The Road where I live

I was interested to read Hannah's comments on her blog , about being unhappy where she lived. Steve and my first home was a one bedroom flat. Despite the lack of space we were very happy there ...until we had a drug dealer and his prostitute girlfriend move in downstairs. It is horrible feeling unsafe in your own home. We were lucky that we were renting so didn't have to worry about selling it. We bought our house in 2000, back when houses were affordable. We are very lucky that all our neighbours are , well neighbourly. I'd feel comfortable knocking on their door if I needed anything. I don't take this for granted though, after my experience in the flat I am only too well aware it only takes one bad apple...
I don't think neighbourliness (is that a word?) is about money. I have friends that live in a very desirable road and her neighbours don't even acknowledge her. Then again my parents live in Thorpe Bay which has a reputation for being stuck up, but Mum and Dad feel very at home there.
My heart goes out to Hannah , stuck some where she hates. I think it is everyone's worst nightmare.

House Beautiful

It takes me three steps from my bathroom door to the loo. We have got one little bathroom, there is room for the loo, the sink and the bath. Its the next big spend really - its needs re tiling (Steve painted over the tiles when we first moved but the paint is peeling now)and a new floor. Sharon has got a lovely big bathroom. true, she did rip out the original when she first moved in. She had a dark brown suite - ugh! But now she has got a bright room with lots of storage space for her bits and pieces. her posh Molten Brown bottles are displayed on a glass ledge. I'm jealous of her bathroom, but that is okay because Sharon is jealous of my kitchen. My kitchen is quite big and 2 years ago we had a new kitchen put in. I love my kitchen,lots of storage, some where to sit and I have a display cabinet. A display cabinet - get that! Sharon's kitchen is small, although she has done a good job with it and has cleverly designed it so it looks bigger than it really is - I prefer my kitchen. I just wish I had a bigger bathroom.Ruthie has got a bigger bathroom even though her house is smaller - how jealous am I? Perhaps next time I'll take smaller steps to create an illusion of space.

I have to remind myself of when we first moved here. We never thought we would ever be in a position to buy a house like this and we were so happy. I still am happy, its just occasionally I need to remind myself how lucky I am.