I'm spooked. . .

[Equine_Woman]

So I'm never easy at home alone in the dark. . . don't know why I get worried about what could be out there in the world but I do! My hubby and son are out to dinner on a Daddy son night and I'm home alone. I swear I heard someone cough outside. . .nearest neighbor is about 1/4 mile from me. . . my big Dogs are outside and I'm not brave enough to step out and let them in. My dog Shadow is here with me but he's a weenie. He'd never be protective. (in fact he's completely oblivious right now, he's walking back and forth from the living room to the kitchen picking up my sons toys and stealing them and putting them in a pile. . .dumb dog.) So how do I desensitize myself to irrational worry? It makes my stomach hurt. I'm pretty sure nothing is out there because my dog Sable would never be quiet if someone were on our property and the only dog barking is Piper. . .and it's her I want in and I want dinner bark.. ..

I'm ready for Summer with it's longer days and shorter scary nights!

[Equine_Woman]

Great. Now Mr. Oblivious is barking out the window.

[XshadowfoxX]

Im sorry but Im laughing at your misfortune.

Im the same way, put all the lights on in the house and if you want carry a gun around- that helps me. Lol.
(even if its just a BB gun- it makes you feel a little bad*** xD)

[jeezitsjacki]

just stay calm.. is there anyone you can call? a neighbor to maybe drive by and shine lights or pretend to pull into your house so if it is something they will go away? maybe call a friend just to talk.. can you just open the door without going outside to let the dogs in?

sorry your scared.. my roomates and I watched paranormal actvity saturday night and I was freaked out and couldnt sleep so I know how you feel!

[Equine_Woman]

Thanks guys. I could call my Dad & Brother, they live next door (across the creek) but I don't want them to think I'm some weenie city girl afraid of the dark. . .

And now my big bad dog is barking her serious bark. I'm pretty sure something is out there but I'm trying to convince myself it's a coon. Which I'm sure it is. . .we have one that comes by every night this time. . .
I was actually wishing for a gun so I could at least look bad a~~ if anyone was looking in the window. . All I have is a toy cap gun. . .well and my hubby's shotgun but I've only had two lessons on that thing and I'm afraid I'd accidentally shoot Shadow if I carried it around. ..

Boys are on their way home with ice cream. That will help.

[AppyLover]

Being nerved up like that sucks. Sorry EW that you are spooked. I wish I had some magic remedy that I could tell you about that helps me, but honestly I don't have any one thing. Sometimes putting on a sappy chick flick, or sipping a hot cup of tea, reading a novel...any number of "relaxing" things I enjoy have helped out at one point in time or another.

I am sure you will be fine and with the boys on their way home with ice cream; the night won't be so scary. ;)

[XshadowfoxX]

You dont have to have it loaded =P someone walks in and they see a double barrel in their face.... Theyll back down bullets or no. =]
I only keep my bb gun loaded if Im in that situation not even my 22.

Yay for the boys coming home with icecream!

[JumpintheMoon]

Oh im sorry I hope everthing is okay:(. That would skare me too:eek:. I used to live in a haunted house and sometimes i still get the spooks.:(

[Sundays Man]

Uhhh, EW, you are in Texas, remember? There are all kinds of noises!!?? Does shotgun or "hog leg" ring a bell? Don't be afraid of the dark. Have you ever heard a horse cough from a distance, or a deer...or for that matter a "yote"? It could have been a possum getting choked on the cat food you have out for the cats (possums LOVE cat food). My dogs go absolutely CRAZY when "poggo" comes on our back porch to eat the cat's food. Plan for the worst and expect the best is always a good motto. However, in your mind, tell yourself it's poggo the possum or something, but be prepared for Obama, or Nancy Pelosi or something.

[lovesfortune]

I would be shaking in my pants, just like you. As I said in that other thread, I am a weenie. I always call my neighbors (which are my inlaws) when I'm spooked and home alone. They know I'm a weenie, so it's alright, but they always come over and check things out. Don't hesitate to call your Dad, even if you think you are being a wuss!

