How cool! Something like that just kinda proves that there are real people on the other end! ;-)

I know you have been very open about who you are and where you're located. I think I remember you saying your name is Deby (Debi?) - did I even come anywhere close to being right?

I've never been called out of the blue, but have met a number of folks in person that I originally "met" online. I think it's terrific! I think you can probably get a pretty good vibe for whether or not someone is legit (and merely wants to discuss your marmoleum), or if there's something "not quite right" about them.

Here's hoping your contact with this woman is the beginning of a lovely friendship!

Our local paper puts out a monthly "Healthy Living" magazine that is circulated for free throughout the area in different business, doctor's offices, etc. Last year they did an article about me and Hula Hooping. The name of my office was mentioned, because quite a few people in my office bought hoops and they quoted one of them also. So I've had several people call the office to ask about hooping. One of them asked if she could borrow my hoop for a while. I had to politely decline, of course.

I had someone drive by the house one day. My DH was outside and was asked if MonaBlair lived here. He knows this is my posting name so he asked why she might think that. It turns out she recognized the house from pics I had posted. Small world, isn't it?

She wasn't a poster, but was/is a lurker.

I don't know how I would feel about that, I guess it would depend. I wouldn't like it for someone just to show up unannounced. But I am like that with even friends and family.

....Jane

I've been contacted, not by phone, and it doesn't bother me a bit. I've become friendly enough with some women from other states over the years that we've visited at each other's homes. I've also met up with women here in the Chicago area and once on a trip to Utah.

Confession: I did track down a woman from Rate My Space. She posted the most gorgeous garden with a view of Lake Michigan and mentioned she was in southern WI - I'm in IL, close to the WI border so I knew she couldn't be far. On a Sunday drive last fall with my husband I saw the garden from about 2 blocks away. As we drove up, I could see her working in her garden. We stopped, and as I walked over I introduced myself and told her how I recognized the garden. She laughed, knew right away who I was and told me when she's feeling frustrated about her garden she re-reads the comments I wrote at RMS to her!!!

Yes, there are nut-jobs on the internet but my experiences have been 100% positive.

Golddust, I am also in Pasadena, & have a green marmoleum in the kitchen & breakfast room. If she's interested you could give her my email: degood@sbcglobal.net

Oh, thanks, Kathleen! I totally will!

I think that it would alarm me to get a phone call from someone on our boards here. I'm still getting email questions and comments about my kitchen reno and it's been 3 years since I finished it. It's on the Finished Kitchens Blog, which is part of, or a spin off, of GW's Kitchens Forum, so that doesn't bother me and I've answered them all. I've gotten emails through GW's other forums and that doesn't bother me either. In fact, I've made a number of new friends that way. But, a phone call out of the blue would unsettle me, I think . . . although the phone call you got sounds very innocent.
Lynn