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Post by Flo on Aug 23, 2006 17:36:52 GMT -5
Congratulations Elaine! Well done!
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Post by Flo on Aug 22, 2006 11:35:36 GMT -5
Thank you Ann. I can always use a check up on my attitude and I can always learn something new.
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Post by Flo on Aug 21, 2006 11:33:20 GMT -5
Hello from lovely sunny Augustean Lotus Land.
Three months smoke free on August 18th and lovin' it.
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Post by Flo on Aug 23, 2006 17:35:24 GMT -5
Thanks Jimpops! Yes, I do love it. Isn't it great? Why did we all wait soooo long to do it for Pete's sake. No one told us, at least not me. Of course, when you're a smoker, the last thing you want to hear about is a quitter so...what a shame.
This is for the lurkers out there. Try it, it's really great and not as hard as you think it's going to be, not if you want it bad enough.
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Post by Flo on Aug 23, 2006 10:14:36 GMT -5
Thanks Slim! I am sure that one of the key ingredients in a successful quit, for me, is the support system and those who listen to my yammerings about not smoking.
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Post by Flo on Aug 21, 2006 10:04:40 GMT -5
Thank you Ann and Elaine. I really love this site. It is intimate yet the library is vast and in the end, to keep one's quit, education is the key, which means alone time reading and thinking and applying the learning from the reading and keeping it close in times of need.
I got a new job which I start on September 5th. I won't be able to get on site as often for awhile during my first while on the job so if you don't see me around, that's why.
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Post by Flo on Aug 18, 2006 17:10:28 GMT -5
Einstein was right. Everything is a miracle. Thanks Don for the support.
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Post by Flo on Aug 18, 2006 12:50:46 GMT -5
Thank you Bubb! I really appreciate your thoughtful response. You're right. I was too busy smoking or thinking of smoking or trying to smoke. And I like your advice to not become bored with my quit. You're right. This site is great because it lets us yammer on and on about our quit. It is a big deal for us and we know it but it's really helpful to have others acknowledge and join us in celebrating the quit.
I hardly ever get craves or thoughts of smoking now but yesterday, I got a bit stressed and thought, this is a perfect time to have a cigarette. It passed as quickly as it took to think it but it was there nonetheless so we do have to be aware of that and make sure we do not feed the beast as it can take your hand off.
I tell myself, cigarettes travel in packs. If you have one, you have the carton. It's over. So, NEVER TAKE ANOTHER PUFF. Not an option.
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Post by Flo on Aug 18, 2006 10:09:22 GMT -5
Hey! Today is August 18. Do you know what that means? It's exactly three months since I quit smoking. Three months. Imagine that. I almost didn't realize it. Imagine that.
Heard on the news this morning that the tobacco companies will have to put on cigarette packages that nicotine is addictive. Duh. The other item in the news following that was that second hand smoke can cause heart failure/strokes. Another duh. This last one especially gets me as some of the quit smoking sites really downplay second hand smoke because a lot of the quitters have spouses who are still smoking. Of course I understand what they are getting at - don't let the spouse stop them from quitting - but they should also get away from the second hand smoke - kick the smoker on the balcony for heaven's sake - Oh well, the ups and downs of marital bliss - anywho, I digress.
I went on an interview on Wednesday and it was only later that I realized that all three of us during the interview went for an hour - enjoying ourselves - chatting, laughing - without one mention of coffee or tea - becuase all three of us were non-smokers and it was 8:00 am and we had all had breakfast and had no need whatsoever of anythign else. There's no way that would have occured when I was a smoker.
Three months ago, my battle ground was the office. I found it hard to go the whole day without a break - not the cigarette - but the breaks - I was restless a lot of the time - now I find I can get lost for hours in my work without a thought. When I do break, it is to stretch, have something to eat - and I feel great after. Progress noted.
I am so very grateful I am free of cigarettes and for this site where I can yammer on and on about my quit.
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Post by Flo on Aug 17, 2006 14:50:11 GMT -5
Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me either. Just pretty much leave me alone.
Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.
Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.
