So about a month ago we get a letter complaining about the flower beds.  Let's ignore the fact that it's been snowing, raining, and sub-32 for much of the winter.  Then when we have somewhat reasonable days during the week, we get hit again over the weekends on a regular basis.  We finally got a few free days of reasonable weather and did some trimming and cleaning.  Anyway, we got a followup letter that now says we will be fined $50 if this is not addressed by tomorrow (3/9).  About all I can figure they are complaining about is a little bermuda between the landscape rocks.  They're going to fine me and send someone to clean it up for me on my dime.

I think I'll send them a bill for the work I did on the entry last summer.  Remember when the dandelions and other weeds were about 2' tall.  Spent an afternoon spraying them.  Then another afternoon digging them up.  It seems the HOA didn't have the money to hire a landscape company or something.  Then they ding everyone for an extra $50 to repair the pond.  We all know how that worked out.  They drained it a couple times right before a rain storm was suppose to move in (wonder if we got charged for that), then they roll in a backhoe and bust up the sidewalks (don't know why they didn't come in down by the dam and avoid the sidewalk), they scratched around a little apparently solving all of our pond problems, repaired the sidewalk (noticed a pretty good puddle there recently, did they bust a sprinkler line?).  

Oh, by the way, did they ever think about cleaning up the north side of the road?  That would sure help the drainage problems.  Maybe I'll go mow it and cut those willows and send them a bill.

Attention HOA, if you send someone to my house to clean my flowerbeds, the police will be called.    And Red, if that was you that complained, me and you's gonna have some words...  

Can someone fill me in on what the rules and regulations are cause we are new to the area and where we come from we never had HOAs. Im not not sure whats allowed and what isnt. Thanks!

Well, you could IF they had actually put any documents in there...

How about some pics Fred?  I'd love to see where they 'draw the line'.  There's tons of people in the neighborhood who have dumpy yards....

It's kinda amusing that they don't do jack for people not paying their dues, but they get up in arms over this.   

You had better NOT put up a picture of my unacceptable flowerbeds!   

I can't wait to put in the spring flowers, but I am waiting until we get back from London so our house sitter doesn't have to look after them.

I think the problem is that you have actually flowers in your flowerbeds.  I see some yellow near the sidewalk, and it seems that most people in this neighborhood have come to the conclusion that the HOA is against it.  I think if you were to remove those the HOA would probably approve the new look...

BTW, it would be a cold day in hell before I would give them the $50!

FYI, a sweet lady named Leah from HOA called and left a message.  Said it has been noted that I am not to be fined the $50, BUT IF YOU HAVE WEEDS IN YOUR FLOWER BEDS PLEASE GET THEM OUT.

Time change this weekend and spring break next week.  I see alot of good things happening real soon.  Just can't believe they were in such a hurry.  Maybe they're hard up for money once again and are trying to get people to fall for their threats.

My tulips have sprouted but don't yet have blooms.  I wonder if I am going to get a letter on those?

Tulips are one of the worst kind of weeds you can possibly have in your flower bed.  Especially the red ones because they draw so much attention.  I'd get that taken care of pretty quickly before it's too late.

And thanks for putting the blinders on as you passed by.  As I mentioned, there's some bermuda in the landscape rocks that we're going to take care of.  I think we're getting rid of the rocks and going to do some different edging.  The wife looked it up and it appears snails are a common problem when using stones like that and we've been overrun for the past couple of years.