http://powertochange.com/life/personalsafetytips/
yes, it is still a little on my mind...I do think this is a good resource for women to read to feel more prepared though, hope it helps someone out there.
Thanks,
BettyK
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Please Be Careful
I had a strange occurance at the grocery store yesterday.
I was by myself and a little in a rush so sort of distracted when a man approached me and asked if I would buy him some food. He looked a little lean and rough so I thought he was just down on his luck as they say & needed a little help. I asked him what he was looking for and he told me some items like beans etc. and I just said why don't I just give him some cash to get what he needs & I just gave him a $10. He seemed bothered by that but I took it as he was embarassed to take money. He tried to talk to me a bit, asking what I do and some other questions but I tried to go on my way and told him have a really nice day & moved along.
Before I know it he was in front of me again, asking if I would just take him through the line with him and buy him stuff- I said I was in a hurry & really needed to go, he got a little aggitated again & said "I really want you to just go through the line with me and buy my stuff" then I more firmly said I need to go & this wasn't an option.
I thought I was clear & this was a little strange but wasn't registering to me. Then I get up to the checkout line and as I turn to get my last item he is right there, with others behind him so I think he cut in to get right next to me and he is close enough so it looks like we are together & he starts talking to me of young women being abducted and tortured and many other statements I won't write - then starts telling me something of what he thinks of a woman who would be captured and raped & tortured for days & I am looking to the checkout guy- a very young guy- and I am pleading with him with my eyes for help.
I acted like I needed to talk to the checkout guy but quickly mention to this man that people who do things like that need Jesus & he sort of takes off & leaves but makes sure he leaves by coming up behind me an 'squeezing' behind my body to get out of the isle.
As he walks away I ask the store clerk for help & he gets a bigger store clerk with a little more age on him to walk me to my car. I tell him some of what this man was saying so he calls the police- he asks me if I see him and there he was- at the other store exit getting on a 10 speed bike looking over then riding out of the parking lot over to the Taco Bell. I felt so sick inside- I got in my car, locked my doors & got home.
As I related to my husband what happened I really started to shake & cry, I realized some of the things this guy did- he was trolling for a target.
He had a bottle of mustard in his hand when he approached me and appeared like he was looking for something to purchase in the store so he wouldn't stand out- but when he approached me there were others in my area, 2 couples, and 2 individual men- yet he approached me and when he did he seemed to try to draw me to the side by his manner of talking & movements, placing the mustard on the shelf out of place from another isle, I think he was carrying this because it was small and easy to put away- I wasn't thinking then so I didn't notice.
He was trying to get me to come through the line with him and buy his food because he wanted to follow me out to his car- this took him asking 3 times to do this before I realized why he may want to yet then I still didn't register why he may want to do this.
When he was talking to me as he cornered me at the checkout he seemed like he was really loosing his opportunity with me so he got blantent with his thoughts and said the most uncomfortable & scary things- and seemed like he was trying to find a way to still get me to go out to my car & he get a chance to follow me...I realize as I think through his actions & words I was looking a very dangerous person in the eyes. I want to caution all of you but also wanted to get a description of him on here in case any of you encounter such a guy. As I said the store clerk was calling the police but as he was this guy was riding off on a bike and by time they go t there I am sure could have been long gone.
This was at Giant Market on Columbia ave. He has brownish hair with a slight dark red tint to it- he had rough sort of burly hair & it was a little to his shoulders, he had a beard and green eyes I believe. He was on the lean side but still strong enough looking, about early to mid 30's I think in age, was hard to tell that. He was wearing a med blue pair pf shorts that were it seems insideout. I think he was also wearing a hat of some sort. He also had a med blue sweatshirt on & was a little dirty looking.
SO I hate to post this but at the same time- I really cannot write how this shook me, I don't want to be dramatic but I feel like I was stalked by a person who intends to or may have already done serious harm. I am contacting the store today to see how things went with the police and then contacting the police to be sure they have the description of the guy and my statement.
Please be cautious when shopping, lock your car, watch who is around you, try not to go alone esp. towards evening- this was just around 5:30 for me.
Be aware, be peaceful and stay safe!
BettyK
I was by myself and a little in a rush so sort of distracted when a man approached me and asked if I would buy him some food. He looked a little lean and rough so I thought he was just down on his luck as they say & needed a little help. I asked him what he was looking for and he told me some items like beans etc. and I just said why don't I just give him some cash to get what he needs & I just gave him a $10. He seemed bothered by that but I took it as he was embarassed to take money. He tried to talk to me a bit, asking what I do and some other questions but I tried to go on my way and told him have a really nice day & moved along.
Before I know it he was in front of me again, asking if I would just take him through the line with him and buy him stuff- I said I was in a hurry & really needed to go, he got a little aggitated again & said "I really want you to just go through the line with me and buy my stuff" then I more firmly said I need to go & this wasn't an option.
