Sazerac

King Cakes are the sweet du jour. If you get the baby in your slice, you have the next party/buy the next King Cake.

I was so freaky about not being able to paint without a smoke in my mouth that I didn't address it for TEN months. Please don't wait that long. Start painting again NOW even if you make ugly (there is always gesso, lol). Waiting gave smoking too much power, I didn't need to do that. Here is a blog post when I was coming to terms with it My Life As One Big Smoke Trigger To tell you the truth, I was determined to 'get over it' but, my junkie voice was LOUD and I knew that if I didn't conquer it, I would return to smoking.

Congratulations Mister Jimmy and Quita ! Have a great celebration !

Blini

NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE

Great to have you here, ICH. Your participation on the board is really appreciated. All of us quitters and all of the lurkers will benefit from your experiences. Tickers are good. For sure, the boost in self-confidence, the trust in oneself is a huge benefit of quitting. I was a 40 some odd year smoker, too, and what I once thought was self-confidence turned out to be a blustery bravado before I quit smoking. Would love to see your art. PM with a site ? Art really helped me through the early stages of quitting. Although, I was having a tough time working without a cheroot in my mouth, LOOKING and SEEING and finding BEAUTY when I was having a crave helped to switch up my brain receptors. I was all over 'that light on that leaf' etc. Your look/see skills will come in handy like mine did, for sure.

How are you doing, @Icanhike ? I see your weather is frigid and snowy. Stay warm and cozy and smoke free.

My Smut Sister, @Doreensfree is sleeping (ahem) but, I am wide awake and here is a photo. Pancake Day Pancakes....I would call them 'crepes' Hope you are feeling better @Lilly

I am a cold turkey success story. It isn't as hard as people make it out to be, it is just a matter of commitment, as is any quitting method. You must commit to NOPE. and educate yourself about the addiction so you can understand your journey. Yes, quitting, even with NRT's, is sometimes a rugged, grimy business but, it isn't horrible forever. Each day you can find some beauty and switch up your brain and in the long run, the freedom is delicious.

Good for you, Two months without cigarettes is a great thing.

There are a lot of good links on this thread that will be useful to you, Mona. Are you using NRT ? How long are you quit ? You can do this, Mona. IF you want to.

Traditionally, we don't have pancakes on Shrove Tuesday, down here. We have adult beverages. lol

NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE

Congratulations Wantsit on your Four Months of Freedom ! Rewards are necessary !

11

Congratulations, Abbynormal on your TWO MONTHS of Freedom ! Continue to reward yourself, you are doing Great work.

No one is scoffing at anybody. It is the junkie voice that is the enemy and needs to be rooted out. The addict's voice is always a red flag. Addiction is a biotch.

More unexpected benefits will be forthcoming ! and after a bleak Winter, the first buds will appear and burst into the fresh new Greens of Spring. The lushness will delight you and it is something you don't really appreciate unless you slog through a Winter. Here in NOLA, it is a green jungle most of the year, unless we get a freeze and then it is devastating. So happy you are with us and finding benefits with your quit. Reward yourself, especially in the dark days of Winter.

Congratulations Mona ! Please let us know how you are doing!

NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE

Congratulations, Albert on your Eleven Months of Freedom ! Please continue to reward yourself, life is so great nicotine free.

Congratulations on your Five Months of Freedom ! Hope you are staying dry out west and rewarding yourself in special ways.

Hey @Jack9211 how are you and your Beloved doing ?

Hey @Jack1664! How are you doing ?