I have ordered the part we need to try to fix the vent ourselves.

It came out honest, Barb, but now I REALLY wanna slap yo mamma!

And go back and pat Teen!Barb on the head...

God love Mom, she's just so amazingly narcissistic and just doesn't get it.

And yet, what kills me is she manages to charm absolutely everyone she meets within moments. I can't tell you how many of my friends and acquaintances want to adopt her.

It's a gift, I tell you.

Charisma -- It Doesn't Mean You're Smart

And, from observing my own mother, you really can't fool all the people all the time.

Barb, that was beautiful written, and I also want to slap your mother on behalf of your younger self.

I called the police department, and they will send a police officer to the house if we want to file a report and name a suspect. I really really don't know what to do. I have called my landlord, who of course is going to do nothing, and I am worried about escalating the situation. I hate living below these people.

I dunno, sj. I might just make a copy of the bill and polic report and tape an evelope with a note to the neighbor's door:

"Hi, I just thought you should be aware that we have vandals near our building. They damaged by AC to the tune of $X; if you see anyone lurking or damaging stuff, please call the police, as they have been notified. I would hate for this to happen to your property, so if we all keep an eye out, maybe we can prevent any more costly damage."

That way you don't blame (it might not be their fault, maybe) but if it is, then you are just being neighborly...and the kids know they are busted, that it cost money, and that cops were called. Hopefully, they won't do anything more.

Well, the neighbors are upstairs, so they don't have to worry about their windows broken, screens slashed, AC damaged, all of which have happened here but months and sometimes years apart. I know the AC is a relatively small matter, but I'm still shaky and upset.

ETA: And I'm worried if we even file the police report and they go upstairs to question them, it will just escalate the situation.

Gah, sj, what a shitty situation. I really wish you guys could live elsewhere-- or that the crappy neighbors would, yanno, disappear.

Perhaps in that sleeping wit da fishes sort of way. (Forgive me, I took a header down my deck ramp and banged the hell out of my arm, so I'm not feeling all that charitable at the moment.)

Ugh, sj, that sucks.

I had shitty neighbors once -- it was a crack house -- and it's extremely stressful to feel disturbed and unsafe in your own home.

Barb, you need to stop falling down around your house! Ow!