Search Results for: blog consideration for neighbors

Consideration for Neighbors- Part 2

People, and especially children, practicing an instrument can be hard on the ears. Years ago we used to live next to a school and they sent the children outside to practice with their recorders, right near my study window. Recorders were never my favorite instrument but I’ve had an aversion to them ever since. Barking dogs can also be a problem. A couple I know was unaware their dog was barking whenever they went out as he didn’t bark when they were home. Then they got a visit from the council officer saying a complaint had been made. Another person … Continue reading →

Consideration for Neighbors

Wherever we live we are going to have neighbors. Whether we live in a flat or unit, in a town house, a house on a normal sized block or even a property out in the country, there will likely be some neighbors. It makes life far more pleasant if we got along with our neighbors. All it requires often is a bit of consideration for others. We have a neighbor who often starts mowing his lawn and trimming edges in summer at 7am even on weekends. It doesn’t worry us because we are always up anyway. But I’m sure it … Continue reading →

An Open Letter to My New Neighbors

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Dear Neighbors: welcome to the complex. From the looks of your license plates, you’ve made a huge cross-country journey. I know the feeling. Welcome to your cute dog, too. I only caught a glimpse of him or her as I was walking my dogs, but hey, I like all dogs and lots of cats, too. I did, however, notice that you tethered your dog outside without supervision. Aside from it being against the pet agreement in the lease you signed, I think this is a bad idea. Here’s why: Your back patio faces the community playground. There are lots of … Continue reading →

What’s Best for a Cat: Inside or Outside?

Did you know that attitudes toward cats are almost completely opposite in the United States verses the United Kingdom? Not the entire thought about cats, but whether or not they should go outside. In America a popular thought is that it’s better to keep the cat inside. Conversely, in Great Britain it’s often considered cruel not to give a cat the option of going outdoors. Our neighbors lived for a while in England. They applied to the RSPCA for a cat and were almost denied because they didn’t have a kitty door that would allow the cat to go inside … Continue reading →

Rent or Buy: Our experience with home ownership

We bought a home mainly because we were always told that we should… not because it was right for us, but because it was expected of us. We were told that home ownership is important for stability of your family, real estate is always a good investment, and that owning a home would be cheaper than renting. I actually have a friend who used to argue these points with me so vehemently that I can’t even have the discussion with him any more. I understand that owning a home can be a really good investment. But I also understand that … Continue reading →

Jump N Land

I love our house. I wish we weren’t so far away from everything, but I still love where we live. We have a large property and the potential for a great and kid-friendly yard. Unfortunately, we do not have a fence; we cannot let the toddler go out back to play because out back is too vast and open. Jessie never stays put and wants to go visit the neighbors. Toddlers need places to play. Toddlers need to run and jump and climb. Toddlers need to be able to be as loud as they want to be. One of my … Continue reading →

Loving and Lasting Marriage Secrets

If you’ve made it to 60 years of marriage you’d surely have to figure you must be doing something right, wouldn’t you agree? This week a local couple from the South Coast of NSW celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. When asked the secret to the long and loving marriage David and Marie cited two aspects. They are communication and consideration. Does that sound familiar? It’s one of the things I’m always advocating too. Consideration means not just all those little common courtesies that are easily, and indeed often, overlooked in a marriage. Consideration also mean considering the feelings of your … Continue reading →

When a Dog Goes Blind

My next door neighbor’s dog, Simba, has had a rough road lately. First he was diagnosed with diabetes and Cushing’s syndrome, then shortly after that (not even a week later) he went blind. How They Knew Simba Was Blind When I was little, our family dog Mike went blind. I don’t remember exactly when it happened or how we knew. I’m fairly sure my dad was the first to notice it. I got to thinking about that because I asked my neighbors how they figured out Simba was blind. It’s not like he can just shout all of a sudden, … Continue reading →

I Don’t Want My Kids to be That Coworker Who Won’t Do Dishes

We all know those co-workers—the ones who don’t clean up after themselves: they leave a mess in the company microwave and leave their dishes stacked in the sink, just assuming that someone else will clean up after them. I don’t know if I have ever worked at a job where there was not at least one of those people who had never learned the lesson of how to clean up after themselves and have some consideration for others. I am determined that my kids will NOT be that coworker. I know that I cannot fully control what sort of adults … Continue reading →

Setting the Price of Your Home

One of the biggest issues in today’s real estate market is how to set the price of your home when it comes time to sell. During the boom, you could ask for the sky, and chances are that bidding wars would bring you the moon as well. Today, that isn’t the case. Here are some tips to help you set the price of your home before you put it on the market. First let’s talk about the real estate agent or broker. Contact at least three different agents and ask them to do a market analysis on the price of … Continue reading →