tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53132423608382262012-01-27T18:07:38.149-05:00This is my journal and I am giving you a glimpse at my life both as a homeowner through the Habitat for Humanity program and as a staff member. The opinions reflected on this blog are MY opinions and at times, may not be shared by Hartford Habitat, other staff members or other homeowners.Ana @ Hartford Habitatnoreply@blogger.comBlogger101100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5313242360838226.post-45151668561116328562010-10-07T18:49:00.000-04:002010-10-07T18:49:15.293-04:00

Since we arrived at the worksite on Monday, I've been working with our crew on houses #9 and #10.  Our crew has been absolutely awesome! First we prepared the house, which is two in one, for demolition - to gut it out - and then we kicked buttakis with our sledge hammers, pry bars, and every tool we could use to, literally, bring the house down! Technically, it is one building where at one point

Ana @ Hartford Habitatnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5313242360838226.post-90366141309124557782010-10-04T22:35:00.001-04:002010-10-07T18:06:27.071-04:00

Everyone in our team wore these on Tuesday and Wednesday. Today was the official kick off of the 2010 Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Day, which is tied to World Habitat Day.  As I left the hotel and got on the Metro, I wondered about the type of work I'd be doing, the type of people I'd be working with and what the day would be like being that President Carter and Mrs. Carter would join us at the

Ana @ Hartford Habitatnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5313242360838226.post-23837919724925042092010-10-03T19:25:00.000-04:002010-10-03T19:25:04.631-04:00

I am Latina.  I was born in Puerto Rico in the early 70's.  My Mom moved us to Connecticut in the late 80's.  When I lived in Puerto Rico, I never saw the difference between a Puerto Rican, a Dominican, a Cuban, a Peruvian or anyone who came from the islands or South America and who also spoke Spanish.  In my eyes, we were all Latinos because of the one thing that made us equals:  our language.

Ana @ Hartford Habitatnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5313242360838226.post-38022926268375665382010-09-02T14:22:00.000-04:002010-09-02T14:22:41.656-04:00

Naley (left) and Ylaizah (right) -- MHS C/O 2011 September 2, 2010 This morning I got up earlier than usual to perform my annual ritual of sending the girls off on their first day of school with a BIG breakfast...  At 6am, I was whipping pancakes, bacon and scrambled eggs - still half-asleep, but working at it!  As I was making breakfast, I couldn't help but to think: "Senior Year... my girls

Ana @ Hartford Habitatnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5313242360838226.post-4831753496006216112010-08-26T14:14:00.001-04:002010-08-26T14:14:00.083-04:00

The New Britain Rock Cats and Stanley Black and Decker are teaming up tonight in a fundraising event called "Pitching In Together" to benefit Hartford Area Habitat for Humanity.  There has been a small (very tiny) uproar from some of our supporters about why we join ventures like this one.  It's plain and very simple.  We need to raise funds in order to continue building.  If there are no funds

Ana @ Hartford Habitatnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5313242360838226.post-22865634425086863982010-08-25T14:13:00.000-04:002010-08-25T14:13:41.471-04:00

I had to go to the hardware store today to get some "S" hooks I need for the golf tournament and ran into another Hartford Habitat homeowner.  She has worked at the hardware store for yeeeears!  Madeline moved into her condo about two years before I moved with the girls to our house.  Madeline and I lost touch because we had to do other "stuff" with our lives... One of the things I remember

Ana @ Hartford Habitatnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5313242360838226.post-38535817484793617172010-08-23T21:37:00.001-04:002010-08-23T22:19:52.715-04:00

I just looked at the calendar and in the words of my daughters: "OMG! Where has time gone?"  I just got a message from the Washington DC Habitat affiliate with more details on my upcoming trip to build with President Carter, his wife and over 60 volunteers.  I only have 40 days left!  This is crazy!  I guess I need to start setting up a checklist for things I need to do as I get ready for yet

Ana @ Hartford Habitatnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5313242360838226.post-34472794211003354602010-08-02T23:21:00.017-04:002010-08-23T23:28:55.079-04:00

Habitat for Humanity International sent us this PSA and now I found it online.  Everytime I watch it or listen to it... I think of the time I got the keys to my Habitat house.  Watch it, please.  I am almost sure that something will tug inside your chest... As of last spring, Habitat for Humanity had built as many as 300,000 safe, decent, affordable homes for families like my own.  The need

Ana @ Hartford Habitatnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5313242360838226.post-9027336677446845122010-07-08T21:40:00.000-04:002010-07-08T21:40:23.692-04:00

There are two places in the world where I feel completely centered:  Central Park in New York City and of course, home on Laurel Street. I am at peace when I am home.  I miss it when I am away.  I am balanced the moment I walk through the door.  All my senses come to life in a way that's absolutely amazing, and I LOVE IT!! This picture represents so many good things that have happened to me as

Ana @ Hartford Habitatnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5313242360838226.post-81504797160023757552010-07-07T17:56:00.001-04:002010-07-07T17:57:54.499-04:00

"It's Alive!!!!!!!" -- was that Dr. Frankenstein who said that?  Well, ladies and gems, with that said, we're now blogging!  I have no idea what I am doing, but I/we have a "blog".  I guess the first thing I have to figure out is how to work this technology -- since, in a way, is new to me.  Yeah, yeah, I've read blogs... they - most of the time - bore me, so I will try to keep this one fun,

Ana @ Hartford Habitatnoreply@blogger.com0