Locked out, lessons learned, and a casino card caper

There are many ways to start a day, but locking myself out of my house with my car keys inside, before work, was not the ideal choice.

Yet, I stood outside in the brisk morning air, watching my life choices flash before my eyes as I realized my door was locked, and so was my fate for the foreseeable future.

It all started so innocently. I had taken Winnie outside, as responsible pet owners do. I locked the door behind me, because, you know, safety first.

And then, just a few moments later, my brain finally caught up with my actions: my house key? Inside. My car key? Inside.

My one and only eme...