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Monday, December 8, 2008

No- it is not okay!

:::Warning- I am going to vent. So if you only like to read positive things- don't read this:::

Since we moved into our house 2 years ago Ryan has put a lot of work into decorating the outside every Christmas. With lights, elves, trains... the works. He does an amazing job- and he always puts a lot of work into it.
To the north of our home there are townhomes. In the townhome subdivision you are not allowed to park on the street. However the townhomes across the street and to the north of our home CAN park on the 30 feet of fence RIGHT across from their building- and technically they can park smack dab in front of our front yard.Since you can park on the curb where the houses are.
Last year a sweet lady and her husband (or boyfriend) decided to park their 4x4 right in front of our home immediately following my husbands long hours of decorating the front yard. Every single day until 11pm. So when people drove by they couldn't see the Christmas decorations- only a big ugly jeep.
I was pregnant then- and I was POed... probably x4 - BUT Im not someone who enjoys confrontation... so I wrote a very nice letter. Im not being sarcastic either.. I was nice. I told them in the letter that Ryan had put a lot of work into decorating the house for Christmas- and if they could please park by the fence instead of in front of our house during the holiday season we would appreciate it. Even though I said holiday season I would prefer that they never parked right in front of our hosue. ;)
So for two weeks they parked by the fence- which was closer to their townhome anyway. Then right before Christmas it was back to their "favorite" parking spot. We called the city and asked them if there was anything they could do. They gave us suggestions- and offered to speak to the residents since we had tried with no luck. After the city talked to them... we didn't have any problems except for an occasional night in the summer.
Well, guess what? Two days ago Ryan got off work and spent 4 hours doing the finishing touches on the outside decor. Our same neighbord bought a mustang- and right before dusk they parked their car right in front of our house- and left it there until 11pm which is when we turned our Christmas lights off.
When I woke up at 5 in the morning the mustang was back in their driveway. But at 8 'o' clock this morning when I was coming downstairs from changing Jayden I heard the evil mustang motor. I opened our front window and stood there watching the lady park her car in front of our house- go back into her garage- and pull a different car out. She looked at me as she drove off- flipped her hair... honked at me twice squealed her tires and drove off. Leaving the stupid mustang in front of our house ... and there it will probably sit overnight.
Are these people anti Christmas?!?!?! I'm so frustrated. I've already asked them not to do this- I dont know what else to do. We've debated painting our curb red- but we're not sure of the legal consequences...
Tara suggested sticking their hay bail that they were planning on trashing on our curb... I dont like the idea of a hay bail in front of our house all season- but desperate times call for desperate measures. Does anyone have any suggestions????

14 comments:

Marianne said...

You should contact Donald Lowry, the HOA president for the townhomes. his number is (801)499-9507. Or you can email him at coventry-hoa@hotmail.com Hopefully he will be understanding. The parking for the townhomes is a nightmare!

I really feel for you guys- I would be mad too! The decorations are SO cute!

Chris and Tara said...

I'm glad you got to vent a little more. I hope it works out.
P.S. Isn't the snow pretty? That will really set the mood when we get our trees tonight. Ü

Stephanie said...

Since you have asked nicely, and contacted the city, perhaps you should call the police and have them towed. It may not be fun, but where the lady was rude, vidictive, and completely inconsiderate, sometimes you have to be just as rude back for them to understand. No one would want to pay $200 to get their car back, so it might be a good idea. They for sure wouldn't do it again! I'm sorry some people are so rude. I know how hard Ryan works to make the house look festive. It makes me happy! Good luck and let me know how it goes!

k8e said...

That is so rude! Key her car!!!! Maybe she will get the hint. That's what I would WANT to do but of course I could never. I am like you though and don't like confrontation. Good luck!

Gina said...

That's horrible. How can people be so inconsiderate? Seriously. I don't know what to tell you....Tara's idea sounds like the best solution. Maybe you can decorate the hay bail?

Oh, and yes, it does mean I will be seeing more of Anthony. Hooray! Hope to see you guys there!

Caprene said...

Remind me on Sunday to tell you my horror story of street parking when I lived in Sugarhouse. Maybe you can get some ideas.

Rachel said...

Put up a cute sign that says "Idiot only parking" or "Only INCONSIDERATE neighbors can park here."

Shawnee said...

Technically, the city has a public ordinance that prohibits overnight parking on the streets between November 1st and April 1st (for sure on the November date, not 100% sure on the April date) due to snow removal stuff. I think there might be a number you can call to report that. I'll look into it, otherwise you might be able to ask the city what happens in that situation. The signs are posted in the neighborhood, so they can't claim they don't know!

Joanna McGuire said...

That is so rude, I can't believe that. I don't have any suggestions but I would be mad and wanting suggestions too. Good luck with this and if you need anything let me know.

Sue said...

How awful! Since it sounds like they are moving their car back to the driveway overnight I would sneak out there and let the air out of their tires so they couldn't move it in front of your house the next day. Okay, so I really wouldn't do that but I would want to. Good luck!

Duffin Fam said...

I think they are purposefully trying your patience because they know now it was you who phoned the city because you left the note. I would call the city again. In the town homes we are not allowed to park in the street and in the neighborhood you are not allowed from Nov-April. She should be moving the mustang back to her driveway after she pulls the other vehicle out. Some people, what has our world become?

Anonymous said...

Kill them with kindness! Bring them lots of Christmas treats (maybe the 12 days of Christmas) You are such a sweetie, of course you could never be mean. I am glad Ryan is going to talk with them. Love you guys tons! How is our baby?

jamirodana said...

If you are talking about the black mustang with grey on it, then I hear you! I don't even know them and I can tell they are super, totally LAME people. They park right by the entrance on the north side of the entrance to our neighborhood and Jake and I hate it!
You can tell what kind of people they are just by that! I would totally start a confrontation about this, but that's ME:)

Nicole said...

I'm pretty sure that the city doesn't allow you to park on the street Nov-April for snow plow reasons. Our old neighbors there got ticketed once for it. Some of our neighbors down the street actually use 2 large orange road cones along their section so no one parks there. That should be legal, but check first. Happy Christmas!