Back in Bling

The craziest thing happened on December 14th... our house was burglarized. While we were home! It was a normal Sunday morning. Bob went to the grocery store to buy Christmas cookie ingredients, and I went for a run on the treadmill in the garage. I decided I had time to lift weights too, and took my engagement ring, wedding ring, and West Point Miniature ring off and put them next to the t.v. in the garage.

Then, I dashed upstairs to take a shower before Bob got home. (I forgot to put my rings back on). Bob returned home, brought the groceries in through the garage (but forgot to put the garage door down). I was wrapping presents and decided I should put the paper away at just that moment. I opened the door to the garage, and there was a teenage girl there with her hand on the handle, she might have been 20. Then I looked to my left, and there was a guy about the same age holding my DVD player in his hands. I immediately remembered I had left my rings there, but of course they were gone. I chased them both down the block screaming at the top of my lungs "You stole my rings!" Bob was hot on my heals, and Chester joined the fun.

Long story short, they got away. With my rings. There were SO many should haves... Should have put my rings back on, Should have closed the garage, etc. We live in a terrific neighborhood. That morning, as we were waiting for the police to come investigate, I looked up and down the street. Tons of people had their garage doors open to put up Christmas decorations or whatever. It was truly bizarre.

Anyhoo... the insurance covered most of the cost of the three rings. So a couple of weeks ago Bob and I went jewelry shopping in Portland (no sales tax, versus the almost 9% here in Washington). These engagement and wedding rings are completely different from my originals, but they are starting to look normal to me. It's an emotional experience to be robbed. Especially when the villains take momentos that are dear to your heart.

So after a naked left hand fourth finger for a month, it's good to be "married" again.