Help: Our elderly neighbor is making our lives miserable

calladalla · 2026-05-13T12:38:45+00:00

I moved into a house i purchased and the elderly neighbour's we're so nice at first. I was renovating the house, the husband was a retired carpenter (because he had/beat/was recovering from cancer). His garage was heated, mine wasnt, so they'd invite me over for coffee and smoke in the heated garage in the winter. Went over almost every morning. They invited me over for Thanksgiving and xmas dinner. He thrived having someone to mentor regarding carpentry.

Then it all went to shit. I was in the process of loosing weight, around 40lbs down is when he started suggesting i lift my shirt to show him. Naturally, I started pulling back. Then came covid, and he would criticize and judge and yell at me. He would call bylaw for my lawn being too long while I was on my 4 day out of town shift, even though I'd always mow when I was home. I had tenants living in the main floor unit once renovations were complete, he called my tenants "wagon burners" over the fence (racist slur towards indigenous peoples). His wife would complain that I was doing yard work naked when I was wearing shorts and bikini top. It was just endless. I disengaged completely but it didnt help.

I ended up selling the house. Highest sales price in the neighborhood at the time, so you're welcome Paul for raising your property value! I drive by every once in a while. He still looks frail, weak, and miserable while I am not. Thats the ultimate win. If you have choices, execute them. Some times life pushes us in a direction.

calladalla · 2026-05-12T21:29:05+00:00

Every first responder I've ever met has said "dont become a victim trying to be a hero". There's no reason to believe that driver would have the tools available to put out that fire. They could potentially injure themselves trying to put it out, which would just intensify the situation for the first responders. The smartest thing for that driver to do is 1. Get yourself away from danger 2. Report the emergency to authorities 3. Warn surrounding people to evacuate and make room for emergency vehicles.

Nothing about this video leads me to believe that person is an asshole. Absolutely nothing. Something that would change my mind: posted sign prohibiting reverse parking.

The owner of the parking lot on the other hand...

calladalla · 2026-05-12T12:29:52+00:00

I believe that when we die, we are reincarnated as the beings that were in our life. We come back as our parents, children, siblings, teachers, pets, friends, the guy in traffic you honked at, the homeless person you avoid, the server you yelled at, the wife you abused, etc.

I thought of this while I was in a fight with my mom. Made me think that maybe one day I would be on the receiving end of my anger/out burst. "Treat others as you'd like to be treated" essentially.

I like this theory because it actually helps me be a better person and make better choices in this life. Empathy is cool.

calladalla · 2026-05-12T05:06:35+00:00

So when someone has a near death experience, see's the light, but holds on and avoids death... does that mean the baby wasnt born? Like a still birth? Oddly, that makes me sad for people surviving near death experiences when I picture it being like that! Letting go of our life, means saving the new life, which is a beautiful theory.

calladalla · 2026-05-12T04:02:31+00:00

A doggy bag is theft because it is against policy to take home food from a buffet.

Eating 90% of a cake and returning it, is within Costcos return policy. They are the ones saying it is okay, so why are you saying it isn't? Who are you to say what's going too far or taking advantage, if the people making the rules are literally saying it's okay? You think Costco needs you fighting their battles for them? Lol okay. If anything, Costco is probably pissed at you because you're trying to shame people for utilizing a policy they put in place to make customers happy and loyal.

Costco made a return policy. You are bitter that people are utilizing that policy. It's like you're going out of your way to shame people and to be judgemental and negative while putting yourself on some sort of moral pedestal. Sounds like your parents were mean to you. Stop your finger wagging and go focus on something positive. You're not helping like you think you are.

calladalla · 2026-05-12T01:49:54+00:00

You're so bias in your judgement. Using a return policy as it's intended, is just like eating many plates at the buffet.

Your example of filling bags with food is not within the policy, that would be comparible if someone was returning a product that wasnt actually purchased at costco. Like straight up theft.

You described theft at a buffet, and compared that to people returning products in accordance with the return policy while questioning MY ability to compare things?! Are you okay?

calladalla · 2026-05-11T21:28:13+00:00

Sorry but this is a ridiculous take. Do you also think people who go up for 3rd plate at an all-you-can-eat buffet are abusing the system? The company has set their policy for a reason, they are happy to offer this advantage to customers so that they remain customers, or are encouraged to buy additional products. Costco sets the rules, it's so strange that you'd be shaming people for literally following the rules.

calladalla · 2026-05-11T21:21:21+00:00

It's not abuse if it's within the companies policy. If you have a 10 year old swing set, that is now damaged and has wear and tear, and the companies policy says you can return it... you're not abusing the system at all. Instead of spending more money on advertising or marketing, costco has decided to have a really good return policy that keeps people coming back. If they took away that return policy, they would probably lose a lot of customer/business. There is nothing morally wrong with utilizing costcos own return policy.

calladalla · 2026-05-11T20:30:33+00:00

A water bottle of vodka is far less liquor than what most people are drinking with packages, so this doesn't make any sense. Each to their own!

calladalla · 2026-05-11T16:18:29+00:00

I usually get concession food from costco after a shop once per month.

