From Kelly:

When I first decided to move to Portland, Michigan I noticed this nice looking duplex for rent right on the main street and thought, ‘I would like to live right there’.

It didn’t seem like it would happen.  It was January and I couldn’t move until March. But February came and it was still available.

I got a chance to look at it and the bathroom was all torn up - so easy to see why it was still not rented.  Still, the rest of the place looked clean and updated. I came back to look again two weeks later and the bathroom had been completely refinished with a new tub surround and everything - so I snatched it up.

My family tried to tell me that I might not like living right on the main street - but I said ‘pish posh’, I’ll be just fine.

Well, it was winter then - and all the windows were closed… so you can imagine what the spring heat has done to open my eyes to the travails of main street living LOL!

It is noisy.  Semi trucks rumble by and the house trembles.  The Fire and Ambulance is just kiddie corner from us so we hear all the sirens up close and personal.  There’s a party store/pizzaria across the street and every car sounds like someone has come here to a visit.  The electric company is next to that and do you they are currently splitting and grinding fallen branches from this weekend’s storms.

I think someone behind me must build something for a hobby because we hear hammers and saws every Saturday morning for hours.

Actually, I don’t mind much.  I must have an oddball main street gene or something.  The same gene that makes me enjoy laundromats perhaps?  I like living in community.

What’s your neighborhood like this time of year?  Do open windows and doors bring anything fun or interesting to your ears?  Come on by the Mom’s Talk Network Forum and share.

From the Editor:

The countdown to Father’s Day has begun! It’s not too late to plan a great day for your dad with this free special report. Planning A Great Father’s Day (PDF) is packed with lots of ideas for gifts and activities that dads love.

From Our Featured Guest Bloggers at Mom’s Talk Network:

• Aurelia Williams from Real Life Guidance shares tips for Helping Your Teen Find A Summer Job.
• Christina Lemmey from Surviving At Home reminds us that Local Libraries Plan Summer Activities For Kids for very little cost.
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