Author |
Message |
Escapee
Member
06-15-2004
| Wednesday, April 02, 2008 - 10:14 am
RN: Serate, I'd go right down and get some of those tacky things and when they say something to you I'd say "The more you guys complain, antagonize, and turn us in for stuff, the more stuff like this your gonna see, the less we are gonna take care of our lawn, because it bugs you and entertains us."
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Serate
Member
08-21-2001
| Wednesday, April 02, 2008 - 10:24 am
I think I'm going to goy buy a powerball ticket, win 46 million dollars, and blow this joint! [Not TVCH, this crazy town!]
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Spitfire
Member
07-18-2002
| Wednesday, April 02, 2008 - 11:07 am
Serate you said... I told hubby I was thinking of making a big poster that says "WE DON'T HAVE A SUMP PUMP HA HA HA!" but I'm not good at art. The tackier(sp) the better anyways!
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Biscottiii
Member
05-29-2004
| Thursday, April 03, 2008 - 1:14 am
Serate, I so hope your Dollar Store has tacky flowers like I got! About a foot in diameter, hot pinks and purples, and they TWIRL in the wind, fantastic tacky attention grabbers. My neighbor lady (a flower grower, I'm not) kept pointing out every microscopic flaw at my house - like did I SEE that one tiny strand of ivy was creeping 5-inches from the edge of my walkway? Did I mention, they were RENTING their daughter's house. Stressful, always worrying about what she might find to call in to complain about me. She raised heck since I didn't seek her permission for the color I painted my house, she believed Gray with gray trim would match her house. (Lucky lady, my Sister was urging Chartreuse Green with purple trim, just to piss her off but I didn't do that.) She passed away a year ago, and since then we have had peace in the neighborhood - neighbors allowed even speak to each other w/o hiding behind the bushes. Sad to say, but her wars with all the neighbors were unbelievable. Problem is though, when all the complaints are made to the City, the inspectors continue watching like a hawk, tickets for leaving a vehicle even 1-HOUR over the 72 hrs allowed parked on the street without moving, it got costly for some of them. Well, that's what we've seen in our neighborhood, but it's seriously stopped once she was no longer phone calling. Her husband is a quiet dear person, whom I really enjoy. I keep an eye out for him, their kids are all out of town. My tacky $1 flowers have kept their colors and still merrily twirling 2-plus years later. They also look so cheerfully FAKE! PS - we have a costume supply house here in town. They have LOTS of cheapie plastic flamingos, so maybe you have some place like that, too. I think flamingos are such a nice decorating touch!
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Serate
Member
08-21-2001
| Thursday, April 03, 2008 - 10:24 pm
Bisc I think your neighbor and my neighbors were siblings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Talked to the next door neighbors tonight as their address was mentioned too, according to the dude that stopped by yesterday. He told me that they didn't have a sump pump, we didn't have a sump pump, the neighbors being nosy didn't have a sump pump, and their next door neighbors who are across the street from me didn't have a sump pump. I had an "a ha!" moment sitting in the bank drive through yesterday. We have a gutter on the front of the house that is sagging pretty badly due to the snow and ice this year. We're in no rush to fix it as we'll be doing it ourselves and since it will be vinyl and seamed, it needs to be warmer for the seaming glue to work. I'm sure in their superior minds they think that if the city comes out to investigate the sump pump issue the city would see the gutter and tell us to fix it. Seriously thinking of making a sign. SERIOUSLY. My idea: WE DON'T HAVE A SUMP PUMP. TRY AGAIN OR MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS! Hubby's idea: MIND YOUR OWN ******* BUSINESS! So we won't put them up, but thinking of making one just to get the frustrations out.
