Roman and Patrice (our friends from Olympia) came to visit last night. We went to our ward auction and bought some cool things... lots of yummy Carmel chocolate apples, apple pie, strawberry pie, chocolate cake (my kids kept going around signing their names on dessert), a fly fishing trip for Scott, carpet cleaning for my whole house, afghans, tutoring, carmel suckers, a huge porcelain doll, snow shoveling, necklaces, etc... wow!!!
Today, I helped with he school lottery while Scott worked. Then Roman and Scott went golfing and Patrice and I loaded up bikes, scooters, and roller blades and took the kids to the college to play. They had a great time playing together!
THEN...
We came home. Roman and Patrice ran to Costco while the kids all played in the backyard. I was making pizza for the kids when my neighbor from behind came into my house through the garage. She said that she had been ringing the doorbell but I did not answer. I apologized and told her that the doorbell needs batteries....
She was very, very angry at me. She told me that my kids are awful and that she is tired of them shouting in the backyard. She said that all of the other neighbors are tired of us as well and can't use their backyards because the kids are too noisy... she told me that I am a "shi#y (crappy) mom" (while Reese and some of the girls were watching and listening) and she threw the sh word out again. She told me that all I do is pump my kids out and then don't take care of them... she told me a few times that I'm just "pumping more kids out than I can take care of".... She gave me a list of things that the kids had thrown over the fence and told me that her lawn care guy said we are useless... she told me that I needed to be outside with the kids when they are outside and watch them... Oh, she kept telling me I needed to teach my children to Love thy Neighbor and that I was failing miserably at this...
Anyway, I was completely blown away. She moved in a year or so ago from California... we have lived here over 8 years... the swing set and large house should have been a give away that we have children... Anyway, I have visited with her a couple of times before - we have taken cookies to her and I thought we were all okay...I am bugged that she would swear at me in front of my kids - I do also have to say that the kids were not yelling in the backyard - they were playing (and enjoying the first warm day of spring) but we all had commented a few times how wonderful they had all gotten along today... I am amazed that she said that we are just pumping our kids out and then I don't take care of them - - - - - very, very bizarre!!! I cried for a while after she left then headed over the the neighbor next door to apologize. She had no idea what I was talking about and told me that she has not ever met that neighbor. She loves having us as neighbors and told me not to let her get to me. I feel bad that my kids have thrown things in her yard and would have gladly made them go pick the stuff up and am gladly going to talk to them about it - she listed an "uneaten carrot" not sure what an eaten carrot would look like, a watermelon rind, green tomato.... apparently she had been making the list for a while since we have not had a garden or watermelon for a little over a year.
So, anyone know of a house for sale???? We have been looking at a house (in our ward boundaries) and I'm sure after this I would have moved forward with it but they took it off the market two days ago... grr...
Any suggestions? Maybe, we'll have to take a treat to her tomorrow.
Today, I helped with he school lottery while Scott worked. Then Roman and Scott went golfing and Patrice and I loaded up bikes, scooters, and roller blades and took the kids to the college to play. They had a great time playing together!
THEN...
We came home. Roman and Patrice ran to Costco while the kids all played in the backyard. I was making pizza for the kids when my neighbor from behind came into my house through the garage. She said that she had been ringing the doorbell but I did not answer. I apologized and told her that the doorbell needs batteries....
She was very, very angry at me. She told me that my kids are awful and that she is tired of them shouting in the backyard. She said that all of the other neighbors are tired of us as well and can't use their backyards because the kids are too noisy... she told me that I am a "shi#y (crappy) mom" (while Reese and some of the girls were watching and listening) and she threw the sh word out again. She told me that all I do is pump my kids out and then don't take care of them... she told me a few times that I'm just "pumping more kids out than I can take care of".... She gave me a list of things that the kids had thrown over the fence and told me that her lawn care guy said we are useless... she told me that I needed to be outside with the kids when they are outside and watch them... Oh, she kept telling me I needed to teach my children to Love thy Neighbor and that I was failing miserably at this...
