Friday, February 05, 2010

Snow, fraud, and even more snow

Snowstorms do something strange to people.  I know that because I had to stop by the grocery store while in town yesterday afternoon and the lines for each cash register were four and five deep with carts and cranky people.  When hubby and I chatted with the manager who was running a cash register, he said it had been like that all day.

Yes, there is something about snowstorms that make people want to hunker down... and eat.

The storm was delayed a bit, a very good thing as I had to wait at the usual spot (McDonald's on campus) while Christopher attended his early class this morning.  He was called yesterday by the fraud division of Mastercard to ask if he was spending over a thousand dollars in Pennsylvania on his debit card.  Ummm... no.  It is amazing how the computer scientists have come up with ways to alert "those watching" that purchases may be fraudulent.  He has no idea how someone in Pennsylvania found his debit card number.

Anyhoo... we were told to stop by our branch bank as soon as we could this morning and talk to them.  So far all is well and the fraudulent charges were all caught in time.  Both he and the bank are tracking them for awhile.  In the meantime, he's not to use his debit card.  Yes, there was great relief as he had all of his grant money in his checking account.  He told me a specialist in computer fraud taught their class anyone at anytime is only about 30% to 40% safe when it comes to their private information such as credit card numbers.  Yikes!

The snow began while we were in the bank and by the time we arrived home, the roads were already slick.  He had to return to campus and I would look out the window all day, wondering if he'd make it home or have to stay with a friend.  Thankfully, he made it home just as the sun was setting... saying the roads were horrible.

Once we four were snug as a bug inside (three humans and one feline), my thoughts were all about nesting and food.  The chicken noodle soup had been simmering for hours to be served with grilled cheese sandwiches for dinner.  Chicken and hamburger were removed from the freezer, to defrost in the refrigerator overnight.  Butter is now setting on the kitchen counter to soften for baking in the morning.

Laundry has been washed, dried, folded, and hung where it all belongs.  Dishes are soaking in hot and soapy water... waiting until I finish writing.  The tea kettle will soon be filled with fresh water and brought to a slight boil (for I am having decaf Candy Cane Lane tea and one should not make green tea with fully boiling water).  Very soon I will find a pillow and a throw and curl up on the living room sofa with tea and Goudge... and perhaps a cat.

One looks at snowstorms differently once everyone is home safe and there is no place one has to be for a couple of days.

23 comments:

Beth said...

I bought a box of Candy Cane Lane tea right around Christmas time and I LOVE it! Now, I can't find it anywhere. Enjoy!

Mel said...

So glad everyone made it home safely. Snuggling sounds great, I think I'll get my shower out of the way and snuggle with Grand D before it's time for bed.

How scary about the safety of your debit card numbers and such. You have to wonder, is anything safe anymore...
stay warm and stay safe
Mel

Kimberly said...

Sorry that you're being slammed with more snow. Here in Michigan where I live, we're usually up to our elbows in it by this time of year. Right now we've just got the tiniest bit. I'm very grateful for that, but I'm sorry that some of the other states have been hit so hard. I love that feeling when you are all warm and cozy in the house and your belly is full and you've got family and furry friends at your side--or on your lap. Our tradition is to bake something yummy on snow days. I told my daughters when they were smaller that it was a law--that you had to bake on snow days. I didn't tell them that my friend and I made up the law. It's an easy one to live with. Have a blessed weekend.

Leslie said...

I love snow. But I'm so sick of it now. We got about six inches last weekend and it started again last night and its still falling along with sleet and freezing rain. The kids will never get to go to school at this rate. I'm so ready for spring!

matty said...

I love snow days! I made cocoanut macaroons, baked casserole bread, and graded papers all day, oh, and played with goats a bit.

Enjoy your slow day and snuggle Miss Victoria. Wookie says, "Yawn!"

Take care,

M

Vee said...

Yes, I've received one of "those" calls from the credit card company. Pretty scary stuff. Made my heart race for a bit.

It all sounds terribly cozy there. Stay content...

Debby said...

"One looks at snowstorms differently once everyone is home safe and there is no place one has to be for a couple of days."

Isn't that so true?! Last night my fifth grandchild was born, a wonderful event of course! However, on the way home, I had to drive (at 4AM) through slushy mushy snow, snow blowing straight at the windshield and the only car that had traveled the roads to make it home....35 miles!!! I was never happier to see my home, with my husband standing in the door way to greet me! Ah, home at last!

Anonymous said...

I agree, once everyone is home and safe there's nothing cozier.

PJ Geek said...

WOW ..a lot going on ..you deserve a relaxing rest on the sofa with that cup of tea and book....and Victoria at your side. Here in Atlanta, if there is just a little hint of snow flurries people head to the stores in droves to get that last minute loaf of bread or jug of milk...Here's to home and safety.

