I think I've set a record. This is now the 6th time I've been the victem of a crime. This time, it's a robbery.

Believe it or not, somebody opened the back door to our house, which was unlocked because The Hub had been taking supplies back and forth to his jeep. ( He was in the basement, working on a job) They reached in and stole my purse, which had been hanging on a hook by the door. Winston dutifully did his job. He got up and barked like mad at the back door. Unfortunately, I just thought he had to go out, so I didn't even look up from ebay.

The person left, so I guess Winston figured he had done what he was supposed to do, though he kept giving me a funny look.

The good thing about it was that he obviously startled the person in the process of going through my BRAND NEW organizer / wallet, and, as a consequence the only check card / credit card I have that is active fell out, along with my checkbook, and the keys to my diary. All of the cash I had on me, which was about 70 cents, lay scattered with those items on the back porch.

The bad news is that my cell phone, drivers license, social security card, a check from a client and my inhaler - that costly, costly inhaler - was in there.

I'm telling you, it's enough to turn me into a Republican! I am 38 years old. Since I have been an adult I have now been the victem of 2 robberies, one mugging, 2 sexual assults, one of which happened in my own home ( via back door / kitchen) and a car theft.

Am I wearing a sign that says "Victem"? If having a 185 lb. dog in the house is not a deterrent than what is?(though I suppose he WAS a deterrent - God knows what would have happened if he hadn't been here!!) What do I have to do to be safe? Electrify the perimeter of my house? Live out in the country on hill accessible only by mountain goat? Our neighbor has a light in the alley like the full moon!

We have no trouble with our neighbors. We go out of our way to be pleasant and kind to everyone. The hell of it is, that if someone knocked at my back door and asked me for money, I probably would have given them something. I realize that the criminal was probably on drugs, or desperate for drugs, or maybe just plain crazy to take a risk like that. I realize it was a crime of opportunity. But what? Am I the only opportunity in town?!

Of course, it could have been worse. Things could always be worse. But between Aunt Mamie's funeral and this idiot breaking into my house this has been a decidedly crappy day.

At least I have a pile of bills that come to this address so I can prove to the MVA that I live here when I go to get my license back.

I give up. I just give up.