Happy WEDNESDAY, friends!
Today, I thought we’d combine…
…SHAY’S WAYS with a little WELLNESS WEDNESDAY and chat all things BEING NEIGHBORLY!
Because I feel like having a good relationship with your neighbors has to positively affect your wellness, right?!
Now, you people all know my roots.
Like a good neighbor…
Being “neighborly” is in my blood 😉 .
In May, my dear friend AND neighbor, Lauren…
…texted me and suggested I add “being neighborly” to my blog content. She sent me a few examples of what she meant, and I thought they were all BRILLIANT.
This is a GREAT topic we have yet to chat about.
Let’s remedy that now, shall we?
I truly feel like I’ve only lived directly next door to some amazing neighbors. I know we have been so so blessed because…some of my neighborhood neighbors do not enjoy who they live directly next door to, and I hear about it.
It’s really complicated when you buy your perfect home and put down your roots and really love where you’re planted and…a weed grows right next door.
Me and some of my lovely neighbors 🙂 .
Okay, here are a few “ways” that Lauren and her husband along with Andrew and me think help make us more “neighborly” (and I really, really, really can’t wait to read your thoughts in the comment section too!):
#1: UNTIMELY YARD MAINTENANCE
I think we can all agree that maintaining your yard is as much for your neighbor as it is for yourself. As Andrew says, “It doesn’t have to look like Amen Corner at Augusta, but it can look tidy.”. I think it’s neighborly though not just to maintain it to the best of your ability but to just be a wee bit conscientious of “when” you’re maintaining it. For example, using a leaf blower at 6:00 AM on a Saturday morning is probably not the ideal time.
#2: INCESSANT DOG BARKING
I have four dogs, I get it…sometimes they bark. The solution should never be though to leave them outside to bark their heads off while you go back inside to enjoy some peace and quiet away from said dog.
#3: PARKING, PARKING, PARKING
Any time my neighbors directly next door are having people over/entertaining, they always send a text and/or call in advance to let us know the date and time and to ask if it’s okay if cars are parked in front of our house. Of course, we don’t mind, but I always appreciate the heads up (and we reciprocate). I think it’s just polite to have an overall awareness of where you’re parking and where people coming into your home are parking. For instance, if the plumber is at your house, it’s probably not a good idea that he’s parked blocking the neighbor’s driveway.
#4: LATE NIGHT NOISE
Not all noises are “bad” late at night. The sound of my kids having a late night swim and laughing and being silly is sweet and oh so summery…unless you’re my next door neighbor who is trying to sleep. Then, it’s super annoying.
#5: FENCE SHARING
You know the old saying…good fences make great neighbors. I think this is very accurate, but I also think just being aware of the actual fence and making sure it’s being maintained, shrubs are being trimmed, your tree branches aren’t hanging over the side and dropping stuff into their yard…you know, that kind of thing is important too.
Andrew and Ashby at the Rangers/Yankees game with not one but TWO sets of neighbors 🙂 .
#6: KINDNESS
A friendly wave, a nice smile, bringing mail over that was inadvertently put in your mailbox…kindness between neighbors goes such a long way.
Which I think leads to…
#7: BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT
…I think if there is a problem, it’s probably better to lead with the benefit of the doubt. They might not know that when they leave the house, their typically very quiet dog goes berserk in the backyard and barks incessantly until they return.
#8: RETURN THINGS PROMPTLY AND IN GOOD CONDITION
I don’t know about your ‘hood, but we are constantly borrowing things from each other in ours. We swap pressure washers and edgers and a whole lot of random stuff. When you borrow from your neighbor, I think it’s great to return it in a timely manner, undamaged, with a full tank of gas (if required), and clean.
#9: PICK UP AFTER YOUR PETS
If your dog goes potty outside of your property, be kind and pick it up.
#10: TRULY BE THERE FOR EACH OTHER
Truly, truly, truly, I have seen this play out in real time, and no matter who you think “your people” are, in the event of an actual emergency, your next door neighbor becomes YOUR PEOPLE. Several years ago, we had an actual emergency where I had to leave the house right that minute because of an emergency outside of my home. At the time, Andrew was at work, I had two kids in elementary school and two kids napping upstairs. I called my next door neighbor, and I have no idea what she was doing at the time, but she was in my living room in under a minute. Fast forward a few years later, and one night, she walked into her home only to realize it had been burglarized and she called 911 and then us. You’ve never seen Andrew Shull move so fast. One night, I was making dinner and Andrew’s phone rang, and it was our across the street neighbor screaming that his house was on fire. I legit looked out that big window in my kitchen and holy freaking cow, his house was on fire. Neighbors are your people. Be there for each other.
