Sunday ramble....

[Dot]

(I know there's generally nobody around here on weekends. It doesn't matter if anyone reads this...just keeping my hands busy here!)

Well, here I am in the middle of day five, and if I had had any sense at all, it would be year five instead. But...I'm doing ok.

I've always believed dreams are the mind's way of clearing itself of accumulated junk. Fantastic dreams are a way of life for me, and the patch only adds a little more color. Last night was a long dream of losses; my clothes were gone from my closet, I had to throw away my favorite suitcase because mice nested in it, and finally I was lost at a big hospital because I couldn't find my way out and couldn't find my car when I did get out.
My purse was gone, and I had no money to phone home. All of this was really connected, scene to scene. I'm leaving out the details and color here.

This has all got to symbolize SOMETHING! Maybe the fact that I"m lost somewhere in the limbo of smoking or not.....searching for replacements for nicotine.

Oh well, right now I just need to do the same thing I've already done and know I CAN do...4 more days.

[Ann]

Hi Dot, the main thing is that you quit and have stayed quit for five days - C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S! There is always someone looking in on the weekends, just don't post. I come to see if someone needs any kind of help.

I remember a thread at the old board about elephants floating down a river or some such thing that you and Paula had going. I've never laughed so hard! Maybe we can get another vivid dreamscape going here.

[Elaine]

Good morning Dot! When I could sleep I had weird dreams too; very vivid and just crazy stuff. Ann is right, 5 days is something to be proud of. I know it's so hard at first to try and deal with the loss of that "extension" of your hand. Back 5 days ago when cigarettes ruled your life. Nicotine is still trying to lure you back but it is losing the battle, Dot.

Keeping your hands busy by posting is a great idea. Lots of deep breaths helped me out a lot too. For the first week I "smoked" licorice! Whatever it takes for you to get through another minute, another hour or another day puts you one step closer to your goal.

[KAREN]

I agree that keeping your hands busy is important when quitting smoking. As far as the dreams, I have had a couple interesting ones since quitting on the patch but not sure how they were or if they would be significant in my life. I guess I just enjoyed them

Dot, I am sooooo proud of you. I have read enough posts to know how you have struggled and you know what? Every moment you are smoke free you are a winner sweetheart!!!! And the moments turn to minutes and hours and days and weeks. Just keep coming back and share the journey of being smoke free with us!!! I promise it will be worth it!!

I have been quit for 1 Month, 1 Week, 21 hours, 39 minutes and 17 seconds (37 days). I have saved $303.21 by not smoking 1,516 cigarettes. I have saved 5 Days, 6 hours and 20 minutes of my life. My Quit Date: 9/8/2005 9:00 PM

Hugs,

Karen

[Karyn]

Dot hang in there, and welcome back.
You can do this, we all can with the help of each other.
5 days is great!!!! Well now it is 7 which is better ;D
Karyn