Thanks everybody! I got an email back early this morning saying that it wasn't a problem at all, no worries, so it looks like everything is OK. I'm not sure why I expect backlash over this sort of stuff, but I tend to get so anxious... even when I laid down last night, I felt like my heart was racing .

Divine1966 - I hope your mom is doing much better! I think that some people (maybe?) seem to really enjoy helping everyone out... but I usually feel like there's not enough hours in the day already, I think I'd resent the plants (even more!).

Healingme4me - thanks! And, that's funny. I suspect that I have a brown thumb as well... I certainly don't have any plants in my care right now, which should be a clue to the HOA!

S4ndm4n2006 - thanks! Yeah, I was worried that it wasn't really volunteering, but "volunteering" since she only emailed the two of us... I wasn't sure it was really a true "do you want to do this" request, and more of a "you really need to do this!" demand!

And... my neighbor volunteered to take it on! I feel a tiny bit guilty that he's going to have to it himself, but... I remind myself that he could have said "no" too. His choice, his consequences!

Thanks for the support!