Some things are just so obvious that when someone makes an issue of it all I can do is laugh. Laugh, and shake my head in disbelief. By know, I suppose everyone knows how I got the Chick Magnet stuck behind my house. Obviously, not among my finest moments. Still, I took it like a man and stepped-up to it. With the help of friends, we freed the van this weekend and I thought that would be the end of it (except occasional, well-timed reminders from Sue).
When Sue comes in with the mail last night, she tells me we received a warning from our Homeowners’ Association (HOA). I swear her eye twinkled in restrained glee when she told me. My mind immediately turned to my post earlier that day about getting a nasty letter for the amount of trash I take to the curb. Nah, that can’t be right, based on Sue’s seemingly smug smirk. What could possible be wrong, I wondered?
Sometimes I worry Sue can her me thinking, because right on cue she tells me the van in the backyard is a violation of our HOA agreement. I immediately think she’s bluffing. This must be her way of poking fun at me. A way to let me know that my idiocy will not soon be forgotten. Now, I’m not saying she was having fun at my expense but the sad news is we did get a warning. It’s like adding fuel to the fire! Now, I’m officially a doofus. I have it in writing.
<via dvorak.org>
What the hell? It was just four days behind our house! Which means they probably mailed it on Thursday or Friday. Did a neighbor report us? Did the HOA read this website and then decide to play a bad joke? I begin imagining the HOA staff (I know most of them all, personally… which makes it worse) creeping around like the Gestapo. Seriously, what would have been wrong with someone picking up the phone and calling me? Or knocking on my door?
So, what’s all my ranting leading to (besides the obvious embarrassment)? I received word that we a “go” for getting a small cement patio and sidewalk (hopefully wide enough to drive on) to the basement. I don’t know any of the specifics right now, but should hear more sometime today.
There are always people that love power, nothing will change that. Don’t worry about it, you have more important things to think about. Looking forward to tomorrow’s news on Austin Vantrease. I’m hoping it will bring you some satisfaction.
Ken, Just read this and honestly can not believe how really insensitive and stupid some people are . But so glad you got ok for patio and walkway. Always here for you all . Give Ryan a big hug Love Gail
I think of you guys often, with prayers of course, and I am amazed how you have handled your new life, with laughter. God gave you this challenge, and I truely believe he is proud of all of you:)
Speechless! Well, almost. Now hear this: In the future, all letters of this kind from the Asn. to the Divineys should be hand delivered by members along with a casserole. My gosh, Folks, you’re being watched! Not close enough, apparently, since they didn’t see you out there spinning wheels! The noive! Covenants can be a good thing, but sometimes they are over-the-top.
Can I get on the “I’m disgusted” bandwagon? Flipping LAWN POLICE! You know while they were TRESPASSING on your lawn to inspect, it would have been nice if instead they offered some assistance. There are two sides to every story and I can’t imagine anyone on that committee not knowing who you are and offering to help. Grrrrrr!
I am ABSOLUTELY FURIOUS at this. Please join me in sending an email to the Ashburn Village HOA at avca@ashburnvillage.org to express your opinion to the mean spirited oblivious people who sent this letter to the Divineys. I don’t anger easily, but this is RIDICULOUS.
Thank you for the email addy!! Wonder what the reponse will be to my email to the airheaded homeowner association
“Are you people serious sending a violation to a family who has been traumatized by brutality? What were you thinking? Shame on you callous idiots!!”
Ken,
I will agree with all the above comments. I am a firm believer that most (not all) citizens on an HOA board have an internal power issue. If a mean spirited neighbor reported it, shame on them. If the HOA was monitoring the neighborhood they must be blind and grossly unaware as to what is going on in your home.
I admit I do not know how to approach this. I tend to be the one who would go in to the HOA and blast them. Not always the best resolution:). If that is the way you want it handled, let me know. I kinda of enjoy this type of “conversation”. Much love~
Mercy me, I can’t believe what I’m reading. Would someone let the HOA know that it’s Halloween coming up, not April Fool’s Day? Because I just can’t take that letter as being anything other than a mean joke.
I have a suggestion for all the good folks on the HOA committee. How about, instead of being part of the problem, lend a hand and be a part of the solution? if a neighbor’s van is stuck in their back yard, you offer to help push it out, right? Right?? Which, thankfully, a wonderful group of kind souls did. Hugs and gratitude to you all.
To the Ashburn Village HOA: for the life of me, I cannot fathom how it could possibly escape you that the Divineys have been suffering, struggling and working very hard to help their son get better for going on two years. Could you really be that cruel and mean spirited to send a letter like that?
Wow, I’m plain disgusted.
HOA would probably be a better role model for the members of the association if they could say “Hey, we are here for you, how can we help”
I agree with Christa. Have them come live in your shoes for just one day…
HOA’s are a necessary evil.
Ugh…
HOAs are NOT a necessary evil. They’re a way of putting compulsive thieves in charge of YOUR home. They make you pay them money for them to tell you how to take care of your own property. Firing squad for all of them.
I don’t know. I have seen some positive things come from HOA’s. Operative word: “Some.”
Bottom line is this: Ken’s not the “doofus” here. This particular HOA is heartless, oblivious, cruel, callous, and uncaring. The notice was uncalled for.
I repeat: “Ugh.”
I agree with Anna, but will take it one step further and say someone on the board needs to get a life! Unreal that they are well aware of your situation and would not be decent enough to offer assistance instead of firing off a letter like that. If it was an unknowing neighbor that complained, then the board should’ve investigated before turning Gestapo on you. I’ll never understand some people who let a little power go right to their heads. Good news on getting the permit for patio and sidewalk. At least the Chick Magnet will have a solid runway and landing pad!
Yeah, really! What d!cks to send you a letter about that. Sure, if you parked it back there for the purpose of sneaking in/out meth-making materials or to let it set and rust into the ground, but for real, you use it to transport your son. Sounds like someone needs to find something better to do with their time. Maybe they should come over and help you push him out from the basement to the driveway and see how difficult it is. Geez…
Really? A letter from the HOA in just a few days? How mean is that. Yes I say MEAN! Someone on that board needs to come over and help you out instead of wasting their life typing out letters and gossiping.
Yes, there’s a Doofus involved in the story, but it’s the person that sent the letter in the first place.
Disagree, although I realize Ken was trying to remedy the situation, HOA rules are there for a reason. You most likely were reported by a neighbor that did not like seeing a van sitting there but our community is the same way and it applies to everyone no matter what your individual situation is. FYI…. if you are looking to install a patio or some type of parking pad you will probably need to get that approved with the HOA.
BTW, I wasn’t saying I agree, I was stating I understand the process of living in a HOA community. There are good and bad about a HOA community. Everyone needs to be held to the same rules. The sad part is not that the HOA did their job, but a neighbor most likely reported the van sitting there without giving the family ample time to remove it.