New House, New Home
When Gretch and I got married in 2008, we moved into a two-story townhouse (with a finished basement) across the way from some good friends of ours. The unit to the right of us was empty and the unit to the left was occupied by a wonderful woman who worked as Sunday School teacher at a local church. Our apartment managers were fantastic, and we really liked where we lived. (This isn't our unit, but it is very similar to where we lived.) Then some college students moved into the vacant unit next to us, along with their loud stereo, drum set, and three large dogs. After a day when I came home to find several dog turds in my front yard, I went to the manager and complained about the dogs. His response: "Wait, what dogs? They didn't say anything about having dogs!" I told him that they did, indeed, have dogs. He promptly kicked out the dogs and their owners. But a few of the guys stayed. With their stereo and drums. Then our rent went up again and we dec...