Kris

@mediahoundJust saw your post, looks like you just joined the board. Do you need help? We are here. Everything you have written is true! You have all of us here to help you. If you are having a crave, just breath through it. I know it is hard, the first days and weeks will pass before you know it.

@Kdad, you don't know how many times I have wanted to go do that! Guess what, I have not done it. It always passes, you have not died by NOT smoking. It has been uncomfortable, has made you anxious and more, you will handle Monday when it gets here. Just know what you are doing here is not only for your health but for your family's security. Would you be so willing to give them up, NO, they need you to STAY STRONG. That may the thing to do, look at them and realize they are the most important thing not cigarettes.

1. Three dogs.

Oh that one is tricky, I have never and would never hide my smoking. If I wanted to smoke that is my choice. You do not need anyone's permission. You are an adult. You will be the one to pay the price for the choice you make. I have lost connection to some of my husband's family for being honest about my smoking. I caught "as they say" them smoking on the side of the house during a family gathering. They said "we knew we would see you out here", I said "No you won't, I will be sitting in a chair at the table on the patio. I am not ashamed, and I am not hiding from anyone". Let's say they did not like my opinion on the matter. All of this must be choice you make. If you chose to smoke and get sick it will be your choice but do not expect that others will feel bad, that they will take care of you. I know you don't want to accept that, you do not want the cold hard truth that we have to accept that with choice we make. Believe us, we know how hard it is, the suffering. @jillarsaid it, it will never be over, accept that forever is the thing that will save your health and your life. You know how to do this, you have done it before. Do this for you and no one else. You matter to everyone in your life!

Why is it that when we hurt a small part of our bodies they seem to hurt the worst. I once slammed a finger in the car door, so much blood and pain. Had to go to the ER and had the finger nail removed. Had an ingrown toenail and had to have it removed, OMG the pain after. Had a sparkler break off and hit the thumb nail. Burned a hole straight thru. ER again, so much pain. I never lit one of those again and refused to let my son be anywhere near them. I have had major surgery and not that much pain, OK so maybe the heavy pain meds did help LOL

For me, I am still having problems with sleep. It is normal, your body is going thru a lot of changes. You have to expect there will be some changes as you adjust. Just be kind to yourself, that is all you can do while the body and mind learn that there is no more nicotine. It is not easy but you can do it. Have patience in all things.

@Boo I would suggest you get some seeds on your next visit to a home improvement store. This will be something special you and Maddie get to do this spring when her brother arrives. Have you grown veggies in the past. It is something I did and do with my grandson.

While I wait.

It is just weird, to not hear from him, he always tells us if he is going away. I am afraid something is wrong.

Bump, late night and found this. I have never met a person that did not love biscuits and sausage gravy. In my house, the biscuits were cracked open and buttered. Then covered in gravy with lots of black pepper. Pork sausage in patties served on the side. Brand, Jimmy Dean Hot. I could serve this to anyone and they would want a second plate. Making gravy is a southern must, if you can't do it you are not from the south (USA). You use the grease from cooking the sausage with flour to make the roux. Then add milk to make the gravy. Black pepper and salt to taste. I can't tell you how many times I made this for the family and for all the boys that had overnight video game sleepovers. I was quite popular with them. They were never hungry at our house. @BooYes I know about fried okra, I even grow my own. It does very well in the Texas climate. I was very loved at my Mom's nursing home. I would take in a bag of home grown okra and tomatoes and it made sure my Mom got the best care.

Has anyone heard from @Opahhave not seen him on the board for weeks.