There are two theories to arguing with women. Neither one works.
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Post by Flo on Aug 17, 2006 10:02:21 GMT -5
It's true that self-determination and perserverance are necessary to succeed in life, but it's also true that sometimes (indeed oftimes!), we need a little encouragement, a little hug from angels, to help us along the way.
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Post by Flo on Aug 16, 2006 11:49:01 GMT -5
Failure is only the opportunity to more intelligently begin again.
Henry Ford
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Post by Flo on Aug 14, 2006 17:39:22 GMT -5
Hang in there! Remember, craves will never kill you. Smoking will. And these craves will go eventually. As long as you never take another puff, you will be ok.
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Post by Flo on Aug 14, 2006 14:56:04 GMT -5
It was only after reading this in the context of Smoke Busters that the irony of the story came to light (you know, quit smoking site, story about cigars...). However, it's an interesting story to bring a little smile to everyone this Monday....
Maybe the best lawyer story of the year, decade, and probably the century. >> >>A Charlotte, North Carolina lawyer purchased a box of very rare and >>expensive cigars, then insured them against fire, among other things. >>Within a month, having smoked his entire stockpile of these great >>cigars and without yet having made even his first premium payment on >>the policy, the lawyer filed claim against the insurance company. >> >>In his claim, the lawyer stated the cigars were lost in a series of >>small fires. The insurance company refused to pay, citing the obvious >>reason that the man had consumed the cigars in the normal fashion. >> >>THE LAWYER SUED....AND WON! (Stay with me here.) >> >>In delivering the ruling, the judge agreed with the insurance company >>that the claim was frivolous. The judge stated nevertheless, that the >>lawyer "held a policy from the company in which it had warranted that >>the cigars were insurable and also guaranteed that it would insure them >>against fire, without defining what is considered to be unacceptable >>fire" and was obligated to pay the claim. >> >>Rather than endure lengthy and costly appeal process, the insurance >>company accepted the ruling and paid $15,000 to the lawyer for his loss >>of the rare cigars lost in the "fires." >> >>NOW FOR THE BEST PART... >> >>After the lawyer cashed the check, the insurance company had him >>arrested on 24 counts of ARSON! With his own insurance claim and >>testimony from the previous case being used against him, the lawyer was >>convicted of intentionally burning his insured property and was >>sentenced to 24 months in jail and a $24,000 fine. >> >>This is a true story and was the First Place winner in the recent >>Criminal Lawyers Award Contest. >>
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Post by Flo on Aug 14, 2006 10:27:21 GMT -5
Thankfully the sun has come back to Lotus Land. It was sleeping all last week and I began to fear it was gone for the rest of the summer. It can do that here. But, it's back and apparently will pick up steam during the week, to the 80's by Monday...let's hope so.
It will be three months smoke free come August 18th!!
I ran into an old school chum on Saturday. He is a drummer in a band and also does graphic arts posters. He has been quit for 8 months as he's got emphezema. But he seemed so negative about his quit. It sounded like he is trying to find a reason to sidestep the emphezema and smoke again. As we walked, he had to stop every five steps. It was horrible. I told him he has to keep walking, no matter what, just keep walking and no smoking. He said that he found marijuana helpful and I said that more than likely it is not helping his lungs. I said he should just keep walking, breathing, and not put anything in his lungs but fresh air. I said that if he did that, by this time next year, he would be in better shape. I thought I saw a light bulb go off in his head. The realization that it's not over but will get better, if he just keeps walking to build up endurance, and never take another puff - of anything. I said, give your lungs the rest it needs! I said, think of those who are worse off - imagine walking with an oxygen tank I said, or waiting for chemo at the hospital.
I was a bit rough on him but I think it worked. I had to give thanks the whole time I was talking with him for the blessings I have been given. I am healthy and strong. Such gifts.
p.s. The truth of it all is that I found him to be almost repulsive. His breath was rank, he was overweight, he was so negative about everything...that I really felt repulsed and wanted to get away from him and everything he said just got my dander up it was so negative. I'm sorry. Mother Theresa I'm not I guess....
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