You have cash? Prove it!

I never did figure out what she was thinking, Pam.  To this day I STILL don't get it.

So right, Alan, and thank you.

Oh, Dawn, I felt your pain!  Amen, sister, to be on THIS side of that lesson!

Not even an hour again, Eric.  I learned my lesson.

The REFERRAL was from an old friend, Judy.  Honestly, I didn't really HEAR (absorb, comprehend) until I was standing in line in the store.  I couldn't wrap my brain around what it meant.  NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER would have occurred to me that we could be doing what we were doing without her having the CASH.  Never like to think that I'm naive, but couldn't imagine WHY someone would do that!  Still don't have any idea.

More than we'd care to admit, huh, Maggie?

Isn't that amazing, Steven?  I just don't understand WHY THEY BOTHER!?

Everything, Paul.  But why do they want to waste THEIR time?

Thanks, Kim.  And I find that when you ask them to verify, they get very condescending.  So so funny . . . only not :))))

that is too, too funny, Bill.  It took me a few minutes to gasp, however, because I just couldn't wrap my brain even around the CONCEPT!  What were we doing there? :)

Right, Jeff?  But she wanted ME to buy the soda and the lottery ticket! And the really FUNNY thing was - every day it was a different group of them, but always at least 3 young kids.  Was I babysitting?  Were they looking to keep the kids occupied?  Who would think THIS would be a good way to do that? :)

They really don't, Erica.  HUGE TIME SUCK :)

That is the way, since that day, that I have worked it, Yvette :)

Well thanks, Mike (blush) . . . how funny is THAT, and it's not even Saturday :))) . . . honestly, there was no laughter, no anger, no recriminations, no feeling but numbness until later.  I believe that is what SHOCK is :)  I kept thinking, "So wait, WHY have we been looking at houses?"  Why have I been carting these kids around for the past 3 days?  I was too 'on the verge' to open my mouth and ask - you know, didn't want to be charged with assault or anything :) so I never did find out.  From that day forward, it has been pure speculation, but I didn't ever want to see her again

thank you, Steve.  Yes, and in the scheme of things, it was not too painful a lesson.  Just an AMAZING lesson - but one not forgotten even remotely in almost two decades :)

You know, Phil, I have to completely agree with you.  At the time, and every time that I have remembered her, I have often thought that she was mentally ill.  The question was, how about her daughter and grandkids and mother? :))))

Truth of the matter is, Karen, I spent a long time being embarrassed for being so stupid - what I call a ROOKIE MISTAKE.  When I mentioned it later at the office, everyone treated me like I was the ignorant newbie for not checking.  Looking back on it, I have often wondered how many of THEM would have checked.  :)))))

thanks so much, Jack.  I am, however, glad that I learned it as a rookie :)  Totally agree . . . NOW (obvious lesson learned)