Neighbour Kids

We're getting settled into our new place although it's a work in progress. The carpet has been pulled up so we're walking on bare plywood, there are no doors in the place (except one bathroom), we have one coat of paint on the walls, there is sawdust in the foyer. We are living in 2 rooms (the kitchen and our bedroom). The kitchen is looking great! We just had our linoleum laid and I absolutely love it!

Our fireplace area has been dismantled in order to take the tiles out which were glued to the wall... now the original framing is exposed. Dan (and other males who have visited the house) are adamant that it is going to be a selling feature to have a flatscreen TV hook-up placed in the wall while it is exposed.

Although skeptical at first, the "future selling feature" pitch got me and I agreed to the hook-up.... Shaw Cable has already been here and installed the box. Today we were at Costco and Dan was wandering in the electronics aisle, getting ideas for the sizes and style we will get when/if we have funds for a flatscreen.

Dan is quite excited. I think there is a party-planner in him as well-- he's been talking about how fun it will be to host a Superbowl party at our place. I wonder what appetizers I will serve. Only manly food to be sure.

And so I digress...

Since we've been here I have been trying to figure out a way to connect with the neighbour kids. You see, when I was living at home Rafi had neighbours he just LOVED! He thought they were the coolest and even though they were my parent's age, Rafi would head over there and socialize every chance he got. Rafi would come home and tell stories about them. The cool neighbours seemed to have such a special relationship with Rafi. It was like he crossed the street and with every interaction he seemed to partake in a special adventure. It was magical for him.

Now that I'm in a place of my own I want to be the cool neighbour. Up until now my efforts haven't been received well. Waving at the kids as I come and go seemed to freak them out (now they hide behind a bush when they see me in my car). Saying, "hello-- I'm your new neighbour" seemed to get strange looks. At one point they initiated conversation with me, but only to ask me if the aggressive, loose dog that was sniffing around was mine. It wasn't.

Yesterday it all changed for me. I have finally met a neighbourhood kid.

You see, in all our renovations we ripped out a tree and a fence outside that was previously blocking the side walkway of our house. There is a house that is diagonally opposite us and now that the foliage has been removed it has uncovered a fence with holes big enough for a kid to squeeze through. Dan and I were in our yard inspecting the renovations when Dan heard some leaves rustling by the fence. He whispered to me, "Anna-- I think it's one of the neighbour kids".

Well, he was right. A never-seen-before 7 year old girl. I looked at her and said, "Well hello!". She asked me, "What are YOU doing here?" I replied, "Well... I live here now. Did you know that?" "Yep, I knew that! I would like to come and see inside your house". I told her she probably shouldn't until she asks her mom or dad... and besides I told her, "my house is really messy right now!". She thought about it for a second and then clarified, "Well that's okay. My house is really messy too!"

I love her! She's so cute. Once I introduced myself she couldn't stop talking about things. I had to cut it a little short and go inside to get ready for my evening out. Unbeknownst to me, she was waiting outside asking Dan what I was doing and when I would be out to talk with her some more. Awwww....

So I made a connection! I will look for her at Halloween and see if I can meet the parents so I won't be the creepy neighbour. And as an added bonus, she's buddies with the neighbour kids in our cul-de-sac who I originally freaked out. Ha!