The Neighbors, They're Talking...

As much as it pains me to admit this, we are THAT house on our street.

That house. You know, the one where the neighbors shake their heads as they pass by. Why don't they DO something about their lawn? They really should take down that old fence! Why in God's name do they have that Bronco on blocks in their driveway (no really. we do.).

And I was brought up better than that. I really, REALLY was.

We're like Hal and Lois on Malcolm in the Middle. All the neighbors around us talk to each other and seem to be friends. They probably have cookouts when we're out of town. No one talks to us.

Until this week.

Suddenly, neighbors s are stopping to talk to B as he's working in the yard. Now that we're fixing up our lawn THEY LIKE US!

Sure, it's taken us a while to get around to it. WE HAD A BABY FOR *&@'s SAKE.

This is our front yard about three weeks ago, all the nasty sod pulled up. Did you know they grow sod in netting? And when you try to pull up the sod and netting, it rips up into a cajillion little horrid pieces? It's does and it sucks.

And if you're wondering, the guy across the street has someone else take care of his lawn. Cheater.



Here's our yard a few days ago after B's birthday gift was delivered. Fifteen yards of dirt - erm, I mean - soil. He wanted DIRT for his birthday. Now that is dedication!



Today, my parents visited and we got all that loverly soil spread around, and in the next few days B will till and we'll spread grass seed.

And then, we will have the VERY BESTEST FRONT YARD IN THE WHOLE BLOCK. And they will all worship and adore us.

Or maybe just talk to us?

There is still the issue of the Bronco (I told you I wasn't kidding). But if it's still here come summer, I'm totally making it into a planter.

Meet & Greet

I met someone.
Now before you go and jump to conclusions, it's not what you may think.
I met a mom. In our neighborhood. Until two days ago I thought we were the youngest people in our hood by, say, thirty years. We are surrounded by people my parent's age.
A few days ago I packed up G for a quick walk before what looked like imminent rain (imagine that!). It was about 3 pm and I went into a little cul de sac I don't usually turn down.
Well, let me tell you, I think I was meant to take that turn. Because lo and behold, there was a mom out in her front yard with two children under three.
I said 'Hi!', not really expecting more than a hi back. But she started chatting with me. I learned that her son is only a few months older than G, and that there are three other families in that cul de sac with toddlers.
WHAT?! How did I miss this little domestic hamlet? Oh yeah, I was at work...
Anyhow, she told me to stop by and when we're out again. She was so nice.
Is it weird that I'm nervous? I'm not great at meeting new people, especially so randomly. Do I just show up over there? Do I take baked goods? This is all unfamiliar territory for me. I mean, the only times I've spoken with my immediate neighbors is when our dogs escaped and ate their expensive Japanese maples (which were already dying, I might add).
I'm hoping this is an opportunity to make some new friends. I think it would really help to have friendly faces close by and other kiddos for G to play with - don't get me wrong, I love spending so much time with G, but I think he gets bored with me. And seriously, sometimes I'm dying for adult conversation.
Anybody out there have any tips for making this less awkward? What would a non-neurotic person do?