Well, Irma-St. Pete, there has been quite a lot going on since I last posted. Others who have been following this might be interested also. If not, just pass it over. Instead of this being his fourth marriage, I found out it is his fifth! This is her third marriage. Anyway, he has moved out and she is still living there, but we have resumed our friendship mainly because I offered her an olive branch, so to speak. The plan commission checked out the height of the fence and sent a letter to them stating they would have to apply for a varience to keep the fence there. This requires them to notify, by registered letter, all neighbors who are within 100 feet of their property. The wife told me that her soon to be ex gave the letter to her and told her to deal with it. She called the commission and chose not to apply for the varience. Instead, she called me and said she would like to take the fence down and asked, politely, if my husband could help her. I couldn't get him out of the house fast enough to go help her with this. She plans to move when the house sells and said she can use the fence in her new place. All that is left are four by four posts that are concreted in the ground. My hubby told her when Spring came around, he would take those out for her also. She has been very appreciative. NOW, here's a real kicker, he reported to the area plan commission, once he moved out, that MY fence, (the one he told us to put up so they wouldn't have to put one up between our properties, remember?) is over the allotted 3 foot. Of course, I know this is just for spite and his last hoorah. The wife didn't know he reported it. When I told her she was flabergasted and so apologetic. As I mentioned in one of my earlier posts, my other neighbor that shares the property line has no problem whatsoever with it and we drew up, on paper, an agreement letter. I have applied for the variance, which cost $75.00, sent registered letters to neighbors to inform them of this, which cost $10.00, plus another $1.85 for stamps. All my ducks are in a row and I meet with the commissioners on April 11th to find out their decision for my varience. I was told by one of the courthouse employees that it more than likely will be allowed since the neighbor whose property abuts to mine is ok with it and he's the only one it really would make a difference to. Almost forgot, my hubby and I wrote out an offer to the wife of the jerk to buy 12 feet of property from them. This would take care of anyone in the future from doing the same thing once their house is sold and new owners move in. The drawback to this, is since their divorce is not final, the jerk would have to agree to it also. She hasn't replyed yet or said when they will decide if they will sell it to us. It's a substantial amount of money, but it all would be well worth it. That, in a nutshell, is the update on this crap.

Go hug a tree :) You may feel you are an outstanding citzen/human by being a teacher. WHOOP DE WHOO!!!! You chose that profession and obviously get more of a reward from patting yourself on the back than your pay check. Its teachers like you that make me want to home school my children. You do more harm than you realize by your judging, and arrogant attidue/ ego. I hope none of your students learn that trait from you. I provide safe, clean, affordable, and for the most part quiet homes. This is obviously a very important issue and housing is considered a bigg need. Basically I interpret your commets that anyone not parenting/ educating/ or contributing to the world in a way you deem worthy is selfish. I do make money renting out property, and my family is financialy stable. Being financially secure I am able to donate money to multiple charities and spend hours each week as a volunteer. But that type of work and those organazations have little to no benefit to anything which means its not a WORLD contribution. Perhpas with all my money and time I will go back to become a teacher and CHANGE THE WORLD!!!!! On a side note I do teach a class every week to K-8th graders. Its called J/A and its one of the most impactfull courses todays youth will ever learn. In case your not familier with Junior Achievment, it teaches youth about personal and world finances. Something our local criculum has been falling short in. But that to, must be a waste since learning a tv isn't a need and how to save money for college/ retirment isn't important. Why don't you check yourself in the mirror next Monday and start being a model citzen instead of talking about being one. I'm not saying you don't have an important job or don't help out todays society, but what I do is important to many others also. Keep judging all you want, people ask for opinions and I give them my honest opinion.

Speaking of which, and is totally OT - have you seen the Adam Carolla project on TV? I just saw for the first time this week and thought it was a riot. Those guys haven't made it past junior high for sure. The good news is they are generrally harmless and fun junior high, not petty and pretenious junior high. They remind me of several people I know and love. Now, back on topic, when they dump stuff in your yard, have you considered calling and offering, very kindly and wide eyed, ''Oh, did you need the name of a junk or brush removal company to take away your xzy? I'm afraid our lot isn't zoned for dumping. So sorry.'' Maybe you or your dh would have to call her dh at his work. And leave a message with the receptionist. Might be the only way to keep a straight face. I'm enjoying this way too much. Hope it isn't adding to your misery. Hmmm...did Stephen King write any books about neighbors?

ok great feedback, thanks issues are going to be 1) the local municipality is not going to give the slightest of you know whats. This is a county where 4 bridges have been out since Hurricane Isabel in 2003 and they only had the money to get one fixed a couple years ago. I'm not in a town that might have more rules. And there's not an HOA applicable in this case. (thankfully! had one in NoVA and wished never to deal with one again) 2) he's not going to hear me out at all. In fact if I said something it would just inflame him. The soothsaying local hayseed landscaper has clearly convinced him the tree is in just fine condition...and loves coming out every couple years and making a big production of making sure it stays that way. For example it lost some branches in the big ice storm a couple springs ago. It's in his interest to keep making money off it until a calamity strikes. I'm assuming they will protect it against EAB when it gets here. 3) I would possibly speak with the landscaper when he's over there...which is fairly often because the neighbor guy spends a lot of money "taking care" of his yard...but I'm pretty sure he remembers me and we have a bit of a history. He doesn't like me. We'll leave it at that. Fortunately I found someone much better and cheaper to provide tree trimming services. I like my idea of just printing some photographs - they will have the date on back I've just realized - putting them in my safe deposit box and being done with it. Then let the insurance companies duke it out if it comes to it.