ION, grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

uh-oh, what's up?

oh, just people being stupid. I am in no mood to chase down condo-mates who have not given us a check for condo fees since July, and are now saying they only owe for September and October. Just, you know, GIVE US THE FUCKING CHECK EVERY MONTH without us having to ask. If we don't specifically run it down, they don't give it to us. This is why we are 3 months behind in condo payments.

In NO MOOD for this.

Effers. Why are you responsible for their fees? That is annoying.

well, there's only 2 units, so the condo account is sort of a informal thing- we divide the "labor" involved- They pay out the expenses and we do the deposits. So, when they give us a check, then we run their check and ours down to the bank where the condo account is. I got tired of "reminding" them, so we just now do it whenever they get off their asses to write a check- usually every other month, for 2 month's fee at a time.

It's also how we are sure that they are actually paying the fucking fee, if we are teh ones putting it in the bank. You see why this is necessary.

Tom's all, we should institute some rules, and I'm all, OMG I am not going to legislate them on this- too stressful. Also since there are only 2 units in the building, you can't just call them out as stupid motherfuckers. (er, which probably isn't done in larger communities as well, but it's a much more intimate kind of set up so careful treading is required.)

So I don't know WTF to do. I figure we'll just match whatever amount they give us. We do have a cushion, so it should be fine.

Nora, I'm sorry you have to deal with such irresponsible jerks. In your shoes, I might consider getting one of those receipt books that have carbon copies, and make sure to give them a receipt each time from now on. That way, you have documentary proof of what you have gotten from them, and you can say, ok, if you paid for the month of ___, show me your receipt. If they say they lost the receipt, you can look through the receipt book copies, and show them, nope it's not here. And if they ask why you are bothering, you can say you decided to start keeping a more careful account now because you managed to lose track before and do not want your mistakes to cause trouble for them.

Aimee, on further checking, the nearest Amtrak stop to Sydney is in Cinn -- which is about 90 miles from Sydney. A cab ride of that distance will really be costish. But if Joe has a medical reason for not driving maybe the company will pay it? Or, as much as I hate to suggest it, maybe there is a bus.

Aimee, last post boring people with checking on travel. In terms of Amtrak, apparently Toledo is going to be the same cab fare as Cinn, and may be a closer stop to where you are. Alternatively if you consider flying, the Dayton airport (which is actuallyi in Vandailia or such is a comparative close cab ride.)

Or, as much as I hate to suggest it, maybe there is a bus.

I did that a couple of times back in the '80s. Doable, for not-too-long trips (say, up to 4 hours) with no transfers if you have a good book or other entertainment.

Ooof, Nora, that's a big problem, damn. You really can't let them get away with that. I'd be so tempted to threaten legal action. Oof. They couldn't get AWAY with it with a larger condo organization!

Aimee, are any of his new coworkers also going, that he could hitch a ride?

I'd like to have a kids party in the basement, but I don't want to chaperone...but some moms would, but I don't know how to ask them.

Can you hire a local teenager or two? Or do any of the people have teenage children, and you can ask if they'd be interested in wrangling? Since it's downstairs, they needn't be quite as capable, since people could still pop down and see the kiddos if there's an issue or they're worried?

K-Bug babysat at a similar party recently. She was the experienced sitter and there were two other girls who were younger and less experienced, but between the three of them they kept the kids busy. Plus with the parents nearby, the couple of kids who wouldn't behave were quickly returned for a parental word - only took one trip to the parents side of the party before behavior changed.

It is a good way for younger sitters to get experience.