Monday, July 21, 2008

Violated!

I'm writing to you from John's computer right now - mine is gone.  Probably forever gone. Stolen from off of our living room couch while I was gone from the house today.  Yes, some stranger was inside my house and took things - the idea makes me sick.

We know for sure that the computer wasn't just misplaced - we did a family search for it and while doing so found some of John's "wallet contents" scattered on the far side of the bed - and the valet-container that holds those "extras" (that are too bulky to keep in his wallet) was gone - along with his change, receipts, etc.  No doubt about it, we were robbed.*

To make things even worse, I realized when I left the house at noon today that my car had been invaded last night (this was before the house thing....).   It ticked me off, mostly at myself for not locking it, but fortunately nothing of value was in there, so outside of having to clean up the mess and swallow my stupidity (how many times does this happen before I learn?)- it was not that big of a deal.  (Somebody somewhere, though, has my Hannah Montanna, School House Rock, Mikayla's Choir songs, and VBS CD's.....)

But, the house thing - oh, that's a whole different level.  Yes, the front door was unlocked.  It generally is.  I feel VERY safe in this neighborhood during the day, people are always outside, especially in the summer- we all look out for each other.  Who would have the audacity?

So, now, locking doors, every one of them, will be a habit that every family member will be responsible for.  Always at night, that's never been an issue, but also during the day.  And, now, I find myself feeling incredibly stupid as well as very sad.   While this blog is online (Hallelujiah!) along with the countless pictures I've posted (I'll never apologize again for posting too many!) - the Hard-drive of my laptop is what contained my thousands of i-photo pictures.... as well as numerous documents, letters, lists, plans, etc. that were preserved from my Word documents.   Quite likely, never to be retrieved.  This just SUCKS!!!!

The police will be coming by soon - we'll fill out our report and I'll have to own up to having both of my personal spaces invaded within 24 hours because I didn't feel the need to lock-up- and then we'll put this whole thing behind us and move on.   Eventually.......

* A big praise that those were the only two things we can see that were stolen.  None of the video game equipment was taken, none of Brayden's signed sports memorabilia, etc.  It was obviously a very quick in and out grab - what I can't figure out is how they got around Sydney who was inside all day long......  Wish we could talk to her-

8 comments:

StephieAnne said...

As your friendly neighborhood victim who has now been educated - I feel the need to pass on to everyone that the vast majority of home robberies happen during the broad daylight - it's businesses that get broken into at night. Good to know.....

Anonymous said...

OH Steph - I've always wondered how I would handle something like that and you seem to be doing better than I would. Gosh, I don't know what else to say. Keep us posted and we can always pray your computer will turn up shortly, in an arrest or drug bust. Don't beat yourself up too much about the door locking business. You grew up in the country, after all!

Anonymous said...

Oh wow - that really is awful. I'll be praying that your computer is recovered intact with all your pictures and so forth.

Maybe he/she gave the dog a steak... that would work with my dogs. :-)

richard said...

I am thankful that no one was hurt! I live in a nice neighborhood in Bend and will be locking doors more when I get home now!

HollieHobbie said...

I am so sorry, Stephanie!

Colie said...

I grew up always keeping the doors unlocked - but Randy always had them locked. He is a stickler about it and now so am I. However, yesterday I left the door wide open! It was locked - just not shut:-).

I'm sorry to hear about that. I can imagine feeling so creepy.

AND BTW - I was in your sisters town the other day and I stopped by. They were not home so I thought I'd check to see if the door was locked. Surprisingly it was! I was shocked:-). Don't worry Michele, I wouldn't have gone inside:-).

And FINALLY - HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Yeah for Birthdays!

Growin' with it said...

YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME! oh girl, how horrible and what a creepy, awful feeling knowing someone was in there. of course while reading i kept thinking...'where's sydney'? GRR! they must've brought a bone?!

i am sure sorry. i know we for one feel the same comfort in living in a "safe neighborhood" but now i'm wiser from this and will think twice. i am sure bummed for you and truly hope that this person is caught.

GRRRRRRR!

Anonymous said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEPHANIE AND MICHELE