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SmartKey to protect a not-so-smart Cookie

May 4, 2011

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When Chris and I made our list of things around the house that we wanted to get done this week, we scheduled the tasks through Wednesday.  Some things were projects I could (hopefully) get done during the day, like clearing all the boxes out of our bedroom and bathroom (yes, we still have boxes scattered), but there were larger tasks, like “paint the dining room and kitchen” that would take both of our efforts.  We crammed all of the tasks in Monday-Wednesday to be optimistic.  But, really I knew deep down that we would need Thursday, Friday and Saturday, too.  And here we are on Wednesday with 8 things still remaining on our to-do list.

Granted, we are quickly learning that unexpected projects pop up that require immediate attention.  Which brings me to our Monday.  It was a typical day.  Chris was gone to work and I was still wearing a pair of scrub pants and a black shirt from the night before.  Greta was throwing her lunch on the floor and someone knocked on the door.  We don’t have a peep hole, so I walked over to the front window to see if I could catch a glimpse at who it was.  I couldn’t, but there was a white utility truck parked out front, so I assumed it was someone from the utility company needing to check something out.  I opened the door and a middle-aged man with a baseball cap was on my doorstep.
“Hello!”
“Hi.  I am the guy you bought the house from.”  It felt like I needed to swallow, but I couldn’t.  We had never met the previous owner and the only thing we DID know about him was that he was recently remarried and almost backed out of the sale.
“Hello!”  I said it again.  And he just stood on the front step some more.  The silence was awkward and I am not even one of those people that can’t stand silence.  I said something stupid after a long wait, “Do youuuu…want…to…come in??”  As soon as I said it, I put my foot in my mouth and knew that I needed a game plan in case anything went sour fast.  I started looking around for my cell phone.
“Wow, you already painted.”
“Ha, yeah.”
“Nice.  I really really miss this place.  I hated moving.”  I was still eyeing for my phone so that I could call Chris…and 911, if need be.   He was moving toward the kitchen and gave Greta a little pat on the head.  I followed him to the sink where he bent down and started showing me the reverse-water-omission-thing.  I wasn’t listening to a word he was saying.  I was just thinking, How did this stranger get in my house and what is his purpose here? “Ahhh, I really loved this house.”  He reiterated.  I started moving toward the front door.
“Thanks for showing me that.”
“I wanna show you how the sprinkler system works.”
“Oh. Okay. You know, I bet my husband would like to know that.”
“Well, let me show you and you can tell him.”  At least we were moving out of the house now, but I still felt uneasy.  He showed me a bunch of things and I still wasn’t listening or maybe I wasn’t comprehending.  In the next couple minutes he was getting in his truck and leaving.  He seemed nice, and maybe it was harmless, but I felt EXTREMELY uneasy and stupid for answering the door and letting him in.  I knew I had to tell Chris and when I did–he was understandably upset.

We were planning on getting a new front door eventually, but we felt like something needed done that day.  Chris left work early and we went to Lowe’s and bought new locks for our doors.  The Kwikset brand with SmartKey technology.  We came home and my hero postponed mowing his precious lawn with his brand new mower (Monday’s original plan) to change out all the locks and install a peep hole.

So, yeah, some things are more important than painting the kitchen and dining room, clearing out boxes or hanging curtains.  I know that today more than I did Sunday.  

No worries, Chris got the lawn mowed last night and his fan club watched the whole time. 

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What do you think?

  1. Shobhita-S says:

    Great Post! I think the new electronic cylinder door lock is very collaborative for your front door.

  2. ~Kayla~ says:

    JULIE!!! NEVER AGAIN! My mouth dropped! :) Yard looks fab though Chris!

  3. Karlenn says:

    OMG. Sooooo scary. What a weirdo!! If he loved it so much, he shouldnt’ have sold it!! Dude, thanks for the tip on Olive Garden’s tortellini. I have never left Olive Garden disappointed. I love their Chicken Scampi. I’ll totally try out their tortellini next time. I had Pats over for lunch today – we had prosciutto tortellini. Fantastico. I am a fellow tortellini lover. For sure. Your blog is so cute! I love your home decor ideas – you are so creative. I’m gonna have to put you on my “I don’t know ’em, but I like ’em” part of my blog.

  4. ~Kayla~ says:

    JULIE!!! NEVER AGAIN! My mouth dropped! :) Yard looks fab though Chris!

  5. Meagan says:

    THANK YOU for getting those locks and peep hole. I know Ryan will be impressed that you got it done so quickly! Unfortunately that freaky guy had to come to scare you to make you get it installed quicker, but I know YOU and Chris and Greta will feel safer. I am SO glad we installed those hotel locks because at least that gives me sense of security and NOISE if someone were ever to break in.

    Go Chris mowing that lawn!!!!!!!!!!! I am SOOO excited to come and visit! And maybe even assist in some of your to-do’s!!!

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