Kate18

I LOVE this photo! It's about how I feel right now. All the years of being off and on the QSMB and now here are past, and I have finally arrived at a time when smoking is just a dim memory. How could I ever have smoked in the first place?! Did you know that -- did I mention -- I started smoking because my daughter was moving home from the college dorms? We were sitting outside under a dark, hot middle eastern sky on the porch swing, and she said she had to tell me something. "You're pregnant?" "NO!" She said, "I smoke." "No problem," says I. So I schemed. I started smoking for camaraderie and thought, "I'll smoke for a few months and then I'll quit and she'll see how easy it is, and she'll quit, too." Unbelievable hubris. She quit six years ago. She had quit during her pregnancy, but started in after she quit nursing the baby. She realized how stupid it was to go out on the porch and leave her toddler in the play pen, so she quit. And, speaking of stupid, I couldn't get myself to keep a quit. I struggled so hard and long. It just takes a big enough "Why," but I couldn't convince myself. Then the coronavirus hit, and that's all it took. Ya smoke, ya get the virus, ya die. I would probably have started up again by now, though, except that I've found the stock market. My portfolio is up more than 30% after less than three months, and I learn more every day about how to create and maintain a profitable portfolio. (I'm a buy and hold, not an active or day trader). Throughout all of this time, Doreen, I remember you being on the forum and so supportive. Your participation and support have meant a lot. Thank you Kate

Thanks. Just LOVE Morgan Freeman. One of my all time favorite actors! So happy he's cheering for me

Whew! I feel more like a nonsmoker now than I did during months 0-5 I think I go for a day or two and no thought of cigarettes, or maybe tiny fleeting thoughts. Cravings are gone.

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You are a rock, Doreen. It means so much that you continue to support those of us who are still new in our quits. You are like a beacon of light that shows us the possibility of longer, life long quits. Thank you, and congratulations!

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NOPE I'm craving a smoke right now, which is odd, because it's been weeks since that last happened. Stress, I imagine, and frustration with stock analysis. However, NOPE, because one doesn't just throw away an almost 6 month quit over company valuation analysis overwhelm. Think I'll have a cold beer, instead.

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Nope, always NOPE

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NOPE I've put all of the money that I've saved by not smoking into stocks. I started it about two months ago. My portfolio is up 30%. Much better than smoking.

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Well, it's almost August, so I'm casting my vote for "Freedom Force." It makes me think of Yoda, "Do or do not, there is no 'try'." How many times did I say that I was "trying" to quit smoking?

May the Force be with you I like it

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Nice! Congrats on 2 Weeks!

Congratulations Mona, three months is a significant accomplishment! It feels so good, right?

Just realized when I posted on the pledge page that my ticker said 5 months and 11 hours. If the ticker says it, it must be true. Wow! It's a good feeling. It gets easier and easier, and only a couple of times a day do I think of a cigarette--most of the time, only when I smell smoke or see one stomped out on the ground. Have a great day, everyone

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NOPE Craving a cigarette, so good time to pledge for a new day. Going to bed to sleep it off. There's always a way around or through or over or under a craving, if one just looks hard enough, and wants to find a way enough.

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