ExTex

Struggling a little today and I don't know why. Running over my list. What is being a non-smoker worth. Weighing temporary satisfaction with losing long term gains. And remembering to breath

Good morning and happy SPRING!! Still knee-deep in snow, but I know that flowers and sunshine are in my future. Apropos absolutely nothing, this image came up when I typed Spring into Google. I just could not resist using it. Spring-Heeled Jack is the title. Isn't it fabulous? <insert non-smoking metaphor here>

Isn't is amazing the things we tolerated in order to smoke? Wheezing, gasping, coughing, etc. Thanks for sharing your spring day with us

A Saint Paddy's riddle. Why should you never iron a 4-leaf clover? Because you shouldn't press your luck. Why should you never smoke again? Because you shouldn't press your luck. Heavy-handed but the best I could do this morning. :)

Snow has ended and I am back at work trying desperately to catch up. We got hit hard, but not as bad as it could be. The roads are still a mess. I hate driving in this stuff. I actually got stuck in a snow bank not a mile from my house yesterday. The sparkling bright side to all this: I didn't need to stand out in an actual BLIZZARD because of a craving. Actual photo from my house

Kiwi I don't know if everybody goes through that feeling - but I know I did. I never realized how much energy I used to smoke. Making sure I always had a supply; when can I get the next pack, where can I smoke, how can I hide it? Once that was gone there was this huge hole. You will get it back, but probably gradually. You won't notice it's coming back until one day, it just hits you. I hope it happens soon

We may get 16-20 inches of snow in my area tomorrow. That's a lot of snow for around here. No way am I going to make it to work, so today is a frantic struggle to make sure I have everything accounted for. Need to buy bread and beer on the way home. You know what I am not buying? That's right! Smokes. We don't need no stinking smokes around here!!

If I am home when a craving hits, I make a cup of tea. That's a bit of a process for me, boiling the water, finding the teapot, cleaning up the mess under the honey jar (every damn time, I swear). It was just enough to keep me away from a smoke until I could get passed craving. At work, I just walk back to receiving and take inventory. There is always something going on in receiving.

I am traveling for work starting tomorrow I don't know if I will be able to post again before Friday. I travel just enough that it doesn't get easier. I need new luggage but I don't buy it because I don't q-u-i-t-e need it yet, so it isn't a priority. I would like some of the new gizmos out there that make it easier to pack and get through security but it just doesn't quite make sense. You what will be easier??? Not looking for a place to smoke. Not having to leave the controlled area to go outside and then having to come back in through security. Not having to find a smoke-friendly hotel (it's getting harder). Today's mantra: Easier is better.

Welcome aboard!! I'll be looking for you.

NOPE

You've heard that saying, right? It's not the number of years in your life, but the amount of life in your years that counts. (that type of phrase is called an "antimetabole", by the way.) So... I am piling up some good life right now and I am feeling euphoric! I can breath. I can smell. I don't stink. What's not to love? Oh yeah, and it's BIRTHDAY MONTH!!!!

Nope. Noper. Nopest. (almost sounds like Latin conjugations, doesn't it? ) (I crack myself up) (I am easily amused)

My birthday is in March. One day just isn't enough, though, so I claim the entire month of March as Birthday Month. Yes, I expect to be treated as the Birthday-Girl for a month. I have several excursions planned - including a visit to our newest National Park and a party for myself in two weeks. The fact that my husband plays along ALL MONTH is a testament to how darn cute I am!! (That's what I tell him) He says "Yes, dear" a lot. Anyway.... I have been thinking about how many more birthdays I want and what quality of birthdays. Do I want to travel or hike or dance? Or do I want to be hooked up to an oxygen bottle. For the record, nobody looks cute hooked up to oxygen. Not even in the movies. Today's mantra: Many happy birthdays yet to come

I'm only here for the NOPE

SO, I am that gray area of a new habit. The shiny-new "I am a warrior" spirit has faded ans the cravings have dissipated. There is still real danger, however. Habits die hard. It doesn't take much for me to feel nostalgic about smoking. I know the danger of "just one" thinking. I know I cannot ever be a "social smoker". I know I must stay alert. So I come here and read or post. That's what is working for me right now. Today's mantra: Stay alert

SCENTED LOTIONS!!! I have bottles of scented lotions and I love them. I can smell the scent all day. A treat for my senses

>Wipes tear away and clears throat Thank you for the courage it took to share with us.

Not. Gonna. Happen. NOPE!!

Nope. Not today.

I"ve been thinking a lot about addiction lately. Like, how did I allow myself to chain myself to an addictive substance. I visited a friend of mine over the weekend in a "sober house". She was involved in a car accident after having too much to drink (again). Her family insisted she go dry out. The whole time I was there she was telling me about how much she drinks but how none of her problems were in any way tied to drinking (no job, husband left, car wrecked). All I could think was "I am no different". My drug of choice is nicotine and I made excuses and denied health issues and problems so I could keep inhaling nicotine. This morning I am feeling much more protective of my quit. I don't want to be that person in denial. Today's mantra: I own my quit.

The BOSS is was due in 2 minutes ago and I still haven't finished the mountain of projects he dumped on me yesterday at 3:00 (thanks so very much). I needed to pop in here and anchor myself to the quit. Today's mantra: This, too, shall pass

The Big Boss is coming in to town this week. Not even sure when his plane lands, but I am already hyperventilating. This is a huge trigger for me and I am having a really tough, tough morning. Today will be micro-managing a thousand triggers. I shall think of big trees and cool shadows. I shall think of ferns in dappled light. I shall think of hidden places to put the body. Today's mantra: I don't look good in smoke or orange.