Utah

I recently got back from a trip home to Utah.

Have I already discussed the difficulty I have in defining home now? Is Utah my home? When I'm there I talk about going home to Virginia and when I'm in Virginia I talk about going home to see my family. Is home where you're stuff is? If so, that's Virginia. Or is home where your family is? If so, it's back in Utah. It's all rather confusing or is it just a lame exercise in defining a cliche? Sorry I'm feeling rather placeless at the moment.

Anyway, I'm back home in Virginia after a trip home to Utah.

Here are some pictures from the trip.










(this is Rusty running with my parent's dog, Angel, and my sister"s dog, Moose).







I also ran up to my old school. The library was under construction almost the entire time I was in school there and the construction is almost done now so I am completely bitter- it's amazing!

The HOA Blues, part two

Well they responded and they said the dog must go- NOW. They are unwilling to give me a week and if he doesn't go NOW, I (well technically the owner- but in reality- me) will be fined. I responded and asked what the fine is, she said if the dog isn't out within 24 hours they will fine us $50 and we will have to have a hearing, after 48 hours we will be fined $100 and a lien will be placed on the property, and after 72 hours they will fine us $299 and a lawyer will get involved. So it could be an expensive week! 

Not surprisingly, I've decided that Rusty and I should leave now. I'm home right now packing for the night- I feel like a fugitive.

The situation feels strange to me- on one hand, I hate the rule and it chafes that they can enforce rules like this on property I own (used to own- that my sister now owns) and the fine schedule seems extremely punitive and ... well extreme. But on the other hand, I broke the rules, I got away with it for a surprisingly long time, and rules are rules whether I agree with them or not. I should have tried to get on the board and change to rules since I obviously have a problem with them but I didn't, I have no one to blame but myself. (Not that this realization makes me any less bitter).  

The HOA Blues

So I've had Rusty for a while now and I must say I've been really lucky- he's not perfect (who is?) but he's been really great- people compliment me all the time on how well behaved he is (and of course- how cute he is). But the timing of getting him was not great. I don't regret it because I ended up with an awesome dog but I really should have waited. 

You see, I live in a condo. I used to own the condo and bought it because I hate yardwork and shoveling snow and a condo seemed like a great idea- and frankly it was a good fit. The downside is the exorbitant condo fees and the HOA rules- especially the ones about dogs- they are not allowed- they can visit- but they can't live here.

When I got Rusty I knew I was breaking the rules but I got him anyway and justified it to myself in several ways. 1- I wasn't going to be living here much longer, 2- I no longer owned the condo but was renting from my sister- I figured if push came to shove she could tell them she has asked me to move (since I'm moving soon anyway) 3- screw 'em- we own the place (first me then my sister) we should be able to do what we want in a place we own, 4- he's a small dog- I'll sneak him in and out and clean up after him- no one will know- right?  

I realized immediately after getting him that number 4 was completely idiotic- seriously what was I thinking- I'll hide him? In the first week all of the neighbors around us had seen him- I saw more of my neighbors that week than in the almost 7 years I've lived here!

For over a month and a half I got away with having him. I thought I wouldn't care about breaking the rules but it actually bothered me- my overactive guilt reflex kicked in right away- I was sure we were going to get caught. Every time I took him out I was looking over my shoulder worried that one of the board members would see him and tell me off. I was careful to clean up after him (as any decent dog owner is) but I still felt bad about breaking the rules. I guess I won't become a career criminal anytime soon- I'm clearly not cut out for it.

Well, today the inevitable happened- we got a letter giving us 48 hours to get him off the property. We were so close too! After Bernie (my sister) told me about the letter I looked at the calendar and realized I'd only be at the condo full time for another week! (Scary! I'm moving soooo soon!) (Sorry about all the !!!) 

Anyway, I emailed the HOA and apologized and explained that he is not a permanent resident and asked if we could have a week instead of 48 hours- I'll let you know how that turns out. (*sigh*)   

You can't go to a bar to celebrate an alphabet crown

I'm no longer a home owner. It's a huge relief but sad at the same time. All the changes in my life are bitter-sweet, I'm so excited about moving but at the same time it will be really hard to move and leave my family and friends behind. 

Other exciting news- my sister is now a home owner (it is not a coincidence that she became a home owner the day I stopped being one) and my niece got her alphabet crown at school (which means she has mastered the alphabet). My family has a lot to celebrate today.