Mr. Rogers would be proud of us. Our neighborhood is really neighborly. This morning, the kids and I went out on the front porch to eat a snack and enjoy the cool morning. Suzanne from across the street came out to toss the ball to her dog Scout, and we waved at each other. Her family brought us fresh baked bread 5 years ago when we moved into our house. She babysat for baby Ava twice a week back when I was doing jazzercise (hmmm, I may need to get back into that.) We spent a New Year's Eve at their house once. (Her husband makes a mean margarita.) She brought the dog to our yard for the ball tossing. The kids had fun chasing the dog as he chased the ball. Suzanne and I got to visit for a while. I mentioned I had seen some cub scouts out selling things and asked if her sons were also selling right now. She said they were so I told her to be sure and send one over later so we could buy something. After she left, another neighbor Julie stepped out to mow her yard. We waved. She brought Gizmo over, another dog the kids enjoy, and we visited. This delightful woman in her 70's ate dinner with us about a week ago. We spent a morning watching cartoons at her house recently when our house was being painted and the fumes got too bad. She sewed a beautiful satin shirt for me a few years ago. I gave her the two recipes she had asked for earlier this week, and she left to mow. Before we went inside, we looked across our street to see if Java was out. That's the other great dog my kids love to hug and chase. Java's owners Dick and Shirley have 9 grown children. They have a beautiful yard that Dick works on nearly every single day. Cody and Dick talk a lot in the evenings while the kids pet Java. Cody told him a while back about some work-related travel coming up soon, and Dick and Shirley were quick to mention that if I should need anything while he was away I should call on them. Before the kids and I walked in, Bobbie pulled into her driveway (she's next to Dick and Shirley) and waved to us. She's given so many gifts to the kids. She made a cute blanket and pillow set for Ava, has given her adorable hair clips, and many holiday treats, just to name a few things. Later this afternoon, Cooper came by with his cub scout info and we bought some popcorn. I got to chat with his dad while we filled out the form. This evening, Ava asked if she could go jump on the trampoline at our next door neighbors', but I said not tonight. They did say we could come and ue it anytime, however.
These are only a few examples of our neighbors. I didn't even mention Noreen, Nancy, Joyce, or the Scales family. I've been in each of their homes. I had to use Joyce's oven once when our fuse blew and I needed to take some food to a potluck. We went to a great Christmas party at the Scales' home soon after we moved here. Noreen hosts several neighborhood parties a year. Gizmo is actually Nancy's dog, but he spends a lot of time at Julie's house when Nancy is at work.
Knowing my neighbors is an amazing blessing. I am glad we are all a little bit involved in each other's lives. After writing this, it's obvious that they have all done so much for our family- more than we have done for them.
4 comments:
Becky, that is awesome! It is such a shame that we never see anyone outside in our neighborhood. Your blog makes me want to get to know everyone and plan neighborhood parties.
Becky,
Wow! I am so impressed that you not only know your neighbors but are in relationship with them! We only know the one couple next door and after multiple invitations to get them to come over and them saying "no thankyou" we quit trying. I would love to have a street get together. I guess I should just bite the bullet and try it. I know your neighbors are blessed to know you and Cody and especially to get to spend time with your precious children!
You are truly blessed. It is so unbelievable how rare that is and should not be. I only know one neighbor. Even going on walks around our pond I have not gotten to know anyone. I am not sure what the problem is here. In Tulsa I got to know a few - kind of sad. maybe things will change when Kimber gets older - hopefully.
What a wonderful neighbors you have. It is so nice to know your neighbors and to be able to count on them to be around (and to be around for them!) We knew and were close to many of our neighbors at our old house. We are starting to build those relationships again in our new neighborhood. The couple to our right is expecting their first child in December. We also are getting to know Meagan and Bob to our left and their two children, Isobel(3) and Guinivere(4months). In fact, I was out back with girls last night watching Emma play on her swingset, when we heard Meagan and her girls come out. Emma ran over to the fence and called through a crack to Isobel and asked her to come on over! Meagan and the girls came around, and we watched the bigger girls play and held our babies in our laps. We've had them over several times now. We met the neighbor next to them who has a JumpKing and went over to their yard to watch all the kids jump. They have 4 kids (set of triplet 3yr-olds and an almost 6 yr-old). Our new neighborhood has so many young families as well as other ages and family types. What's funny is that 6 houses down from us now lives my former neighbor from when my family lived in Richardson for 13 years while I was ages 4-17. She and her kids are like family to us! My mom now comes over to visit with us and then down the street to see Laura Hanley, one of her very best friends. It is fun to have so many connections. I can't wait to meet the rest of our neighbors! I already met some additional neighbors the few times we walked in the evenings with the kids in stollers. I don't know if it is just a new neighborhood mentality or if everyone is just really friendly. It has been fun so far! Hopefully, we will become as close to our new neighbors as you are to yours, Becky!
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