SOAP OPERA ADDICT!

The new year started with a bang!  Quite literally a bang!  Whilst I was on a video call to my sister, the noise made me jump. At first I thought it was rubbish being put into the large dumpster, but then received a text from our illustrious chairman, asking if we had power.  I responded that we did, and asked if he did.  He did not.  I offered my condo as a power source, and he said he hoped it would not be out for too long.  He had already had coffee and the weather was pleasant.  I was telling my sister what was going on when I saw my neighbour walking along the road.  I saw him from my window, the new window, which slides beautifully on a perfect track, and does not need masking tape to keep out the cold, or heat, and does not condensate and rot, which obviously, due to my verbose comments took far too long to be replaced. Still on the phone, I opened my lovely new window.  "Turn me round!" said my sister.  "Who is that?" she said.  I called out his name.  "Do you have power?" he asked, as another neighbour joined him on the path.  I responded that I did. I said that I had heard the bang but was unsure as to whether it was the transmitter or the dumpster!  "Who is that other man?" she asked.  "Hi Adam", I called.  Question answered!  I offered my house as refuge should they require coffee or toast, but Adam had already put a call into the energy company, and it appeared normal service would be resumed quickly.  It was a beautiful day, no real need for heat or air conditioning, as it was 'comfortable' and power was restored within the hour.  "I live in a soap opera", I told my sister, as I came off my balcony back into my bedroom.  "That's nice", she said, and I replied "Sometimes".

Living in my soap opera is mostly nice.  Obviously there are times when I would like to be in a remote farm house, just tending to the land, with a few chickens roaming around, and someone to take care of the milking of my bovine residents, but that is a dream that sounds idylic until the dreaded bird flu hovers and foot and mouth overtakes! The recent freeze would have taken all my vegetables and probably played havoc with the livestock!  The grass is always greener, etc., etc.  

The freeze had given way to lovely warm days and a couple of trips to the pool.  However, even the 'ice queen' had not dared to jump in on New Year's Day, despite sitting in her almost swimsuit.  We chatted for a while, and she asked me how I judged the 'perfect' temperature.  When would be too cold?  I responded that age is an issue!  When I was younger, only by a year or two, I would have braved anything, but now I think "What do I have to prove, at my age".  It sounded convincing, to her, but I knew if she had jumped in, I probably would have followed!  

Another Monday holiday and what to do?  As the previous weekend was stolen through the freeze, as I did not want to do anything that would cause the use of electricity, I felt the need to be productive.  However, after finishing my housework, I chose to take an hour to read, and finish my book.  I realised that the book which I was currently reading had not captured my attention as much as the author had done in previous years (many years ago) as when the identity of the arch villain was revealed, I could not place having read about him at all!  I sat searching for mention of him and when I found it, it made no sense as to why!  The ending was very disappointing and I wondered if this author had handed over the writing to another, as so may have. Without having another novel to start, and the sun having moved off the area, I headed back to my garden.

Spending time throwing away dead plants was not particularly soothing, and the operation was somewhat 'back breaking' but it was, as the saying goes, 'a good job done'!  I spent about three hours just hauling earth and washing pots.  It made a big difference.  I chose not to vacuum as the storm that never arrived, threatened constantly. 

Arriving back at work on Tuesday was not unwelcome.  We had a meeting of the board later that day, perhaps another soap opera entry, and I was wondering how constructive I would be after receiving an email from one of our cast.  She had been educating a new owner on the art of how to live, peacefully and harmoniously in an 'association'. He had not exactly refused her tutoring, but had made a few changes that were not completely copesetic with the rules.  As a community, we have by-laws, which I believe a required by law, and as a community, we are able to interpret each case as it is presented.  At one time, there was no room for manoeuvre and all doors and windows were standard. However, 'keeping in the same style', does not necessarily mean, 'exactly', and new front doors have been hung, and windows changed, which are not always identical with a neighbour.  It is what makes our community special.  We are the same, but individual, and that is how we like it!  'Keeping in the same style' can mean, 'glass in the hole that was created for a window'!  Things like guttering and downpipes are usually painted in like colours which blend with the colour of the building, so as not to draw attention to somewhat unattractive necessities.  The new owner had painted in contrast.  It looked rather striking, but did not blend and this was not upon which was agreed when he submitted his original plans.  Apparently, his educator had pointed this out, in a less than typical Texan approach and when I opened the email showing his latest venture, I laughed out loud!  I cannot categorically state, but am apparently not alone in my thought, that this was done in defiance. He had painted his sun room red, green and blue!  Not a bland, brick colour red, nor pastel green or blue, but as bright and bold as a child's crayon set!  My mind raced back to all the English soap operas I used to watch, the neighbour's squabbles over matters that grew from molehills to mountains.  I kept rather quiet during the discussions!

