I know how you feel. It is an awful feeling to have something that you treasure, stolen. I'm sorry.

I feel your loss! I really think you should 'mention' it to the supervisor in charge of visiting nurses. Don't those gals have to be bonded?
Any chance you may have laid them somewhere else without thinking about it? I'd probably approach each nurse and ask if they happened to move the earrings to a safer place or something. Let them know that you'll need to ask all 4 nurses then if need be-report it to their supe. Instead of accusing-maybe you could say that other than you 4 nurses-nobody else has been in my home since they became missing.
I know it's just 'stuff' but I lost my 1 ct oval diamnond a year ago & have been devastated ever since! As bad as I feel? I read in the 'lost' section of the classifieds this morning, of a lady who lost a pouch with a FOUR carat diamond solitaire AND a 4.5 ct total diamond & sapphire ring. I feel for her too!

Man, I hate thieves. I really, really hope that you find that you put them somewhere safe, Sue, but with all those people coming and going, you're probably right and they are long gone. Damn, that makes me mad. To steal from the person that you're supposed to be HELPING, well that is so far beyond wrong. I hope Karma bites her in the butt, big time.

I have had jewelery and cash stolen out of a home before and I remember being just livid about it. Please be sure to lock your remaining things up or hide them where no one will find them but you.

I am so sorry.

Sue, I'm so sorry you lost your jewelry. I hope you find out later that you did misplace them, but as sad as it is, people will take things that don't belong to them. I think you should report the incident to the service who provided the visiting nurses anyway just so they will have it on record. Maybe you should make a police report too.

I had two elderly great aunts, Ruth and Kathryn. Ruth had to go to a nursing home. She had several expensive pieces of jewelry that she wanted to take with her. Kathryn compromised with her and told her to pick one piece of jewelry to take and Kathryn would put the rest of it up for her. She told Ruth that it would be safe and she would bring it to her anytime she wanted it. Ruth chose to keep a ring with a large diamond setting. Ruth told Kathryn that she woke up one night and a man was standing over her bed. It startled her, but the man said he was just checking on her. The next day she noticed her ring was missing. Kathryn reported it, but nothing was ever done about it.

Later Kathryn had a health care lady stop by her house after she had knee surgery. The lady was there every day. After Kathryn was able to get around and the lady didn't come by any more, Kathryn noticed her fur coat was missing as well as some jewelry. She reported that too, but nothing was done about it. Kathryn was told a few weeks later that the woman wore a fur coat just like hers to church. The woman who saw her was a friend of Kathryn's and she asked the health care worker about the coat. The woman told her that she had owned the coat for a long time and had just not wanted to wear it.
My Great Aunts lived almost 1,000 miles from me at that time or I would have raised some hell with somebody, somewhere.

Might be a good idea if you rethink storing good jewelry in the bathroom--if it's one that guests--especially strangers might use. That's a room that, when it is used by outsiders, the door is always shut. So it would really be easy for someone to help themselves to your jewelry.

I've learned that hard way that it's better NEVER to put temptation in the way of 'guests'--even if they're family. I've lost some stuff, too, over the years, taken by people I thought I could trust.

It would be a good idea if you mention this to the supervisor. You don't have to accuse, you can just tell her the facts. The jewelry was in the bathroom, now it isn't, and some of the people who were in your home were their workers. Make it clear that you're certainly not making an accusation or a claim, just alerting her to a possible problem--you're really not sure, but you thought she would want to know.

Sorry about your loss, though--know how horrible that feels. It's a shame that these days, too many people feel that they're entitled to anything that catches their eye, even if it isn't theirs.

Just because it's "stuff" doesn't mean you can't get attached to it. I'm sorry this happened to you. I would be really upset too.

I hope the nurses didnt take it. How horrible if one of them did. I hope you find it around the house somewhere!

You can never be sure when something goes missing...I only have a few pieces and the most valuable is my wedding set. It is a large diamond and antique...a cut that you cannot even get anymore...any way...the reason I am telling you this is that if I don't have it on, I hide it...but before my housekeeper comes, I always check to make sure it is there and when she leaves, I check to make sure it is still there....

Now here's the catch...I trust her completely...I don't think for a minute she would take my ring...but I do know that if it ever turned up missing...she would be the first person blamed...so for her protection...I always make sure it is there...to protect her...

I just think a thief is about the worst kind of crook..I'm sorry you lost your jewelry...

I spoke to DH. He rarely wears his wedding ring. He said that about 7-10 days ago when he went in there for his wedding ring he noticed the earrings. I KNOW I haven't worn them since my surgery, 4 weeks ago, so I don't see what could have happened other than someone taking them. I hope I'm wrong and they show up, but I doubt it. I won't confront the nurses because I have no idea which one it could have been. The regular one never goes in the bathroom (she uses hand sterilizer). A few of the weekend ones have though. I don't want to call them because I really like the regular woman, and I know it wouldn't be her and I don't want to take any chance of her getting in trouble.