I thought I was clear & this was a little strange but wasn't registering to me. Then I get up to the checkout line and as I turn to get my last item he is right there, with others behind him so I think he cut in to get right next to me and he is close enough so it looks like we are together & he starts talking to me of young women being abducted and tortured and many other statements I won't write - then starts telling me something of what he thinks of a woman who would be captured and raped & tortured for days & I am looking to the checkout guy- a very young guy- and I am pleading with him with my eyes for help.
I acted like I needed to talk to the checkout guy but quickly mention to this man that people who do things like that need Jesus & he sort of takes off & leaves but makes sure he leaves by coming up behind me an 'squeezing' behind my body to get out of the isle.
As he walks away I ask the store clerk for help & he gets a bigger store clerk with a little more age on him to walk me to my car. I tell him some of what this man was saying so he calls the police- he asks me if I see him and there he was- at the other store exit getting on a 10 speed bike looking over then riding out of the parking lot over to the Taco Bell. I felt so sick inside- I got in my car, locked my doors & got home.
As I related to my husband what happened I really started to shake & cry, I realized some of the things this guy did- he was trolling for a target.
He had a bottle of mustard in his hand when he approached me and appeared like he was looking for something to purchase in the store so he wouldn't stand out- but when he approached me there were others in my area, 2 couples, and 2 individual men- yet he approached me and when he did he seemed to try to draw me to the side by his manner of talking & movements, placing the mustard on the shelf out of place from another isle, I think he was carrying this because it was small and easy to put away- I wasn't thinking then so I didn't notice.
He was trying to get me to come through the line with him and buy his food because he wanted to follow me out to his car- this took him asking 3 times to do this before I realized why he may want to yet then I still didn't register why he may want to do this.
When he was talking to me as he cornered me at the checkout he seemed like he was really loosing his opportunity with me so he got blantent with his thoughts and said the most uncomfortable & scary things- and seemed like he was trying to find a way to still get me to go out to my car & he get a chance to follow me...I realize as I think through his actions & words I was looking a very dangerous person in the eyes. I want to caution all of you but also wanted to get a description of him on here in case any of you encounter such a guy. As I said the store clerk was calling the police but as he was this guy was riding off on a bike and by time they go t there I am sure could have been long gone.
This was at Giant Market on Columbia ave. He has brownish hair with a slight dark red tint to it- he had rough sort of burly hair & it was a little to his shoulders, he had a beard and green eyes I believe. He was on the lean side but still strong enough looking, about early to mid 30's I think in age, was hard to tell that. He was wearing a med blue pair pf shorts that were it seems insideout. I think he was also wearing a hat of some sort. He also had a med blue sweatshirt on & was a little dirty looking.
SO I hate to post this but at the same time- I really cannot write how this shook me, I don't want to be dramatic but I feel like I was stalked by a person who intends to or may have already done serious harm. I am contacting the store today to see how things went with the police and then contacting the police to be sure they have the description of the guy and my statement.
Please be cautious when shopping, lock your car, watch who is around you, try not to go alone esp. towards evening- this was just around 5:30 for me.
Be aware, be peaceful and stay safe!
BettyK
Monday, November 7, 2011
Being Grateful Drives Away Fear
With Thanksgiving just around the corner and the decorations and music beginning to fill the stores around us it is a little easier to have thoughts of thankfulness and express gratitude.
I was reading a devotional email I get daily today and realized that it was not too long ago that our family was going through such stressful times that I was filled with thoughts of fear and feelings of overwhelming despair. I see today the season is fresh and hopeful and I read these tips on keeping fear away by driving it out with gratitude and it is something I want to practice to be prepared. As we all know those seasons can come repeatedly in our lives because it is through those seasons we learn and grow.
I post this to share with you in case you are in a season of fear yourself...in case you are feeling loss or pain and find hope and gratitude a strange thought to grasp.Look over the tips I have copied from the email I recieved and see if there is something here that can help you today to find strength as you go through your own season.
If you are interested I get these emails from a wonderful site where you can sign up for daily emails and inspirations - they have been so necessary on some days that I have been part of this for almost 2 years now.
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/2011/11/07/gratitude/
I love this description of what they are about you will find on the lower left of their site page ~
Cultivate Gratitude
- Make a gratitude list. Write down 7-10 things on the list each day. Download a Gratitude app to your mobile device or purchase a blank book specifically for keeping your gratitude list.
- Say a grace before each meal. Also say a grace before you engage in a new activity.
- Each time you pick up the phone, receive or send a text, or look at an email or letter, give thanks for that person.
- If you are struggling with fear, sadness, or hopelessness, stop what you are doing and jot down a list of 5 things for which you are grateful.
- Say a prayer of thanks at the end of the day.
BettyK
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"What lies behind us, and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