Anyway, I was completely blown away. She moved in a year or so ago from California... we have lived here over 8 years... the swing set and large house should have been a give away that we have children... Anyway, I have visited with her a couple of times before - we have taken cookies to her and I thought we were all okay...I am bugged that she would swear at me in front of my kids - I do also have to say that the kids were not yelling in the backyard - they were playing (and enjoying the first warm day of spring) but we all had commented a few times how wonderful they had all gotten along today... I am amazed that she said that we are just pumping our kids out and then I don't take care of them - - - - - very, very bizarre!!! I cried for a while after she left then headed over the the neighbor next door to apologize. She had no idea what I was talking about and told me that she has not ever met that neighbor. She loves having us as neighbors and told me not to let her get to me. I feel bad that my kids have thrown things in her yard and would have gladly made them go pick the stuff up and am gladly going to talk to them about it - she listed an "uneaten carrot" not sure what an eaten carrot would look like, a watermelon rind, green tomato.... apparently she had been making the list for a while since we have not had a garden or watermelon for a little over a year.
So, anyone know of a house for sale???? We have been looking at a house (in our ward boundaries) and I'm sure after this I would have moved forward with it but they took it off the market two days ago... grr...
Any suggestions? Maybe, we'll have to take a treat to her tomorrow.
I've been going to talk to you about what a terrible mother you are....;) Ridiculous. I know how bad people can make you feel, but just ignore her. She wouldn't be a happy person if she had silent neighbors, or no neighbors at all. Angry and miserable people are just angry and miserable.
ReplyDeleteJust remember that those of us who know you think you're an amazing mother and a kind, unselfish person.
She sure knows more about her backyard than I do. I'm afraid I wouldn't notice a carrot in my backyard. She must have way too much time on her hands.
Be happy. Don't feel bad. You're great!
I can't believe someone would do that. That is terrible, beyond words!
ReplyDeleteAwww.. Mel! That is horrible. Don't let her run you out of YOUR neighborhood. We had a nieghbor once who used to come outside and yell at my kids to SHUTUP! I not as nice as you.. went over to her house and told her where should could stick it. Never heard from her again.. lol Anyway unless you are breaking some kind of noise ordinance let your kids be kids and enjoy life.. she'll get over it or she can move! And by the way.. I think your amazing! Keep up the good work. :o)
ReplyDeleteI am not mad...just totally blown away that someone would be SO rude in OUR house. She claimed her only child learned to Love Thy Neighbor at the Perocial (sp?) school she sent her to. I thought of going and ringing her doorbell at 1am, 2am, and 4am as I rocked Lili while she was suffering horrible night terrors and ask her if this was the kind of mother she was (I really would never have done this - just thought it) but then Lady (our dog) started barking at 4 am I figured that was enough... oops, someone forgot to put her to bed :) great timing!!! This makes me want to stay put and enjoy our backyard a bit more. There are a few retirement neighborhoods in town that don't allow children. I guess if this is what she is looking for maybe she'll have to move...??? Should be an interesting summer :) Like I said - we're not mad just blown away!!!
ReplyDeleteIt was a beautiful day yesterday. My daughter was outside in the backyard screaming with glee and the dog was barking loudly right along with her. It was a pretty little duet they were doing together. :0)
ReplyDeleteIt's not you. It's your neighbor. And apparently she forgot what it was like to have little ones and to FIND JOY IN THEM. :0) If she doesn't like it, then she can move.
I am absolutely appalled!! That is so ridiculous and mean--speaking of "Love Thy Neighbor!--It is just hard to believe that someone would act like that about chidren having fun in their own backyard. You are a great mom and anyone with any brains knows that too!!! I am so sorry that happened to you. I can just imagine how upsetting it must have been.
ReplyDeleteSo fun that Roman and Patrice and kiddos came down. Sounds like you had a great time. Wow, I would like to have been in on an auction like that!
