Come on down folks!

You can carry concealed weapons with no license AND it’s a Minimal Parenting State!

Seriously.

My frustration level today was at a full Spinal Tap 11.

I had my annual property inspection this morning.

All went well. Considering I’m a goody two shoes and have been cleaning like an OCD queen for a year, there wasn’t really any doubt about that.

Feels intrusive though – taking photos of every room – my bedroom, all my precious things.  (almost expected them to bring in a table with stirrups for a full examination)  The bathrooms – our towels and toiletries.  Even Butters!!!

Don’t get me wrong, the people who manage the property I live in are really nice. I also understand why the homeowner is well within his or her right to know what condition their investment is in.

I’m just saying the inspection itself feels like a cell check. A reminder that where you are is not yours – and someone else has a set of keys and a set of rules.

Speaking of rules.

This was also my time to mention anything that needed fixing etc.

Well, other than some minor items, an obvious thing that needs fixing is the behavior of ‘the neighbors’.

Both homes are owned by the same person and managed by the same company.

I brought up recent events (the dog’s appearance, the witnessed dog abuse, the traffic/drug-likelihood continuance, yelling at the children)

I bring it up because I can’t escape it!

I’m no Mrs. Kravitz!!  I’m not a ‘Curtain Twitcher’ (as my Nannie would say)

Every room I spend a lot of time in (kitchen, living room, bedroom) have windows directly facing ‘them’.

Walls are thin – I hear every car, every verbal barb from my couch – I assure you, I am not pressed against the wall with my ear to a cup.

I cannot enjoy the sanctuary that ‘home’ should be with the uncomfortable dysfunction constantly on display.

___________________________________

Fast forward.

I told the inspector that I was done.

It doesn’t seem fair that I follow the rules, and can’t enjoy my home to the fullest.

I received an email at work from the landlord.

She was going to call CPS and if they did not renew the tenancy, would I consider staying?

Wow.

Yeah – of course. (I actually wasn’t intending to leave.)

The yard is a great size for Butters – I don’t feel like her barking interferes with anyone (no direct neighbors that we’re butted up against) and I’ve been in the home for 4 years and am settled. The inspector today kept saying how cozy I’d made the place. And it’s true.

It is cozy.

If you can shut out the world and just be in the moment – it’s a hell of a homey, cozy place to be.

I received another email from the landlord.

Apparently, the State I live in is a ‘minimal parenting’ State.

Huh?!?!

What is this, and why didn’t I know about this when Nic was under 18?

You mean I didn’t have to supply love, entertainment, attention to his education etc??? What the hell?

I joke of course.

The landlady had an example for me, and I quote:

“Do you know that if someone is dealing drugs out of their home and they are not doing it in front of the children and the drugs are locked up so the kids cannot get to them that it is not a danger and therefore they cannot do anything!!”

Wow.

There was another example:

“I was dumbfounded when I asked her what would constitute getting them involved and the responses made me so mad!  She told me that if someone had dog feces all over there floor, with children in the house, that if the children were crawling through it or at an age to still not understand not to put it in their mouth that would be an issue. 

If the same situation occurred and the child was 6 or 7 and knew not to put it in their mouth that would not be an issue.  I don’t understand how that cannot be health and safety????!!!!!”

Again, Wow.

We went back and forth and exchanged exasperation and ideas. I finally mentioned that the dog’s waste is not picked up and is located amongst the childrens backyard toys.

Two are under 6.

Grasping at straws I know!

That failing, they could at least call ‘the neighbors’ out on the unofficial dog and we can get that innocent party out of the mix.

In order to keep Butters, I MUST have renters insurance and had to put a pet deposit down. They should have to do the same!

And I don’t say that in a ‘wah wah’ tantrum way … I say it because it is NOT fair that there are people who follow rules and people who don’t and the ones who don’t seem to get away with it.

I think (especially before Christmas) that might be something they won’t want to do and they’ll opt to relinquish the dog.

It should have no problem finding a home – it’s a sweetheart.

What keeps returning to my thoughts though is how on earth is anyone supposed to prevent a tragedy?

The minute a child is killed or found in a disgusting environment, strangers comment ‘why didn’t anyone DO anything about this?’  And they tut and sneer and judge. (I know I have.)

Well people, guess what?  I bet someone TRIED to do something and there were no avenues for them to take.

I’ve called the Sheriff.

I’ve advised the landlord.

CPS has been spoken to.

And as I type, I’m still across from that family – and unless someone is seen walking out of their house holding a bag of drugs or they beat their children in the middle of the street – or they … gawd, what?

Unless they WHAT??

What IS it going to take to finally do them in?

I don’t know.

But I only want the best for those three children and for that pup.

And yeah – call me crazy – but I still only want the best for the flipping parents too.  Because they were once children.  Whatever makes them capable of being the way they are and lashing out the way they do – needs fixing.

I only want the best for EVERYONE!

Related posts:

 The House Next Door

Mustard Monday

The Help and how I almost didn’t

Porch Sounds – what about the children?

A day in the life