My friend, Elaine forwarded this to me in an email. I really needed to read this. I should probably hang it up somewhere where I will see it constantly. Thought I'd share....
A Great Recipe
1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Talk to God about what is going on in your life. Buy a lock if you have to.
3. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to__________ today. I am thankful for______________'
4. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
5. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli , almonds & walnuts.
6. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
7. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
8. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.
9. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
10. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
11. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
12. You are not so important that you have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
13. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
14. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
16. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'
17. Forgive everyone for everything.
18. What other people think of you is none of your business.
19. GOD heals everything - but you have to ask Him.
20. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
21. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch!!!
22. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
23. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for__________. Today I accomplished_________.
24. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
25. When you are feeling down, start listing your many blessings. You'll be smiling before you know it.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
25 things about me.....
So, I got tagged on facebook to do this, so I thought I'd take the time to do it while the boys were napping and playing. I decided it was time to blog about something other than identity theft. *sigh*
1. I hate germs. Really. Bad. I'm obsessive compulsive about it. It's not fun.
2. I freak out about everything.
3. I miss South Jackson the way it used to be. I work in S. Jackson and I get depressed every time I see how bad it has become.
4. My faith in God has become very important to me just in the past few months. I've always believed, but I've never been tested and had faith until recently. My mistakes are history.
5. I like sushi. But not the raw stuff. I haven't had the desire to get that acquainted with raw fish. #6 will tell you why.
6. I do not like the texture of undercooked meat. I do not like my steak rare, nor do I like my tuna seared. It's not the taste, but the texture. Shiver....
7. I like to watch the news. It's how I get my fix late at night.
8. I failed Chemistry in high school.
9. I ran a marathon. Don't ask me why. I still have yet to figure out what made me do it.
10. There is no friend on earth I feel as comfortable around as I do Christi King. I remember the first time I met her. She was 10, I was 8. We stared at each other for like, 5 minutes. Since then we've been close, and we've lost touch a couple of times, but when we are together it feels like we've never been out of touch. I can tell her ANYTHING. And I have.
11. I like to drink a good glass of wine after a long day. But beacause I'm Baptist, my own religion judges me for that. But, as far as I'm concerned there's only one judge.
12. I hate math. HATE math. my brain shuts down when I see an algebraic equation.
13. Even though I hate math, I can add and subtract in my head faster and better than my husband, who is a C.P.A.
14. My husband is really good to me. And I admit, I deserve it less than anyone.
15. I am a drama queen. Which I guess goes back to #2. But you should see me when I'm sick...
16. I am obsessed-- OBSESSED-- with lipstick. If there is nothing else on my face, I better have the lips painted. I haven't quite figured out if that's a self-esteem issue....
17. The first thing I notice about people are their teeth and their smile.
18. I must shower twice a day. There is no exception to this rule.
19. I am obsessed with brushing my teeth. I do it between 4 and 7 times a day. But, I can't quite get into the habit of flossing.
20. Christmas is my favorite time of the year. There's nothing like the memories made with family during that time.
21. I have a wonderful grandfather. He is a Baptist preacher and he rocks. If you know him, you know, enough said....
22. Laughing is good for the soul. But only a good deep laugh. The kind you have to use your whole body for.
23. I like to blog. I find it to be good therapy.
24. I have a strong desire to be a nurse, but my math skills might hold me back.
25. God is good, and I find that even at my worst, I still have peace. I have learned about the power of prayer. It really is powerful. Really.
1. I hate germs. Really. Bad. I'm obsessive compulsive about it. It's not fun.
2. I freak out about everything.
3. I miss South Jackson the way it used to be. I work in S. Jackson and I get depressed every time I see how bad it has become.
4. My faith in God has become very important to me just in the past few months. I've always believed, but I've never been tested and had faith until recently. My mistakes are history.
5. I like sushi. But not the raw stuff. I haven't had the desire to get that acquainted with raw fish. #6 will tell you why.
