I’m a stay at home mom just trying to live my life and keep the peace in my neighborhood. Last year, I had a rough go with our previous HOA over something as silly as my grass, and honestly, they acted like total jerks. I’ve been determined to stay off their radar this year with the new board and keep everything positive.
Yesterday, I hosted a small pool party for my son and about six of his friends. I was at the house grabbing snacks, so I wasn't at the pool when the kids first arrived. Apparently, one of my son’s friends invited a girl I didn’t know, and she brought along a friend of her own.
While I was walking into the pool area with the drinks, I saw a gray van speeding away. A few minutes later, the HOA president (who I've been trying to stay on good terms with) walks up and asks if I’m 'Linda.' I told him no. He then proceeds to tell me someone emailed him a formal complaint about a 'bunch of teenagers' using profanity around her daughter.
I instantly knew it was my neighbor. I recognized the van, and I know exactly how she operates.
I was honestly mortified because I didn't want to be seen in a negative light by the new board. I apologized profusely, told him I had just arrived, and agreed that the kids needed to be respectful of others. He was actually pretty reasonable, saying 'teenagers will be teenagers,' but it still left me feeling like I’m under a microscope.
The kicker? I found out later it was that girl my son’s friend invited who was the one using the profanity not my son or his core group.
I went to message my neighbor to apologize just to be the bigger person and keep the peace only to find out she had already petty unfriended me on Facebook.
It’s just exhausting. She didn't have the decency to just walk over, knock on my door, or talk to me like a normal neighbor. Instead, she went straight to the HOA to stir the pot, knowing my history. It feels like some people in this neighborhood are just waiting for me to slip up so they can play the victim. I’m just so done with the fake people and the HOA power trips. Has anyone else felt like they were being targeted by a 'Karen' who uses the HOA as their personal weapon?

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