I generally consider our bathroom safe because we lock the door to the bedroom when we have a party.

I just can't figure out where else they could be! I've searched everywhere. Inside all purses, wallet change purse, etc. The last time I think I wore them was my father's birthday, in mid-May.

Hi Sue,

There are several reasons to consider reporting the missing jewelry to your local police department and the agency that sent the nurses to your home.

My sister works for an agency that provides home health aides and nursing care to at home patients. They have had to fire several employees in the past(thankfully far and few between) who have been caught red handed stealing from a client. They have also worked with law enforcement in the course of investigations into missing items or money.

It is best to alert the agency to a possible problem employee. Tell them what you know, such as the last time you wore them and where you stored them. Let them know who had access to the area they were stored and let them look into it. This way they have it on record and if they have had any other reports, yours will help raise a red flag. Any reputable agency will handle your concerns professionally.

If the earrings show up, simply let the agency know that they were found. I do hope they show up.

Kim

I am a resource coordinator for an agency that provides in home care for people such as yourself. I can tell you that we do a very through background check on every employee, still some make it through the background check and eventually turn out to be people that are dishonest. Azzalea is correct, the agency supervisor would want to know. I have had clients report things missing only to find that they had in fact miss placed it. I have also had clients report things missing that were never found. The agency needs to know in case there IS an employee stealing from their clients. The fact is if they have done it once they WILL do it again, maybe not to you but to someone else. There may have been a report from another client somewhere that would point to one of the employees as being the only common employee at both clients homes. The agency can not fix something that they are not aware of. I am sure they value their reputation and will take this matter seriously. I assure you no one will loose their job unjustly. Please put your valuables, including your check book and credit cards (yes we have had those come up missing) in a locked box or drawer.

I'm not really understanding where they were..but is there a chance you could have pulled them out to get to your hairdryer, fingernail polish, or something else, and left them on the counter and they fell in the trash? We are always moving stuff around in our bathroom to get at stuff.

I too though would report what happened. you can mention the regular nurse did not go in there to totally rule her out (if you are 100% sure), but don't think just because you like someone or someone is nice that they couldn't have done it. Often, it is the 'nicest' people that do these sort of things. The agency really needs to be made aware of it; you don't want it to continue to happen to other people.

I too would report it especailly a police report. Then you can say yes when you file a insurance claim. And also I too learned the hard way not to trust anyone, even relatives. We lost cash out of a box no one even knew about except a coupld of relatives. Very secure place.
Yes let the supervisor know so if they did it, it will not happen to someone else.

Oh, Sue I know how you feel !!

About 19 years ago both my kids had poison ivy really bad and they were in the tub together with that oatmeal stuff and I was supposed to wash them with a bar of oatmeal soap. One of them complained that my solitaire hurt , so I slipped it off and put in on the edge of the tub. I searched every where. Told hubby . Months, years passed. We moved to our first house and Erin got poison really bad helping me weed the old beds. Went to get the oat meal soap And there was the ring, stuck to the bottom of the used bar of soap !! We had to scrub and soak that ring out of there but I was so so surprised and delighted to see it again after 5 years .

I also would report it. Especially to the police for filing a report. I am so sorry. That is not a good thing. I hope you find your ear rings. You might also ask each of the nurses, who knows, they might show up as mysteriously as they became missing. If the one who stole them thinks that you are onto him/her, maybe he/she will put them in a spot that they will be found. I don't know, just a thought.

Here is a link that might be useful: Our daily lives living with my son's autism

Sue, I am so sorry you've lost something so precious to you. These earrings may be just stuff, but they are your stuff!

I would report it to the Police and let them take it from there. That way you don't have to be the bad guy and if there are questions asked and accusations made, you're not involved.

Can you think back and make sure NO ONE else had access to that bathroom but the nurses?

Mammie

I do hope you find the jewelry. I know you don't think you moved it, but maybe the surgery made you forget. (It's possible, as anesthesia does odd things!)
At least you would have an excuse...I've hidden things before and either forgotten where I hid them OR forgotten that I had hid them at all.

I'm so sorry this happened to you.

I am so sorry you lost your earrings. I know how you feel. When we were staying at the Venetian in Las Vegas for our 25th Anniversary, I left some very nice earrings on the counter of the bathroom. I usually kept my jewelry in a zipped bag in my purse. I was changing earrings to go out and in a hurry to get to the restaurant on time so didn't think. I reported it, but they did nothing, saying they were not responsible for items left out, etc. I hope the earrings turn up somewhere.
Clare

Sue36...I hope you change your mind and report it.

