Still sorting and wading...

 

More HOA business.  Today was sorting through bids from landscapers so we can have an intelligent discussion with each of them next week.  The numbers are startling; well, at least to me.  People out there see a landscape crew two or three days a week and assume "It can't cost that much."  We have a large community-owned park, meaning weekly mowing and edging, "summer and winter" grass, trees and plants to be cared for, then add in all the other common areas in the community.

I think I may have choked a bit when I saw the value of just the trees in the common areas in the community.  Yeah, we want to take good care of those.  There are also trees and plants lining the streets in the community - all those need care and upkeep, too.

The cost for watering all this is a very big number, as well.  A common concern from homeowners is "What do we get for our HOA dues?"  These two things are a big portion of the budget.  Add in insurance, repairs,  and maintenance costs, and you have a good portion of the answer to that question.

Once again, Joan's organization and input is invaluable in sorting through all this.  I made notes for questions.  Tomorrow, I will contact some of the references these companies have provided.  And make some inquiries for locations where we might be able to have a Town Hall Meeting.

And the beat goes on.  And, on and on.

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And now for something completely different...

The weather.  "Oh, yeah - hot, blah, blah, blah, Jim."

No, not really.  It was only 93º here today.  Cloudy all day.  I actually had to turn up the temperature in the hot tub late this afternoon.  Murphy got to go out several times today, with no concern about burning his paw pads.  He got to see Dicha this afternoon, when they were both outside at the same time.

Stephanie was almost giddy about the overcast; she was hoping for rain.  Honestly, I think she would be happy living in Seattle during the winter.  We won't be following her there.  

Joan likes the desert, but she was happy to go outside late this morning and work on potting some plants.  And not come in fried to a crackly crunch.  (10 bonus points if you said, "Oh, you're referencing a Cheetos TV commercial from the 70s.")

All in all, a nice break from the triple digit temps.  Another day in the 90s predicted for tomorrow.  It doesn't suck.  ;-)