Guys you would not believe how much stuff I had in my handbag that those idiots stole from me.My whole life it seems.My camera,first of all.I have to go get another one otherwise I will not be able to post pics of the new house.BTW I decided to stay right here.I just upgraded the security as in 8 rows of electrical fencing all around the perimeter,then beams on the inside connected to an alarm system which connects to an armed response team who will then come and shoot intruders,I think.The problem is we are not used to this and we keep activating the alarm by mistake and then the armed response calls us and we then have to give the correct password that everything is still ok.This usually happens in the middle of the night when one of the kids go to the toilet so when they call I am half asleep and they don't believe me when I say all ok."Are you sure you are ok Ma'am?? You must give us the wrong password if you are being attacked.To which I say really I am ok I am just still asleep.
anyway back to stuff in my handbag.I have this swing chair in my garden.With the move I put all screws and bolts in my handbag.The curly springy screw for my swing chair was in my bag.My chair does not swing anymore.My hammock does not hang anymore,also missing curly screw.My library card is gone.The last time I requested a new one was because my office burnt down and now I have to say I was held up by 6 guys with 6 guns.Would you believe me???
Onto trauma counselling.First thing she says is "you must not hate all blacks".For goodness sakes it did not even occur to me to do that.If I had been attacked by white guys would I hate all white guys?so the same applies here
then she says"do not feel guilty" another thing that did not occur to me.A person can't go to the bank,take out money without being attacked?Seriously I need to feel guilty because I did that?
What I have been doing is taking it personally.I have convinced myself that the painter I fired put a curse on me.I need to work on that thought process because THAT is wrong!
My baby girl is the brave one in all of this.She made the decision that we would stay in the house but that we should have a security system.I am so very very proud of my brave little girl.
Another bit of advice is that you need to talk about it all the time.I don't agree because all it does is make me think of all the bad things that could have happened instead.I am so very grateful that they were professional thirves who took the money and left.No one was beaten up or raped or killed.Maybe I have a bit of the Stockholm syndrome but that's ok.This was a warning and we will be more careful in the future.
South Africa is one of the most violent countries in the world and I got through 23 years of living in this country without being a victim of even petty crime.I love this country and I love the people and I will be damned if I am going to let 6 misguided thugs run me out of here.So,I am here to stay and I will make sure my family is safe.Me and my tiny family of 3!!!!
Last but not least,I hadn't cried at all until I read all the wonderful messages you guys left for me.Thank you so much! I appreciate every single one of the kind words I received and the crying session I had was cleansing and good for me.Never underestimate the power of words and friends and family will get you through anything.Again,a very big thank you for being there for me.
I am now off to read so I can have something to post soon.I cannot wait for Diane Fanning's "Mommy's Little Girl" that is available from 3 November.Yippee!!!
I did a little happy dance when you came up in my blog roll as "I think I'm back!!" I've missed your posts and I'm so glad that you and your brave family are doing ok! It sounds to me like you've got the right attitude in taking extra precautions but also getting on with your life. Take care and sending more hugs your way :-)
ReplyDeleteYvette: We missed you! Glad that you are back, and safe. I am glad to hear that your baby girl is doing well....I know that you were very worried about her. And you stayed in your house! Yay!
ReplyDeletebig hugs and kisses. We are all glad you're back...we've missed you!
I'm so sorry you guys had to go through this!! **hugs** You guys are so strong and brave. Seriously.
ReplyDeleteAfter living for two years in Nairobi, Kenya, this scenario was the reason we turned down a job opportunity in SA last year. We got tired of the 12 foot walls with barbed wire, electric fences, AND 24 hour security. And i know it's worse where you are. ***hugs*** We love South Africa so it was a tough choice.
I'm glad you guys are doing better now.
I am sorry to hear that you had to go through such a ordeal but I am glad you are back online. I hope the future holds nothing but peace and quiet for you and safety. Look forward to your first review as you make your way back online.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you are back sounding so positive! You are taking charge! Enjoy your reading!
ReplyDeleteyour life is not officially declared a true crime novella. i am so glad you are safe, courageous and standing strong. will post a link on my blog. have been checking daily awaiting the good news of your resurrection. you are pheonix rising now.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you guys are doing okay and it's nice to see you back! It's awful how violated that sort of thing can make you feel, but I think it's good you guys decided not to let it rule your life. We got broken into in Atlanta when we lived there. The thieves were caught pretty much immediately because they were really stupid, but it felt really awful. I ended up washing literally everything in the house because I couldn't stand the idea that those people had touched our stuff.
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine how scary your experience must've been. Keep together, keep close, and keep living. They don't get to win!
A BIG HUG for you! I'm so glad to see your typed words on this page again! I'm glad that everyone is safe! And working it all out! Welcome home! Wow, you're not suppose to feel guilty? That's a head scratcher for me too- guilty for what?!
ReplyDeleteTalk to you SOON!
