Tuesday, June 29, 2010

5 Days today without Caffeine!

I haven’t been updating my blog lately. I’ve been too busy working outside. I am so happy to say that my arrangement that I hired a house cleaner is giving me the time to be outside. I’ve been pretty good a weeding my flowers. It’s not perfect but it better than previous years.


Today is going to be 5 days that I haven’t drank coffee! I am so proud of myself. This is something that I never thought I could do. When I went to Haiti that was one of my biggest concerns... what happens if I don’t have coffee. I had even brought instant coffee in my suitcase in case. When I don’t have my coffee first thing in the morning, I just did not function. I used to have a huge headache and would get cranky. About a month ago, my cousin told me she was going to California to learn how to prepare raw food. She said that she wanted to stop drinking coffee before she leaves because most of the people that would be taking that class would probably be %100 Vegan, Organic... no caffeine type of people. She didn’t want to clash so she challenged herself to not drink coffee for 3 weeks. I honestly thought she was crazy because she loves her coffee like I do. Anyhoo, she did the challenge and is still going at it on her 4th week. I went for lunch with her thinking she would look like hell because he had no caffeine in her body but she was looking good. I got thinking and decided to try it myself. I said I would try it for 1 week and if it came too bad, I would have a sip. So on Friday, June 25th, I left work with my coffee mug filled with coffee but did not drink it. I smelled the aroma of coffee in the car. I drank lots of water during the day to keep me going. I was so proud when I got home that I had worked all day without coffee. Then the weekend came along. I think for some weird reason, it took more will power. I took several naps during the day and did not go to bed late.

My goal is not to stop drinking coffee; however I wanted to prove myself that I could do without. I don’t want to live knowing that I have an addiction. This morning, I woke up and did not even think of my coffee. I don’t have headaches during the day, but I drink lots of water. I can honestly say that I feel good and full of energy. I hope I can continue for a while and then just have an occasional coffee here and there.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Collection for GLA

2 weeks ago, May 22, 2010, we did a collection of donations for God’s Littlest Angel’s in Haiti. When the earthquake hit Haiti January 12, Jeanne, my step-daughters aunt on their mother’s side felt that she needed to do something for the children in Haiti. I probably already said all of this in a previous blog post, but for the ones that don’t know, she decided to start a FB group and get people to donate items for the children. She was collecting them little by little and storing them for now. She didn’t know how or who she was going to send it to but she knows that it would all work out one way or another.

Before we left for our volunteer week at GLA, I had found on GLA website a contact in Halifax that we could bring donations for Haiti and they would have it ship to Haiti. We were all excited because we knew now that we could collect more donations and we would know exactly where it’s going. GLA is so good for their Country. They are not only operating as an orphanage since the earthquake, but they are helping out the nearby villages and tent cities with the supplies that they receive from people like us. Since I’ve planned my trip to Haiti in April, I’ve been collecting donations from coworkers, friends, family and random people that I don’t even know. I usually have a few loads ever week that I pick up after work. I cannot describe the feeling of how honoured I am to be doing this. Every bag I collect is like if I would be receiving a bag of money for my own. I get home all excited with a big smile on my face.

The morning of May 22th, Jeanne, Nicole and I were in the Downeast Plastic parking lot with posters, balloons and pails to collect donations for Haiti. This was the last collection before we start packing the boxes.

The following weekend, we were all back in the storage area sorting the items and filling out the boxes. We had lots of people coming to help us. It was great to see everyone lending a helping hand. I am so proud of my 2 step-daughters. They have been very active in all the activities for helping Haiti. Jeanne was able to get a company, sorry but I don’t remember the name right now. I will add it later when I talk to her. They donated 200 boxes (2cubic) for Haiti. We filled 140 boxes on Saturday May 29th. Since then, I’ve still been collecting items. Westmorland Fisheries in Cap-Pelé is going to donate a trucker to haul the boxes to Halifax. It’s amazing what 1 person can accomplish. Jeanne started this collection and as people got involved, we got more and more donations and people donating their time to make this work.

For the past month, I’ve been busy with the donations and it has kept my mind of the waiting process of our adoption. I think I will continue to collect items. I will be traveling to Haiti for sure in the next while so I will be able to bring more. Haiti will still need our help next year and in 10 years so there is no point of stopping now. This is just the beginning for me. I have finally found something that I am passionate about. I will have Haiti in my heart forever. Every day, I check out GLA blog and FB of the people that I have met in Haiti. I can’t wait to go back and see them.



I even got a package from my good friend Angele who lives in Halifax. She has such a good heart. Thank You Girl!!!!

Training the Dogs 101

I think it’s time again to try and get Sam & George to sleep on their own single bed beside our bed. I’ve been to the chiropractor 5 times and massage therapist 2 times in 2 weeks for my back. When I told my chiropractor that my 2 boxers sleep with me, she said ‘no wonder you wake up every morning with a sore back and neck.’ So I guess for the 5th time, I will try and get them to sleep beside me on a separate bed. I will still be able to touch them with my foot so they might believe that they are actually in my bed. We’ll see.

I have also bought a new pillow and a new duvet comforter so I should be getting a good night sleep tonight.

Good night!