Have you ever wondered how you would react in a potentially dangerous situation?  This morning I got real life experience and I’m happy to report that my natural instincts kicked in.

My day started out as normal.  I left for work earlier than usual because our computer guy was arriving first thing in the morning to work on a project.  My co-worker had a morning appointment and needed me to unlock the office.  I work in a small office and I am careful to keep the door locked when I am working alone.  My office is a rental unit in a larger office building and it would be easy for someone to walk in off the street.  So when Mr. Computer Guy (whom I’d met before) knocked on the door I naturally unlocked the door and let him in to do his thing.  I went back to my desk.

About five minutes later I heard a second knock on the door.  Not expecting anyone else, I walked to the door only to find an unknown man standing in the reception area.  I quickly scanned his clothing for identification and it was clear that he wasn’t a delivery person.  I asked why he was standing there.  He mumbled something to the effect of “I’m here to install the cable for Mr. Computer Guy.”  It was then that I noticed that Mr. Computer Guy had left the office and that I was all alone with a stranger (I’ll call him Creepy Guy #1).  I was almost put at ease by the fact that Creepy Guy #1 knew Mr. Computer Guy’s first name.

That is until…

Creepy Guy #1 walked between myself and the door and proceeded to lock the deadbolt.  That would be about the time that my adrenaline started pumping!  I quickly unlocked the deadbolt and asked accusingly, “Why did you lock the door?”  I was simultaneously urging myself to get out of the office as quickly as possible.  Non-criminal cable guys do not lock deadbolts.  As I opened the door I saw that a second stranger was standing in the doorway talking on his cellphone (Creepy Guy #2).  I quickly stepped into the hallway and made my way towards the exit doors which face a busy street.  Meanwhile, Creepy Guy #1 is trying to explain that he locked the door to play a practical joke on Creepy Guy #2. When Creepy Guy #1 saw that I was getting the heck outta there, he and Creepy Guy #2 exited the building through the back staircase.

Now what?  I really didn’t have a plan other than leave.  I was at least relieved to discover that my cell phone and car keys were in my pocket.  I started dialing 911 but I changed my mind after the creepy guys left.  I called my husband instead.  He advised me to wait in my car until my co-worker arrived.  It was good advice but first I wanted to retrieve my purse from my office.  The last thing I wanted to do was walk into an empty office by myself so I knocked on the door of a neighboring office and asked if someone could go with me.  While I was explaining the situation, Mr. Computer Guy reemerged.  I shared my story and it turns out  Creepy Guy was the cable guy he had hired.  Mr. Computer Guy called Creepy Guy #1 and confirmed my story.  Creepy Guy still tried to say that he locked the door as a practical joke.  Well, umm, not funny.  Mr. Computer Guy went back to work in my office.  I retrieved my purse and waited in the hallway until my co-worker and boss arrived.

In case you are wondering, Creepy Guy is not invited back to finish the job.

Here is a cheap (under $10) and easy kid’s storage solution: an over-the-door shoe organizer.  We have two.  One on each side of the kid’s bedroom door.

One side of the door is for art supplies.  Towards the bottom (easy to reach) are crayons, markers, pencils, etc.  The top pockets contain lessor used items or ones requiring assistance using (i.e. glue gun).

Behind the door are miscellaneous objects and toys the kids collect (everything from McDonald’s toys to marbles to Pokemon cards to rock collections).  It’s not necessarily pretty.  I’m more concerned that everything has a place to go, which is not the floor!

More fabulous Works For Me Wednesday tips at Rocks In My Dryer.

It’s Zoo may be world famous, but there are many more reasons which make San Diego a great city.  That’s why Adam and I launched Beyond The Zoo.  We believe a grand opening celebration is in order.  Without further ado, please go to Beyond The Zoo and enter our little giveaway.  (Psst, you might win $50.00!)

I have a craving.  No, I’m not pregnant!  For the past week I’ve harbored the craving for a Philly Cheesesteak.  For those of you who don’t know, I spent eight years growing up near Philadelphia.  Occasionally my pronunciations of words such as water (”wooder”)exposes my east coast upbringing.

It’s been fifteen years since I’ve called Abington home.  About every five years my mouth waters for that meaty, cheesy, greasy goodness on a roll which is otherwise known as a Philly Cheesesteak.  Unfortunately for me, I’m the only member of the family who gets these crazy cravings.  My husband is from Indiana.  I don’t expect him to understand.

