When my entitled neighbor Annabelle dumped trash into my house through the letterbox, I knew I had to strike back. I’m Kristie, a mom of two and wife to a Marine, and this wasn’t going to slide. Annabelle, known as “Miss Evil” in the neighborhood, thought she could intimidate us newbies by turning my pristine home into a garbage dump. Diapers, rotten food—she shoved it all inside while I was out with the kids.

But revenge was brewing. I collected bags of pet poop from my cats and even neighbors’ pets. Then I marched over to Annabelle’s immaculate house and launched a messy payback right in her pristine hallway.

Her shocked face was priceless. I warned her: “Try this again, and I’ll redecorate your whole life with this ‘special fertilizer.’” The neighborhood cheered, and Annabelle hasn’t dared mess with us since.

Now, with the kids playing outside and neighbors inviting us to barbecues, I realize sometimes a little crazy is what it takes to win respect—and peace—in the neighborhood.