I was at my office (Mesquite GMAC Real Estate) and got a phone call from a very nice man, asking for directions to the hardware store. We chatted for awhile - he was from out of state and had his RV parked at the Oasis Casino RV Park. He said his wife was taking an afternoon nap and he was walking around Mesquite for some exercise. I don't really approve of voluntary exercise, but I didn't feel that I knew him well enough to counsel him about it.
He was fun to talk to, had visited Mesquite NV several times before and loved it. So I offered to pick him and his alleged wife, Judy up at the RV Park and give them a tour of Mesquite.
As I was on my way to the RV Park to pick up Rich and Judy, Annie, one of my 3 daughters called me. I told her I 
would call her back in a while - that I was about to pick up a guy named Rich and show him around Mesquite.
My husband's name is also Rich - Annie thought I was talking about him and and was with him.
Later, she called my husband's cell - he said he didn't know where I was. (He didn't notice that his cell phone was beeping - I had left him a message telling him where I was)
So Annie called my other daughter, Amy, who called my other daughter, Aly, who called my mother-in-law, Maryanne.
Annie decided that I had been kidnapped by ax murderers or something and called the police in Mesquite and asked them to look for my car along side the road.
In the meantime, we had decided to go tour the new Pulte Del Webb Sun City Mesquite Active Adult Community - and for some reason, I left my cell phone in the car, which is very unusual - I always take it with me.
We spent a couple of hours at Sun City Mesquite. Lila Williams, the Sales Representative and I spent a good amount of time showing Rich and Judy and their Killer dog around the Sun City Mesquite models and Rec Center.
While we were looking at the new homes, everybody I know was calling me. When we got back to the car and I saw all of those missed calls, I started answering the phone and assuring them that I was fine. This was the first I knew of that anyone was worried about me and that the police were looking for me!
Finally, I explained, as nicely as I could, to Rich and Judy that I might have to make a couple of calls because my whole family thinks that they are ax murderers.
So the moral of this story is 'keep yourself safe'. We now have a code that I use with my family to let them know that yes, I will be missing in action, but I am safe. And I leave a message about who I am with and when I will be home - with someone besides my husband, who never even looks at his phone!
And if you ever see these scary looking people and their Killer Dog, RUN FOR YOUR LIFE !
The good news here is that Rich and Judy are buying a new second home at Pulte Del Webb's Sun City Mesquite, we have become friends, and I get to come over and swim in the pool!
Maybe I can talk them into giving me a spare key (you know, for emergencies when they are not in town) - then I can impersonate them and use that wonderful Sun City Mesquite Recreation Center, too!
Judy and Rich and Killer live out of state and I have been monitoring the progress of their new Sun City home for them. So far, so good!
Pulte Del Webb builds a fine home. (see photo)
Rich, Judy, and Killer's second home will be done in July, so don't call me in August - sorry, I don't take calls at the pool.
Sun City Mesquite Construction Update Photo June 28 2008 - Close to Finish:
Buying a new home in Sun City Mesquite 55+ Active Adult Community
Mesquite Nevada Real Estate Agent ~ ~ ERA
Virginia Hepp ~ Mesquite Realtor 
Hi Virginia - that's a funny story, but a good reminder of us to let someone know where we are and who we're with. How nice to have a family like that that worked so hard to keep tabs on you!
Ann
You need to call your family back so they don't worry.
Virginia ~ Glad this worked out for you. However, as I began reading your post, I was really concerned.
Good story- If I were your family, I would have been nervous also. I'm glad this put a code into play for your family so they will know you are safe. You have to be careful today!!
I think I have seen that guys picture at the post office and I'm sure the dog is a trained "Killer", you were lucky to get away from them with all your limbs..I bet he has a chain saw hidden in that RV.
Funny story, stay safe.Steve
Anyone who can find a nice new home for Killer is A O K in my book Virginia. Great that you have a plan for your safety always and a good story! I too, initially thought you were showing homes to a whole new class of clients at first : )
Virginia- What a cute story about a very serious subject. You must be safe and have a passcode you use with your family. I am glad it turned out so well for you!
Ann - Thanks, My family is so supportive and my 3 daughters call me several times a day. When they call, I just tell them I am with clients and they call back. This time, I left the phone in the car and didn't know about the confusion. I always put it in my pocket - except this time.
