Encounters Of The Weird Kind

So this past weekend marked the end of rifle season.  Hubby's been bow hunting on our new property several times but needed a little more room to use the gun.  The place we bought for his mom has 15 acres and it's really isolated so it's perfect for rifle hunting.  So he took the weekend to get away and play with his gun.

My mom had some Christmas things planned with the kids, so I found myself running solo.  I took it as an opportunity to get some girl time in. I met up with some old friends at this little dive place I used to frequent. It's one of those places that you probably wouldn't pick - I mean, deep down I'm probably really glad it's dark in there. And it was really dark:

This is what happens when you sneak a selfie in the dark

But they have cheap beer, play great music and has an old country vibe to it.  I guess I have bad taste in places but I like old country bars. So don't ever ask me to pick the place because you will end up in a dive with Waylon Jennings playing in the background.

So I used to go to this place with my old roommate. Besides the music, it was a favorite because it was low-key and you didn't have to worry about guys hitting on you. Not that I really had to worry about that ever but it was just very laid back.  Now, looking back, I am about 90% sure that all the guys left us alone because they thought we were a lesbian couple. She was a military veteran, very assertive and very masculine. And I...well, I looked like this (complete with cartilage piercing):

I'm not sure why I thought it was attractive to look like a man...

So I had a few beers, caught up with some friends and enjoyed the tunes.  I did not, however, dance. Not that I didn't want to...because it's been years. Literally, I think this was the last time and I had to two-step with someone's grandpa:

Saturday I was at the mall. I'm standing in line with my sister when all the sudden a guy a few people in front of me turns around and says 'Hey! I know you!' and it was an old friend from mid-high. Talk about blast from the past. It been years since I've seen him. But it was nice to do the little catch up thing.

It was also kinda embarrassing for a few reasons - one, I think I must have been talking loud enough for him to hear me (and recognize my voice) and two, I had just said something super catty about someone. Don't you hate it when people catch you in your worst moments?  Or I guess it should really be don't you hate it when you have bad moments? Because if I didn't have them I wouldn't have to be embarrassed about people catching me in them...

So this weekend was the first time I've stayed in the trailer alone. Friday I was out so late and just crashed when I got home so I didn't even think about it. But Saturday was kinda weird.  I don't usually get freaked out but it felt...different. I don't know why because we've always had neighbors but somehow I feel more...exposed?

My mom gets worried every time I'm alone. She's never really lived alone. She got married at 18 and has pretty been married ever since - 22 years to my Dad and then a serious boyfriend immediately after and a husband immediately after that.  It makes her nervous to be alone. I, on the other hand, really kind of like it.

So Saturday around 9:30 I had just gotten home. My phone started ringing and I was sure it was my Mom checking on me but it was a number I didn't recognize. I placed one of our rentals on Craigslist. My hubby usually does all the rental stuff so it's under his name but he was super busy so he asked me to field the calls so I changed the ad to my phone number.  I assumed it was someone calling about the house. I thought it was kinda late but I went ahead and answered it.

This man says "Amber" and  I say yes and then there's a pause so I ask who it is. "Jeremy", like that should mean something. So I ask Jeremy who? Another pause and then "You don't know who this is?" like he's hurt and then click he's gone.

It probably wouldn't be that weird if I had my cell phone number before I met my husband. Or if I could ever remember dating a Jeremy. Jeremy...Jeremy...Jeremy...nope, nothin.

I had just posted something on social media about being alone and the thought crossed my mind that I might have a silent stalker.

But he didn't call again and never broke in so I think I'm good...