Speaking of neighbours

Throughout my life I have moved so many times and on the whole have had pretty good neighbours. (sorry about the English spelling - just can't make myself get into the American way - but I do try - sometimes). Anyway there have been times when it has been hell. As many of you know we moved into our new house in June of this year and hopefully to be settled for good!! I have to tell you of our amazing fortune!! Our neighbours!! Not only are they the sweetest, funniest and most generous of people, they actually looked after our cats whilst we were in Europe and I didn't ask!! They just offered because they love cats. They used to have cats but after losing them they couldn't bear to go through the heartbreak again. They did a magnificent job while we were away and my animals are missing them!! Well, normally we go to my son in Chicago for Thanksgiving but because we are tuckered out (notice that American phrase...lol!!) - we decided to stay at home. Then just a couple of days' ago my neighbour invited us to her home for this special day. I am so amazed at all of this because I never seem to have been on the receiving end of much and now out of the blue it's all happening!! Even here at DG I can't get over how kind people are. I'm just wondering if I've been living on another planet!! Well whatever I haven't reaped in my past life, I sure can't complain about the present one. How sweet life can be!! Happy Thanksgiving my dear friends!!

Louisa,
I have always been told that you reap what you sow. For the time that I have known you, you have shown yourself to be a kind, generous, loving, giving and caring person. Maybe it took a bit longer for you to recieve the return of such things, because you had to become stronger first. What you have been through in your life, has indeed made you a stronger person because it didn't kill you and it didn't make you give up. I am glad you finally found your perfect home, and that it came with lovely neighbors. I hope you can and will stay there as long as you wish. Enjoy Thanksgiving with your neighbors. They are as lucky to have you, as you are them. :)
Michele

So true Michelle,I totally agree' Up to now Louisa, I never knew the joy of true friendships,like I've discovered here at DG'' Being such a "mobile society" some don't ever find friendships and is very sad' Never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd live in one place for more than a few months or a year,now going on 21 here,unbelieveable,lol' And I have neighbors that haven't been out of the county,ever,lol' DH and I are critically planning our retirement and won't be sitting,traveling mostly' Guess it's in our blood and love seeing places and meeting people' And the first item to take is the computers,lol' Loved being a part of your journey,Jodys and everyone on the road,lol' No Louisa,you're on the right planet and thrilled you're here with all of us,you always make our day' Looking back which I do sometimes,didn't know how "dull" it was before I discovered this garden' Good people and things are everywhere sometimes we just don't see them' Happy Thanksgiving my dear' Sis'

I have lived here six years and don't have a clue about any of the neighbors. I see them but really don't know them. They just aren't that friendly.

HoniBee I always try and keep an open mind until I know what's what!! Perhaps your neighbours are shy, reserved and don't know how to make the first move. Do you think it might be a good idea to take that first step yourself and extend the hand of friendship. You might be pleasantly surprised. :-)

Michele and Sis, I am so touched by your kind words and send them straight back to you :-)

This message was edited Wednesday, Nov 21st 4:04 PM

Hey Honibee, Maybe Louisa just came up with an idea for your extra pies. :) Friends can be made over flowers AND baked goods. LOL Unless they are diabetic....gulp. :) Sometimes it is hard to make the first step.

Sometimes even a smile can break the ice!!

Life's too short Diane,go for it' Sis'

Honibee -

It's never to late to build bridges. You might be surprised how glad some of your neighbors will be that you took time to care and say hello. The events of September 11 have certainly shown us how important our friends, family and community are, and I think people are more appreciative of knowing those supportive ties are available to them now.

:o) Go for it!
Kimberley

One of the best ice breakers I ever stumbled on was to make up small gift baskets or plates of goodies at Christmas and deliver them to our neighbors. I've done this in two neighborhoods - this year will be our third neighborhood, and it's always worked wonders for opening doors and hearts :)

For the first time, we do have a neighbor who can't stand us. And that's hard, but maybe it will get better with time. I'm so glad for you Louisa - you richly deserve wonderful friends and neighbors!

WE are very fortunate to have the most wonderful neighbors, all around us. One neighbor lived by us for about 3 years before we really got aquainted. One day I was out working in the yard and offered her some plants I was dividing. She told me she knew nothing about plants and would like to learn more but was short on time since she works long hours. I invited her to go with me to our local Garden club which she soon joined. We have been good friends ever since.

About 2 years ago, a family moved here from Texas on the other side of us, I took her some plants and found out that she has a Horticulture degree. We got aquainted quickly and began trading plants. A nice plant, or just a bucket of anything that we divide gets shared. So Honibee and Go-Vols, why don't you take your unfriendly neighbors a plant from your yard and add a short note introducng yourself, and just to say Hi!!

What a wonderful Thanksgiving story Louisa. I'm so happy for you. It's so comforting to have someone take care of your pets when you have to leave. My neighbor in Ohio LOVED our pets. They missed her when we would come home. Now DD stays when we leave. Have an enjoyable day tomorrow with your wonderful neighbors and know that we are all wishing you all good things.....God Bless.....vic

Louisa, what a wonderful story! You are one of the sweetest folks i've ever met..how could anyone be anything but nice to you? You do reap what you sow, and you are proof of that because so much nice happens to you(((hugs & wishing I were your neighbor )))))Happy Thanksgiving!

Uh, Oh...Lisa's setting her sights on Virginia now! Lookout you east coasters!!

I bet she tries to take the coast back to South Louisiana with her.

You guys, I know I'm not as sweet as you make me out to be!!....lol!! But thanks!! You really do know how to melt my heart. I feel as though I have known you all for years and that you truly are my best friends. You are genuine good people, so warm and caring. Had someone told me a year ago that I was about to be a part of a great family I probably would not have believed it. But thanks to Dave and Trish here is this 'lil ol' foreign woman celebrating this wonderful holiday of yours (and mine now...lol!!) sharing and reaping in the wonderful harvest. Terry that is a wonderful thing that you do!! I know all of you do wondrous things because I have been on the receiving end!! For those of you who are lonely at this time I send my heartfelt good wishes to you!! I don't know who you are so I can't write first but if you do ever want some company or a chinwag then please mail me. Happy Thanksgiving wherever you are :-)