@Cbdave I am not sure of Toby Jo. He was a rescue that was found in a field in the dead of a winter rainstorm. He had been on his own for some time because he was just a ball matted fur and under weight. He won the Momma lottery. He now gets plenty of food, a warm bed with Mom and sister dog. He does not enjoy the groomer or the vet but has no choice. My little girl was adopted at the city pound. Zo was twelve weeks old when I brought her home. I did get to meet her Mom and 3 sisters. My husband had passed about 9 months, I could still not get out of bed, our doctor said go get a puppy, it will make you get out of bed. So, she is my little live saver. She also does not like the vet but does not have to go to groomer. I have a third now, Bear, an 80lb black chow. His Dad died in April of 2020 and he became mine. This friend stayed with me for 3 1/2 months after a below the knee amputation. He fell in love with my littles when he was here and got Bear after he was able to return home. The weird thing is we had taken in a mixed breed chow also named Bear from our friend 30 years ago. This is the only pure blood dog I have owned. He is the sweetest of the three. He never gets upset at the littles even when they bark and snap at him. The only problem is when I need to take him to the groomer or vet I need help because he can pull me down. I encourage people to adopt dogs at the shelter or from rescue organizations. Most of the time there is not a problem with the dog, it was a problem with the owner. They could not dedicate the time or resources to be a proper owner for an animal. This is a lifetime commitment to an animal for their food, shelter and medical needs. PLEASE ADOPT ANIMALS IN NEED/SPAY AND NEUTER/DONATE TO YOUR LOCAL SHELTERS. My husband was a mailman and always carried treats in his pockets.

@Kdad I am not going to speak of your pain or your struggle. I do not know the depth of your hurt or anguish. What I do know is you want to quit smoking. That could be for health problems, that you want to have a future with your loved ones. Whatever the reasons are to you, they mean something to you. You are the one that has to dig deep and decide what you are going to do. Once you have done that you will give yourself permission to know that you deserve this, that you have value to your family, friends and all those in your life. You deserve to go thru everyday feeling good physically and mentally. I know it is hard, it is hard for all of us. We are just as addicted to a bad thing as the homeless on the street. We try to pretend otherwise but we know deep down they are struggling thru life just like us with our own problems and addictions. We all come to a point that we have to decide the direction our lives should take. You are there and you know the answers, now you just have to stay strong. Save yourself, you are young with so much in front of you, don't waste time, make it count!!

Great job, Burbank Steve, the road less traveled, but you are determined to reach your destination!!

2. when you are out of chip clips, use to seal up a bag of chips. Yeah, I have so many bags I run out of clips but I don't run out of chips!

@BooI knew that would be the one popping up! I am even afraid to go to the Zoo now!!

@CbdaveOMG, so sweet, they do bring so much love, joy and happiness. Okay, I am so happy that I got to post something on the board. This is two of my babies, ZO at the left and Toby Jo at my right. Could not get by without them. I will have to work on a picture of the third, the big boy. Tell us all about her, where, when, how she came to you!

Cereal is soup, once you add the milk. Why does rain look like liquid silver dripping from your roof?

Okay already, I've got it but I still don't like the word. Do people just sit around thinking up new words. The dictionary is big enough already, you know that big heavy book you can look up words for spelling and definition. We used to do that before the internet took over the world. This message is intended for those under twenty years of age.

Thanks @Boo

@Ace, trying to get the KINKS "Come Dancing" on here for your anniversary. As usual, I can't figure it out...so I will just say CONGRATULATIONS!

I am sorry to hear of your diagnosis. Since you are going in for surgery I would check with your doctor before you start using the patches. I don't know if it is okay to have any nicotine in your system when going into surgery. Many of us here have quit for health reasons. It is not easy but we are doing it and you can too, Spend some time reading the board. There is a lot of good information and advice to help you along and great people that will support you. Look forward to getting to know you!

Whelp some puppies

2. Make bread

@intoxicated yodaand@jillar, I am with you. I have about 6#lb of bacon and two 2#lbs of sausage in the freezer. I would agree that there could be a sensitivity to processed meats but there are uncured available. I love bacon and use the sausage in many recipes. The caffeine would cause me more problems, i am a diet coke addict. I don't drink coffee. I could not give up carbs and sugar or people would be hurt. I could not live on bread and water but would be fine with bread, butter and water. Funny how I say that, never thought I could live without smoking, but I am doing it and there have been no reports of a mass murder in my area. I guess we can all do what we have to do, when we HAVE to do it. Wish you the best Yoda!!