I debated if I should title this a Note to my upstairs neighbor, but there’s more to this post than that, so….
Two weeks ago, I was cleaning the house, but got distracted by the distinct odor of Pine-sol coming from outside. We have a lot of pine trees out there but this was the cleaning kind of pine smell. Next, the roof of my patio – which is the floor of my second floor neighbor’s patio became a waterfall. A waterfall of gray piney scented water. I tipped my head back to avoid a drenching and yelled, ‘hey, could you toss your water the other way? You’re getting it all over my patio.” The third floor neighbor looked down at me and frowned and said “I want to wash my deck.” and proceeded to apparently swab his deck. And, when he rinsed with a bucket of water, numerous times, his debris flowed down to the floor two and then to me on the bottom.
I understand he wanting a clean deck, but there’s got to be some consideration for the other people in the apartment complex. I called the office and asked if they perhaps had a portable pressure washer I could borrow and explained why. Suffice to say, they did have a carpet cleaning van in this complex and they sprayed off my patio too. Nice. In the meantime I got to thinking and then feeling pretty put out by third floor’s disregard for others. And, then, yesterday I had another interesting experience at the apartment’s pool. Simply living can be simply irritating.
I understand how blessed I am that I have a nice place to live, and a husband who loves me and a family who are healthy and love me and probably a list of blessings I couldn’t even find enough paper to list them on. But on this note, I’m just ticked.
I miss space. I miss quiet. I miss my pond and my deep tub and my bottom freezer stainless refrigerator. And, then, I remember the apostle Paul’s words to be content no matter what the circumstances – whether in plenty or want …be content. So I will try. To be content. But I’m still a little ticked. Maybe I’m contently ticked?
Anyways, remember to be kind to those around you. The golden rule still rules…yeah, well, it’s been one of those days.
