To say I'm a little miffed today would be an understatement.
I rent the ground floor of a house. There is one female tenant below me and one above. I've written before about the one below that likes to drink a lot and carry on like an idiot. Well, today I am miffed at the one upstairs. I know, I know, I shouldn't let this stuff bother me, but gees Lois, what is wrong with these women?
Anyway, on to the problem. As some of you know, I smoke - albiet only 5 or 6 cigarettes a day as I have lung problems. As this is a non-smoking house (I have to pay insurance as well to live here), I smoke outside. Well, for a while there, it was miserable weather, so I was smoking just inside the back doorway, which is closed off from the rest of my apartment by two other doors. No chance that any smoke will get in!
Well, one evening I did not put out my cigarette completely and it smoked up a storm causing my neighbor upstairs (who just happens to be the part-time girlfriend of the landlord) to complain. Fair enough. I goofed on that one.
A few nights later, I left a pot on the stove too long and she complained of smoke again. I did not tell her the exact cause, as I didn't want to look like an idiot who can't remember things anymore. She suggested I air out the back area and refrain from smoking in it. She claimed she could smell the smoke (through the cement walls) in her stairwell! Fine, I said, I will step right outside from now on - rain, shine, sleet, snow, etc. That is the house rule and I have no problem with following it.
She has since informed me that she is keeping records of every smoky smell that hits her nose. So now I have the Nazi smoking police over my head constantly.
So today, I lit some nice incense that my daughter gave me for Christmas that is Wild Strawberry. I was working on my computer putting together my monthly newsletter when I hear a loud knocking at the door. It's my upstairs neighbor. She smelled smoke and wanted to know what was up. When I told her, she insisted that it smelled terrible and was giving her a migraine!
I was speechless. When I composed myself, I told her I would refrain from using the incense, but holy smoke (pun intended!) I do feel that things are getting just a little bit ridiculous around here. I'm even afraid to light any candles just in case the odor is not pleasing to her.
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Comments: 22
OK, with all seriousness aside, I'd say your neighbor has an overly sensitive olfactory membrane and maybe furnish her with a bag of Halls or something menthol. This would not only be a great gesture to help render the peace but it would help her maintain a more pleasant experience when you're downstairs smoking away. I'd suggest you quit smoking but I know I can't do that because I know you're not ready for that measure. . . I am a reformed non-smoker, hadn't smoked in eleven years but I know the addiction very well...as I do other addictiions which I did away with. . . for the sake of all my neighbors, who all live within a 14,000 mile radius of me.
Ricky: As noted, I only smoke 5 or 6 cigs a day, breaking them up into short puffs here and there. It is a habit I've had for over 40 years and like my adopted mom used to say, "If I'm going to die, I'm going to die happy, damn it!" She had cancer, but hung on smoking for quite a few years.
I really hate getting into the smoking issue at all, because people are so pro or anit on this issue.
The real issue here is just how far a neighbor can go when it comes to what you can or cannot do in your own home. I may be a renter, but I pay the rent and this IS my home.
Olga: I kinda agree with you on that one. At least it gets me away from my computer once in a while.
Carol: I love this place and I'd rather keep the peace than move. Beside, with fibro/arthritis, it is just too hard on me to make such a major change right now.
I hope things get better soon.