neighbor woes

*huge sigh*

We have neighbour issues AGAIN. You see, there are 3 houses in our little corner of the street. Us, a single Mom, and then the Warkentin's (who are a God-send!). Sandwiched between two Christian family's is a single Mom with (count 'em) NINE (9!) children. She's doing her best, I'm sure, but we have nothing but drama.

• children stealing our stuff
• pulling the water pipe right out of the house
• wrecking our double stroller
• borrowing our broom every day
• using the phone 5 times a day (they don't have one)
• he 11 year old daughter stealing $20 from me
• the 11 year old daughter saying that we were following her and her friends (?????)
• finding the 2 year old wandering in the back alley at 3 in the morning

It goes on and on. When Jason got the business car, we had a problem. We only have one parking space, and parking on the street isn't allowed over night! Well....right next to us, actually...a continuation of the same parking space, is our neighbor's 2 space spot. However, she does not have a car. SO, I asked her if we could park there. As an act of good faith and friendship, I offered her $10/month as a fee. She readily agreed. I paid her $30 for the summer. (June, July, August)

Last night at 10:45, her daughter came to the door saying that the Mom was demanding her $15.00 parking payment for August.

HUH??? First, I PAID you....and Second...it was only $10!

Seeing as I paid CASH....and she didn't give me a receipt, I have no proof of anything. I can't believe that she's trying to scam me! It feels so gross! We're constantly doing favors for the family, and TRYING to be helpful and loving. But I'm coming to the end of my rope.


The Mom is renting from a help-housing organization. We've even called them and asked to BUY the house! They don't want to sell.

You'd think that OWNING your home, you'd have more rights than you do. However, we seem to be at the mercy of the drug-dealers, wild teens, vandalism, drinking, domestic violence, and plain 'ol chaos that resides next door to us.

It's so frustrating. The W's on the other side are in the same predicament....facing similar drama all the time. We have both talked about putting our homes up for sale next year because we can't take it anymore. However, with the market the way it is, we stand to make a good clip of cash on our home in the next 2 years. However, I don't think I could live here without the Warkentin's. Our kids can play safely together...without them....Anneka would be alone. As soon as we see a FOR SALE sign in their yard.....one will go up in ours.

I'm so tired.