Boo

Good job Jack.

Testing. Testing. One. Two. Can you hear me now? Been dealing with a complete system shut down all morning. So...fun times! In case of further technological meltdowns, I will be communicating via smoke signal from now on. I have no idea how that's going to work on windy days but we'll cross that bridge when we get to it.

Remember the two rules for a successful quit. Rule #1: DON'T SMOKE! Rule #2: If you have any further questions refer back to Rule #1. Thoughts about smoking are going to be there during a quit. There's not much point in fighting it. Thoughts only become commands when we surrender to them. Keep it simple. DON'T SMOKE!

Online shopping for sippy cups. My two year-old daughter got a new sippy cup this week. Now, it's the only sippy cup that will suffice. She doesn't want to drink from anything else. She likes apple juice and gets it as a treat. Unless the juice is in the wrong cup, then all bets are off. Toddlers dig in their heels and get stubborn over the weirdest things. Wishing safe travels to the FedEx driver out there who's job it is to deliver these cups to the house.

Pondering about how to make this in someway a meaningful post. My last post, a video of a guy singing along with a washing machine, was post number 9,999 for yours truly. That's a lot of wit and wisdom right there. Post number 10,000 needs to be something meaningful. Maybe even downright poignant. This could be a post that changes hearts and minds out there. Or, I could just take the easy route and post that monkey gif again...

My washing machine is out of balance...cleanest rhythm section ever!

Congratulations 11better11. I got here late, so it looks like you're on day eleven now. Good job. It's just a thought; don't make too much of it. We have thousands of thoughts per day; they go away just as fast as they come on. The single biggest turning point in my quit came when I stopped fighting those thoughts. I learned to just sit with them for a bit and recognize them for what they are. Every thought has as much or as little power as you give it.

I love seeing new quitters experience the ripple effect first-hand. Quitting smoking can have far more impact on our lives than we ever expected. Strength begets strength. Confidence begets confidence...and so on. Congratulations Denali. You're doing great.

Good job Denali. Congratulations.

Happy to hear it Doreen. I know you will have a great trip and enjoy every moment with your daughter. This particular Aussie had too much fun...

Fart-knocker. It's been a while since I've seen you around. It's a shame that came to an end.

Haven't heard of that one, but I'll check it out. When Maddie is sleepy enough to sit down and watch something, we've been watching a Japanese show. The title roughly translates in English to "Funny Monkey and Cute Bulldog." The narration is completely in Japanese. However, since the stars of the show are a bulldog and a monkey the language barrier is not a big deal. Maddie enjoys it and so do I. In one episode they went to a sporting goods store and the monkey ran on a treadmill. The little gal laughed, clapped, and said "again!" I've got a confession: there have been times when Maddie fell asleep and after I put her to bed, I would go back and watch the ending of the episode to see if the monkey and bulldog had accomplished all of their tasks.

Doreen! My partner-in-crime. My amiga. Doorbell. The Horny Toad. Awesome chick by any name. Congratulations on your nine year anniversary and thank you for all that you do here. You are the matriarch of this train and we are all grateful to have had the opportunity to get to know you. Our friendship started over six years ago. A friendship that started over a shared appreciation of dirty jokes and banjo music. So, in keeping with tradition... A dirty joke... I went to the doctor last week. The doctor told me: "Boo, you have to stop masturbating." I said: "Why!?!" The doctor said: "Because I'm trying to examine you." And some banjo music...

I blame Sugar Britches for this one. She really likes this song. And I begrudgingly admit...it is a nice song.

Here's another consideration for your playlist. Some days you just do what has to be done...may have to do it, but I don't have to like it.

Congratulations Overcome. Good job.

I'm thinking about buying an old beater truck. Something that still runs but is old enough that an old chunk of coal like me can still work on it. I bought a new F250 last year. It's a good truck but like most new vehicles it is overengineered. The fuse box under the hood has 70 fuses in it. Even the fuel gauge is all technological now. If I find just the right spare vehicle at a decent price, the Boo Crew will be easy to spot in town...

Howdy.

I'm happy to chuck another 70,950 unsmoked coffin nails on the pyre. Good riddance.

Great job Mee. Congratulations.