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-