Jeff, Lenna, Courtney, Torri, Alexa & Abbey.
They’re my neighbors.
Jeff is a democrat. He’s a super-health-nut: organic, carrot juice, that sort of stuff. He watches the stock market and reads financial news as a hobby. He’s the first to do anything for ANYONE. Once, when I was working at the Ward Christmas party – I’m the ward activities leader, he saw that I was overwhelmed, and stepped in and worked the entire evening – making sure food was out, etc. Awesome! He’s one of those people that’s just aware of others. He’s a “fellow shipper.” He knows who needs friends, and he’s their friend. Jeff and Lenna are EVERYONE’s friend. When ever we get together, HOURS after everyone has left, and I’ve retreated back to my work, I know that Wyatt and Jeff are still standing on the lawn talking; they have almost exclusively three topics of conversation: politics, financial markets and real estate. Those two can talk FOREVER.
Lenna’s mom is from Uruguay (her mom is our neighbor too, she’s a funny lady). Because of that Lenna speaks Spanish like a latina. She’s the mastermind behind the best coifs I’ve seen. Since she’s part latina, she kisses people. I’m always surprised when she kisses me – you’d think I’d be used to it by now. But I love it. We need more kisses and hugs in this world of ours! Once when my mom was visiting, Lenna was over, and was teasing me about my unfinished house projects. My mom, I could tell, was getting upset. I just laughed, and later explained: Lenna can tease me ALL she wants about my house, because she has just as many projects!
Jeff and Lenna’s house is a work in progress. Their projects (unlike mine) are always very precisely done, and with high end materials and design in mind. They’re slow, but they do it right.
Part of the reason they’re slow is because they’d rather go to Disneyland than work on their house. They go three or four times a year. I wish I was their kid. Lenna, next time you go, will you take me?
Courtney is the Golden Child. She’s sweet and beautiful. She works hard, and just graduated in cosmotology. She’s working on building her own clientelle. She has a dude named Steven.
Torri is THAT girl – you know, so gorgeous that it’s not fair, but too smart to be overwhelmed by her own beauty. She takes life and people in stride. She dotes on my kids.
Alexa is my babysitter (as now Torri has a real job). She could possibly be Olivia’s favorite person in the whole universe – maybe second to Wyatt. She’s polite & respectful and all around a delight to adults, but she dotes on the kids, plays with them with an amazing level of patience and forebearance. All Olivia ever wants to do is play with Alexa.
Abbey is the baby. She’s a tomboy that can compete with the best of them. She’s more reserved than the other girls, but is always playing with friends and neighbors.
It’s nice to have neighbors that you know and love, and that you know love you back! The Sorensens are an especially sweet spot in our life.
Great post. Living next door to Sorensen’s is easy. I always thought Leena was Mexican 🙂