Waiting patiently
Want to post a picture, but
Have to wait my turn
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
Happy World Habitat Day!
Myths (and facts) about Habitat for Humanity
Myth: Habitat for Humanity gives houses away to poor people.
Fact: Habitat for Humanity offers homeownership opportunities to families who are unable to obtain conventional house financing. Generally, this includes those whose income is 30 to 50 percent of the area's median income. In most cases, prospective Habitat homeowner families make a $500 down payment. Additionally, they contribute 300 to 500 hours of "sweat equity" on the construction of their home or someone else's home. Because Habitat houses are built using donations of land, material and labor, mortgage payments are kept affordable.
Myth: Habitat houses reduce a neighborhood’s property values.
Fact: Housing studies show affordable housing has no adverse effect on neighborhood property values. In fact, Habitat houses have proven to increase property values and local government tax income.
Myth: Only African Americans get Habitat for Humanity homes.
Fact: Habitat builds houses in partnership with those in need regardless of race, religion or any other difference. Prospective homeowners must meet three criteria: need; ability to repay the mortgage; and a willingness to partner with Habitat. Statistically, 33 percent of Habitat homeowners are Anglo and 67 percent are people of color.
Myth: Habitat homeowners are on welfare.
Fact: While some Habitat homeowners receive Aid to Families with Dependent Children, many more are working people. Typically their annual income is less than half the local median income in their community.
Myth: You have to be Christian to become a Habitat homeowner.
Fact: Habitat homeowners are chosen without regard to race, religion or ethnic group, in keeping with U.S. law and with Habitat's abiding belief that God's love extends to everyone. Habitat also welcomes volunteers from all faiths, or no faith, who actively embrace Habitat's goal of eliminating poverty housing from the world.
Myth: Habitat for Humanity International dictates policy and practices for every local Habitat organization.
Fact: Local Habitat affiliates are independent, nonprofit organizations that operate within a specific service area within the framework of the Habitat Affiliate Covenant.
Myth: Habitat for Humanity is an arm of the government.
Fact: Habitat for Humanity is not an arm of the government. Habitat is an independent, nonprofit organization that accepts some government funds and other resources to help provide houses for those in need. We accept these funds as long as they do not limit our ability to demonstrate the love and teachings of Jesus Christ. Additionally, our local affiliates insert specific guidelines as needed to avoid becoming dependent on or controlled by government funds.
Myth: Habitat for Humanity was founded by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter.
Fact: Habitat was started in 1976 in Americus, Ga., by the late Millard Fuller and his wife Linda. President Carter and his wife Rosalynn (whose home is eight miles from Americus, in Plains, Ga.), have been longtime Habitat supporters and volunteers who help bring national attention to the organization's house-building work. Each year, they lead the Jimmy Carter Work Project to help build houses and raise awareness of the need for affordable housing.
You can find more information about Habitat for Humanity here.
Myth: Habitat for Humanity gives houses away to poor people.
Fact: Habitat for Humanity offers homeownership opportunities to families who are unable to obtain conventional house financing. Generally, this includes those whose income is 30 to 50 percent of the area's median income. In most cases, prospective Habitat homeowner families make a $500 down payment. Additionally, they contribute 300 to 500 hours of "sweat equity" on the construction of their home or someone else's home. Because Habitat houses are built using donations of land, material and labor, mortgage payments are kept affordable.
Myth: Habitat houses reduce a neighborhood’s property values.
Fact: Housing studies show affordable housing has no adverse effect on neighborhood property values. In fact, Habitat houses have proven to increase property values and local government tax income.
Myth: Only African Americans get Habitat for Humanity homes.
Fact: Habitat builds houses in partnership with those in need regardless of race, religion or any other difference. Prospective homeowners must meet three criteria: need; ability to repay the mortgage; and a willingness to partner with Habitat. Statistically, 33 percent of Habitat homeowners are Anglo and 67 percent are people of color.
Myth: Habitat homeowners are on welfare.
Fact: While some Habitat homeowners receive Aid to Families with Dependent Children, many more are working people. Typically their annual income is less than half the local median income in their community.
Myth: You have to be Christian to become a Habitat homeowner.
Fact: Habitat homeowners are chosen without regard to race, religion or ethnic group, in keeping with U.S. law and with Habitat's abiding belief that God's love extends to everyone. Habitat also welcomes volunteers from all faiths, or no faith, who actively embrace Habitat's goal of eliminating poverty housing from the world.
