My Other Job

The new HOA Board, not me!

About 3 years ago Jan and I moved, downsized so to speak. We moved from South Tampa to Safety Harbor Florida. just across the bay. This was a change for us. moving from a big city to a small town. Leaving the home we raised our kid in to a new place. Moving from a old neighborhood where we were the masters of our domain to a deed restricted community with a HOA, a board, and a management company.
That took a little getting use to. Having to check with someone other than my wife before I did something to out home. I'll admit I bristle a little at having my autonomy questioned. And that started right of the bat when we got there. I got into a very enthusiastic discussion with the HOA architectural committee about adding pavers to the front of my home and rebuilding the screened in porch to the back of our home.
After this interaction I decided that the best way to get what I want is to join the board. I ran and in a landslide was elected to the HAO board. I served a year as a member at large and then after telling Jan I was not going to serve on the board a second year became president of the HOA.
I got what I wanted to do at my house but at a cost, 2 years of my life.
Well last night we had our yearly big HOA meeting where a new board is put in place. I had told Jan that I was not going to run, I told Bill my VP that I was not going to run for the board, I told the management company I would not be running. And I didn't run that night, instead I turned  over keys and the presidents binder to a new president and I'm confident she will do a great job.
I on the other hand will be able to focus all my energy on my new job of being retired.