Safety First, People

I went to two lovely back to back dance-work out classes tonight! My friend Megan (an instructor), let me lead Whatever You Like...Holla! Thanks Megan!

Unfortunately, mid-way through out last class, a student rushed in the room to inform us that her car had been broken into, and they stole her purse. After class, we came to realize that TWO more cars had been broken into! Thank God mine was not one of them, but I almost parked where one of the cars had been. Really, I did park in nearly that same spot, but I thought the space was too far from the building, so I noticed a few people leaving, and I waited for someone who was parked closer to leave. Once they did, I moved my car closer to the building and to more lights.

Bottom line is this - please be safe out there at all times! Bad things happen at some of the least expected places. My friend was robbed at gunpoint at the "ritzy" mall in town.

Here are some parking lot safety tips I've learned over the years:

• Never leave anything valuable in your car - ESPECIALLY not in plain sight! Even if you have something like a gym bag that has nothing worth stealing inside, don't leave that out! Thieves don't know there's nothing worth stealing in there and may break into your car just to find out if there is. Don't even leave something as small as a cell phone charger visible.
• If you HAVE to leave something in your car, put it in your trunk (or out of sight) BEFORE you arrive at your destination. If you put something in your car when you park, someone may see you doing so and know to check your car when you're not there.
• Safety in numbers - if you're leaving somewhere (a gym, a mall, etc.), try to walk out with someone else.
• Try to park as close to the building (or location) as possible. While I sometimes park further away from stores, etc to "not be lazy", I think safety should come first - especially if you're leaving when it's dark outside! Sometimes you have to be patient finding a safer spot, like I did tonight.

Anyone else have some good parking lot safety tips they'd like to add?

Anywho, I stayed after till the cops got there and ended up eating a suuuuper late dinner! I try to eat meals no later than 9pm, but tonight, I didn't eat till 10:30pm. I tried to keep things semi light and used items I had in our pantry/freezer.

I've been itching to try these Vegetable Masala burgers I've seen at Trader Joe's for the last couple months and finally picked some up recently.

Luckily, dinner only took about 10 minutes to whip up.

I had a veggie masala burger, some peas with a dab of real butter, a slice of Great Harvest honey whole wheat toast with Earthfare pomengranate jelly.

My friend Megan got me a prezzie tonight! I LOVE the adorable bag!

Super cute card...and...

Inside....EEEK! One of the cupcake books I've been oggling for years! Literally...I think I've tried to buy this book a couple times of the last couple years, but the wait is over! Hello, Cupcake is mine! Thanks Megan!

While I was working out, hubby was sweet enough to pick up the present my parents gave us (yup, it's for me AND him) money for - a food processor! Not just any food processor, but the KitchenAid 12 cup food processor in Martha Blue! I've been infatuated with this set since seeing it in Macy's...the color is my fave! One day, I'll have the whole collection (maybe sans the mixer)...when we can afford it. I'll take the food processor for now. I've been wanting one of these for a looong time, too!

Wow, so many great food/cooking/baking related gifts! Guess I I know what I'll be doing next week!

Dinner, Holiday

Comments

[katie]

YAY for food processors! i asked santa for one :)

[Marie]

Here's a couple other safety tips for cars in addition to the other ones...invest in an alarm. It's DEFINITELY worth the cost.

[Lys]

Thankfully you were okay and yes, safety first. There are some whackjobs out there and my BFF has pointed out that the recession has brought the crime up like crazy (she's a cop). What a great book AND food processor :) I'm keeping my hopes up for that new Cuisinart

[Serendipity]

Safety first most definately! This makes me want to stop parking so far away from the gym when I go.

[Nancy (twidaisy on Twit)]

Safety tips #1 - in public, watch and be aware of people around you. #2 get your keys out before you leave the store. Don't be standing by your car in a dark parking lot rooting for your keys.

I had a near miss once going out to my car in a dark and near-empty store parking lot near closing time. There were two guys in the store whose behavior seemed a bit "off" to me. They were looking at merchandise men don't usually look at and not paying much attention to it. It struck me as odd, and once I paid for my purchases, I headed off through parking lot at a quick trot to give myself a head start, thinking I was being paranoid.

But no, I wasn't. The guys strolled normally out of the store, but once they hit the sidewalk they began to race after me. I was in my car and had the locks clicked shut about 5 seconds before they were on my car and yanking at the door handles. I started my engine immediately and screeched tires getting out of there. I could see them in my rear view mirror shaking their fists at me.

It was SO close that if I had not noticed them and picked up my pace before they left the store, I wouldn't have made it to my car. Also, if I hadn't had my keys right in my hand, I would have been caught. Those few extra seconds I gave myself turned out to be precious.

I shouldn't have been shopping alone so late in the dark, and thank God the lesson was only a scare. For some people it is much worse.

It's more than a decade later and it still gives me the creeps...

[Lily @ Lily's Health Pad]

Safety tip: Don't talk on your cell phone while walking in a dark parking lot.

[Jenna]

burgers look great!