6. I do not like the texture of undercooked meat. I do not like my steak rare, nor do I like my tuna seared. It's not the taste, but the texture. Shiver....
7. I like to watch the news. It's how I get my fix late at night.
8. I failed Chemistry in high school.
9. I ran a marathon. Don't ask me why. I still have yet to figure out what made me do it.
10. There is no friend on earth I feel as comfortable around as I do Christi King. I remember the first time I met her. She was 10, I was 8. We stared at each other for like, 5 minutes. Since then we've been close, and we've lost touch a couple of times, but when we are together it feels like we've never been out of touch. I can tell her ANYTHING. And I have.
11. I like to drink a good glass of wine after a long day. But beacause I'm Baptist, my own religion judges me for that. But, as far as I'm concerned there's only one judge.
12. I hate math. HATE math. my brain shuts down when I see an algebraic equation.
13. Even though I hate math, I can add and subtract in my head faster and better than my husband, who is a C.P.A.
14. My husband is really good to me. And I admit, I deserve it less than anyone.
15. I am a drama queen. Which I guess goes back to #2. But you should see me when I'm sick...
16. I am obsessed-- OBSESSED-- with lipstick. If there is nothing else on my face, I better have the lips painted. I haven't quite figured out if that's a self-esteem issue....
17. The first thing I notice about people are their teeth and their smile.
18. I must shower twice a day. There is no exception to this rule.
19. I am obsessed with brushing my teeth. I do it between 4 and 7 times a day. But, I can't quite get into the habit of flossing.
20. Christmas is my favorite time of the year. There's nothing like the memories made with family during that time.
21. I have a wonderful grandfather. He is a Baptist preacher and he rocks. If you know him, you know, enough said....
22. Laughing is good for the soul. But only a good deep laugh. The kind you have to use your whole body for.
23. I like to blog. I find it to be good therapy.
24. I have a strong desire to be a nurse, but my math skills might hold me back.
25. God is good, and I find that even at my worst, I still have peace. I have learned about the power of prayer. It really is powerful. Really.
My theory
My dining room table has turned into "Identity Theft 'R Us". There are stacks and stacks of papers. Everything from copies of my driver's license, to affidavits, to the FTC information on reporting identity theft, copies of my police reports, the list goes on and on. And I haven't even received the paperwork from Victoria's Secret or AT&T. My mind is always on this thing, my hair is falling out. It's awful. I have a personality that worries anyway. I worry about my everyday life. Now I have this to deal with. It's awful. Until my name is clear, which could take months to years, I will not rest in peace. Even after my name is clear, my life will be separated into two parts: My life before my identity was stolen, and my life after.
I have a theory, though. And as soon as I figure out how to write my local Congressman DIRECTLY, I will be writing him to discuss my theory. And my theory is this: If there were a law put into place to catch these criminals IN ACTION, there would be a lot less lives damaged by identity theft. This is the law I want put into action: When a victim of identity theft flags their credit report for fraud alert, and the person doing said crime comes in to apply for credit to buy something, then the employer pulling this report should be able to call the authorities, and the suspect should not be able to leave until the police arrive. And when police arrive, they should call the number that has been posted on the flagged report (which would be mine) and start the process of charging this person with identity theft. Wouldn't that make sense? I mean, really. Doesn't it? Why don't we have a law that enforces something like that? Maybe because it makes TOO much sense and would be TOO easy?
I also plan on going to see a lawyer. I want to file a suit with Harley Davidson. This person applied for credit using my maiden name. Not only did she do that, but she used 3 wrong spellings: DUNCUN, DANCAN, and DUNCKEN. Any idiot can see that not only are those inconsistent spellings, but they don't match up with my NOW MIDDLE name!!!!! Hello? Does anyone have common sense anymore?!
