We went to the "Meet the Neighbors" get together last night and stayed for 1 1/2 hours. The person putting on the shindig is one of my customers, so at least we knew someone there (seems only one other "old" resident showed up - at least while we were there).
The hostess pointed out our newest neighbors (they of the security system), so I made it a point to go meet them first off. Somehow I think that was a slight mis-calculation on my part as they clung to me like a burr the entire time we were there.
Keep in mind that I am not comfortable in these types of situations, am not gregarious and prefer to just fade into the background and listen to conversations - I am not good at keeping dialog going and feel very uncomfortable interacting with people I don't know.
Greg and Janette (they of the security system) were talking to someone else, when I went up and joined the threesome. When the opportunity arose, I introduced myself and told them which house I lived in. The third person took the opportunity that I presented to escape.
After the usual pleasantries - names, children (none for any of us) and what we did for work - there didn't seem to be much to talk about until we hit upon the topic of what winters were like. Janette was in a panic to find out that
- yes, we experience power outages for several days at a time.
- A 4-wheel drive vehicle is a must out here.
- Plowing of the street is a hit-or-miss ordeal (thus the need for 4-wheel drive).
- When the street are plowed, the operators don't lift the plow at driveways, so there are always big burms that one must get through in order to make it into the driveway
Greg was not happy to learn that
- Bees and wasps are a fact of country living no matter what you do
- Snakes are abundant (I love them, helps the cats keep down the mouse population)
They asked if they should get a generator and I replied that it depended on what they could live without for a while. Also if they really needed things, did they have somewhere else to stay for a couple of days. Turns out Janette needs her curling iron, blow dryer and other items that I consider luxury items or non-essentials. Somehow they were under the mistaken impression that we had a generator and seemed to want me to talk them into spending the money to get one. I refused to play that game and told them it was up to them.
She has never so much as touched a leaf (as in raking) or a snow shovel. He has cleared out the flowers that the previous occupant had so painstakingly planted, in order to get rid of bees. They think the house is ugly (I don't know anyone on the road that doesn't think it is gorgeous - except for the yellow door, which can be remedied easily) and they urged me to agree that it was hiddeous - nope, not happening. The whole conversation left me wondering why they moved out to the country in the first place.
Unfortunately, I couldn't find a gracefull way to extricate myself, so I never met any of the other new people on the "block". I finally escaped by noticing that it was 9, and I needed to go take care of Sunny and Winnie. I collected the Wonderful Spouse (who had joined us for a couple of minutes and wandered away to talk to others) and I went to take care of my pet-sitting charges.
WS remarked that the 1 1/2 hours had gone by fast. I thought it had dredged on forever (of course I was drinking water since I had to drive and take care of animals - he, and everyone else, was drinking alcoholic beverages - that was probably the difference).
Ah well, we were probably all a bit uncomfortable so I will make allowances. The next time I see the new neighbors (they of the security system), I will just put this experience out of my mind and hope for a whole new, and more delightful, experience.
Ah, yes - the Leeches From Hell. I've run across their type before - move to the country without having a clue about what they're getting themselves into.
Uh-oh. Wait a minute.......I feel another post about Country Living coming on..!!
MUST. RESIST. TEMPTATION.
Oh, drat! Too late......
Posted by: DCE | October 19, 2003 at 09:32 AM
..but...but...bogie, I was hoping that you would look after carolyn and me for the first 6 years of our occupancy - we could be the kids you never wanted???... :^)....
Posted by: billy | October 19, 2003 at 03:18 PM
Send Laura in D.C. to the new neighbors. Perhaps she can keep them busy for a while and off your back.
I feel for you, I don't do well in those situations either.
Posted by: Buffy | October 19, 2003 at 05:51 PM
Laura in DC can't be for real! As to your neighbors, it will be a super-human effort (on your part) to put this encounter out of your mind the next time you are thrown together. (See how hard the security system was to forget, this time? Thorns aren't easily ignored.) I have to believe that they are complete idiots: they bought an ugly house with ugly flowers and bees in an area with which they are ill-prepared to cope--did I leave anything out? Hoo-boy! At least you'll be entertained for a while (until they get a little smarter and move out.)
Posted by: Cop Car | October 19, 2003 at 07:03 PM
P.S. Wherever has anyone seen a snowplow NOT leave a mound across each driveway?
Posted by: Cop Car | October 19, 2003 at 07:04 PM
Congrats Laura from DC, You have won two prizes (the first of these types of prizes ever given out from this blog).
You have earned not only a deletion of your comment (a first), you have been banned from commenting (another first).
Posted by: bogie | October 20, 2003 at 05:40 AM
Cop Car - I had completely forgotten about the security system - LOL
In certain places, and for certain people, the plow may be lifted so as not to inconvenience the homeowner.
In Mason, NH, the plow operators clean out all the driveways for residents (or at least they did last I knew).
Posted by: bogie | October 20, 2003 at 05:43 AM
...did I miss something???...
Posted by: billy | October 20, 2003 at 07:26 AM
You missed the comment from Laura of DC (which I deleted). It was a political person advertising their political beliefs. Nothing overtly offensive about the message, I just don't feel like being a vehicle for advertising their political website.
Posted by: bogie | October 20, 2003 at 09:48 AM
AH, HA! Banning a tele-troller, how cool is that.
I believe that if you look at the new neighbors as a source of entertainment, you could have a great time with them. Just think Uncle Mike. I'm sure it will come to you, if not, drop me a line and I'll explain.
Posted by: Wichi Dude | October 20, 2003 at 06:53 PM