Intruder in our home

Usually I use this blog to write about all the happy moments our family want to remember. However I feel the need to discuss something very unpleasant & serious that occurred recently. It actually happened on my birthday of all days! Something I wish never had happened and never dreamed it would happen. My birthday happened to fall on a Tuesday. After discussing it with my Mom, I decided to take the day off from work and have a little "me" time while my parents watched Ava as they normally do when I am away at work. I didn't waste any time and enjoyed a morning of shopping for myself. Any Mom knows how hard this is to do with a soon to be 3 yr old in tow. So afterward I decided to grab lunch at home before heading out to an appointment. I was startled when I went to unlock my door and saw it was already open and left a jar! I knew for a fact I locked it on my way out. I have a little ritual where I always turn the inside knob to lock it and then press down to ensure it is locked once the door is shut. Then as I open the door I find our neighbor who lives on the first floor at my hall way closet! I'm still getting chills as I type this now. I asked what the hell she was doing in my home?!?? She was clearly shaken up to find me there, shaking in fact. Probalbly shocked to find me there and not at work. This 40 yr old woman was wearing an over sized bathrobe at the time. The instant she began to speak, the lies came spilling out and she sounded like a babbling fool and kept repeating the same things over and over again. Claiming she heard a noise coming from our apartment and found the door unlocked and then she proceed to go through all the rooms asking hello to make sure no one was there. I asked what she was doing at my closet and she says she was closing it. Lies -all lies! She tried to blame it on the troubled teen down the hall. Someone whom we have never had a problem with. I was in a state shock, disgusted and felt so violated! After hearing all this garbage I told her to leave. I needed time to sit and process what the heck just happened. I ended up filling a Break and Entry report at the police station that afternoon. After the report I was determined to get my day back and enjoy it. I did just that. I spent it with my family and had a nice afternoon and evening.

It wasn't until everyone was in bed, that I broke down and dealt with all my emotions. I was stressed and scared of this occurring again to me or someone else in the building. Needless to say I got little sleep that night.

Where do we go from here? We dead bolt the door at all times now when we are inside or leave our place. We notified everyone in the building. I was happy to see all the support everyone offered, that has been really encouraging. Since this happen, it has people talking and thinking. Someone reported food missing in their home for months now. This woman tried to pop open her door with a credit card and sure enough it opened. So we are going to look into having the management team install a latch on every door to prevent any one's door from being popped opened again. Maybe even create a neighborhood watch and be on the look out for anything suspicious.

I'm not sure what would have been worse discovering someone I was cordial with or a complete stranger. Just goes to show you never truly know someone. I should note that this low life is rail thin and rumor has it that she is addicted to pain killers. She had asked one of the neighbors for some meds. So there you have it, she was snooping our closet for medication. Vic did report a brand new bottle of Advil missing. Surprise surprise. Also note she was wearing a robe to help conceal anything she steals. I have absolutely no tolerance for these type of  addicts whom abuse meds, drugs or alcohol. It's self inflicted and they will risk everything and anyone to score their next fix. These types have no place in my world. Myself and my family want no part of it. I don't care if you are a family member or not. I have seen it a million times, loved ones trying to help them and getting no where. It only creates heartache and drama. So no thanks, I will carry on without you and live my life to the fullest.

You always think something like this could never happen to you. I thought the same! I guess the lesson here is to be aware of the people you speak to and your surroundings.