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Rissa
Member
03-20-2006
| Friday, April 04, 2008 - 5:55 am
Serate, you have posted periodically about these wonderful neighbors of yours and we all try to support and give you (serious and not-so-serious) suggestions for revenge. LOL BUT!!! At some point this becomes harassment and you shouldn't have to put up with it. Personally that time (if it was me) has already come. I am trying to think of a productive way to end this without an all-out war and this is what I have come up with: How about writing a very polite, sincere letter saying that over the years there have been the following actions taken against your family. Outline each and every one. (if it is more than one neighbor they may not realize the # of events, seeing them ALL written down could be an eye-opener) Write how these have been in turn hurtful and infuriating. Do you have children? Children crying and hurt would be helpful (LOL) Explain how you would love to have the money to spend on lawn manicurists and to implement home repairs the minute they become an issue. Unfortunately you are not in that position and you address issues as quickly as you are able and are maintaining the property the best you can while keeping balance in all areas of your life. You would request that if the condition of your home is such a disruption that the neighbors could (instead of complaining) help fund your home repairs or send their husbands over to help with labour. After that I would end it with a sterner warning that their actions are beginning to border on harassment (and the property damage is a criminal offense) and that if it continues you will have no choice but consult a legal solution. Then I would make sure the bottom of the letter has a CC to whoever has rec'd complaints about you (various city dept) in addition to your lawyer and perhaps even the local police. Keep every trace of sarcasm and/or anger out of the letter, you want to come across as the victim of repeated bullying who is asking/begging for some relief. If you lash out then it's a two sided fight, if you play the victim then to continue would be them kicking you when you are down. Hopefully they will decide that their bullying (which is what I see this as btw, I keep imagining a few of your neighbors getting together socially and you have been picked as their kicking post and they probably think this is quite funny and is keeping them well-stocked with topics for discussion) is not worth escalating the situation. If they don't stop then you will have a base in written form (and sent registered mail) in case you do want to get a cease and desist order or other in the future. MIND YOUR OWN ******* BUSINESS! works too. ETA (just in case this wasn't long enough already LOL) At the least, writing the letter will be cathartic even if you do decide to toss it at the end.
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Costacat
Member
07-15-2000
| Friday, April 04, 2008 - 6:44 am
I'm not sure that utting up a sign would actually help the situation, so I hope y'all are joking about it. I dunno about the letter, but I would be sure to have everything documented. And I'd probably consult a lawyer to see what route you might take. Are you other neighbors getting harrassed, too?
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Urgrace
Member
08-19-2000
| Friday, April 04, 2008 - 12:12 pm
Can't believe the UPS store finally called me, but it was just to tell me that they are waiting for pictures, and it'll be at least another week. ( Okay, so what pictures? Who is sending them the pictures, and what is taking so long? ) I said I thought the receipts covered any question regarding the items. She said she thought so too. Huh?
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Kitt
Member
09-06-2000
| Friday, April 04, 2008 - 12:21 pm
Wow you are getting just awful service with them. But at least you know they are making minimal progress. Next time maybe USPS or Fedex... for all of us!
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Serate
Member
08-21-2001
| Friday, April 04, 2008 - 2:13 pm
How about writing a very polite, sincere letter saying that over the years there have been the following actions taken against your family. We've lived her 14 MONTHS. We have no concrete proof that it is these neighbors, except that everytime the city comes over they are conveniently waiting outside watching. The guy who came from the city did say he was going to investigate the sump pump problem further and see if he can get somebody to find out if it is the same people who have notified them of all the other supposedly violations that have been reported on us. But I do know if these people stretch a garden hose across the sidewalk and face it back towards their yard again - I've seen little kids get knocked off of their trikes because it's one of those jet force sprinkler thingys and it hits the kids in the face - I will be taking a picture of it and hand walking my complaint into city hall. I should have done it last year but I figured it wasn't my business as we don't walk over there and these kids' moms' should really be watching where their kids go. I'm not sure that utting up a sign would actually help the situation, so I hope y'all are joking about it. Yep just joking, but it does feel good to type out and read others ideas of what to do. Now as far as the tacky fake flowers and the pink flamingos, that's not totally out of the picture yet..... *L* I dunno about the letter, but I would be sure to have everything documented. And I'd probably consult a lawyer to see what route you might take. Are you other neighbors getting harrassed, too? At this moment we don't think a letter would be a good idea either. If we had enough proof we probably wouldn't write the letter but go to a lawyer. I have documented everything, down to the first time she came over to "introduce" her self 6 months after we moved in when she did the first lecture [copied it from an email I sent my brother], then we got the letter from the city 4 days later about something that had been there for at least 3 years and they never did anything about. [We were just waiting for better weather but oh well we butchered the tree anyway.] And the other few times the city has stopped by and talked to us. The guy that was here Wed told me he wouldn't have bothered me had me not seen me outside, so I'm really wondering if there have been other complaints that the city came checked on and found nothing so didn't say anything to us. As far as the other neighbors getting harassed I don't know. The city mentioned that they were also told our next door neighbors "might" have their sump pump shooting directly into the street. I know the people right across the street from us - and these peoples' next door neighbors - NEVER rake their leaves, NEVER trim their trees, mow only 1 a month or so, and when they do mow blow the grass out into the street. I can't imagine why we who take care of our yard better than them would be turned in and not them, but who knows. Maybe they are turning us in hoping the city will notice their own next door neighbors.
