As the Grass Grows: Hopes & Dreams

It was my turn to mow the lawn, so yesterday I started to mow knowing I'd probably run out of gas. I started with the front yard *just in case* I ran out. That way at least the front yard would look nice. I got a third of the way done with the backyard and sure enough I ran out of gas! I was sweaty and dirty and didn't feel like going to the gas station like that so I put the mower away. My intention was to get gas on my lunch hour today (which I did) and finish the job tonight.

When I got home from work, this was stuck in the door to my house:

Less than 24 hours before, I was mowing the lawn!!! My first instinct was to crumple the note up and throw it into the flower pot of one of her plants. That's why it's crumpled like that. While mowing, I had time to *think*. Here's the response I came up with:

HOPES

Most people have different hopes than yours. For instance:

“I hope the neighbors get a life and mind their own business.”

“I hope the weather is nice today so I get the lawn mowed.”

“I hope I don’t run out of gas while mowing the lawn.”

The last one is what I was hoping for yesterday. I started mowing the lawn knowing I might not have enough gas to do the whole thing, which is why I started in the front. At least I had enough foresight to make sure the front looked good. Some people don’t think that far ahead. Today, I got gas on my lunch hour with the intention of finishing the job tonight since I knew the forecasters were calling for rain.

Thank you again for being such a good neighbor, and looking after my responsibilities. It must be a tough job keeping track of your life and mine. I’ll give you a bit of advice so you don’t waste your time writing notes. Get the facts, first. :) Hope all is well in your household. Have a great day!

I took her note and folded up inside mine and taped it to her front door. I wonder if she'll have a temper tantrum like she did over the wet newspapers that were HERS. I'm beginning to think 1) Someone has TOO much time on their hands. 2) Someone gets a cheap thrill out of writing notes.

I felt like saying: "I don't need a gatekeeper, and before you try running my household you should get your own in order since you're supporting a grown daughter with no job and grandson. Obviously, your parenting skills are lacking. Instead of keeping track of when I mow the lawn and how I mow the lawn, perhaps you should be telling your daughter to GET A JOB." Did I really write that? Oh, but that would be way too harsh!