Within the last couple of weeks I had my 14K gold medic alert bracelet stolen right out from under my nose by a young plumber. I didn't see him do it...but I know he took it. I never have people in my home and I had laid it on the kitchen counter to clean it. He was alone in my kitchen for no more than 2 - 3 minutes but when I went in to check on the work he was doing...it was gone.

I reported it to the police because they have checked...and will continue to check...every pawn shop in this area for months. The police notified the young plumber that the bracelet was missing from my home. They made no accusations. They just informed him and asked him if he'd seen it. Of course, he denied that he had...but I guaranty you that he'll wait quite a while before he pawns it. Or...he may decide to toss it rather than risk being caught. The bracelet's replacement value today is $2,800.

I have a friend who knows the owner of the plumbing company and he's been informed that this particular employee may have a sticky finger problem. Again...no accusations were made...but the young man will be watched very carefully.

I made the decision to take these actions for the benefit of the next person that could become a similar victim. When these people get away with what they've done because no one actually sees what they've done...they repeat their actions time and time again...hurting innumerable folks. I can't afford to replace my stolen bracelet...but for the sake of someone else who might be in worse financial shape than I'm in...I felt I had no recourse but to report this incident. I hope you'll reconsider. Your actions could save the next guy or gal.

Anne

I think you should report it - both to the agency that sent out the nurses, and once you realize that it is NOT in your house, to the police. It may prevent someone else becoming a victim. Years ago I lost (?) a complete set of silverware. We know without a doubt who took it, and he left the empty storage box, so we didn't discover the theft for months. Insurance paid for replacement silverware, and yes, it is just "stuff" but you feel violated - something besides "stuff" was taken from you - trust in someone, and a feeling that you are safe in your own home.

I must agree with kim_still_in_pa.
A reputable agency will handle the matter with professionalism. You are not pointing a finger at a particular individual. You just want to make them aware of the situation. You never know, maybe they've already had complaints about one of the nurses.
I guess I don't have a criminal mind because I can't understand how a stranger could come into your house in good faith and steal from you. Like you'll never put two and two together?

Sue

Is it possible that they "jumped" out of the pull out when someone closed it? I have two at my kitchen sink and occasionally the green scrubby thing jumps into the cabinet below.
My BF cleans house for another friend's Mom who is always misplacing things. The first time it happened it was a necklace. I was called and asked if I thought my BF might have taken it. I laughed and said I've know Linda for more than 30 years and there is no doubt in my mind that she didn't take it. She's got more jewlery than anyone I've ever known. I reminded the friend that I never would have recommended Linda if there was a doubt. Her mom is very special to me and I'd never subject her to someone that wasn't trustworthy. They found the necklace several weeks later in a stack of newspapers waiting to be read.

Thanks for the support everyone. Someone was wondering where they were. You know how under a sink, often kitchen sink, there is that piece of wood that is just a fake front, but sometimes pulls out (bottom hinged) to reveal a little hideaway? I have those under my master bath sinks. It is pretty obvious there is a drawer there because there are knobs on it. The only things I keep in there are jewelry and a few hair elastics. I already looked under the sink, inside the cabinet, etc. Even if one jumped out (something I considered), they wouldn't both jump out.

There is one nurse in particular I think it could have been, but I have no proof. I was in the bedroom, flat on my back, and she asked where the soap was. She might have looked in there and saw them. They were clearly "real" and very valuable. Pave diamond hoops in 18k white gold, they match my wedding ring. I priced some today, at least $2000-2500.

I may report it. I need to sleep on it. DH is positive he had to move the earrings aside to get to his wedding ring, and that was about 12 days ago. I KNOW I haven't worn them since long before that. And no one other than the two of us and the nurses have been here in three weeks. A lot of the jewelry in the there is in little boxes, these were not. If someone opened the fold-out they would be the first thing you would see.

May I ask you , are these "nurses" really RNs or LPNs or are they just aids. I hate to cast a shadow on CNAs because there are so many loving caring folks that have worked for me but you need to know.... Here in Michigan most of the CNAs or CENAs looking for work these days are single Moms on public assistance. Now don't get me wrong I am not saying being on wealfare makes you a bad person BUT here you HAVE to get a job once your childern are school age or be cut off. I have seen many gals come in that seemed very nice only to find out they were doing as little work as possible to get a check. It's not really the check from the employer they want it's the wealfare check and food stamps. The State pays for their training and will even provide transportation and child care so they have no excuse to not work. Sad to say that the couple gals I found to be thieves were the ones working the system.

