Ah. I am home from my trips, my laundry is done, the Easter decor has been put away, and my husband has gone back to work. That man has been sick for ten days with a horrible cough, fever and an ear ache. He lost his hearing in the affected ear and every time I spoke to him he looked at me with complete incomprehension. That got old pretty fast I tell you.
It wasn't that I was completely unsympathetic, but he refused to go to the doctor in spite of indications that it might be a really good idea. What is it about men and going to the doctor?
Here is a close up of the quilting, which I think is so pretty. My roses are going nuts, so I sacrificed one for the bud vase. It matches perfectly!
I am so glad to be home. Did I say that already? I am a creature of routine and it just was too much to be gone to Palm Desert, home for a few days, then off to Lake Tahoe. I have no plans to go anywhere for the foreseeable future.
I have a story to share. Our son Ahren lives in Dublin, Ireland, as many of you who follow me know. Well, last week, his house was burglarized. While.he.was.home.
He had worked late and didn't get home until nearly 9:00. He'd had a long stressful day, and had over an hour commute on public transportation to get home. His habit is to come in, disarm his alarm, and re-lock his front door. He thinks that is what he did that particular night as usual. He threw together a light dinner and went upstairs to sleep shortly after 10:00. He took his laptop upstairs with him to look at something before he fell asleep. He sleeps with his bedroom door closed and locked (kind of weird, I never knew that about him). So, obviously sound asleep after a long day at work, with his door shut, he wasn't really hearing anything that transpired downstairs.
At some point during the night, someone either used a pick on his front door to gain entry, or (if Ahren forgot to lock up, which would have been very unusual) just opened the door and came into his house. They didn't seem very professional, just stepped in, probably looked around for a purse or car keys, grabbed his bag from the foyer and ran back out. What they took was Ahren's messenger bag that contained just about everything that meant something to him. His eyeglasses, his iPhone, his Filofax (with all kinds of personal information), his wallet, his cash (only 20 Euro thank goodness), his house keys (!), his ATM card, his writing journal (with all his stories he had been writing for the past year), a sterling silver fountain pen his ex had given him that he treasured, and an expensive leather pen case his sister had given him for Christmas. There may have been more things in the bag, but those are the major losses. The main things they didn't get were his laptop and his passport which were elsewhere.
He got up in the morning, came down stairs, saw his hall table drawer ajar, a book on the floor and his bag gone. And his door unlocked. It took all day to go to the bank and report his missing cards, go to the Gardai (Irish police) to report the break in, acquire a new iPhone, try to get new glasses, a new National ID, a new public transportation pass, new wallet, new FIlofax etc etc. He also had to go buy a new lock for the door and install it. The Gardai were real interested that the crime had been committed while the resident was on the premises, but so far nothing has been retrieved and nothing really done about it.
He is going to put a deadbolt and chains on his door, and will be setting his alarm while he is in the house, which previously he had not done. He feels pretty shaken about the whole experience but is being philosophical about how lucky he is. "At least they didn't take my favorite Staub Dutch oven, or my Baccarat wine glasses". As if the typical thief would know the value of those items.
Have any of you been robbed? What is your story? The most memorable one that has stuck with me over the years is the woman whose house was broken into and her husband's guns stolen. She didn't give a hoot about the darn guns going missing, but the fact that they stole the last quilt her dearly departed mother had made to wrap the guns in was a very hard blow to take.
42 responses to “Red Runner and Robbery Storytime”
How lucky that he was not hurt! My 83 yo mother had a home invasion last year. They took her purse and beat her with a tire iron. Every finger and bone in her hand were broken and she had face/ head wounds too. What is wrong with people these days. I live very rural, no houses in sight. It’s very alarming to be home alone…..
How lucky that he was not hurt! My 83 yo mother had a home invasion last year. They took her purse and beat her with a tire iron. Every finger and bone in her hand were broken and she had face/ head wounds too. What is wrong with people these days. I live very rural, no houses in sight. It’s very alarming to be home alone…..
How lucky that he was not hurt! My 83 yo mother had a home invasion last year. They took her purse and beat her with a tire iron. Every finger and bone in her hand were broken and she had face/ head wounds too. What is wrong with people these days. I live very rural, no houses in sight. It’s very alarming to be home alone…..
Your table runner looks lovely. You always have a nice display.
