True Feelings

Why is it so difficult to show disagreement to people sometimes?

The whole thing with my home-phone is one example. It all started when I was loading the kids into the bargain-cruiser to go to Wal-Mart and so graciously obliged my neighbor's plea to use my phone for a few minutes so that she could put minutes on her cell-phone. (Thinking it would be a one-time deal).

Now, look where I am. I've been woken up in the morning & a nap from phone calls (for her). Woken up from knocks on my door (her kids, coming to borrow the phone). Interrupted when resting (when I had the flu). Late for a funeral (Annika's) because they just had to use my phone. (Which, at that time, I told them "no" but the whole interaction took several minutes and made us late). Not to mention the fact that I've been without my home-phone for a total of about six days, as they've had it all afternoon when they've borrowed it. (If you've thought I was crazy before, I know this just confirmed it).

I got inspiration from Peggy, this past weekend. She doesn't answer the door if she doesn't feel like it. I've always thought, "Well, they know I'm home, how can I ignore the door?" But in all reality, they have no idea what I'm doing when they knock. So. With that said, Monday morning and Monday afternoon, I completely ignored the door when they knocked. That sure felt good! It is now Friday and they haven't tried again. Until then, they'd been using it nearly every day. I feel bad to drop-her-like-a-hat but that really isn't my problem. I realize that. I wanted to help but I'm just not a very "neighborly" neighbor! I can only do so-much.

That brings me to my other thought...on neighbors. We won't have any when we move and I'm ecstatic about that. But on a more serious note, I hope we don't get any either. There are about 20 acres (not "listed" but possibly available) right next door to us that were a potential for one of our friends - who have presently found property elsewhere and are set to build.

I'm afraid that I'm going to offend someone here but this is nothing personal towards anyone. I just don't want close neighbors - someone we "know" or not. I just really hope we'll be able to buy the property someday...and soon so I don't have to worry about it. I really want my privacy (....aaAand I have a blog?) and I know I wouldn't make a very good "neighbor" to anyone. But that's my other problem. When they ask, I've acted like it's a great idea for people to move-in next door to us, when instead I want to bring out the claws and growl, "go away". [How do you do that in a nice way? Besides, we have no control over it if someone buys the property.]