My Neighbor's Going to Hate Me....

Yes, I'm a nosy neighbor. The kind that watches everything. I guess I'm home during the day, and I like to keep my neighborhood safe. I take Neighborhood Watch seriously.

A young man came to my door claiming to be participating in a magazine contest. I asked him for identification and to see his solicitor's permit. In our village, you need a solicitor's permit if you want to go door to door. He told me he didn't have one, and he was just dropped off by someone else to canvas our neighborhood.

I told the young man politely, he needed to go to city hall and get a permit. He left my doorstep and walked directly to my neighbor's house. So Bee-atch that I am, I called the village to report him.

In our small town, the police are quick. They were at my neighbor's house within 3 minutes ringing her doorbell asking to speak with the solicitor. I'm sure my neighbor is pissed and thinks I'm a busy body, but I don't care. I'd rather my neighborhood be safe.

Part of my beeatchiness is coming from the fact just a few years ago, one of these crack pot magazine sale companies crammed a bunch of teenagers into a van which over turned on the highway. The driver at the time didn't want to be pulled over, so he attempted to switch drivers while going 65mph. Several young lives were senselessly lost that day and now in Wisconsin, we have laws regarding these traveling magazine sales companies.

This neighbor is not directly next to us, but around the back corner. I'm sure she's freaked out to know someone was watching and then called the police. Frankly, I'm shocked she invited the young man into her home.

When strangers come to my door, I step out to meet them, closing the door behind me. My children wait and watch from inside, ready to pick up the phone if needed.

Last summer, while playing in the back garden, to my surprise two Mormon boys decided since we didn't answer the doorbell, it must be ok to walk around to our back yard. Upon seeing the strangers, my youngest decided to run and hide around the corner of the house. He later told me he was watching to see if they were going to harm me, and he was ready to run to the neighbors to call 911.

Yes, I guess DS and I can be a little paranoid, but I'd like to think we are just cautious.