Although greatly inconvenienced, thank goodness Ahren was safe following the burglary. Either the robber didn’t know he was home, or thought he would take his chances if he encountered him.
Our apartment was burgled years ago when just married and we were both at work. We came home to find stereo equipment and camera gone – carried out in 2 suitcases. But what I found distressing was that they had dumped all the contents of our drawers on the bed and floor and had stolen some pieces of jewellery, including a locket that had belonged to my grandmother. Irreplaceable. But thankfully, our cat was alive and unhurt. I admit that I was nervous to return home for a while following that incident.
Your table runner looks lovely. You always have a nice display.
Although greatly inconvenienced, thank goodness Ahren was safe following the burglary. Either the robber didn’t know he was home, or thought he would take his chances if he encountered him.
Our apartment was burgled years ago when just married and we were both at work. We came home to find stereo equipment and camera gone – carried out in 2 suitcases. But what I found distressing was that they had dumped all the contents of our drawers on the bed and floor and had stolen some pieces of jewellery, including a locket that had belonged to my grandmother. Irreplaceable. But thankfully, our cat was alive and unhurt. I admit that I was nervous to return home for a while following that incident.
Your table runner looks lovely. You always have a nice display.
Although greatly inconvenienced, thank goodness Ahren was safe following the burglary. Either the robber didn’t know he was home, or thought he would take his chances if he encountered him.
Our apartment was burgled years ago when just married and we were both at work. We came home to find stereo equipment and camera gone – carried out in 2 suitcases. But what I found distressing was that they had dumped all the contents of our drawers on the bed and floor and had stolen some pieces of jewellery, including a locket that had belonged to my grandmother. Irreplaceable. But thankfully, our cat was alive and unhurt. I admit that I was nervous to return home for a while following that incident.
One year I took my dog out for a short walk before bedtime. We lived in a town house second from the corner and since it was very quiet and late, I didn’t lock the door. I had a smallish box sitting by the door that you could see through the frosted glass that I was mailing the next day, Christmas gifts. When I returned from our short dog walk, the box was gone. Another time a realtor used the lockbox to enter our home and stole my husbands ATM card from his desk while he was out of town. Sales were down and the police said this wasn’t the first case of this happening.
One year I took my dog out for a short walk before bedtime. We lived in a town house second from the corner and since it was very quiet and late, I didn’t lock the door. I had a smallish box sitting by the door that you could see through the frosted glass that I was mailing the next day, Christmas gifts. When I returned from our short dog walk, the box was gone. Another time a realtor used the lockbox to enter our home and stole my husbands ATM card from his desk while he was out of town. Sales were down and the police said this wasn’t the first case of this happening.
One year I took my dog out for a short walk before bedtime. We lived in a town house second from the corner and since it was very quiet and late, I didn’t lock the door. I had a smallish box sitting by the door that you could see through the frosted glass that I was mailing the next day, Christmas gifts. When I returned from our short dog walk, the box was gone. Another time a realtor used the lockbox to enter our home and stole my husbands ATM card from his desk while he was out of town. Sales were down and the police said this wasn’t the first case of this happening.
How frightening for your son. Thank goodness he is OK and can even manage to get his self together so quickly after it happened. WHat a horrible experience for him. MY husband was robbed several times with a gun when he had his pharmacy. Desperate people out there for sure. It always made me so anxious and upset. SO happy to hear Ahren is safe and doing lots of good things to keep himself safer. Glad to here you are home too!
Mary
How frightening for your son. Thank goodness he is OK and can even manage to get his self together so quickly after it happened. WHat a horrible experience for him. MY husband was robbed several times with a gun when he had his pharmacy. Desperate people out there for sure. It always made me so anxious and upset. SO happy to hear Ahren is safe and doing lots of good things to keep himself safer. Glad to here you are home too!
Mary
How frightening for your son. Thank goodness he is OK and can even manage to get his self together so quickly after it happened. WHat a horrible experience for him. MY husband was robbed several times with a gun when he had his pharmacy. Desperate people out there for sure. It always made me so anxious and upset. SO happy to hear Ahren is safe and doing lots of good things to keep himself safer. Glad to here you are home too!
Mary
Your spring-y red table runner is beautiful!
How scary for Ahren! Glad that he is not hurt, but Geez, that is maddening to be robbed. Luckily I have never been robbed, but my folks were one time probably 30 years ago. Thankfully the burglars were just after their stereo equipment and left all kinds of family treasures intact.
