It happened again...

Mhmm, because you know, there is not enough stress on my life as it is, some people just have to continue putting more and more on...

A particular neighbour has phoned the bylaw office on us again. This time, we were just getting in from shopping for the garage sale and saw the 2 officers coming out of the backyard. So, I got out of the car and went to talk to them.

A neighbour had called and complained in the beginning of the week that we had garbage and debris scattered around our property. Now, you have to understand, that I take warnings seriously...after that first letter, as frustrating as it was, we have made sure to keep the outside of property up to bylaw standards. I don't like conflict and I don't want to, nor do I want my kids to have to grow up with problems where we live.

We have been cleaning through the house like mad people and have piles and piles of garbage each week, neatly put outside until garbage day, which is Friday.

I asked the bylaw officers, who were really quite pleasant to speak with, if there were problems they saw and they said that they couldn't understand why they were called. There were no violations at all with our property.

- I told them that we did have about 4 bags of garbage on the driveway until this morning, but where else am I supposed to keep the garbage. Oh, there is nothing wrong with that at all!!
- I pointed out the pile of crap on the porch and they said there was nothing wrong with that either.
- I asked about the backyard and aside from some unsightly weeds, which were not a problem, there was nothing wrong.

How frustrating is it that we have to deal with people like this? I said goodbye to the bylaw officers and told them that I was sure we would see them again, and probably get to know each other on a first name basis soon...because when someone on your street doesn't like the way you choose to live, and your property isn't 'picture perfect' then the calls would definitely continue...

My brother has phoned the city and they said that very frequently people use the bylaw office as a way to get to their neighbours that they don't like. Homeowners who are harassed by these 'mean people' have been very successful in taking them to court and suing for $10,000. I would be happy just sending a legal notice saying that they have no right harassing us in the way that they are...

I just wish it would stop...it will DEFINITELY make for an interesting day at the sale tomorrow. I am going to be very vocal about how pissed off I am and how the officers thought it was a ridiculous call...I like to 'read' people...