I love crafting.
Some would say, I'm a junkie. (There could be worse, right)
I love pushing my mind and creating.
The finished piece of art never fails to put a smile on my face.
What should I create today?
1. A story
2. A tangible item
3. A painting
4. A drawing
5. A poem
6. A children's something
Help me!
When was the last time you stopped to smell the roses?
Think...
Think hard...
Read these words slowly, out loud and really understand them....
When was the last time you paused?
When did you last put down the phone, the iPad, got away from the television, the newspaper, work, a book whatever you use as an escape, and actually, paused.
Stop
Take a deep breath
Inspect a flower: does it have bugs on it?
Wonder...
Chaos is everywhere, everyday, every moment.
Just take a breath and pause.
Occupancy Standards
In what is referred to as the Keating Memo, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) stated that it believes that "an occupancy policy of two persons per bedroom, as a general rule, is reasonable under the Fair Housing Act." However, the memo goes on to say that "the reasonableness of any occupancy policy is rebuttable" and HUD clarifies that the memos it issued in the past on the subject of occupancy standards do not state or imply that HUD will determine compliance with the Fair Housing Act based solely on the number of people permitted in each bedroom.
In fact, HUD issued the following statement in the final rule implementing the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1998:
"Thus, the Department believes that in appropriate circumstances, owners and managers may develop and implement reasonable occupancy requirements based on factors such as the number and size of bedrooms and the overall size of the dwelling unit."
In the Keating Memo, HUD sets forth what factors it will consider when reviewing fair housing complaints involving occupancy issues:
1. Size of the bedroom and unit
2. Age of the children
3. Configuration of the unit
4. Other physical limitations of housing (i.e. capacity of the septic, sewer, or other building systems)
5. State and local law
6. Other relevant factors, such as:
- if the landlord has made discriminatory statements
- if the landlord has taken steps to discourage families with children from living in its housing
- if the landlord has enforced its occupancy policies only against families with children
So what occupancy standard can a landlord set forth that will avoid discrimination complaints and keep the landlord out of trouble? I wish that I could provide you with a simple answer but unfortunately there is no bright line rule.
What I can tell you is the key issue or focus in discrimination cases that involve occupancy limits is always whether or not the landlord is discriminating against a family with children. So even if your occupancy policy is reasonable, if you make some discriminatory comment to the applicant, you can forget about hiding behind your occupancy standards. As such, an occupancy policy based on the number of children per unit is much less liklely to be
found to be reasonable than one which limits the number of persons per unit.
http://petriepettit.com/people/tristan-r-pettit
Occupancy Standards – Recommendations and Best Practices
All communities should have occupancy standards to prevent overcrowding of units. In the case of federally assisted properties, the standards should also prevent underutilization of space.
A primary goal of any occupancy standard should be to ensure that it is not restrictive to the point of inhibiting the ability of families with children in their ability to find housing. This is due to the fact that families with children are protected under the “familial status” provisions of federal fair housing law.
The industry standard is generally two persons per bedroom. This policy was first enunciated in the HUD “Keating Memorandum” in 1991, and became official HUD policy in 1998. However, the memo points out that the two person per bedroom standard is not an absolute and that other considerations are important. In fact, there have been recent challenges to the two-person standard, especially in areas where local occupancy laws may permit more than two people per bedroom based on square footage or other factors.
The Fair Housing Act does not specifically address occupancy standards and Congress has recognized the legitimacy of such rules. Subject to state and local laws, every apartment community should set its own standards. Elements that should be considered in setting these standards include –
How large are the bedrooms?
Are there extra rooms (e.g., den, office, or loft) that could serve as a bedroom?
What is the age of the children?
What is the unit configuration?
Does the property have physical limitations (e.g., septic or sewer capacity) that will limit occupancy?
It is not recommended that owners automatically adopt the two-person per bedroom standard. Fair housing settlements have occurred in at least two cases involving the two-person per bedroom standard. Communities with across the board two-person per bedroom policies are at greater risk of testing by fair housing advocacy agencies. If a company wants to set an across the board policy without completing a full review with applicability to the specific property, I recommend a “2+1” standard. This is two-people per bedroom, plus one. So, a two-bedroom unit would permit five occupants.
Generally, the unit size should be a family’s choice – not the owner’s. Even in federally subsidized properties, families should be able to choose between whatever unit sizes they are eligible for. For example, a family of three could be eligible for anything from a one-bedroom to a three-bedroom unit.
Owners should never require children of the opposite sex – regardless of age – to have separate bedrooms. Likewise, there should be no requirement that adults and children of either gender have separate bedrooms. These are all decisions that should be left to the family. Limitations on the number of people per bedroom should be the only consideration; not sex, age, or relationship.
http://petriepettit.com/blog/landlord-tenant/occupancy-standards-not-as-simple-as-2-persons-per-bedroom
Life as a cat.
