Wow, its another snowfall for Calgary. Does not surprise me, if you wait ten minutes, you will see the sunshine. Got to love being a Calgarian! Even better, I love being a clean and sober Calgarian. This is not an easy task, but I am doing it.
I’ve now been in my new place for two weeks and things are coming along nicely. I also try to get out every day and get fresh air. I have tried going down to the Central library on several occasions and had no luck getting on the computer. I decided to try this library up in my area. It is the Village Square branch and I walked in and was able to get on a computer immediately. Woohoo!
So now I write another blog. I write not only for you, my reader, but I write for the therapeutic value of just being able to share my story. I write for me!
When I first moved into my place I can honestly say that I was scared of being alone for the first time in many years. However, I now realize that I really am not alone so long as I continue to pray to God, and to get out to meetings and meet new people. Actually, I have made friends with Angeline and her husband and they even had me over for dinner one night last week, it was fantastic. I was also introduced to a couple of their friends. The first person they introduced me too was Kristina and her adorable daughter Trinity. I will be honest and say that I was attracted to Kristina right from the first moment I saw her. However, I also realize that it was just my hormones working in overdrive. I need to focus on me and stop thinking about a relationship. I think it was just that I haven’t been with any one in some time now and feel like I need the love of someone in my life. Anyway, I need to watch my thinking, so I went and had a cold shower, lol.
The next person I was introduced to was another friend of Angeline’s and Graham’s, was a guy named Glenn. Nice guy, but really we didn’t really get a chance to talk much, he was hoping to meet with his girlfriend and she never showed up, that’s a woman for you. Maybe its a lesson for me that I don’t need one in my life right now.
In other news, I managed to get a nice entertainment unit for my place and it almost looks brand new. Its new to me. I’m actually looking forward to the 27th when I get to go pick out some more furniture from the Drop Inn Centre Furniture program. The biggest thing that I hope to get from them is a dining room table and chairs as well as a washer and dryer. Of course anything extra that I get would be a big bonus. Then again, I also have an opportunity to go to the Interfaith Furniture Store the very next day and pick out some other things that I might need. Did I ever mention to you, my reader, that I can be very resourceful. Well, now you know! My life is just getting better and better every day.
Its really because I am starting to focus more and more on my future and God willing, it will be a future back with my children. As a matter a fact, I am looking so forward to the court date for access on the 27th as well. Man, my life really is good, so long as I stay clean and sober.
Before I finish up, I wanted to mention that I have also been under the weather the last couple of days, it all started with an itchy throat and now I feel sickly. This however will not stop me from getting out and getting fresh air, and it will not stop me from going downtown tonight to help Kim, with Walking with the Homeless. This is a very important part in my recovery and it really is to me, paying it forward. I know what it is like to live in the shelter system, I was there up until just two weeks ago, so I want to help to give back my time to help those who are still struggling.
Before I go, I want to thank all my readers for your support you have shown me and I do hope that you will leave all of your encouraging comments as you have done in the past. You have been a big part in my recovery and I thank you so very much.
Enjoy the weather
Stay warm
Your writer,
Tim Barber
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Change Is Good!
Its such a great day here in Calgary. Well, at least we got rid of that nasty snowstorm,,, no more snow til May long weekend..lol..
Sunny and warm today and I am no longer living homeless. My biggest problem now is trying to keep myself busy. However , I will continue to write for this blog and hope that soon I will have others writing on here as well. I actually hope to get other stories and post them myself. It may take some time but I am determined to do this.
I moved into my 1 bedroom apartment on Thursday March 31, and I have to say that I have been nothing but smiles the last few days. Its actually comical, because I could barely sleep that very first night and when I finally did sleep, it was only for about 6 hours. I actually woke up in this new place and it dawned on me that it was April 1st.
