My Habitat Journey~update 08/16

[ilovematteo170]

06/08/10

Sal and I made it to our orientation meeting.  Lots and lots of paperwork to fill out! We now know all the rules and what is required of us.  250 hours for the both us to put in.  100 hours must be in construction.  I am really nervous about this part. I have never even hammered a nail! let alone walk on a roof!  lots of rules about how you can be removed from the program for fraud and things like that.  Christine our coordinator said " you really wont appreicate the house until you out there working and realizing how much time and effort it takes to build it." This organziation is truly amazing on what they can give people.....a dream....hope.....hard work does pay off...........and........better life for their familes.  This organization believes in people getting a better future. Wants you to acheive your dreams.  It is truly, truly, been a god sent. We left the meeting with really high hopes and wanted to get our hours started as soon as possible!

06/12/10

today was our first date on the construction site.  We both went in very nervous and not knowing what to expect.  We ended up on a site is a "rehab" home.  they were working on the siding part of the house. Sal and I worked together on the sapic(spelling ??) but its what holds up the gutter and keeps the water from going in the roof. I actually cut with a saw and made grooves!! talk about impressive!! LOL Sal did do much more actual work then I did. People were so nice and friendly. not sure if I like the "construction" hours but only have 90 more to go!! lol Christine was right though, you have no idea until you see what you have done has made a difference.  We felt really good leaving the site and cant wait to get closer to see where we will end up!  

06/15/10

We went to the house that we worked on SAT.  There was only 4 us there! It was so quiet.  Sal and I worked on putting up the rest of the draining part of the siding. And put finished the siding on the house! Actually cut siding with a giant pair of cutters!  Cleaned up and left after 6 hours. Our supervisor is so nice! He explains everything and is fun to work with.  We now have in 15 hours! woot woot!

06/18/10

today we went to a seminar about budgeting and credit card debit.  Wow did we need the budget part!! Sal and I are sitting down this weekend and will put it into place.  She had some really great ideas and I like the idea of having 3 boxes/jars for the kids. One jar is "savings", one jar "spending" and one jar is "charity".  You divide up the allowance into the 3 jars.  We really need to teach our kids about finances and budgets so they are not in the same mess that we are in.  We also earned 4 hours(double) toward our 250!! We now have 18.75 in! Yay!!!!

06/22/10

went to the Re Store for habitat to put in some hours. We were going to the construction site but since Sal hurt his back, didnt think that was the best plan for this week.  The Re Store is like a huge 2nd hand shop with all things needed to build a house.  Some stuff is brand new donated and others is slightly used.  Its a very big place with lots and lots of stuff!! We ended a pricing a huge flower/fruit/veggie seed donation from Lowes. OMG it took us pretty much all day. But when it was done we put in 7 hours!  Then we had a meeting with all future habitat owners.  A lovely girl from Home Depot came in and explained what type of paint you should use in which room, best carpet choices(nylon is the best fiber! lol) flooring choices, and blinds. Very informational! Then we got a sheet of how far we are with hours. Next month Sal and mine will show up!!!  woo hoo!!  Received another 1 hour for attending that!  So far so good I guess!

06/26

Worked in the Re Store again today. Jeez did the time go by sooooo slow!!! It was busy and they really needed our help but I dont know why the time dragged on today. Plus its really, really, really hot in the store. Its a big warehouse with no air!! It was like in the high 80's today and being in MI the humidity is high! I was sweating like so bad!!  basically just put things away that were donated. Helped a few customers with what they needed.  Starting to feel more comfortable about answering questions.  With Sal's back still being out of whack, we will be working there again on Tuesday.  I also had a my friend(that I have know 4ever!) show up and put towards 1 1/2 of time towards my hours! I am now at 33 hours!! yay me!!!! Sal has 31.50. I guess thats pretty good considering we started on June 11th for hours! I am really proud of us!

