Hmm

[averygoodun42]

I have the vague (and probably paranoid) suspicion that someone was in the house when we came home tonight. A few things were not as I left them when we went out, and I felt a bit... uneasy. You know that "not right' feeling...

I had to give Babe a quick shower before bed, and while he was screaming his objections (he hates the shower, although I got him to take it with the promise that his head wouldn't get wet), I heard some stomping about, either downstairs or next door, together with a door closing. The sense of unease also lifted.

I really can't be sure if someone was in the house. And if someone was, it was probably the local at-risk youth who's more into mischief than harm at this point. But still...

I think I will be consistently locking the doors from now on.

What a shame.

Comments

[angelmischa.livejournal.com]

Oh. Scary. :( I would be so freaked out!

[averygoodun.livejournal.com]

No harm has been done, but I am going to go through the house top to bottom, checking behind all closed doors to make sure we're alone in the house before throwing the deadbolt tonight.

Otherwise said: yeah, I'm a little freaked out.

[keladry_lupin]

Take a baseball bat with you, or at least a heavy-duty flashlight, please.

[averygoodun.livejournal.com]

Never fear, a mug of steeping Sleepytime tea was in my hand. Figured it would at least have the advantage of surprise (and would be far less likely to be used against me in the worst case scenario).

Fortunately, all is well here. Although the tea was a terribly blah. Too old, I guess.

[geminiscorp.livejournal.com]

*hugs* Please lock the doors-that's scary!

[averygoodun.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'm planning on it (though I'm going to check the house over, first).

Fortunately, this is a safe neighborhood. And the walls are just thin enough that the neighbors would hear my screams. (Perhaps gallows humor isn't appropriate? Sorry.)

Seriously, though, all's well here.

[sbrande.livejournal.com]

I used to always leave my car unlocked where ever I went, that was until last year when it was stolen right out the front of my place. I got it back with a blown clutch, but I now lock my car up when I leave it anywhere.

People in general are assholes and I don't trust them as far as I can throw them.

As long as nothing was taken then you are fine. I know what it feels like for someone else to violate your privacy.

Love Sonia :)

[averygoodun.livejournal.com]

Late one night, years and years ago, I came home to my parents place (which I was house-sitting) to find the front door barely open. Even before I went in, I knew someone was in there. So, I cautiously opened the door and called out asking if anyone was there (more to give them a heads-up to get the hell out if they hadn't left already than expecting or wanting an answer). No one replied, thank god, but when I turned on the lights, it was obvious that theft was the object.

That freaked me out. This is just slightly nerve-wracking. And insulting. And, mostly, disappointing.

[averygoodun.livejournal.com]

And, dude, at least it was just joy-riders, and they hadn't totaled your car! But still... Yeah, that's a crappy thing to happen and it completely destroys trust and faith in humanity.

Bah!

[sbrande.livejournal.com]

I think that they wanted to total my car but the clutch gave out so they couldn't destroy the evidance. Cops did nothing, as usual, and I had to front the $1000 bill to get my car back and also get it repaired.

People, in general, suck.

Loves you, Sonia :)

[millennia2.livejournal.com]

I've always locked my doors and windows! Do NOT ignore your gut instincts, I'm sure it is right!

[averygoodun.livejournal.com]

I've never really felt the need. I actually trust people (weird, I know), and we're not in a neighborhood or situation where we'd attract thieves or vandals. The benefits of being working class. ;-)

I'm not convinced I was right, but I'm going to bring it up with my neighbors next time I see them anyway.

[junewilliams7.livejournal.com]

yikes!! please tell your hubby and neighbors too - they might have noticed something as well. eeps!!! lock the lower windows?

[averygoodun.livejournal.com]

The thing that bothers me about this is that Geoff is gone, and most of the neighborhood knows it. And the thing that

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The thing that bothers me about this is that Geoff is gone, and most of the neighborhood knows it. And the thing that <i.really</i> bothers me is that Geoff is the surrogate father for the neighborhood kids. They all love him.

But yes, I'll tell everyone and make sure the lights are on at night from now on.

[septentrion1970.livejournal.com]

Brrr... I wouldn't like the feeling either. Even if it was only a kid, you can be sure that the information that your door isn't closed would reach unwanted ears before long. Lock your doors, I say.

[averygoodun.livejournal.com]

Yeah. I hope not, but yes, locking the doors from now on (and getting a deadbolt for the back door) is now a priority for when I leave the house.

[kribu.livejournal.com]

Eeek. I'd have freaked out, I think!

I'm always terrified of forgetting to lock the door. If we're going out for more than a couple of hours, then it's locking both locks, too (and we got a nice secure metal door some years ago, after several of the flats in the building had been burglarised). At least living on the fourth floor means I can reasonably safely leave the window ajar when it's warm.

[averygoodun.livejournal.com]

That's the thing, though... This neighborhood doesn't have a history of burglars. I don't know of anyone who's been robbed, though cars have been riffled through (including ours a few weeks back).

Nice thing is that most of our windows (all?) are high enough to pose a problem for someone tryng to break in that way. Besides, nothing was stolen. I think it was just someone having "fun".

[dickgloucester.livejournal.com]

Mr Dicky thinks it's absurd that I lock the front door when I'm in the house. I don't - I can't hear it open when I'm upstairs.

Trust your instincts, and lock the door.

[averygoodun.livejournal.com]

In the daytime, I don't bother (unless it's locked already). I've a history of locking myself out of places, so I usually like to keep it open if I'm going to be going outside. However, I will be locking it at night, keeping the outside lights on and locking it if I'm leaving the neighborhood.

Which sucks. I don't want to distrust my neighbors! But I'm not going to be stupid about it, either.

[cck-brit.livejournal.com]

Yikes! You've inspired me to be vigilant about the locks. The four of us once went out for hours and left the front door wide open and I know I've left the garage open at least twice. This neighborhood is safe also, but I'll be more careful from now on. Take care.

[averygoodun.livejournal.com]

We were out at night, all the lights were off, and all the neighborhood kids know Geoff is out of town till tomorrow. And nothing was stolen. I think it still is a fairly safe neighborhood, just with someone out for mischief. (Our neighbor has left her front door wide open for hours in the daytime with nothing wrong.)

However, locking the doors when leaving is the smart thing to do...

[zalena.livejournal.com]

Spooky. Please lock your doors when you're away. I find the best way to keep myself from locking myself out is to only lock the doors from the outside.

That being said, I'm glad you generally feel safe in your neighborhood. Mine isn't a 'good' neighborhood, either, but I feel safe here too, in part because everyone knows I have nothing worth taking.

Oddly, someone came and weedwhacked my trim yesterday. (I mowed the lawn this weekend.) I suspect Gustavo (my retired, recently widowed, puttering neighbor) but I have no way of being sure. My initial response was anger; but then I figured there was no harm done and it is something I know won't have to worry about doing myself.

Briefly, I considered the possibility of having attracted some kind of gardening gnome or brownie. Especially now that evidence of my caring for the yard is growing.

[averygoodun.livejournal.com]

Yes, I'll be doing that from now on. And locking them from the outside is a good idea. Must remember it.

That's the thing that boggles my mind is that this is a good neighborhood. Relatively poor, but not by any means a neighborhood harboring/encouraging criminal behavior (any spare money goes towards the kids for toys, food and other 'worthless' stuff). The one 'at-risk' youth I spoke of is at-risk because of his psychological make-up more than economic status.

I can understand your being angry at someone doing something to your yard, but at the same time, if it was something that needed to be done anyway... how nice. Obviously people are responding to the care you're putting into your yard. :-)

[averygoodun.livejournal.com]

Definitely. Thanks!