The Old Crusties

So my Dad & Step Mom just rented a condo on Manasota Key for a week.  They visit a couple times a year from Atlanta and always rent somewhere different.  This week's location was on Lemon Bay, with access to community pool and the Gulf of Mexico.  The condo it self was nicely furnished and well stocked.  Absolutely perfect for a group which included my parents, my step sibs (13, 14 & 15), 1 jack russell terrier, and frequent visits from me, my 2 daughters and my elderly great aunt. 

Wednesday morning my parents were in Tampa and I was put in charge of my stepsibs.  They were challenging each other on Guitar Hero when there was a knock at the door from the property manager.  "The dog needs to be a on leash at all times, even on your patio."  "No, young kids on the dock or at the pool without 'adult' supervision."  "The pool has to be covered up after it's used"... yadda, yadda, yadda.  

"Ok, no problem."

Later that day, I was at the pool with all the all the kids when one of the resident crusties came up and started asking me 20 questions.  "Who are you?  Where are you staying?  Who is all in your group?  Where all is your family from?  This isn't a public pool you know."  I was polite in answering his questions the effort to calm his worst fears... "No, sir my family is staying in #11.  My step sibs are from Georgia, the only other teenagers they know are the 2 that LIVE here.  My kids and I live nearby, we're just visiting.  No, sir the whole local high school will not be invading your pool.  I'm sorry if we've been disturbing you.  Don't worry, they're all good kids and they'll be on their best behavior from here on out."  

For the next couple days everything amongst the residents seemed to be ok.  Until this weekend.  The ultimate motive behind my parents visit this week was to gather with our extended family and spread my Grandpa's ashes in the bay.  He passed away unexpectedly last summer and this was his final wish.  My parents had gotten PERMISSION from the property manager to have extra family over for a catered lunch.  "No problem." 

Yeah right.

Saturday after our boat cruise and a final farewell to my Grandpa we all gathered back at my parents' rental condo.  Everyone ate, drank, posed for pictures and then headed to the pool.  About 10 of us were visiting by the pool and another 10 were in the swimming.   The old crusties began to congregate.  They were talking amongst themselves but the glares from over their shoulders told us right away they weren't happy.  One of them even took a picture of our group!  As if he was collecting evidence to support their complaints!   

Now don't get me wrong.  My in-laws own and live in a beach front condo.  My husband and I are all too familiar with the drawbacks and common complaints of living in a place where people come to vacation.... but we are respectful group!   If 8 swimming teenagers ( 3 stepsibs, 2 cousins, 3 residents ) and 10 adults lounging on pool chairs is a crime then please arrest us all right now. 

So last night, Easter night 9:30 pm, my parents are packing up when there is a knock at the door.  It's the property manager again.   "There have had so many complaints that if there was one more the condo owner was going to call the cops."

These were a few of the complaints she mentioned. 

"A diaper was left by the pool."

"The baby was wearing a diaper in the pool." 

"There are 2 dogs, not 1."

"The pool is turning green because of bacteria from the extra people in the pool."  

"The teenagers have brought 'outside' teenagers in."

"What?!"  My parents were shocked!   Then they began correcting all the misinformation.  During this conversation, the 2 teenagers who live in #19 walked up.  My step mom introduced them.  "These boys live here, they are not ousiders.  There IS only 1 dog here.  Yes, the baby has been wearing a swim diaper.  Would you like me to dig through the trash and prove it?"  Then, one of the crusties walked up holding my stepsister's t-shirt that she had left by the pool.  He completely made our point.  These people have nothing better to do than complain and watch every move we make.  The property manager got an ear & eye full during her 10 minute visit.  She was going to call the owner and assure her that complaints had been exaggerated or false.  

For the record. Mike, my husband did leave a diaper on a chair by the pool.  I spotted it a couple hours later and threw it away.   I bet you anything that old crusty man with the camera took a picture of it.  I'm sure him and crusty buddies stood around and bitched about it for at least 15 minutes, probably longer.

Needless to say, my parents won't be renting this lovely cozy condo ever again.  

Crusty f'ers.  Florida is full of them.   God, help me if I am this intolerant when I'm retired.