Word of the Day: Aperture Definition: Hole, opening Used in a sentence: He is careful that the aperture in the camera is properly set.
Hello Friends…
Lucy the puggle dog spent almost the entire day in bed yesterday napping and snuggling with her bear under the covers. I guess we all need a lazy day now and then. This morning I have to draw a map of my proposed garden beds and submit them to the HOA for approval. Wish me luck! I’m hoping they’ll say it’s okay to install them on the side of the house, but just in case they say no I’m going to have a Plan B {installing them in the upper garden}. I had no idea I had to do this until I received a lovely letter last week. Good times people. Good times.
Anywho, I hope you have a wonderful Tuesday.
♥ Mavis
Amazon Gold Box Deal of the Day – Up to 45% Off Select Bowflex Home Gyms
Amazon Bonus Deal of the Day – Philips Norelco Beard Trimmer 9100
6pm has Men’s KEEN Utility Boots on sale for as low as $23.99 shipped!
Available Kindle Books I think look interesting…
- VINTAGE VALENTINES FOR CHILDREN
Free
- The Secrets of Crate Training
Free
- The Ultimate Dandelion Cookbook
Free
- Delicious Salad Dressing Recipes
Free
- Crazy Little Thing
$3.99
- Barefoot Summer
- Vertical Gardening for Beginners
$2.99
- Twelve Years a Slave
Free
- The Friendships of Women
Free
- Teach Like a PIRATE
$9.97
The prices on Kindle Books can change quickly, so grab them while you can. Don’t have a Kindle? Download the kindle app on your other devices. It’s easy! 🙂
- Lindt Valentine Lindor Truffles Gift Box, Milk with White Mini Heart $4.25 when you clip the 15% off coupon. **Ships free with Amazon Prime.
- Finish Powerball Tabs Dishwasher Detergent Tablets, Fresh Scent, 90 Count $11.03 shipped when you clip the $2.15 off coupon and use the subscribe and save option at checkout.
- Charmin Basic Toilet Paper 40 Double Rolls $22.06 shipped when you clip the $2.00 off coupon and use the subscribe and save option at checkout.
*Keep in mind you can cancel your Subscribe and Save membership at anytime. To cancel or change your items, simply click on “My Account” and then click on “Subscriptions.” You can easy peasy modify or cancel any of your Subscribe and Save items at anytime, no obligation at all.*
Are you an avid outlet store shopper? Find out if Shopping at an Outlet Store Really Saves You Money. You might be surprised! Find more cool tips on my Money Saving Tips Pinterest Board.
Print a coupon good for $1.00 off TWO (2) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese
There is also a new coupon available for $1.00 off any TWO (2) KETTLE BRAND products
Nordstrom has 3 styles of the ‘Soft As Snow’ Plush Robe on sale for just $14.97 shipped!
Joe’s New Balance Outlet has the Women’s New Balance 110 Running Shoe on sale for $34.99 {was $89.99}
Perfect for the little Lego lover!!!! Get 2 Building Bricks and Minifigure Ice Cube Tray or Candy Molds for just $6.99. These ship FREE with Amazon Prime.
Today Zulily is offering Plum Organics 12-packs as low as $7.99!!
Craftsy is currently offering 3 different Free Online Cooking Classes. Wahooo! The best part is that you can watch anytime and there are printable instructions with step-by-step directions.
Not a member of Craftsy? Go HERE to sign up.
Discount Mags is offering a 1 year subscription to Eating Well Magazine for only $4.99 a year when you use code MAVIS at checkout. This deal will expire tonight 2/3/14 at midnight EST.
Slow Cooker Macaroni and Cheese – I have to refrain myself from making this weekly, but the amount I consume would frighten you. This stuff is sooo good. Get the recipe HERE or Pin it for Later. Find more recipes on my Crock Pot Pinterest Board.
REI Outlet Deal of the Day – Wenzel Bear River Daypack $19.73 {was $45.99}
Check out these New Printable Coupons:
- $1.00 off any two (2) Milk-Bone dog snacks
- $1.00 off any two (2) Pup-Peroni dog snacks
- $1.00 off 2 Pup, Milk Bone, or Milo’s dog snacks
- $1.00 off any two (2) Milo’s Kitchen dog snacks
- $0.75 off three (3) Canine Carry Outs dog snacks
Find More Printable Coupons
Sara says
HOA’s can be so frustrating!! After eight years of living in a neighborhood with a very restrictive one we couldn’t take it any longer. Getting their “love letters” in the mail over edging not being as straight as it should be and other ridiculous stuff just became too much! I hope they approve your garden, good luck…
Mavis Butterfield says
Edging? You are kidding me.
sara says
Not kidding at all…sadly. One of the members on the board would walk the neighborhood EVERY night with his dog in a stroller with his notepad. It was soooooo annoying. You knew you were getting a nastygram when he would pause in front of your home writing on his infractions pad.
