Football player wants to do GoFundMe end run
I cannot dictate what time they arrive and, frankly, it works out well for me that they are there very early.
I checked our city's noise regulations and the time period is 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. (meaning it's OK to make noise after 7 a.m.).
She is in her 70s, retired, and goes to bed very early (8 p.m.).
I am a very quiet neighbor otherwise.
I do not want to ruin my relationship with her. I enjoy her, and we have keys to each other's places, so we help each other out.
I am terrible at addressing situations like this. Help?
-- Clean Machine
Dear Clean Machine: I'm assuming that no local ordinances or condo rules are being violated. You could ask your cleaners not to vacuum or perform other particularly noisy tasks until 8 a.m., but in my mind, other than vacuuming, cleaning isn't particularly noisy. If they play music while they are working, you could ask them to also keep the volume low until after eight.
Respond to your neighbor, "I'm sorry this seems to bother you so much, but this is the only time the cleaners can come. I cannot adjust their schedule. I've asked them to try to be quieter before 8 a.m., but that's the best I can do. Thank you so much for putting up with this. I'm glad it's only twice a month."
Dear Amy: I was gobsmacked by your answer to "What's Ap(propriate)" regarding his wife's texting flirtation. By saying, "Each party in a marriage has the right to live out their own personal dreams," you endorsed her behavior!
-- Upset
Dear Upset: I absolutely did not endorse her behavior. I also said, "This is not quite the marriage YOU want to be in," and encouraged this husband to confront his wife.
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(You can contact Amy Dickinson via email: ASKAMY@amydickinson.com. Readers may send postal mail to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or "like" her on Facebook.)