I have a theory, though. And as soon as I figure out how to write my local Congressman DIRECTLY, I will be writing him to discuss my theory. And my theory is this: If there were a law put into place to catch these criminals IN ACTION, there would be a lot less lives damaged by identity theft. This is the law I want put into action: When a victim of identity theft flags their credit report for fraud alert, and the person doing said crime comes in to apply for credit to buy something, then the employer pulling this report should be able to call the authorities, and the suspect should not be able to leave until the police arrive. And when police arrive, they should call the number that has been posted on the flagged report (which would be mine) and start the process of charging this person with identity theft. Wouldn't that make sense? I mean, really. Doesn't it? Why don't we have a law that enforces something like that? Maybe because it makes TOO much sense and would be TOO easy?
I also plan on going to see a lawyer. I want to file a suit with Harley Davidson. This person applied for credit using my maiden name. Not only did she do that, but she used 3 wrong spellings: DUNCUN, DANCAN, and DUNCKEN. Any idiot can see that not only are those inconsistent spellings, but they don't match up with my NOW MIDDLE name!!!!! Hello? Does anyone have common sense anymore?!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Drained...
I feel like I am 100 years old. There are so many things that I need to be doing today but I can't quite find the energy. I need to wash, and clean, and study, and follow up online with this whole fraud thing. Here I am online, and I can't make myself do it. Maybe it's a subconscious thing-- if I ignore it, it doesn't exist. But I know that's not reality. I am starting to sink into a depression over the identity theft. As if I didn't have enough to worry about with school, and the ACT, and two kids, and my REAL bills to pay, now I have to deal with this situation one affidavit at a time. And there are many to be filled out. I've tried to have a positive attitude and pray and give it over to God, but this is going to consume my life every time I see a credit card offer, a credit report commercial, and every time I have to give my social security number to someone. I can't sleep. I've had nightmares. I could be making a big deal out of this, more than I should, but until someone has been in this situation to this extent, it's hard to say how anyone could feel. Now that I'm in this situation it's awful. Chad and I worked so hard to keep our credit report close to perfect. We don't live outside our means, we pay all our bills on time, we've never had a late payment on ANYTHING, and now I have to clear my name for something I didn't do. And it depresses me because it's not as simple as going to the police and saying I didn't do this, go arrest her, and clear my credit report. I don't know who "her" is. I don't know how she got my information. Fortunately Chad and I will not be needing access to my credit report for any purchases anytime soon, but if this takes a long time, it could end up affecting us. One day we'll need a new car. I am in deep prayer over this and I can feel God's peace at work in me because I know He is much bigger than this situation and the person who did this to me. And I know that even if she is never caught, eventually her actions will be judged by the Highest Authority of all. I just want to shake the sadness and anger that is lingering in my heart. I will get through this, and I am still amazed, utterly amazed, at how I even found out about this when I did. It was nothing but the power of God at work, and I can't be thankful enough for that blessing.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
so it continues....
Will the real Amanda please stand up? So, I filed a police report. Chad pulled up a more detailed credit report and the girl not only bought a Harley, but she tried to buy a brand new BMW. For some reason she obviously wasn't able to make that purchase. She also opened up a Victoria's Secret credit card and charged $2,000 worth of underwear. In one month. Why in the hell would anybody want $2,000 worth of underwear. Oh right, I forgot, it was ME footing the bill.
I am SO stressed right now I can't even function. On top of dealing with this and being on the phone with creditors and filing a police report, I had to take Ethan to the doctor in the midst of it all. He's so pitiful and is running fever, and is crying all the time. This is a baby who never, ever cries. He has an ear infection. Again. Not to mention my house looks like a tornado hit it and I seem to be the only person that cares.
I told Chad I feel like I have aged 15 years in the past 24 hours. Identity theft is massive. And to clear my name it will take months. Then there are forms after forms after forms I have to fill out and fax and mail, and then I have to make a gazillion copies of the police report to go with it. It's frightening to think that my social security number is out there floating around.