Steven - Yes, I always let somebody know what I am up to - this time, my husband didn't see the message. Now we have a better plan.
Darleen - Maybe I should change the title?
Rob - Yes, even in Mesquite, anything could happen.
Steve - I think the killer dog is trained to use a chain saw and is wanted in 3 states. He really looks the type.
Gary - Thanks, I am being careful. When I was young, I hitchhiked all over California. I was lucky.
Katerina - Thank you, they are the nicest, most fun people in the world - who would have thought that they would make me realize that I am not careful?
Hey Annie Oakley, where was your gun? I miss you!!! This was too funny, and I'm glad you now have a code, and a sale, hey that's great. Sounds like all is well in your world, stop by and see me when you get a chance. I'm in the makeover to takeover contest, team Tex-La...tomorrow we find out which two teams got cut this week, so keep your fingers crossed. Hugs, Liz
Liz - What good would a pellet gun do against ax murderers? Besides, they have that killer dog! I have been so busy, but I'll be over to see what Tex-La is up to.
Too funny... It's good that everyone sprang into action to try and find you. On top of all the drama you sold them a house... can't beat that. :)
Ahhh…Rich and Judy don’t look too scary. But that vicious looking dog would scare the you-know-what out of anyone! (lol-lol)
Jesse - Yes, and Mesquite is such a small town, I am surprised that they didn't find me. Sold a house and made 2 friends - win, win situation.
Michael - As soon as I met that dog, I knew. All the salespeople at Sun City ran for their lives when we walked in the door. It was a terrifying experience.
Virginia, What a delighful entertaining post done with humor. You were able to take a very serious subject and highlight the "danger''. We all need to be aware of who we meet and how we let others know we are safe.
Now, don't you ever leave your cell in the car, again! Enough scolding.
Thanks for sharing and congratulations on your new friends and 'your' new pool.
Virginia murphys law says that if you put your phone down you will inevitably get a bunch of phone calls. I am sure the family was relieved to know you were fine :)
Great Story!!!! I borke down in Mesquite on the way home from college many years ago. I won some money in the casino.
Ted - Oh, you were that guy who won! I remember hearing about that. :)
Virginia! This is such an excellent story. Your poor children and mother-in-law must have been about ready to pull out their hair (or is that hairs?) over this situation. If your hubby is like mine, he may not have noticed you were missing. :) until much later. :) How cool for your clients. BTW, I love, love, love this sentence --
I don't really approve of voluntary exercise, but I didn't feel that I knew him well enough to counsel him about it.
me too!
Hi Yvonne - When I see people out running, I always look to see if someone is chasing them, that is the only reason I would be running. :)
Now that I have gotten to know Rich a little better, I tried to talk to him about his problem (walking around for no good reason), but he seems to enjoy it or something, I can't get through to him. :(
And yes, my husband wasn't very concerned, 'I'm sure she is around here somewhere.....'
Virginia, there is just no accounting for those folks who intend to willfully exercise which I must admit is at least slightly different then when our children are willfully disobedient.
I knew it! We played an elaborate April Fools joke on my hubby this year. He later admited that it wasn't until very late in the day that he truly began to worry about my whereabouts because before that he was able to rationalize the places I might safely be. Ugggghhhhh. Oh well, it is nice to be married to a man who is cool, calm and collected. Right?
Yvonne - Right! That is a nice way to describe them.
Great story Virginia! We have a Sun City here and I'm READY to move in--so much to do there and I'd just like to ride around on a golf cart all day--showing homes!!!!!
Debe - Sorry - I missed your comment - we are actually thinking about buying a house in Sun City. My husband loves this plan with the extra area in the garage, just right for golf course living!
Virginia: That's okay! And, I know what you mean about the oversized garage! I love their plans and their homes just flow perfectly.
Debe - I missed that one, too! I have several posts about Sun City Mesquite - I guess I am confusing myself! They have some huge promotions right now - do you have them going on in your Sun City?
That is pretty fascinating and funny (LOL). I wonder if my hubby would have missed me? The minions would probably keep him distracted. :-)
Carolyn - my minions are no longer minions - but they sure distract me with the numerous phone calls - they sure called alot that day on my trip to Sun City Mesquite!