Highs & Lows

I'm thinking again and thinking inevitably leads to blogging. Based on the number of blogs I have posted lately that would lead you to think I don't think very often but you would be wrong. I am an obsessive. I mentally go over things all of the time. I am not a drop and run sorta girl.

We had a hectic night on Thursday. My daughter Lily had started back at Uni and she had 4 friends over as they had a free day on Friday. So I thawed out some chili con carne I had in the freezer, and decided I would make some cheese quesadillas, so stopped on the way home for fromage frais, salsa and jalapenos.

The girls arrived about 7 and they proceeded to drink wine, munch on quesadillas and talk nonsense as a group of 20ish year olds are wont to do.

They were sitting on the upstairs balcony so one of the girls could have a smoke, when the Neighbour From Hell, (henceforth known as NFH) shouted over at 9.30 "it was time for bed and they need to keep it down". They shut up in surprise, held their breath and then started to giggle. He then started ranting, 'oh yes time to keep quiet', 'oh you think it is funny, have you forgotten my watering your garden' (referring to the previous incident when he turned the garden hose on us when we were having a braai. He didn't soak us as we were out of his reach. We just laughed.

Lily came to tell Norm bout it all and he went outside and told NFH to stop harassing the girls. He then told Norm he was going to 'sort him out' and came to ring our bell. Norm went to the gate while NFH shouted vulgarities at him. NFH then whipped out an iron rod and proceeded to hit Norm with it, Norm reached through the gate and pushed him away.

I phoned our friend Gav, ADT & the cops. They all arrived quickly, but NFH had ran home and attempted to drive out to the police station once he saw we had called back up.

They all went to the police station and spent until 2.30 in the morning filling in forms, then came home exhausted.

It had all started so nicely.

It was lovely that Lily came to me the next day and apologised for the noise, I told her it was not her fault, he has a bug up his arse. Then she said it was so nice to have the girls have clean bedding, towels, blankets and yummy food. She said it was all so pleasant, she really appreciated my making them all feel comfortable. I couldn't imagine NOT doing this for them!

When Cait came back from staying with her Dad over holidays she said the same, she missed her comfortable bed, big towels, warm room and all her family. The pets, Norm and I are now the family core.

The kids were raised by their Dad and he lived like a pauper. Trust me, he isn't, he just hated to spend money on comforts or food. I wonder did it do the girls more good living frugally then they appreciate the warm cozy home I offer and appreciate it when others grant them with a nicety?

When they were with me for their holidays we went somewhere different in Europe every July, then to Scotland for a family holiday over Xmas and Hogmannay.

Here we never go anywhere away from home, we have all we ever want or need for summer and a cosy home for winter.

Then we have this tosser who wants to interfere. Norm was supposed to be away in JBG all week on business and now has to come and go to court on Tuesday. NFH has also charged Norm with assault, so they both have to appear. It's ridiculous and Norm never left our yard.

But we have taken this man's intimidation for a year, it is time to deal with it properly and get an interdict to stop him doing it any longer.

But in the meantime we will continue living our lives, building a home which my girls love and I love, keeping my marriage strong. These are the things that really matter, this little noise from next door is just a bump in the road.