THE POLKA DOTS! 
