Abby

Smoking used to be a huge part of my day . I didn't see that as a waste of my time or money or worth . It took me a while to stop the destructive romance I had with smoking , but with repetiveness I learned by saying no to smoking under all circumstances , that I could actually quit . I think so differently about smoking now . I don't see any positive things in it because I don't believe the lies anymore . None ! I don't give them power . I , you ... we have the strength to say no every single time we are faced with addiction wanting us back . No smoking for me today . I make a promise that I don't break and I'm happy to be here this morning . A gorgeous day out here , it's going to be a hot one . A walk is planned for starters . I need to work on eating less and walking more . Depression can also lie to me telling me to eat , you'll feel better . Wrong , it makes me feel worse . I'm enjoying tending to my little garden here. Nurturing and caring for it is producing good fruit . Smoking produced only useless ashes . Have a good day all . If you are new here we understand that " have a good day " to you , may be easier said than done for someone with a long quit , but please remember we were where you are and understand how hard quitting is . There were many before us , and many before them . We also know you can and will come out of this strong . Re birth is a process . For me lol ironically it was roughly nine months to get comfortable in my quit . Perhaps I was a bit overdue lol , by a year I hardly ever thought of the pain of quitting and looked forward to watching my quit grow even more . It's truly like watching your child grow from infant to toddler , teen to adult . Give your quit a nine month to a year commitment . You will feel amazing ! Hang in here with us .. so many understand exactly how you are feeling . Post and see you aren't alone .

No chance in double hockey sticks I wanna undo my work . Not one puff today for me .

Good and bad experiences . I know of two people who lost tons of weight fast . Bp stabilized . Another lost ,went off it and gained it back and more . My recommendation . Talk to your doctor especially if you have other medical ailments . Some drs recommend its fine while others do not . Very understandable . My dr did not recommend it for me. Walk

Jalapeño

Posting before you smoke is just the right thing to do . Others can help you through the crave . If it persists , post again until it passes and you feel in a better frame of mind . Smoking is not the solution and not a command and you can and are stopping it . The power to resist temptation is in your hands . I hope you will fill us in and let us know how you are doing . A huge congrats on your success this far . You have gotten over a multitude of craves this far . I know you can also get through this one safely .

Sorry for the terrible loss . Every life matters . We just have so many mixed messages here . It's best I think to be on the cautious side a little while longer . I'm sure however, there will be a risk for death for many , and for quite some time just as the flu is still a risk for many . I do not however live in fear like I did in the beginning and I do go out . I'm just mindful as best I can . Masks here are only compulsory in taxis, buses and in most health care settings . Some businesses also are still asking people to wear masks . I'm not sure how many now have double doses but its fairly high and people are continuing to see that the benefits seem to be outweighing the risks and still getting vaccinated .

Edmonton Tornado July 31 1987 . My thoughts to all the families who lost loved ones as we are once again nearing that dreadful day from which those memories will never be erased but our loved ones who lost their lives fondly remembered and the courage of the men and women who raced to save lives we will always remember .

Tornadoes in the past where I live we're not often mentioned although there were many smaller tornadoes . One tore through our farm when I was young uprooting trees , another on the way home to my dads funeral tossed cars in the ditch far away from the main highway and must have just missed us as we only saw the aftermath . We had a huge one here in the city many years ago now where many people died. The anniversary marks what is called Black Friday now . My husbands work was demolished soon after he dismissed the workers to go home . It was so rare in these parts everyone was unprepared but came together to save as many lives as possible . With technology and the times , things have changed , we are always getting weather watches on our phones now and across the waves by t.v. Radio etc. Many of the tornadoes develop into nothing but still it's always better be sky watching and cautious and beware of the alerts . Learn the safest places in your home , have a plan to reach out to family etc . I won't ever forget the big one that got my city . I can't emagine living in a place where they are of a frequent concern . Linda , I think you posted this last night , hope all is ok now and it never developed . Stay safe . The statistics were horrific: 27 people killed, 600 injured, 1,700 left homeless, and damage estimated at $300 million. Source the news.

Thanks for sharing this . It is awesome to hear from those especially with milestones like yours. I do hope you will drop by with with continued updates or stay too , but sounds like you are enjoying you new smoke free life , so you go girl and enjoy.