As a reminder, earlier this year, we discussed Ways to Find Community and one of them was around your own neighborhood. Being neighborly is such an EXCELLENT way to have community.
Here we were just this past Friday being neighborly supporting a local event 🙂 .
Alrighty, I want to know your “ways” to be (or not to be!) neighborly. Please, please, please comment and share!
Don’t forget, I have other SHAY’S WAYS you might want to check out today too…
Just look:
25 Keys to a Peaceful Morning
22 Keys to making Fall Cozy
19 Key Fall Kitchen Essentials
18 Keys to Prepping for a Trip
14 Keys to Simplify BACK TO SCHOOL
21 Keys to Savoring Summer
21 Keys for Working at Home {Summer Edition}
25 Keys to Outdoor Summer Entertaining
25 Keys to Maintaining our Yard
17 Keys to my Holiday Prep
11 Keys to a Cozy Winter
9 Keys to Returning from a Trip
12 Keys to Leaving Your Kiddos When You Travel
13 Keys to Meal Planning
8 Keys to Creating Daily Routines You Love
21 Keys to Elevating the Everyday
13 Keys to Managing Jet Lag
9 Keys to a Cozy Halloween Night
19 Keys to Hosting Festive & Easy Holiday Parties
12 Keys to Adding Activity into the Everyday
17 Keys to Working From Home
9 Easy Afternoon Energizers
14 Simple Luxuries
8 Keys to Finding a Gym
21 Ways I Hygge
12 Ways for a Happier Day
7 Keys to Reducing/Avoiding Motion Sickness
8 Ways to Add “Vacation” to the Everyday
10 Keys to Getting Ready to Workout
8 Ways I Stay Healthy When I Travel
7 Ways to Make the Holidays Fun for Teens
9 Things NOT to do at the Gym
7 Ways to Find Community
11 Travel Finds in my Home
18 Ways to be Summer Chic
Happy Wednesday, friends!
I hope you have the BEST day! xx
Elspeth Mizner says
So many great ideas! I didn’t even think of the parking one! Also, sharing food is another idea, made too many cookies? Share some with a neighbor!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Mix and Match Mama says
YES!!!!
Mary Brown says
Great post! Curious question- with 4 dogs, how do you ensure they don’t bark constantly when outside while you are away for several hours? This such a hard thing!
Mix and Match Mama says
My dogs don’t stay outside unattended, so I can’t speak from personal experience…but I think it’s something, as a dog owner, you just have to figure out. People work from home, kids nap at home, people just need to be able to enjoy their home…so if someone has dogs barking all day long while they’re at work, that’s really unfair to the neighbors (and probably the dogs too, all of that barking can’t mean they’re at peace).
Allison says
Dog barking. ‘Nuff said!!
Bonnie Butler says
One of my New Year’s resolutions one year was to get to know my neighbors. I sent out to introduce myself to quite a few of them. It’s still not perfect, but it makes all these tips easier when you maintain a friendship. Or even a mere acquaintance.
Mix and Match Mama says
I love that you took that initiative!! Good for YOU!
Katie Compton says
Every Christmas I give our neighbors our Christmas card and a batch of my homemade chocolate fudge! They tell me they wait for it all year. 🥰 We also all come out and help shovel snow for each other or our elderly neighbors. Well, my husband does most of the shoveling and I provide fresh baked cookies!
Beyond that, just a smile and a good morning/afternoon/evening go a long way!!
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh wow! I love this!
Lisa D says
Oh I love this topic! I’ve had wonderful, lovely neighbors over many years and several homes. Smile, wave, be pleasant and accommodating — that is just basic kindness. Being a “good neighbor” takes effort. Here’s a few ideas:
Help with the trash cans. Sometimes a neighbor can’t put their refuse cans away so we wheel them up to their home for them. And they reciprocate. It’s a small gesture and much appreciated.
Invite the neighbors over for backyard drinks and snacks. It’s super easy and a casual way to get to know your neighbors.
