My homeowner's association hired a new management company about a year ago that seemed a little unprofessional. It took them a couple of months to start sending out bills on a regular basis and the return envelope they send with the bill is just a small stationery envelope with their address stamped on it. But they seemed to be doing okay until now.

My last statement showed that the previous payment I'd sent them hadn't been credited and, sure enough, the check has not been cashed. But there was no late fee on the statement. I sent them a check for the current and past due amount and have been checking my bank account to see if it's been cashed. I called earlier this week and they told they were working on checks at that moment and call tomorrow. I had an appointment in the area of their office today so I decided to stop by if the check still hadn't cleared the bank. The receptionist checked with someone in back and told me there was a stack of checks they were working on and to call back Monday. I told her I would just check my bank account.

The fact that there was no late fee charged makes me think they really are backed up. But really? What kind of business operates like this? I pay my bills on time and I don't appreciate not getting the same courtesy on the other end.

Any good gift ideas?

On of my in-laws is having a hard time of it. His wife was in a fairly serious car accident and she has been (and will be) in the hospital for an extended amount of time while the docs do what they can do rebuild various parts of her.

The family has rallied round her in heart warming fashion suitable for a hallmark movie so I think all that can be done for her is being done.

I know from experience how heavy the burden of caring for someone else can be, so I'd like to send him a little 'Thinking of you/pick me up' type of thing.

Any suggestions? I know he's uber careful about what he eats (ie no sees candy). I don't think he reads much. He has a long drive to/from the hospital on a regular basis. Oh and he just sent his only daughter off to college as well.

Do you have Stuff Party 1? If not, how can you possibly understand what's going on in Stuff Party 2?

P.S. I'm pretty sure "Stuff Party" is the title of a fetish porno... or will be soon.

Might he be interested in audio books/podcasts/music listening then? Something to make those long drives a little easier, like an audio player and/or convenient accessory for said player?

The first think that popped into my head was an Audible.com gift subscription. It's great for long commutes.

BAH! GD beat me to it.

Also gift cards for meals - so he doesn't have to cook. If you live close enough home made freezable meals, lasagna, enchiladas that he can just pop in the oven.

Also if you live close enough any chores like laundry, housecleaning, yard work so he doesn't have that burden on him as well.

Fortuitously I live much to far away for that type of thing....

Can he boil water? If so, https://popuppantry.com/ might be a good fit.

Also having been in a similar situation for a while. A simple phone call to say hello and ask if you can do anything every few days really does mean a lot.