What does it mean?

I pulled into the gas station, amazed that the price was down to $3.77 a gallon.  Slid my bank card through the machine, typed in my password, and it said "CARD NOT AUTHORIZED".  What does that mean?  Clearly there was some error, maybe I put in my password incorrectly, so I tried again, same message.  How is this possible?

I could feel my heart thudding in my chest, my hands begin to shake.  I know there is money in my account.  I checked the balance yesterday morning.  What's more I hadn't spent any money recently.  I pulled my car over and contacted my bank.  Thank You Citibank!  

Apparently some guy named Brian Kim had put a transfer through my account in the amount of $100.  Then attempted another transfer for $400.  Citi put an alert on my account and basically shut it down.  I could kiss them for this right now.  After a taped conversation, where I swore I had not transferred money to Brian Kim, nor had I authorized the transfer, there was hope in sight. My money will be returned in 24-48 hours.  I can deal with that, surely it's no time at all in comparison to never getting it back..

I went straight home, used the secured computer to sign on and change my password as well as my ATM pin.  Apparently these are practices that we should all do every 30 - 60 days. I am very pleased with Citi for being so helpful in the whole process.  

The only other thing I want to say is, whoever Brian Kim is, may Karma take care of you.

Darn It! Darn It!

I got a ticket.  What's worse it was less then a block from my house, and I even pulled into my driveway instead of pulling over.  How Embarrassing!  What was the ticket for, you might ask?  My darn seatbelt!  Those of you who know me, know I always wear the stupid thing.  I've been known to refuse to move the car until everyone is belted up.  Yet, there I sat, totally embarrassed, because I didn't have it on...@#%!

Week's Summary

Last week was busy, and I didn't have much time for blogging.  It seems strange that I'm unemployed,  yet I'm so busy.  It is as if the hours fill so quickly with all of the things I had put off.  Now that I have the time, I want to get them done.

So, how did I spend the busy week?  I sent out the requisite resumes/applications.  I actually received an offer! However, I did have to turn it down.  It isn't a full time position, it would be one 40 hour week, and the rest of the month would be 24 hours per week.  It's also a commute, which means that my gas expenses would be increased, and the winter would bring with it our treacherous Tulle fog, which I do not enjoy navigating.  I did the computations, and I would actually make less then I currently do on Unemployment.  The positive side of it all is that "HEY! Someone wants me!"

I took care of some of the projects around the house that needed doing.  I got our carbon monoxide detectors up, and contacted my insurance agent, so that will result in a discount on my homeowner's insurance.  I figured out that the garbage disposal is close to 30 years old, and the part that I need to repair it is no longer available.  I will have to purchase a new one and install it.  I got some of the saplings that had appeared cut down, and the young roots removed.

On the knitting front, I've been equally busy.  I finished this pair of socks, and darn it, I can't remember which pattern I used.  Anyway, here they are:

I'm still working on Chris' birthday socks.  Thank goodness I have almost a month to get them done.  Colorwork seems to take so much longer.  I like the way they're turning out, and I know Chris will love them.

And last but not least, I'm finishing up this sweater for my Etsy site (which, by the way, I fixed the link to on my blog).  I like this pattern, and once I get the smocking done and pick out buttons, I think it will be quite charming.

I'm hoping the new week will bring a little more time for knitting and a little less time spent on house projects