It makes me so mad. I've always gotten mad at the concept of people taking other peoples things. It's not right. People work hard for what they have. At least the people I know do. I told Chad I would've been less angry if someone would've come into my house and taken my things. Instead they've taken MY identity. My name, my social security number. The number I was given at birth and the number I will die with. They've taken years of perfect credit and smeared it in the mud. There's a lot of cruel people in this world and people who don't give a damn. I don't understand the lack of respect and morals, basic morals, in this world. I can pray for peace and guidance in this situation, and know that "this too shall pass", but I sure would like to come face to face with this heifer.....(I'd like to use something else, but instead I'm going to think it.)
I am SO stressed right now I can't even function. On top of dealing with this and being on the phone with creditors and filing a police report, I had to take Ethan to the doctor in the midst of it all. He's so pitiful and is running fever, and is crying all the time. This is a baby who never, ever cries. He has an ear infection. Again. Not to mention my house looks like a tornado hit it and I seem to be the only person that cares.
I told Chad I feel like I have aged 15 years in the past 24 hours. Identity theft is massive. And to clear my name it will take months. Then there are forms after forms after forms I have to fill out and fax and mail, and then I have to make a gazillion copies of the police report to go with it. It's frightening to think that my social security number is out there floating around.
It makes me so mad. I've always gotten mad at the concept of people taking other peoples things. It's not right. People work hard for what they have. At least the people I know do. I told Chad I would've been less angry if someone would've come into my house and taken my things. Instead they've taken MY identity. My name, my social security number. The number I was given at birth and the number I will die with. They've taken years of perfect credit and smeared it in the mud. There's a lot of cruel people in this world and people who don't give a damn. I don't understand the lack of respect and morals, basic morals, in this world. I can pray for peace and guidance in this situation, and know that "this too shall pass", but I sure would like to come face to face with this heifer.....(I'd like to use something else, but instead I'm going to think it.)
Monday, January 26, 2009
It's official....
I have become a victim. You know those really cheesy, yet funny credit commercials where the guy is always singing about how he should've checked his credit, but he didn't so now he has to work at a restaurant selling seafood to tourists in t-shirts? Take those commercials seriously. Very.
I called AT&T today to find out the origin of the two letters I received this weekend. They were legit letters. In November, three accounts had been opened in my maiden name with my social security number. Of course, I find this out as I'm about to walk into my 5 hour Monday night class where we will be discussing the basics of Organic Chemistry-- something I don't understand even when I'm paying attention. Well, I couldn't concentrate. I was fighting back tears. I tried with all my might to push it to the back of my mind. On the way home I was overcome with emotions. I've heard horror stories about identity theft. It can ruin someone forever. Chad and I have near perfect credit. Well, when I got home, Chad had some more bad news waiting for me that he didn't want to tell me until I got home. He pulled our credit report to check any unusual activity.
This person used my social security number and name to buy something to the tune of $30,000.00 Yep. THIRTY. THOUSAND. DOLLARS. Guess what they bought? A Harley Davidson. Yep. A. HARLEY. DAVIDSON. Here we are wondering how long our cars are going to last and some female went and bought a !@#$%^*&&^ motorcycle for more than I would EVER pay for a car. EVER.
So right now if you were to ask me how I'm feeling, I'm not quite sure how I would answer that. I'm angry. ANGRY. ANGRY comes to mind before any other emotion. Just plain MAD. I'm also still in shock. It's always something I thought COULD happen to me, but more than likely wouldn't, so I put it in the back of my head. But, it did, and now I have to start the long process of clearing my name.
Through it all, God is good. ONLY, and ONLY by the grace of God, did I ever open the first envelope from AT&T. I never, ever open anything like that if I know it's not a bill. I always think it's something they're offering or a promotion or whatever. I automatically throw it in the trash. For no reason, FOR NO REASON, I opened that first envelope. Didn't know what it meant, asked Chad about it when he got home, and he told me to call them ASAP. The next day I got another envelope. Fortunately, because of that "God-thing" (phrase I like to use when there is no other explanation BUT the power of God at work) we hope we caught it before it was too late. All this just recently happened. I know it will be a long process, but I have some peace about it. I just don't understand how anyone could ever be so cruel and have NO morals.
