Averygoodun's Personal File

chocolate hair and mischievous smile,
bossy little sprite calls him hither
laughter floats above their tromps
while dark forest scents the air

Out of curiosity, about how much do/did you spend on your toddler's shoes? (Per pair, that is.) Do you buy brand name? If so, why?

I am a grump. Or rather, I know the kids will be calling me one. Hopefully they are still too young to be calling me anything worse, but... well, if they do call me anything worse, I hope they say so around their parents.

I have told the kids (several times this spring/summer) not to go into my garden. Front yard is fine, but the garden up front is off limits. This summer I've also told them that the hose is off limits. ("No one gets to use the hose unless they live in this particular building!" I believe is exactly what I said.)

Not only have I told them this, but so has Geoff (whom everyone likes).

I heard the hose turn on a few minutes ago.

I'm in the basement right now. Meaning I'm not outside. Nor is Babe. And seeing as Geoff is out of town, I'm pretty sure it's not him using the hose.

So, I yelled at them. I don't normally yell, but this is just unacceptable! Not only have they been told NOT TO GO IN THE GARDEN (which they have to do to turn on the hose), but they had the absolute gall to use the hose without asking my permission first. And then were defensive about it.

Ha.

Perhaps I should have pointed out that what they are doing is trespassing and is also technically stealing. Perhaps I still will when they next come around.

I might be more forgiving if they didn't live only a few houses away. One of the kids lives directly across the street. What's wrong with their hose, hmm?

Of course, if they do it again, I'm talking to their parents. Especially the kid who refuses to even acknowledge rules. They are all over 7. They should know better. I know I knew better at that age.

I will not, however, bring this to the attention of the Board like some have been doing. I think that's rather poor taste, not to mention cowardly. If I have a problem with the kids' behavior and need to talk to the parents, I should be the one to do so, damn it. Then it won't be 'resolved' by a snotty generalized letter to the entire association, but by actual conversation. (sorry. pet peeve of mine.) (And, granted, if the parents won't do anything, or play the little angel card, then I'll take it to the Board, but really, that's the last line of defense, not the first.)

However, now I know why my poor fern keeps looking trampled.

*growls loudly*

This is what we get for having been permissive last year, I suppose.

Bloody kids.

*breathes deeply*