Do you ever wonder about how life would be different if we were all cats?
Cats (housecats) are amazing creatures.
They love unconditionally.
They find interest in the smallest things i.e. a piece of paper, cardboard box, a lightening bug ECT.
They are simple and have very little needs.
Food, Shelter and Love.
Humans and Felines are quite similar, if one was to break down the schematics of both lives.
We as humans, choose to dive into problems, chaos, drama, unneeded material items ECT.
Why?
Is this a learnt behavior?
Possibly.
I watched my cat (kitten) climb a huge Dogwood tree today.
She didn't hesitate.
She wasn't scared.
She didn't stand at the bottom and debate the potential risks.
She just climbed the tree.
Explored the tree.
Are a couple of leaves and climbed down.
How peaceful it must be to be a cat.
Waking.
Stretching.
Breathing.
Daydreaming.
Snuggling.
Walking the dog.
Gazing and daydreaming at nature.
Loving someone.
Being loved.
Happiness.
Sadness.
Excitement.
Curiosity.
My son, is a musical theatre major.
He's hilarious.
Check out his page and subscribe.
https://youtu.be/ZJbTIEkECI4
The life as it once was ...
No longer exists.
The aroma of fresh linens, baby powder and fresh air dissipates as the minutes tick...
New words, smiles and giggles
Are replaced with crayon drawings and fruit loop necklaces.
Mama replaced with C-A-T and C-A-R.
Pudgy rolls upon the legs of the new, form into muscle and the newness has faded...
No longer 2t, 5t or Juniors...
Muscles stretch and lengthen,
As bones grow.
Learning sounds and singing the ABC's gradually become Lol's and WTF's.
Birthday invitations, football games and play dates become fewer and fewer...
Smiles and giggles are gone.
Eye rolls and secrets become an unwelcome intruder.
Speaking together and family time, game night disappears with the ticking of the clock.
Faces become faint memories.
Hugs remembered with tears.
The scent of sweat, dirty boy and bonding is gone...
Replaced with saltiness, empty and lonely.
Times past are just a memory.
Memories hold the pieces together.
Nothing left to be broken.
The bird cannot fly without its wings.
Sunday, September 18, 2016
IUD, not IED. Birth Control.
Do you know what an IUD is?
Many do not.
An IUD is an intrauterine device inserted in the uterus of a female to prevent pregnancy.
There are many types of IUD's
Check out this website:
https://bedsider.org/methods/iud
And this one.
http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/14/health/iud-birth-control-knowledge-gaps/index.html
Happy parenting.
Namasté
Danalthemom
Sunday, September 18, 2016
Medicating children: Read labels
Many parents are over dosing their kids, study says.
Tips:
1. Always read labels
2. Syringe dosage is the golden tool
3. Weigh your child.
4. Observe your child after administering medication.
http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/12/health/overdosing-kids-medicine-syringe/index.html
Blah vs. Blah
Have you ever looked at your television and instantly wanted to throw it out the window?
I have.
I rarely, if ever, watch television for this particular reason.
Drama, BS and lies.
Arguing, Debates and Money.
Democrats vs. Republicans
Rich vs. Poor
Black vs. White
Coke vs. Pepsi
Honestly...
Who gives a shit?
I don't.
Why must we endure this idiot infused bullshit?
Because we ARE stupid.
Because we ARE obese.
Because we ARE lazy.
Everyone has an opinion.
Opinions are like assholes, everyone has one. ( I apologize in advance if you do not have an asshole-- if you don't personally have an ass Hole or sphincter you probably ARE an asshole, again my apologies to everyone you know)
These are my opinions, if you do not like them well, move along.
I am not anti-television or anti-coke or Pepsi or any of the other names I dropped, I am anti-lazy, anti-drama-encrusted, anti-moron.
I'm tired of parents being lazy and blaming teachers, ADD, or their own children.
**Parents: Newsflash**
Get off your ass and spend time with your children.
Quit blaming others for your mistakes.
Quit demanding your children to do things for you.
GET.
OFF.
YOUR.
ASS.
Want your children to behave?
How about practicing what you preach.
Want your children to be respectful?
Look at yourself and how you treat authority.
** End of News flash **
Just in case, you reading this may be confused and unable to conjure up ideas of your own to spend time with your children.
Here you go.
**FREE: Fun things to do**
1. Go outside- Open the door and walk outside.
2. Go for a hike.
amp.usatoday.com
3. Go collect rocks.
http://www.kidsloverocks.com/html/guide_to_collecting.html
4. Go Geocaching.
https://www.geocaching.com/play
5. Volunteer.
http://www.miusa.org/resource/tipsheet/volunteerlinks
You are welcome.