07/01/10

Made our first payment for the closing today!!! Also got some extra hours for Gab and Sal's report cards!! I think it was a total of 5 1/2. Yay!! working tomorrow for the big fundraiser! 

07/02/10

started working the Stars and Stripes Festival in Mt. Clemens today. We did the beer tent.  It was very busy!!!  lots of beer and drinks being sold. left around 12:30 am. Got in 10 hours!

07/03/10

worked the tent again today. a little slower then friday but still quite busy. lots to do with refilling drinks, serving, taking money, and getting ice. Sal and I got double hours for working today. Kristine said that we were working really hard and tired to keep everything organized. It was nice to be rewarded for hard work! 22 hours for the day!! Plus habitat made $400 in tips!! whooo hoooo

07/04/10

Kinda of slow in the tent today.  It was so hot that I dont think as many people were drinking. The fair was def. slower then the previous 2 days.  All the bands that they had were really good but I think I may have lost some of my hearing after being there for 3 days! lol  Still lots of work. We did have 2 friends work for us and put in some hours for us.  They rocked it out it for us!!!  I have 99.50 hours in and Sal has about 84 hours.  We are so close to getting offered our house!!! Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 07/06/10

We are going to be able to inside the house to check it out next week tuesday(07/13) I am so super excited!!!!!

07/08/10

worked another 6 hours in the Re Store.  OMG it was sooooo hot in there!!! Did alot putting things away. It is unbelievable the amount of donations they get.  The only thing I dont like about the store is time kinda of goes by so slow!!  thank goodness my brother came in to buy some appliances for his place up north!  I am  now over a 100 hours!! whooo hooo!!

07/13/10

We went and got the tour of our house today!!! OMG it will be perfect for us!! The bedroooms are able to fit all 3 boys in one and both the girls in the other!  The house is pretty much gutted for the most part. We will be getting a new roof, siding, gutters,furnace, water heater, electrical, plumbing, bath tub, sinks, cabinets, counter tops, dry wall, front door, flooring, and they will paint everything. well I guess we will with our hours!  Kristine officially offered us the house!!! We will be signing all the paperwork on 07/27.  We are super excited!! the house will come with refridge, stove, and dishwasher.  Now we have to save for microwave, washer, dryer, and central air.  We have to save some serious cash to be able to move. I wish I would have asked how long it will be until the contrators are done with everything and we can start working on it. I will have to ask on the 27th.  that way we will have a better idea of when we can move!!!! Yay!!!!!

07/17/10

Went to work on the construction site today. Did all interior work. Painted and taped my first time ever! looks pretty good, if I do say so myself! lol  Worked with a couple that are recovering alcholics.  They are working so hard to get their lives back on track.  Its really inspiring and awesome that they are working toward their new life.  You really do  learn to appreicate your life in way that you never knew possible.  Another 7 hours in today!!! Woot Woot!!!

07/20/10

Today we went to the habitat "street".  Its a street of all habitat houses! Its so cool!!  Sal and I did siding all day.  There was a problem. The home owner came around 1:30pm to see the house and brought all the volunteers icecream(very nice of them, it was so freaking hot today) Today must have been the first time she has ever seen the color of the siding(it was started today.) She started to complain that she didnt like the color, she didnt get a choice in the color, its not what she wanted.  She made everyone soooooo mad!!!  Here people have been busting their butts since 9am working in the sun and heat. The site manger told her that "its staying, and its NOT coming down."  They had some volunteers from a local store(they brought lunch for everyone, so nice!!!! and yummy!)they were so upset by this lady. I felt so bad. I have never met anyone that has been that ungrateful in the program. I feel like this homeowner gave habitat a really bad taste in these ladies for the habitat.  Habitat is a wonderful program. I guess I just need to let it go.  

07/27/10

Worked on the habitat street today but there were so many people there to help!! they had a youth group from a local church. Those kids and parents worked really hard. I did not and I feel bad!  Habitat meeting was tonight, I thought we were going to "offically" sign for the house but our coordinator had a meeting and we were unable to meet with her.  I am a little disappointed but what can you do??  Some backstabbing occured today with some other home owners!! OMG I cant believe how bitchy some people can be.  Its just crazy!!! Some serious haters out there.  I have to stop taking it so personal!!  Put in another 6.5 hours! Yay!!

