Wednesday, April 23, 2008

I'm Old!

I'm taking a break from trip posts to tell about an event that happened this afternoon.

After work today, I came home, changed into my jammies, and started making dinner. During dinner prep my doorbell rang. It was about 5:00 and since I was in my PJs, I decided not to answer the door. I never answer the door if I am not expecting someone. Who comes to the door at 5:00 in the evening? Solicitors, that's who. Important people in my life don't just show up at my door unannounced.

The doorbell rang. Then there were knocks on the door. Koho, my dog, of course went nuts; barking and running around the house. I still ignored it.

After a few moments, I heard noises in my backyard (which is really the side yard - I'm on a corner lot). I looked out the window and saw a boy, of about 12, running in my backyard and then back out again. After getting over the shock of seeing someone back there, I got upset. I marched to the front door, opened it, and yelled, "What are you doing?"

Three boys who stood at my side gate looked at me and froze. After a moment, one of the boys walked away shrugging, while I yelled, "Come here," to the other two. They walked over to my half open door (still in my jammies) and stood looking at me. Koho continued to run around the house barking so I couldn't open the door all the way. This is how the rest of the conversation went...

Me: What are you doing? (shrieking)
Boy 1,2: Uh, uh
Me: What are you doing in my backyard? (still shrieking)
Boy 1: Uh, we had to get this (holding up something that was shot out of a big toy gun)
Me: So you just decided to go in my backyard? (no longer shrieking, but talking in my stern teacher voice)
Boy 2: We knocked on your door.
Me: I don't care. You went in my backyard! (shrieking again)
Boy 1, 2: (stare)
Me: Where do you live? (shrieking continues)
Boy 1, 2: (points behind my house)
Me: How would you feel if you found me in your backyard and I wasn't supposed to be there? (Back to the teacher voice)
Boy 1: Pretty mad.
Me: Yah, pretty mad is right!
Boy 1, 2: (stare)
Me: I don't want to ever see you in my backyard again. That is not ok!
Boy 1, 2: OK
Me: Never again! (almost shrieking)
Boy 1, 2: OK
Me: Sheesh (closes the door)

So, let me ask you, did I behave like the old, scary cat lady that lives in the neighborhood? Did I react like the cranky, old neighbor who says, "Stay outta my yard ya young whipper snappers." I think so. In my defense however isn't that breaking and entering? I'm just saying. Anyways, now if my house gets T-Pd, or egged, or I get murdered in my sleep we will know why.

5 comments:

  1. Yeah, that was a little "lady with the cats-ish." I think that you were in pajamas sent you right over the edge. Go have a glass of wine and prepare to watch Big Brother. That'll cheer you up!!

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  2. Yup, you're crazy cat lady. But I've been known to open the door and scream at the kids to "get off my tree for the last time!"

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  3. I don't blame you at all. Being in your situation, but mine was worse I was actually in the back yard with my neighbor who smokes but does want everyone else to know about it, so her kids can still have friends in the neighborhood. So there she is smoking and we are chatting when a full grown adult and his two kids open the gate and begin to wonder the yard. Me freaking out (and I am not even a mom or a teacher) and asking what the hell are you doing, he looks at me and smiles and plays catch with his sons in the backyard. I flipped. I think i am the reason her kids don't have friends now.
    But it's your yard, your privacy, and your decision. weather they knock and you don't answer they should wait. They are tresspassing. you go girl, be the crazy cat lady, it's less nighborhood drama you really have to deal with.

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  4. Do you remember that story I read to you once called Mrs. Morgan's Lawn? Yeah. You're Mrs. Morgan. If you want I'll let you read it tomorrow.

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