I have a scary story to tell, but I want to share it b/c it could happen to anyone!  I hope my friend doesn't mind me sharing this..

My good friend was driving up to a bank to get money from the drive-up ATM.  This area isn't a dangerous area (actually fairly nice).  She noticed a man walking around or towards the bank who looked homeless or at least not in good shape.

It's a pretty busy area so I guess she didn't think much of it and went ahead and drove up to the ATM.  She finished her transaction and something just popped in her head and she remembered about the guy, and decided to lock her doors.

The EXACT moment she locked her doors she heard someone trying to open her cardoor, it was that same man trying to get into her back door!  She took off as quick as she could and is fine.

Please be aware of your surroundings and lock your doors!  Don't feel like you have to do anything if your gut tells you not to.

I want to thank my friend b/c the day after I heard this story I went to Target alone and had a moment where I wasn't sure about my safety.  (Just to let you know, I have had a guy "stalk" me at this same Target about a 1 1/2 yrs. ago and I'm a lot skiddish (sp?) of strangers.) 

Anyway, I was there close to closing (10 pm) and I had parked close to the door.  I was walking out I noticed a guy parked close to me and walking out at the same time, so I just waited until he got to his car before I made my way out. 

As I was walking I noticed something strange about my van, it looked like a light went on inside or something.  It was raining so things looked spooky anyway.  I walked closer to my car and noticed 2 people sitting in the backseat of a car parked right next to mine, and there wasn't tons of cars in the lot at this time.  Their windows were open and that light was them lighting a cigarette and reflecting on my windows.

I remembered my friends story and decided it just wasn't worth it.  I turned right around and went inside (swallowing my pride and ignoring the what-will-those-people-think-if-they're-not-the-bad-guys-I-made-them-out-to-be feeling.)  I asked the security guard to walk me out and he so graciously did.  I got in my car and left.  Did I jump the gun? Maybe.  Should I of did what I did? Who knows, I was probably fine.  But....

I cried on the way home b/c I felt so vunerable and the what-if's if something did happen to my friend or I.  What about my children?  I couldn't help thinking of my innocence in just shopping and getting items for my children, yet someone could want to hurt me.  Or my sweet friend just getting her money and someone wanted to steal from and/or hurt her.

I'm sorry this warning is turning into a vent!  It's just scary sometimes!