I had a piece of jewelry stolen from my jewelry box. My parents gave me a sapphire ring when I graduated high school. I know the ring was in my jewelry box, because I'd seen it every time I opened the lid. Then one day I decided to organize all my jewelry and the ring was missing. I looked all around for it. The only strangers in my house were two adult babysitters. Must have been one of them. The ring even was in a gift box. Perfect for a thief to pick up and sell or give to someone else as a gift. I was broken hearted. It meant a lot, my parents were proud of me because I had done well in high school. I never told them what happened.

"Can you think back and make sure NO ONE else had access to that bathroom but the nurses?"

My recovery has been a little rough, so I've been keeping a low profile. My surgery was 6/9 and the only entertaining we've done was my father and stepmother, who came for dinner 6/16, they never went upstairs (and the earrings were seen after this). My BIL was at the house one day, but he never went inside (and the earrings were seen after this). The VNs have been coming everyday for 2 weeks. IF the earrings were stolen, it had to be one of the VNs.

Never have strangers in your home --health care, contractors--without putting your valuables in a safety deposit box or safe.

Lisa brought up something I was wondering, but was hesitant to voice. Many home health aids aren't nurses--not even close. They take a quick course (6-8 weeks) and are proclaimed to be medical personnel. My mom had home health aids for the last few years of her life. When we cleaned out her apt., after she died, there were a number of things missing that we all thought should have been there. Nothing definite, nothing really valuable, nothing we could prove, but independently, we'd each noticed that there were things that seemed to be missing. And while some of the aids were wonderful, caring and hardworking, there were some who would come in, sit down, chat with mom for 2 hours and figure they'd done their job--NOT!

So I'd add my concern about the women who might have been there. Some come from better backgrounds than others. Some have more personal integrity than others (and that doesn't really have anything to do with how much training they've had).

Just one more personal thing--I don't even take my jewelry into the bathroom. Not for any of the issues being discussed here, but I'm always worried that a piece will fall down the drain. So I keep mine in my dresser drawer in the bedroom, put it on and take it off there, I even clean it in the bedroom--just to make sure I don't lose a piece down the plumbing. Not saying yours went down the sink--know that's not the case--just making a side point for your consideration.

Ditto above. I would report it.

Well, I did report it. The nurse who did my original intake (she's a supervisor) came to the house today because my regular 4 day a week nurse was off. I explained the situation to her and she said she would report it and they would call me. The supervisor called me and basically told me that everyone has been with them a long time, I must be mistaken, blah, blah, blah. Told me to file an insurance claim. She said they "can't" do in investigation and that I should call the police if I want one done.

I don't know if I want the police involved in this. We live in a very frugal old-Yankee Maine town, all I need is it getting around that (1) I had surgery (I can hear the gossip now) and (2) I have diamond jewelry in the house (we already get chastized for our big house).

I don't know what to do. I honestly feel like I'm cracking up. Could I have taken them out of the pull-out after DH saw them and don't remember it? I don't know why I would have, I haven't worn them. But I keep questioning myself.

Since you are hesitant about getting the police involved then just start today making today day one and gather up all your valuables and "YOU" take them to the S Deposit box. Make a list or take some photos of them. Don't give them to DH or anyone else to take
At least going forward this will not be a problem for you.
IMHO

then if the missing items "show up" there won't be any recriminations

Minnie gave you good advice. Definitely report this to the police, hide the rest of your jewelry, take photos Document, document, document.

I'm sorry--this is a little off topic.

What kind of town do you live in, that people will gossip because someone had SURGERY? My neighbors would be running over with casseroles and offers of help, if they heard that. Truthfully--if your neighbors are that unsympathetic and evil normally, don't worry about their opinion. The only person whose opinion should matter is yours--and how will you be able to look yourself in the face in the mirror, if you don't do the right thing here? You have to live with YOU, not the goofy, gossipy neighbors.

This happened to a friend of mine and she never did find who did it. She had a maid service that sent different maids every week, plus her son had a lot of company when my friend wasn't home. She didn't know where to start looking, but it hurt her feelings and won't happen again b/c she got a safe!

Azzalea,
I've yet to live in a place where people don't gossip. There's such a place? Our neighbors are fine, it's just a small town. I don't want people knowing I had surgery, because then they start asking what type.

sue,

I don't know what kind of surgery you had, but I would think neighbors asking about it would generally being expressing concern... not necessarily gossip. I wouldn't worry about people knowing about your surgery. It's knowing stuff like that that bring neighbors and communitites together.

One thing you may want to check into is if your insurance would even cover the loss. Do you have it listed on a jewerly rider? Just something to consider.

At least you did your part in notifying the agency. They can choose what they want to do with the info. I understand they probably can't do anything without a report, but they can still keep their eyes and ears open.

When you're well enough, I'd tear the house apart looking for them. If you still don't find them or they haven't popped up unexpectedly in that time, I would probably go ahead and file a report.