Mee

What a beautiful picture and what a beautiful soul you are. How can you go there and not bring them all home? Helping others, including animals, always helps direct our attention away from our troubles. Six days is great. Savor as much chocolate as you want. It is tough to go through struggles alone. Please know we are here for you Pumpkin.

Nope

Well we are home and safe. It was a long ride home with my parents because they are not happy we won't be taking them back to the casino. I also told my mom I was going to spend more time giving care to my friend so she can stay in her home till the end. I do hope to have a little more time with her but realize she is 103. My mom will just have to count on my brother to help and pay to have her groceries delivered. Thanks for all the words of encouragement. I don't know what I would do without you all.

Butter popcorn and jelly donut holes have become my comfort foods. I am even starting to feel the pouch getting bigger. Quitting smoking and gaining weight really bothered me before. Now I figured, if I could give up smoking, I can certainly give up food too. So I am going to savor it now while I make my quit stronger and then contend with it later!

Well we were worrying Lilly and I am so glad you let us know. Please know you will have my continued prayers for your health and the ability to quit. I know you can do it Lilly. Let this be the scare that solidifies your quit. Being uncomfortable for a period of about three weeks is nothing compared to the feeling of not smoking. I had almost resolved myself to most likely dying of lung cancer. My self esteem was so low I did not think I cared. Now I feel like a different person. C'mon girl let us do this together.

Nope cause I'm not going down that road anymore!

@Sazerac I know you are and that you have my back. Well the old folks threw a tantrum and refused to go home. We are leaving Saturday morning to head home. Needless to say I am very aggravated at them but so much wiser. I do believe, with my new found confidence and the support of my quit buds, I have the strength to not allow them to take advantage anymore. I do count and need to start putting myself first. I might need a few good vibes sent my way to get through the drive home and my mom's whining. My husband and I had a nice time. It is amazing how different your life is without the smoking chain around your neck. My friend is hanging on. I almost think she is waiting for me to get home. Thanks, my dear forum friends, for being there and @c9jane29 for all my lovely sticks.

Lilly. I felt like you. Smoking and knowing I would most likely get cancer. Heck I smoked through breast cancer and radiation! Now I am praying that I quit in time to avoid a horrible death. How could I have been so stupid. I was addicted and thought I could not live a life without cigs. I tried smoking clinics and hypnosis and nothing helped until I landed here. There is courage and support here and none of us are judging you. We are hurting for you because we have all been there. Together we have been able to shed the dreaded addiction. While I was on vacation, I found myself looking at smokers as if they were aliens. Never did I ever feel this was possible but it is. Get yourself checked and we will go from there. Know that I will be right there with you praying. Together all things are possible.

Nope not today

@Sazerac I will keep close I know you are there for me. The trip home with my parents will be tough. They do lack empathy and will be upset they have to go home.

I did call her. She is very depressed and did not want to talk but I did tell her I love her. I am not sure if she knows this is her time. Her niece has kept me informed. We have to retrieve my mom and dad from the casino. We are going to tell them we have to go home a day early.

Glad your back Lilly. It shows your determination. Everyday is a new day, so let this be your new beginning. You can do this.

I Don't exactly feel like smoking but feeling incredibly sad and vulnerable. We are still on vacation and my 103 yr. old lady friend that I care for is having heart failure. They have sent her home with hospice. I am afraid she will pass before I get home. I love this lady so much and just expected her to live forever. She has done so well and this is so sudden. We have two days before we are home. I guess I need prayers for what is best. I Don't know if it will be hard for me if she passes before I get home or better for me. I do know I will be very broken hearted with her not in my life. She was one special lady.

GM At least you realized it is not what you want and you are here. I think riding to work with someone that smokes is going to be a challenge. The first couple of weeks are the toughest because you are going through withdrawal. You might have to put some limitations on this by not allowing smoking in the vehicle. It is uncomfortable in the beginning but you can do it.

I am so sorry Jim. I know your pain. We lost both our Golden Retrievers within months of each other. They are more than our pets. We love them like our children. Each and every one leave those prints on our hearts. I hope your young one is finally on the mend and your senior leaves you with many more special moments.

Welcome GM. You have made a wise decision. You have stumbled across a wonderful place to do your quit. Read as much info as you can and bop around the forum. As you begin to read other posts and some of the blogs, you will find the courage to continue. We are all at different stages of our quits and are happy to help and support you through yours.

Way to go Parsley. You are definitely a champion. Hope your husband decides to hop on the train with you. So glad you enjoyed your trip. I love the time camping with my husband but it is quite cold where we are at and I hate the cold. We are running the furnace and a portable heater and are still cold!

Sharing pictures of our camping trip. 32 degrees last night. It is cold in Indiana!

Nope because

Happy Birthday Lily!

i think all smokers are sabotaging themselves and don't like themselves. It gives us the excuse to keep smoking. The longer I smoked the more I wanted to withdraw from life. I just wanted to sit home and smoke. You want to change this part of your life or you would not be here. So let's get going girl. Make this your permanent quit. No matter what is going on in your life, your life is so worth it.

@Sazerac You are such a wise soul. I love how you carefully choose your words to have so much meaning. My parents can't drive because they are old and not in good health. They both have walking issues and ride scooters at the casino. We took them the first time because we worried about their safety and it gave us a break. Now they expect it and do not realize the burden it is. This will be the last time we take them and I definitely will heed the advice. That guilt has always been more about that death bed "I love you" . I do realize I am the better person for filling their pill containers and making sure they get to their dr. appts. but I am no longer going to make sure they have entertainment. I actually do feel stronger every day I stay quit and how could I not be awesome when I have such awesome friends. You are all my heroes!