From Deseret News archives:
Make your home less inviting to neighbors
In the past, we've chosen to avoid our friends' parents as they both are drunks, and the husband talks nonstop and has roaming hands. Unfortunately, my husband and I have become their favorite neighbors and they often come over in the early evening to chat. They rarely leave, even when we tell them we have to eat dinner. They will tell us, "Go ahead. We'll entertain ourselves," which they do with the booze they brought. Sometimes I sense they are snooping around while out of our line of sight, so I often invite them to eat with us so we can keep an eye on them.
Annie, the man creeps me out. He only talks about what he owns and who he knows. But the worst part is he always positions himself near me and finds some reason to squeeze past me in tight corners. He is very quick to brush off any crumb that appears on my blouse.
The wife is totally oblivious to what is going on. I have discussed this with my husband, and we don't know how to avoid this couple. Even telling them we don't have time to visit doesn't deter them. If we close the door or walk away, they say they'll be back later. And they are.
Dear Nuevo: We doubt your friends can help. You must be more direct. Tell your intrusive neighbors that you need time to unwind when you get home and you cannot have visitors. Every single time they pop in unexpectedly, tell them it's inconvenient and close the door. If you do it consistently, they will find their entertainment elsewhere. And if the husband gets too friendly, say in a loud voice, "Please keep your hands off me." In order for them to leave you alone, you must make your home less inviting.
Dear Annie: I am 92 years old. I was married to the most wonderful man for 70 years. We adored each other. A year ago, he began to have problems walking. Then came a cane, a walker and, just before he died, a wheelchair. Every night I walked the floor crying, knowing he would soon be leaving me. A month before he died, he was in and out of a coma. Brokenhearted, I was forced to send him to a nursing home. I visited him every day from morning until night.
Comments
- Ontario Mormons' nativity scenes 9:41 a.m.
- Rabbis join NJ gay marriage debate 9:03 a.m.
- Afghan buildup on faster timetable 9:01 a.m.
- Salahi denies crashing W.H. party 8:58 a.m.
- Suspect in police slayings killed 8:55 a.m.
- Arrests made in Roy slayings 8:35 a.m.
- Bowden meeting with school officials 8:01 a.m.
- FIFA: Ireland won't be in WCup 8:00 a.m.
- Florida's Dunlap arrested, charged 8:00 a.m.
- Stocks climb early as dollar slides 7:59 a.m.
- Hall reprimanded by MWC
- Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
- Utes won't respond to Hall
- 2 citations issued at Y.-U. game
- Cougs begin bowl preparations
- Mitchell called intelligent, controlling
- Y. student vanished in China
- Max Hall issues apology
- Daughter: Mitchell fed me my pet
- BYU says Hall incident resolved
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
899 - Cougars beat Utes in overtime
481 - Hall reprimanded by MWC
385 - Max Hall issues apology
382 - Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
317 - Utes won't respond to Hall
264 - BYU is champion of the state
140 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
123 - Cave to be sealed with body inside
120 - Religion in politics is tiresome
113
Sunkist Growers and Fresh Market, a new division of Associated Food...
My husband was teaching his 6th-grade class in Salt Lake last year when...
I wanted to tell them not to go. I dropped subtle hints. "My money is on...
Regarding whether it was really Max's statement, or one supplied for him: Of...
Raymond is not a Mormon High School. It is a public high school with some...
'Now, care to provide a SINGLE QUOTE in which Rush, Sean, or Glenn encouraged...
as a BYU fan be taking pictures of the Utah players? Shouldn't you be...
I was in the north end zone with most of the ute fans. I didn't see anything...
I feel there IS a difference between the tenor of the fans from Utah and...
Yeah good luck with that. Didn't you read the comments prior to yours from...
Great Family! Great Values! We need more parents who are willing to put their...
So what do you have to say to the BYU fan that hit Jamie Whittingham in the...
The cellphone/camera-hating guy sounds really unstable. Someone should taze...



You can be the first to comment on this story.