Today, Jeff and I are going down to Justin’s house. His little townhouse complex has a potluck BBQ. The neighbors gather by the spa at 5 for cocktails and then you’re welcome to bring something to throw on the BBQ. Everyone brings a dish to share. When it’s dark, they have fireworks. Surprisingly, they are allowed to have fireworks in Costa Mesa. His house borders the Talbert Nature Preserve which is on the bluffs overlooking Huntington Beach. I would think they’d worry about fires in the nature preserve. We’ll also be able to see the fireworks that are shot up over the ocean from the Huntington Beach pier. So that should be fun for us because we’ve lived in Agoura Hills for almost 30 years now and fireworks are not allowed. Growing up on the westside, I always had fireworks as a child and the 4th of July was always an exciting and fun time. We’ll have to go buy some sparklers! Should be nostalgic! Happy 4th of July to all my US blog buds!

Since I prewrite my blog entries, I didn’t have the rest of the lost wallet story until now. When the sheriff called Tuesday afternoon, he asked Jeff for his cell number and said he’d call when they got back to the sheriff substation. Well, it was getting late and no phone call. Jeff started second-guessing the phone call. What if it really wasn’t a sheriff but some elaborate scheme? He said that he could hear what sounded like a police radio in the background of the call. I told him he was paranoid! Why would anyone who found your wallet bother to call you up? He said, “Maybe to stop me from canceling all my credit cards?” Hmm, well what would the chances be that a person who would stumble upon your wallet would have that diabolical of a scheme in mind… down to having a police radio in the background? He called the sheriff substation before he went to bed and there was no sign of his wallet. Now he even got me to wondering… Anyway, long story, long… the sheriff who had the wallet called Jeff’s cellphone early Wednesday morning and said he was at our local deli and still had the wallet with him. Jeff’s at the firestation so he calls me and tells me that they’re waiting for me to come get the wallet! Great! It’s a little after 7 AM and I’m dressed in just a long beach tank coverup since I’m already starting my morning Roomba-ing, Scooba-ing, shaking out the dog beds, etc… Throw on some clothes, a quick makeup application and out the door I go! They’re waiting for me in the parking lot and ask for my ID to make sure I’m who I say I am. I asked if I could buy them breakfast and, as I figured, they declined. They apologized for not getting back to us the day before but they were babysitting a dead body of a teenage girl (story and video HERE) all day that was discovered in our local hills. I asked who found the wallet and they told me a construction worker. They didn’t have his name so I don’t have anyway of thanking or rewarding him for his honesty and kindness. And yes, all the money, credit cards and ID’s were in the wallet!

Jeff stopped at our local Shell gas station and filled up the tank. Seventy seven dollars! He put his wallet on top of our SUV because the nozzle was acting up and required two hands. He promptly drove off, forgetting the wallet was on top of the car. It’s only a half mile, if that, from there to home. A few hours later, he realizes his wallet is missing and retraces his steps in his mind and realizes what he has done. He goes back to the gas station but they don’t have it and he drives along his route but can’t find it. His wallet would be easy to see because it is fat! Full of credit cards, ATM card, driver’s license, his firemen’s ID (a big deal if you lose that because of impersonation/security issues) and over $150 in cash. I’m out shopping so he calls me and tells me to finish up because he needs to call and cancel all our cards. I’m upset and complain to our neighbor that you’d think in our nice community, someone would return it to you. I know if I found a wallet, I’d return it. We agreed, keep the money but just spare us the monumental hassle that comes with replacing all your cards and ID’s. Long story a little shorter: phone rings and it’s the sheriff (we have sheriffs in Agoura Hills.) They ask Jeff what his occupation is (since they can see his ID) and Jeff tells them he’s a captain with the LAFD so they say they have his wallet with all his cards and even the money! Hooray! Faith in humanity restored! Not to mention pride in our community!