People should not live in close quarters!! We shouldn't feel like we are on parade every time we get mail.. have to get something from the car or raking up the last remnants of crappy old winter!
We have great expectations and illusions of grandeur when we first move in to our money pit! Its hard enough work moving, painting, decorating and trying to make our house and home. But for some reason out come the neighbours with welcoming smiles and soothing words to make us feel like we have chosen the best house on the best street ever! We are the new celebrity, they stare, they talk, they conjure up stories about us... ooohhhhh fresh meat!! The first to make contact goes and spreads the gossip around the neighbourhood like a wild grass fire after three months of draught!
Next thing you know we are invited for a BBQ... kids playing.. it's a page out of a movie... perfect weather.. laughing, wonderful food. As time rolls on.. we think.. wow.. this is the greatest house on the greatest street. And all could be sunshine and roses... BUT!! we end up breaking the cardinal neighbour rule....
WE GET TOO CLOSE! For some strange reason we become the confidant, the new best friend. We hear all about the gossip on the street.. who doesn't recycle,who's husband is out of town all the time and what couple go through a case of wine a week. You become the babysitter, plant waterer, mail collector because you just cant bring yourself to say no. The icing on the cake is when they open up all about their own marital issues. You are sucked in to this vile vortex for which there is no escape. You are doomed to look out your front window to have a quiet successful trip to the mailbox or put your garbage out!
My question is why are we the ones who are now put out.. made to live like a celebrity or prisoner in our homes while they go about their day.. usually waiting to see when you are available or being so bold as to just come over and knock.. and knock .. and knock. I had one who I swear could smell me when I was outside.. creepy! She would text, message, call.. all day!! UGH. We didn't ask for this twisted "neighbourship".. (my new word for neighbours who want to be too friendly). We only want a friendly hi when we pass.. or how are ya... great weather. We have friends whom we confide.. share feelings.. trust with secrets. This is a street with homes where we must all co habitat.. not high school with cliques and peer pressure. Didnt we have our share of that growing up.. and even in the workplace.? We just want to go home to our sanctuary.. where we can walk around naked.. blast tunes.. or have a quiet evening watching movies with the family.
Good Lord, where is that couple that go through the case of wine in a week... now I know why they do!!!
This blog was inspired by myself and my many neighbour woes and my sister who recently went through some crazy neighbour issues... tell me about yours!!!
Amanda
Amanda, ask Robin about the crazy ones that I had when we got to Sudbury, it was crazy. lol
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