Monday 8 March 2010

Sue the Amazonian

Everyday I have a new vehicle. Sometimes it’s a motorcycle, once or twice a 4x4 and today, a white van.

No I didn’t win the lottery or the Man Booker Prize! And if I did I wouldn’t waste the monies on cars because I can’t drive and I’m a very bad passenger – the kind who can’t read maps and would much rather fall asleep than keep the driver company.

Nope. These vehicles aren’t mine but they’ve all at one point or another parked on my parking space. The small rectangular bit of concrete with my house number painted on it. The small space that I pay for as it’s included in my rental agreement. And it ain’t cheap either.

Ever since I’ve moved in this estate, my parking space has been invaded so many times I’ve lost track. It’s not like people ask either. Each house, each flat in this estate is allocated one parking space. But people are people and will have more than one car. Even when there’s a train service 15 minutes walk away and a regular bus service 2 seconds down the road.

Being the new old kid on the block and not wishing to be the crazy lady with the mad cat (well not yet anway), I’ve learnt to be selectively blind.

Enter the lovely Sue. Sue is the caretaker of the estate. She is also a fellow cat-woman. Every morning she sweeps and dusts and does odd repairs around the estate and every so often we’d chat on my doorstep while I try to stop her from sweeping the leaves from my front pathway.

“I have to show willing,” she’d protest as we play grab the broom while I beg her to stop because I can do the sweeping of leaves from my front bit myself. Eventually anyway.

Sue has taken up the fight to keep my parking space clear.

“It’s not right,” she would fume when she’d find another vehicle parked on my space. I've come to know this as her war cry for battle to commence. Whenever I return from work, the offending vehicle would always be gone.

So every day not only does she stubbornly sweep the leaves from my front bit, she ensures I gets what I pays for.

I’m writing about her because today is International Women’s Day and so I thought what an appropriate way to celebrate one of the the wonderful women I know who make my life a little rosier.

Cheers Sue!


19 comments:

Karen Jones Gowen said...

That is so nice! I like Sue. She deserves this sparkly award.

Susan Fields said...

Sue sounds like a lovely woman - people like that are such a joy to know! I hope she reads this post and knows how appreciated she is.

Lexi said...

Could you sub-let your parking space? That way, you'd be a little better off, and your tenant would keep the interlopers away.

I see no flaw in this plan :o)

Kea said...

Good for Sue! Is she having the vehicles towed away? That would solve the matter. My townhouse condo has a garage and driveway, of course. I used to have a bit of a problem with a neighbour taking advantage and parking his vehicle in my space without asking, but eventually I had to say something. I did rent the space out one winter, but it was more a pain in the butt than anything. Good luck keeping yours clear!

Theresa Milstein said...

How thoughtful of Sue. She sounds sweet.

Can't you sublet the parking space? People do that in Cambridge, Boston, and New York City all the time. You'll get some steady income and then the space will be accounted for - less invading.

Happy International Women's Day to you.

Jean said...

Sue sounds lovely. Everybody needs a Sue.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Cheers to Sue! It's always a good thing to have a friend looking out for your best interests.

Thank you for your always gracious comments on my blog. You make my life a little rosier with your friendship to me!

Old Kitty said...

Hi KarenG

Yes she does! :-)

Loving your avatar!!

Take care
x

Old Kitty said...

Hi Susan Fields

I hope she does to - she's a real pal!

Take care
x

Old Kitty said...

Hi Lexi

I'm the tenant! LOL! the thing is, there are extra parking spaces for such extra vehicles - but it's about a minute walk from the estate... whereas mine is very conveniently closer..!

:-)

Take care
x

Old Kitty said...

Thank you fairyhedgehog!

x

Old Kitty said...

Hi Kim!

Ooooh that gets me so annoyed! Cheeky so and so's.

You know I really don't mind if people asked. But these drivers never did!

There are parking spaces for extra cars but they're about a minute walk away....whereas my parking space isn't. That's what really annoys Sue. bless her. She makes them use these extra parking spaces.

:-)
Take care
x

Old Kitty said...

Hi Theresa Milstein

Happy International Women's Day to you to!

Awww the thing about the extra cars is that there are parking spaces for them, except that they're further away. That's what really annoys Sue! So she makes them use these spaces and not mine!

:-)

take care
x

Old Kitty said...

Hi Jean

I thoroughly agree! I'm so grateful Sue is on my side!

Take care
x

Old Kitty said...

Hi Pat@Mille Fiori Favoriti

Awww thank you! I love your blog! You really really really bring New York to life for me! I love it! More please!

Take care
x

Ann said...

We all need a Sue in our lives. It is so nice to know someone has your back. I am thrilled Sue has yours. What a lovely woman, the award is well deserved.

Anonymous said...

They've just changed up the parking spaces outside my mum and dad's so that people can park their massive people carriers over half the pavement! Last time I was there I had a long conversation with my dad about whether or not you could get a trundly suitcase up the pavement any more.... :)

Old Kitty said...

Hi Ann

Oh Sue is such a star! She really is. She's made me feel so at home here.

:-)

Take care
x

Old Kitty said...

hi hampshireflyer

LOL! Oh dear. You know the 4x4 that parked on my space was so big the other car next to it couldn't even get into his car and his was a mini!

So not right!

Take care
x