Yesterday, Barb, McKenna and I had many errands to run and left the house around noon. Dennis met us at my parent's house after work and we ate dinner there. Den drove home first and I followed close behind. I got a call from Den saying not to bring Mac home because when he pulled in the driveway he saw the front door open. He said he was going to call 911. At this point I was already in our subdivision so I continued on to the house.
I wanted to go into the house. I was concerned about the animals and whether they had been hurt or gone out the front door but Den was afraid someone might still be inside. I did go up and shut the door so if the pets were still there, they'd stay. I heard Gracie somewhere in the hous but not near the door. Luckily, Den called Mom and Dad after he called 911. They made the decision between themselves to come take Mac back to their house so we could enter and find out what was wrong without her having to see anything. (Glad they were thinking because apparently I wasn't! Amazing how that works when something like this happens!)
Mom called Amy and the girls and they decided to come to take Mac to their house so she could hang with the girls..........my family just rocks!
We waited over an hour for the police to arrive in 104 degree heat! We did meet the neighbors across the street and our next door neighbor came out as well. We were offered restrooms, water and cool homes to sit in............so that helped a bit! The wait seemed eternal but the police finally arrived and apologized for their response time. When it's hot in Phoenix violent crime rates sky rocket. Unfortunately open doors doesn't rate real unless you see movement in your house. I understand.
We told them the dog's names and that they would not enjoy someone entering the house. So they went in and we called for the dogs. Gracie came right outside but Gimlie was not having it. The police yelled at me to stay back so I continued calling for Gimlie from the front yard. He finally came out. I shut the door so the cat wouldn't escape (still hoping she too was inside.)
It took a long time for the police to come out but they finally did. The ironic thing is that nothing appeared to be wrong inside. The lights we left on were no longer on and the front door was open..........but NOTHING was taken and no other entry was seen. Locked up tight other than the front door. The police asked if maybe the dogs knew how to unlock the door as that has happened before. Well, they are smart dogs.......
We always lock that door and don't even use it for anything other than guests. We enter and exit through the garage. Because of home invasions it is ALWAYS locked. Ironically, even though the front door was open, both dogs and our kitty Izze were all still in the house. They may have gone out and come back in......it was very hot! We most definitely air conditioned Laveen for a while but that is the worst thing that happened. Well, that and there seem to be all sorts of flying bugs in the house today!
We are very lucky that our house stood open and nothing was taken. Amazing if you think about it! Though I'm pretty sure the dogs would not welcome anyone who tried to enter! Who opened the door? Who turned out the lights? I think it shall remain a mystery!
Friday, July 8, 2011
Monday, July 4, 2011
Happy 4th Aunt Helen!
Growing up there were so many things I could count on in my life. I
had great parents, I had a great extended family and we had traditions
that made life pretty predictable. We went to Grandpa and Grandma
Martin's every Sunday after church. There I cavorted with many cousins
(Dad being one of eight kids made for LOTS of cousins!), caught garter
snakes, was dared to eat raw rhubarb stalks and not ripe grapes, and got
yelled at by one of the adults if we got too near the road!
Another Grand Tradition in our family was 4th of July at Ron and Helen's. I loved spending time with Ron and Helen because they were such an awesome couple. Talk about connected! My Aunt had so many quirks that she was just "Epic" (Mac says that's the new awesome!). The first thing I remember about their house is the smell of Pine Sol and cigarettes as you walked in the front door. In fact, I've never smelled that exact combination anywhere else in my life! Then you were instantly in a whirlwind of people and hugs and the day had begun!
Helen was a tiny woman. I remember any time she ate, she would cut everything on her plate in half and only eat that half. I don't think I ever remember her eating a whole plate of food. She had a rough life growing up and I think that was the reason she was so family oriented. Every Holiday meant "games with Aunt Helen" and she'd have us rolling eggs across the lawn with our noses on Easter or passing balloons between our legs on the 4th! There were always prizes for these games.
The 4th was her day. We would swim in the lake and either have a picnic which was a potluck or a cook off of some sort and I never remember a boring day at her house. Then the final event was watching the fireworks over the lake! If you were lucky, you got to take the pontoon out; but it only sat so many people and there were always a ton of people there. One never knew what family or friends would show up that day. But all were welcomed, hugged and fed!
Aunt Helen became ill and we would visit with quiet voices......the life of the party slowed down and it became apparent that she wasn't going to make it. How appropriate that she left this earth on the 4th of July. It was her day and she owned it! My memories of her include her dressing up for Halloween in a chicken suit with a tail. She wanted my Mom to see her so she road over 15 miles to my Mom's school to show her, and she had to ride the whole way on her knees backwards in the car due to that tail! Another time I remember that she hated cheese with a passion. The day she found out that her beloved fish sandwich from McDonald's had cheese on it was the last day she ate one! We were always secretly putting cheese in recipes to see if she'd eat it!
I know these thoughts are a bit scrambled but I wanted to honor her today with my memories............to a great, grand woman! I know she's in Heaven organizing all of the events today and Uncle Ron is smiling at her and still loving that ball of energy!
Another Grand Tradition in our family was 4th of July at Ron and Helen's. I loved spending time with Ron and Helen because they were such an awesome couple. Talk about connected! My Aunt had so many quirks that she was just "Epic" (Mac says that's the new awesome!). The first thing I remember about their house is the smell of Pine Sol and cigarettes as you walked in the front door. In fact, I've never smelled that exact combination anywhere else in my life! Then you were instantly in a whirlwind of people and hugs and the day had begun!
Helen was a tiny woman. I remember any time she ate, she would cut everything on her plate in half and only eat that half. I don't think I ever remember her eating a whole plate of food. She had a rough life growing up and I think that was the reason she was so family oriented. Every Holiday meant "games with Aunt Helen" and she'd have us rolling eggs across the lawn with our noses on Easter or passing balloons between our legs on the 4th! There were always prizes for these games.
The 4th was her day. We would swim in the lake and either have a picnic which was a potluck or a cook off of some sort and I never remember a boring day at her house. Then the final event was watching the fireworks over the lake! If you were lucky, you got to take the pontoon out; but it only sat so many people and there were always a ton of people there. One never knew what family or friends would show up that day. But all were welcomed, hugged and fed!
Aunt Helen became ill and we would visit with quiet voices......the life of the party slowed down and it became apparent that she wasn't going to make it. How appropriate that she left this earth on the 4th of July. It was her day and she owned it! My memories of her include her dressing up for Halloween in a chicken suit with a tail. She wanted my Mom to see her so she road over 15 miles to my Mom's school to show her, and she had to ride the whole way on her knees backwards in the car due to that tail! Another time I remember that she hated cheese with a passion. The day she found out that her beloved fish sandwich from McDonald's had cheese on it was the last day she ate one! We were always secretly putting cheese in recipes to see if she'd eat it!
I know these thoughts are a bit scrambled but I wanted to honor her today with my memories............to a great, grand woman! I know she's in Heaven organizing all of the events today and Uncle Ron is smiling at her and still loving that ball of energy!
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Phoenix
I have let the anger go………rebirth, in a way.
Not allowing the all consuming anger to define me anymore.
Now I strive to piece together an existence that makes sense
of the new-found Freedom
I feel.
I am learning to care
for my new self.
I am finding that I AM worthy, I AM lovable, I AM
significant, I AM present in each moment.
Letting go of that which held me prisoner is
awakening me.
Like a baby bird, I am finding my wings.
Like a Phoenix………..I rise from the ashes and take flight.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)