Glad the boys are on their way home! Hang in there!!!

[alittleoffkey]

I'm glad the boys are coming home with icecream for you EW! This weekend, you should learn how to shoot - seriously. I think it's something everyone should learn to do safely, with confidence. Seriously, go buy a couple of boxes of shells and use them all. :)

I got my CCW license and a 9mm for my 21st birthday. We're country kids, so we all grew up around guns and shooting. I'm glad we're all "grown" now, the youngest 'kid' in our extended family is 15, and I'm the oldest (22), so we don't have to worry about keeping guns put away unless a friend brings their kids over.

[XshadowfoxX]

but be prepared for Obama, or Nancy Pelosi or something.


:hysterical:
You made me ROFL!!

[zoel_222]

I'm the same way. I was fine until last year when we had all these weird events happen outside my house. It spooked me pretty good, too. To this day I still sleep with a large hunting knife in my bed. We have a house full of guns, there's like 2 guns in every room, but I literally couldn't hit a target to save my life. I'd probably shoot my own eye out before I shot the rapist or whoever was breaking into my house. I also will never go outside of my house when it's dark out unless I have both my dogs, a knife, a flashlight and a cell phone. And even then I won't stay outside for more than 30 seconds.

[AUEquine]

I'm right there with you EW! I'm the biggest chicken, scared of the dark, loser there is! And the weird thing is I work nights outdoors! I'm always hearing noises at home if I'm alone. Especially since there's been alot of break ins around us lately! I'm sure there's nothing there. If I were you, I'd crack the door just enough to let the big dogs in, then check every door to see that it is locked. Then sit there and find something good on TV with your dogs! I'd also have hubby's unloaded shotgun beside you! Someone comes in that house and is faced with dogs and a woman with a gun... they'll run, and run quick!

But I'm sure there's nothing there! Just keep thinking about that wonderful ice cream!

[Sundays Man]

O.k. ladies (and gentlemen, if it applies). If you are more comfortable with a knife than you are with a gun?...there may be a problem. Unless stealth and silence is the objective, a knife is a weapon of LAST resort. You know, the old saying goes, "never, never bring a knife to a gun fight". If you ever HAVE to use force, you want to use overwhelming force. If not, you might as well just lay down and give up. If you are afraid of guns, get over it. How many of you were afraid the first time you mounted up on a horse? You got over it by "mounting up". Get a gun and "mount up" until you are comfortable. Learn to be responsible and safe; know how to use it, but "get over it". It could very well save your life or the life of a loved one.

[Equine_Woman]

Well all is fine in the world!! Hubby is home, big dog is inside, no boogers out there at all. . .

And if Obama showed up I'd just invite him in! Remember. ..I'm one of 'them'. .. (cue Twilight Zone music. . .) Course I'm the type of Southern Girl that'd have Bush in for tea as well. . . company is always welcome. . .as long as they don't cough in the dark and scare me half to death before I know who they are. ..

[oursarge]

I used to be like you, if it was dark I was terrified of being alone, I'm fine during the day but as soon as the dark came I would be totally paranoid. When I got my horse and had to go out alone at night I stopped being so scared. Last summer my husband had to go in the hospital, an ER situation. I didn't call anyone I stayed all by myself and I wasn't even scared, I just had Puppy who was like 7 months old then and scared of everything so she was no help. I guess what helps me is that if I call my best friends they'll come running with guns blazing! Same with my brother in law who lives on the other side of the mother in law, the neighbor too, we're the only ones here who don't have an arsonal. Nobody believed I stayed in the house alone that night and I was fine. I don't know what came over me because at one point I'd have to go stay with someone if my husband had a night time meeting or something, I was terrified if he wasn't home by dark I'd sit here and shake, now it doesn't bother me so much except if someone knocked on the door then I'd probably have a stroke. We live real rural, we have neighbors but they aren't close, it's pitch dark out and it is scary so I understand how you feel. Hope the men get home with the ice cream real soon.