Offer to get mail and/or watch their house when they go on a trip. Easy effort and again, much appreciated.
Pick up random trash in the neighborhood. Keeping our streets cleaned up is pretty easy.
Have a lovely, neighborly day😊
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh thank you, thank YOU, Lisa for sharing!! These are all wonderful additions.
Ashley D says
I love this post and think it’s so important to know your neighbors. Just recently, my husband and I were out of town and our next door neighbor came over and watered my flowers every single day. Plus, a few months ago when they were gone for 3 weeks, we retrieved packages from their porch and kept them until they returned home.
Also, just like you mentioned it’s nice to have a community around if you’re in need. For example, my husband travels for work and I know if I were to need immediate help, I have several neighbors I could go to. Great topic today!
Mix and Match Mama says
And you never mind helping a neighbor either, right? It just feels good to grab their mail for them or bring their trash bins back in, etc. It blesses everyone.
Paula Hobbs says
I love all of these tips! We are currently in the process of moving from a farmhouse & land into an HOA gated community and I’m so stinking excited about all of the neighborhood things. One of my biggest prayers is for nice neighbors. Thank you for sharing what works for you guys!
Lauren Palmer says
Such a good post and love seeing all the pictures of us over the years. 🩷 Thanks for being my neighbor!
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank YOU for the blog post suggestion 🙂 .
Sheaffer says
All great tips, and MY GOODNESS I loved Mr. Rodgers.
Lori says
I love these suggestions. We live in the country with at least 6-10 acres of land between neighbors but we always look out for each other.
Bren says
Same here, Lori. Add to that we are miles from town and during winter, it’s little things like offering to pick up groceries so an elderly neighbor doesn’t have to get out in the snow, knowing we will have to go to town to work and can easily pick those up and drop them off. And knowing in return, they keep an eye on things for us when we are gone too.
Susan P Fitzpatrick says
We are so blessed with the best neighbors. We try to do many of the things you listed to be neighborly. My parents actually moved in small part due to a neighbor they had good relations with but frequently had up to 10 Cairn terriers at their house!! If you google “Cairn terriers” you will find that they are barkers 😬 They bark ALL the time!!! Anyway, I can’t recommend getting to know your neighbors enough. You never know when you might need them and vice versa.
Gail says
I love this topic! YES to all the things you mentioned. We have an annual potluck BBQ in one of the culdesacs with games for the kids….its a great way for new people to get to know each other. We had a neighbor that had a mental health emergency and our neighbor hood took up a collection to pay her rent for the month she was gone. We share the extra space in our yard waste bins with each other. Drive each other to cancer appointments when needed. Gather mail and packages when someone is out of town. Let me tell you, the dog walkers are the ones that really know what is going on! They let us know (in a good way) when someone has a need. I love our neighborhood!
Lisa says
I’d add helping our elderly neighbors! My husband goes out and snow blows/shovels/cleans off the car of our widowed neighbor across the street. And she bakes him a pie with gratitude. 🙂 It’s the sweetest. One of our other neighbors is a fire fighter and is often out snow blowing for the fire department/the town, so while he’s out doing that my husband will clear off his driveway/sidewalk so it’s one less thing to do when he gets home from hours of plowing for other people.
Mix and Match Mama says
YES! I love this!! Thank YOU for this, Lisa!
Beth Valenta says
It has been difficult, as my neighbors are a lot older so they simply aren’t out as much. So to meet and be friendly, I walk every day and try to make some new connections. I have done cards, and my hubby does any yard issue, as we live next to a common area. My biggest connections come around the holidays…walking in the parade for July 4th, walking around on Halloween, Christmas lights…
Kathryn Story says
I love this post! We are so fortunate to have two amazing families as our next-door neighbors, and the fact that our kids are all around the same ages makes it even more fun. We’ve always been close, but after Hurricane Helene devastated our town, we grew even closer as we spent months helping each other clean up, rebuild, and get our homes and yards back in shape. ❤️
Jenny N says
We live in S. Texas and get hurricanes from time to time. After a hurricane most of the neighbors will get together with chain saws, rakes, etc. and go house to house helping to clean up yards and downed trees. Last year we just got a good wind one day and one neighbor had a very large tree limb go down. We got home and they were out cleaning it and we quickly changed clothes, put on our gloves and ran over to help them cut it up and haul it to the curb.