Suzanne
Yvette welcome back-it takes time but you are doing the right things. May you always be safe.
ReplyDeleteGood for you deciding not to let those thugs chase you from your new home! And you must be so proud of your daughter! Sounds like she's handling the aftermath okay. And I love the idea of 8 rows of fences with laser beams and armed guards! Is there room for a moat? I've always thought a moat would be cool. (humor helps)
ReplyDeleteWelcome back! :)
My friend,
ReplyDeleteMy friend....
It too much for words - I love the approach that you are taking to all this....
Lots of love heading your way for you and your family... even the plants.....
E.H>
OMG Yvette,
ReplyDeleteI've been away from my computer for the past couple of weeks. I've been taking care of my little one year old great neice...I was astounded when I read your e-mail this morning. I have been wondering how you've been doing with the remodeling of the house, and then I read that you'd been robbed.
Thank God you are all okay. I still can't believe it!
Please know that you and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Cindy
Holy cow! I missed the first post and am just now catching up. What a nightmare. Our area has turned violent and we've had to change our lives around because of it. I am like you. I am not moving until I am good and ready.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you and your family is safe and putting things back together again.
You have bounced back!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad your back and your family is safe. You guys are still in my thoughts and prayers. Thanks for the update, and see you around the blogosphere :)
ReplyDeleteSo good to see you posting again! I'm glad you and your family are safe...
ReplyDeleteI've missed you. I hope everything is getting better now. You sound more positive. Well done for staying. Big hugs x
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you are back Yvette! Look forward to reading your posts again when you are able -- really missed you!
ReplyDeleteWow! How frightening and horrible! I'm so glad to hear you and your family are ok and I hope you will all continue to be safe and well. Will be thinking of you.
ReplyDeleteTake care,
Natalie
btw when you're ready there's some blog love waiting for you at my place. You can pick it up at The Eclectic Reader
ReplyDeleteI left you a comment on another blog that I never rcv'd the Marilyn Monroe book that I won. I don't see anywhere to email you so I'm hoping you'll see this.
ReplyDeleteaimeebernard@gmail.com
I'm very sorry for your loss. I admire your decision to stay on, rather than moving out.the best thing is to be prepared and hang on. Who knows whether where you move on to would be worse?
ReplyDeleteI just caught this post and I am so thankful to read that you are back! Oh yay! I am glad you are all safe and you are being so strong. :)
ReplyDeleteMissed you!
Yvette, i am glad that you are well and that even amidst the trauma you have such positivity. The crime here can be horrendous and I am so sorry that your personal space was invaded by these inconsiderate and unthinking people.
ReplyDeleteI hope that you continue to be safe and that the trauma of this time heals.
It will be good to see you back here again.
It's been awhile but I thought I come stop by and wish you a very merry new years! I hope you and your family are doing well...
ReplyDeletejust stopping by to wish you and yours a Happy New Year
ReplyDeleteHi there,
ReplyDeleteI wondered if you'd be interested in reviewing our latest true crime book:
Murder Without Motive? 88 Days that shocked a Nation ISBN 9781907149030
I can e-mail you a digital version if you want. Please let me know on srix@shoehorn.biz
Thanks,
SIMON RIX
Shoehorn Publishing
hey Yvette, I hope things are going well. Sorry to hear about your attack. Site looks good these days. Keep strong.
ReplyDeleteHi Yvette,
ReplyDeleteI hope all is well with you and your family.
I have recently discovered a TV series I think you would be interested in. I don't know if it is available there but it is called Murder by the Book. On my satellite service it is on the Tru Network. Each week a true crime is reviewed from start to finish and an author is the host. \
Take care and hope to see you back some time.
Why did I never find this site before, what a friendly bunch!
ReplyDeleteI keep hoping you'll REALLY come back. Where are you? I just found your blog and was so excited to find another true crime lover. Hope everything is okay.
ReplyDeleteWhere are you?? :-(
ReplyDeleteHello Yvette,
ReplyDeleteJust discovered your site-very interesting reading and a good-looking and informative site. I have a true crime book I would like you to consider Trophy KIll: The Shall We Dance Murder-Prohyptikon Publishing (Toronto). Please visit my website TrophyKIll.tv -there is a cool video there and another on YouTube-The Shall We Dance Murder. Thanks for considering my request and keep up the great work. I also host a talk radio program called True Murder: The Most Shocking Killers in True Crime History on BlogTalkRadio.
Dan Zupansky
Welcome back dude..keep posting more articles..Thanks
ReplyDeleteJust heard your interview on True Murder with Dan Zupansky. I was disappointed to see your blog hasn't been updated recently. Here's hoping you come back very soon and bring us up to date on the best of 2010 and continue with new releases in 2011.
ReplyDeletethis is very nice blog....keep posting stuff like this
ReplyDeleteregards
goood post man. i think you make me come back too
ReplyDelete