07/31/10

Helped out at the Buckingham house today.  Sal and I worked on the bathroom.  Primed and painted.  Pretty much took the whole time we were there.  Got in 8 hours that day! Love working with Glen.

08/02/10

Sal turned in our check for 75 dollars and our hours.  I need to add them up!  didnt work today because Sal had to study for a test.

08/04/10

Went to our first money mangement class tonight.  this is required by Habitat in order to get your house.  It is an 8 week course once a week for 2.5 hours every week.  Our teacher is very nice but I think tends to treat us like little kids.  We even had to have rules! it was kinda of wierd.  It was kinda of nice to know that we are not the only ones in the kinda of trouble we are in.  Lots of homework to do and we have to do a budget!  this will be very intense as she has pages of this budget to fill out!  this class is a little scary for me bc I dont do well with money and neither does Sal.  I am sure we are going to learn alot and for that I am excited but nervous!  Hoping to get that certificate on the last night!  also got two and half hours!

08/06/10

We went to "visit" our house today. Was kinda of disappointed that the contractors have not done anything with the house yet.  On the other hand, Lowes did deliver alot of stuff!! the bathtub, back of the bathtub, sinks, towel rack, toilet paper holder, mirror, 5 ceiling fans, lighting, and other supplies! Hopefully this week the contractors will start!

08/07/10

Landscaping today at Buckingham. Moving dirt from a giant mound of dirt is so not fun.  But we did get alot done. another 8 hours!

08/11/07

Landscaped today at Buckingham. Sal and I pretty much moved the rest of the dirt pile. The other couple had to leave at 12:00pm. OMG is was so hot and I am sooooo sore.  Received another 8 hours!!!

Spoke with Kristine today, the contractors were going to be at the house this week for sure!!!!! whooo hoooo!!!  She said the contractors need 2 months to get the work done and then about another 4 weeks for volunteers(Sal and I too) to get the finishing work done.  Hopefully we will be in the house in early DEC!!! that is as if everything goes to plan!!! I am sooooooo excited!!! We went to our 2nd budget class tonight. We now have to set a goal.  I know that mine and Sal's will be to save the 1,000 we need for our down payment.  Now we need to get a plan and thats the homework.  I now have about 150 hours!! yay me!!!

08/14/10

Went to Buckingham today and worked our butts off!! Finshed up the Landscaping today. Raked, picked up rocks and rocks, and raked! It was so humid today, sweating like crazy! it was really not fun!  Buckingham house is pretty much done, probably wont be working on it anymore. We will miss Glen and hope to see him at another site.  Put in 6 hours today! 

Fun stuff was going to Lowe's and picking out my counter top!!! I found one that both Sal and I liked! Wow wonders never cease!!  Our site manger gave us a tile sample, we took both the tile and counter top tile to the house and we really liked how it was going to look.(well from one square of tile and sample of counter top! lol) They put in the bathtub, back splash, and faucets and shower head!! Yay!!!!!!

[Crashmonster1]

Jun. 12, 2010 at 10:07 PM

That is phenomenail.  Good luck and becareful and enjoy your home once you have completed all your working hours.

[mutts914]

Jun. 13, 2010 at 8:16 AM

i agree, it's amazing how a house is built. i worked in a lumber store, and i love going into new builds and seeing the steps and planning that goes into making those materials into a home. it's awesome that you are getting to do this, and have this done for you! congrats!  oh and YAY!!! on the saw! 

[ilovematteo170]

Jun. 13, 2010 at 1:14 PM

thanks ladies!! it was so "real" when we went to the site. Like OMG this is really going to happen!! I am working at the store and in the office this week! I hope I do okay! I dont like to go into new situations! lol

(Original Poster)