The Final Chapter??

Perhaps, the final chapter in the Nimbys vs the entire neighborhood has been written.

After the failed mediation, the Nimbys had certain deadlines to meet if they wanted to go to binding arbitration. Over the past six weeks, proposals and compromises have been fired back and forth between the Nimbys and the HOA attorney.

Most recently, the Nimbys requested an extension beyond the final deadline to file a Notice of Arbitration. It was granted. A meeting was set up last Monday night with the intent to finalize the landscape agreement between Nimbys and us. The entire HOA board, the ARC committee and the HOA attorney committed to the meeting. Apparently, the Nimbys also agreed to the day and time of the meeting. It looked like this entire thing was going to be put to rest.

But, whoa! Two hours before the meeting, the Nimbys cancelled. No reason given except they were busy. Unless a Notice of Arbitration was filed by their attorney on Monday, the HOA is done with this entire thing.

Could it be that after a year of making demands and creating much ill will in the neighborhood, the Nimbys are walking away?? Could it be that the final chapter has been written?? Well, I'm a little skeptical. I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Problem Solving 101

Problem: Smoke detector needs a new battery. Smoke detector is at the highest vault in the ceiling, at least 20' up. You have a 10' ladder.

Solution: Call plumber friend who has an extension ladder and ask if he could bring his ladder and change the battery. Plumber friend sends 21 year old helper guy, but he doesn't have the extension ladder on his truck. Helper guy leaves and returns with extension ladder and a second helper guy about age 22. It takes these young fellows about 20 minutes just to figure out to get the ladder up against the wall without breaking furniture, putting a hole in the TV set or windows, or gouging the wall. It takes 5 seconds to change the battery. It takes another 15 minutes for the guys to get the ladder back down the wall and out the door without breaking furniture, putting a hole in the TV set or windows, or gouging the wall.

Now, I'll have to wait and see if my friend sends me a bill for this little service. At plumbers rates, getting the smoke detector battery changed could cost over $100. But that's probably cheap compared to having to rent a ladder, then waiting for my husband and one of my boys to have the time to actually change the battery. In the mean time, I would slowly be driven mad by the beep.........beep.........beep.

Mother Nature up to her tricks

Geez, I thought that spring was here. I've spent some time with spring garden clean up. A few daffodils and crocus have bloomed. There are signs of flowering trees in bloom. The grass is greening up. Even the lawn company came by last week to turn on the sprinkling system.

But, oh no. Mother Nature has other ideas. She dumped about 5" of snow yesterday.

Notes from the office

My temp assignment in the Public Affairs department of the LDS Church will end this week. There haven't been as many crazy, stupid calls as I thought. In fact, at times, it's been rather boring. But there are a few things to share.

I had a phone call today from a secretary in President Monson's office. She asked: "What are you saying when people call and ask when the solemn assembly will be?" I answered: "I'm telling them that there has been no announcement and I do not know." She said: "OK, just checking.". Actually, I do know because the PA Managing Director mentioned it to me a week ago. But I was told to say that I didn't know. So was this a trick question or a test?

Last Friday, a woman from Texas called and told me "I was her only hope." Apparently Gladys Knight was suppose to give a concert some where in Texas, some time that weekend and the caller didn't know the details. She was in a panic. She seemed to think that here at Public Affairs we keep track of concert schedules of entertainers who just happen to be members of the LDS Church. Uh, we don't. So please, don't give me the responsibility of being your "only hope" because I failed you.

The new issue of the "Ensign" came out last week. The cover is a picture of the new First Presidency. A woman called to complain that in the picture President Monson and President Uchtdorf were not wearing wedding rings. She seemed to think that they were setting a bad example and should always wear a wedding ring. Really, lady, there are more important things to worry about.