Hives Resolved?

I've had an AHA moment! After suffering with the hives that appeared rather randomly, only on my hands, and only during the work week, I think I've got it figured out. I've developed an allergy to something in the liquid soap in the bathrooms at my office! I've taken an extra bottle of the Avon Naturals soap that I use at home and am keeping it in the cabinet in the bathroom I usually use. So far - no hives! Go figure! If it was all that easy.

Money Stuff

I HAVE to share a story that daughter Bec told me this evening. She works at a teller at a small bank - the type where they get to really know their customers. The other day, one of her good customers, Terry, came into the bank and said he needed some help. When she asked what she could do, he pulled some money (bills) out of his wallet and laid them on the counter, saying he wanted to replace them. They were all singed around the edges, blackened with soot. She looked at him questionly and he laughed, said he was rather embarrassed to tell her what had happened. Apparently he was shopping at Goodwill, and spotted what looked like a nice microwave, just what he knew his mother-in-law needed. He found a place to plug it in and, wanting to test it, looked around for something to put inside. (Can you see where this is going?) Not seeing anything suitable, he pulled out his wallet, popped it into the microwave and hit the "start" button. Within seconds, the whole thing burst into flames. By this time, Bec was laughing so hard she was crying, called her manager and told her she HAD to see this. The manager asked Terry what he was thinking - and the answer is - he wasn't! Apparently, the little metal strips on credit/debit cards are not compaitible with microwaves. Moral of the story - DON'T MICROWAVE YOUR MONEY!

Now, speaking of financial things - I've had a real scare. Yesterday I received a call from the fraud department at one of my credit card companies, wanting to verify a transaction earlier that day. Apparently someone had the numbers from my credit card and had tried to use it at a bank in Maryland to take a sizeable cash advance against the card. I am so glad they suspected something and called me, and I am not liable for it. They've cancelled my card and will issue a new one in a week or so, and we've put a fraud alert with the credit agencies. I've also gotten a copy of my credit report and am going over it carefully - but so far everything else seems ok. I'm hoping it was an isolated incident but I'm really spooked. How in the world anyone got my information is a mystery to me and that really bothers me. Who would have the NERVE to steal money from me - a poor working slob who doesn't have any!