Last night, my house was broken into and anything we had of value was stolen: TV, Xbox360 (my husband's birthday gift), most of our DVDs, our old gaming systems (the Nintendos of our childhood) and my husband's great-grandma's acoustic guitar.
The door & frame were busted (replaced already, by our fabulous landlady). Our medicine cabinet was trashed (several glass bottles broken, but since we have no prescriptions, nothing was taken). We don't have renter's insurance, so unless we find the stuff at a pawn shop, it's really all gone.
We're safe. Our pets are safe (amazingly, since the door was busted and standing open when we got home). I was wearing the only valuable jewelry I have (my wedding ring!) & the laptop was in the car. The yarn, fiber and wheel is safe.
For this, I am so grateful, I can scarcely breathe.
Despite the new door and a night snuggled at mom's, we don't feel quite right.
The house feels much less home-y.
It's not the stuff they took; it's the comfort, the security, the feeling of snuggling on my couch with a cup of tea alone at night that we miss.
I considered not writing this, but then I remembered the responses I got when I quit my dayjob. The cheers, the emails, the loveliness of sharing that big decision.
But since then, since July, there have a been a lot of little not-so fun things that I haven't shared. Jay lost his job, our car exploded, and now our house was broken into.
I want to share this for the same reason I shared the story of quitting my dayjob: it's honest and it's real.
These trials, just like the triumphs, are the stuff that Blonde Chicken Boutique is made from.
Blonde Chicken Boutique (and my life) is fun and colorful and sometimes a grand adventure. And sometimes it's hard and icky and entirely unpleasant.
And you, all of you who are part of BCB as a customer, commenter or silent friend, my relationship with you allows me to be honest, to share the good and the bad, the hard and the soft, the colorful and the dark.
JeweledDragon
October 17, 2009 at 4:29 pm (15 years ago)Thanks for sharing. 🙂 I do appreciate it, and actually, your honesty about quitting your day job was a big part of what helped me quit my office job to focus more on my crafty business and my life, just a few weeks ago. I expect I'll have my share of crap days and unfun experiences (I've had a few already, and it's been less than three weeks — but nothing like your recent one!), too. Life *should* be an adventure, and adventures always have their crappy bits. As writers know, the crappy bits make the really good bits stand out even more. 😀
Let us all know if we can do anything to help you feel more safe and secure again.
Peace.
Charlotte
October 17, 2009 at 5:29 pm (15 years ago)Thank you so much for sharing. Many *hugs* for your situation.
I've been a lurker on your entirely fabulous blog for some time now, and have really appreciated the warmth and reality you bring to it. I wish you nothing but the best. 🙂
selkieskin
October 17, 2009 at 6:06 pm (15 years ago)I think what we all appreciate the most about your honesty is that it's never done in a “oh woe is me” attitude. It's forthright and to the point. You're not looking for sympathy, just telling it like it is. It's something so rarely seen online these days and for that I truly applaud you.
You will get through this. You will find a way to feel safe and secure in your home again. Because you have determination and the support of your friends and family and everyone out here in the 'net. We're all rooting for you and our hearts go out to you.
Christine Martell
October 17, 2009 at 7:51 pm (15 years ago)Tara,
So sorry to hear of yet another challenge on your path to small business independence. Not easy anytime, but especially in the early days of shifting from a job to full time self-employment. Also hard to feel safe after a break in.
Sending big hugs.
athenahm
October 17, 2009 at 8:41 pm (15 years ago)This is the first time I have been on your blog, but I have heard of you on Etsy, and I feel just awful about your recent bumps in the road, and I truly hope things get way better really fast. I just started reading your B-dispatches, thanks so much for the tips, love.
fracksmom
October 17, 2009 at 10:54 pm (15 years ago)this world is going to hell in a handbasket, and not one made by any of us. Your sense of security is the loss you must deal with, the feeling of being afraid is something I wish I do how to do something other than just pray it away. I thank you for your honesty, and your sharing with all of us. We pray and support each other, and please know we are all praying for you and your family to get through this.
Goddess Leonie
October 18, 2009 at 4:37 pm (15 years ago)oh darling… big, giant hugs to you sweetie… love you so much!!!
Hanna
October 18, 2009 at 5:31 pm (15 years ago)Oh, how horrible!! I'm so sorry to hear what you're going through. I hope this concludes your tour of bad luck! You're due some good things coming to you at this point. Hang in there!
alpacafarmgirl
October 19, 2009 at 11:08 am (15 years ago)I am so sorry that happened to you. Sounds like you have had a rough summer/early Fall! Thank you for blogging about it. I believe that when we are in business for ourselves and our customers get to know us (warts and all) – it does build relationships. And in turn helps our businesses.
That's why I blog about stillbirths and crummy things that happen on my farm. Life is full of ups and downs. If we only blog about the ups – it is – well, skewed. Some would disagree with us, but I believe transparency is the way to connect over the internet. It makes us human.
Hope the rest of the year is wonderful for you and your husband. Glad the pets, fiber, wheel, and yarn are ok. And how awesome the laptop was in the car!
Barbara McG
October 19, 2009 at 2:33 pm (15 years ago)Flapping my way through Twitter, I landed on your branch. I just wanted you to know that somewhere in England, someone wanted to say to you: I really hear how much less home-y it feels today on your sofa. Something more than just things taken.
And honest and real is such a privilege to share. Thank you for being real and allowing the dark to be there with the light and the bright – because it is.
blondechicken
October 19, 2009 at 3:46 pm (15 years ago)Thank you so much, Charlotte, for speaking up. It's always a joy to get to know someone new!
Tara
Blonde Chicken Boutique
Local, Sustainable, Colorful Yarn
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blondechicken
October 19, 2009 at 3:47 pm (15 years ago)Crystal (at least, I think it's Crystal?),
Thank you so much for sharing your story! I had no idea my writing had inspired anyone to do anything so this is just exactly the kind of cheering news that I need right now!
Good luck!
Tara
Blonde Chicken Boutique
Local, Sustainable, Colorful Yarn
________________________________
JeweledDragon
October 19, 2009 at 4:17 pm (15 years ago)Yep, it's Crystal, and I'm glad my little story helps you back! I read
about you quitting your day job right around the time I started to
feel like it was time to *really do it* myself, and it seemed like a
good sign. 😀
Woo.
Mike
October 20, 2009 at 2:54 pm (15 years ago)Glad you are safe!
Jeannie
October 24, 2009 at 7:58 pm (15 years ago)This is the first time I've visited your blog. I am so sorry to hear of your break in! I can not imagine how violated it would feel to have a stranger go through and steal your things. Thankfully your irreplaceable things are OK. My husband recommended I read your blog as he heard about it in the book “Crush It!”. I spin and knit so he knew I would be interested in looking into your blog. Great blog! I will link to it on my blog.
blondechicken
October 26, 2009 at 7:50 pm (15 years ago)Thank you so much for coming by & saying hello!
Tara
blondechicken
October 26, 2009 at 11:50 pm (15 years ago)Thank you so much for coming by & saying hello!
Tara