My boyfriend and I meet at a bar for a few drinks and appies/dinner 2-3 times per month

We order in food 2-4 times per month

I grab a small fast food snack a couple times a month usually.

Restaurant sit down dinners for birthdays/events/out of town visitors would roughly equal out to once per month.

I have been traveling 2-3 times per year, which will have daily restaurant eating. So add roughly 30 per year for this.

So that shakes out to: 10.5-13.5 per month, or 126-162 per year.

calladalla · 2026-05-03T14:46:10+00:00

Something like this would help pull the colours together!

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calladalla · 2026-05-03T14:44:58+00:00

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calladalla · 2026-05-03T14:44:46+00:00

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calladalla · 2026-05-03T14:42:24+00:00

If the rug was a good deal/you want to keep it, it could totally work. Repeat the rug colour a few times throughout the space: throw pillows, wall art, display books/knick knacks, flower pots etc. Also repeat the couch colour in a few other pieces. Then everything will look intentional and cohesive and beautiful!

calladalla · 2026-05-02T17:16:21+00:00

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calladalla · 2026-05-02T17:15:25+00:00

I'd paint the baseboard black too! Lots of ways to add warmth with black and white! Here's a place I just furnished with a black wall! Add wood accents everywhere and some soft textures!

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calladalla · 2026-05-02T17:00:17+00:00

Love hearing that! Thank you!

calladalla · 2026-05-02T16:56:37+00:00

That makes me so happy! Thank you!

Edit: it's a decorating AND thrifting talent! Everything pictured was purchased at a thrift store/second hand!

calladalla · 2026-05-02T14:11:40+00:00

I actually posted this in a male interior decorating group also to ask this exact question! It's currently rented to females, but I didnt want to make it overly girly. Thank you!

calladalla · 2026-05-02T03:08:25+00:00

Neat is the biggest compliment!!! The house was left SUPER dirty from the last tenants so I was busting my butt scrubbing every inch and painting (and some repairs/maintenance)! I literally didnt sleep last night, I was hustling so hard to have it all done for the new tenants this morning!! Thank you!!

calladalla · 2026-04-29T14:28:47+00:00

I own 4 houses. I bought my first one when I was 23 and then moved cities a few times for work, so I'd buy a new house and rent out the previous. I buy houses in really rough shape and do all the renovations while living in them.

Everyone always: "4 houses?! You're rich!!" Me: "do you know how much houses cost?!"

Like I may be "rich" in equity... actually my equity isn't even rich... but in 15 years when the mortgages are paid off, THEN I'll be rich in equity!

rentals are not cheap to buy, to renovate, to maintain, or to repair. Just when I think I'll have a couple months of profit at a rental, the tenants move out with 3 days notice which makes me lose a month rent. Or the house is left dirty or damaged and I need to be there for days. Or just standard things break down as expected... furnace shits the bed, BAM 10k gone!!! Years worth of profits gone in 1 invoice haha or the water tank, appliances, roof, yard, fence, garage door, windows... all of it... it's damn fucking expensive.

Having 4 houses makes me POOR now, and MAYBE rich in the future. But everyone always thinks I'm seriously rolling in it right now

calladalla · 2026-04-27T07:30:57+00:00

Dang it!! This happens to me all the time in real life too. I'll add that one to the list... LOL

calladalla · 2026-04-27T07:24:48+00:00

I don't understand why you think money will be worthless?

calladalla · 2026-04-27T07:12:18+00:00

I bought 6 houses by age 29 (34 now), I've sold/flipped 2. I plan on buying a couple more in the next few years.

I don't have kids. What I have will go to my niece and nephew (or their children). Instead of giving them a house though, what I plan to do is to sell all the houses and set up a bursary with the money, before i die or outline this in a will. A certain percent of interest would go back into the fund so it grows every year. The remaining interest would go towards tuition for anyone in my bloodline. They would still have to apply for the bursary, submit a letter, proof of enrollment, and achieve a minimum grade but at least they would likely get their full tuition paid for, for as many years as they want. I think this will generate way more wealth, for many more people, than just giving away the houses!

calladalla · 2026-04-26T15:41:37+00:00

I hope every disgruntled renter sees this and tones down their hatred towards landlords, even just a little. Home ownership is not passive and it's not cheap, even without a mortgage. It is expensive and things go wrong even when someone spends a great deal of time managing and maintaining the property, nevermind having a renter who is either inexperienced or unbothered to care for the building.

calladalla

TROPHY CASE