I wouldn't even consider moving one minute faster than you want to. She is the one who is wrong, wrong wrong. But I know it would make you feel like "Get me out of here!" I don't know what her problem is, but she's got one.
Wow! You are seriously an amazing person for not going over like Konae did to her neighbor and getting upset, this shows how you are a bigger person then her.. It's "your" neighborhood and I wouldn't rush out of their either..
ReplyDeleteFeel bad for her, because she is the unhappy one.. You are a great mom, and need to keep it up and not change a thing, if your kids are just having fun in the back yard, you have EVERY right..
Okay.. But, if you are interested in that home that they pulled off the market, take a walk over there and tell them that you are interested.. They may still sell it!
Good luck! And our thoughts and prayers are with you this week in Las Vegas..
Love ya,
Kori
Unless they are talking like her, children playing is a wonderful noise! It means you have much to be thankful for: happy healthy children for example!
ReplyDeleteYOU are one of the most amazing mom's I know so just keep pumping them out, they are so darn cute :)
Go take her a treat and show her what
LOVE THY NEIGHBOR really means......
The lot next to us is for sale-we'd love to have you as neighbors!!!
ReplyDeleteWow! What a neighbor! She obviously doesn't have any joy in her life or in children. If she has time to create trouble, something is wrong. Sorry Mel that that had to happened. You are one of the best mothers I know. I look up to you in so many ways! Love ya!
ReplyDeleteAnd just for the record, you have some of the best kids in the world. They are well-behaved, smart, and so stinkin adorable! I love them!
ReplyDeleteObviously your neighbor does NOT know you!!! You are truly the best mom ever!!! It is just sad when someone is that judgemental. Sheesh, I feel kinda bad for her. If she only knew you, she would think VERY differently!!!!!!! Plus your kids are the SWEETEST, most well-behaved, happy kids. Your kids show the kind of mother you are. They are NOT even rude kids in the slightest. Its called "fun" what they were doing!!
ReplyDeleteYou are one of the BIGGEST examples to me of what a good mother should be Mel! I look up to you in so many ways. Every last one of your children is sooo lucky to have you!!!
I like how you end it with, I think we will go give her some treats.:) You amaze me Melanie.xoxox
Yeah, I think you should take her a treat....and deliver it to her via-over-the-fence. We can bring some items to donate as well - my kids are good at throwing things over fences :) Everyone thinks you are wonderful. Your neighbor obviously needs therapy.
ReplyDeleteMelanie,
ReplyDeleteThat made me angry just reading it. Obviously, she has a problem and no matter what, she would never be happy. Her ONE child probably ended up in therapy for having a mom like that. Anyway, We love you. I would have ended up in tears for weeks over something like that. I think you should print out all the posts everyone wrote about you on your blog and mail them to her. Make sure you highlight all the parts where everyone talks about the wonderful mother you are. Good luck. I think you should tell your kids they can be as loud as they would like and give them all a bunch of whistles. (really loud ones)
love ya Melissa
One of the happiest sounds in the world is that of children playing. If they were being quiet & glum - that would be a sign of something wrong. Anyone who knows you(or of you) would find this situation absurd. The only opinions that matter should be those of people you value.
ReplyDeleteI just want you to know that I think you are a GREAT mother! I'm not sure that I will go to number five, but I will say that you inspire and encourage me, and I know that if you can do it so well, maybe I can too. I often think of you on Sunday and find peace knowing that someone else shares similar struggles. You are one of the fabulous moms that lets her kids be kids. I admire you and hope to be more that way. Just a side note...we are planning on selling our home in the near future...maybe a possibility?
ReplyDeleteI wasn't going to comment. I was having fun reading everyone elses comments about your duhtsy (sic) neighbor. Holy Cow! What an example THEY were to you in being Christ Like? Whatever! Melanie and Scott, it is so ridiculous that it is hardly worth a second thought. We love your family. And in case you haven't noticed, you are an SWEET example to, not only your family, extended family, friends and neighbors, but you are an example of Christ. We love you.
ReplyDelete