ChristaC

Amy... we may all die of a smoking related disease... BUT We won't die as smokers. But you know what? That's not even the point. The point is... how do we want to live the remainder of our lives? Do we want to be slaves... or free men and women? I, for one, chose FREEDOM.

THREE!

Fantastic news, Gemzee! Congratulations! You got this!

Honestly, I have no idea where the extra money went... it just "went", LOL. All I know is that I'd be over $2000 poorer if I still smoked.... :D

Yep. I think we can all recognize ourselves in this, right? We were such LOSERS...but now? We are winners! All of us! (Screw you, nicodemon!)

Thanks, guys.... if those who still smoke only KNEW... they'd be standing in line to quit! The rewards are so great that we all get to a point where we can't imagine why and how we were so stupid in the first place. Never mind. Better late than never, right? Oh, yeah....:-)

You can do this, Amy! Don't give up... trust us, it's sooooo worth it!

NOPE

First of all, congratulations to all of you. As I'm sitting here reading some of the posts of some of the struggles quitters go through, especially those with fairly recent quits, I remember my own battles in the early days, and I get the chills.... How did I ever get to this point of being wonderfully free from this nasty, deadly addiction? I smoked for over 50 years... I did EVERYTHING with a cigarette in my hand... work, relax, drive, talk on the phone, read a book, drink coffee... when I went shopping, I'd light up as soon as I hit the front door of the store.... when I went out to dinner, I stood outside between the salad and the main course for a 'quick one', and scarfed down my food so that I could run back out and smoke that 'dessert'... when one of the kids had a school concert or something, I was impatient for it to be over because I was craving for a cigarette... I remember how, when somebody would ask me to go somewhere with them, my first thought was "can I smoke there?", or actually making excuses why I can't go... because it was a 'non-smoking' event... good God, how awful is that? Besides the obvious health concerns, knowing I'm killing myself, trying to excuse my non-stop cough and throat-clearing (it's allergies, I'm getting a cold, I've got something stuck in my throat etc... ), pitiful, false, trying-to-fool myself and everyone else 'smoke screens' (pun intended) for my oncoming emphysema and/or COPD... besides all of that (as if that wasn't enough), just the social aspects alone should turn everyone away from nicodemon's siren call. Life is so limiting when you're addicted to cigarettes (or anything, really) that it RULES your behavior all day long, and actually COMMANDS you to live your days a certain way. As a non smoker, you can do what YOU want, when and where you want. As a smoker, you're at the beck and call of your addiction... you're a prisoner who must follow his jailer's orders. Plus, my hair smells like coconut shampoo. :P Never, ever again. N.O.P.E.

Congratulations, Evelyn! The worst is over! Keep on climbing, you CAN do it!

Woot woot! Can't wait for the party!!! :D

Who's the boss, Evelyn? You, or Nicodemon? You're NOT going to let that ugly little troll tell you what to do and how to live your life, are you? Just say NO!

Jenny... you're the best. From day one of my own quit you have been here for me, supported and encouraged me. Thank you. Love, Christa

Seven months already, Armed? Has it really been that long since you enriched this board (or THAT board, as the case may be :D ) with your presence? Congratulations, and thanks for your always cheerful contributions!

Huge Congratulations on 6 months, Tracey! You rock!

Congratulations to Betsy, who has been a huge inspiration in my own quit! You rock!

Can we go backwards, though? I think so... it takes a little time, but I see changes in my teeth, skin, hair, and breathing ability, for starters. Please, God, give us another chance... Amen. :)

Speaking strictly for myself, it helped me to make this thing between nicodemon and myself strictly personal. I imagined that little sonofabitch beckoning me, whispering in my ear in his raspy, evil voice, blowing his stinking breath in my face, trying to get me to come back over to his side. I can't tell to you many times I told him to go eff himself. There was NO WAY I'd let that little monster win. And I didn't. He only comes once in a while now, and it's easy to blow him off.... :D

Is tomorrow the big day? Why yes, it is.... Woo hoo!!! Partay!!!

Awwwww thank you all so very much! I can't believe I'll be coming up on my one year anniversary... I never thought I'd be able to quit... until, that is, I met you wonderful people and soaked up your support and encouragement.

Thanks for the recipe, Aine! Sounds delicious.... and DOABLE! I'll definitely try making my own, it doesn't seem that hard....:-)

At this point in my quit, I KNOW there's no such thing as "just one". Even I, hard-core addict that I am, can't fool myself into believing THAT, ever again....:-D

Hummus is amazingly HEALTHY.... Just sayin'. LOL

I saved over $2300, and I have only ONE question: Where the heck is it? I just want to know how I was able to blow (yes, literally BLOW) all of that money? It's not like it's 'LEFT OVER' now that I don't buy smokes any more. What did I do with it???? :D