Freaked out

[whereareallmyhairbands]

I'm not feeling well today, and having trouble sleeping.
Whilst laying in bed thinking, I heard a strange noise downstairs. I thought the cat might have brought home a mouse etc so I pop downstairs and have a look. Can't see anything or any sign of cat. Check the back door and the cat flap is open, all the way, stuck open.
So I shut it, and as I turn out the kitchen light the house phone rang!!!
My goodness it scared me - but because no good calls come at night I answered phone. No one there initially, and then i hear a tv with what sounds like a scary film playing in the background.

I've hung up and put the phone handset and base on mute downstairs.

I'm now upstairs writing this message so I don't feel so alone!!!!

[whereareallmyhairbands]

I shall order one or two... front and back door are the areas of concern. The windows are good quality, recently done. The front door is Yale lock, but the back door might as well be paper!!!

[JJSS123]

Could you put a table or something against the back door

[whereareallmyhairbands]

@FlamingoAndJohn no?
I've not had a problem before today :(

[whereareallmyhairbands]

@JJSS123 yes, I think that might be a good idea.

[whereareallmyhairbands]

It's so unpleasant to feel like this in my own home.

[JJSS123]

It could be anything. Mine happened after I got engaged and posted a pic of my ring (idiot) on insta. Had nothing since x

[JJSS123]

101 can put an alert on your address so if police are called it’s high alert have you got the 999 text thing incase you can’t speak on the phone? Google can tell you how to set it up it’s worth having (god forbid)

[EatenByDinosaurs]

Not trying to be a dick and scare you, but isn't the rock being moved a sign of your house being marked to be burgled?
There was another poster a while ago who had the same thing with the rocks, but I can't remember how it turned out.

I'm in the US, so I may have got that completely are about face though.

[whereareallmyhairbands]

Oh god really???

I'm laying here listening to the silence with almost painful determination!!

[ch3rrycola]

The rock poster was a troll

[whereareallmyhairbands]

Equally though,
It could have been squirrels as they're hurrying at hide food at the moment and have been digging up the lawn and all sorts.

[whereareallmyhairbands]

Hurrying to**

[KeepYourCup]

Can you put something noisy behind the doors? Pots or something that will clatter and alert you if there's any movement?

I'd keep downstairs lights visibly on and maybe the TV as well.

[whereareallmyhairbands]

Ok. Well, I'm glad the rock poster was a troll, perhaps it's not a sign of being marked.

[whereareallmyhairbands]

I'm going to sleep in the spare room as it overlooks the garden.

[tearsofaunicorn]

Hope you're ok op. You sound v brave!! X

[outherealone]

Don’t ignore this. Find out who your local best officer is or pcso and get them to come over . You can even get fake cctv installed or real!

[outherealone]

Neighbourhood *Beat officer not best

[EatenByDinosaurs]

Ah phew good to know it was a troll, sorry to have worried you

[Hoolahlah66]

Sounds a bit silly but maybe put a note in the door words to the affect of “dear mr (or Mrs!) burglar, I know you have been scoping my house so I have set up a 999 alert and my neighbours are aware so I wouldn’t even try it” worst case scenario is there is no burglar so no one will see the note anyway.

[JJSS123]

Have you put stuff on the stairs and a table by the door ? Tv on? Lights x

[whereareallmyhairbands]

Ok plan of action.

I am going to leave my handbag by the back door on the table that I'll put against it.

I'm really quite scared if I'm being honest, but I have to manage or I'll end up a nervous wreck.

The area I live is a twitten. It has a fairly uneven road (unclaimed) which means, when cars come down the lane, the headlights bounce around quite a lot on the sitting room wall. I guess knowing someone is approaching helps.

I'm rambling sorry

[mybabyisteething]

I don't think I'd be doing any sleeping!

Whenever DH is away, i put things infront of doors that would be noisy if the door was opened.

I hope it's nothing and you can get some sleep!

[spice3]

Also hoping it's nothing. How awful to feel like that in your home. You're brave for staying there.

[whereareallmyhairbands]

Ok - just been downstairs. Bag and iPad now on the table. I really hope they don't take my iPad. I have a lot of photos on there. I have never run upstairs so fast in all my life lol! (You gotta laugh right!?) and now I'm in the spare room worrying.