I have wracked my brain trying to figure out how anyone from Texas or California (the two states activities were reported in) could get my info. In my maiden name. I've even gone back to past employers. I am careful with my info and don't give it out to just anyone. I'm not stupid. And I've been married for almost seven years. My maiden name is no longer my legal name. I would like to know who this person is and how many other people they have done this to. First thing in the morning I'm going to the Florence Police Department and starting there and working my way up. I'm also calling Harley Davidson and demanding a physical address that this person used, among other things. I've already called and put a fraud alert on my credit report. I'm just a little in shock right now........
I called AT&T today to find out the origin of the two letters I received this weekend. They were legit letters. In November, three accounts had been opened in my maiden name with my social security number. Of course, I find this out as I'm about to walk into my 5 hour Monday night class where we will be discussing the basics of Organic Chemistry-- something I don't understand even when I'm paying attention. Well, I couldn't concentrate. I was fighting back tears. I tried with all my might to push it to the back of my mind. On the way home I was overcome with emotions. I've heard horror stories about identity theft. It can ruin someone forever. Chad and I have near perfect credit. Well, when I got home, Chad had some more bad news waiting for me that he didn't want to tell me until I got home. He pulled our credit report to check any unusual activity.
This person used my social security number and name to buy something to the tune of $30,000.00 Yep. THIRTY. THOUSAND. DOLLARS. Guess what they bought? A Harley Davidson. Yep. A. HARLEY. DAVIDSON. Here we are wondering how long our cars are going to last and some female went and bought a !@#$%^*&&^ motorcycle for more than I would EVER pay for a car. EVER.
So right now if you were to ask me how I'm feeling, I'm not quite sure how I would answer that. I'm angry. ANGRY. ANGRY comes to mind before any other emotion. Just plain MAD. I'm also still in shock. It's always something I thought COULD happen to me, but more than likely wouldn't, so I put it in the back of my head. But, it did, and now I have to start the long process of clearing my name.
Through it all, God is good. ONLY, and ONLY by the grace of God, did I ever open the first envelope from AT&T. I never, ever open anything like that if I know it's not a bill. I always think it's something they're offering or a promotion or whatever. I automatically throw it in the trash. For no reason, FOR NO REASON, I opened that first envelope. Didn't know what it meant, asked Chad about it when he got home, and he told me to call them ASAP. The next day I got another envelope. Fortunately, because of that "God-thing" (phrase I like to use when there is no other explanation BUT the power of God at work) we hope we caught it before it was too late. All this just recently happened. I know it will be a long process, but I have some peace about it. I just don't understand how anyone could ever be so cruel and have NO morals.
I have wracked my brain trying to figure out how anyone from Texas or California (the two states activities were reported in) could get my info. In my maiden name. I've even gone back to past employers. I am careful with my info and don't give it out to just anyone. I'm not stupid. And I've been married for almost seven years. My maiden name is no longer my legal name. I would like to know who this person is and how many other people they have done this to. First thing in the morning I'm going to the Florence Police Department and starting there and working my way up. I'm also calling Harley Davidson and demanding a physical address that this person used, among other things. I've already called and put a fraud alert on my credit report. I'm just a little in shock right now........
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Sunday, a day of rest?
Lately I feel like I can't quite keep up with myself. I thought after the holidays things would slow down a bit, but I haven't been convinced that things have changed. In place of the holiday parties other events are happening. I wanted to spend some time relaxing this weekend, but this is the first time I've stopped since the weekend began on Friday. On top of that I'm a little stressed. Not only am I worried about the math when I take my ACT (in two weeks), but yesterday and Friday I got two letters from AT&T saying that two new accounts have been opened in my maiden name. When I tried to call, they were closed for the weekend. I'm not sure if these are legit letters from AT&T or if someone is wanting to see if I'm stupid enough to call and verify personal information. I've tried not to worry, but with all the identity theft that happens these days, I am a little uneasy about it.....
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