Your spring-y red table runner is beautiful!
How scary for Ahren! Glad that he is not hurt, but Geez, that is maddening to be robbed. Luckily I have never been robbed, but my folks were one time probably 30 years ago. Thankfully the burglars were just after their stereo equipment and left all kinds of family treasures intact.
Your spring-y red table runner is beautiful!
How scary for Ahren! Glad that he is not hurt, but Geez, that is maddening to be robbed. Luckily I have never been robbed, but my folks were one time probably 30 years ago. Thankfully the burglars were just after their stereo equipment and left all kinds of family treasures intact.
My heart goes out to Ahren losing so many important pieces of his day-to-day life. The journal, pen & leather case would be especially saddening because they cannot be replaced or duplicated.
Mary reminds me I can’t even count the number of times our family pharmacies were broken into over the years in the 1950’s & ’60’s! My uncle was robbed at gunpoint toward the end of owning his, which still unnerves me! Our house was burgled in ‘broad daylight’ & they took my grandmother’s silverware–except for the knives which have stainless steel blades & wouldn’t melt down to be sold! At least I have those, but it was so infuriating!
My heart goes out to Ahren losing so many important pieces of his day-to-day life. The journal, pen & leather case would be especially saddening because they cannot be replaced or duplicated.
Mary reminds me I can’t even count the number of times our family pharmacies were broken into over the years in the 1950’s & ’60’s! My uncle was robbed at gunpoint toward the end of owning his, which still unnerves me! Our house was burgled in ‘broad daylight’ & they took my grandmother’s silverware–except for the knives which have stainless steel blades & wouldn’t melt down to be sold! At least I have those, but it was so infuriating!
My heart goes out to Ahren losing so many important pieces of his day-to-day life. The journal, pen & leather case would be especially saddening because they cannot be replaced or duplicated.
Mary reminds me I can’t even count the number of times our family pharmacies were broken into over the years in the 1950’s & ’60’s! My uncle was robbed at gunpoint toward the end of owning his, which still unnerves me! Our house was burgled in ‘broad daylight’ & they took my grandmother’s silverware–except for the knives which have stainless steel blades & wouldn’t melt down to be sold! At least I have those, but it was so infuriating!
I am so sorry for your son. It is awful to have someone invade your home. When we lived in SD,CA we were robbed by what was probably illegal alien thugs. They had a picture album they were carrying like a clipboard and it had pictures with them and guns. They forgot it by the door before they ran around back to bust a window. They took my husband’s wedding band along with jewelry I got on my first communion in addition to all the other jewelry I had. They at a peanut butter sandwich and touched everything going through it. I had no dryer and had to sleep on sheets they had been through. It was a horrific experience. I have little jewelry now and hate thieves. I hope your hubby is well soon. Men and drs. sheesh!
I am so sorry for your son. It is awful to have someone invade your home. When we lived in SD,CA we were robbed by what was probably illegal alien thugs. They had a picture album they were carrying like a clipboard and it had pictures with them and guns. They forgot it by the door before they ran around back to bust a window. They took my husband’s wedding band along with jewelry I got on my first communion in addition to all the other jewelry I had. They at a peanut butter sandwich and touched everything going through it. I had no dryer and had to sleep on sheets they had been through. It was a horrific experience. I have little jewelry now and hate thieves. I hope your hubby is well soon. Men and drs. sheesh!
I am so sorry for your son. It is awful to have someone invade your home. When we lived in SD,CA we were robbed by what was probably illegal alien thugs. They had a picture album they were carrying like a clipboard and it had pictures with them and guns. They forgot it by the door before they ran around back to bust a window. They took my husband’s wedding band along with jewelry I got on my first communion in addition to all the other jewelry I had. They at a peanut butter sandwich and touched everything going through it. I had no dryer and had to sleep on sheets they had been through. It was a horrific experience. I have little jewelry now and hate thieves. I hope your hubby is well soon. Men and drs. sheesh!
Your table runner is charming and I love that your lovely rose mat matches it! Sweet!
Oh, I’m so sorry Ahreen’s home was buglarized but am glad he was safe. No such experiences in our history, thank goodness.
Hugs!
Your table runner is charming and I love that your lovely rose mat matches it! Sweet!
Oh, I’m so sorry Ahreen’s home was buglarized but am glad he was safe. No such experiences in our history, thank goodness.
