Let's face it, if you've used as you say, 50 gallons of water to wash the trailer, you could give her a $2 bill and get change. 30 days of a TT plugged in just to cool the fridge...maybe $5? If she's that mercenary, stick it to her forehead with Krazyglue.
2008 Itasca Meridian 37H, All. 3000MH (6-auto), Freightliner XC Chass., Cummins 6.7L Turbo, (Sweet! Delivery 03/12/08). Tow: '07 Dodge Gr. Caravan, Me, Him; Sugarbear, Apr. Toy Poodle; Pepe, Blk Toy Poodle; Hero, fat Siam.-mix polydactyl cat/Alarm Clock.
Agreed...as for using the electricity and water, probably $5 for 30-days of 'fridge' cooldown, and probably $2 for 50 g. of water...with change coming back...
As far as the cherry tree......sometimes kids can break branches...but you should be able to trim the hedge.
Actually, Gary, she made a big deal about the branches after we parked it the very first time and all of us realized that some trees needed to be trimmed. She was the one who encouraged us to get an RV so we could travel together and who offered her side yard as that was where her RV was parked. Once all of us saw the problem and knew that some branches needed to be removed, she became unreasonable...that was the shock...it doesn't make much sense. It actually takes visible damage to our truck, RV or to her gate before she will agree to any prunning.
Here's another rub. We value plants as much as anyone as our hobby is gardening and landscaping. We have personally supplied her with a good portion of her plants. The cherry tree is so old and the branches so high, she can't pick the fruit...they fall to our roof or on the ground and rot. The trimming we are asking for in no way compromises the beauty of her yard.
Today we returned from a trip and had another difficult time with the trees so I suggested that we might need to trim some branches....that is when she started in with, "you don't know how good you have it". That was it for me.
We will offer a fair rate, but only if the tree issue is agreed upon once and for all. We don't need the drama...it ruins almost every trip. We also are thinking of downsizing to a small motorhome so we can just park it in our own driveway. I am going to check out some of the other forums...maybe a 5th wheel wasn't the best choice for us. Live and learn.
coachark wrote: Actually, Gary, she made a big deal about the branches after we parked it the very first time and all of us realized that some trees needed to be trimmed. She was the one who encouraged us to get an RV so we could travel together and who offered her side yard as that was where her RV was parked. Once all of us saw the problem and knew that some branches needed to be removed, she became unreasonable...that was the shock...it doesn't make much sense. It actually takes visible damage to our truck, RV or to her gate before she will agree to any prunning.
Here's another rub. We value plants as much as anyone as our hobby is gardening and landscaping. We have personally supplied her with a good portion of her plants. The cherry tree is so old and the branches so high, she can't pick the fruit...they fall to our roof or on the ground and rot. The trimming we are asking for in no way compromises the beauty of her yard.
Today we returned from a trip and had another difficult time with the trees so I suggested that we might need to trim some branches....that is when she started in with, "you don't know how good you have it". That was it for me.
We will offer a fair rate, but only if the tree issue is agreed upon once and for all. We don't need the drama...it ruins almost every trip. We also are thinking of downsizing to a small motorhome so we can just park it in our own driveway. I am going to check out some of the other forums...maybe a 5th wheel wasn't the best choice for us. Live and learn.
Reading above I'm not sure if I would have unhooked last time ... RV would probably be in my yard some how for time being.
* This post was
edited 07/12/08 06:41am by Michigander2005 *
I would be hunting some where to put it besides there, and fast. I wouldn't even tell them I was moving, just let them think I was going for some repairs or something and never bring it back. I have found out the last thing you can deal with is family and still talk to them. IMHO you will never please them if the mouthing has already started. Why did they even offer you a place to leave it for if they were going to gripe about it.
Coachark - This is just my view. You can just move without saying anything as has been suggested - or you can just tell your sister that you are moving with no real explanation, or you can try to mend the relationship with her by talking to her about all that has occurred. What you should not do is let the situation continue to fester.
I think it is commendable that you want to maintain a good relationship with your sister - in spite of how it has been strained by this situation. Her perspective is obviously different from yours and that is fine - everyone's usually is - but it seems that both of you have been holding in your frustrations (from the start) over how the situation has developed and transpired - instead of sitting down and discussing it at length. These things have a way of getting away from us because we do not want to hurt the other person's feelings.
Obviously, neither of you wants to cause a serious rift in your relationship. Still, the more you do not discuss it - (whether you end up staying or going) the worse it will get and the greater the chance of the rift. Any situation like this would be tricky, but being family makes it more so, therefore it has to be handled with extra care.
It is possible that it could all be easily resolved and both of you ending up being content with a new understanding, but you will never know until you try. The other posters are correct. Keep the conversation positive and non-judgmental. Ask her what it is that she wants, and tell her what is that you need. Then see if you can arrive at a mutual agreement that is beneficial to you both - and if not - then tell her that you think it would be better for all concerned if you made other arrangements.
Make sure you thank her for the use of her property and then let it go. You always come out better in the end if you try to take the "high road." You may not think so at the momemt, but you will look back on it in the future and be glad that you handled it the way that you did.
Call around and get some local storage prices in advance to offer to her as the going rate, and to know for your own sake, in case it does not work out in an amicable way.
You are walking on egg shells -- not worth it. I'd find another location and chalk it up to experience. Her attitude would be enough for me --- that's just plain rude. I don't agree with the therapy discussions. Some people need "direct" discussions to change their ways -- the way she has responded to you makes me think that she needs a little dose of her own medicine. So I'd tell her "it's not good enough". She'll get over it. Or not.
Lucy
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2005 Grand Cherokee
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One thing I try not to do is get involved with relatives. I learned over the years that we remain happy relatives when we stay away from partnerships. I had a partnership with my cousins husband in a combine for awhile. It worked fine, because I made sure it would. I was very very glad when he said why don't we well the machine and use all custom cutters. We're still good friends and we each do our own thing.
Moral of the story. Get your own area. I pay 55.00 each month for an enclosed storage area. I have my own lock, and everybody stays happy.
Yes Lucy - that is one way to handle it, but the OP said that he did not want his relationship with his sister to go south - and perhaps I am wrong, but I get the impression that they live in close proximity to each other. Nothing could be more frustating than not being on good speaking terms with your neighbor and your sister to boot. As I said, given the tricky situation of family, perhaps it is just better in the end, for him to just bite his tongue, be nice and move on, if it can't be resolved in a way beneficial to both of them.
But maybe you are right in your suggestion - the OP will just have to choose the way that is best for him to resolve this. He asked for advice and he has been given a lot of it and in many forms.
Sounds to me like the relationship has already turned bad. And it sounds like both parties are "irritated'. So now what you both need to do is find a way to repair the relationship. And since you have already evidenced some damage, you have a perfect opportunity, to move off the property. Tell her that you have decided that you need to move, as you can no longer get into your spot safely. Thank her for letting you park it there over the past few years. And ask if she would prefer that you to remove the gate, fencing and pads, to return HER property back to as it was before she offered you the space.
Then do what you need to do, to completely satisfy her wishes.
Now for you. Think of it as a good business deal, that came to a successful end. And you got your value out of it. Forget any past irritation, and go forward to continue being a loving sister. Don't let this testy situation affect you. In the overall scheme of things, this is a very small thing. Blow it off. And get beyond it. Life is too short. And good relationships are too valuable.
JMHO
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