Boo

Congratulations on three months smoke-free. Good job.

Happy Thanksgiving everybody. I appreciate the turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, deviled eggs, sweet potato casserole, etc.. However, I'm always prepared to save enough room for a heaping helping of homemade banana pudding...that's good eating.

Way to go Joe! Rock star among quitters and decorated veteran of the numbers game wars. +20!

Good job JSG. Congratulations.

I didn't even remember writing this. Sometimes I forget just how wise and insightful I really am.

I always put on a bit of weight around the holidays. Rather than fight it this year, I'm just going to lean into it. Figure if I'm going to bulk a bit might as well start a powerlifting program. I'm going with a four day split, alternating volume and intensity. Monday: Deadlifts (1x5), Highboy Rows (3x5), Romanian Deadlifts (3x5) Tuesday: Squat (1x5), Bench Press (3x5), Overhead Press (3x5) Thursday: Deadlifts (3x5), Highboy Rows (2x5), Romanian Deadlifts (2x5) Friday: Squat (3x5), Bench Press (1x5), Overhead Press (1x5) It might look like overeating, but I'm calling it "bulking."

We went big last year at Christmas. The only way to top that is to go bigger this year. Already have one new tradition. Sugar Britches came up with an oversized Santa hat for Pumpy. Pumpy is a scarecrow with a pumpkin for a head. We put him out on the front porch for Halloween and Maddie took a shine to him. She plays with and talks to Pumpy on a daily basis. I don't have a clue what we're going to do with him after Christmas. Right now, it's looking like Pumpy is going to be a permanent fixture around here.

Project Winter Wonderland is now all systems go here at Boo Acres. Christmas decorations have been sorted. Strings of lights have been tested. The logistics of the operation have been planned. Beginning early on Friday morning (day after Thanksgiving) we are going for ridiculous levels of holiday cheer here. Having a one year-old gives me a perfect excuse for over-the-top decorating.

Other than that...How's your day going? Seriously though, hope you're feeling better now and your recovery goes smoothly.

Good job Kris. Congratulations.

Welcome back aboard the Quit Train Darcy. The cycle of constantly craving a cigarette. Then smoking and regretting it. Then constantly thinking of quitting again... It all begins to feel mentally exhausting and futile. There is a way to end the cycle for good: commit to the quit. Make it through the early challenges and eventually smoking becomes a distant memory.

Riding the Clutch...

Good job Gus. Congratulations.

Top-shelf quit Johnny. Congratulations.

It's not uncommon for holidays, changing seasons, etc., to trigger a crave for a smoke. We conditioned ourselves for years. About eight months into my quit, I was rolling along pretty well. Hadn't had a serious craving for weeks. Then I raked the leaves for the first time that year. Raking leaves was one of those chores that I "rewarded" myself with a cigarette upon completion. Had to sort things out in my head, but I got through it. There is a reason that the one-year mark of a quit is such a big deal. Going a full calendar year without a smoke really cements your place as a full-fledged non-smoker. Quitting smoking is not an event, it is a process.

I was eating lunch this afternoon. The restaurant had a TV on in the corner. One of those "news" networks was on. Couple of dipshits arguing the same old talking points we've all heard a million-and-one times. Anyhow...this song came to mind.

The official unofficial Friday anthem of every Morning Zoo Crew in the 1980s. Have a good weekend folks.

According to one of the younger guys at work, Bon Jovi is now considered "soccer mom rock." I won't be deterred by the opinion of some smartass little whippersnapper...I like these songs.

Congratulations Karen. Quitting gets easier with time. The benefits continue to accumulate. Enjoy.

Saw where the cancel clan is trying to memory hole this old classic. Meaning the appropriate response is to turn it up as loud as it will go.

Up top Steven.

You're building a rock-solid quit Linda. Good job,