Keeping up with the Jones....

Keeping up.
The burbs are known for lots of things...good schools, lots of green space, parks, community pools...and keeping up with the neighbors.

In every burb you will find that there are those people who just feel the constant need to "keep up".
You got a pool?
They got a pool.

You repainted?
They repainted.

You hired an architect to build a new something?
So did they....and it goes on and on and on.

The most interesting thing about this phenomenon is that most of us don't ever think that "we" are the ones keeping up. I know of nobody that would willing recognize this trait in themselves.

Where does it all begin? Are there one or two "free thinkers" in the hood that feed the fire for the followers? Why do grown adults really care so much about what others are doing?
Some of the worst offenders of the keeping up sect are those who cannot "afford" to keep up, but wish they could....they become the criticizers of all things for which they do not have and verbalize it at every opportunity.

You have a pool?
Your neighbor got a pool.
But this neighbor thinks it is outrageous that anyone would waste time or money on a pool.

You redecorated?
Your neighbor redecorated.
But this neighbor shakes her head at both of you....what is the point, they can find better ways to spend their money.

Your kid has crocs
His kid gets crocs
They laugh at all of you for wasting $25.00 on the real deal.

A friend of mine called today. She got a brand new screened in porch for Mother's Day. It has been in the works for months and the final coat of paint went up on Sunday.

I have always wanted a screened in porch. Hmmmmm.

I crawled into bed last night.

"Honey, what about a screened in porch this spring?"
"Nope. Too expensive."
"But Lisa just got one and it sounds REALLY nice."
"So? Why are you playing keep up with the Jones?" He asked me.
"Me? Play keep up with the Jones? NEVER."
"They paid way too much for a porch they can only use three months out of the year." He mumbled."
"I think it would be so nice to have a non buggy place to sit in the summer."
"We can talk about it tomorrow." He groaned as he fell fast asleep.

I called Lisa today to get the name of her contractor.

"Oh, so you are going to build one now?" She asks me with a slightly annoyed tone in her voice.

Uh-Oh. Busted.