Am I surprised ? Not really . Smoking has a grip on especially the elderly and the youth We are responsible for our own Quits . In the country I live most places are banned from smoking although they are talking about bringing cigar lounges back . I am at that age where l have been looking at that next stage in life . I've also been looking for others who I know are also reaching that time as well . One is still a smoker who has parkinsons . I'm sure they think smoking is helping their illness but in fact is it doing quite the opposite ? I found they seem much more calm and less shaky when they have my pet beside them . Pets are gifts to the sick it seems . Anyway as I mentioned I've been looking while I'm still able to at what and where my next stage of life will be .mI was quite surprised to see some old folks homes still allow indoor smoking . It rather shocked me honestly . Why is smoking allowed ? I thought most places now banned smoking . Does end of life make a difference . The one particular place I just loved , it felt like home it was new , clean , neat , simple , friendly , ample parking , medical amenities , hair and foot care , green house , excersise rooms , theatre , music rooms , craft rooms and all the amenities within that worked well for me, even a bus to take you to events outside of the city . I thought perfect , then I read they have a smoking room and then I read they also have an out door smoking enclosure and sadness washed over me . Now I had to look at pros and cons in a different way . Will smoking there bother me , affect my quit . Will the fact there is smoking there be addictions way back into my life . Is my quit strong enough at ten years . Will I now be comfortable there . Smoking allowed there never changed my mind however about the wonderful people that seemed to be there but is smoking something I want to be around ? Yes No? The answer is flat out no . Fire is my concern as well . My sil is a fireman and the stories of apartment fires set by improperly disposed of cigarettes is frightening . I thought of my friend . What an opportunity for them as a smoker but then I thought of them and I want them around for a lot longer . Will quitting change the diagnosis they have , no it won't but it will make them proud they quit and healthier no matter what and it will help the family not worry that this elderly person may fall asleep with a cigarette in hand . I remember as a smoker how I smoked even more when others ( non smokers ) and family pressured or suggested I quit smoking ... I would immediatly reach for a cigarette . If we are going to quit for good I know I had to make the decision . I am wondering and making some inquiries if smoking cessation classes are taken to these places would it spark interest for these elderly people to quit together ? Hmmm .. As I said I can't just not move on . It is my desire and passion to help others who think they can't quit find their strength . I'd love to hear your responses . Is smoking allowed in seniors homes where you live ? P.S. In the past as a smoker I would have snapped up that place instantly . Not cared about my kids or anyone else . Smoking is a very selfish addiction .

Have a good day everyone . Great day planned , and smoking is not part of the plan . Dismiss it , keep it , Entertain it , trouble .

fear around covid

Yesterday Carmela heard Prince remarried . Bpcwi

Update imnotw Our numbers are increasing slowly , but increasing . More things are opening in regard to travel . They say they don't think we are in for a fourth wave . I'm hoping not too . We now have nursing shortages and bed closures . It continues to be a mixed bag of some people wearing masks , others not . People do ask if you are vaccinated , some will only associate with those that are . We must remember vaccinated or not , any of us could be carriers , and any one of us could still get it but those vaccinated just may not get as sick . The stats here are looking good for those who are double dose vaccinated . I am thinking of those in other countries who are still having huge struggles . Lockdowns are no fun but if they are necessary to beat this monster then we can do it ! I was not a stranger to wearing masks before covid or staying home before covid when people were sick but eventually it got to me too . A few weeks break has helped and of course the hair cut . Kris my dear grandma used to have quite a grocery store in her basement . Her and grandpa always had enough food stored for an extra months emergency . Stay safe everyone .,

I'm too busy . Not today .

@Katgirlletters please . Would like to continue the game . Thanks

-5 . @Mac#23

Half the battle

@BKP thanks for your response . Wonderfully put . I do want to clarify my quit is not at risk , it's solid , ten years solid . I have to be vigelent tho because of a lesson I learned the hard way . Here at the least we have two people who have given away long term quits because addiction found an open door . I know two 14 year quitters who gave away theirs. How often an occurrence this is , I don't know . More research lol but I've always said I will be open about quitting and my experience so there are no surprises . I also know one lady who got addicted to the internet when she quit smoking . This may worry newbies or it may be helpful with all of you members sharing in this discussion . It opens the door I hope for them to research as well reputable addiction sites for more info and is a distraction while they get over a rough spot or crave . I'm hoping . Quitting was scary for most of us at first as well . We all have different thoughts and experiences I've noticed so what won't help one may help another . Do I have to think about smoking every day ? No . Do I have to work at this every day No . Just my writing ability lol . Not even every year do I get a circumstance that I may think of smoking but I gave away an eight year quit when I thought my quit was solid . I learned from that lesson to appreciate the peace I have but you never know addictions cunning ways. I only think of smoking everyday because I've journaled my experience quitting almost every day in that ten years and I also chose to stay on a quit site to help others while maintaining mine . My brother never thought about smoking after he quit , no support groups , nothing , put them down never talked about them again and moved on . To me it's I think it's quite a rarity in thirty years not to think once of smoking but perhaps not . His and my lifestyles are very very different . His stress level is very different from mine . He is male , I am female , are Quits different for makes and females or higher stress levels hmmmm more research , awareness and education . Thanks BKP for your addition to this post. I'm glad you added that , because after I posted I thought down the road in this post I have to be sure folks don't think there is never an end to smoking . Therecis , and it doesn't take long . I wouldn't trade this peace and freedom for the world . I am in however more stress now than I've ever been in my lifetime and you bet addiction took its chance .... for a second ! Lesson learned ... I don't have to listen past that second and it's become as natural as a flick of the bic lighter to turn it off . It's not a command . I can cope , newcomers can cope . We can all cope without them . Smoking may be an option , it may be an addiction but its a choice we can all have to smoke or take it off the table .

@Katgirl , letters please

Place of worship

Saturn has rings

Yes I know Jillar thank you . Perhaps he has a video on this , well I'm sure he likely does. Thanks for pointing it out . Great resource as well .

Cryptonite

Letters please katgirl .