| Author | Message | ||
     Oldstone Citizen Username: Rogers4317 Post Number: 510 Registered: 6-2004  |
interesting, ALMOST everyone on my street bothered. i guess particular difficulty and time consumption negate responsibility.} | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 6563 Registered: 5-2001  |
We always clear our walk and those of our neighbors. This weekend, I was out of town and TS was unable to do it because of a foot injury. Some wonderful friends did part of our walk, but since we have a corner, couldn't get to all of it. A bag of Ice Melt weighs about 25-50lbs if you get enough to be effective. And it does no good to sprinkle it if you aren't there when it melts to scoop it away. Otherwise, it just refreezes. So, methinks that there were many people this time out who waited for it to melt, for a variety of reasons. •••• happens. And everyone who can't isn't lazy or cheap. Pretty friggin' judgmental, if you ask me. | ||
| Brett Citizen Username: Bmalibashksa Post Number: 2119 Registered: 7-2003 |
Not to get to graphic. I have a pretty bad back, and have had it go out on me at the worst times. When this happens I’m debilitated, I can barley function. Sometimes I’m walking with a glass of water and if I twist wrong the pain is so bad I vomit. There is no way I could spread Salt out of a bag. I can hardly use a salt shaker when standing up. | ||
| oots Citizen Username: Oots Post Number: 346 Registered: 6-2001 |
c'mon rain already!!!! oots | ||
| James Citizen Username: Gymtagart Post Number: 10 Registered: 11-2005 |
Oh ••••. Its mid January and one of our own didn't think that it would snow or get cold this winter,. so she didn't bother to get salt. Oh ••••. One of our own doesn't feel comfortable asking a neighbor for help during her temporary disability, but has the balls to complain that nobody had stepped up to offer help. (I was going to offer to help until I got to that one). Oh ••••. I can't find the post where anybody complained about CLK, or chastised her. I did find several posters making suggestions and/or extending their hopes for a quick recovery, but CLK wants the town to quit picking on her. Oh ••••, Give me a break. | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 6564 Registered: 5-2001 |
For all you who think that people should ask for help, please post your addresses/phone numnbers so that you are easier to contact. This particular weather event left a particularly nasty mess to clean up. Some people don't know their neighbors and are reluctant to call and ask for a favor that will take an hour after that particular neighbor has cleaned their own mess. Others may know their neighbors, but are aware of the fact that maybe they have their own limitations (single parent, sick child, working, caring for ill parent/spouse) that would prevent them from asking the neighbor to take on another task. Whatever. I'm not saying that people shouldn't do all that they reasonably can to clear their walks. But, unless you high and mighty folks are willing to be part of the service to which CLK refers, all I can say is that I'd love to live in your perfectly balanced world. | ||
| Carrie Avery Citizen Username: Carrie33 Post Number: 1284 Registered: 1-2005  |
Greenetree's perfect comment: "all I can say is that I'd love to live in your perfectly balanced world." Exactly,bottom line: hire someone, do it yourself, get to know your neighbors, and stop complaining. This is real life, afterall. | ||
| CLK Supporter Username: Clkelley Post Number: 1820 Registered: 6-2002  |
James, I don't know why I'm responding but you're way out of line. I have rock salt (some), I just can't spread it. Granted, I am running low - probably not enough to do the whole sidewalk, but I didn't anticipate being knocked flat on my back. Sorry 'bout that. As greenetree said, •••• happens. YES, I think that instead of complaining about your neighbors, you should offer to help them. I've done that myself. Every year it's the same damn thing around here - people on their high horses complaining about their neighbors, and you have no idea - none - what might have led to them not cleaning their sidewalks. For some, granted, they can't get off their lazy butts. For others - you simply have no idea what's going on in their houses, and absolutely no right to judge. Go offer help. You might be doing your neighbors a good turn - or you might embarrass them into doing it themselves. I would have been VERY happy if anybody had offered to help me. As to complaining about me, here's a small sampling of the snarkiness I got: "Even someone with a bad back can sprinkle some rock salt. " "the people on my street that NEED assistance get it from their neighbors." ("need" in caps implies that perhaps I don't really "need" the help.) "I have no sympathy for anybody who doesn't clear their walk for any reason.... I feel for you CLK, I really do. But just because you have a bad back doesn't mean you should wish it on somebody else." (WHY would I wish it on anybody else? What above made it sound as if I had?) I'm sorry if you think I sound cranky - frankly after being immobilized with pain for several days, I'm just not my usual perky self. If you can't take that, then do what AlleyGater suggested. | ||
