ROBBERY......

Okay, so I realize that my blog is supposed to be dedicated to enriching, rejuvenating, simplifying your lives, etc. But, I feel compelled to tell you about my day yesterday. The best I could come up with is that by telling you my story, you will perhaps be more cautious and aware, thus saving yourself some later greif and hassle. Yes, that's it.....simplifying and enriching!!!

My beautiful, tiny little 5 foot tall, 93 pound, 17 year old daughter, seen here (LOL):

(this last picture is included so you see if we find out who did this, this guy and all of his friends are coming for you!) LOL

works in a shop in the nicest area of our city. Granted, we do live in one of the 10 biggest cities in the country but, still!

Yesterday she was working from after school to closing (usually around 9 p.m.). She called however at 8:30, which she never does. Upon answering the phone, she told me that her car had been broken into and her radio stolen. The passenger side window had been busted out to grant access. Though a bit startled, she was okay and not crying. Her Dad and I gave her instruction to call the police and file a report and get her manager to help her cover her window, remove glass from her seat, etc.

My daughter does not have a new, expensive car, which was good and bad in this instance. Because the car is old, it has no alarm system. Therefore, an easy target. However, if it were a newer, more expensive car the same thing still could have happened and I would have been more angry. So, good - it is not a "keeper" car anyway. Bad - it is an "easy" target.

When the phone rang at 9 p.m. I assumed she was calling to give me an update on the call to the police. NOPE! She had just realized that tonight, something she NEVER does, she had left her purse in her car. Something had jogged her memory and when she remembered leaving her purse in her car she went out to check for it and sure enough - GONE! By this time, the poor baby was sobbing uncontrollably. You see, she keeps alot of valuable stuff in there. Something I am sure alot of teen girls do these days, electronics being what they are. Her Ipod that she had just received from us for Christmas (her only gift from us, by the way), her digital camera, over $75 in gift cards that she had received for Christmas as well, a James Avery ring, ALL of her makeup, her stop watch (she's a runner), etc. The most upsetting for her was her Ipod. You see, she had an Ipod once before and she lost it. She went without one for 6 months and asked for a new one for Christmas. This time, we even bought her a better one! The poor thing is NOT meant to have an Ipod!

After talking to her and calming her down, she was going to finish helping close and head home. At this point my dear husband tells me that now some thug or thugs knows what our daughter drives, what she looks like and how cute she is, where she works, where she goes to school, where she LIVES, etc. Thanks Dad. I feel so much better at this point. NOT!

Immediately I called the bank and cancelled her ATM card as it has a VISA logo and can be used like a credit card like most are these days.

Of course, I am waiting on the porch when she arrives home and we set the alarm immediately upon her entry. We sit down at the table and she's crying, talking about how violated she feels and how could someone do this to a child? Poor thing, she is really starting to understand the world we live in and why we are so protective over her.

Then, she thinks...."hmm, my backpack. I had my backpack in the car." I tell her to go out and check for it. She opens front door, alarm starts blarring! We forgot to turn it off. Wonder why? Wait.....it gets better! The alarm company calls and requests the "secret" word. Guess what? We can't remember what it is! So, after getting that wrong the police are dispatched to our home. What else????

Okay so, backpack is gone as well. They were obviously looking for anything that could have something valuable in it. And boy, did they get it. If we had to replace the things she lost, NOT including the replacement of her window....over $700. And she is only a teen, what are the contents of your car worth?

Oh, and about knowing where she lives and all. She carries a little zipper wallet that has her drivers license, cash, etc. in it and when she does not feel like carrying her big purse around, she carries just the wallet. Well, thank heaven, she had that with her in the store. But, oops....I cancelled her card! Oh well, better safe than sorry.

So, moral of the story is.....NEVER leave any valuables in your car. You never do that though, right?

Quote for the day: If you don't think it will happen to you, find the person who had it happen to them.