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Costacat
Member
07-15-2000
| Friday, April 04, 2008 - 2:27 pm
First of all, you have almost no proof. The fact that the neighbors were outside when the city showed up means absolutely zilch. The city is NOT going to give them an appointment as to when they'll respond to a complaint. The neighbors are being nosy and watching, and come out when they see activity at your place. You can't prove otherwise. As far as other complaints, I don't know about where you live but if a complaint is filed and is investigated and there is justifiable cause for the complaint, then the city would send a letter to you. Since you haven't received a letter from the city advising you of anything illegal (such as the sump pump thing), then even if complaints have been filed, nothing has come of them. Often, too, more than one person has to file a complaint about something (corroboration, such as when dogs bark incessantly). If I were you, I'd just ignore these people and go about your life. You are reacting just the way they want you to. I don't know why they are jonesing for you, but don't give them the satisfaction of knowing they've gotten to you. If you encounter them on the street, be cordial. Otherwise, ignore them. If they are filing enough false complaints with the city, the city will deal with them on their own.
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Serate
Member
08-21-2001
| Friday, April 04, 2008 - 8:32 pm
First of all, you have almost no proof. I think I stated above that I didn't have any proof. I have documented everything [including the time they called the police on us for using our broken loud snowblower at 6:30am, the police told us they called, said 6:30am was not unreal as the kids get on the school bus at 7 and I was trying to get the sidewalks clean as we are the bus stop, and also the police told us we had the quietest snowblower ever - a shovel. The reason I started documenting is because when she came over here telling us what we had to do I felt that sometime in the future we might need all this. The fact that the neighbors were outside when the city showed up means absolutely zilch. The city is NOT going to give them an appointment as to when they'll respond to a complaint. I agree the city is not going to give them an appointment, but doesn't mean that somebody in the office doesn't tip them off. This is a very small town. The neighbors are being nosy and watching, and come out when they see activity at your place. You can't prove otherwise. EVERY time the city has come by they have been outside waiting for a few minutes BEFORE the city comes by. But I'm not trying to prove anything. Just stating what happened and why I have the gripe. Since you haven't received a letter from the city advising you of anything illegal (such as the sump pump thing), then even if complaints have been filed, nothing has come of them. I know this. But I can still be torqued by all the bogus reports. This is what the gripe was about. If I were you, I'd just ignore these people and go about your life. You are reacting just the way they want you to. I do ignore them. Just came in here to complain and vent - which is what I thought this thread was for - so it doesn't build up and I complain to them - that's what they want. I won't give them the satisfaction of knowing they are pissing me off. I really do appreciate all the comments, and ideas on how to make our front yard tacky. It makes me laugh. But I never once said I was going to try to complain officially. We're thinking of planting some flowers in the front yard. We'll need to make sure they match the pink flamingos. Or maybe they should CLASH with the pink flamingos. *L*

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Rissa
Member
03-20-2006
| Saturday, April 05, 2008 - 5:42 am
This is why I miss my acreage.. no neighbors. LOL I just hope this crap stops for you Serate, home being your castle and all that.
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Prisonerno6
Member
08-31-2002
| Tuesday, April 08, 2008 - 1:51 pm
Here's my gripe -- people talking on cell phones in public bathrooms. Why? if you conversation is so damn important, finish it and then go pee. But don't subject me to the intrusion of your conversation into what should be relatively private areas. I don't even talk to my mother when she's in the bathroom. I tell her to call me back when she's finished.