Myth: Habitat for Humanity International dictates policy and practices for every local Habitat organization.
Fact: Local Habitat affiliates are independent, nonprofit organizations that operate within a specific service area within the framework of the Habitat Affiliate Covenant.
Myth: Habitat for Humanity is an arm of the government.
Fact: Habitat for Humanity is not an arm of the government. Habitat is an independent, nonprofit organization that accepts some government funds and other resources to help provide houses for those in need. We accept these funds as long as they do not limit our ability to demonstrate the love and teachings of Jesus Christ. Additionally, our local affiliates insert specific guidelines as needed to avoid becoming dependent on or controlled by government funds.
Myth: Habitat for Humanity was founded by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter.
Fact: Habitat was started in 1976 in Americus, Ga., by the late Millard Fuller and his wife Linda. President Carter and his wife Rosalynn (whose home is eight miles from Americus, in Plains, Ga.), have been longtime Habitat supporters and volunteers who help bring national attention to the organization's house-building work. Each year, they lead the Jimmy Carter Work Project to help build houses and raise awareness of the need for affordable housing.
You can find more information about Habitat for Humanity here.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Potty Humor
Please know that if you ever call me, you run the risk of overhearing what one of my co-workers heard this morning:
"Mom, I'm a tooty-monster. I tooted. Whoa... it stinks!"
Also know that if, while you are emerging from the ladies room in a public place, you happen to pass me escorting JJ, who has already declared that he has to poop, you may also be treated to a cheery:
"Hello, poopy-man!"
I know, because both of these things happened today. I have no idea who is raising this child.
"Mom, I'm a tooty-monster. I tooted. Whoa... it stinks!"
Also know that if, while you are emerging from the ladies room in a public place, you happen to pass me escorting JJ, who has already declared that he has to poop, you may also be treated to a cheery:
"Hello, poopy-man!"
I know, because both of these things happened today. I have no idea who is raising this child.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Happy Birthday, John!
We went out to dinner tonight to celebrate John's birthday. In the car on the way home, the following conversation occurred:
John: Did you have a good dinner?
JJ: Yeah, Dad. Now I want to go to the store.
John: No, buddy. I don't think so.
JJ: Yes, Dad. Let's go to Dollar Tree.
Marly: JJ, Daddy doesn't like shopping like you and I do.
JJ: I know... Daddy can wait in the car!
John: Did you have a good dinner?
JJ: Yeah, Dad. Now I want to go to the store.
John: No, buddy. I don't think so.
JJ: Yes, Dad. Let's go to Dollar Tree.
Marly: JJ, Daddy doesn't like shopping like you and I do.
JJ: I know... Daddy can wait in the car!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
A Perfect Example
I think I've mentioned a few times before that I am lazy. What I may not have told you is that, in addition to being lazy, I am also a wicked procrastinator. And lately, I have had a lot of stuff going on. Allow me to explain how these issues, when combined, can lead to embarrassment... for a family obviously more easy to embarrass than ours:
JJ's teacher asked him on Monday to bring in a picture of his family by today. I knew we would have to have one taken quickly, as we've had lots of pictures taken, but none of us together as a family smiling at the camera since he was a year old. (John was out of work for a long time, and portraits are expensive!)
As with practically anything that I don't write down lately, I immediately forgot about it... until last night at about 10:30. JJ was fast asleep by that time, and I'm not stupid enough to believe that a two-year-old would even give a smile a second thought if roused from sleep at that hour. So, I wrote "Picture" on a few sticky notes and posted them all over the house to remind me to snap a picture of all three of us together this morning. Fast-forward to this morning...
As per usual, I got up a little later than I should have. After a quick shower, I got JJ up and threw him in the tub. As JJ was splashing around, John got himself ready to go to work a lot faster than I expected. Suddenly, John had to leave, and JJ wasn't ready to get out of the tub. I still needed a picture, so I grabbed my laptop (MacBook... built-in camera) and this is what I sent my son to daycare with:
'Cause yeah, a sepia tint will pretty that right up!
Yes, I am leaning on the toilet, JJ is naked (and looking rather emaciated - I swear, we feed that kid all the time!), and again, I'm just waiting for CPS to knock on our door...
JJ's teacher asked him on Monday to bring in a picture of his family by today. I knew we would have to have one taken quickly, as we've had lots of pictures taken, but none of us together as a family smiling at the camera since he was a year old. (John was out of work for a long time, and portraits are expensive!)
