Kris

@OsloGlad you are here and making the decision to change your life for the better. It will be rough at times but you can do it.

Bump, it is lonely out here, why is everyone asleep when I am awake? Has anyone heard from Opah?

@nicotine_freeThe main thing is you have not given up! I used the nicotine lozenges at first. I do keep them here in the house in case I lose my grip. I am lucky that I am retired but when I was working could only go out for a smoke at lunch and there were days that I thought I would explode I learned how to deal with it, there was no choice. I have posted before about making emergency kits for work, the car and one in my purse. Hard candys, air straws, gum. I just make sure I have something to distract me until the craving passes.

You are not alone, as I sit here in my pajamas for the third day. Have not washed my hair, just another deterrent to prevent a rash decision. Switch to plastic cups and paper plates, much better than sweeping up broken glass. Always have tissues at the ready. I have done it all, I will keep doing it and any other silly thing that comes to mind. I am only going to quit one time. I do not want to have to start over, I will not go thru this again!

@Kdad Sorry to hear you had a setback, but all it is, is a setback, start again, be brave, you can do it! I am close to 8 months out and I still struggle every day. I am okay with that. The one thing I will not do is buy cigarettes. I made the decision to quit because of health issues. If you are not afraid, you should be. You will do this when you finally realize there is nothing else to be done. You have to understand (and we all know it to be true), smoking is just a slow suicide. You have quit before, you know how to do it. This will sound stupid, but sometimes I think the process is harder for men. I know for me when I get overwhelmed, I just have a good cry to release the anxiety and anger at myself. I think most guys do not see that as an option. I believe I read you were home because of disability so I don't know what you can do physically. My husband used to go out and chop wood or take his sledgehammer to something to get things out of his system. Look at yourself honestly, at what you can do, why you want this, why this really, really matters to you. Then do it.

Cup of coffee, tea, or broth will help with your throat as well. If it is a smoker's cough, I found that mine went away after a few days. That is the clincher for me and helped me want to keep going. I was able to breath so much better, didn't have to worry about that horrible sounding cough that makes people stop and look at you.

We are glad you are here. You will find a great support team. I am signing off for tonite but hope to talk to you soon?

@jillarThanks for the bump. I had not ever read this post. It is so true, I do feel empty and lost now that I am a nonsmoker. I am on the path and I have the map that so many have shared here. I know the way, just keep walking forward.

@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!

11. My favorite, I hate to tell you but my poor husband is next to my mother in the china cabinet. There is no escape. I tried to tell him this for 30 years and he would not listen.

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