Teachers aren't paid nearly enough! But that's another discussion for another time i suppose. However, when you think of how long of a day they have in dealing with the shenanigans of rotten kids, they deserve better!!
Over the last month or so, our neighbors have set their kids free to roam and drive the rest of us crazy! Who thought it was ok to share that with the world? It's like living in an African safari!!
'We see the lion cubs watch as the gazelle wanders back to her home retreat. The lion cubs lick their lips as they can feel the nervousness of the gazelle. The gazelle makes eye contact. All playing subsides and the lion cubs stare at the gazelle, unsure of themselves in making an attack, but also wanting to rip the gazelle apart. The lion cubs pose no real threat until the gazelle is safe and back to her herd and away from the cubs. Then they continue tumbling around together, practicing their growls, near enough to the gazelle's herd, so they stay in their retreat and away from the lion cubs'.
This is what's it's been like lately right outside our door. These children play in the afternoon in the breezeway of our apartment building. And they run up and down the stairs outside our front door 100 mph, clomping, screaming, and 'whoo-hooing' all the while.
Now, don't get me wrong. I love kids!! I really do! I have one. And Brooks and i want to have them together, but people who have no respect for their neighbors and let their rotten children out of the house without supervision, who have no manners, i have very little patience for. I know. I sound horrible don't i? And i need to say...these aren't older kids. They're LITTLE!!
The other day i had gotten out of the shower to obsessive knocking on my door. Still wrapped up in my towel i went to answer it, hiding my body behind our door as i cracked it open. Outside there were 3 very young kids selling "treats", which were really just some random something-or-other wrapped up in a plastic sandwich baggie tied with a rubber band. The oldest child was about 7 or 8. The next in line was a girl about 5 and then a little boy who looked like he was about 2, but more than likely was 3. WHERE ARE THE PARENTS?! In this day and age, letting your kids go knock on random doors is NOT SAFE!!
One morning about 8:30am there was screaming outside my door. I hadn't had any coffee as we were out, so i had a Sundrop in my favorite koozie; a Biscuit & Porn camo one from the Outter Banks. Not even thinking about what the soda was 'wearing' i snatched the door open and just stared at the children. 3 of them and our next door neighbors kids. A boy about 10 sitting on my damn door step with a remote control car in his lap, and his two sisters 7 and maybe 12. The boy's eyes were wide and he looked terrified. The girls standing near him, but not on my door step, looked at me and said, "Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry!!" I snapped at them and said, "This is NOT a playground! There is the playground! Go out there!!", pointing to the grassy area just beyond the steps on the other side of the breezeway. They retreated and i was left in peace. I did tell our manager about it in case she had some pissed off mom in her office later. She said not to worry about it as it was justified.
Another time there were a group of kids, mostly boys, but a couple girls walking on the sidewalk by the cars. I had the truck that day and happened to be in my craft room working on some things on the table that faced the window. I had the window slightly open to let in a bit of fresh air since the paints i was working with had a bit of a smell. I heard them talking and then all of a sudden it was quiet, but i could see them. We live on the second floor. I glanced out the window and saw one of the boys fling a baggie of dog crap onto our truck. This was long before they knew i was the "scary lady". This was the meeting of her. I snatched the window open and yelled down to them, "HEY!! I SEE YOU! YOU'D BETTER GET THAT DOG CRAP OFF THAT CAR NOOOOOOW!! I WILL TELL YOUR PARENTS!!" Most of the kids took off running except for the smallest boy who looked terrified, and like he was about to pee his pants. I repeated myself to remove the baggie or i would tell his mother. He stood on his tip toes and removed the baggie, and took off running, carrying the baggie with him. I was livid! Mostly because they'd done this before, as I've seen the baggies, but never saw who actually did it. I called the manager.
Perhaps it's because i don't know these children. I'd like to remain in the "ignorance is bliss" category with my friends' children and "know" that their kids would never behave like these gremlins because their parents actually care what their kids are doing, and where they are. Our apartment manager keeps telling me school will be back in session soon, but for some of these kids, that won't matter because they're so young. We may get some peace in the day time, but that's really not when they're the most obnoxious. It's in the late afternoon/evening when the office is closed! They're smart. I'll give em' that! They know no one can complain if they wait late enough to be annoying.
Maybe I'm being too harsh. Perhaps i should lighten up. But then again, we pay to live here, just like their parents who are getting a somewhat quiet afternoon, unlike their neighbors, because they've sent their kids to go play outside. But wouldn't playing out on the swings and the grass be better than playing on a dirty carpeted floor of the stairwell? I dunno. I was taught to respect the neighbors, and your elders, and others. Kids nowadays have no respect. Or maybe they do, just not for the mean lady who lives at the top of the stairs.
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