Hugs!
Your table runner is charming and I love that your lovely rose mat matches it! Sweet!
Oh, I’m so sorry Ahreen’s home was buglarized but am glad he was safe. No such experiences in our history, thank goodness.
Hugs!
So sorry about hubby’s illness and Ahren’s break-in. Bless his heart, that just sounds awful. I hope the police find his personal stuff.
So sorry about hubby’s illness and Ahren’s break-in. Bless his heart, that just sounds awful. I hope the police find his personal stuff.
So sorry about hubby’s illness and Ahren’s break-in. Bless his heart, that just sounds awful. I hope the police find his personal stuff.
First, I love your little table runner!
Second, how scary for Ahren and I’m glad he was not hurt.
A friend of my mum was robbed a few yers go. They break into the house while she and her hubby were asleep upstars and took just money and some electronic things (like TV and radio).
First, I love your little table runner!
Second, how scary for Ahren and I’m glad he was not hurt.
A friend of my mum was robbed a few yers go. They break into the house while she and her hubby were asleep upstars and took just money and some electronic things (like TV and radio).
First, I love your little table runner!
Second, how scary for Ahren and I’m glad he was not hurt.
A friend of my mum was robbed a few yers go. They break into the house while she and her hubby were asleep upstars and took just money and some electronic things (like TV and radio).
damn. that would rattle me too. 🙁 When the economy crashed in 2009/10 there was a big up-tick in day time break-ins.
I had a handyman install Door Devils on all the exterior doors. Police dept recommended them to prevent doors from being kicked in. It is a metal reinforcement of the door jam.
damn. that would rattle me too. 🙁 When the economy crashed in 2009/10 there was a big up-tick in day time break-ins.
I had a handyman install Door Devils on all the exterior doors. Police dept recommended them to prevent doors from being kicked in. It is a metal reinforcement of the door jam.
damn. that would rattle me too. 🙁 When the economy crashed in 2009/10 there was a big up-tick in day time break-ins.
I had a handyman install Door Devils on all the exterior doors. Police dept recommended them to prevent doors from being kicked in. It is a metal reinforcement of the door jam.
Love your quilts! All of them…your blog is one that I read everyday.
Am so sorry that Ahren had to deal with the breakin and aftermath! That is the worst!
Our home was broken into during my father in law’s funeral. They used our wedding quilt that hubby’s grandmother made to tote my husband’s guns out…the ones he had just inherited! I hated to lose the quilts and he hated to lose the guns!
Love your quilts! All of them…your blog is one that I read everyday.
Am so sorry that Ahren had to deal with the breakin and aftermath! That is the worst!
Our home was broken into during my father in law’s funeral. They used our wedding quilt that hubby’s grandmother made to tote my husband’s guns out…the ones he had just inherited! I hated to lose the quilts and he hated to lose the guns!
Love your quilts! All of them…your blog is one that I read everyday.
Am so sorry that Ahren had to deal with the breakin and aftermath! That is the worst!
Our home was broken into during my father in law’s funeral. They used our wedding quilt that hubby’s grandmother made to tote my husband’s guns out…the ones he had just inherited! I hated to lose the quilts and he hated to lose the guns!
No burglaries to report as we always have our dogs indoors. I do hope there is some justice for Ahren.
Have you ever seen those wedge shaped door stoppers. They work well to keep door closed when dead bolts can’t be used.
No burglaries to report as we always have our dogs indoors. I do hope there is some justice for Ahren.
Have you ever seen those wedge shaped door stoppers. They work well to keep door closed when dead bolts can’t be used.
No burglaries to report as we always have our dogs indoors. I do hope there is some justice for Ahren.
Have you ever seen those wedge shaped door stoppers. They work well to keep door closed when dead bolts can’t be used.
Your tablerunner is so pretty! So sorry to hear about Ahren. Maybe that is why he sleeps with his door closed. Do you think it may be a bad neighborhood? Hopefully he will be ok.
Your tablerunner is so pretty! So sorry to hear about Ahren. Maybe that is why he sleeps with his door closed. Do you think it may be a bad neighborhood? Hopefully he will be ok.
Your tablerunner is so pretty! So sorry to hear about Ahren. Maybe that is why he sleeps with his door closed. Do you think it may be a bad neighborhood? Hopefully he will be ok.