After I purchased my dream house I invited over some friends and family.

Proudly, I took them on a Cook's tour of the place, and they were very positive about what they saw, and mostly supportive of my achievement in buying it.

But one relative smirked and said, "It's a nice place, if you can keep it!”

The implication was, it's probably expensive, and there may come a time when you'll be unable to make the payments.

The second I heard it, I thought, "You're out of your mind to even think that thought, let alone to verbalize it!” and I blocked it, deliberately, and strongly.

Believe me, this relative was generally a sweet person, congenial, upbeat, and gracious, and her weird comment was absolutely as exceptional for her as it was bizarre.

Yet, she uttered it, and you, too can count on folks of all kinds, from strangers to business associates to close relatives to send verbal torpedoes of this kind your way.

I suggest you follow my lead, and actively block them out, even if it requires you to openly challenge these speakers the second their negatives drip from their lips.

I think it's completely justified to ask, "Whatever made you say that?” Or, you can shoot back with a grin, "That's just not in the cards. I'm keeping this house, thank you very much!”

Of course, you might know a person who pops off like this on a regular basis, who is an Old Faithful geyser of dour sentiments and corrosive innuendoes.

Just make sure you don't invite them to your housewarmings!