I got a note in my mailbox today from my neighbor. It said:
"Would you be kind enough to clean up your backyard - it looks so thrashy."
I admit, it hurt. I know I am not known for my amazing green thumb or perfectly clean house. I am a mom. I have 2 little girls and a teenage son. I have a husband that travels quite frequently and I am a full time photographer. I love to sew and create things for my kids and plan amazing birthday parties.
I am tired. I am not superwoman. I can't do it all. I prioritize what is most important and put those things first. My backyard (or front yard!), is not high on the list. It's what I get to when every single other thing in my life is taken care of.
How much nicer would it have been to get a note that said this:
"I realize life can be crazy and overwhelming and I was wondering if you would let me help you out by cleaning up your backyard for you?"
Nope, just nastiness. I seem to be getting a lot of it lately and it does affect me because I do care what people think of me.
I think the biggest slap in the face was when I went out to my backyard to see just how bad it is and this is what I saw:
I really didn't think it was that bad. The crate doesn't look great but really? That warranted a note in the mailbox? Just to prove it, here is a picture of my backyard. No creative picture of the day, just my horrible yard.
"Would you be kind enough to clean up your backyard - it looks so thrashy."
I admit, it hurt. I know I am not known for my amazing green thumb or perfectly clean house. I am a mom. I have 2 little girls and a teenage son. I have a husband that travels quite frequently and I am a full time photographer. I love to sew and create things for my kids and plan amazing birthday parties.
I am tired. I am not superwoman. I can't do it all. I prioritize what is most important and put those things first. My backyard (or front yard!), is not high on the list. It's what I get to when every single other thing in my life is taken care of.
How much nicer would it have been to get a note that said this:
"I realize life can be crazy and overwhelming and I was wondering if you would let me help you out by cleaning up your backyard for you?"
Nope, just nastiness. I seem to be getting a lot of it lately and it does affect me because I do care what people think of me.
I think the biggest slap in the face was when I went out to my backyard to see just how bad it is and this is what I saw:
- a blown over chair and playset on my cement pad
- a crate I just got to paint and use as a backdrop for my photography
- a lot of tall yellow grass in the lower scrub oak section of my yard which I let grow wild for my outdoor photography studio. Not too pretty in the winter, but amazing the rest of the seasons. I'm sure you have seen it in a lot of my photos.
I really didn't think it was that bad. The crate doesn't look great but really? That warranted a note in the mailbox? Just to prove it, here is a picture of my backyard. No creative picture of the day, just my horrible yard.
11 comments:
eh it's not so bad! it looks like someone enjoys living there that's all! your grumpy neighbors need a vaca if they have nothing better to do than leave notes on people's doors telling them their yards isn't perfectly tidy : )
I hope your grumpy neighbor doesn't move next door to me, I'm sure it would freak him/her out!
We tore down the fence around the back yard 2 years ago planning to put up a new one in its place immediately (everything purchased and ready to go). Then I ran out of time ... and here it is 2 years later and I have less time now than I did then. Ugh!
Suzanne,
they are the ones with issues - NOT you! Your backyard is a backyard! It's normal! You say you're not super woman but you are officially the mom I want to be when I have kids, and the photographer I aspire to be! You rock girlfriend!!! The neighbors are probably just jealous! ;o)
They probably just don't understand your backyard studio, and maybe think it just looks wild? :) Chin up! Spring & greenness will be here soon!
THAT is what they had a problem with? Really? If these are not neighbors that affect your everyday life, I say forget about it and move on. You have other things to worry about! (Easier said than done.)
I'm a lurker (and a friend of Malisa's) but I have to say something...
CRAZY NEIGHBORS!!!! Do you know which ones they are? Were they anonymous and cowardly?
Your backyard is NORMAL...actually, I think it looks pretty darned good. And it's been WINTER. NO one has a good looking backyard in winter. I'm so sorry you're living near some haters.
Oh, and I should add that I like your pictures. You could use some praise after getting slammed like that.
That is the most retarded thing I have ever heard! If I were in your shoes, I would go get an airstream and park it back there... and any other white trash item you could find. I too want to know if you know who wrote it? Oh the fun I would have with them. Me and my vengeance! Your yard doesn't look bad at all! They are nuts!!!
ARE YOU SERIOUS?
**rolling my eyes**
At least you know the rest of the world takes your side. :) I do too. Leave it like that until your kids decide to shuffle things around.
Seriously? Its not like you've got five rusted out pick-ups parked on your front lawn... I think it looks very... NORMAL! Especially for this time of year!
I've been spying on your photography for awhile now, and I just got a chance to read through this entire blog today. I'm coming in at the end, and what a fun way to view the blog. I had to stop at this and comment. I'm a member of the church too. I live in Hawaii now, though, away from Mormon Central. It's sad that we go to church and listen to so much about how to treat each other and then do horrible things like this. I have to tell you, they ain't seen nothing until they come to Hawaii and see some yards around here. I've seen the pictures of your life through this and you are doing just fine, just fine! I know this is months ago and you've probably forgotten it, but...really! Do they not listen when we go to church. I wonder all the time about that.
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