Vacation homes!
Did that just have a visceral effect on you? If so, then you are probably the proud owner of one! And know exactly what I’m talking about?
Yet to make it perfectly clear, I’m going to simply say, oxymoron. This is defined as when two contradictory terms appear in conjunction with one another. Let me elaborate. This term summons up, simultaneously, contradictory emotions. “Vacation” kind of means you have no responsibilities to take care of. “Home” means anything that goes wrong, you are in charge!
Think of opening a vacation home after not being there for a while. Guess who usually HAS been there?! You guessed it! Rocky Raccoon, Mickey Mouse and friends…. spiders and ants, and other creatures that have taken over the premises. You are intruding, and in fact ruining their party. Even though you are extremely nauseated, they think you are being obnoxious and inconsiderate. After all, they spend much more time there then you do. Yet, you ignore their squatter’s rights.
If you are the one with the sorry job of showing up first to open up the house – Welcome to misery! You have the honor of scaring off those scurrying characters and cleaning up their droppings – And no, they are not paper trained. Any surface goes! Then comes the appliances check. Does the refrigerator, oven, dishwasher, etc. still work and if so, not leak…. Oh wait the water needs to be turned on first.
“Boy it’s hot in here. Does the A/c work?” You flip the switch with trepidation. No, the A/c does not work! The water is discolored. The water’s not getting hot. The fridge is leaking. The closet is off its hinges. The door is warping. Need I continue?
The barbecue was not cleaned. The dishwasher was left with dirty dishes in it and had not been turned on since last summer. Moldy to the tenth power! Gross has been taken to new heights.
So here’s the question why do these homeowners go back there, time after time, or year after year? Well, because they need a vacation, of course. Everyone needs a vacation, especially the person who opened up the house!!!
Furthermore, something appeals to them about the house itself, or the region it’s in. Maybe it facilitates their proximity to an area of hiking, biking, skiing, or quality time hanging out with family or friends.
Usually, once the initial traumas of opening it up are taken care of things get a little better. But that really all depends on 2 things: 1. Access to a handyman! 2. And the ratio of time one will be spending at the house, verses the amount of time and level of strain it takes to get the house up and running.
The concept in theory of owning a vacation home sounds delicious, the reality can be more jarring. The traffic or traveling to get there and back may also be an added challenge. And filling it up with staples and general sustenance items, then cleaning them out, all add to the equation.
Nevertheless, somehow when things get settled down there is something that vacation homeowners love about the place.
So, if you ever happen to be invited to spend time at someone’s vacation home, rather than just thinking “what a great place you have here”, think – “wow, what a glutton for punishment the season opener must be!” No seriously, think – “how can I add to the enjoyment side of the equation for the home owner”. And try to be a really appreciative, helpful, guest, and clean up after yourself. And if you are with them the last weekend of the season give them a useful house gift, like a gift certificate for an exterminating company or keep it simple and just pick up a mouse trap to leave for them.
Rivki Rosenwald is a certified relationship counselor, and career and life coach. She can be contacted at 917-705-2004 or rivki@rosenwalds.com<mailto:rivki@rosenwalds.com