Dear Crazy-Neighbor-Lady-Who-Just-Moved-Into-the-Building-Next-To-Us,

Might I start off by saying that I am usually a very gracious woman and am probably even best known as the neighbor most likely to share the goods from our almost weekly baking sessions. I think despite the scream-y girls, we are pretty decent people to live next to, and we try very hard to be accommodating, helpful and cognizant of our neighbors’ needs.

However, just because you managed to tell me the torrid details of your messy divorce and custody battle over one of your children, within the first five minutes of our meeting, I do not consider this just cause for us to be best friends, nor do our children need to be best friends.

And wanting to take a “peek” at our place (even after my insistence that our place was a wreck and full of moving boxes) does not give you, or your so-called monster child, just cause to tear through our house and leave a wake of destruction behind. I mean, really, how does one 5-year old boy manage to pull out every toy my girls own, in a matter of 10 minutes? And more importantly, why did you not stop him, or at least pretend like you were listening while I tactfully asked him to help pick up all of the toys they took out/not terrorize the cats/stay out of our bedroom?

I’d like to point out for the record, sitting perched up in your Hummer and talking about what cars other people drive and why they don’t have nicer cars if they seem to have so much money, it just makes you seem very petty and kind of sad.

And lastly, why on earth would you leave your son at my house for a “playdate” when my sitter answers the door and I am clearly not at home? This is a woman you have never even met (I mean you and I have only ever spoken for a total of 10 minutes, once last week!), who I am paying to watch MY children, (not your little demon) and you just let him stay-over? Are you really that insane?

Maybe I should not be so quick to judge. I know that you have a kind-of new baby, so maybe you just have “baby brain” and are still in the newborn fog. Is that it? Or are you just desperate to get rid of him on the one day of the week that you have to put up with him, too?

All I do know is that if I were a neighbor, I’d take 2 screechy girls over a crazy, judgmental mom looking for free babysitting, any day!

Sincerely,
Your (happy-to-be) soon ex-neighbor

E. just saw one of these and said “Ohhhh…Mommy! Can I get one of those for my birthday?? I promise to be good!”  (This has been her mantra the past 2 weeks as her birthday rapidly approaches).

Trampoline with Handles

I just can’t decide. Good idea? Let them jump on something other than my sofa and get their sillies all out. Or Bad idea? They are gonna bounce right off and crack their heads wide open.

What do you think?

…and I think our hearts will be right at home in our new place!

I just went to visit our new house and work on some arrangements with the family who is moving out. They are leaving a swing, big playhouse, and sandbox along with a bunch of other stuff – it is seriously going to be like Christmas the week we move in for the girls. For me, too!

I really love the house. After being there again today, even the wallpaper in a few of the rooms that I originally thought we should take down or paint over, really isn’t so bad. And, I got a chance to really look at the closet/storage situation. Heaven! Every closet is bigger than the last, and they all have built-in drawers and shelves. Each of the girl’s rooms have built-in shelves.  We have a cedar-lined closet in our room. It is just so perfect. I feel so incredible lucky to have found it – or I guess lucky to know a person that could help us find it.

So anyhow, I’m feeling lazy about writing today and really feel like I need to be getting my act together, especially after seeing the house again. The move is coming soon and I have a lot to do.

Plus my bloglines just “lost” all of my blog addresses. All of the blogs I love to read. I guess it is just the universe’s way of telling me I should be doing some work instead of goofing off.  If you are reading this and have a blog…leave me a comment, please! I need to find all of my blog friends again. 🙁

In the meantime, here are some pics of our new place. I didn’t take any of the inside, but I will as soon as it is empty!  (This is mostly for the Michiganders and family…since you are the most interested in what our new place looks like.)

This is the view from the street looking toward the front door. It is on a corner lot.

A little bit closer, so you can see the courtyard (it is actually really big, and that is an outdoor fireplace!) leading up to the front door.

From the other side, another gate to the courtyard and the driveway and garage. (See my car looks great in the driveway! It was meant to be.)

Come on in…stay awhile. That is, if you don’t mind getting coughed on, puked on, or whined at.

While you are here can you please figure out how you are supposed to get juice or clean up a sick child, while another sick child is feverishly plastered to your body? Putting down the child doesn’t seem to be an option, unless you can stand the piercing screams of anguish, the “why do you put me on the couch by myself for more than 20 seconds?” scream of terror.

How about just picking up all of the half-empty sippy cups and putting them into the dishwasher? Or could you throw in a load of “sick” towels while you’re at it?

What’s that?? You’re leaving so soon? But you haven’t even heard any of the complete meltdowns due to fever and exhuastion. There are some real “goodies!”  Stick around and you’ll be amazed at the amount of pure whining that can happen in a span of 2 minutes.

Ok, fine! We’ll see you later. Thanks for dropping by.

Just one thing…PLEASE take me with you!

This is what I found when I opened the door to get milk last night…

Hmm….the book doesn’t work on A. – maybe she is hinting that the beer will??

I admit I’m a bit of a blog-stats nerd. I LOVE looking to see how many views I got for the day (we hit a record on Saturday, yeah!), who is viewing it and how they got to my blog. Now that I’m posting comments on other sites, I’m getting some new readers and finding some new blogs to read. All very fun!

I also LOVE, LOVE, LOVE getting comments. Ahem…yes, from you. If you haven’t left one yet – all you have to do is hit the little link below (Add comment) and leave a message. Come on, make my day! Let me know you are out there. Maybe it is a bit egotistical, but it is fun to know what things really strike a chord with those that are reading. I will say thanks to Kimmer and Papa, my regular commenters. I know that I can count on the two of you. And Nickie, too. Smooches to all of you! The rest of you….what are you waiting for?

Here are a few other blogs that you might like reading if you enjoy this one. If you don’t enjoy this one, maybe you will still like these, but what are you doing reading here anyhow! These are in my bloglines right now and my “reading” while I enjoy tea or breakfast in the mornings…(Ha! You like my use of “enjoy” – as if there is ever a mealtime you “enjoy” when you have a 3 1/2 year old and an 18-month old?)

Playgroup Dropout – the founder of Small Change and a great blog-writing Mama, too.
My Momtra – she claims “I’m just one person . . . . who ends up doing an awful lot” what SAHM can’t relate to that!
Looky Daddy – tales of a stay-at-home Dad with TWIN girls. And he still maintains a hysterical sense of humor. Go Dad!
InkyBlack – amazing, amazing Flickr account. I dream of having photos like hers someday.
Picture This – another fun photography blogging Mom, founder of the Best Shot Monday
Purple is a Fruit – another toddler-wielding Mama – maybe I love her because her Riley and my Addie are on the EXACT same timeline? She is really funny.

Oh I have plenty more…but that should be enough to get you started for awhile. But of course, not distract you too much from coming back to check in here occasionally, too.