We let the neighbors know when we are going out of town so they can keep an eye on our house and vice versa. I walk a lot in the evenings and if one of the neighbors has their trash can still out I will always wheel it up to their garage. It just takes me a minute and it is one less thing they have to mess with once they get home.
Our neighbors will often tell us if they are having gatherings at their house. We usually offer our driveway if they need extra parking.
We live on a cul-de-sac and have a great group of neighbors! We got very lucky and are so thankful!
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank YOU so much for sharing this, Jenny! xx
Kay says
I have the funniest neighbor story! We are lucky enough to be friends with a few families in our neighborhood and we’ve raised our kids together. I have a text thread with a few other moms and one day, my husband was using a new power tool and I jokingly said “I’ll let you know if he saws an arm off.” Well, my poor sweet friend read the text too quickly and though he HAD sawed his arm…so moments later, my doorbell rang and she had sent her husband over to be there for our “emergency.” We straightened it all out and had a good laugh and still to this day mention in! But point is, yes, in an emergency the fact that my neighbor just jumped in and sent her husband to help was amazing!!!
K.K. says
We love doing treats for all our neighbors at Christmas too! And we’ve had some over for a meal. There’s something about sharing food. The other thing that came to mind is just sit or working in the front yard and looking around as we do it. Greeting people out walking. Helping someone get there stuff in from the store (or offering) just because once every couple of weeks, we are purposefully working or drinking tea/coffee in the front so we can see each other. Simple but works!
K.K. says
Ugh… *their* – ha ha!
Kristen says
I am lucky to live in a wonderful neighborhood where I have made best friends, we travel together, go out together, etc. As a neighborhood we have a bunch of neighborhood gatherings ( Oktoberfest , easter egg hunts, progressive dinner party where every house a different appetizer.. We were fortunate we moved into a wonderful neighborhood 20 yrs ago.
Kacey says
I’ve had my fair share of bad neighbors, especially in my 20s when I lived in a condo. That was one of the hardest things to really get a feel for when I bought my house, but wow, I’ve been blessed with great neighbors for the last 6.5 years! I’m moving on Friday (AHHHH!) and will miss this little neighborhood, especially the Halloweens. I would set up a projector with Casper playing & hand out goodies. It was always such a fun night! I however, will not miss the one dog who barks non-stop LOL!
Carol says
Greeting new neighbors moving in with warm cookies, or a casserole, or a tray of sandwiches, can be a welcoming gesture. A card included with your name and contact info can be helpful as they navigate a new neighborhood or town and have questions.
Mix and Match Mama says
I love this!!
b says
We have neighbors that we cannot, ever unsee unless all the blinds in our SUN ROOM are closed. To say they live in a cluttered mess is an absolute understatement. Our association has given them so much grace and yet the homeowner keeps pushing the envelope. They have COMPLETE disregard for their unslightly (I’m being VERY kind here) mess. Their 3 dogs, one very large, looks like it wants to run away and I can’t say I blame him. So very sad. Please keep me in your prayers. I’m begging you!
We moved to a 55+ single family home community last September and it’s been nothing but an absolute nightmare from a building perspective and very poor quality “neighbors” disappointement to date. We thought we did our homework and due dilligance, and we did, but it’s truly amazing what lurks in the shadows.
Just wating to die here now. No hope left.
b says
Please add me to your prayer list. I would be very, very appreciative.
Had we known this was going to be our retirement home- we most certainly would have NEVER taken this leap and moved into this living nightmare. And now – we’re stuck. Didn’t work my whole life to end up with this nonsense and complete disregard for others. But- that’s the neighborhood we landed in and it makes me cry every.single.day.
Mix and Match Mama says
I absolutely will be praying for you. I truly mean that.
B says
Thank you. And I am honestly honestly appreciative.
Bren says
B, I’m so sorry, sending prayers your way.
B says
Thank you so very much. Truly appreciative.
Crystal D says
We try to give our neighbors small gifts on days they are not expected- so we might do “boo baskets” or May Day treats. We want them to feel appreciated but not necessarily pressured to reciprocate (as in Christmas, etc.)
Mix and Match Mama says
Great ideas!!!
AliJ says
Yes to all of these! We love our neighbors and truly lucked out with them.