April Fools. Not! I am actually in my own place, this is not a joke! I was accepted to the Keys To Recovery program and they actually set you up with a bed, a dresser, 2 night tables, a coffee table and a couch. They also take you out and let you buy 200 dollars in groceries and another 120 dollars in essentials such as bedding, towels, dishes and other household essentials. It was so awesome that I couldn't stop smiling all through the Walmart store. By the way, that's where we did all the shopping.
Keys to Recovery will also provide me with support on a weekly basis to help me integrate back into society over the next year. They will help me to make personal goals as well as staying clean and sober. I have to tell you that I have never felt so damn determined in my recovery and I know that I can do this. I am so damn proud of myself for the things I have already accomplished and I have not even begun to aim for the bigger things in life.
I actually go out every day just to enjoy some fresh air and I am making it to meetings. I know that I will have to continue with the every day things that have brought me this far, and I need to remember what my past was like, I will not shut the door on the past, but I will live in the present.
I already have applied to get into the CTI program at the Drop Inn Center. It is actually a program that runs for 3 weeks and I will end up with 16 different tickets that will help with finding employment. Some of these tickets are first aid, forklift and computer training. There are more then that, but it would take too long to explain them all. Maybe in another blog once I actually start the program. I also put in for a computer and for some more furniture at the Drop Inn.
As for today, I am going to one of my favourite meetings at United Church, it is called Celebrating Recovery, and that is exactly what I want to do, celebrate my recovery but without the use of alcohol or drugs. Thank you God!
I really don't know what else to say, except thank you to all my followers for all your support, I really couldn't have done this without you and I hope that you will continue to leave your comments as usual. I wish all of you the happiness in life that you so deserve. Please pay it forward.
God is Good.
All the time.
Thanks for listening
Tim Barber
Sunny and warm today and I am no longer living homeless. My biggest problem now is trying to keep myself busy. However , I will continue to write for this blog and hope that soon I will have others writing on here as well. I actually hope to get other stories and post them myself. It may take some time but I am determined to do this.
I moved into my 1 bedroom apartment on Thursday March 31, and I have to say that I have been nothing but smiles the last few days. Its actually comical, because I could barely sleep that very first night and when I finally did sleep, it was only for about 6 hours. I actually woke up in this new place and it dawned on me that it was April 1st.
April Fools. Not! I am actually in my own place, this is not a joke! I was accepted to the Keys To Recovery program and they actually set you up with a bed, a dresser, 2 night tables, a coffee table and a couch. They also take you out and let you buy 200 dollars in groceries and another 120 dollars in essentials such as bedding, towels, dishes and other household essentials. It was so awesome that I couldn't stop smiling all through the Walmart store. By the way, that's where we did all the shopping.
Keys to Recovery will also provide me with support on a weekly basis to help me integrate back into society over the next year. They will help me to make personal goals as well as staying clean and sober. I have to tell you that I have never felt so damn determined in my recovery and I know that I can do this. I am so damn proud of myself for the things I have already accomplished and I have not even begun to aim for the bigger things in life.
I actually go out every day just to enjoy some fresh air and I am making it to meetings. I know that I will have to continue with the every day things that have brought me this far, and I need to remember what my past was like, I will not shut the door on the past, but I will live in the present.
I already have applied to get into the CTI program at the Drop Inn Center. It is actually a program that runs for 3 weeks and I will end up with 16 different tickets that will help with finding employment. Some of these tickets are first aid, forklift and computer training. There are more then that, but it would take too long to explain them all. Maybe in another blog once I actually start the program. I also put in for a computer and for some more furniture at the Drop Inn.
As for today, I am going to one of my favourite meetings at United Church, it is called Celebrating Recovery, and that is exactly what I want to do, celebrate my recovery but without the use of alcohol or drugs. Thank you God!
I really don't know what else to say, except thank you to all my followers for all your support, I really couldn't have done this without you and I hope that you will continue to leave your comments as usual. I wish all of you the happiness in life that you so deserve. Please pay it forward.
God is Good.
All the time.
Thanks for listening
Tim Barber
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