| CLK Supporter Username: Clkelley Post Number: 1821 Registered: 6-2002 |
Carrie, who do I hire? Give me the phone number now. I want it on file. I know my neighbors, just not well enough to ask them for help. I'm out of the house from 7 AM to 5 PM every day, then making dinner, helping my kid with her homework, doing laundry, tidying up, and crashing into bed at 9; and busy running errands all weekend. So I'm not exactly sure how I'm supposed to fit in this delightful social life full of dear friends, as close as family, you folks all seem to have. I'm not sure how you get to know people well enough to call them up and ask them to chip ice off your sidewalk. That seems like a heck of a favor. Have any of you ever asked for that kind of favor? Just curious. | ||
| Dave Supporter Username: Dave Post Number: 8433 Registered: 4-1997  |
(God is punishing CLK) | ||
| CLK Supporter Username: Clkelley Post Number: 1823 Registered: 6-2002 |
Dave, curse you - you made me laugh and it hurts ....  | ||
| Meandtheboys Citizen Username: Meandtheboys Post Number: 2665 Registered: 12-2004  |
CLK, I'm sorry I came to this thread so late. If I had been here from the beginning I would have offered to clear your sidewalk. Hubby had a nice 4-day weekend so some of the pressure was off over here. Going to PL you with my phone number, just in case you need anything else. Put me on your list of friends to call in this type of emergency. The kids can sit in a heated car while I throw down some salt and chip away some ice. Hope you're feeling better soon. | ||
| CLK Supporter Username: Clkelley Post Number: 1824 Registered: 6-2002 |
You're a doll, meand. So are a few others here. Thanks to the unnamed sweetie-pies up above. | ||
| Meandtheboys Citizen Username: Meandtheboys Post Number: 2666 Registered: 12-2004 |
And I'm very, very serious about you keeping my number. I'm sure it must be hard to work all day and not have a chance to get to know your neighbors. I'm lucky enough to be at home (although sometimes I don't always feel lucky  ), so I know lots of folks who live around me. In a pinch there are quite a few I could call. It's not always something I want to do, but it's nice to have the option. I don't have family close by either. I have no problem with anyone asking me a favor. It never hurts to ask. And, like I said, if it's something I can't manage, I won't hesitate to tell you that. | ||
| Joan Supporter Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 6924 Registered: 5-2001 |
One problem with this weekend's storm is that it was ice that fell, not snow. There really was no window of opportunity for the somewhat infirm to get out and and shovel before moving the mess became next to impossible. Another problem is that there was so little to move. On my sidewalk the accumulation was less than an inch, just a coating really and there was no way to get adequate traction to get under even some of the ice mass and scrape it off. The sun did not cooperate either; neither did the temperature. I can well understand how some of us considered it necessary to wait for slightly warmer temperatures so the stuff would be easier to move. By this afternoon, most of the remaining ice coating was reduced to slush and there is really no reason why most of us (persons with severe back injuries like CLK excepted) could not get out there and push it to the side. | ||
| flugermongers Citizen Username: Flugermongers Post Number: 557 Registered: 5-2001  |
Jeez... everyone is jumping on CLK - and as CLK said, that situation is mild. There are old and disabled and sick people who can't. I agree with Greenetree - it's insane the way you people are acting. Not all people who don't shovel are lazy or cheap. Sheesh. | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 11972 Registered: 1-2003  |
OK, file my name and email address. You can find my address and phone number by typing "phonebook: tom reingold, 07040" into google. My email address is noglider@pobox.com If you want neighborly help for the next storm, contact me, and I'll see what I can do. Who else is game for this sort of arrangement? | ||
| upondaroof Citizen Username: Upondaroof Post Number: 511 Registered: 4-2003 |
"(God is punishing CLK)" Dave, you actually spelled out "God". Is that politically correct? | ||
| upondaroof Citizen Username: Upondaroof Post Number: 512 Registered: 4-2003 |