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Jimmer
Moderator
08-30-2000
| Tuesday, April 08, 2008 - 2:09 pm
LOL - How about having someone call you and tell you that they are sitting on the toilet? I don't want to know!!!!
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Mameblanche
Member
08-24-2002
| Tuesday, April 08, 2008 - 2:16 pm
They don't have to say... with the accoustics, you can usually tell... plop plop whiz flush. 
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Costacat
Member
07-15-2000
| Tuesday, April 08, 2008 - 3:02 pm
A guy I used to work with told me about this guy that would go into the men's room and yak on the phone. So, one time when David was in there (not doing #2), and the guy was yakking away in a stall, David decided to go into the next stall. And he verbalized some sounds that no human being should ever have to listen to. Apparently, that man quit yakking on the phone, hurriedly left the bathroom, and David claims he never heard him in their again! LOL...
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Costacat
Member
07-15-2000
| Tuesday, April 08, 2008 - 3:06 pm
Oh yeah. And my father had a telephone installed in his bathroom. I tell him I'm grossed out. But I have to remember when I was a very small girl, and we'd see Daddy heading to the bathroom with magazines in hand... it was a MAD scramble to get in there before he did!
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Mamie316
Member
07-08-2003
| Tuesday, April 08, 2008 - 3:16 pm
Costa, we did too. When dad said he was going to the library, we knew it was time to get in there or hold it.
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Texasdeb
Member
05-23-2003
| Saturday, April 12, 2008 - 9:01 pm
I don't know for sure because I'm no Dr. but, I think men's plumbling just works different than ours. It seems like they almost have to think about it - doesn't it. Me, I'm in & out almost as quickly as if I was just going in for #1.
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Rissa
Member
03-20-2006
| Sunday, April 13, 2008 - 4:34 am
No Tex they just need more fibre. LOLOL I believe there is actually a link btn the time it takes a man to work on #2 and colon cancer. The link is probably for women too but like you said, I don't know too many women (ok I don't know any) who stock up and move into the bathroom every day. LOLOL I have a gripe, perhaps more of a question about American highway speeds. I was in New York for most of yesterday and it was driving me INSANE trying to keep to the speed limit. Seriously, 55MPH? This was the posted speed on the side of all three of the highways I used. Is this the normal speed or were these slower highways? I am used to driving about 74-75MPH (120KM/h) and being the slowest car on the road. I was having nightmares about having my car taken away for stunting. LOL Kept having to brake and slow down.
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Landileigh
Member
07-29-2002
| Sunday, April 13, 2008 - 7:23 am
rissa, the national speed limit is 55MPH. unless posted on large interstates (hwy 5 in california, 80 across the states, etc.) THAT is the speed limit. you're gonna get some hefty tickets if you drive 75.
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Rissa
Member
03-20-2006
| Sunday, April 13, 2008 - 11:52 am
Good Lord... you all just went up a notch respect-wise, must have the patience of saints. LOLOL 55MPH is what I am used to driving on the back/side roads and like I said I am usually the slowest car. Our posted highways speeds are 100/110 KM/H on highways (62-69 MPH). A few years back a couple guys decided to be smart-alecs and actually DROVE THE SPEED LIMIT down the 400 hwy side by side as a way to show that the speed limits were unrealistic and needed to be raised. They were arrested for either stunting or obstructing traffic (can you imagine? they were arrested for obeying the traffic signs LOL). It finally ended up being reversed but it just shows how completely out of sync with the rest of the traffic flow they were.
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Nyheat
Member
08-09-2006
| Sunday, April 13, 2008 - 12:05 pm
Rissa you can go 70-72 mph and most likely will never be stopped. I guarantee that if you are going 70 mph, some hot shot will be zooming past you going 82, and he/she's the one who'll get pulled over. Just go like 2 mph slower than the rest of the traffic around you and you'll be fine. I find that the worst speed traps are the ones entering a small town. You have to go from 65 to 35 and that's usually where a lot of cops hang out.
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Teachmichigan
Member
07-22-2001
| Sunday, April 13, 2008 - 12:32 pm
In Michigan, the highways (interstates) are 70 MPH - so 75 would be the "safe" zone unless you had encountered a cop having a really, really bad day. 
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