Cheryl says
I was told by the realtor when I bought my house that the HOA was only for the common areas, ie., fences, sidewalks, signage, etc. Major LIE! I read the bylaws and something in there it stated I cannot change the grade of my yard and I was like, bet me! When the neighbor behind me left their fricking hose turned on all day and night…take a wild guess as to where the water ended up. When I replaced the roof, had to get approval for the shingle colors, I even have to get approval for the color of my front door if I wish to paint it. So good luck with your HOA!
Tina says
THIS is exactly why we do not nor probably ever will live in this type of community. Yes they have their perks but it’s just not worth the busy bodies who has nothing better to do than worry about what everyone else is or isn’t doing.
Pippa says
Our town is as bad as any HOA. It’s ridiculous. They have over 300 code enforcement personnel for a town of 100,000. All they do is ride around all day looking for violations. If any neighbor complains about anything you get a citation. I have a privacy fence in my backyard. My neighbor climbs up on a ladder in her yard and looks over the fence for any violations. I had to pull up my tomato plants one year because they looked unsightly and were too tall and gangly and looked like weeds. It was either that or a $100/day fine for growing tomatoes in my own backyard. You are only allowed certain plants in the front yard. Everybody’s mail box must look the same. Sheds must be painted the same color as your house. The list goes on and on.
Good luck Mavis. I’m afraid you’re going to need it.
Diana says
I will NEVER live in a community with an HOA! My property, my right to do with it as I will. Good Luck!
rachel whetzel says
Ooooh. HOA’s are no bueno.
Dana Laughlin says
Good Luck! HOAs are pretty much the devil, as far as I’m concerned. They made me change my curtains in my bedroom of my condo, and tried to fine me after confusing me with another owner. (and this was in the poorest, most run down area I’ve ever lived in my life!) Run by little old people with too much time on their hands, IMO.
PattyB says
HOA’s have too much power. I sold RE in Colorado and the HOAs can even foreclose on your house if your HOA payments are late. I have to submit a plan for my garden too but I haven’t yet. They can’t see my backyard from the street. I’ve been ill for the past 2 years and am slowly gaining strength to clean up my garden and get it going again. Hopefully the neighbors won’t complain. We all have 2 story houses so we can see into the neighbor’s backyard. Unless you buy an older home you probably will be looking at HOAs and they are all different.
Sophia Merrill says
Good luck in your quest for HOA approval, Mavis. Unfortunately, what began as a form of property ownership with good intentions, has turned in to a nightmare for many homeowners. Many buyers don’t realize the TRUE restrictive nature of living in an HOA community – they’re handed a binder with their governing documents upon purchase of their lovely home in a lovely neighborhood, and they put the binder on a shelf or in a drawer and never read what’s inside. I have worked as a legal assistant for the past 9 years for a law firm which represents the Association in disputes with homeowners that can not be resolved at the management level. I have seen the most unbelievable things – including back yard vegetable gardens that are claimed to be in “violation” of the Association’s rules. I would NEVER live in an HOA. (In fact at this stage of my life, I’d prefer to not even live within city limits!) I have seen nothing but busy-body Board Members and fellow neighbors complain about the most ridiculously simple things. I fear that you’ll soon be wishing your physical address was something like “Route 5, Box 25” instead of your lovely suburbia address. Good luck!
Tina B says
I hope you read ALL the HOA rules before buying your new home, Mavis. We have rules in our neighborhood, but no association to which we must pay fees, and really there isn’t anyone to whom we can inquire if we wish to change things anymore. Our home was built in 1990, and no one said “boo” about our roof changing from horrible cedar shake shingles that were full of woodpecker holes (they like to eat the wasps that nested in there and ATE the wood!) to a pretty, forest green, metal roof. Essentially the rules are to keep the neighborhood from looking crummy–no carports, rules about where a shed can be placed, fences, that kind of thing. Not a word about color of anything, thank goodness. Roofing can be replaced, but must be “equal or higher quality” than the original cedar shake shingles. Best of luck to you!
EDW says
Oh Mavis! When I read that you bought a house in a neighborhood with a HOA I thought – “Oh no! They are the devil incarnate.”
Our HOA made us get rid of our three pet chickens after we had them in our backyard for 4 1/2 years! All the neighbors were devastated. We were devastated. I felt like I was giving away my children. Everyone loved our girls. But alas, they were a violation and you can’t have that. So a quick email to zoning was all it took for the HOA president to do his civic duty. He didn’t even have the balls to come and talk to us personally.
I hope that your experience with your HOA will be much more positive than ours.
Wish you luck!
EDW
RebekahU says
So… inquiring minds want to know… Were you ratted out? Or did someone in the neighborhood notice your staking? Or did you contact the HOA yourself – proactively? (GASP!!! NEVER do that!)
Mavis Butterfield says
I’m writing up the story right now…. stay tuned. 🙂
Emily B. says
I hope it works out well for all parties involved. Being a former member of a HOA board I can tell you firsthand that you should always read your governing bylaws before buying. And doing something without confirming in the bylaws if it’s approved is asking for potential trouble. There are always those crappy people on boards that like the “power”. That said more often than not the board is just as reluctant for a confrontation or to have to get involved for a violation as the homeowner. No one wins.