"The Empire Strikes Back" Phenomenon, Rants and Raves

So this is the deal: for most trilogies (movies, books, etc.), I prefer the middle installment. For example, The Empire Strikes Back. Many people say they don't like it because it's too dark, or they prefer The Return of the Jedi because of the Ewoks. Those can be true statements, but not for me. I love "Empire" because it's funny. The most character development happens in that movie; we get to see what they are really like in those dark times. Plus, there are some great one-liners (e.g.: Leia: "I'd rather kiss a wookiee." Han Solo: "I can arrange that.") and because Luke is totally hot during his Jedi training. Good times. This phenomenon applies to other trilogies as well: Shrek 2, LOTR (The Two Towers), etc. It's not a perfect thing, but it makes sense to me. I prefer to already know the characters, then see how the story develops. It's just my thing. In other news, I'm a bit annoyed. We purchased a washer and dryer when we moved in (they were going to the laundrette), and Allen said they could use the laundry. That's fine, but I'm the one who usually has to do it, and I don't have much time. It always seems like when I go to do it, they have a load in the washer and the dryer. So I finally plucked up the courage and asked our neighbors to use the laundry on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but lo and behold--they were out there this morning (it's Monday). When they only had a load in the dryer (nothing in the washer), I put a load of baby stuff in. Then she came down with another load, to save her place in line. Good grief! I asked her what happened to the "Tuesday, Thursday thing." She said, "oh--that's the only time you want us to use it?" C'mon, folks?! I guess she thought that was only during the week, and that the weekends were a free-for-all. This whole thing has just put me in a sour mood. She says that I can kick her out anytime, but what am I going to do--send her upstairs with a half-washed load of laundry? And then there's the cat. Those of you who know me simply understand that I am not a cat person. They just don't do it for me. Last week, when I was babysitting, we decided to try leaving Becca asleep on her bed and leaving the door between our apartments open so I could go check on her when she woke up. Of course, leaving the door opens gives Bosley free reign. I JUST DON'T DO CATS. I hated him wandering around my house, getting into things he's not supposed to, getting up on my couch, nuzzling up against my leg, and leaving cat hair all over everything. GRRRRR. I seriously couldn't handle it! So that's not going to happen again. I feel like the neighbors/landlords want to be besties, and I just don't. I like my privacy, and I feel like it's being invaded, and that our generosity is being taken advantage of. Maybe I just need to get over myself and let the chips fall where they may. Plus, they have been having me babysit Becca while she's sick (I did refuse to watch her on Monday last week, since she was too sick to go to church the day before), and now Benji has been sick and Allen and I haven't felt too great either. It's wearing on the nerves a bit. Plus, I'm working full-time, crazy hours, and trying to be a good mom and get the house clean and I have been stressing about the boutique (which is over, thankfully). I'm frickin' tired and it all just starts over again tomorrow--babysitting at 7am, working 12 hours, then coming home and trying to unwind and get the house under control and the baby to bed and attempt to get more than 4 hours of sleep. Sorry for the ranting and raving. If you have made it this far, thank you for your patience. I appreciate it.