Jenn says
My husband plants a garden and we always have an abundance to share, so we like to knock on our neighbors doors with a basket and let them pick what looks good. I get a kick out of hearing afterwards when a neighbor will yell out as I’m going to my car what they ended up making with the veggies. And we’ve received zucchini bread and a tomato pie back from neighbors using our bounty. So fun!
Jessica says
I live in an older, established neighbor and have a lot of elderly neighbors. They introduced themselves the day we moved in, and we are always checking on each other. We exchange treats at Christmas, and we all help celebrate big milestones. One of them called me one night to take her to the ER because she had fallen and broke her ankle. 3 days later, her husband fell, broke a hip, and had surgery the next day. They are staying with family at the moment (and have for over a year now), but we often go over and check on the house. Having good neighbors is a must!
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh goodness! I’m so happy they had YOU!
Jen says
Where else can you drink and walk home!? Our neighbors are a variety of ages and it makes gatherings so fun! We tend to gravitate to the families with kids since we are at a similar stage but don’t be afraid to do the inviting!
Brooke says
I’m imagining your friend texting to complain about a neighbor and basic etiquette. Then she says “you should write a blog post about it!” because that’s the kind of passive aggressive thing I would come up with if I had a friend with a blog. 😉 hahaahaha
Mix and Match Mama says
I didn’t screenshot her specific text because it was clearly geared towards a specific person. Bahahaaha!
Hope says
I have been blessed with great neighbors. My neighbor across the street has grown children. When they were young they were heavily involved in softball. This past Spring, he saw me practicing with my 11 yr old and came over and talked to us. He went home and came back with 10 Softballs and a bucket for us. He and his wife also personally bring the kids in our section bags of candy at Halloween.
Between 4 houses in our cul de sac there are 8 kids. They are always going from house to house playing and riding bikes. I always make sure I have enough snacks for all the kids. In the summer I break out the snow cone machine. In the winter its hit chocolate. One neighbor said her daughter came home with her little disposable cup like she had just left Starbuck’s. They are holiday themes and write their names on it and put marshmallows in there.
We are always sharing things as well. Spices,shop vac,power washer, an extra pack of baby wipes to avoid that late night store run. One neighbors trampoline got ruined during a bad storm, so they come over and use our trampoline. We always let each other know when we are going to be away and we keep an eye on each other’s houses especially since we tend to have alot of storms with high winds in VA. The kids always convene in my yard during the snow because I have a hill!!!!!
My parents have great neighbors too. When I was young the neighborhood had a progressively cocktail party every Christmas. Four neighbors signed up and opened their homes for an hour at a designated time. You would bring your beverage and a dish and take it from house to house.
Neighborhood living isnt for everyone,but I cant imagine living anywhere else.
Mix and Match Mama says
I love, love your stories about neighbors!! This is how it should be 🙂 .
Sandi T. says
I am blessed to have so many wonderful neighbors, ranging in age too! We look after each other’s homes, water plants when away, swap baked goods, invite over for an event, etc. My 15 year old son even gets paid from time to time to help our older neighbors in their yards or with their pools. Our neighbors across the street from us have become such close friends over the years. They are a younger couple with a 5 year old daughter and 2 year old son. I’ve actually been fortunate enough to babysit them every now and then! My boys are teens now so getting time with little ones is so precious to me!
Emilee says
We have the best neighbors. My husband is a police officer and is often out working during terrible snow storms through our Midwest winters. Our neighbors take turns shoveling our drive on days he’s working and it is so appreciated by all of us!
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank your husband for his service! I love that your neighbors support you while he’s working.
Carolyn says
I grew up in a military family, and we moved often. My mom used to say if you want to HAVE a good neighbor, you have to BE a good neighbor. And it is really true! When new people move in our neighborhood, I always take a baked treat and a list with our family member’s names phone numbers for my husband and me. And I always say, “don’t hesitate to call or text if you need a recommendation or some help with something”! It starts the relationship off on a good note. It’s like making friends — someone has to make the first move!
Mix and Match Mama says
Yes, yes, YES! I love that quote from your mom!
Amy says
We share food with them. If we are cooking a big batch of soup in winter or grilling a lot of meat, we rotate taking our elder neighbors a plate. They don’t always cook any longer and love getting a cooked meal. Occasionally, they will ask when we are going to be grilling and bring over meat for the week so my husband can grill it for them. He does our elderly single neighbors mowing because we found out she was being over charged and on a fixed income. They help us when out of town taking care of our cat and getting mail. We invite them to kids birthday parties and when we host holidays at our house. They are precious!
