Saturday, October 25, 2008

Booing around the 'hood

I've heard about booing (or ghosting or spooking) that goes on in neighborhoods across America, but have never lived in a neighborhood that participated. Either that or nobody likes us and therefore we didn't get booed. Shocking, I know, but possible.

I've been reading so many blogs where people are doing this. I wanted to join in on the fun! I'm determined to spread some kindness through the neighborhood!

Some background...Most of the folks in our area of the neighborhood are older...about to retire, retired or one foot in the grave. There aren't many people our age, with the exception of our next door neighbors (who we've become very good friends with since they bought their house about 2 years ago) and one or two other couples down the street.

When we first bought our house, I was told by the lady across the street that the ladies of the neighborhood have a weekly "ladies coffee." I was so thrilled! (I longed for a neighborhood where people were actually neighborly and would get together, have block parties, BBQs, holiday events, etc.) Unfortunately, these coffees are held on Wednesday mornings. Which doesn't jive when you work full time. *sigh* So no ladies coffee for me. Boo hiss.

My next door neighbor went to a garage sale down the street a year or so ago. The lady who was having the sale happened to fall into the "one foot into the grave" category. Old lady was talking to another old lady neighbor about some get-together they were having for the ladies on the block. Next door neighbor expressed interest, only to be told by old lady that "oh, this really isn't for you. You young girls should go have your own thing."

Really?! Did old lady just diss next door neighbor, strictly based on her age?! Yes, as a matter of fact she did.

That really irrated me. We may be 100 years younger than most of the ladies in the 'hood, but we're still homeowners here and nice people, too. We'd still love to get together with the old ladies and be neighborly.

Isn't going to happen, apparently. (Truth be told, she was the only person to come off that way. The other neighbors are actually quite nice, even if they do mostly keep to themselves.)

So after reading about all the booing going on around America, I decided to spread some love to the folks here, whether they like it or not. :)

I made all of the appropriate information (poem, rules, boo sign).







I gathered up the important supplies...



Filled the bags...



Sammi wanted to double check my packaging skills (she's nearly blind and almost completely deaf, but her sniffer still works)...



Checked the time so that it was nice and late so nobody would see me...



Made sure I was ready to be sneaky...



And delivered the bags to the doorsteps of unsuspecting neighbors. I walked up to one house and discovered that their walkway was littered with acorns, voiding out my wicked ninja skills. I didn't want to be discovered, so I left and went to another house. It really was loud...every step I took sounded like bubble wrap popping. I didn't want to wake anyone up. It was midnight after all.

Tomorrow morning I'll do a quick walk around the block and see if the bags were found. I hope so, and I hope this helps to spread some fun around the neighborhood!

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

cute post!

i have never heard of this before.. so, what is it. people put together bags of goodies and then leave them for neighbors to find...

sounds so cute! cant wait to hear i they found them!

did u leave the meanie a bag too?

Shell in your Pocket said...

Look how cute you are! Those bags are just sweet and I love the letters!
-Sandy Toes

AJ said...

You are too funny:) I like how you made your own though instead of buying one!! Did you venture into your messy craft room to make it? OR did you do it at the kitchen table;) Hope your neighbors play along!!

Buzzings of a Queen Bee! said...

Good for you! I think it's great that you are trying to spark some life into those neighbors! Let us know what happens!
Carrie
P.S. If you lived in my neighborhood, I would have a ladies' coffee on Saturday so you could come! :)

Shannon said...

Good for you for starting that! :)

And I honestly do not even know what a bear claw is. :)

Pleasant Living said...

I have never ever heard of this. WHat a cute idea!

Highland MOPS said...

I have gotten a bag and want to do this but keep forgetting. This is SO cute.

Highland MOPS said...

CRAP that was from Leah - highland mops. I was signed in to my MOPS blog. Sorry.,

Gwen said...

LOL at the acorns!

Sounds like fun. I should do it in our old fogey neighborhood.

duchess said...

Good for you - just take charge & introduce some Halloween fun.
Let us know how it turns out.

Our Complete Family said...

So cute! I popped over to your blog from another and am glad I found you! Fun reading! We 'Boo' in our neighborhood and it's the 1st one we've lived in that partakes. The kids (and adults moreso I think!) love it! Glad you got to spread some sneaky midnight Halloweeny lovin'! Happy day to you~ Les

Naturally Caffeinated Family said...

Soo cute! What a cute idea! I am so impressed! I can't wait to hear if it spreads around your 'hood! I'm with Queen Bee I would so love to do coffee too! :)

Unknown said...

How cute I have been wanting to do that do but like you all our neighbors are old or weird. Except some friends down the street. I hope enjoys them!

WhisperWood Cottage said...

I saw your comments on the Junk Sophisticate site and thought I'd stop by. I love the name of your blog! Your "booing" is the sweetest thing! It inspires me to do something special for my neighbors!

Amy

Anonymous said...

Boohoo. I haven't found the friendliest of neighbors yet but this is such a cute idea to get things rolling!

Can't wait to hear how it all goes.

Candy

Whitney said...

How FUN! I wish you lived in my neighborhood! Looking to move anytime soon?

Sweet Simplicity said...

You are so sweet! I would love to find a little baggie of goodies on my doorstep!

AJ said...

I have a little something for you over on my blog;);)

Jenni said...

You are so funny! I think it's wonderful that you are booing your neighborhood~ it sounds so fun! I think that it is so sad how your older neighbor didn't want the younger woman to come to her get-together. Different generations have so much to learn from each other, and I don't think you should always only hang around people your own age. I'm sorry that happened!
But you've got the right idea, and your treat bags are so cute! Good job! :)

Thrifty Decor Chick said...

This turned out SO cute!! Love that you went at midnight, that is too funny.

Unknown said...

You have been boo-ed check me out to find out what to do!

Mandi @ Sweetly Home said...

Thanks so much for letting me know that my "dogs for sale" lingo wasn't the right lingo. I changed it on my post and gave you the credit. Thanks girlie. :)

Nancy Bane said...

Now that I've found your blog, I'm reading your old stuff...love the "Boo'd" idea...and BTW, you are too funny!!