As with practically anything that I don't write down lately, I immediately forgot about it... until last night at about 10:30. JJ was fast asleep by that time, and I'm not stupid enough to believe that a two-year-old would even give a smile a second thought if roused from sleep at that hour. So, I wrote "Picture" on a few sticky notes and posted them all over the house to remind me to snap a picture of all three of us together this morning. Fast-forward to this morning...
As per usual, I got up a little later than I should have. After a quick shower, I got JJ up and threw him in the tub. As JJ was splashing around, John got himself ready to go to work a lot faster than I expected. Suddenly, John had to leave, and JJ wasn't ready to get out of the tub. I still needed a picture, so I grabbed my laptop (MacBook... built-in camera) and this is what I sent my son to daycare with:
'Cause yeah, a sepia tint will pretty that right up!
Yes, I am leaning on the toilet, JJ is naked (and looking rather emaciated - I swear, we feed that kid all the time!), and again, I'm just waiting for CPS to knock on our door...
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
I'm concerned about his self-esteem.
After a long day of playing, JJ ran to me and asked me to take his shoes off...
Marly: You can do it, buddy.
JJ: Mom, I can't do it.
Marly: You didn't even try. Give it a shot. I think you can do it.
He then sat down on the floor in front of me and took his shoes off...
JJ: Mom, I did it!
Marly: See, if you try, you'll find out you can do lots of things. Good job!
JJ: I'm super, Mom! I'm super JJ! I'm super, super, super JJ! Super, super, super JJ!
Marly: You can do it, buddy.
JJ: Mom, I can't do it.
Marly: You didn't even try. Give it a shot. I think you can do it.
He then sat down on the floor in front of me and took his shoes off...
JJ: Mom, I did it!
Marly: See, if you try, you'll find out you can do lots of things. Good job!
JJ: I'm super, Mom! I'm super JJ! I'm super, super, super JJ! Super, super, super JJ!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
He must have been mistaken.
As we were talking this afternoon, John took one finger and rubbed my face just outside my eye. Thinking he was removing an eyelash, I asked him, "Did you get it?"
"No," he replied.
Wondering why he stopped trying, I followed, "Why not?"
"It's a crow's foot."
"No," he replied.
Wondering why he stopped trying, I followed, "Why not?"
"It's a crow's foot."
Friday, August 21, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
Sunday, August 16, 2009
More Cake!
Kelly, I stole this from a Sunday Sweets post on Cake Wrecks. I figured if we're going to go, we may as well go all out!
What the heck is Marly talking about?
What the heck is Marly talking about?
Saturday, August 15, 2009
It's all in the offer.
After washing my car (for the second time today, but that's another story), JJ and I were standing in the driveway when he announced that he had to pee. Thinking that this may be an opportunity to teach him to pee standing up by way of killing a bush, I asked, "Do you want to pee outside?"
"Yes!" he declared excitedly... and promptly turned his socks yellow.
"Yes!" he declared excitedly... and promptly turned his socks yellow.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
More Stuff to Remember
Note: JJ has two wonderful teachers in playschool: Angie and Amanda.
__________________________________________________
The other day, as we were grocery shopping, JJ said to me, "Mom, I love Amanda."
"What about Angie?" I asked.
"Angie's cute!" my little flirt replied.
__________________________________________________
When I picked JJ up from playschool recently, Angie told me that JJ was a real treat to have in class. He was being so good that, at one point, she said to him, "JJ, I just love you."
"I know," he replied, "I love me, too."
__________________________________________________
At playschool, JJ's class is working on the months of the year. In practice at home, I will often look at JJ and say "January". He will follow with "February", and we will continue alternating months... until I get to "November".
JJ then pauses for a moment, and then says, "November 6!" For those unaware, November 6th is JJ's birthday. The month of December is completely worthless to him.
__________________________________________________
The other day, as we were grocery shopping, JJ said to me, "Mom, I love Amanda."
"What about Angie?" I asked.
"Angie's cute!" my little flirt replied.
__________________________________________________
When I picked JJ up from playschool recently, Angie told me that JJ was a real treat to have in class. He was being so good that, at one point, she said to him, "JJ, I just love you."
"I know," he replied, "I love me, too."
__________________________________________________
At playschool, JJ's class is working on the months of the year. In practice at home, I will often look at JJ and say "January". He will follow with "February", and we will continue alternating months... until I get to "November".
JJ then pauses for a moment, and then says, "November 6!" For those unaware, November 6th is JJ's birthday. The month of December is completely worthless to him.
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