Compliment...

[Dean_A]

I was working on putting the finishing touches on my tear this weekend when I had a dad and his young daughter ride by on their bikes. After circling in front of the house a few times, looking into the garage, I called out a greeting. what followed was the typical "whatcha got there?" qestion, which leads to the inevitable tour. But the best part was when I explained that I had designed and built the whole thing from scratch and he replied:

"Oh, so you're an engineer".

That really made my day!

[planovet]

It's a nice feeling isn't it.

I was working on mine this weekend and had it partially pulled out of the garage for sanding. Someone drove down the alley in a convertable and as they went by I heard "Cool!".

That made my day too!

[aggie79]

Dean - I know the compliments were well deserved.

Haven't got any complements from the neighbors yet - just funny stares and few wrinkled noses from the the CPES I was applying this weekend.

[john]

While doing a walk around somewhere in the Keys the fellow I was talking to realized I had done all the metal work and told me I was a "tinner".

[cuyeda]

With a peripheral view driving by a couple in a parking lot, one person jabbing the other wth their elbow saying look honey, they have an Airstream!

[Jst83]

I got a letter from my H.O.A. saying I've got to move the camper out of the driveway. They just don't appreciate art

[doug hodder]

Park it on the lawn...that'll make'em happy! Doug

[tinksdad]

:( I got a letter from my H.O.A. saying I've got to move the camper out of the driveway. They just don't appreciate art

At least you got a letter!! I got a citation from the city today for having too many unregistered vehicles in my yard. It's gonna cost me a $50 fine immediately and I have 10 days to remove them, register them or get fined again.

[Mark McD]

At my old house in a different city you could only have an rv or camper parked on your property for twenty four hours once a week.

[MsDana]

I went to my friendly neighborhood ACE hardware today where they know me. Anyway, on the way out the wood yard the gate guy asked me what was I buildin today...Ive known him for a while. I told him and got a "yeah ok" look. I cant wait to get this thing done now.

[john]

I got a letter from my H.O.A. saying I've got to move the camper out of the driveway. They just don't appreciate art

I prefer to own my property.

But I also believe that those who don't should have that choice.

[Jst83]

I got a letter from my H.O.A. saying I've got to move the camper out of the driveway. They just don't appreciate art

I prefer to own my property.

But I also believe that those who don't should have that choice.

Our little housing communities around here all have HOA's Own it or not they still tell you what you can put in the driveway. Now mind you the neighbor can rebuild his truck in the drive way that's OK.

Sorry to hijack I'll get off my soap box now

[planovet]

Pretty much all newer communities around here these days have HOAs and membership is not optional. They have broad powers and in Texas can foreclose on your home if you owe them money. Some are good and some are downright bad. Here is an article from the neighborhood that borders mine. I bet they wouldn't want a teardrop in that neighborhood.:

Frisco man primed for battle with HOA over pickup in driveway

Jim Greenwood is parking his 2007 Ford F-150 in the garage, but he’s not through battling the Frisco homeowners’ association. He says the association has declared the iconic Texas truck not upscale enough to leave in his driveway.

“I’m hoping that based on all the activity and noise that they might change their tune,” he said Monday. “These people [with the association] are in a position of leadership, ideally to serve their constituency.”

Earlier this year, the Concentra Inc. CEO began getting notices from the Stonebriar HOA threatening to fine him for parking his truck in his driveway. They say pickup trucks are not allowed in the driveway – although other luxury vehicles, including the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Mark LT, pass muster.

Bill Osborn, a board member with the association, had explained that those vehicles are “fancier,” “plush with amenities” and do not look like pickups. Most domestic pickups are banned.

Mr. Osborn said this rule has been in place for decades and the fine would be $50 per violation.

"From our inception in 1989 until this spring our restrictive covenants excluded all trucks from overnight parking in the street or driveway," Mr. Osborn said in an e-mail. "Mr. Greenwood felt his Ford F-150 should be allowed. The HOA Board denied his appeal as he has garage space and a(n) F-150 did not fit the criteria."

However, Mr. Osborn said Monday that the issue may be revisited.

Mr. Greenwood said his family has a car, a Suburban and his teenage son’s truck, but only a two-car garage.

"I don't want to mess with the logistics with what's in the garage and what's not," he said.

Since WFAA-TV (Channel publicized Mr. Greenwood’s story this weekend, the controversy has sparked hundreds of comments on dallasnews.com and other sites from people sharing HOA complaints and criticizing the associations’ operations.

“I think it's past time for HOAs to be declared unconstitutional! Bad enough the government dictates our lives ... now homeowners’ associations dictate what type of vehicle you own! I recommend the Ford company sue the heck out of them!” wrote one dallasnews.com reader.

Others, however, suggested that Mr. Greenwood should have understood the rules when he moved into the gated community.

This is not the first time the Stonebriar HOA has fought with homeowners about their vehicles.

John Allen, another resident, said he was told last year that his Chevrolet Avalanche qualified as a pickup and had to be moved inside. After hiring a lawyer and arguing his case, he said, the association added the Avalanche to the list of vehicles approved for outside parking.

“I’m all for keeping the place nice, but when it gets to the point of onerous living, that’s no good,” he said. “The whole pompous attitude of it is amazing.”

Disagreements with homeowners’ associations – about additions, shrubbery, fencing and other issues – are not new.

State Rep. Burt Solomon, R-Carrollton, has introduced legislation to provide homeowners more recourse in their battles against the associations, arguing that they can be abusive and overbearing. He said he has won small battles about limited issues, but no comprehensive reform, and he intends to take up the legislation again in January.

“Why would you do that to your neighbor? There needs to be more transparency. There needs to be more accountability,” he said. “There needs to be more fiduciary responsibility in how boards conduct their business with the membership.”

[greg755]

What part of FREEDOM don't these people understand?

I was going to buy a house from the 1880's when I moved up here to NY and completely restore it. It was going to be a big project and cost a lot of money.

Then I found out it was in the "Historic District" and the Realtor told me I would have to get permission for anything I did to it, including small things like paint, windows, doors etc...

Needles to say I didn't buy it and the house, 9 years latter is just rotting away. What a shame it is a very neat part of our past... And has some great architectural details that will probably be lost to damage from the elements

This is America, I just refuse to have a bunch of Yahoo's tell me what I can and cannot do to my own home.

I'm all for following safety codes, and deterring people from creating an eye sore, but come on, you cant park a truck or a couple of trailers in your yard??? What a bunch of hogwash...

[Tommy2tone_1999]

Park it on the lawn...that'll make'em happy! Doug

Better yet. When you park it on the lawn, put it up on cinder blocks and put a few plastic flamingos up. Your sure to win some kind of award.