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

I agree with everybody who said that you ought to learn some confidence with a gun. Any gun-- whatever you can be comfortable shooting. You'd be amazed what it does for your confidence and peace of mind. Then when you're home alone and things go bump in the night... just clip that holster on your belt and wear it around. You'll feel better.

Some good bright outdoor lighting is also a very good thing.

[natisha]

I feel sorry for you gals who are easily frightened, it must be terrible. I'm totally opposite. I like watching scary movies in the dark alone, my house has 6 entrances & I know 2 are not locked, maybe more. My main door doesn't even have a lock. I enjoy a good fright now & then. Well, I'll admit I didn't enjoy it too much the time I reached into a grain bin & a mouse ran up my arm but it was funny.
Nighttime is just daytime sleeping.

[luckydoublesranch]

LMAO! Sorry...I'm laughing WITH you not against you. I am the EXACT same way. I've been a country girl since birth but, am terribly afraid of the dark! I won't go anywhere even in the house without a dog with me. Which really sucks because Brumby (the heeler we just lost) was my shadow and "in the dark" buddy. :( I'll even call someone on my cell phone if I have to go out to the barn at night. I'm usually ok when I get there, but the in between 300 feet of "pure terror" just sucks!! :doh: I'm glad hubby is home and all is well!!

[Arrow]

Glad all's well now! I've had that kind of thing happen to me from time to time. Once the fear is in your mind, you just become more and more convinced that something's gonna happen! Sometimes if I watch a super scary show, I just don't go back downstairs for anything! Especially into my basement!

[dame_wolf]

Boy I don't know what to tell you... I've never been afraid of the dark. Not even as a kid so I've been told. Apparently I used to have conversations with the 'Boogie Man' and then tell him to go to bed! Now when I hear a noise that I can't explain I grab my gun, go outside and hunt down what it was. I leave the dogs inside so there is no mistake and so that if there is someone they think twice about sneaking in the house while I'm out. So far there has only been false alarms but one of these days someone is going to come across the wrong end of my .357 or one of the dogs!

I guess the thing to do would be to start small and just work up to where you are not afraid anymore. Kind of like you would with a horse, start small and then increase till it's not a big deal. Good Luck.

[vicklynn]

Just saw this thread. Glad all is well in your world now.
Next time the hubby leaves, let the big dog in the house with you.
I dont think anyone would want to come in un announced to my place.
I love Shyla...LOL
I also love moving targets. Anyone for skeet shooting? Run faster dang it...LOL

[dame_wolf]

Run faster dang it...LOL

ROTFL!!! Oh Vick! LOL!!!

[vicklynn]

ROTFL!!! Oh Vick! LOL!!!
Hey, you have me :hysterical: now...LOL

[Equine_Woman]

Boy I don't know what to tell you... I've never been afraid of the dark. Not even as a kid so I've been told. Apparently I used to have conversations with the 'Boogie Man' and then tell him to go to bed! Now when I hear a noise that I can't explain I grab my gun, go outside and hunt down what it was. I leave the dogs inside so there is no mistake and so that if there is someone they think twice about sneaking in the house while I'm out. So far there has only been false alarms but one of these days someone is going to come across the wrong end of my .357 or one of the dogs!

I guess the thing to do would be to start small and just work up to where you are not afraid anymore. Kind of like you would with a horse, start small and then increase till it's not a big deal. Good Luck.

I like your solution. ..go on the offensive. ... Nice. Now. . I need to get the b@lls and do it! lol

[dame_wolf]

I like your solution. ..go on the offensive. ... Nice. Now. . I need to get the b@lls and do it! lol

I refuse to be a victim. Something else that will help with your confidence is taking Self Defense classes. I am a huge advocate of them and they've come in handy a few times!