With the meeting over, I went on a walk to inspect said 'sun room' and have to say, it looked atrocious, and despite 'taste' being a personal thing, I could not imagine, from the decor I could see from the road, that this was actually preferred by the young occupier.  Then again, what is life without a bit of spice!  

I feel that I can write about this without betraying the 'official secrets act' of our community, a document that is non-existent, but the rules of which most do comply, and said new young owner does not actually know me, (at least to my knowledge,) so will not feel empowered to use me as a source.  Time will tell!  

The week progressed and the first week of the new year was really quite uneventful after the original bombshell.  As usual, it was rather quiet, and after hearing of a variety of wild celebrations, in none of which I participated, there was the usual calm and somewhat downcast feeling that follows the uproar of hopefulness which the revelry produces.  I felt neither downcast, nor unhopeful!  In fact, the altercation between 'the board' and 'the rebel' had added a little bit of 'upbeat' and 'anarchy' to the proceedings.  Of course, I would have to side with the board, in keeping with our by-laws and community rules, (after all, if you let one thing go, it is a slippery slope, etc., etc.,) but it does not stop me from having a private (or not so as I have now discussed it potentially with a worldwide viewership) chuckle!

Bumping into my next door neighbour, (almost literally, as we rounded the corner from different directions,) we stopped and chatted for about twenty minutes.  Also very young, she and her husband had bought the condo next to mine during the summer of last year, and better neighbours I could not have wished for.  They are very thoughtful, and tremendously 'community spirited'.  I receive texts to say that they are having a gathering and if they are too loud, to just bang on the door. I received a text to say they were hanging pictures and hoped it didn't disturb me. Perhaps she just thinks I am an old fuddy-duddy who will report her to the board!  However, I think they are just nice!  Dana has never met her, despite having met him many times.  (I will not mention names, in case they feel the need to become rebels!)  Dana says she doesn't actually exist and is a figment of my imagination.  He says there is a nice guy who lives alone next door!  "She is a ghost", Dana says!  When I said I had spent twenty minutes chatting, he asked if anyone else saw us.  I told him that another neighbour had looked out but went straight back inside, he said that was because the neighbour wondered why I was talking to myself, but didn't want to pry!  We had a lovely chat.  She told me about her festive season and how she was going to England in February, and asked if I had any recommendations for sightseeing.  We could have quite easily been in 'The Rovers Return', or 'The Queen Vic' for those who know English soap operas!  I did not mention the 'paint job' on the property!

Our official first babysit happened on Saturday.  Samantha had asked if I could watch Teddy for a couple of hours as they were going to dinner with friends and the restaurant was quite close to me.  It would give them a chance to have a 'date night', or at least a little time together without the baby.  I was happy to take charge.  I had made up the travel cot should the occasion arise.  Dana was grappling with the instructions, whilst I just used my eyes, and between us we put it together.  Unaware of how the 'spare bit' fitted in, or on, we left it for 'the kids' as we knew they would take one look and make us look like totally incompetent.  We were right!  However, the cot was not needed, and we watched the baby as he slept in his 'sleepyhead' and then I took him for a walk.  Fortunately, (for me,) there were three neighbours walking and I was able to introduce my newest grandson with pride!  Of course, I am not at all biased, but agreed that he was very cute, and beautiful!

With the first week of the year coming to an end, and a modicum of excitement to show for it, I am now wondering how to take advantage of the rest of my weekend.  The weather is not really conducive to sitting and doing nothing, and the wind is making it feel a little colder. It is a lovely, sunny day, so I may potter a bit in the garden. Alternatively, I may do something drastic, like bend the rules.  As a board member, do I need to set an example, or can I blame my rule-breaking husband.  What a dilemma!  

I hope that everyone else had a first week that was enjoyable, and as always in a soap opera, next week will be .......... another story!