Last year my husband and I moved - “from the coast” of Oceanside, California to “inland a bit” of Fallbrook, California.  There’s only about a 20 minute drive from one town to the other, but in terms of “big towns”, Fallbrook is puny.

We moved for a few reasons, one of which was to be able to enjoy a slower pace of life, have grass, be able to see the stars at night - you know - somewhere between Little House on the Prairie and Green Acres.  I’ve lived in small towns before (I’m a military brat - I’ve lived everywhere, per se)…so this wasn’t going to be a big adjustment for me.

Today was one of those days where I’m grateful that we made that move.  We just had a week’s worth of rain and the new green is up and florishing.  The weather was perfect - the perfect blend of humidity, barometric pressure, ever so slight breeze, blue skies and warm sunshine.  Today is Thursday.  Thursdays I attend “Weaving Guild”, at a working museum.  The museum is within an incredible amount of acres which hosts “The Antique Steam Engine Museum” in Vista, California.  The location is beautiful - but today it was stunning.

Thursdays, on my way home from “Weaving Guild”, I run errands.  Today I stopped at the grocery store to grab something for my hubby.  On the way out the door, the manager’s face caught my attention.  He looked like a manager that I used to have, back in Mortgage World, a manager I admire and still visit from time to time.  He caught me looking at him and asked if he could help me.  I told him that he reminds me of one of my dear ex-managers, and if he were “Jeff”, right now I’d be telling him it’s time for him to go home.  That opened up conversation.

Tim, the Grocery Manager, told me that things are tough and they are going to be tougher.  He didn’t begin the conversation that way - it came about.  I asked him to elaborate.  He explained to me that between Valentines and Tax Day (April 15th!) people tighten up and spend less, but that in a “protected community” such as Fallbrook, it’s tougher.  “Everyone that lives in town works out of town.”  He told me that people aren’t buying things like they used to (he’s been at this store for the last three years) “…they are only buying the essentials.”  He told me about the foreclosed homes in his neighborhood, that investment companies are buying them up and making it really tough for a first time home buyer to break into the market.  “Why would a bank want to hassle with qualifying me when they can just use any of their approved investment companies?”

I thanked Tim for his time (and great store) to continue my journey home.

I had just turned right onto “church lane” (I think there are 7 churches within 3 blocks) and was struck by the beauty of the sunset against the mountains in the west - with an “almost” full-moon in the sky.  Moon out bright while the sun is still out - awesome…

….when a boy in a car in the opposite lane caught my attention.  He was just a gaggly teenager, waving “HI!” through the sun roof of the crowded small car of teenagers.  He was so goofy looking, I had to smile.  Smile at him feeling comfortable enough to look goofy for a laugh.  Smile at the beauty of the place that provides me beauty on my way home.

I turned left onto “Live Oak Park Road”.  Just as I’m making the turn, I see a photographer with a tripod.  He’s leaning over the camera.  He was prepared for the “almost” full moon against the purple sunset of the mountains.  The light of the sky had just turned, where the glow of the “perfect sun” fades to dusk.  I hope he got that shot.

We live in a small town.  It’s tough out there - tough for everyone.  My head is full of concern for everyone going through this economic contraction.  My heart, my soul - is content.  I’m happy we made this move.  I’m happy, in this tough time, in this small town.  Today was a beautiful day full of gratitude everywhere I looked, everywhere I turned.

Music:  In The City - Eagles

An actor who pleaded guilty for attempt to sell Social Security numbers and fake identifications, has been sentenced.

News reports state that Antwon Tanner, a former “One Tree Hill” star, was attempting to sell 16 Social Security Numbers and three fake Social Security Cards.

While your initial reaction may be why does a TV Star need to sell Social Security Numbers, I’m more impressed with the figure he was going to get for it.

Social Security Numbers are very easy to obtain, so easy in fact that the going price for them is $5.00 a piece.  16 SSNs for $10K =$625/SSN.  I would personally dismiss the fake cards, as it would be easy enough to create a fake card that would pass through any underpaid Motor Vehicle Department employee.

According to a report on NYDailyNews.com:

Some of the Social Security numbers were unassigned while others were traced to dead people and to persons who did not know their identification numbers had been stolen by Tanner, the source said.

At the same time Tanner was pocketing thousands of illicit dollars, the diminutive actor’s career was taking off.

In the early 1990’s, Social Security Numbers sold on the black market for about $1000.00 a piece. The advent of the desktop computer and the internet brought that price down.

How do you protect your identity from being stolen?