"Carrie, who do I hire?" CLK, try thinking in terms of people who work outdoors, who may not be able to work outdoors due to the weather, such as landscapers, roofers, handyman, etc., who could probably use a few extra bucks in the slack time. | ||
| Just The Aunt Supporter Username: Auntof13 Post Number: 3649 Registered: 1-2004  |
I only discovered this thread and I'm sadden by what I've been reading. Instead of everyone jumping on CLK how come nobody (until Tom and Meand) offered to go help her out? The poor woman asked numerous times for someone to suggest who to call. She said she really didn't know anyone well enough to ask a favor of. Come on, where is the compassion for others? I could understand if she just felt she didn't have to clear the walk, as someone else here has pretty much said they decided about their own walk. I'm thinking this might be a good project for the Boy Scouts to take on. Maybe for a Scout working towards his Eagle he could compile a list of those in South Orange and Maplewood who would need help clearing their walk when it snows. Maybe a number could be set up for those who find themselves in CLK's situation to call if they need help? Maybe the service could be free for those on a fixed income, but a small fee charged to those who might need help on occassion? | ||
| C Bataille Citizen Username: Nakaille Post Number: 2402 Registered: 5-2001 |
My beef is with people like MBJ who say, in effect, "I don't give a sh*t. Walk around it!" CLK, since you know yourself to be someone who normally manages this responsibility without hesitation I say cut yourself some slack, stop reading this thread and go read a good book instead. And don't take it so personally. | ||
| upondaroof Citizen Username: Upondaroof Post Number: 514 Registered: 4-2003 |
"I'm thinking this might be a good project for the Boy Scouts to take on." JTA, Possibly the best idea yet to come out of this topic. Now you need to get it in front of the powers that be. You go, girl! | ||
| James Citizen Username: Gymtagart Post Number: 11 Registered: 11-2005 |
You're responding because you feel guilty. You ask for a phone number to get someone to go to Home Depot to get rock salt, but now you say you have rock salt. You, to your credit, help your neighbors, but you don't feel comfortable asking them for help, and at the same time complain that your online friends hadn't rushed to you aid. Nobody criticized you for not clearing your sidewalk before you joined in this thread. And to my mind, nobody has yet. You feel different. | ||
| Bob K Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 10317 Registered: 5-2001 |
Usually local urchins come around and offer to shovel for money. This time it didn't happen because of the ice and the really cold weather on Sunday. I would suggest stocking up on salt or salt substitute and buying one of those ice choppers at HD or Drug Fair. | ||
| C Bataille Citizen Username: Nakaille Post Number: 2403 Registered: 5-2001 |
BTW, regarding the heavy sacks of salt, etc. Yes, those are backbreaking if you've ever had any kind of back injury. Plus any unused portion seems to turn quickly into a serious rock even when I transfer it to a covered plastic bucket. I've resorted to buying the smaller plastic containers (about a gallon size or a little more but not even as heavy as liquid gallons) that come with their own shaker tops. More expensive but much easier to manage. I don't often use it but for this kind of ice it's really helpful and "just a little dab'll do ya!" Also, the ice chopper I bought years ago has been a great boon as well. This time, however, the ice was thin enough to just use the edge of the one metal snow shovel we keep on hand for when the ergonomically-correct plastic shovels aren't the right tool. | ||
| CLK Supporter Username: Clkelley Post Number: 1825 Registered: 6-2002 |
James - I do not and did not feel guilty in the slightest. I am, however, very angry at people who are so judgmental against their neighbors without knowing what is going on in those households. I am so incredibly sick of the smug, self-righteous attitude that I see so often here. Think what you want to think, but you are wrong. (as I said, I have *some* salt, just not enough for the job that was at hand. It would have been enough to deal with a normal snow fall, and would have been used primarily on my own stoop and the walk to the car - but not enough for my whole sidewalk. OK, live and learn, I should get in a big bag when I can lift it again - but I can say with some assurance that many people would not have anticipated the junction of an ice storm and a totally unexpected injury. And even if I had it, I couldn't have spread it anyway, so it's kind of a pointless hair to split, don't you think?) | ||
| MBJ Citizen Username: Mbj Post Number: 93 Registered: 10-2005 |
Hey CB, the ice is gone now. All is well. | ||
| AlleyGater Citizen Username: Alleygater Post Number: 1078 Registered: 10-2004 |
