I luvs me neighbors!

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silvercamaro · #1 Post by **silvercamaro** » Sun Dec 16, 2007 6:29 pm

I got tired of cutting branches in the back yard. I decided I'd go into the front, planning to work just enough longer to make a wider, safer path to get the dogs to the car. The woman from across the street came over. She is the one who offered to search for de-icer when my car was frozen shut underneath the huge broken branch.

Her husband followed. He has a chainsaw, and he knows how to use it!

With additional assistance from their young son, we cleared 90 percent of the branches and stacked them on the curb. We even cleaned out most of the parking area. The city has issued special dispensation for the normal bundling and maximum 4-ft. length requirements.

I have to think of something really, really nice to do for them.

kayrharris · #2 Post by **kayrharris** » Sun Dec 16, 2007 6:41 pm

Heart warming story. I think this happens quite often after a storm. We don't have so many ice storms, but have lived through a few hurricanes & the whole neighborhood was out helping each other.

It's times like these that do bring neighbors together. I'm sure your neighbors expect nothing in return. If you really feel the need, maybe a gift card to a local eating establishment, that way maybe they would include the young son who also helped.

silvercamaro · #3 Post by **silvercamaro** » Sun Dec 16, 2007 7:03 pm

kayrharris wrote: It's times like these that do bring neighbors together. I'm sure your neighbors expect nothing in return. If you really feel the need, maybe a gift card to a local eating establishment, that way maybe they would include the young son who also helped.

I know they don't expect anything in return. The gift card is a good idea, perhaps even to someplace like Target, where they can buy another present for their son or groceries for a needy family, if they'd feel better about doing that. (I have a feeling that they are all about helping people.) I thought I'd also bake some nut bread or something similar that they'd know was personal and might not feel reluctant to accept.

kayrharris · #4 Post by **kayrharris** » Sun Dec 16, 2007 7:10 pm

Can't go wrong with any of those if you ask me.

It's neat they are teaching their son early about helping others. We always did food and toys for a needy family when our kids were little. Now I give to Second Harvest and my kids do the same.

SportsFan68 · #5 Post by **SportsFan68** » Sun Dec 16, 2007 11:34 pm

silvercamaro wrote:I thought I'd also bake some nut bread or something similar that they'd know was personal and might not feel reluctant to accept.

That's standard on our block. We brought our industrial strength snowblower to this house when we moved, and SteelersFan has received homemade brownies, cupcakes with the chocolate chips baked into the middle, banana bread, pumpkin bread, cookies . . .

I vote for the nut bread.

a1mamacat · #6 Post by **a1mamacat** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 1:01 am

what a wonderful story.

Sounds like you have a pretty great group of neighbours.

peacock2121 · #7 Post by **peacock2121** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 6:07 am

I love things like that.

Giving of your time, by baking for them or knitting or something personal is a wonderful way of expressing your appreciation.

MarleysGh0st · #8 Post by **MarleysGh0st** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 7:19 am

silvercamaro wrote:I thought I'd also bake some nut bread or something similar that they'd know was personal and might not feel reluctant to accept.

I like this idea.

Or maybe I just like nut bread.

PlacentiaSoccerMom · #9 Post by **PlacentiaSoccerMom** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 8:09 am

silvercamaro wrote:I thought I'd also bake some nut bread or something similar that they'd know was personal and might not feel reluctant to accept.

I like this idea. Hopefully nobody has nut allergies. (I always ask because Maddie is allergic to peanuts, so I think about it.)

fantine33 · #10 Post by **fantine33** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 8:56 am

Ha, after I read your first post I was going to say 'make them some bread or something like that'. Food seems to be the universal thank you that's okay and that people will accept that doesn't offend them (like cash sometimes does).

My neighbours at my old house would always help me with shoveling the walk (and a lot of other things when I had my arm surgeries). I'd always make a load of bread or something for them. Well, my bread machine would. Ha! A dough only cycle is the greatest things since well, sliced bread. People are always impressed with cinnamon rolls, twisted or braided things or pies with homemade crust, when the machine did all the hard stuff.

Last summer a woman and her two kids were on their regular walk when my mom was out in her parking strip pulling a lot of weeds. They stopped and helped her do the whole thing. The mom wouldn't take anything for it, she said she wanted to teach her children to do for others without expecting recompense. Next time they walked by, my Mom gave them some really nice peaches she got at the Farmer's Market. The mom accepted that, and the next day my Mom got a really nice letter from the kids thanking her for the peaches and what their mom made with them with drawings and everything. My mom didn't even know these people and I think she even saved the letter!

earendel · #11 Post by **earendel** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 8:57 am

silvercamaro wrote:
kayrharris wrote: It's times like these that do bring neighbors together. I'm sure your neighbors expect nothing in return. If you really feel the need, maybe a gift card to a local eating establishment, that way maybe they would include the young son who also helped.
I know they don't expect anything in return. The gift card is a good idea, perhaps even to someplace like Target, where they can buy another present for their son or groceries for a needy family, if they'd feel better about doing that. (I have a feeling that they are all about helping people.) I thought I'd also bake some nut bread or something similar that they'd know was personal and might not feel reluctant to accept.

Sounds like a great idea - "Nothing says loving' like something from the oven'" after all.