Good Scare

Ever since KoKo's birthday about a month ago, she has been terrified from the movie "The Strangers," which is about a couple who are terrorized by three masked figures in their lake cabin. When one of the characters asks the masked assailants why they are doing this, they reply simply: "Because you were home." What terrifies KoKo is that this is supposedly based on a true story.

I tried to tell her that that was most likely a marketing strategy or at the very best "loosely" based on true events (like the Amityville Horror)

So now KoKo doesn't like to shower in the basement with the dogs in their kennels or take the garbage out.

Of course, to prank KoKo every once in awhile, I'll put a pillow case over my head and walk around with it, which freaks her out.

Last night while she was doing the dishes, I thought I'd prank her again. This time I took our little step ladder we use for painting and my trusty pillow case, sneak outside and perch outside one of the kitchen windows.

I stood outside the side window, but KoKo never bothered to look.

So I had no choice but to try the windows right in front of the sink.

To say that it scared her is an understatement.

She didn't scream so much as gasp in shock.

Kristie and Gail thought she cut herself or got hurt with the garbage disposal.

I thought KoKo would jump and then splash water at me or begin yelling.

However, she was totally shocked and sobbing. And, of course, I felt terrible. But then when I told everyone about the prank, the smiles crept out. Poor Casey's face was red trying not to laugh while consoling KoKo.

I hugged her and promised not to scare her.

But she was having none of that, preferring to hold a grudge.

Then I asked her how she would like to have been me perched outside freezing while I waited for her to peek at me. Plus, I said I felt like a half-assed clan member with that pillow case over my head and I was lucky the neighbors didn't call the cops on me.

That got a smile from her.

But Casey thought it was the scare of the year.