Now go do something.
Namasté
Danalthemom
Not a Cool Kid
As I look at today's generation of children, and back at my generation during adolescence through High School, I am saddened.
What happened to being a kid?
What happened to Adults taking care of the Adulting and children being able to be children?
Have we as parents really become "that" parent? Or those "parent's"?
The parents that overcompensate due to having a restricted or overly spoiled childhood?
Which has resulted in our children being spoiled, disrespectful and hateful.
These children do not understand the value of a dollar nor do they care to learn.
Instead of earning whatever the latest fad product may be, or buying it with their own money they beg and plead until one of two things happen:
1. The parent gives in because they are tired of listening to the child begging.
2. The child throws a fit, cops attitude, starts crying ane runs to the other parent to stress how "mean" you just were to them. (The child then gets double what ever it was that they wanted because parents do not communicate with each other it's only through the children.This is a typical broken family (historically speaking)
I never had the opportunity to be a spoiled brat, nor did I care to be a spoiled brat. I was often jealous of others and their belongings or stability or whatnot.
I watched people I went to school with, they really were pretty, but brainless and spoiled. (For the most part)
I grew up in a small town.
A REALLY small town.
We had a Walmart.
One Walmart, a K-Mart (about 45 mins away), Expensive boutiques, (which our family could never afford) and a mall in "The City".
I never visited these places until high School and into adulthood.
I was made fun of throughout childhood because of the clothing I wore, the family I came from, and the social status in which my family kept.
"Trailer Trash"
"Skank"
"Druggie Girl"
Terminology often heard in hushed whispers or written on the bathroom walls.
The point of this particular blog is to reminisce of my childhood and analyse why children are behaving in the manner that they are.
Now, that I am an adult i have realized the following:
Understanding the value of a dollar makes a lot more sense when you do not have one.
I realize that happiness is not bought but self-made. Though children (mine especially) like to accuse parents of this frequently.
I understand that true friends are present in ones life always. They are not around 24/7 but are present when needed.
I understand my children do not like me, thats ok. I know I am doing a great job parenting if they dislike me, most of the time.
When I was a little kid, I couldn't wait to be an adult to make my own rules, buy my own stuff ect. I realize now that Adulting sucks.
I want my children to be children as long as possible, without having fear, without being spoiled and without peanut gallery comments stated to belittle or demean them or their parents.
But who am I?
I am not a cool kid.
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- Danalthemom
Good morning folks:
Do you or your significant other plan on attending an armed forces ball?
Are you confused on the attire?
Here you go, learn and be on key.
http://militaryoneclick.com/what-to-and-not-to-wear-military-ball-fashion-and-etiquette/
Courtesy of: Militaryoneclick.com
Written by: http://militaryoneclick.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Sarah-Peachey.jpg
🔴🔴Attention friends, family & Obama: 🔴🔴
I would like to apologize for my hiatus as of late.
My life has become a whirlwind of unorganized chaos.
I am at a loss for words and happiness at the moment while I am pursuing my way to a happier, more productive and less stressful life.
I love you all, you have all been a tremendous part of the creation of me. Now I must put all the pieces together and become who I am meant to be.
Please bear with me.
Again, I apologize for being distant, missing events or not responding to messages, emails or texts.
Love you all.
XXOO
As I gaze at the river, the waters are calm.
The air is warm and humid.
The smell is putrid.
The foliage lush and green, a sign that summer is in full swing
With the birds chirping relentlessly and the families big and small riding bikes and strolling, waiting on food or trying to get into shape.
All unaware I am watching them.
The smell of BBQ fills my nostrils from a nearby restaurant.
I sit and watch as a sweat-covered gangly man, scratches his nose as sweat drips down his face.
The fat little girl rides her bike, trying to keep up with the rest of her family. Poor girl, with the tear-filled eyes.
The mom, with two youngsters, stops suddenly. She has a scowl on her face as she pulls the boy aside scolding him for something I cannot hear.
The young girl pouts, as her brother's tears run down his face.
A blonde bimbo with enormous fake breasts zooms by on her name brand bike, probably the first time she's ever ridden it.
Her husband, I assume is close behind.
The young moms with helmets trying to lead by example.
As their youngsters ride by.
A big lady with a northern accent yells at her her father, "you have to push the red button"
Her son, Lucian starts walking down the path--
Beep, beep, beep
The horn continues.
"Dad, the red button.. Lucian wait..."
" OK Patricia."yells the dad from the white suburban.
They family starts down the path.
The horn begins again as they disappear around the bend.
Oh hell.
Lucian comes running back, he has a speech impediment and cannot pronounce his R's correctly.
He is followed by his sister.
Observations.
Being aware of one's surroundings.
Being aware.
Just being.
Namaste'.
