DEAR ABBY: Rambunctious children causing a ruckus for neighbour

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Dear Abby: I recently bought a ground floor apartment because I am an elderly woman with a knee disability. Otherwise, I would have bought an apartment on the second floor of this two-story residential complex. I'm only here part-time because my husband isn't ready to retire.

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The owner above me has two children who jump from the kitchen counter to the floor several times a night, even at 10 pm. This causes everything in my kitchen cabinets to rattle. I talked to the property manager. He is prepared to issue them notices of violations, which will eventually include fines. I didn't discuss it because as a part-time resident, I'm concerned about retaliation such as windows being broken or my car being vandalized in the parking lot. Of course, this neighbor will be the main suspect, but I will have no evidence.

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I can't afford a more expensive community. One day, my husband and I kindly knocked on her door to introduce ourselves as new neighbors. She didn't give us the time of day. What would you do if you were me? — FEELING THE NOISE IN THE SOUTH

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DEAR FEELING A NOISE: I knocked on the woman's door, explained the problem, and politely asked her to instruct her children not to jump off the kitchen counter after 6 pm because the noise was interfering with my enjoyment of my apartment. If she had not cooperated, I would have spoken to the manager again. If warnings and fines didn't work, I would contact Child Protective Services because what these kids are doing is dangerous and their parents don't want to watch them.

Dear Abby: I have been happily married to my husband for 35 years. My mother-in-law just made a will and leaves all of her assets to him, which will be divided equally among our three adult children if he dies before her. She was asked to name a beneficiary if all four died before her. (I know this is highly unlikely.) My MIL has no other living relatives – parents, siblings, husband, cousins, etc.

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In this case, she named a friend and neighbor, not me, as the beneficiary of her estate. This neighbor lives next door to her and takes her to the grocery store, bank, and doctor's appointments since my MIL doesn't drive and we live 3.5 hours away.

I thought she and I always had a good relationship. My husband and I send flowers and cards on her birthday and Mother's Day. At Christmas, I choose thoughtful gifts for her. I have always treated her with kindness, respect and affection. I help when she has health problems. I help her in the kitchen with dishes, etc. I have always been good to her son. Am I being petty, unreasonable, or immature for having negative feelings about not being included in her will? — DAMAGED IN COLORADO

DEAR PAIN: Not at all. You are human. This does seem like a glaring omission, and in these circumstances your reaction is understandable. What does your husband think of his mother's actions? Perhaps he should talk to her and ask if she forgot that she had a daughter-in-law when she made her will.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jean Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact dear Abby at DearAbby.com or PO Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

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