HOA, ARC, What?

Last year at our annual HOA (Home Owner’s Association) meeting, the topic of removing evergreen trees came up. This is  HOT topic in our neighborhood as the city requires one evergreen tree per new house build.  Many of our neighbors aren’t too keen on having an evergreen tree in their lawn.

As the discussion got a bit intense, the committee decided it was best to have a separate ARC (Architectural Review Committee–don’t you love all these acronyms?).  Yep, I decided what would it hurt to raise my hand and volunteer.  We were told the duties would only be reading and approving a few emails a month.

WELL…this is the year that the board decided to hire a new management firm and therefore, many LONG meetings have assumed.  Meetings that I hadn’t really wanted to be part of.

I am finding though, that by being a part of the ARC, I am getting a chance to help make a difference in my neighborhood. I’m meeting people I wouldn’t normally meet, I’m conversing with those who seem quite lonely.  I spent four hours on my knees at yesterday’s workday, planting flowers.  I would have never done that a year ago.

As I think about entering a new phase of my life as a true stay at home mommy (because face it, babies don’t do so well on the go all the time), I am thankful that I made that hasty decision to raise my hand and be on the ARC.  I have a feeling that in months to come, I will be happy to know more people in my neighborhood, be able to have conversations when life seems a bit too full and continue to plant flowers with fellow nature lovers.