Courtney says
One of my sweetest neighbors loves to give little gifts on small random holidays. I used to feel guilty because I didn’t have a little Halloween gift or 4th of July gift for them, but I’ve learned to simply say thank you and appreciate it! Giving is just her love language!
I also love that my neighbors call on us when they need a helping hand, and we always know we can do the same…pick up the mail, lift a heavy box, etc! You will get out of your neighborly relationships exactly what you put into it!
Love you neighbor!❤️
Stacie says
We live in a small neighborhood. We treat our neighbors the way we would want to be treated. We also help with letting animals out, I sometimes even ask if they need anything from a store if I’m running out on a bad weather day or if i know they are under the weather.
Renee says
I use house sitters / aka dog sitters while on vacation and give the neighbors a heads up that 18/19 year old girls will be in our home and that the house sitters have the neighbors number should they need anything when they are there alone. Just knowing the house sitters are being looked after is peace of mind.
Mix and Match Mama says
Another great idea!!
Debra says
I love this post – it really speaks to me because I was raised to always welcome and befriend new neighbors. I have lived my life that way. When we have a new neighbor, I always welcome them by introducing myself, giving them our phone numbers and offering any help they need as they get settled. We live on a street where we are friends with almost everyone. 4 sets of neighbors are new since Covid, and they have blended in seamlessly with us and the other neighbors.
We have a cul de sac text group and use it to let each other know if we are going to be out of town. We all help each other when we are out of town with watching each other’s homes, retrieving packages, watering, etc. We also use it to send cute pictures, check in on each other, tease each other, get something going like a neighbor party, etc.
We share with each other – we have two over producing apple trees and everyone is invited to pick some – one neighbor makes dutch apple pie with the apples and always brings us a giant slice. Some neighbors have gardens and bring produce to us every summer. My husband loves to smoke salmon and meats and always makes extra to bring some to neighbors. We also share whatever someone else needs – tools, sports equipment, lawn equipment, food (eggs, spices, whatever someone needs), kitchen equipment, extra coolers, etc.
We celebrate good times and milestones – birthdays, new babies, graduations, promotions, marriages, baptisms, awards, etc. We attend games when we can for neighbor kid sports teams to cheer them on and support their fundraisers for school, sports teams, clubs, etc.
We are there to help each other in hard times – I babysat a new neighbor’s infant overnight when their toddler went to the emergency room and played with their now littles when I found out their daycare closed and they were taking shifts working from home. We are on two neighbor’s school emergency contact/pick up list. We helped an elderly neighbor with health issues with meals, trash day, mail retrieval, grocery shopping, etc. He has since moved into assisted living and we still have him on the group text to keep in contact with him. One neighbor coordinated all the neighbors in sending him Christmas cards at his new address this year. When my dad died, our neighbors were there with meals, cards, flowers, condolences and offers to help in any way.
We do things with each other – we visit in the cul de sac and watch the kids play, the husband’s have a hiking and fishing group (wives can go too), we invite each other for dinner or happy hour, one neighbor has a 4th of July cook out in the cul de sac, everyone is invited and brings a dish, another neighbor hosts everyone for a Christmas appetizer night, we host everyone for a summer cookout in our backyard. Neighbors with kids invite us to birthday and graduation parties and other celebrations.
We try to make things special for the kids – this year we hosted an Easter Egg hunt in our backyard and the kids loved it – some of the moms brought homemade baked goods to enjoy after the hunt.
We just love our neighbors and feel so blessed to live with such great neighbors who genuinely like, help, look out for, celebrate, and trust each other.
Mix and Match Mama says
Wow, Debra, what a beautiful look at how things should be with our neighbors. You can feel how blessed you are through these words. Thank you so so so much for sharing. xx
Jennifer C. says
I could go on and on about our wonderful neighborhood of 14 years! But I chuckle thinking back to when my kids were babies and toddlers and my dear next-door neighbor (who loves doing yard work) inevitably used her leaf blower EVERY SINGLE DAY during nap time. I was like FOR THE LOVE, WHAT ON EARTH COULD SHE POSSIBLY BE USING IT ON NOW?! I’ve never told her that – we’d probably laugh about it over cocktails now.