Just one last point. CLK, I want you to know that I barely know my neighbors too. I mean I met the homeowners of the 3 adjoining houses but I barely say hello to them when I see them. I've been in the house over 2 years now. I know MAYBE 2 people enough to bother saying hi to from the jitney and I knew 1 good friend that already lived here before I moved to this town. So I feel ya. You at least have magical kids who I've been told helps you meet people in the suburbs. Some people mentioned that the train is the other magical way to meet people, but the year or more before I had an ipod I never met a soul and now that I have an ipod, I doubt I will ever meet a soul via the trains. So unless I find more time in my schedule and change my personality type by going out of my way to be super-friendly to my neighbors and re-introduce myself all over again I doubt highly that I'm suddenly going to get town friends to do me favors (let alone big ones like clearing off a sheet of ice from my sidewalks and stairs). So I feel where your coming from. Also just to repeat myself: Meand, doesn't all this selflessness and (possibly) unwarranted kindness get you in all sorts of problems? I thought we discussed this before? Right? | ||
| Meandtheboys Citizen Username: Meandtheboys Post Number: 2673 Registered: 12-2004 |
Lost me Alley. I have no idea what you're talking about. Sorry. | ||
| bets Supporter Username: Bets Post Number: 22657 Registered: 6-2001  |
What's up with that, Alley? Meand is a genuinely nice person who follows through. Have fun with your iPod solitude. | ||
| Meandtheboys Citizen Username: Meandtheboys Post Number: 2674 Registered: 12-2004 |
Thanks bets. Hope you're feeling better. | ||
| Duncan Supporter Username: Duncanrogers Post Number: 5622 Registered: 12-2001  |
uponaroof Great Otherworldly Diety just so there is no misunderstanding among believers. Agnostics, well I can't help you. CLK hope you feel better soon. | ||
| Duncan Supporter Username: Duncanrogers Post Number: 5623 Registered: 12-2001 |
uponaroof Great Otherworldly Diety} just so there is no misunderstanding among believers. Agnostics, well I can't help you. CLK hope you feel better soon. } | ||
| AlleyGater Citizen Username: Alleygater Post Number: 1080 Registered: 10-2004 |
Bets it wasn't a slam on Meand. I could be wrong, because it is hard for me to keep track of each personality and screenname that is on MOL. But I remember helping someone (I thought it was meand) with an ipod dillemma that they found themselves in because they were a "genuinely nice person". At that time I queried that person then whether their rampant generosity ever gets them in trouble. Call me jaded but I find that if you keep extending yourself EVENTUALLY you get bit in the rear end by someone taking advantage of you or otherwise. Since Meand has no clue what I was talking about then maybe it wasn't her. Was it upon maybe? Regardless I'm still flummoxed how people can be so generous and kind without repurcussions. It's a mystery to me. Don't they ever regret it? Don't get me wrong, I can be extremely helpful and generous too (at times) but usually only when it is warranted. Does that make more sense now? | ||
| Meandtheboys Citizen Username: Meandtheboys Post Number: 2675 Registered: 12-2004 |
Nope, makes no sense at all. CLK seems like a nice person, although I've never met her in person, and she seems like she was genuinely in a bind, and if I were able, I'd like to help her out. I'm always happy to do a favor for someone if it's within my ability to do so. And, for the life of me, I can't see how that would come back to bite me in the •••. I'd like to think that someone would do the same for me if it were ever needed. As the saying goes "it takes a village," and not just to raise a child! Sounds like you really are a bit jaded. And I don't own an Ipod, so it wasn't me you were thinking of. | ||
| bets Supporter Username: Bets Post Number: 22666 Registered: 6-2001 |
Alley, if you're finding it hard to keep track, maybe you should take a break. Or at least research threads you feel compulsed to criticize. | ||
| James Citizen Username: Gymtagart Post Number: 12 Registered: 11-2005 |
The ice is gone. Here's hoppin your back is better soon | ||
| AlleyGater Citizen Username: Alleygater Post Number: 1086 Registered: 10-2004 |
Bets, cut me some slack...please?!? The thread I was referring to was this one and it was JTA who is as big of mensch as meand. My apologies for confusing both or your good deeds for eachothers. My bad. | ||
| Just The Aunt Supporter Username: Auntof13 Post Number: 3658 Registered: 1-2004 |
Alley- It was me with the iPod 'problem.' | ||
| Meandtheboys Citizen Username: Meandtheboys Post Number: 2678 Registered: 12-2004 |
Oh no, no, no. JTA is a way bigger mensch than I am on any given day of the week! And, well, thanks for the compliment Alley (I think)!  |
