10 Reasons Your Parents Make Great Neighbors

Hope you enjoy this post by a fellow blogger. Sheryl sent me a link to her article and permission to share it with you! Thank you for sharing, Sheryl.

10 Reasons Your Parents Make Great Neighbors

Many families end up scattered across the country these days. Trying to stay connected to parents can be difficult at times. There are those, however, who have not moved far from home. They have managed to purchase or build a home next door to their parents. This type of situation can have many advantages.

1. Babysitting – With the grandparents next door, babysitters are often available at short notice and without much hassle. Having Mom or Dad watch the kids while you run to the store or even do chores around the house, can be very helpful.
2. Security – Parents are going to keep an eye on your home when you’re away. They’ll notice anything out of the ordinary faster than the average neighbor. There won’t be any teenage parties at your home while you’re out of town, if Grandpa and Grandma are watching from next door.
3. Pet sitting – No need to pay for boarding services with parents that close by. Just hand them a key and give a few instructions, and be on your way without any worries.
4. Family gatherings – No long trips for family gatherings. In addition, you can combine your yard space to accommodate larger numbers of people for summer picnics.
5. Recipe shortages – You might hesitate going to a neighbor to borrow a couple of eggs or other ingredients that you need to finish a recipe, but doing the same from your parents wouldn’t cause you any embarrassment at all.
6. Shared rides – When going to visit other relatives or driving to any other destination, you can easily share transportation by riding together, instead of driving separately.
7. No privacy fence – There should be no need for a privacy fence to be built between your two homes, assuming that your relationship with your parents is a good one.
8. No overnight visits – With your parents living right next door, you don’t have to be concerned with them coming to stay at your house for any length of time. You can be assured that they’ll come home to their own beds at the end of any visit.
9. No complaints – You shouldn’t have to worry about your parents complaining about the noise your children make or how early you mow your lawn. Parents generally will give their kids much more leeway than they would other neighbors.
10. Sharing – Having your parents next door can be a convenience for both of you. You may have tools that your dad doesn’t have, or vice versa. If one or the other needs a few extra lawn chairs, it can be easy to share those types of items with one another, without concern for their return.

As long as you get along good with your parents, they can be the best neighbors anyone could hope for. In a day and age when many families are divided by distance, this is a rare privilege.

If you click on the title of this post you will be re-directed to a web page for changeofaddress.com. I found this site useful with tips and resources for anyone who has recently moved. Hope you find it helpful too.

Fall?!

The last few summer days are fading fast! With school starting and everyone getting back into a more structured routine comes the thought of fall.  Well maybe not on our lingering 95+ days but little signs of it like our enjoyable 75degree nights.


Things to help around your home now....

Change your Central Air/Heat air filters - Keeping those filters clean will really make a difference in your units efficiency.

Change the batteries in your smoke detectors.

Move the Furniture - Allergies for most people are seasonal and many of us take the time to move things around for deep cleaning in the spring but don't think about it in the fall.  Fall allergies can be reduced by cleaning under those beds, couches, tables, etc...get the dust & spiders cleared out and make your home easier to breathe in!

Caulk around doors & windows - Most homes windows and doors are caulked when they are installed to help improved energy efficiency.  However, over time weather and age shrink and crack caulking.  So checking and refreshing it in the fall is a good way to keep your home as energy efficient as possible. 

Clean your outdoor/indoor windows - Spring cleaning is a natural time to do this but doing it at the beginning of fall will make the windows easier to clean in the spring and clear out any spider eggs or bug nest that might be hiding in the corners!

Compost & Mulch - Adding a fresh layer of compost will help feed you perennials and shrubs during the winter months and adding a fresh layer of mulch will protect the roots as the colder months approach. Prepare a spot in your garage or shed for any potted plants that you will need to overwinter.  Having a spot ready will make it easier to move them when the lower temps dip to near freezing temperatures.

Reset those Sprinklers - The cooler temps mean you don't need to water as often.  Reset your timers and consider turning off unneeded zones.  It's a good time to go ahead and wrap any exposed or free standing water pipes, you might also consider a thermal wrap on your hot water heater. Disconnect the water hose and get it ready to store.  You may still need it but disconnecting it from the faucet will let you know how much you are still using it.

Clean, Clear Out & Cover -  Now is the time to dry brush all your outdoor furniture, clean the furniture with a mild soapy solution and check for any paint or rust repair that may be needed.  After everything is looking clean and ready cover the furniture with an outdoor cover with sturdy tabs to ensure a snug fit.  Spot clean cushions and take a shop vac to vacuum them well.  You can either store the cushions on the furniture under the cover or put them in their own box in your garage, attic or shed.  An indoor space will keep the fabric more conditioned and help the life of the cushion last longer. When covering a table that is not under a covered space put a bucket upside down on the table so that water or snow will easily slide off.  Clean and check all outdoor toys.  Wash all toys with a detergent and bleach solution and dry well.  Any broken or damaged toys can be tossed.  Any outgrown toys can be donated. Summer balls can be cleaned and deflated for storage.  Pack away the remaining summer toys in a plastic storage container with secure lid.  Now everything is in good shape and you will know where it is when the warmer outdoor days return!

Energy Rates - http://www.powertochoose.com/ Make sure you have the best rate for your family to ensure the biggest savings for your fall/winter power usage!


Veggie Garden - Consider planting lettuce, greens, squash, and beans for veggies that will thrive in the cooler temps.

Things to do in Waxahachie...

Living in our community provides a lot of opportunities for things to do right here in Midlothian.  However, we also benefit from opportunities from our neighbor, Waxahachie! Below are a few links I hope you find useful.

http://www.downtownwaxahachie.com/events/

Also, Waxahachie has a Country Club that has an open membership for other residents.  Membership can be as simple as a golf membership or a membership that offers other benefits and services.

http://www.waxahachiecountryclub.com/membership.html

Texas Theater

http://www.texasmusictheater.com/

Ellis County Master Garden Program

http://www.ecmga.com/

Ellis County Children's Theater

http://www.ecctheater.org/calendar.html

Waxahachie Festivals

Ellis County Trails & Festivals


Get involved & enjoy your community this summer!