I’ve been pleased to locate “authentic” Philly Cheesesteaks in almost every town where we have lived.  I’m now on a personal quest to find the best Philly Cheesesteak in San Diego.  Google has been kind enough to supply me with several promising leads.  This may be my yummiest research project ever.

The ingredients for an authentic Philly Cheesesteak shop include:

• Amoroso Rolls
  
• Cheese Whiz (I prefer provolone on my steak.  However, you can’t beat fries covered in the Whiz!)
• Tastykakes (Don’t ask me what these are unless you want me to start singing the Tastykake jingle.)
  
• Water Ice

Regardless of your political views, Obamicon.Me is a fun website where you can create your own Obamican style poster. Not surprising considering the amount of Obama-related products hitting the stores.

Inkheart is a soon to be released movie based on the best selling trilogy by Cornelia Funke. I have to be honest, I’ve only recently heard of Inkheart, but I’m already intrigued (watch the trailer).

Inkheart is described as a family-friendly fantasy adventure that sends a father and daughter on a quest through worlds both real and imagined. Because the books are recommended for ages 9-12, I’m not sure that the movie is appropriate for younger children. Being that the movie is opening nationwide on January 23rd, I’d better get started on reading the books!

Congratulations to Jennifer C. for winning a complimentary box of 30 customized fruit roll-ups from MyFruitRollups.com.  Her comment was chosen randomly using Random.org.

Jennifer wrote:

I would design some for my twins 2nd birthday, which is coming up faster than seems possible. Thanks for a super giveaway!

This past week was spent playing host to several special people.  To begin with, my parents arrived for vacation on the 9th.  We hadn’t seen each other since we moved this past August.  They came at the perfect time; while the temperatures back home in Michigan plummeted into the negative degrees, it was unseasonably warm here in San Diego (mid-70’s to 80’s all week).  Megan and Paul baskedin the special attention they received from their beloved Grandma and Grandpa.  Megan broke into tears after they left this morning.  That stunk.

It figures we would go for months without visitors, then in one week have four!  Our friends, Bill and Shannon Bailey, were also vacationing in San Diego this past week.  We enjoyed dinner with the Baileys on Tuesday night.  The Baileys own The Pacific Catalyst, a beautiful 75 foot wooden vessel stationed out of the San Juan Islands (Friday Harbor, WA).  During the summertime, the Catalyst voyages to Alaska on natural history cruises.  Besides their obvious love for nature and the sea, the Baileys are gifted in hospitality.  I met the Baileys two years ago when they invited Adam and I aboard the Catalyst to cruise around the San Juan Islands.  It was an unforgettable experience.

On Wednesday night we had dinner at Crazee Burger with yet another out of town friend, Dan.  He was in town for business and we are glad he was able to squeeze in a visit with us.  Dan came as a representative bearing unexpected gifts and cards from our Romeo church friends.  (Thank you!)

It has been a great week but I’m looking forward to returning to a normal schedule this week.  The kid’s vacation is almost over – they return to school on Wednesday.  I hope that it is not another six months before we get more visitors!

Grandma and Grandpa are finally here! This is their first visit to San Diego and we can’t wait to show them around.  With six people living together in a two bedroom house for the next week, we’ve already agreed that it is okay if we get on each others nerves just a little.  After all, that’s what family is all about, right?

Last week I was sitting at work when my cell phone rang.  It was my five year old calling to say, “The fruit roll-ups came in the mail today.”  What he really meant was, “May I have one?”  By the time I came home a few hours later, the box was half eaten.  I guess it’s not everyday you get to eat a fruit roll-up with your face on it!

MyFruitRollUps.com is a fun and easy to use website where you can create customized one-of-a-kind fruit roll-ups.  The site has more than 400 graphics to choose from, or you can upload your own photo, artwork or logo.  It took my kids more time to choose a picture than it did to create a design.  In literally less than five minutes our order was complete.

MyFruitRollups.com would like to offer one of you a complimentary box of 30 fruit roll-ups (a $30 value).  Please visit the My Fruit Roll-Ups site and tell me how you would design your Fruit Roll-Ups.  Leave your comment on this post to be entered into the drawing.  The giveaway will end on Sunday, January 18 at 5pm.  That should give the winner plenty of time to order in time for Valentine’s Day (if desired).  I will notify the winner via email.