Next Door 2 .....Paradise: The Joys and Dangers

Saturday, April 19, 2008

The Joys and Dangers

The most obvious benefit of Next Door is making it easier on the whole sharing the kids scenario - but it has its downside. They pop in at all hours of the day and night, unexpected, unannounced, scaring the pants off you. Like the morning I was on the treadmill, iPod blaring, preparing for an upcoming race, "in the moment" imagining coming down the homestretch when suddenly there is a PERSON standing next to me at 5:30am, looking for a forgotten something for school. And I thought my heartrate couldn't get any higher. Or after a late night of salsa dancing - really late - and they come bopping in the next morning at 7:30 a.m. looking for something for a trip with Dad. It's great that the first thing they want to do is say hello...but jeez...and we won't even go into the whole idea of dating. Not them, me, silly. Well, I'm up now, guess I'll get some chores done. So much for sleeping in.....

2 comments:

DF said...: For now, the dating thing will set the example for them as to what is expected and acceptable. Whatever is acceptable for you to do dating is acceptable for them to do when dating.

Remember, you are the example for Sh and Au.; April 23, 2008 at 10:24 AM
The Girl Next Door said...: Oh NOOOOOO. I don't think so. I see double standards in my future. (JK - sort of) The biggest double standard being "Keep it to myself." and I have to say, they are not going to know I'm dating unless they really need to know. Too many "people" in and out of their lives is just confusing. for now they know I have a lot of "friends." And I do! As for one special friend, that's TMI in my book. Besides, when I mentioned the idea of me dating to Sh she responded, "That's gross. You're old." Nuf said.; April 23, 2008 at 2:04 PM

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The Cast Of Characters

Me: See about me above

Son: 21 YO, back at college after taking a "break" between his Sophomore and Junior year of college (which lasted exactly 1 semester before he had to go back of his own accord...), ridiculously funny, adorable, smart, athletic, musically gifted and pusher of all my buttons. He's the reason doctors invented Valium.

Daughter: 21 YO SENIOR! in College, intelligent, funny, organized, beautiful, sweet, "blond", thoughtful, friendly, musically gifted, athletic, shortest temper on the planet when it comes to her twin brother. She's the reason vinters invented wine.

The Captain: My "Friend" in earlier posts, my partner, my housemate, my confidante, my Boss's friend of over 25 years. Yeah that's weird. But he is really awesome. And the Love of my Life.

EX: The man I was married to for 20 years who lived next door. Now he's dating the girlfriend he had before we met and pretends I never existed. Really. OH and his GF and I could be twins...except for the outgoing personality part. She is, my children tell me, very sweet and kind and I'm thrilled for them that she is.

Queen Bee: My now deceased 12 YO lab who had gone haywire. She pretended she couldn't hear you when you called her, but the word "TREAT" always got a reaction. She randomly forgot things - like in the middle of fetching the ball forgot what she was doing. She was the best dog ever.

Stinky: AKA Stinky Butt Daughter's Jack Russell who is no longer a Puppy but will always be the "Baby."

GoofusMarufus: The New Rescue Mutt we picked up while visiting Daughter in College. She is gorgeous, funny, but afraid of the strangest things. And she still hasn't learned to sail, sigh. And Stinky Butt, while home on break from College, taught her baaaaaad things!

DRD: Dumb Runaway Dog - Ex's lab who I used to babysit when we lived next door. She's a runner and ended up in the doggy hospital one night. Not. My. Fault. (I was not home!)