In anticipation of Handsome Son's visit this afternoon to help get through the annual paperwork blitz for the HOA, I baked.
Lace cookies, first time I tried them, and they went over well.
Very buttery and sweet, definitely a keeper.
After we'd enjoyed some, with pots of tea, we spent the rest of the afternoon wrestling with files, trying to produce all the list of documents and proofs required by the HOA.
Mostly they are state and township requirements, but some simply are unchanging, don't need to be produced every year, one time should do it. I get very anxious and upset about this because of past harassment by various management reps over these documents sometimes demanding the same ones repeatedly after receiving several copies. We've had bullies in that office. And incompetents.
Anyway we have now put a better system in place, with all the vital docs in a file of their own, rather than in the logical files they were in. It's counterintuitive but they blindsided us with the complete list all at once, a first. This will help Handsome Son as my tenant and heir, in future, to take over more of the paperwork.
So that and a bit of knitting pretty much filled the day. I've had better days, but now it's done. And the cookies were good
Happy day everyone! Before dreaded paperwork, be sure and load up on cookies. Recommended course of action by Ted and Big Ursy and Pony and Ursula.
Glad the cookies helped take away the bad taste from bureaucracy and paperwork. They sure do look yummy!
ReplyDeleteThey were very good, and I'm definitely noting them as cookies to help a tough day.
DeleteThose cookies sound delicious. Did your cookies have nuts or oatmeal in them?
ReplyDeleteHOA sound a lot like condo associations, a pain in the ass. Glad the cookies helped ease the pain.
Oatmeal, no nuts. Nuts, that's a thought, hm, noted. The HOA is the condo Association, and most of the dox are state and local requirements because the condos are the only ones in town built apartment style. Management has to administer them, but has been heavy handed in the past, making it upsetting to me. Apartment developments which are all rental do it via management, so tenants aren't even aware of the requirements. But unit owners in this condo development have to do all of it. This too shall pass.
DeleteI think your cookie idea is genius - very wise. And the tea makes it even better!
ReplyDeleteIt's a safeguard against despair and meltdown!
DeleteAll good advice re paperwork (ugh) and cookies!
ReplyDeleteYou've had your share of tracking down elusive paperwork, so you know.
DeleteI just sat down for breakfast. Lace cookies would be perfect with my tea (as in cuppa). The bureaucracy sounds frustrating.
ReplyDeleteIt's comparable to getting a Spanish id, I think! Searching for ancient dox who knows where they are.. I recommend a request to SG for lace cookies. He probably has a marvelous version of them.
DeletePaperwork is the bane of all our lives, but it's good to get it done and dusted.
ReplyDeleteIt will be, when I submit them. I still have to take and send pictures. And hope that will be accepted without the refusals I've met in the past.
DeleteI hate doing paper work. In the years where I did all the paperwork, without computers. I would end up with welts all over my body from the stress
ReplyDeleteThankfully hubby and Wonderson do it all now
I find it stressful largely because of the bullying I've encountered in the past from the various occupants of the management office.
DeleteOh cookies! That's what I've been doing wrong, dealing with paper work. Is there anything magical for dealing with phone business?
ReplyDeleteHm. Chocolate cake?
DeleteHOAs are something that I am not familiar with. While I suppose that something like that could exist up here, I have never come across the like.
ReplyDeleteThey exist in Canada, normally part of the organization of townhouse and condo developments. I have relatives in Ontario familiar with them.
DeleteHow nice that Handsome Son helps you with the paperwork and then he will know what needs to be done by him in the future. I was on the phone with my Internet/Cable TV/ home phone provider for a real LONG time yesterday. They couldn't lower my bill so now I will have to start searching out other providers with better deals. I hate doing that...
ReplyDeleteThe idea is that he's gradually taking over the admin side of ownership ready for when it becomes his property. We've already moved the banking side of the fees to him so that it will not be an extra task done under pressure when I die.
DeleteI don't like shopping around either because it's hard to know if the price you're offered is just an intro price, to rise later. Good luck with it.
I think I shall take your advice on loading up on cookies!
ReplyDeleteIt's popular advice.
DeleteI've never made lace cookies and I wonder why. They are delicious and yours look especially good.
ReplyDeletePaperwork? Well, I guess cookies and tea are better than stiff drinks which really would not help. You got it done!
I agree tea is better than alcohol in this situation. You might make lace cookies for your next family offering. They're really easy, no rolling out and slicing.
DeleteThose cookies look great. Good job, getting HS into the role of chief condo paper-master.
ReplyDeleteIt's better all round for him to be familiar with the process.
DeleteOh, Lord, sorry about the bureaucracy and paperwork. I hope this satisfies the demands of the HOA and makes any future questions easier.
ReplyDeleteNext I have to make pictures and send them. Couldn't face it today.
DeleteOhhh the cookies look amazing.
ReplyDeleteThey're surprisingly easy to bake, and come out looking pretty good.
DeleteCookies make most every amount of paperwork easier to deal with. I used to make lace cookies when the boys were small but haven't had any for many years. From what I've heard of HOA's, they are noted for being pains - something akin to insurance companies.
ReplyDeleteHOA management is usually easier to deal with than the board, but in this state there are many safety regulations, and more in this township, and that's some of the issue. Also the insurers of the common property have demands, too. It's a lot.
DeleteThose cookies look so delicate and must have really been good with tea especially after wrestling with paperwork.
ReplyDeleteWe stoked up before we tackled the paperwork. We needed the energy. It was a good decision.
DeleteIncompetent people in positions of power often exhibit cruel or bullying behavior. And not just in HOAs. Did you ever notice?
ReplyDeleteThat sounds kind of familiar..
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