Just Be Brave….

So I’ll go ahead and admit that when “Karen” calls is a post that is slightly “tongue and cheek” mixed with a little bit of venting. While I do think the name Karen is getting a bad rap, for purposes of this post, “Karen” is defined as an entitled, nosy, vocal, middle aged woman who thinks only with her best interest in mind.

My “Karen”

You see, I have a “Karen” in my life. Fortunately, she does not appear often, but when she does, I truly struggle to hold my tongue. My “Karen” owns a cabin just below our “little cabin in the woods”. Along with our cabin, Robby and I also own an undeveloped lot separating the two cabins and protecting our view. “Karen” rents her cabin and personally visits it maybe once a year. We on the other, hand do not rent our cabin and visit it once a month.

Over the past two years I have received calls from “Karen” regarding trash on our undeveloped lot. The trash is the result of bears, racoons, foxes and high winds which blow other neighbors’ trash onto our lot and “Karen’s” property. While this is a common occurrence when you live in the mountains, it isn’t a regular or frequent happening. You see our undeveloped lot and “Karen’s” cabin are at the lower end of the mountain road.

If you follow the science, gravity causes things to move toward the center of the earth or in this case the lowest point on our road. ( So …. **** rolls downhill!) However, science has nothing to do with the wildlife, they just take advantage of easy access to food – aka “garbage”. P.S. Since we are only part-time residents, we never leave our garbage outside and always take it home to Florence or to the garbage service center before we leave.

My Response

As a follower of Jesus Christ, I should not take offense and this is where the struggle gets real! Her calls do offend me. My anger at “Karen’s” unrealistic expectations makes me want to say things that I likely would regret! While the lot is mine, the garbage is not mine and I cannot control the wind or the wildlife. She even admits the same when leaving messages on my answering machine.

I have told her before that we visit every month and Robby always picks up trash that he can reach that has found it’s home on our properties. The problem is that what “Karen” really wants is for us to hire someone to weekly pick up trash so that her renters don’t see it on the slope between our properties. She’s not really concerned about the trash. Her concern is about her rental income and reviews.

I appreciate her perspective, but her expectations are unrealistic! Also, my threshold for manipulation is slim, so don’t go there with me!

The Solution

I have not yet responded to “Karen’s” latest phone call. Robby picked up all the trash he could reach on our latest visit and that’s all that I can offer. Even if we tried to accommodate “Karen”, there is absolutely no guarantee that a bear or a storm won’t instantly blow someone else’s trash onto this lot the very next day after it was cleaned up!

And this is why it gets under my skin! “Karen” wants me to solve her problem without offering any assistance from her end. Her phone calls never offer a solution, they only offer blame. She has weekly yard folks and cleaners whom we would gladly “give permission” to walk over and pick up any trash they see, but she never offers that solution.

But, a solution is not really what “Karen” is after. She wants to hold me responsible for something that I have no control over. She would rather call me and complain than fix it herself. So after much prayer and discussion with Robby, “Karen’s” latest phone call is not going to receive a response. When “Karen” calls again, and she will, I will politely tell her to feel free to be a good neighbor and pick up any trash that is bothersome to her, otherwise it will have to wait until our next visit. (LOL – slightly sassy, I know!)

Final Thoughts

In today’s world it is so easy to become offended. It would seem that there are plenty of “Karen’s” to go around. God tells us to be angry and sin not. Getting angry is easy. Responding with grace and tact is much harder. Clearly I’ve already given “Karen” more energy than she deserves (#thispost) so I will end with this: God tells us in 1 Thessalonians 4:10-12 “…Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business ….” That’s what I plan to do, hoping “Karen” will do the same.

Hope you enjoyed this post! Leave a comment about any “Karen’s” in your life! LOL

Farewell to a chair actually begins four years ago when we purchased our cabin in the woods. We inherited with it a green fabric recliner. It was the “green elephant” in the family room. You could tell that it was well used and of course, became my husband’s favorite chair. The dogs loved it too and so we fondly called it “stinky chair”!

There were many other lovely pieces of furniture that we inherited that we continue to use today. Even so, I immediately began transforming the cabin room by room into a style that suited my tastes. And at long last, the day came to replace “stinky chair”. It was time to say farewell to a chair.

A Little Shopping

During our last cabin visit, it had snowed and was bitterly cold, so indoor activities were on the agenda. I skillfully talked Robby into visiting a local high-end furniture store to “just look” and see if they had any recliners on sale. (LOL) Of course we found some recliners that we liked but the sticker shock curbed my impulses!

Fortunately for me, they also have a second hand store as part of their inventory. It consists of furniture they pick up and remove from homes when delivering NEW furniture. I thought this was pure genius because it is very hard to dispose of or donate large items like furniture in the mountains. So, Robby and I headed over to that section.

Not knowing what to expect, we were pleasantly surprised to see so many great pieces of furniture that simply needed a new home. With a renewed commitment to my mission, I spotted a recliner that looked to be in terrific condition. It was leather, the perfect size and had “power” reclining. Robby tried it out, the price was on budget and it became ours in less than 30 minutes.

Deliveries

Unfortunately the store doesn’t deliver on the weekend, so we arranged for delivery to occur on our next visit. In addition, they would remove “stinky chair” and take it to the dump (we knew it was not fit for resale). This was music to my ears, a win-win for everyone. We marked our calendars, headed to the wine bar to celebrate and toasted to the “old” and the “new”.

Four weeks later and delivery for the new recliner was confirmed. Robby spent one last night enjoying “stinky chair” and then he escorted it onto our deck. The delivery guys arrived on time and one “new to us” power leather recliner graced our family room. Robby is in heaven, Silent Charlie has no interest in this “cold” leather chair and I am happy that everything now matches!

Final Thoughts

While we are very excited to have the new recliner, it goes without saying that “stinky chair” has served us well. Not to go too deep here, but God always reminds me “does your stuff serve you or do you serve your stuff?” “Stinky chair” had fulfilled its mission not only to us but the previous owners as well.

Hundreds of naps, puppy snuggles, grandchildren climbing, comforting sore hiking muscles, hours of reading, fireplace gazing and countless movie watching have all occurred in the green fabric embrace of “stinky chair”. With your mission complete, it is now time to say farewell to a chair!

Hope that you enjoyed our latest cabin adventure. Share, like or leave me a comment. I love to hear your thoughts!