You are not going to believe this!

My big sis & her OH were here. We were going to mums, late lunch/early dinner. His black thunder flash sports ute was parked under the huge gum tree out the front of my house. (The one the lorries flock to) We were taking my car as there was enough seats for all (+ Tyson was coming along) instead of taking 2 cars. He was going to leave his car there in the street.

We'd be gone about 8? Hrs, quite some time as mums is over an hr drive.

(Now gums drop branches by nature.) So he asked... any probs with your gum?

No! In 7yrs, not an issue. I said. But bring it in the drive if you want...the lorries will poop on it! Little did I know my words would soon come back to haunt me.

We got home to find a massive branch had come off above where his ute had been earlier. His car would have been totalled.

Then to find out from 2 neighbours that my next door neighbour had stolen the wood knowing I have a fire! (I did see wood all in his front yard. & the main broken branch over a meter matched the break on the tree)

I was so upset my bro in laws car would have been distroyed. By the next morn I was relieved his car was fine but sooooo anoyed my neighbour would take my wood I told his 14yr daughter to tell her dad he is very naughty!

He could have waited and asked - how rude! I also get very upset when people take things that is not theirs without consideration, it's called theft!
Good thing your guardian angels were on duty and saved your b-i-l's ute.

It's called theft here to.

But I am so pleased I worried about lorrie poop now!

legally ... if it falls outside the property line it is free to the 1st comer. But no one ever takes it here without asking the home owner 1st. (unless it's chopped wood left outside the property on the street line. That's how we tell everyone... free wood... take whatever you want.)

I'm really disappointed in him. I would have given him some.    But he hasn't even had the ba11s to come see me & I know his daughter would have told him in 3 mins!

I have now lost respect for him as both a man & friend.
It is not about the wood, it's the principal.

I don't like dishonest people, cowards or thieves.

I understand how you feel - disappointment is a hard emotion to get over.

a) what a relief that the ute wasn't parked there after all

b) Disappointingly sneaky, even if it was from "his" tree. Maybe he thought he was doing you a favour by clearing up the mess his tree made in your yard? Forgive me if I've got this wrong, but isn't this the neighbour who has had problems and you have tried to be so kind to?

Thank god he moved the ute! Not old but hard to get now.

You are completely forgiven.       But I see you remember what I've posted very well!

But no, different man, that was Brad. (My neighbour to the left) This is Craig, my neighbour on the right of my house.

If he was helping me ( which I also thought) he would have come over the next day to tell me what happened & said... the wood is here. To which I would have said, keep 1/2. He does not have a fire to heat his house, only a fire outside for parties.

We have helped his wife when her car broke down & he was hrs away a few times.
I taught both their kids to play piano.
I babysitted for them numerous times when the kids were little.
We gave them a v6 engine for $300 when theirs blew up. That took 2yrs for them to pay us.
she still has a book of mine she has not returned. That's the most annoying. I love my books.
A transmission oil change her hubby hadn't done to get her going to get the kids.

I could go on....

They have always seemed good people to me but typing all that..... I can actually see why Con has never been overly fond of them.

His term: They are takers.

You get loads of people like that.
I've been had by a few of them, they just misuse your kindness and start expecting you to allow them to do/take whatever they want.

Yeah, unfortunately I see that now but I like to see the best in people. Sometimes... I need reminding that it's not always true, sad as it is.

No fear here... I did the right thing & Karma is floating around somewhere....

Edit: sorry... it's not always true.

But I bet you'd do the same again - I keep getting taken for a mug too - but I still go back for more. If it's in your DNA, there's not a lot you can do about it

You know its really sad, after all we've done for them & their kids......I just want my book returned.

Yet you are right. I'd do it all again tomorrow.