Sunday, June 12, 2016

SLEEP, SNORING and SOUR PUSSES

Mr. Ralph was a world champion snorer.  If I got to sleep before he did, it wouldn't bother me until about 5:00 am.  When he fell asleep before me, I would move to the guest room.  Whomever awoke first, found the other.  Not a perfect marriage arrangement, but it worked okay until I finally found my friend, Ambien.


When Kate was a teenager and had friends overnight, our living/TV room was right over our bedroom.  There were so many times she had to explain to her frightened friends that is was NOT a monster, but her Dad snoring.  She'd even bring them downstairs outside our bedroom door to prove it.

He was pretty excited when I started snoring ... until he would have to be the one to move.  Finally, we both took Ambien and lived happily ever after.

In my opinion, snoring is not something the snorer has any control over.  Mr. Ralph tried BreatheRight, CPAPs, BiPAPs, exercises, etc.  I could get him to move into another position and get relief to fall back asleep....sometimes.

Being on two HOAs, Oregon and Maui, almost daily I see complaints or suggestions for the most ridiculous of situations.  But recently on another blog, (New York CIty!) the blogger asked his HOA to "do something about the snoring" in the unit behind him.  Like give him or her a noise citation?  Over something that is not controllable?  I just had to laugh out loud.

No snoring allowed

If the unit was playing loud music past 10pm or hosting a noisy party, or something they could actually DO something about, that's a different story.  Living with joint walls is a compromise at best.

I think I shall blog soon about owners and HOAs!  Being on one is a duty every owner should volunteer for because it is a time consuming, can never please anyone pretty thankless job.  Living in a community requires commitment from each member ... volunteer for a committee or a one time project at the very least.  Don't just sit back and complain all the time without contributing.

I'm thankful I have great neighbors at my condo.  Upstairs owners are very large people yet we never hear anything, except maybe the shower running once in awhile.  I'm happy we bought a downstairs unit as now I rent it to my kids ... with two boys under five who do not know how to walk quietly (for more than two minutes).  

Yes.  An HOA blog of funny or unbelievable requests/complaints.  Surely I will find even more examples via Google!




12 comments:

  1. I look forward to that blog about HOA complaints. LOL I just don't understand how anyone can think someone who snores should get cited for a complaint...get ear plugs and/or a wall hanging designed to absorb noise for the common wall.

    I love Ambien! It's the only time I get a good night's sleep.

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    1. Thanks for sharing the same line of thinking. I thought it was just me!! Kinda like having a crying baby in the summer time when the windows are open. Yes. A real complaint!!

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  2. I think if I could hear my neighbor snoring, it might be kind of comforting. At least, better than the yappy dog that lives behind me and goes out each night after midnight! I loved Ambien--now it makes me too groggy in the morning, so I can't use it. My Melatonin works great for me. Please write that blog about HOA's--I know nothing about that kind of stuff.

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    1. I think Ambien is making me groggy some mornings. Might have to try the Melatonin!

      HOAs were started by Developers with a goal of keeping up appearances and sales values. Some people don't mind old appliances and rusted cars in their front yard ... but most of us do! Some HOAs try to regulate EVERYTHING ... even to what kinds of flowers can be planted in front yards! Some Board members "target" owners due to a personal grudge or slight or some nonsense, and then look through the documents to find items that are open to interpretation (theirs) so they can send violation. Oh yes. A blog is in order!

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    2. i can see the point of keeping the community neat and tidy, but I might be a tad too rebellious when it came to what kind of flowers I could plant.

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  3. Noise pollution. One of the reasons I live alone in a house. And use one of those sonic thingies to silence the dog next door.

    Snoring is one of those pollutants I'd forgotten about. hmmm. I've used a sound machine with ocean waves to lull me to sleep since he died. Just realized I probably miss the snoring LOL

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    1. I wonder if the HOA suggested a white noise machine for him? Like the street noise and constant sirens don't keep him awake? NYC for goodness sake! 24/7

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  4. H is a snorer. I find the same thing as you - if I fall asleep first, his snoring doesn't bother me. For the past few years, I seem to fall asleep first. So things are better.

    My friend served on her HOA board for a few years, and she had some stories to tell.

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  5. It is incredible! We have a psycho ex-Board member here in Maui who wrote a letter to the Police accusing us of being terrorists and murderers! For killing cats! (while we were in Oregon). IN WRITING and we could not find an attorney ... when they asked what we wanted from a lawsuit (a written apology with copy to Police) they said is that worth $10,000+ to you? And chances are slim that even that would happen. Goodness!

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  6. My husband snored from day one of our marriage and had before, I guess. When he got heavier it got worse and can be indicative of a problem (sleep apnea) sleep studies have shown. His snoring didn't bother me for years, but then began to along with the noise from his Cpap machine. My stirring in bed would awaken him by then, so he couldn't get back to sleep, so I slept in another room. He used sleeping pills but I never have though I don't always get to sleep quickly -- unless I'm really tired from physical labor, especially outside which I don't do as much since I've gotten older. Have considered melatonin but am not much of a pill-taker.
    I think building requirements should include sound proofing to protect from noise pollution -- it's a health issue. HOA developments, apts can all do that if they had to -- I suppose its a cost factor.

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    1. I know I snore from being overweight. A nurse friend suggested a nasal spray and benadryl at bedtime and WOW what a difference! I didn't wake myself up once last night!

      I think newer construction of multifamily buildings do include better sound proofing. My condo was built in the 70's ...

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  7. I understand what it's like to live with a snorer. My husband's snoring is insufferable. While I do get annoyed occasionally when he wakes me up, I understand that I can't get mad at him for something that is out of his control. He is not snoring just to irritate me. How does someone expect a HOA to handle a snoring complaint?

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