I'm not sure why you are so surprised by this, or look for a clinical diagnosis. Its an interesting case, that you describe, and a very very sad one for all concerned but it sounds perfectly normal, to me. Because as you describe it it is not, in fact, the case that the items in question had only a sentimental value for their rightful owner. They had a (negative) sentimental value for the thief, as well. Many, if not most, objects that an individual can collect have, at bottom, a sentimental or emotional value--and that is true even for such things that are easily replaced such as tvs or radios. One thing those things can symbolize is ownership itself, home, comfort, recreation, stability. Many years ago I read a book called "uncoupling" which was a (to my mind not very good) sociological study of divorcing couples. One thing the sociologist found was that people fought very hard over the disposition of even such massproduced, easily replacable, and often totally-worthless from a resale point of view mechanical objects like stereos. People routinely fight over particular copies of books that they could easily afford to replace just as they fight over the disposition of pets and children which can not be replaced or valued. The thief in your story valued something that is inherently non monetary--power and control (however illusory) over her friend/relative. She excercised that control secretly, like a wealthy collector who buys a stolen item that he can never show and gloats over it privately. To her it reset a social or emotional balance with the rightful owner. I've seen this kind of emotional theft and violence a million times in my life--its no different from someone reaching over and taking a bite of food off your plate without asking. Its as much a violation of your privacy and your personal space, its as much a hostile act, just using the medium of these "trivial" things--but no ring or signed book can ever be truly trivial. Don't we all save things for sentimental reasons that have no economic value? I saved a cheap alarm clock that my grandmother gave me because it was the last thing she gave me before she died. If someone had stolen it and held on to it to hurt me I wouldn't be surprised, but I'd have the last laugh because the theft of a cheap alarm clock doesn't alter my relationship with my grandmother at all. I don't mean to dismiss your concern, I just don't think this is a clinical case--its not kleptomania (it doesn't sound like) because its not random, impulsive, or compulsive. Its very targeted. It sounds like ordinary spite, taken to extra-ordinary levels. abfab

i really really want to say I love it DJ but dang it when I read your gas mileage all my love left!! LOL not really I am proud of you.....I wish I could drive a little car..but with traveling so much on the interstates I feel sooo much safer in a big one..(Tahoe).....my dream car would either be another celica or a smart car.....sooo proud of your gas mileage enjoy.....Brian smokes and it is funny my Tahoe never smells like smoke....course it has leather seats maybe they don't asorb much and I am one who doesn't use the air much even when it is 100 out so it gets lots of airing out...STacy

>>four wheel drive was all wheel drive.>> Wanda's correct, there's a distinct difference. If you are really dealing with off-roads, mud or heavy snow on hills, you would want 4-wheel drive. AWD helps with sloppy street and highway road conditions, and is suited for light-to-moderate off-roading. If you're driving in snowy winters, it's best to switch to snow tires even with AWD. A front-wheel drive car with snow tires can match most AWD cars, if ground clearance is not an issue. A lot of people confuse the increased stability of "traction control systems" that go under various names, with AWD. I have heard it described as AWD can be very useful getting you STARTED on a snowy road, but it's a traction control system that will be more helpful when the tires lose their grip on the road. A full explanation of the differences between 2WD, 4WD, and AWD was summarized by Consumer Reports: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2012/12/2wd-awd-or-4wd-how-much-traction-do-you-need/index.htm ======== In my dream life (or when I win the lottery, which would be difficult since we never remember to buy tickets), my perfect home would be relatively modest but have a 6-car garage. I want: - Bentley Continental GT. Because it's big. And beautiful. OK, it's nouveau riche flashy (it's also known as the "Beverly Hills Corvette"). I don't care, I want one. - Tesla S. We live in NorCA, so supercharger stations are common. 300 miles gets us to Monterey and back, that works! - Rebuilt Jaguar XKE with a Ford V-8 engine. Simply the most gorgeous car ever designed, even if it was a piece of unreliable carp. - Mazda 3. Small, fast, fun to drive. This is what I'd take to go to the grocery store when I'm craving Italian gelato or forgot to buy a loaf of bread. - Mercedes AMG S65 coupe. Finally, MBZ makes another sexy, super-fast, two-door coupe. Yum! The sixth slot is for the next gorgeous, sexy, fast, car that catches my heart, LOL. Something with auto-drive, for when I'm feeling lazy, maybe? Sigh. In reality, we're looking for another SUV and I'll probably end up with the Ford Edge Sport. I will look at the Honda CR-V to check it out (the storage specs are actually the same with the 2017 Honda as they are with the much bigger Edge) but that 315 hp twin-turbocharged engine is beckoning me.......... My DH is no help at all. He says he can drive anything, and I just have to pick what makes me happy. That's great, but that means the additional cost of the Edge over the CR-V is all on me!

The car is perfect! I think I'm coming to the conclusion that some people want to disagree with EVERYTHING you say. They're only happy if you're unhappy. They weren't trying to be helpful, they were just trying to be know it alls. Because... after I explained why it didn't apply to me, I kept getting told why I was wrong. I admit it can be right for some people, but it wasn't right for me. Oh well! I wish them well, but I don't think they can understand they are not helping. Helping, in the instance would have been celebrating with me. Love you all! I apologize with disagreeing with your disagreement. Doubt anybody will apologize for their behavior (you know who you are!), but that's not my issue-it's theirs. Best!