Susan Humeston said...

I wondered if you were getting hammered by this storm. I'm so glad Christopher made it home without any problem and then you could all relax and enjoy the snow.

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

We are snug in our home too, Brenda! It is quiet and as everyone else is asleep still - I am watching the snow fall. We have about 2 feet.

My husband must go to work today at noon until midnight...hopefully the roads will be reasonably clear by then.

Heather Anne said...

I am glad you are all home safe and with a well stocked larder! Doesn't it feel good? Our Dreamer was sharing with me that she feels more prepared knowing that our pantry is deep and we know how to deal with snow! I too went into nesting mode last night when all my loved ones were gathered home safely - I made homemade pizza for supper and brioche - one chocolate for breakfast and began to plan for a weekend of cooking and baking, along with some cleaning and ironing!
Everything that we had planned to do has been canceled or postponed so we are home sweet home! We are letting the children sleep in - hopefully our Storyteller's cold will be better and he will be able to take advantage of the snow pile his Daddy is making for him with the blower - it looks like a fort building day to me!

Niki said...

Lovely cozy post :) We've been reading about the blizzard "down in the States", while enjoying our very moderate, mostly mild, winter here in Canada...go figure...

I just read and reviewed "The Good Earth" by Pearl S. Buck, have you read it? I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Have a wonderful snowy weekend,
Niki

Niki said...

PS...I was able to buy a couple more boxes of Candy Cane Lane tea on half price :-)
Love that!

Scrappy quilter said...

Glad your guy is home safe and you had a nice evening. These debit card frauds are happening more and more hee too. Hope they can find out who is using the card. Have a wonderful weekend. Hugs

hmsclmom said...

Sorry to hear that your son's debit card was hacked. This happened to our Josh too. He ended up having to get a new card. It was just scary for him and for us since he lived in Washington State at the time and the fraud was happening in Florida. The person had made an actual copy of the card itself and used it in person in a store.

Packrat said...

Lovely post. I worry, too, when family is out on the road. I have both daughter and husband call when they get in for the evening. Son has someone else to keep track of him. :)

I'm sorry you are getting more snow. We've had very little this year. Rather scary.

Packrat said...

PS - Credit/debit card fraud is rampant. The business takes a hit every once in a while.

Terra said...

That is so good that the bank caught the fraud right away and no money was stolen. Your cup of tea sounds delish! My favorite is green tea with roasted brown rice, Genmaicha.

Anonymous said...

Glad when mine are safely ensconced on a bad weather day/evening too...how well we know that feeling...and tis a good time for "comfort foods"...not that those are necessarily the best choice for diabetics, etc...but oh well...gotta be some comforts in life, eh?

Blessings, Elizabeth

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Kelly said...

It is funny how people rush out to the grocery store whenever there is a snowy forecast.

I'm so glad that Christopher's debit card issues were caught in time. It is so scary to know that these things aren't so secure, and yet we haven't much choice but to use them the way things are going. My husband is currently temporarily unemployed and just received a debit card that he is to use to access his unemployment compensation. They didn't give us a choice in the matter.

We, too, are cozy, safe and warm at home with about 18 inches of snow outside.

Tracey McBride ~ Frugal Luxuries® said...

Hello Dear Brenda,

As always, I so enjoyed this post and your wonderful slice~of~life essay. So happy you beat the storm and Christopher made it home safely. We aren't subject to snow storms where I live, but we have seen blinding rain these past few days and driving in it (with low visibility) gave us a bit more perspective on what you must be going through! Your homemade chicken soup with grilled cheese sounds delicious (this is one of our meals during the winter as well, as is Chile with Quesadilla triangles :). I try to also serve a nice salad and have found that Romaine keeps quite nicely in the refrigerator for a long time (a few weeks). We shred a bit of cheese atop the salad for a little variety (whatever we have on hand, usually cheddar or parmesan) but I digress! :)

I'm sorry you had to deal with the very frustrating situation regarding the bank card fraud~but happy it didn't turn out too badly. We are down visiting my dad today. We arrived last night (in the rain :) but today is beautiful and sunny. There's a little family farm~stand down the hill from his house and today I will be stocking up on all of their tomatoes and Romaine. Sometimes they have zuccini and hot peppers (the hot peppers from my Christmas wreath were found there) and their green beans are so delicious, but they haven't had any for the last month or so (sadly :).

I am off now to have a nice cup of coffee with Mike and my dad. Have a lovely day my kind friend.

Love,
Tracey

P.S. I'm not familiar with Candy Cane Lane tea but it sounds delicious! Is it peppermint flavored? I bought a small vial of peppermint oil from Whole Foods and it seems to be lasting forever...perhaps I could make a peppermint tea of my own by adding a few drops of it to my green tea?! x0x