They are capable of doing the brakes themselves, so they got to work yesterday afternoon, then found that they need to rent a particular tool to work on the rear brakes, and by the time they got to this point they were already losing daylight. So the car is now jacked up in my driveway. We are pretty sure that working on a car in the driveway is also verboten by the HOA stormtroopers, so I am expecting a nastygram in the mail next week. The boys will get the tool and finish the job this morning, and with luck (knocks wood vigorously) will be on their way to NC by this afternoon. Cross your fingers that they don't have to replace one of the calipers, that would require another trip to the auto parts store. Meanwhile, I am enjoying the idea that I, a quiet little Yankee, Coach bag carrying snob, latte sippin' liberal widow lady, have become Pleasantville Estates' worst nightmare - I now have a car on blocks in my driveway. Pity it's a nice looking late model Nissan instead of, say, the General Lee. We considered decorating it with empty beer cans but didn't have any handy.
Today will be another big Goodwill run, maybe two, a huge trash putting-out, calling the electrician and trying to find a live body in the Home Depot carpet department, to get that moving. I need to hustle to get these last things wrapped up, so I can focus on looking for a job. The list of "last things to be wrapped up" grows every time I look at it, so I'll focus on the ones that involve waiting for electricians and installers now, the rest I can get done while working, or at least looking for work.
I'm still working away on the Minimalist Cardigan, the second front panel is about halfway done. It's not the most stimulating thing I've ever done, but this will be a nice, wearable, office-appropriate sweater, and I do love the Debbie Bliss Rialto. Nice yarn, so soft and easy on the hands, very springy. Photos one of these days.
I understand that HOA rules keep neighborhoods nice for everyone. Really, I do. The condo development I live in is one of the nicest complexes in the metro area even though it's over 20 years old and there are 1600 units. But, since when should it be illegal to work on your own car in your own driveway? I think it should be illegal to leave a car there for a long time, but just to work on it? Yeah, they have the same rules at my complex but I'm always doing minor stuff anyway. The funny thing is that the people walking by always ask why I didn't get someone else to do it. (usually replacing a bulb somewhere)
ReplyDeleteI understand that too, and if I had a car in parts in my driveway for a week or so I would expect/deserve a nasty letter. But I've seen this management company chick drive by, she pauses in front of nearly every house and writes us up constantly over every minor infraction. It's just a matter of timing, really - if today is her drive-by day, I will get a letter about it. Oooh, I'm scared. ;-)
ReplyDeleteit's actually a city ordinance in omaha that you can't have a vehicle up on blocks. seriously. they don't enforce it, but still. my husband had an old ford thunderbird in his driveway for YEARS with bad plates, and they didn't say a word. he finally got tired of not being able to get at his garage, and called you-pull-it, and they paid him $100 for the thing!
ReplyDeletepersonally, i won't live in a home where there's a HOA. my in-laws did, and they wouldn't let them plant a garden, or put up bird feeders. admittedly, these things can be messy, but geez! they're much happier where they are now. the only restriction there is they can only have one shed (the previous owner had 2, and he had to move it before they took possession).
In previous lives I used to draft HOA covenants, and I used to loosen up ridiculous regulations written by attorneys. I've seen some doozies, and a lot of people in this area have no idea of the bullets they dodged. ;-) I do understand the need for HOA regs, I really do, because most cities are very lax about code enforcement and will let someone leave a car on blocks forever, etc., and I do agree that a car on blocks that is not actively being repaired and has become a lawn ornament is not a all acceptable. But I've seen - and edited or rewrote - regulations that would require owners to get HOA approval before planting flowers, and I mean a flat of annuals, and banned hosting book clubs, Bible study or Brownie meetings in your home as a "nuisance", and a hundred other things that most of us consider normal residential neighborhood activity. If cities really enforced their codes the HOAs wouldn't have gotten so paranoid and power crazed, but now we are stuck with government by the most neurotic people in the neighborhood with the most time on their hands.
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